Ramen. Here in Charleston, I predict ramen will be the the new go-to food everyone will be talking about in 2016. And get out of your heads the ramen you ate back in college wrapped in a multi-pack with flavor packets (I sustained on those through my college years too). Ramen can be (and now is) being taken to a whole other level. Short Grain was one of my favorite food truck discoveries of 2015 (the O.G. Bowl has been forever engrained in my mind since I first tasted it), and in 2016 they’ve partnered with The Daily to give us Ramen with Friends, a weekend ramen event throughout January featuring some of Short Grains own excellent ramen, along with special guests take on ramen every Saturday night.
My first experience reminded me of the first time I visited Mission Chinese in New York. Walk by and you'll have no idea what amazing culinary experience lies right behind the door. Open the door, and you’re taken into another world, filled with loud hip-hop music and a busy kitchen staff preparing to serve ramen lovers packed inside. The combination of this and people who are truly excited about what they are about to experience leads to a truly electric environment.
The night’s special guest chef was Micheal Toscano of NYC. His take on ramen: Micheal Toscano’s Chiarra: Beef Rib Ramen with Mushroom Miso Brodo, Bitter Greens, Smoked Pork Jowl and a Soft Boiled Egg. And if that wasn't enough, topped shavings of white and black truffle. TRUFFLE.
I did return for week 4 (and 5) and another favorite was the Xian Mian from Josh Walker of Charleston favorite, Xao Bao Biscuit. Simpler than the beef rib ramen (but equally as delicious), Xian Mian consists of fat noodles with greens and meatballs.
Ramen is all around Charleston now, from 2 Nixons to Two Boroughs Larder and more. Here's a guide of all the ramen spots in town right now from Charleston City Paper. No matter where you go to experience ramen, go out and get ramen'd soon.