Still searching for the yummiest ramen in Baltimore, we went to Shiso Tavern, located in the quaint neighborhood of Canton. The restaurant prides itself in bringing the best sushi and Asian fusion to this side of Baltimore, and we couldn’t wait to see what the hype was about.
Photo by Jennifer Baik
We were immediately greeted by a friendly server who took us to a cozy booth upstairs. The ambiance was fairly casual, with bar seating on both floors as well as traditional tables and chairs — a perfect environment for groups of friends or coworkers to get together for a bite to eat. There were also big windows that let in tons of natural light, which created an open and spacious atmosphere.
We went during happy hour to take advantage of the daily discounts. Staying true to our mission, we got the Ramen Bowl. It combined a ton of elements that packed big flavors into an equally big bowl. The noodles themselves were the perfect degree of al dente, and the broth was the perfect temperature — not scalding yet hot enough to send warm, tingly sensations down to our stomachs.
Photo by Jennifer Baik
The protein really packed a punch. The braised pork butt melted in our mouths, the fried pork belly added another dimension of umami, and the soft-boiled egg was literally perfect (cue oozy #yolkporn).
To top it all off were crunchy bean sprouts, fresno pepper, and scallions, adding texture and a freshness that served as a nice contrast to the richness of the broth.
We couldn’t help ourselves from venturing past the ramen and ordered a variety of other plates, including sashimi, a sushi roll, and a wok dish. The ten piece sashimi sampler included two pieces each of five different types of fresh, raw fish. The Lindsay Roll was stuffed with crab salad and avocado and topped with scallop and spicy mayo and eel sauces. The beef and broccoli was a classic comfort food served with fried rice, and its heartiness did not disappoint.
Photo by Jennifer Baik
In total, each of us paid less than $20, and for the amount and quality of food we got, it was worth it. Be sure to take advantage of the daily happy hour deals like we did, and don’t forget to check out Instagram (@shisotavern) and Facebook for more updates!