SoSoBa Phoenix

The sweet chile calamari was good and the ambience of the restaurant is nice with a pleasant patio area. Unfortunately this is not somewhere we would go again. The ramen broths for both the Mic Drop and the Katsu were lacking flavor. The lime in the carnitas and the addition of kimchi for the Mic Drop felt out of place, and the Katsu was overall unappetizing.

A Mirage of Flavor: The Disappointment of SoSoBa There are places that transport you, where flavors awaken something deep within, and then there’s SoSoBa—a mirage in the desert, promising an oasis of bold, unforgettable tastes but delivering only a barren wasteland of disappointment. Let’s start with the ramen broth—the very soul of any respectable bowl. Instead of a rich, umami-laden elixir, I was met with something so flat, so lifeless, that even the humble seasoning packet from instant noodles would have put up a better fight. It was as if the broth had given up before it even had a chance to exist—an uninspired, flavorless pool that left my taste buds stranded in mediocrity. Then came the giant cheese ball—a culinary mirage, promising indulgence and decadence, only to crumble under the weight of its own dryness. I envisioned golden, crisp perfection, giving way to an eruption of molten, gooey cheese. Instead, I was served something that could only be described as the culinary equivalent of an Arizona summer—parched, unforgiving, and utterly lacking in moisture. The only thing giant about it was my disappointment. And the calamari—what should have been a delicate, crispy delight was drowned, suffocated beneath an ocean of overly salty, syrupy soy sauce. The greens beneath it, instead of offering a fresh contrast, were overpowered by this tidal wave of seasoning, obliterating any hope of balance. The calamari itself? A distant echo, lost in a sea of excess. But the true enigma of the night? The drink—a vision of beauty, a promise of escape, shimmering under the dim glow of expectation. It arrived like a mystical potion, crafted by unseen hands, luring me into a world where I believed I would taste something ethereal. But the first sip shattered the illusion. Instead of a perfect symphony of sweet and refreshing notes, I was met with confusion—a muddled concoction that couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. Was it supposed to be tart? Smooth? A hint of citrus? A whisper of floral elegance? None of these elements emerged. Instead, it lingered on the tongue like an unresolved chord, a discordant melody that never found its harmony. A drink that looked like magic but tasted like a spell gone wrong. SoSoBa had all the makings of a culinary adventure, but instead, it was a lesson in illusion—an experience where every dish, every sip, every expectation was met with nothing but an underwhelming reality.

A ramen spot in the heart of downtown phoenix. They have a location in Flaggstaff also. I go to the one in phoenix. It has outdoor seating and indoor seating. They have happy hour on their ramen bowels from m-f from 5pm to 6pm. They also have a drink menu on happy hour. Their pork belly bao buns are delish. The ramen bowel, I always get the mic drop. It has a variety of pork with kimchee. The noodles are udon noodles with pork bone broth.

Nice Ramen place. Very unique dishes. Our dishes were full of flavor. Had spring rolls for appetizer

Visiting from Kansas for a conference, and this resturant set the bar for our trip! The cocktails were delicious, the food was amazing, and the staff were so friendly and helpful, offering suggestions for more Phoenix "must-see"s, this visit elevated our trip!