Tajima Ramen Crown Point

While PB's default carb fix is still the post-surf burrito, Tajima operates on a different wavelength — this is the rare spot where noodle texture and broth depth get the same scrutiny that Rocky's puts into burger patties. The kitchen makes its own noodles thick and curly, springy enough to hold up in a rich tonkotsu broth that tastes like it's been simmering since before the morning glass-off. It's not fusion, not beach-casual ramen — it's a legitimate izakaya that happens to sit a mile from the boardwalk.

The **miso ramen** gets the most love from regulars, who praise the broth's layered funk and the way the noodles don't turn to mush halfway through the bowl. The **tonkotsu** follows the classic route — pork-bone stock cooked long enough to go cloudy and rich, topped with chashu that's fatty without crossing into greasy. Seasonal specials rotate through (the Christmas ramen apparently earned repeat visits), and the **chicken karaage** appetizer shows up on enough tables that it's clearly not just filler. The space itself feels more deliberate than most PB dining rooms — dark wood, clean lines, the kind of interior that works equally well for a Tuesday solo bowl or a Saturday group dinner.

Parking can be tight on Ingraham, especially during dinner service. Outdoor seating helps when the wait creeps past twenty minutes. Vegetarian options exist but aren't the strong suit. Beer selection leans Japanese, and servers will pair it properly if you ask. This is the place you send someone when they complain there's nothing in PB beyond tacos and happy-hour apps — proof that the neighborhood can do more than fried fish and frozen margaritas when it wants to.