Chabuya Ramen, take two

Taken w/my iPhone

Sometimes a thought, a person, a place deserves a second chance.

I've often thought of continuing my love of art in some form or fashion - with charcoals, graphite, oils and acrylics; scrapbooks, crafting paper and stamps; sewing machine, fabrics and beads; and so many other projects that are completed only in my dreams. So when a restaurant gives a bucket of crayons, markers or colored pencils with paper placemats, it's a given that I'll join in on the creative fun.

As we waited for our ramen orders, my niece and nephew connected the dots to Chabuya's dinosaurs while I doodled the above flower and MS drew a raspberry, an orange slice and some lemonade. We waited patiently as some of the wrong dishes came out of the kitchen. To pass the time, we occupied ourselves with ink, paper, and talk of the new movies out this summer. (So far, "Despicable Me" and "Twilight: Eclipse" are my top choices.)

With a large family, we took up nine seats in total and ordered the Deka Gyoza as appetizers. Bigger than your average dumpling, they were served hot and the skins came apart if you didn't handle them correctly. They satisfied our hunger and each was able to try one of the three orders - an order came with three.

The Chabuya Zembu Ramen had everything in the small ceramic white bowl - thin noodles to slurp, slices of pork, an egg, green onions, chives, bamboo, nori seaweed, and an extra helping of fried shallots. My first visit in 2005 was less than spectacular, as I still preferred Ramenya or Daikokuya. But maybe first impressions shouldn't be so harsh. Maybe, just maybe, a second chance is worth it.

This time, the ramen at Chabuya was good - not too salty and just enough to make me full. I also enjoyed my nephew of nine months slurping his share of noodles - too cute!

For sure, I'll be back again!

Chabuya Tokyo Noodle Bar

street: 2002 Sawtelle Blvd | Los Angeles, CA 90025
tel: 1.310.473.9834