One of the great things about KO is that it is right next to the sprawling Blue Back Square, with shops, scenery, and, most notably, restaurants, all within walking distance of campus. However, one of the standout restaurants in the area has to be Kaliubon Ramen & Sushi. This ramen restaurant, which is just a short walk from KO, is a great place to spend your time, with its amazing food, aesthetic atmosphere, and everything else in between.
Of course, one of the most important things about a restaurant is, well, the food. As a ramen fanatic, this place checks out all the boxes. When I go there, I usually order a beef ramen, and even though the dish is relatively simple, they go above and beyond with it. Everything, from the tangy yet satisfying broth, to the noodles tuned to a T, to the meat that just melts in your mouth, all topped with an aroma and temperature that warms your soul when taken in, make this one of my favorite things to get there.
Another dish I like a lot has to be the brussels sprout salad. Even if I normally hate brussels sprouts (which I am sure is a shared sentiment among many others), the way they make them makes me question my views. They are cooked exceptionally well to the point where all of the bitterness I feel when eating them is completely nullified, and a fulfilling sweetness and crunch take their place instead. It may just be an appetizer, but let me tell you, it’s worth it.
Outside of the food, another significant aspect of a restaurant, at least in my eyes, is its aesthetics. Kaliubon does a great job in that department as well. The lighting is warm and inviting, and there is a slew of Japanese-related imagery. They even play various anime on TVs, ranging from “Naruto” to “One Piece” to “Sailor Moon.” All of this elevates the dining experience and sells their description of “fresh homemade ramen noodles with authentic flavors,” as stated on their website. The staff is also incredibly nice and welcoming, which is always good to see.
The fact that they offer takeout is a notable bonus as well. Every Tuesday afternoon, when I have a chunk of free time and need to eat something, I like to pick up an order from the place. The walk only takes about 10 minutes, and they are fairly quick at preparing your meal, which you can easily pick up. On those days, Kaliubon is something I look forward to a lot.
There’s a lot of good things to say about this humble ramen spot, but I think one of their biggest drawbacks has got to be their awkward opening hours. Apart from the weekends, when it’s open from 11:30 AM–9 (or 10) PM, they have inconvenient hours, with one time window from 11:30 AM–3 PM, followed by another from 5 PM–9 PM. For me, specifically, on Tuesdays, when I could pick my order up immediately after school, I instead have to wait until 5 PM, which is a little annoying. Despite that, it’s good that the weekend hours are better, at least without that weird time-gap.
All in all, Kaliubon Ramen is a sensational place to eat at. Their food is mouth-wateringly good, their aesthetics are quite appealing, and they offer super-convenient takeout and delivery options. Sure, the opening hours could be better on weekdays, but the whole package makes it worth it. I give it a well-deserved A grade.
