Aloha Ramen: Greenwood's new neighborhood joint

Greenwood, with the recently opened Aloha Ramen and New's Noodles, is joining other Seattle neighborhoods where more Asian noodle spots are opening up.

Aloha Ramen is owned by husband-and-wife team Lorenzo and Reiko Rangel, who moved here from Honolulu about a year ago.

Lorenzo, who has some 30 years experience in the restaurant business, said he decided to open a ramen restaurant because Seattle doesn't have that many of them yet.

The menu: Ramen, obviously — noodles in broth garnished with additions such as roast pork, fish cake, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts and/or tofu. Most options (miso, shio, shoyu, vegetarian, kalua) are $6.50; the tan tan men (spicy sesame-flavored) is $7. Side dishes include pot stickers ($4), char siu garlic rice ($5.50), tonkatsu pork cutlets ($4) and white rice ($1).

Combo deals ($8) include your choice of ramen with either four pot stickers or a (not so) mini plate of char siu garlic rice; or the garlic rice with four pot stickers. Mango, green tea or red-bean ice cream ($1.50) is available for dessert.

Our party of three took advantage of the combo menu, ordering shio ramen (salt-flavored broth), shoyu ramen (soy-sauce flavor), and kalua ramen (smoked roast-pork flavor), along with pot stickers and char siu garlic rice.

The noodles were satisfyingly chewy, with a good bite to them, though the broth of the shio and shoyu ramen could use more complexity and less salt. The pot stickers were fine.

What to write home about: You won't go home hungry. The portions are generous, even with the combo deals. Of the noodle bowls, the kalua ramen was the standout, with chunks of smoky, shredded roast pork adding an intriguing flavor to the broth.

The char siu garlic rice was nice and garlicky, with conspicuous pieces of stir-fried garlic and chunks of barbecued pork.

The setting: The place is small, basic, bright and cheerful, with six tables for two and a counter with six seats. It was bustling while we were there; still, service was prompt and friendly.

Summing up: Three of us shared three combo meals that came to $26.40 including tax but not tip. Especially with cooler weather coming along, Aloha Ramen is a good neighborhood joint to pop into for a comforting bowl of noodle soup.

Janet I. Tu: 206-464-2272 or jtu@seattletimes.com