Haruki Ramen & Izakaya Brings Authentic Japanese Pub Fare to Norwalk

Tiffany Tu August 09, 2020

Amongst the bright and airy courtyard of the Waypointe Apartments resides Haruki Ramen & Izakaya.

Owners, Lily Nimonjiya and Ben Chan, first opened Haruki’s doors in February 2020. They wanted to bring a new side of the Japanese culture to Fairfield. Most importantly, they wanted to showcase what you’d normally find in an izakaya in Japan. “I want to highlight that there is more to the Japanese cuisine than sushi and ramen,” says Nimonjiya.

So, what is an izakaya? In Japanese, it directly translates to, “stay sake shop.” It is a casual drinking establishment with small bites. A more colloquial comparison for an izakaya would be a pub or a tapas bar. Alongside their izakaya offerings, there are also options for ramen and rice dishes. And of course, craft cocktails and an extensive list of sake—47 kinds to be exact.

General manager, Quinten Yonkers, is also a key member of the team. Between Yonkers’ interest in mixology and work experience in Osaka, he is also the head bartender. His drinks add an Asian twist to popular American cocktails, many of which feature his house-made infused syrups and liquors.

Now that you know a little bit of the team, let’s talk about what you’re really here for - the food and drinks.

I had actually planned to go to Haruki back in March. March 19, to be exact. But the world decided otherwise and we were urged to be in quarantine due to pandemic. I knew that Haruki would be one of the first places I headed to once I felt comfortable.

Let’s start with the drinks. Some may have ingredients foreign to you or flavor profiles that you would not have thought to combine, but that’s what it’s all about at Haruki—opening your mind and trying something new. Don’t be intimidated by the drink names either. As I mentioned before, the cocktail is meticulously crafted to bring you the drink you are familiar with while adding new essences to it. The Karakumo drink is a pisco sour-esque drink that brings in the citrus notes of yuzu with a hint of spice from a basil and chili infusion. The Ukiyo is a classic gin and tonic blended with a violette liqueur to get you that Insta-worthy shot. The Silver Seagrass is a coconut and rum based drink that will sweep you away and bring you to a tropical getaway.

I am a big fan of their small plates. It gives me a nostalgic feeling and reminds me of when I would visit the food courts of Mitsuwa Marketplace as a kid (The closest one to us is located in New Jersey!). The takoyaki balls would have to be my number one pick on their menu. It is a pancake ball with octopus pieces topped with a house-made BBQ sauce and shaved bonito flakes.

Other favorites include their agedashi tofu, karaage, and tori kamo tsukune. The agedashi tofu is a lightly fried tofu topped with mushrooms, bonito flakes, and a soy dashi broth. It is a nice earthy and smoky dish. The karaage is a lightly fried chicken seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper. The tori kamo tsukune is nothing I’d ever seen before. This is one of the more unique dishes on the menu. They are meatballs made of duck and chicken, topped with a lightly poached egg. The egg is served on the side for those who are less adventurous with this combo. It comes with their homemade teriyaki sauce. (Note: I would happily drink the teriyaki sauce with a straw, it is THAT good.)

If small plates are not your style and you want a hearty bowl of ramen, they have just that. They have both broth noodles and brothless noodles. Their ramen tare takes about two weeks to make. Once that is ready, the broth is boiled for another 10 hours. To date, I’ve only had their brothless ones so I will have to report back on their soup. I’m sure it is top notch, just like the rest of the menu.

The asari men is a special on their summer menu. It is topped with clams and lots and lots of garlic. I am not willing to admit how quickly I scarfed down these noodles. The spicy mazemen is another classic on their menu. It is served with ground pork and a poached egg. The sauce that harbors the noodles is packed with chili sauce, chili oil, and yes - more garlic.

One more thing to note about the team at Haruki -- they are a firm believer of the overarching concept behind Japanese hospitality, or omotenashi, which is to strengthen a community. They see your visit as more than just a business transaction. They want to connect to their customers to make it feel like home. They will find a way to connect with you and make your visit memorable. Don’t be surprised if you are recognized on your next visit or if your takeout order is already in your hands the second you walk through their doors.

All in all, I am happy to have stumbled upon a Japanese restaurant that offers more than just sushi and more than just ramen. I tend to be a grazer, so I love opting for small plates. A little bit of this, a little bit of that. Plus, 10 small plates = 1 entree, right? Right.

Haruki Ramen & Izakaya
515 West Avenue; Norwalk
(203) 838-4500; https://www.harukirestaurant.com/

Tiffany Tu is a guest writer . She is a local contributor in the Fairfield County area and runs the Instagram @_foodiewithabooty. She enjoys exploring new cuisines and highlighting restaurants that don’t get enough attention.