Itsy Bitsy restaurant asks you to use your noodle

DINING OUT

ITSY BITSY RAMEN AND WHISKY, THE OGDEN, 150 LAS VEGAS BLVD. NORTH

Itsy Bitsy Ramen and Whisky opened in early April at the base of the Ogden in downtown Las Vegas. Earning its name with just 2,500 square feet, it’s one of the small-business investments of the Downtown Project, in a partnership with Corner Bar Management Group. The ramen concept is simple: You pick your noodle, broth and topping to create a specialized bowl. Here’s a sample of the menu:

Small plates: Standard or garlic-chili edamame, $2.75; tofu and wonton chips, $4; mushroom spring rolls, $5.75; kimchi, $3.75; tempura vegetables, $4.75; Japanese street corn, $2.75; kurobuta sausage, $4.75.

Robata skewers (two): Beef, $5.75; chicken, $4.75; pork, $4.75.

Rice bowls: Vegetable, $9; salmon, $10.75; chicken katsu, $9.25; chashu (braised pork), $9.75.

Ramen: Thin or thick noodles with tonkotsu, shoyu or miso broth, with green onion, braised pork, bean sprouts and/or soy-cured egg, $9.75; tofu, buttered corn, bamboo shoots, Spam, nori, fish cake or extra soy-cured egg, $1; spicy meat or extra braised pork, $1.75.

Hand rolls: Tuna, yellowtail or salmon with cucumber and crab, $11 for three, $14.50 for four, $18 for five; or cucumber, $3.75, crab, tuna, yellowtail or salmon, $4.75 each.

Hours are from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays and 4 to 11 p.m. Sundays. Call 702-405-9393 or visit itsybitsyramen.com.

— Heidi Knapp Rinella