Both the food and the space are comfortable and casual, as if guests were dining in a small Japanese country inn. Chef-owner Michael Sohocki is known for his farm-to-table approach and here, even with the take on traditional Japanese ingredients and techniques, the feeling of fresh and local holds true. Ramen is the headliner, with four different broths offered, each brimming with flavorful ingredients: white-and-pink fish cake, perfect soft-cooked egg, daikon, slurpy noodles, and a side menu of add-ins. The specials are actually special: our lunch included Japanese-style fried chicken (sesame seed–embellished and a fantastic taste bomb). And we especially enjoyed the yakisoba,  with its trove of stir-fried soba noodles, cabbage, ginger, and tonkatsu sauce (ketchup, soy sauce, Worcestershire, and mirin). The dining room in the back is serene, while the tables upfront give you a great view of all the action, including chef at his expediting best. Parking can be a bit of a challenge during the day but opens up in the late afternoon with spaces at the daycare center across the street.