InDowncity Guide: Beyond the Ramen at Tori Tomo
A spread of offerings at Tori Tomo (photo by Abigail Clarkin for InDowncity)
It is no secret that we love slurping down a bowl of spicy ramen any day. The salty broth, the hot noodles, the sweet corn… One might say that ramen—specifically the Shio Ramen at Tori Tomo—is one of the things we live for! But this summer has been ripe with heatwaves and other weather related challenges that have made it a little hard to order our usual favorites. That’s why we’re happy to share with the InDowncity fam some of our non-noodle go-tos (say that five times fast, please) at our favorite ramen spot in downtown Providence, Tori Tomo!
Ever since Tori Tomo opened at 69 Washington Street in downtown Providence, RI back in 2019, we have been going to the restaurant to feast on both the traditional and original Japanese fare.
Pork Belly Bun at Tori Tomo (photo by Abigail Clarkin for InDowncity)
For both those who are new to or very familiar with Tori Tomo, we recommend starting off any meal with some of the exquisite small plates. We’ve been raving about the Pork Belly Buns for awhile now, but we’ll say it again: don’t miss out on the pillowy buns, fatty braised pork belly, and crisp pickles! (But if you do choose to miss out, it’s okay, all the more for us…) Craving seafood? Tako Yaki comprises of octopus-filled fried wheat cakes, drizzled with barbecue sauce and creamy mayo. The Salted Edamame is a great choice for anyone looking to add vegetables to their meal.
For sandwiches, there really isn’t any way to go wrong. But we especially enjoy the Chicken Katsu Sando with added fries. The fried chicken thigh is topped with cheese, cabbage, sweet chili sauce, spicy mayo, and more. If red meat is more your thing, the Bahn Mi is chock-full of braised pork belly, slaw, beansprouts, and jalapeño, to name a few ingredients.
If you still want a bowl but aren’t quite up for the steamy decadence of ramen, not to worry- the rice bowls are here for you! We adore the classic Spicy Tuna Poke special. Think fresh tuna, a bed of rice, and a plethora of colorful vegetables... For our vegetarian friends, the Yasai Don includes tofu, spinach, corn, mushrooms, and more.
We could keep going all day about the tasty things on the menu at Tori Tomo, but then none of us would be able to pull ourselves away for lunch break. Have a different favorite dish? Visit Tori Tomo and tag us on Instagram at @indowncitypvd with your thoughts.
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