Mensho in Phoenix, Arizona, Is It Worth the Hype?
Hey foodies! It’s Ella here, and today I’m diving into one of the most buzzworthy spots in Phoenix—Mensho. If you’ve been on Instagram or TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen videos raving about this ramen joint. Naturally, I had to check it out with my friend David. So, is Mensho worth all the hype? Let’s find out!
The Wait
First things first, Mensho is located inside a mini-mall (like pretty much everything in Phoenix). The exterior isn’t much to write home about. We put our names down and were told there’d be an hour and a half wait. Usually, I’d be out of there faster than you can say "ramen," but David insisted we stay. Pro tip: if you’re stuck waiting, there’s a nail salon nearby. Sadly, I’d just had a mani-pedi, so that wasn’t an option for me. Instead, we grabbed some iced tea at Bosa Donuts next door to kill time.
The Vibe
When we finally got the text to head back, I was impressed by the cool, Japanese-inspired decor. The space is small but cozy, with large bar seating where you can watch the chefs work their magic. As someone who’s worked in kitchens, I find this super interesting. There are also a few tables, but the bar is where it’s at if you want to be in the thick of the action.
The Menu
The menu at Mensho is simple and focused, which I love because it screams, "We do few things, and we do them well."
What We Ordered:
Japanese Carpaccio: Japanese scallops, caviar, ikura, roasted tomato, truffle, and premium soy sauce. The carpaccio was delightful but tiny. My friend joked it was the most expensive singular scallop he’d ever had. It was tasty but not something I’d order again.
Toripaitan Ramen (David’s Order): A signature dish with a rich, creamy chicken soup base, A5 Wagyu, smoked pork, duck, chicken, spinach, truffle sauce, green onion, red onion, ajitama egg, Japanese menma, charcoal negi.
GKO (My Order): Garlic Knock Out ramen with a spicy kick, featuring a rich creamy chicken soup base, five different kinds of garlic, cilantro, chicken, spicy gobo chips, green onion, red onion, and black garlic oil. I added an egg and spinach since they were out of roasted tomato.
The Food
The Japanese carpaccio was fine—nothing mind-blowing but decent for an appetizer. Now, let’s talk ramen. The presentation was on point. My GKO ramen was a garlic lover’s dream. The broth was rich and creamy, with layers of flavor that needed no extra seasoning. The handmade noodles were chewy and delicious, and the cilantro added a refreshing touch. The chicken was incredibly flavorful, having soaked up all that delicious broth. My only gripe? The seasoned soft-boiled egg. The smoky flavor from branding the egg didn’t mesh well with the rest of the bowl. I wouldn’t order it again, which is sad because I usually love a good soft-boiled egg in my ramen.
David’s TORIPAITAN ramen was also excellent, but I preferred mine. His had a more pronounced truffle flavor, while mine was all about the garlic and spice. Both were phenomenal, but my GKO ramen was the clear winner for me.
Final Verdict
So, is Mensho worth the hype? Absolutely. The food is phenomenal and probably the best bowl of ramen I’ve had outside of Japan. But would I wait almost two hours again? Probably not. If you can plan your visit to avoid the long wait—maybe get your nails done or grab a drink nearby—it’s definitely worth it. The ramen at Mensho is something I’ll crave every time I want a comforting bowl of noodles.
If you’re in Phoenix and craving top-notch ramen, Mensho should be at the top of your list. Just be prepared for a wait or come with a solid game plan.
Happy eating, everyone!
