I have a huge soft spot for cash only Asian institutions, and an even bigger one for delicious broth. Broth is transformative and magical, taking a totally crap day (because of an awful cold, awful weather, or awful anything) and making it melt away with every aromatic spoonful. These two restaurants are little holes-in-the-walls and serve up delicious fair, but they also couldn't be more different.
Asahi Ramen on Sawtelle Blvd. serves ramen noodles in several kinds of broth (clear, miso, soy sauce, etc.) with an assortment of ingredients. You can build your own or order one of their variations. I order the Mabo Ramen: tofu, ground pork, scallions and ramen in a spicy sauce in a soy sauce based soup. The spice is subtle and if I'm in the need for some throat tickling heat I'll add a tiny dab of Sriracha to the bowl. I've tried a few other hot ramen choices, but the Mabo is by far my favorite. It is the perfect soup to end a long day with its deep savory flavors and bright punches of scallions punctuating the broth. Not to mention that one order of soup will easily feed 2 or 3. Ah! I want some now! Also fabulous are the gyoza, which my boyfriend ordered for nostalgic purposes (his diet before he met me consisted solely of Trader Joe's frozen ones). They're crisped up and golden brown on the bottom, but silky everywhere else, just how I like them. The fried rice is also great, in a very no fuss way. It's a simple mix of pork, egg, carrots, peas, and scallion and not too greasy. While I wait for my broth I shovel the rice into my mouth greedily while my boyfriend inhales the gyoza. Yikes, what a pair.
.jpg)
Lightly pickled cucumbers served before the meal.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Gyoza!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Hits-The-Spot Fried Rice.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Mabo Ramen, my soul-soothing elixir.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Meanwhile, on the Eastside, Pho Cafe serves up a rich broth with rice noodles, as well as other popular Vietnamese fair. Typical of almost every place in Silverlake, the restaurant is stylishly well designed, with stark white walls, wooden panels, orange chairs and simple pendant lamps dropping from the ceiling. The food is just as clean and simple, with clear flavors permeating the Pho, Bun, and Spring Rolls.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Meanwhile, on the Eastside, Pho Cafe serves up a rich broth with rice noodles, as well as other popular Vietnamese fair. Typical of almost every place in Silverlake, the restaurant is stylishly well designed, with stark white walls, wooden panels, orange chairs and simple pendant lamps dropping from the ceiling. The food is just as clean and simple, with clear flavors permeating the Pho, Bun, and Spring Rolls.
This was my first experience with Pho, though I've heard it raved about before, and it met my high expectations. This broth is spicy in the sweet sense, with star anise and cinnamon adding depth and fresh basil and chili adding brightness. I had the simplest offering on the menu, Pho Tai, the rice noodle soup with rare steak and fresh herbs. It was lovely in a way completely different from the Mabo Ramen. With the savory bun (a cold noodle dish served with egg rolls, shrimp, lemongrass marinated steak, and fresh herbs) and succulent spring rolls, the intoxicating broth offsets the others' fresh flavors.
My boyfriend, Peter, giving his order.
The Pho Tai, after we added the herbs and chili.
The herbs served with the Pho.
Delicious spring rolls.
Savory Bun.
:.