Ticket Editor: One of the best Asian restaurants in Sarasota, Bradenton opens new location
One of the best Asian restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton has expanded.
Mitaka Japanese Ramen House, a hidden gem thriving in West Bradenton, recently opened a second location near one of the region's most popular shopping destinations. The new Mitaka location is at 5943 Factory Shops Blvd. in Ellenton, conveniently within walking distance of the Ellenton Premium Outlets.
Now, for enthusiasts like myself who savor Mitaka's authentically delicious ramen and their various other genuine Japanese dishes, there are two options: the new location near the Outlets or the original Mitaka spot at 6749 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, within the Northwest Promenade anchored by Fresh Market.
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Both Mitaka restaurants feature similar menus by Chef Wei Ren
Chef Wei Ren and his wife, Mei Yang, opened the original Mitaka Japanese Ramen House in late 2018. It quickly earned a reputation as an essential destination for any self-respecting ramen enthusiast. On Sept. 20, they hosted a grand opening for their Ellenton location, which offers a nearly identical menu.
"Are you ready for a slurp-tastic experience?" reads the Mitaka social media post from Sept. 18. "We're thrilled to announce the grand opening of our second location in Ellenton. Your new destination for mouthwatering ramen!"
"Prepare your taste buds for a flavor explosion," the post continues. "Our menu features a variety of delectable ramen bowls, from classic tonkotsu to vegan options bursting with umami goodness."
What are the best foods to eat at Mitaka in Bradenton and now Ellenton?
Yes, while the bowls of ramen served at Mitaka are large enough to bathe a baby, I highly recommend starting your feast with one of the nearly dozen appetizers on the menu. Consider commencing with one of Chef Ren's two karaage dishes, a Japanese-style deep-frying delicacy. The chunks of chicken served with creamy firecracker-style sauce are sure to delight all carnivorous dining companions, while the fried squid tentacles will prove to be a richly rewarding choice for the more adventurous members of your party.
The appetizer menu is also where you'll discover both the pork and vegetable pan-fried dumplings that are worth the drive from Sarasota, even in the midst of tourist season traffic. And why not give the yakitori a try? It's Japanese skewered chicken, and Chef Ren's perfectly cooked poultry is coated with a layer of tare, which is a thicker, sweeter soy sauce that I would gladly ingest like a shot of sake.
There's a section of the menu for steamed buns featuring the superlative fried chicken as well as pork, soft crab, shrimp, tofu and sweet potato. You can also opt for a rice bowl with similar protein options. For instance, I love the curry chicken featuring a hearty cutlet of the chef's karaage front and center. But, yes, the centerpiece of any meal at Mitaka should be the ramen, which I enjoyed at the original location, just a few weeks before the Ellenton spot hosted its grand opening.
Ramen is the star at Mitaka
Mitaka offers nine ramen options, including a miso base with chicken broth filled with cuts of rich, supple, and incredibly flavorful pork belly, egg, bamboo shoots, scallions, seaweed, and a subtle black garlic oil. Additionally, vegetarians may want to savor the squares of thick and tender tofu with a crispy exterior, gently floating in a broth of mushroom soy milk. Mitaka also features ramen dishes starring lobster, shrimp, and duck.
However, my absolute favorite at Mitaka remains their version of tantanmen, which costs $17.50, as of my visit earlier this month. The fresh, firm wavy noodles, floating in a spicy miso base with chicken broth, are accompanied by a generous serving of spicy minced pork, egg, wood ear mushrooms, crunchy bamboo shoots, and bean sprouts. You'll likely find yourself instinctively devouring the bits of peppery pork that melt in your mouth, or perhaps indulging in those beautifully halved medium-boiled eggs. Sooner or later, you'll slurp a mouthful of nothing but noodles, and you'll marvel at how something so seemingly simple can be so delicious, how the wheat noodles are transformed into magical vessels of umami.
Mitaka Japanese Ramen House is at 5943 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton; and 6749 Manatee Ave W., Bradenton. For more information, call 941-896-3552 or visit mitakaramen.com.
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Best Sarasota, Bradenton Asian restaurant Mitaka opens new location
