Tried two types of ramen at the Kanshoku Ramen Bar - the Truffle Ramen and Signature Kanshoku Ramen.

While I think truffle is one of the best things to come out of the hipster food craze and I can't get enough of it, I'm not sure if I like the Truffle Ramen at Kanshoku Ramen Bar well enough to return for a second. Served dry and cold and dressed with truffle oil and truffle shavings, a whiff of it sent me tingling with excitement but it didn't work magic in my mouth. The only consolation was the two aburi-torched slices of tender chashu with a delightful smoky edge.

The Signature Kanshoku Ramen seemed to fall short too. There's no question that the soul of a Hakata-styled ramen bowl is in the broth, and there's nothing like the intensely porky, lip-coating stickiness of a properly made tonkotsu broth. The best kind has tiny nubbins of pork fat floating around the surface to add extra flavor (and calories) to the mix. But the Signature Kanshoku Ramen was devoid of this deep richness.

🗒 Truffle Ramen ($16.90), Signature Kanshoku Ramen ($13.90)