We recently wrote about the upcoming Santouka, a ramen restaurant that is slated to open on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at The Boro. But it won’t be the only new place to get rich pork broth and noodles. Keep your eyes open for Jinya Ramen Bar at the Reston Town Center. The location will be the second in NoVA, joining one in Fairfax.
What’s won Jinya fans since its first restaurant opened in 2010 (there are now 32 locations in the US, with another two in Canada) isn’t just its broth that’s simmered for 20 hours. What brings diners in is the variety of its menu. Its mini tacos, served in crispy wonton shells and filled with raw salmon, tuna or a surprisingly convincing vegan meat substitute, are worth their own visit. Other appetizers include chashu-filled pork buns, takoyaki (octopus balls that are a popular street food in Japan), karaage (Japanese popcorn chicken) and caramelized cauliflower with lime sauce.
But there’s no question that the soup can stand on its own. Chef Kazuya Takebe uses a special filtration system that purifies the water used for every broth. Noodles, available both thin and wide, are made fresh daily. Tonkotsu (pork), miso and chicken broths compose most of the menu, but Jinya is popular among vegetarians for its selection of vegan broths, including one creamy enough to convince even meat lovers that it’s worth a regular stop.
The Reston location of Jinya is slated to open in late August. // 11964 Market St., Reston
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