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Katana Ya
430 Geary St
(at Mason St)
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 771-1280

Otaku has often been used to describe obsessive collectors but in the case of the ramen world, this term applies to the cult following of this famous Japanese noodle dish. Through out the years, ramen diners have infiltrated the entire globe. Ramen can be considered the popular choice for comfort food.

Popular websites such as Ramenworld.com and Rameniac.com have formed communities. While most Americans associate ramen as the square package block of noodles for budget eats, authentic ramen involve master chefs that demonstrate this craft with delicate skills.

Katana-Ya, located in the trendy Nob Hill district, has created a cult following in the thirty seat restaurant. Chef owner Yoshiaki Noto has duplicated an authentic ramen environment resembling the ramen houses I have been to in Japan .

Forty years ago in Japan , the master ramen chef started learning the craft from working at a ramen restaurant owned by his relatives. Although he only had one day of formal training from his relatives, he studied hard by making twenty different ramen bowls a day in order to create his own ramen recipes.

Twenty years ago, he immigrated to the United States and started his own business. Although being an entrepreneur included long hours and stress, Noto desired to reach the American dream. Noto admits that his biggest challenge is finding a prime location.

Being featured in various newspapers and magazines has increased his business. Opening till 2am, Katana has been a top choice for clubbers and other late night goers. The minute I step foot into the cult tavern, the ambiance is colorful. White Christmas lights hang over the sushi bar, small painting decorate the red walls, and mirrors surround the eatery.

Without hesitation, I order a range of ramen to taste. For those who enjoy a heavy full bodied broth, the miso will deliver. At the other end of the palate spectrum, the salt broth is light. Salt flavor resembles chicken broth (although our ramen broths contain chicken and pork) and miso (fermented soybean paste) flavor taste similar to miso soup but richer.

I start off with an order of the regular ramen ($7.50) in miso broth. Bamboo shoots provide a chewy crunch while tender pork slices enhance the flavor in the pork ramen in miso broth. Although I would have preferred the noodles more on the al dente side, the texture of the noodle was good.

For an instant rush of heat, the spicy tofu ramen ($9) marries spicy flavor with a minor note of sweet after taste. My favorite ramen dish is the fried chicken nugget (karage) ramen ($9.80) in salty broth. Coated with a thin layer of batter, four chicken pieces were tender. Next time, I would request that the nuggets be served out of the broth so that I taste a crispy skin.

A great side dish is the yellowtail (hamachi) neck( $5.50). Served on the side of a green salad, chopped chunks of hamachi neck are fried in a light batter. Biting through a crispy crust, the meat with the texture of marshmallow greets the palate.

A slight dunk into the soy sauce provides the needed savory boost. A dish that can be featured on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern , the shiro kara (raw squid in a brown paste-$6) would take the gold trophy. Although the waitress advised it be consumed with alcohol, I don’t think it would have washed off the lingering taste from salt and malted rice. With a slimy consistency, the dish is truly an acquired taste.

The positive reviews from Yelp.com have also been a major contributing factor. Opening in the Fall, Noto’s next project will be opening a Japanese restaurant serving sakes and fresh seafood from their fish tank along with prime rib.

Consultant hat.

3 Pro’s
Cult. Eaters who have Otaku over ramen, love to tell others about their last ramen experience. They critique the broth and noodles. So word of mouth will grow your business.

Food cost.Owners charge $8 for ramen, but the total food cost is around $1.30. Broth, made mainly of water and pork bones, is not a big food cost.
Location/hours. Surrounded by bars and clubs, Katana has been a great spot for the after party. Also, people who work in hotels/restaurants get off work at late hours can head over for a bowl of comfort food.

3 Con’s
No to go.Ramen is meant to be eaten there, so don’t expect a big to go business.
Limited menu. Once you specialize in ramen, patrons perceive that other main items such as sushi rolls may not be a good.
Not for business meals.Katana is a great place to bring friends and not your business associates. Slurping may be considered awkward and stains can easily get on suits and dresses.

The Gold Trophy for an ramen orgasm remains Santouka.

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