By Laura Saffioti
Most of us are in the same boat right around now. We are hungry, we are tired, and since it is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, we have dozens of things to do every 48 hours. We need more time to rest and yet we may not. What’s the best solution to make it through this debacle and come out on top? Sit down and eat the ramen at Oak at Fourteenth.
Recently, an updated version of Oak’s ramen has hit their lunch menu and it is exceptional. I was a devout fan of the first version. When I visited last week and was torn between their croque madame, lamb sandwich, or my usual ramen, I asked chef Kate Horton for help deciding. She raved about this “ramen 2.0” and naturally I was sold on ordering it. It has more punch and umami in the broth, which has a chicken stock base fortified with roasted and smoked pork bones, kombu, scallions, and shiitakes. The ramen is served with sautéed maitake mushrooms, bok choy, and grilled pork belly. First rubbed with garlic and ginger, the pork belly is braised in pork stock and then grilled to order. This cooking method makes the typically super-rich pork belly quite light. All components, including the noodles and Sriracha, are made in house for the ramen. This can be prepared gluten free without the noodles. Trust me, it is still totally worth ordering.
The beautiful wooden tables, kind hospitality, and a team of focused chefs: these are the elements that come together to restore you when you barely have 20 minutes for lunch. Oak is on the ball. On several occasions, I have shown up like a mad woman, busy as all hell, and ordered the ramen at Oak. By the time I stared fleetingly into the flames of their historic wood-burning oven and drank a sip of water, the ramen was ready. This magical bowl of soup will boost your immune system, warm your bones, and send you on your merry way.
Chicken & Shitake Ramen $15.50
Available during lunch 11:30-2:30 Monday-Saturday
Oak at Fourteenth 1400 Pearl Street, Boulder 303-444-3622 oakatfourteenth.com