12/10/2025: I went to Lova for the first time in over a year. I'd been wanting to go, but due to various reasons, it kept getting postponed, until yesterday (Saturday evening).
After an hour and 15 minutes on the road, upon entering the restaurant, the place appears quaint. Being a shack, it obviously has limited space, but nothing that prevents a pleasant stay. Unfortunately, the bathroom is a bit of a problem, but they're working on it.
The waitresses were very friendly. I only noticed the owner's attitude toward customers being a bit aloof and cold, but it can be a bad day for everyone, so we don't blame her too much.
Having been trying to eat there for almost a year and a half, and knowing their numerous accolades, I had very high expectations of finding flavors and quality that were very different from the usual Asian restaurant fare. However, in some respects, these expectations were not met:
Ramen was nothing to write home about. PERSONALLY, I expected thicker noodles, but that's just a personal preference. The chashu melted in my mouth like butter. I expected the plating to be a little more elaborate, but it was still a Saturday night, so delicious. Gua Bao are superlatives: the difference was clearly noticeable, until you get to the winged ravioli. I immediately noticed on site that they weren't made by them, and later, browsing various review sites, I actually confirmed this. This was a bit disappointing, but as the owners explained elsewhere, they're waiting for approval to make them by hand, so the disappointment remains with the price: €14 for 12 ravioli that aren't even handmade (though I imagine they're top-quality) is, I think, excessive. I'm not from Faenza, but in my area, handmade ravioli cost around €5-€5.50 for 5-6 ravioli, so that's the only flaw I have to point out; I was a bit disappointed. That doesn't mean they weren't delicious, but I expected the menu to be clear about the fact that they're not homemade.
Despite the bitterness of the dumplings, the final bill was completely reasonable: with 4 ramen (and extras), 2 Gua bao, 1 Jumbo Wing Dumplings, 2 mochi, 2 Dorayaki, and 1 sweet Gua bao, we spent about €30 each.
I recommend visiting; I think I'll be back a little later in the hope of finding homemade dumplings ❤️🩹
08/10/2025: I'm just saying...for those who love Japan, it's a must to be here and try it at least once.
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