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Ramen & Japanese street food served with clever cocktails & draft beer in charming, snug surrounds.
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 742 W 21st St, Norfolk, VA 23517
Phone: (757) 395-4300
Website: https://www.alkalineramen.com/
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Alkaline
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Alkaline Restaurant (@alkalineva) • Instagram photos and videos
8.7K+ followers · 739 following · 1395 posts · @alkalineva: “Ramen, cocktails, beer, and sake! 742 w 21st St, STE FG, Norfolk, Virginia Wed-Sun• 11am-9pm …
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Alkaline, Norfolk. 12723 likes · 20 talking about this · 7205 were here. Alkaline serves ramen and other Asian style street food.
Reviews
Anton Ego
Good vibes and good service. I’ve heard great things about the food but it was alright. Could be a consistency thing like others have said.
The sticky wings had a great crunch but the sauce didn’t add much of anything to it. Slight garlic flavor to it but didn’t get much else.
The BBQ Pork belly was my favorite for the night. Fatty and with a crisp edge to it. Enjoyed every bite with the scallions on top.
Biggest disappointment was the ramen. I wish I could say I loved or hated the taste but it didn’t taste like much of anything. No spice to it at all. Couldn’t taste the coconut broth either. At least the chicken was juicy but I hope it would be sitting in broth after it’s been sous vide’d
Not pictured is the lumpia. Standard lumpia that is serviceable but not worth getting in my opinion.
Not
… moreThe sticky wings had a great crunch but the sauce didn’t add much of anything to it. Slight garlic flavor to it but didn’t get much else.
The BBQ Pork belly was my favorite for the night. Fatty and with a crisp edge to it. Enjoyed every bite with the scallions on top.
Biggest disappointment was the ramen. I wish I could say I loved or hated the taste but it didn’t taste like much of anything. No spice to it at all. Couldn’t taste the coconut broth either. At least the chicken was juicy but I hope it would be sitting in broth after it’s been sous vide’d
Not pictured is the lumpia. Standard lumpia that is serviceable but not worth getting in my opinion.
Not
Steve
There are a lot of Pho and Ramen joints around. Alkaline is different. Namely the meat in the soups are prepared with a care and process quickly noticeable as next level good. The portions of meat were surprisingly better than average. Also, the texture of the chicken and beef could not have been better and was coupled with a perfectly cooked soft boiled egg. An orchestra of ingredients were carefully prepared and assembled in a deep broth worthy of commentary. I knew Alkaline was going to be good, but I was surprised at how good. Vibe and feel was Norfolk cool.
… moreAustin Ferguson
Went here one time and it was amazing followed up with a second visit and the egg was under cooked not soft boiled the white was runny as well…
The food was just lacking flavor from the first time not sure if it was an off day or what but just tasted way off
… moreThe food was just lacking flavor from the first time not sure if it was an off day or what but just tasted way off
Vanessa L.
Great food and great service. Loved the music and happy mood of the staff. Great NA drink selections too! Overall pretty good, I think the ramen needs more salt but thats just me. Will be back to try their non-ramen food as well!
… moreRJ Wallace
I’ve been to Alkaline three times now — the first time was for a meet and greet I scheduled for a group that I run. I met some great people for a brainstorming session and forgot to leave a good word…but Alkaline is a great restaurant with a really cool atmosphere that is especially appealing if you are into anime and/or manga. There is artwork that reminds me of some of the more traditional Japanese restaurants that I’ve been to, but also things from Fullmetal Alchemist, among other things. To add, the staff is friendly and gave some good info when we asked a couple of questions about the food we were curious about.
The ramen was very tasty, and the bowls are rather large (or so I feel). I got the Tonkotsu Ramen and my partner got the Smokehouse Ramen. We tried each other’s dishes and liked everything, but what I REALLY wanna talk about is the “Miso Butter Cake”…I have not encountered such a cake at the restaurants I’ve been to before. If someone was serving it, I was not aware…but the Miso Butter Cake at Alkaline is seriously one of THE best cakes I have EVER had. I STRONGLY recommend it, especially with the scoop of ice cream. The cake is warm and melts in the mouth, but it’s also buttery and creamy, and the pecans and the flaky crust of the cake (near the back of the cake) — all of those things go so well together, in my opinion. It was deceptively filling as well, but it could be because me and my partner already had shared an appetizer and had our own large bowls of ramen, prior to tackling the cake. So, sharing the cake was perfect for us.
If you try nothing else, definitely try the Miso Butter Cake!
… moreThe ramen was very tasty, and the bowls are rather large (or so I feel). I got the Tonkotsu Ramen and my partner got the Smokehouse Ramen. We tried each other’s dishes and liked everything, but what I REALLY wanna talk about is the “Miso Butter Cake”…I have not encountered such a cake at the restaurants I’ve been to before. If someone was serving it, I was not aware…but the Miso Butter Cake at Alkaline is seriously one of THE best cakes I have EVER had. I STRONGLY recommend it, especially with the scoop of ice cream. The cake is warm and melts in the mouth, but it’s also buttery and creamy, and the pecans and the flaky crust of the cake (near the back of the cake) — all of those things go so well together, in my opinion. It was deceptively filling as well, but it could be because me and my partner already had shared an appetizer and had our own large bowls of ramen, prior to tackling the cake. So, sharing the cake was perfect for us.
