Review of Vegan Creamy Tofu Tantan Men at CAMADO RAMEN TAVERN by kyu

Quite possibly some of the most delicious #ramen — vegan or otherwise — that I’ve ever enjoyed! This was my first time traveling outside of California in at least three years, and as someone who made the switch to a vegan lifestyle during the pandemic, this trip was my crash course in searching for plant-based meals in an unfamiliar, tourism-driven locale. I can’t emphasize enough what a rare gem this bowl of ramen was, especially in the Waikiki area, which felt markedly less vegan-friendly (and decidedly more expensive) than I’ve grown accustomed to in the Bay Area. One evening, I shamefully threw in the towel and ate plain tofu in my hotel room (review to come.)
But this was not that night — this was simply glorious! The sesame-based tantan broth was creamy as promised, and even more rich and #spicy than it appears in the photo. The steaming noodles were piled with bok choy and silken tofu, then garnished with chili threads, homemade chili oil, and chopped scallions. The service was incredible — so hospitable and welcoming — and we loved the ambiance of the cozy yet modern space. There aren’t many tables, so do plan to reserve ahead.
I only really have one bit of critical feedback. As you can see from the menu (last image,) the other bowl appears to have all of the vegetables. While this is faithful to how tantanmen is typically served, I would have really appreciated some extra greens — maybe even just some bean sprouts? — to cut through the heaviness of the soup toward the end (especially since this was the marginally more expensive of the two dishes.)
Overall, though, my experience was overwhelmingly positive. Camado was the only restaurant of my whole vacation with a menu featuring prominent and straightforward vegan labeling. I believe they even had vegan appetizers like bao and gyoza. If you happen to find yourself in Honolulu, please stop in and indulge in this ramen, the singular best thing I ate all week.