Monta Ramen Happy Hour. Off-Strip

Monta is a Japan-based shop turning out tonkotsu, with pork-bone broth simmered for hours into something rich and deep. The original tonkotsu is the bowl to start with, and you can ask for the noodles firm if you like them with bite. Sides like gyoza, crispy on the bottom and juicy inside, are the natural companion to a bowl. It sits on Spring Mountain Road in the Chinatown corridor, a small counter-and-communal-table spot where people come for the food and nothing else. You will hear kitchen noise and slurping, which is the point. There is no dress code, no pretension, and service moves quickly rather than inviting you to linger. The space is tight and fills during peak hours, so an off-peak visit is your best shot at a seat without a wait. The shop runs a happy hour and pours beer, sake, and wine, and the deals here can change, so ask the staff what is running when you order. Do not come for a bar scene; come for some of the better ramen in Vegas.