Momohana Ramen & Boba Tea, which opened in October, is a welcome addition to the food scene in Stark County. Located at 4370 Belden Village St. NW in Jackson Township, this Japanese-inspired restaurant offers prompt, attentive service and an expansive menu.
On the Tuesday evening we chose to visit, the restaurant hummed with activity, every seat occupied, and a steady stream of patrons arriving to collect their takeout orders.
The surroundings were clean and the waitstaff friendly. I started with a steamed bun for an appetizer, opting for the tofu bun. It was fluffy and fresh, and the fried tofu was thin and crispy. The mayo and sauce were a little too generous for my liking. To complement, I selected edamame, a plate of freshly steamed soy beans sprinkled with a house-blended sea salt.
For my son, the takoyaki became the highlight − a serving of deep-fried octopus dumplings adorned with Japanese mayo, eel sauce, and a sprinkling of bonito flakes, which are smoked and dried skipjack tuna. Arriving piping hot, the dumplings were silky and crunchy.
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While bubble tea isn’t to my taste, my son is a fan and opted for the brown sugar milk tea with black tapioca. The generously sized drink arrived cold and inviting, and every sip was relished. The menu further showcased offerings such as crème brulee milk tea, non-alcoholic fruit mojitos, freshly brewed teas, and fresh fruit smoothies.
Bubble tea is a Taiwanese-inspired beverage. Although bubble tea and boba tea are often used interchangeably, boba are the little black tapioca pearls in the bottom of bubble tea.
As we transitioned to the main course − ramen − we were ready to celebrate the cultural tradition of slurping the noodles in appreciation of the chef’s skills. Armed with chopsticks and extra napkins, I ordered the signature Char Siu Ramen, featuring roasted pork belly, fish cake, a halved cooked egg, and more in a soy sauce base. My son, enticed by the promise of a spicy dish, opted for the beef ramen. We slurped our way through the ramen brimming with steaming hot noodles. Both dishes were a blend of bold flavors and ample portions.
Co-owner and founder Jane Yu’s vision to introduce an authentic ramen shop in Canton, realized with co-owner Zoe Chen and chef Yi Lin, has been embraced by the community.
“We are proud of the good food we serve,” said Yu. “It pleases us that we are the first to specialize in ramen noodles and boba tea in the area.”
Beyond the ramen and boba tea, Momohana offers stir-fry ramen in chicken, seafood and vegetable variations, along with donburi fried rice options.
Japanese desserts are traditionally less sweet. The mochi donut we ordered was filled with ube (purple yam) and topped with dark chocolate, providing a fitting ending to a satisfying meal.
Reach Bev at [email protected] or 330-441-2706.
If you go
WHAT − Momohana Ramen & Boba Tea
WHERE − 4370 Belden Village St. NW, Jackson Township; 234-999-1500
HOURS − 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.