Momi Ramen in Brickell is very easy to miss.  In fact, if I had not heard about it from word of mouth, then I would have never even known of its existence.  It’s tucked away in one of the little side streets in Brickell.  However, once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll know it when you see it.  Just don’t come expecting the salty water with cheap noodles from your college dorm days.  They serve the real deal here.

While you’re walking through the professional district that is Brickell, Momi Ramen’s decor will certainly stand out.

They have indoor and outdoor seating, and be prepared to be friendly with your neighbors, because there are very few individual tables.

There’s the master working his magic.  They make their noodles fresh daily, too.

One of the most interesting aspects of my experience at Momi Ramen was the service.  The waitress, who I believe to be the owner’s wife, was almost comedically crass.  It’s off-putting at first.  At least, until an Asian couple that had finished their meal and were leaving walked by us and said “Don’t worry.  It’s a cultural thing.  She is trying her best to be polite.”  It helped.  It really did.

As the name implies, Momi Ramen basically serves one thing: Ramen.  Well, ramen and a few sides.

I went with the pork chashu ramen (minus the egg, of course).

All of their ramen comes in Tonkotsu (pork bone) broth.  They cook it for 18 hours, filtering it about 5 times during that time.  The result is a robust, complex pork broth that is absorbed into the fresh, chewy noodles.  Some may have found the broth a little too salty.  I’m Hispanic and love my salt, so it was fine for me.  Just watch your mouth, because these bowls come out steaming hot!

Oh, and in case you’re wondering what their gyoza looks like…

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to taste one.  These belonged to someone else, but they were nice enough to let me take a picture.  Or, rather they stepped away from the table and I took pictures while they were away.  Shhh!!

If you’re expecting warm and inviting service, then Momi Ramen is probably not the place for you.  If you’re looking for a large selection of Japanese dishes, then Momi Ramen is not for you, either.  However, if you’re in the mood for a bowl of hot, comforting pork ramen, then there’s a seat waiting for you there.  And, I’ll give you 10 bucks if you can get the waitress to crack a smile.

For more information on Momi Ramen, visit their web site at http://www.momiramen.com/