By Daisy Cabrera

Japanese cuisine is so much more than sushi. Take ramen - humble, comforting, a global favorite. At Ichimi Ramen & Bar in Midtown Miami, this beloved bowl is all about the craft, care and tradition behind cooking from the Far East.

Ichimi means “one flavor,” reflecting a simple philosophy: do one thing and do it well. The restaurant also captures the easygoing spirit of an izakaya, a casual place to eat, drink and linger over shareable dishes.

But ramen is the star. The bowls are generous, comforting and made with care. The tonkotsu broth simmers for hours upon hours, allowing the pork bones to release their fat, marrow and collagen into a silky, deeply savory broth. Then come the oodles of noodles - made fresh from scratch each morning, with just the right springy bite. It all adds up to bowlfuls of goodness.

Before exploring the Miami Spice menu, we start with drinks. Sip your way through a selection of premium sake, from clean junmai to aromatic daiginjo. Asahi, Sapporo or Coedo craft brews are on tap as well as seasonal Japanese pours. There are bubble teas, plus yuzu, ginger and traditional Japanese green teas as well.

First stop: appetizers that make your mouth water.

The Tokyo Glazed Baby Back Ribs practically fall apart. A sweet-savory Japanese glaze gives them a gorgeous caramelized finish, topped with shaved pepper and just enough smokiness to keep things interesting. This is the kind of dish that disappears quickly around the table, so you might have to order more than one.

The Golden Crispy Octopus Bites bring serious crunch. Tender octopus is nicely seasoned, tucked into a delicate spicy coating that fries up beautifully. A fun start with plenty of flavor. Other starters include the Signature Tempura Shrimp and Midnight Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).

Now for the main event, the entrees.

This is where Ichimi Ramen & Bar really gets to show off its ramen craft! The Signature Seafood Ramen offers a little taste of the sea in every spoonful. Plump shrimp and mussels mingle with noodles, calamari, bamboo shoots, scallions, ginger, garlic, fish cake and seaweed in a savory broth with plenty of depth. It’s comforting, briny and satisfying without feeling too heavy.

The 18-Hour Signature Tonkotsu Ramen is THE bowl for serious ramen lovers. The long-cooked pork broth is silky and full-bodied, paired with springy house-made noodles, tender slices of pork, earthy kikurage mushrooms, scallions, hanjuku egg, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, sesame, black garlic oil and roasted seaweed. Rich, comforting and the kind of bowl that makes you want to savor every last drop. There is also an Ichimi Signature Fried Rice dish straight from the wok.

Save room for dessert, and finish this gorgeous Miami Spice sensation with an elegant finale.

The Kyoto Matcha Cheesecake is super smooth and subtly sweet, with matcha bringing an earthy depth that keeps every bite interesting. The Yuzu Blossom Cheesecake, in contrast, is bright and citrusy, with yuzu adding a refreshing lift to the creamy cheesecake. A light, lovely way to end the meal.

There’s a sense of purpose behind everything that leaves the restaurant’s kitchen, with each element receiving the time, attention and precision it deserves. It’s a delicious reminder that patience, tradition and care can turn a simple meal into something memorable.

And, it’s not just handmade culinary favorites here. The laid-back atmosphere and genuine hospitality offers plenty of reasons to keep coming back for more. Arigatō.

Miami Spice runs through September 30. Ichimi Ramen & Bar, 118 Buena Vista Blvd., Midtown Miami, 33127. ichimiramenbar.com