Update August 2020: Robata is open for limited dine-in, curbside, and to-go. I strongly recommend taking advantage of their spacious front patio if you simply must dine-in. They're open for dinner only on weekdays from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. and from noon to 10 p.m. on weekends.

Be sure to call ahead to confirm, as restaurant hours and policies change frequently.

For your everyday ramen or rice needs, Robata in Overton Square is the convenient answer for midtowners.

I've been a Robata patron since the little yellow ramen house opened 2014. First, I took first advantage of the bar for drink specials and snacks, later moving on to dinner dates on the patio—I liked creating meals out of small plates and yakitori when it was too hot for ramen (and I wasn't in a hurry or headed to a movie).

 

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I recommend getting your order to-go or sitting outside on the gated patio, rather than sitting in the small dining room. It's not the ideal pre-movie spot because the kitchen can get backed up, and sometimes it seems a tiny bit short-staffed.

Regardless, I like to eat at Robatoa for the versatile Japanese menu which serves many tastes, whether you're looking for comfort food in ramen and rice dishes, shareable appetizers, or low-carb meat skewers and veggies.

Like I said, I like creating meals out of a variety of appetizers and yakitori. I might order marinated baby octopus (this was an appetizer special one night), a couple of skewers (I really like the blistered shishito peppers, when available), and my favorite thing on the Robata menu: the spicy tuna crispy eggplant, drizzled with eel sauce.

Try the Kara-age, Japanese fried chicken. The batter is lighter than the Southern fried chicken, and the dark meat chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces perfect for serving over rice with a rich curry sauce.

As of summer 2020, Robata is only open for lunch/brunch on the weekends, and this heaping bowl of curry fries topped in a fried egg will cure any hangover or sad feelings you may have.

 

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Go there: 

Robata Ramen & Yakitori Bar
2116 Madison Ave.
Memphis, Tenn. 38104

Monday - Friday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday noon - 10 p.m.