Monday Munchies: Springdale's Japanese spot

The culinary scene in NWA improves almost weekly. There's so much going on, I missed when Menya Kitakara opened last month in downtown Springdale.

The setup: The ramen maker shines like a new nickel on the town's development-dusted Emma Avenue. Patrons can watch Springdale progress from giant windows while they sip, slurp and suck noodles cooked in light-but-hearty broth.

The food: I ordered the No. 3 — Asahikawa — which is noodles in chicken and pork broth with pork, a soft-boiled egg, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and scallions ($14).

• This followed appetizers of spicy edamame ($6) and pork gyoza ($7).

The verdict: If you like ramen, you'll love Menya Kitaraka. To describe food as fresh is almost trite, but when you taste food unsullied by all the things that are in food these days, you know it.

• That's what I tasted — good, fresh, wholesome fare.

Best bites: The gyoza is a superstar. Most potsticker/dumpling variations are similar, and it seems hard to mess them up.

• But, Menya Kitakara's version stands out as being made exceptionally well.
• The pork was more tender and juicy than most, the sauce a different take altogether, and there was a secret ingredient that added a kick of, well, freshness.

Check it out: 202 E. Emma Ave ., Springdale. Open Monday-Thursday, 11am-2pm and 5-8pm; and Friday-Saturday, 11am-2pm and 5-8:30pm.