Every now and then, I want a bowl of steaming hot ramen noodles, particularly on cold, gray and rainy days. When that craving hits me, I head over to Castro Street in Mountain View for Maru Ichi's Kuro Ramen. I wasn't too impressed the first time I went there when it had just opened, thinking that Ryowa (just down the street) had better broth, but I gave them a second chance, and they did not disappoint. I think one of the changes they've made since the opening is in the fresh hand-pulled noodles.
Also, they have Ramen bentos -- so you have your ramen with a side of gyoza (potstickers) and/or california rolls.
Service is on the light side, and the last couple of times I've been there the restaurant has been packed with a line out the door (but at least you can watch the cooks make the fresh noodles)
368 Castro St. (between California St. and Dana St.)
Mon-Thu 11:30am-2:30pm & 5pm-10pm, Fri 11:30am-2:30pm & 5pm-10:30pm
Sat 11:30am-10:30pm, Sun 11:30am-9pm
Wow, Mike. It sounds like you have been on a marketing roll here. =)!
You better take me to those places someday. =D!
I'm still a Ryowa man :)