Nashville went from being relatively ramen-free a few years ago to now having a couple of legitimately great places, including Otaku Ramen, which we like by a nose. It’s not just Sarah Gavigan’s devotion to the dish that we love — even in the hottest parts of summer — but it’s also her enthusiasm through things like the 8-Bit Ramen Series, a set of weekly specials inspired by classic video game characters. That tonkatsu is a pork lover’s dream, even in a town full of pork treats. STEVE CAVENDISH

