If you’ve been looking for the best Japanese restaurants in Rogers, Arkansas, you might’ve come across Ramen Nara and wondered whether it’s worth checking out. How does it measure up?
Ramen Nara is a locally owned Japanese restaurant in Rogers, Arkansas, famous for its ramen noodles. The restaurant has a very inclusive menu, with ramen options for vegan and gluten-sensitive customers. I recommend trying it out because of its amazing ambiance, service, and food.
In this post, I’ll share my experience at Ramen Nara and tell you why I recommend checking the place out. So, if you’re a foodie, keep reading!
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My Favorite Things About Ramen Nara (Rogers, Arkansas)
A few days ago, I tried out a local Japanese restaurant in northwest Arkansas called Ramen Nara. They served me some of the best ramen I’ve ever had, and I absolutely loved it.
There was also more to the restaurant than just the food, and it added to a wonderful experience for me that I just had to write about it.
Here are some of the best things I liked about Ramen Nara and why I think you’ve got to check this place out if you’re in Rogers, Arkansas.
1. The Ambiance Is Perfect for Casual Hangouts
Ramen Nara absolutely hit the mark for ambiance. This is one of the best things I liked about the restaurant.
When you walk through the doors, you’re immediately welcomed by the distinct (and yummy) smell of spicy ramen that gets your mouth watering. The smell isn’t so faint that it makes the ambiance odorless, and it isn’t so strong that it overwhelms you; it’s just enough to get you excited about your food.
The indoor dining space is never empty, so there’s always some energetic chatter in the background, making it the perfect place to go if you’re looking to relax with friends, eat yummy food, and have a good laugh. If you prefer to eat in quieter places, however, this is probably not the spot for you, but I’d still recommend trying it out because the ramen noodles here are worth it.
What really sets this place’s mood, though, is the pretty yellow ceiling lights. The stylish design of the lights makes the entire ceiling look incredible, giving the restaurant a warm and cozy vibe. This makes it the perfect place for winter.
As far as hygiene goes, I’m the kind of person who’s very particular about where I eat. If a restaurant is sloppy regarding hygiene and general cleanliness, I don’t eat in it. Period.
Thankfully, my experience at Ramen Nara was pretty good in this department. The tables, chairs, and flooring were spotless, and from what I could tell looking in from the outside, the kitchen was also pretty clean and organized.
One of the most noteworthy features of Ramen Nara’s ambiance is its upstairs seating. This is an entirely separate dining space at Ramen Nara, and it’s the perfect place if you’re looking for a super-casual setting. The room’s walls are tastefully decorated with popping artwork, which sets an energetic and fun tone.
Plus, it’s much less crowded than the other dining spaces, so you should consider this place if you want quieter seating.
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2. The Service Is Impeccable and the Staff Is Super-Friendly
Another highlight of my experience at Ramen Nara was its great customer service and incredibly hospitable staff.
You won’t see any frowning faces at Ramen Nara, and all staff members will welcome you with warm smiles and speak in the softest tones. And I’m not talking about the manufactured fake smiles you expect to see in corporate environments. These are genuine ones that (you can tell) come from the bottom of each staff member’s heart.
The waiters there are incredibly polite and helpful, so if you’re unsure what to get from the menu, you can expect them to give you honest feedback about the dishes on the menu and patiently help you figure out what to order.
As for serving time, I didn’t have to wait any longer than reasonable, and the fresh, delicious, steaming hot ramen noodles made the wait absolutely worth it. During my meal, one of the waiters politely checked in on me to see if I needed anything else, which I always appreciate in restaurants. As I was leaving, all the nearby staff thanked me for coming in and wished me a nice day- what a wholesome bunch of people!
If you’re particular about good customer service in restaurants, you should definitely try Ramen Nara because I’m positive you’ll be pleasantly surprised by their hospitality.
3. The Menu Is a Dream for Japanese Cuisine Fans
If you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine- especially ramen noodles- you’re going to feel right at home at Ramen Nara.
The menu is a one-pager with six main sections:
- Starters
- Ramen
- Extras
- Desserts and beverages
- Beer
- Sake
For some, this set of options may appear limited, but considering this restaurant specializes in ramen noodles, I think the range is perfect. Besides, it’s always better if restaurants keep their dishes limited to the ones they specialize in than to try and be the jack of all trades and serve average food.
Obviously, I haven’t tried everything on the menu, so I can’t vouch for all the ramen dishes, but the ramen I ordered (I’ll tell you more about it in the next section) was one of the best I’ve ever had.
A final quality of their menu that I want to mention is that it caters to vegan and gluten-sensitive customers.
So, if you were worried Ramen Nara wouldn’t have options for you, think again!
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4. The Ramen Noodles Are Spot-On
Finally, the real star of the show is the ramen noodles themselves. I tried their Shoyu Chicken Ramen, which consists of thin noodles with chicken broth served with a soft-boiled egg, grilled chicken, mushrooms, fish cake, bamboo shoots, and scallions.
From the first bite, I knew I had found a real winner. The taste, the texture, the freshness of the ingredients, and the noodle-to-broth ratio were all absolutely spot on.
All the ingredients came together beautifully in my mouth and with each bite, I became increasingly convinced these were some of the best ramen noodles I’ve ever had. There’s no way to tell you what I’m talking about through words; you’ve got to try these yourself!
As I said, I didn’t get a chance to try the other ramen options from the menu, but from what I can tell from the online reviews I’ve read, they’re all really good. I’ve heard particularly good reviews about their Shoyu Tonkotsu Ramen, so I can’t wait to try them on my next visit to Ramen Nara.
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Conclusion
Ramen Nara is really something you’ve got to experience yourself to understand what I’m talking about. So, if you live in Rogers, Arkansas (or visit it in the future), I encourage you to try this place out; I can’t wait to see this place get the recognition it deserves!