Man, it's been feeling really cold here the last couple of days. I can't really recall having such extended periods of cold weather here in San Diego. When I checked with the Missus to see what She wanted to have for 
dinner, She said, "I'd like some ramen…." So, my first thought was Menya of course. But then I remembered "FOY" Junichi's mention of enjoying having a bowl of ramen at Santouka. Santouka holds a special place in our hearts. We consider it to be the first "real" ramen spot to open in San Diego, which started what we call "San Diego's Ramen Renaissance" back in 2008. Over the years it's the shio toroniku that has become our favorite.
While still somewhat hesitant and cautious about dining in; after having rather mediocre takeout experiences with Santouka, we decided to have an early Valentines Day dinner…..at Santouka in the Mitsuwa Marketplace.
There was no one in the queue when I got to the window, the Missus had gone to check-out the snack aisle while I placed my order. I had some good timing, as a line emerged while I was waiting for our order.
We ordered the usual; the Shio Ramen Toroniku Style ($15.95) and some Natto Gohan ($3). Who'd have thunk that spending twenty bucks for ramen and a rice bowl would be considered a reasonable priced dinner these days?
Our ramen was ready quite quickly.
Man, this was so much better than takeout. The noodles, which were the biggest issue with takeout was decently springy. Still not quite I recall it being in the "good old days", but much better.
The much maligned (and rightfully so) tamago has become kind of an inside joke with the Missus and I. I recall fooling some folks with a homemade boiled egg when we did takeout. The Missus and I crack up when we recall visiting the flagship store of Santouka in Asahikawa and finding that tamago was just as bad.
The pork cheek had been perfectly braised; it had a nice balance of soy-porkiness that just did it for us. It was also fairly tender…too long of a "swim" in the broth and it would start breaking up.
That thick sided donburi really did the trick for the broth as it stayed scalding hot during the whole meal. The broth had a nice tongue coating feel and like I always say, in spite of it being "shio" (salt), it is the least salty of the broths to me.
I also noticed that the broth had a mild "zip" to it….then I looked carefully and noticed the red specks in it. Are they now adding togarashi? The only thing missing is the mild seafood tones that the versions in Japan have. When Santouka first opened in San Diego, it had that flavor profile but it was soon changed. Also, the broth seemed a bit fattier than I recalled, but I'm not complaining.
As for the Natto Gohan, well it's "soul food" to me as I mentioned in this post.
I used to be somewhat embarrassed for enjoying this gooey, slimy, cheesy-nutty, funky smelling fermented been dish. But these days I hoist and fly my natto flag with pride! It helps that the Missus loves natto as well.
I realize I just spent over 500 words on a place I've posted on many times. Yes, quite a few ramen places have come (and gone) since Santouka opened, but it's still a favorite of ours. Perhaps it's sentimental, but we still enjoy our meals there. Thanks for staying and reading this post!
Santouka Ramen
4240 Kearny Mesa Rd(In the Mitsuwa Marketplace)
San Diego, CA 92111
Thanks for inspiring me to return to Santouka Junichi!
We hope everyone is in good health and spirits!
Walk up and you can read the menu in the front window. The weekly specials are on the White Board at the bottom; each is $1 less than the menu price. Walk in, order, pay and find a seat. Beverages will be brought to your table. 
Bento A ($13.50)-Baked salmon, chicken teriyaki, fried seafood, California roll. Rice, salad and
this really wonderful miso soup are included. (You can order a bowl for $1.75 if it's not included with your meal; worth it) 
The Ginger Seafood Bento ($11.25). One salmon piece, one squid piece, two fish
and two shrimp. All cooked well and coated in a really refreshing ginger sauce. Edamame, chilled noodles, rice and salad are included.
I have found myself ordering the Vegetable Delight Bento ($11.50) quite often. Eight pieces of tempura, eight pieces of Garden Roll, edamame, salad and rice. Of course, everything is properly fried and so very fresh.
Hot tea ($1) is a good quality green and the cup is kept refilled. 
The chicken katsu salad ($8.50) can be a meal. The chicken is plump and juicy with a crunchy-light fried coating.
The fried calamari ($7.50) serving is now only four pieces, but each is quite large. Again, expertly fried crunch batter and the squid is so tender.
The vegetable tempura appetizer (or side order, as the case may be) ($7.50) has eight pieces and light, non-greasy fry.
I can't believe we had never tried the mix yakisoba ($10.50) until 2022! Shrimp, chicken, beef, veggies and quality eggy noodles. This is served with rice or salad. A really nice meal. 
In reality, The Mister and I shop here quite often and try to have a bite to eat before walking down the aisles. 
There is almost always some sort of sale/display in the center entrance area. The two main restaurants are to your left.
Hokkaido Ramen Santuoka is a favorite stop, especially on these chilly, rainy days. 
