“Hello old friend” Santa Ramen in new digs

It’s a good thing (at least here in the States) that a restaurant has to move to bigger quarters because they’re just “that” busy. Santa moved over the Thanksgiving break last year.

Yes, it’s bigger! But where’s the soul?
The old Santa Ramen was on B Street where parking was a serious pain. The new Santa Ramen is now in a mini mall on El Camino just south of the 92. Easier to get to but requires a commitment because it’s 30 miles away from San Francisco. On the plus side, there’s a Nijiya Market directly across the lot from Santa so you can go grocery shopping. Remember the 29th is “Meat Day”!

In a mini-mall! Next to the Shoe Pavillion…
The big fear when a restaurant moves to new digs is that the food will not be up to par as the old place was. Although these new digs lacks the character of the old place, I’m happy to say that the basics of Santa (tonkotsu ramen) is still its old decadent rich self.

The old standby when there’s no stewed pork. Still good!
The menu has been enlarged with a greater selection of appetizers than before. My bud and I had karaage and fried squid. But the big draw is the ramen with the milky, rich, indulgent tonkotsu broth! I mean look at the broth and the oil floating on top!

OK, so it’s “fat” floating on top. That’s what makes it taste good!
Santa has brought much of the old shop with them. The broth is still good. The food is still good. The noodles are still the thick kind and you have to special order 玉子 to go with your ramen. You don’t have to sign the waiting list anymore on non-peak days; it’s first come first serve now. But one constant still remains, to remind you that you ARE at Santa Ramen…

AAAAAAUUGGGGHHHHH! NOTFAIRNOTFAIRNOTFAIR!
You still need to get here early for stewed pork. I missed it this visit by 10 bloody minutes!!! *pout pout pout*
But I shall return!!!
Santa Ramen
1944 El Camino Real
San Mateo CA 94403
650-344-5918