Slurp Your Stuff

Austin's favorite ramen restaurant serves the best bowl of noodles in the nation

Ramen Tatsu-ya's bowls are the most slurp-worthy in the U.S.

A tip of the bowl to one of Austin's favorite eateries. Ramen Tatsu-ya has just been named the No. 1 ramen joint in the country by Time Out magazine.

Co-owners Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya "Tako" Matsumoto opened the original North Austin location of Ramen Tatsu-ya in 2012. The team instantly attracted a cult-like following and has since opened a second location on South Lamar Boulevard.

While we love the noodles and accouterments, the magazine singles out Tatsu-ya's signature broth as the reason why it earns the No. 1 spot.

"Former DJs Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya Matsumoto craft a tonkotsu that requires three days' worth of cook time, resulting in a luscious pork bone elixir that clings to each angel-hair-thin noodle," gushes the magazine. "Meltingly tender chashu (thin-sliced pork), snappy woodear mushrooms and a marinated egg finish each carefully composed bowl."

It looks like Time Out has a love affair with Austin's take on Japanese cuisine. The travel publication also name Uchi and Uchiko the No. 1 sushi destination in the U.S.

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Can I Kick It?

Top Austin brewery kicks off new sports club with volleyball and soccer

Photo by Traverse Photography

Meanwhile Brewing Co. has new reasons to visit.

Even Austinites who don't drink have plenty of reasons to visit Meanwhile Brewing Co., and now there's another for volleyball-lovers. The brewery has set up brand new sand courts, ready for the launch of the new Meanwhile Sports Club. The club will organize both volleyball and soccer games, so there's always someone to play with.

Sand volleyball games will be divided into teams of four or six, with the first games starting the week of January 6, 2025. Soccer teams will be five-on-five, with play beginning the week of February 3.

Teams will be in it to win, but the short "seasons" will avoid triggering commitment issues at just six weeks long. At the end of each season, the club will host a championship game for the chance to win a $200 bar tab.

Soccer field at Meanwhile Brewing Co. Austin The soccer field is right next to Meanwhile's resident food trucks.Photo by Traverse Photography

The brewery recommends that teams sign up together to increase the likelihood that everyone gets a chance to play. The leagues do accept free agents, but availability constraints mean that no one is guaranteed a spot. Multitalented athletes can increase their chances by signing up for both sports, but should choose different days so games don't conflict.

For those who maintain that beer — and not running — is still their favorite part of visiting a brewery, there's always opportunities to spectate. Meanwhile's South Austin grounds are well-stocked with brews, cocktails, and food trucks. Plus, there's almost always an event going on, from flea markets to movie screenings.

Registration for volleyball is open now and closes December 19; registration for soccer opens December 1 and closes January 16. The team fee is $675 for the first two weeks of registration, and increases to $725 later. Meanwhile Brewing is located at 3901 Promontory Point Dr.