WE'RE CRAVING: JAPANESE NOODLES

GOMA ICHI RAMEN

Ramen fans, you've found your haven. The slightly spicy tan-tan ramen broth and the peanut buttery ban-ban-ji sauce for cold noodle dishes are unlike anything else out there. Plus, the clean, stylish decor is easy on the eyes.

Goma Ichi Ramen, 631 Ke'eaumoku St., 926-5050

GOMA TEI RAMEN

Goma Tei specializes in two types of ramen — shoyu and tan-tan. The kitchen always makes sure the noodles come out chewy, and the broth is soothing and flavorful. Good bets are chicken tan-tan ramen, vegetable cold noodle and gyoza.

Goma Tei Ramen, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., 591-9188

JIMBO RESTAURANT

Jimbo is the place for made-fresh-daily Japan-style udon, hot or cold with vegetables, chicken or tempura. Right on King Street, Jimbo is a convenient choice when you want Japanese comfort food in a laid-back, casual atmosphere.

Jimbo Restaurant, 1936 S. King St., 947-2211

MR. OJISAN RESTAURANT

This izakaya/ramen spot has a menu similar to dozens of restaurants in town serving everything from donburi to hamburger katsu, but its versions are just so much better. Dishes are crisply presented and ingredients are bright and fresh.

Mr. Ojisan Restaurant, 1016 Kapahulu Ave., 735-4455

TENKAIPPIN RAMEN

At this popular Japanese franchise, everyone comes for the extra-rich kotteri ramen, a chicken-base soup made with chicken collagen, gleaned from boiling down the bones and feet for hours.

Tenkaippin Ramen, 617 Kapahulu Ave., 732-1211

YOTTEKO-YA

Specializing in Kyoto-style ramen, Yotteko-ya's secret is the house-made soup stock, prepared from pork, chicken and vegetables simmered more than 10 hours. Order the broth with Japanese or local-style noodles.

Yotteko-ya, 1960 Kapi'olani Blvd., 946-2900

FOOD NEWS

Nine of Hawai'i's premier chefs and culinary experts will feature locally grown ingredients in cooking demonstrations at the 14th annual Made in Hawaii Festival, where attendees can help themselves to samples of the culinary creations. The "Keep Aloha Strong — Buy Hawai'i, for Hawai'i" themed event will be held today through Sunday at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Chefs from Roy's, Chai's Island Bistro, Mariposa and town, among others, will be hosting demonstrations. For more details on the festival, call 533-1292 or visit www.madeinhawaiifestival.com.

Indigo restaurant and BR Cohn Winery are hosting a summer wine dinner at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Indigo. The event is the official launch of the restaurant's summer wine dinner series. The seven-course wine dinner is $75 and will include wine pairings with every course. Call 521-2900 to make reservations.

Not-for-profit humanitarian organization Tag the World is holding a "Red Carpet Lu'au" 6 p.m. Sunday at The Royal Hawaiian hotel. More than 20 celebrities are expected to make a red carpet appearance, including actor Dean Cain and model/actress Amber Valletta, whose brother Robert Parks Valletta founded the organization. Tickets are $100. For more information, call 310-614-1212.

SMALL BITES

HOT ITALIAN DOG

Apartm3nt (pronounced "apartment three," 955-9300), may be too new on the restaurant scene to have a reputation, but we think it should be known for its Italian sausage hot dog ($4). It's a thick, Italian-flavored hot dog with flecks of melted mozzarella cheese running through it, topped with a chopped caprese salad, all nestled into a toasted potato bun. It's hot dog heaven.

FRESH START

Who's to say why something catches on and goes viral? All we know is that Fresh Cafe has officially caught on. The two-month-old cafe in Kaka'ako never had the chance to get off to a slow start. Facebook and Twitter were all abuzz with fans singing the cafe's praises right from the get-go, and the hype hasn't died down yet. Located in an overhauled cement room in a brick building on Queen Street, the cafe is all urban chic with a stroke of DIY cool. They sell coffee, bagels, salads and other cafe-esque fare, all for under $11. The coffee is owner Tiffany Tanaka's family's Kona bean brand, Roots and Relics, and the bagels come courtesy of Lox of Bagels. Bonus: Fresh Cafe is open late most nights.

Fresh Cafe
831 Queen St.
688-8055
6-1 a.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 6-2 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays, noon-8 p.m. Sundays