If you try nothing else, definitely try the Miso Butter Cake!
Lauren Barksdale
This is by far the worst tonkatsu ramen I have ever had in my life. This should not even be called ramen , this should be called noodles and water with a side of flavorless, battered mystery meat, and some sort of weird, pickled garlic, topped with a poached egg?! I have no idea why so many people stand outside and wait for this food. Because they could literally cook noodles and water at home. This is an insult to Japanese culture and tradition. The 3x tonkatsu ramen literally only had the garlic toppings, one piece of battered deep fried pork, a poached egg, and shredded pickled garlic. There is no garnish, no green onions, and nothing tonkatsu or ramen about this dish. The instant tonkatsu ramen in my cabinet blows this place out of the park. The only good thing about this place is the sweet girl who helped me with my order by the name of Caroline. I highly do not recommend this place to anyone. Not even my dog wanted a bite of my food, and he eats anything he can get his paws on. Hard pass, save your money do not engage, you have been warned.
… moreMichael Marcus
Wow! So good! We are here first time. The staff is wonderful, very friendly. The food is great! Wonderful ramen menu. Great beer and sake menu. Nice indoor space. Would definitely recommend it.
… moreUlesis Pittman
I had the Triple Garlic Tonkatsu Ramen and a side of Fried Rice. As someone who has lived in Japan for three years and meticulously documented food experiences globally, I found this meal extremely disappointing. Regrettably, this was the worst ramen I have ever encountered.
Core Problems:
* Ramen Broth: The broth was noticeably tasteless. Despite its thick, creamy texture, it lacked any discernible flavor, tasting like over-concentrated water rather than a rich stock.
* Off-Flavors: The fried rice, the eggs, and the pickled ginger all shared a strong, unpleasant chemical flavor. The rice was also excessively crunchy, and the ginger was nothing like the spiced Japanese variety.
* Condiment Error: A request for chili oil was met with an unexpected mix of oil, vinegar, and fried garlic, which was not suitable for the dish.
Highlights & Scope:
The Tonkatsu was the sole positive, being thoroughly cooked and juicy. Note that the fried pork belly is extremely rich and best ordered in small amounts.
My critique is limited to the Triple Garlic Tonkatsu ramen and fried rice. I know from other local spots that menus items can vary and that sometimes the flavor changes depending on the day, but these core items were a complete miss due to fundamental flavor issues.
I can’t say much for the atmosphere seeing that I went during the day right after opening.
… moreCore Problems:
* Ramen Broth: The broth was noticeably tasteless. Despite its thick, creamy texture, it lacked any discernible flavor, tasting like over-concentrated water rather than a rich stock.
* Off-Flavors: The fried rice, the eggs, and the pickled ginger all shared a strong, unpleasant chemical flavor. The rice was also excessively crunchy, and the ginger was nothing like the spiced Japanese variety.
* Condiment Error: A request for chili oil was met with an unexpected mix of oil, vinegar, and fried garlic, which was not suitable for the dish.
Highlights & Scope:
The Tonkatsu was the sole positive, being thoroughly cooked and juicy. Note that the fried pork belly is extremely rich and best ordered in small amounts.
My critique is limited to the Triple Garlic Tonkatsu ramen and fried rice. I know from other local spots that menus items can vary and that sometimes the flavor changes depending on the day, but these core items were a complete miss due to fundamental flavor issues.
I can’t say much for the atmosphere seeing that I went during the day right after opening.
Christina Spence
It was a great atmosphere with tone setting decor. The foods presentation was nice and the food was delicious. We tried the Mango Cream Soda, Melon Cream Soda, Lumpia, Sticky Wings, Kimchi Ramen and the Brisket Ramen, everything was great. The staff was very pleasant and attentive. We will definitely return.
… moreFrankie Fiveangels
Alkaline is a bold name for a ramen joint that outsources their noodles.
I ordered the tonkatsu ramen. Everything was appealing until I tasted it. Way oversalted (and I have a salty palate). Couldn’t eat it. Had about three bites and gave up. The noodles didn’t have those fresh, straight lines that fresh noodles have. I asked the staff if they make the noodles in house. They weren’t sure. No condiments available for the ramen, and if there was, I was never offered them.
After I was served, no call back. No check to see how things were. I asked for the bill with a nearly full bowl. No one cared. Tab was $16.88, I left $22.
That was the shocking part; no one cared. Shucks. Bygones. I would be embarrassed if I worked in a restaurant and we let a person leave hungry.
Their new name should be Outsourced Noodles to let the ramen nuts know what’s what.
There’s no need to go there if you want ramen.
… moreI ordered the tonkatsu ramen. Everything was appealing until I tasted it. Way oversalted (and I have a salty palate). Couldn’t eat it. Had about three bites and gave up. The noodles didn’t have those fresh, straight lines that fresh noodles have. I asked the staff if they make the noodles in house. They weren’t sure. No condiments available for the ramen, and if there was, I was never offered them.
After I was served, no call back. No check to see how things were. I asked for the bill with a nearly full bowl. No one cared. Tab was $16.88, I left $22.
That was the shocking part; no one cared. Shucks. Bygones. I would be embarrassed if I worked in a restaurant and we let a person leave hungry.
Their new name should be Outsourced Noodles to let the ramen nuts know what’s what.
There’s no need to go there if you want ramen.