There seems to be an intriguing trend hitting the streets of Portland. Over the past few years, chefs have been developing dishes with flavors that are growing larger and more complex but the eateries where they are served are getting smaller and smaller. This is obvious by the hoards of food carts fighting to space in every available lot.
Boxer Ramen is no novice to this trend, although they are not dishing out their delicacies on wheels, they are still making due with minimal square footage. Their first location is a successful hotspot in the heart of downtown on 10th and SW Stark Street, but since January of 2015 when Boxer Ramen made a new home on N. Alberta Street, hungry patrons of the eastside have been able to slurp their tasty ramen without making the trek across the river.
This tiny noodle house warrants a second glance, not because of astounding architecture, but because the first one might overlook the slender black building sandwiched between a massive Little Big Burger and The Know Bar. Fortunately, what Boxer Ramen lacks in size, it gains in flavor, speed and character.
Show up ravenous for some ramen but are greeted with a line? That should be expected, but worry not, the turnaround of diners in quite speedy and an aisle way complete with a bench and brightly colored umbrellas that adorn the ceiling proves to be a comfortable waiting spot.
Once the glorious moment hits when you are seated at a table with a menu in your hands, choices are slim and yet this does not make the decisions any easier. Only four ramen options grace the menu, and yet each sounds better than the next, regardless of the order in which you read them. Craving something spicy? Easy—order the Spicy Red Miso and enjoy a sinus-clearing kick added to your hearty pork belly, poached egg and scallion. Pork is the star of the show for the Tonkotsu Shio, which is a more traditional take on Japanese ramen but with an interesting smoky flavor. Boxer Ramen also caters to vegetarians with their Vegetarian Curry dish. Finally, make sure to be a little daring and order the Okonomiyaki Tots, these tater tots offer a cultural twist, topped with a creamy spicy sauce, tonkatsu sauce, bonito, togarashi and nori.
Since no Japanese dish is complete without a helping side of sake, Boxer Ramen offers a few variations of the flavorful rice wine, ranging from cedar-aged to unfiltered. Soda, beer and soda are also available for those not looking to follow the traditional route.
While most are taught not to judge a book by its cover, this time you may want to—Boxer Ramen is as chic and tasteful as the little plots of space it has taken over.
