TLDR

Where is Ramen Tatsu-ya?

Ramen Tatsu-ya Review

In full transparency, we visited Ramen Tatsu-ya over the Christmas break (Dec. 27, 2018), so a massive portion of the city was gone given most folks aren’t from here. Put another way, this might not be the most objective review of Ramen Tatsu-ya as kid friendly. Sept 2022 update: kid is a toddler now, so more mobile, bit more rambunctious, but this place still checks the box for kid friendly. We’ve been multiple times lately and all has been good – give it a go!

Alas, this is what we’ve got for now – we’ll make another go of it during “regular” business hours and see if it’s a) worth it (sorry, we don’t want to wait in line forever with a toddler) and b) how truly kid friendly is this spot with more people packed in the joint. On a scale of 1 to 5 toys, we give Ramen Tatsu-ya on 6th a 4/5 toy rating.

Ramen Tatsu-ya’s decor and setting is top notch. You’ll notice it as soon as you walk up to the building. It’s understated, but polished and, for this trip, we were able to walk right in and order. Broken record: this is not the normal order of operations because we visited just a few days after Christmas and the only people around were either natives or those who now make Austin their home even during the holidays.

Ordering with a the kiddo in tow was simple. There is a kids menu, but given the ingredients, we don’t think you need one (and, of you’re coming here with your kid, you probably don’t have a picky eater on your hands!). We ordered ramen amongst the parents, with plans to share with Hugo, and also ordered a Chashu Rice Bowl for the kid: pork belly, scallion, pickled ginger and, of course, rice! When in doubt, lob the kid some rice and he’s good to go.

Seating was a breeze as well (siren: again, not necessarily normal) and they also had plenty of high chairs for the babes. Seating is communal, so people can pony up to your table and come close to rubbing elbows. I can imagine this would not be kid friendly if you’re unable to snag the end of the table which is what we did. That allowed us to slide the high chair in place without much co-eaters fuss.

Waiters and staff were accommodating and helpful and a few enjoyed the kid’s company a bit. We weren’t made to feel any sort of way either from staff or fellow diners.

Top 3 reasons you should eat ramen (period)

1. Ramen noodles are high in protein.

Ramen noodles have about 12 grams of protein per 100 gram serving. That’s almost twice as much protein as beef (8 grams) and chicken (9 grams). Protein is an essential building block of muscles and organs. So eating ramen regularly helps build strong bones, muscles, and immune system.

2. Ramen noodles are low in fat.

A typical bowl of ramen contains only 1 gram of fat. Compare that to a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs (10 grams), a hamburger patty (12 grams), or even a cheeseburger (15 grams). Fat has been the “bad guy” in many diets, but not all fats are bad. In fact, some types of fat are good for us. Omega-3 fatty acids are great for brain function, heart health, and skin. And they’re found in fish oil.

3. Ramen noodles are gluten free.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats. Many people suffer from celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks its own intestinal lining after exposure to gluten. If you have celiac disease, you need to avoid gluten at all costs. Unfortunately, many foods labeled gluten free aren’t actually safe for people with celiac disease. Gluten is hidden in processed foods, sauces, seasonings, and ingredients.