Every Monday this quarter, a Western Front reporter will tell you what’s good in Bellingham.
By Erica Wilkins
leave. Some people wait outside huddled by the front door looking out at the rainy downtown streets, with no thoughts of going elsewhere. The only thing people seem to be thinking about is the long list of names that shows how far they’ve moved up in line.
The aromatic wave and heat from the restaurant hits you the second you open the door. The smell seems to drift through your nose and grab ahold of you by your cravings. After a stomach-growling wait, you are seated and you enter the true experience of Muto Ramen & Izakaya. With low-light, dark decor, wooden furniture and rich tones wrapping the restaurant walls, Muto creates an environment that makes you want to draw close to the people you’re with.
I paid a visit to this wonderous little restaurant on a rainy and cold Friday night, which is typical of most Friday evenings here. Perfect for these dark, chilly winter nights, this restaurant couldn’t have come at a better time. Bellingham has been crying out for a nice ramen restaurant and Muto is the answer to their prayers.
During my visit, I ordered Tonkotsu Ramen, which has a rich and flavorful pork bone broth. Traditionally, they offer a spice level from 1 to 5, but we asked for spice on the side to leave our fate in our own hands. The broth was delectable and filling, but not overly heavy. The toppings included perfectly cooked BBQ pork, bamboo shoots, a delicious seasoned boiled egg, nori and green onion. They were the perfect elements to make the ramen truly come to life.
I also got to try the Bruce Lee Roll ($15.50 – worth every penny), which was a mouthwatering tempura eel roll, complete with crab salad, cucumber, spicy mayo, wasabi mayo and of course, eel sauce.
But the party didn’t stop there. The roll was also topped with an arrangement of fresh tuna, albacore and slices of avocado. The rolls at Muto are carefully chosen, masterfully made and have a heavenly flavor pay-off.
Restaurant reviews in The Western Front are the opinion of the individual writer. These reviews are not sponsored or influenced by advertising.
