"Even though the restaurant is petite, the center aisle is spacious enough to avoid feeling cramped. The staff members were friendly and welcoming, and they worked quickly to fulfill orders. They were also very accommodating to my service dog trainee, who was having a bit of a rough time—she's not quite ready to sit calmly in restaurants without her big sister's guidance. Because of this, I opted to take my meal to go, but I’m certain they would have been just as accommodating if I had my fully-trained service dog with me. Thank you for your understanding, and I apologize for any fuss!
For my meal, I chose a Dragon Roll, a Christmas Roll, and Pork Belly Ramen. Let’s break it down:
The Dragon Roll was outstanding! Although it’s a simple classic, it’s not always executed well. However, this roll demonstrated their skill in mastering the fundamentals. The Christmas Roll was a delightful creation, featuring fantastic flavors that were light and refreshing, topped with a festive, crispy garnish. All the components were well-balanced, showcasing creativity without relying on overly spicy flavors to disguise any lack of balance—a common pitfall in many places that often use sriracha for that purpose. The structure of the roll was just right—not so loose that it fell apart, nor so tight that the ingredients were squished together. This meant it provided a lighter bite while still holding together nicely. Well done!
The Pork Belly Ramen was equally impressive. The miso-style broth struck an excellent balance between salty and creamy without being greasy or watery. It reminded me of Sapporo-style ramen, featuring rich, creamy miso flavor, tender pork slices, narutomaki, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, and a perfectly seasoned soy sauce egg. I was pleasantly surprised to find such a delicious soy sauce egg in Iowa! Although they used spinach instead of seaweed, which I understand is not very popular here, it was a tasty addition. While I tend to favor my Kurume-style Chashu ramen, this dish is, in my humble opinion, the best I’ve had stateside. I was also very impressed by their to-go packaging, with the broth and noodles/toppings kept separate to prevent sogginess. This thoughtful practice shows attention to the customer’s experience.
In conclusion, I believe this restaurant is the best Japanese dining option in Southeast Iowa, if not beyond. They are friendly and accommodating to service animals (please note that I do not endorse bringing pets into sit-down restaurants), as well as to those with disabilities or who need special accommodations. The flavors are well-balanced, and you can really taste their passion for their craft. The restrooms are clean and well-maintained, and the atmosphere is ideal for a fun night out with friends or a romantic dinner with a special someone. They also offer a full bar with excellent domestic and imported beer selections. Red Ginger is truly a hidden gem in our little corner of Iowa."
Hamachi Roll
