Karazishi Botan ramen photo by The Chashu kidd

Went to Karazishi Botan for our ramen meetup, this is definitely a spot you have to go to multiple times. First thing that stood out was the staff, super friendly, playful, and just made the whole experience feel easy. The space is also set up well and not cramped, there's not too many people that go there on Sunday afternoon apparently. The appetizers were a highlight. We got the shishito peppers and the black dumplings, both were solid, but the red dumplings easily stole the show. They’ve got a nice kick but are not too hot, really balanced and worth getting. They also have a really good lineup at the bar, the homemade ginger ale was really good. Menu wise, this place goes deep. There are a lot of ramen options and they are all pretty different from each other, which makes it feel like you need a few visits to really get a sense of what they do. I had the Paint It Black, a garlicky seasonal ramen, and it really stood out. The broth leans more on the sweet side than smoky, with a rich, almost caramelized garlic flavor that gives it depth without feeling too heavy. It still has that strong umami base, but the slight sweetness makes it really easy to keep going back for more. It is one of those bowls that grows on you the more you eat it. I have heard great things about their tsukemen too, so that is next on my list. Overall, this is a spot you come back to, not just try once. @thursdaybabyy @ashleyd.