The display of the menu -in plastic form-is mesmerizing. All bowls are available in small, regular and large sizes. 
Shio, soy sauce as well as the miso broths (non-spicy; I like to taste ingredients) are each milky, rich and strong flavored. The thin, fresh noodles are slightly firm. Each ingredient is fresh and perfect together. (This is a small size basic miso ramen ($11) you can order char siu, tonkatsu as well as a variety of sides or sets).
The other restaurant, Musashiya, has an even larger display of Shokuhin Sampuru; an overwhelming menu and choice of items. Musashiya is owned by Mitsuwa. 
The #24, Chicken Katsu Set (the small food model photo is only 'off' by the color of the chicken breading) ($15) is large enough to share for a light lunch. Miso soup, potato salad, cabbage, pickles and omelet (tamago) along with a good portion of rice are each a compliment to the large piece of crispy chicken cutlet.
The tempura zaru soba ($12.80) has been a choice ever since I realized that soba noodles do not seem to affect my blood sugar level the way udon does. The two fritters (kakiage) of tempura vegetables with shrimp were very light and crisp.
The Sanzai soba ($12) is a bowl ordered when I don't want meat for a meal. The vegetables are Japanese parsley, bamboo shoots and mushrooms. Really tasty, filling and a bit different.
When you walk in the front door of Mitsuwa, to the right is J Crepes & Cafe.
Which, of course, has its own display of plastic food models. 
Strawberry crepe ($7.50) add vanilla ice cream ($1)
The interior decor is timeless.
We decided to share an order of mixed tempura ($7.95). Not at all oily, the batter was a little hard/crisp and acted as a protectant for the vegetables and shrimp; everything was moist and flavored of itself; not the batter. The tempura sauce was a perfect blend of soy sauce, dash and mirin-bright and 'crisp' in flavor. 
Having really enjoyed the Ten Zaru Soba ordered a few months ago at the newly opened 
The Mister chose to order from the Lunch Special Combo menu. This is #16, Beef Teriyaki and Gyoza. All lunch specials come with miso soup, rice and salad. It was a nice soup (not salty). The beef was very tender, well marbled and had a good flavor without the (house made) teriyaki sauce. The gyoza were nice with a thin wrapper and fresh vegetable and pork filling. The soy based dipping sauce was not the same as the noodle dipping sauce on my plate. 
The noodles were really good, doughy and chewy. The tamago was cold, but nicely cooked and marinated. The chashu was on the tough side and needed more flavor.
Except for the packets of Kikkoman Shoyu, definitely a Covid thing, this pretty much looked the same as what I recalled. I enjoyed the miso soup, nice beany-nutty flavor….I really liked it. Perhaps I've been having too many watered down versions recently. The Japanese potato salad and the pickles were decent. But the agedashi tofu's battery was strangely rubbery.
As always, I ordered hot tea ($2.50). This green tea, served in the thermal cup, was of excellent quality. 
The cucumber salad ($5.95) was served in this deceptively deep bowl. It was refreshing, sweet and salty, cool and crisp and was munched on throughout the meal.
We were here on one (of many) unbearably hot days last week and I was craving 
The miso soup was a notably good quality. 
The plate served was Chicken Katsu ($1 less than the Chicken Katsu Curry). When reminded the order was for curry, our waiter apologized and went to the kitchen. There was a wait because the curry was being prepared. The bowl arrived in a bit (it was quite busy and only two people were working) and WOW- what a lovely curry sauce; carrot, onion and potato. Slightly sweet (from apple I think) yet savory, the thick sauce was very tasty. The chicken katsu was a good thickness, had a nice panko breading and was perfectly deep fried and crisp. The rice and salad were also nicely flavored. I suppose the 'proper' curry plate would have had more rice and less lettuce, with the curry poured over the serving, but eating it this was was nice and we got to see the Chicken Katsu Entree.
Kirk wrote about Chopstix 
Menu selections are consistent; no need to change what is good. The most recent 'change' is that hot tea is now $1. 
An order of mixed tempura ($11.95) is, as always, perfectly fried and includes three shrimp along with eight pieces of in-season vegetables.
I was craving Hiyashi ($13.95) on this warm day and did select the 'traditional' egg-ramen noodles (being able to select udon or somen is always an option). The colorful bowl, anchored with chilled noodles and cold, crisp vegetables (cucumber, sprouts. ginger, seaweed and corn) and shredded egg/omelet along with the moist, perfectly crisp pieces of chicken karaage and pieces of imitation crab when mixed with the tangy, sesame/soy vinaigrette dressing is very refreshing.
The Mister was craving both the sweet and spicy flavors of Mabo (stir fried ground pork with tofu) ($10.95) and also Ton Katsu (deep fried breaded pork) ($2), so He ordered the Mabo Don set which includes the miso soup and a small salad. A full meal for $12.95.