In a college town, ramen noodles are typically bought in cheap, white packets at the local grocery store. But when Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya opened its doors, in 2017, it introduced the community to what this Japanese comfort food is supposed to be: thick, homemade noodles encased in warm, robust broth. During a recent visit, we were impressed by the restaurant’s sleek, modern interior and friendly staff. We were even more impressed by our meal. While you can build your own ramen, we opted for the Tanaka Classic house option. This combination of rich, slightly spicy flavors featured generous slices of braised pork, noodles, bean sprouts, fried onions, and a hard-boiled egg in slow-steeped pork broth. Braised meat—this time chicken—also took center stage in our rice bowl, the chicken chasu don. It will likewise lead to a repeat visit.