Shinmai Menu
Welcome to Shinmai, a gem nestled in Cary, NC, renowned for its authentic Japanese cuisine. The moment you step inside, the cozy yet refined ambiance sets the stage for a memorable dining experience.
Shinmai’s menu is a delightful array of traditional dishes that captivate the palate. Diners rave about the corn korokke and the expertly crafted takoyaki, both celebrated for their incredible flavors. The ramen, particularly the tonkotsu variant, stands out due to its rich, exquisite broth and the special spicy paste that enhances every bite. Don’t miss their udon noodles, hailed as the best in the RTP area, perfect for those craving authentic Japanese flavors.
This restaurant goes beyond food, offering attentive service that makes every guest feel valued. Whether for date nights or casual dinners with friends, Shinmai promises a culinary journey worth indulging in.
LITTLE BITES
Goma-ae
tender-crisp spinach, sesame dressing (v)
Seaweed Salad
seasoned seaweed, wakame, sesame (vg)
Wasabi Fries
medium-cut french fries, wasabi soy powder, butter, nori (v)
Gobo Chips
crispy burdock root chips, sea salt, nori (vg)
Kurobuta Sausage
berkshire pork sausage, itogaki (2 skewer)
Tontoro Shioyaki
grilled pork jowl with sea salt and black pepper
lidako Karaage
seasoned deep-fried baby octopus
Moro-Q
crisp fresh cucumber, wasabi salt, garlic, sesame oil (vg)(gf)
Edamame
boiled soy beans, yuzu salt (vg)(gf)
Corn Korokke
Japanese-style croquette with creamy potato and corn filling (2pc) (v)
Gyoza
pan-fried dumpling with your choice of spicy beef or vegetable (5pc)
Agedashi Tofu
crispy battered tofu in a umami dashi, lotus root chip, bonito flakes (vegetarian avail.)
Tori Karaage
Japanese-style fried chicken (4pc)
Daikon Salad
thinly sliced Japanese radish, watermelon radish, mixed greens, miso dressing (v) (gf)
Tempura
assorted vegetables and shrimp (7pc) (vegetarian avail.)
Grilled Lemongrass Ribeye
tender ribeye steak, delicate blend of lemongrass, fish sauce, seasonal chili
Bao Bun
steamy milky bun with your choice of filling (1pc) • fried chicken • veggie fritter • thinly sliced beef in sweet soy (add 0.5)
Takoyaki
golden brown octopus-filled balls, takoyaki sauce, matcha mayo (4pc) *ask your server for the roulette style
Shrimp Shumai
open-top dumpling filled with shrimp paste and shrimp bites in a chewy wrapper (6pc) Your choice of steamed or fried. all shrimp (add 3.0)
Okonomiyaki
Japanese-style pancake with tender chopped squid, bacon, cabbage, okonomiyaki sauce, mayo, bonito flakes
Chicken Katsu
panko breaded chicken cutlet, cabbage, tonkatsu sauce
Beef Katsu
panko breaded tender ribeye, shallot, grilled lime, house-blend honey mustard
Ikayaki
grilled whole squid brushed with our house-blend sauce (gluten free option avail.)
Hokke
grilled whole Okhotsk Atka mackerel with sea salt
Miso Black Cod
Saikyo miso marinated black cod filet grilled in hoba leaf
THE OPENING
OCHAZUKE
Ochazuke
A comforting personal-sized meal where green tea or dashi is poured over a grilled rice triangle, finished with your choice of topping. Set includes mashed sweet yam, pickled daikon, tori karaage, marinated izumidai fish filet, 1/2 seasoned egg. Vegetarian option available - set includes: mashed sweet yam, pickled daikon, seaweed salad, mixed green salad, 1/2 seasoned egg. Add 3.0 for Unagi (grilled eel) or 3.5 for Grilled Salmon Belly
Tonkotsu
signature rich pork broth, pork belly, bamboo shoot, wood ear mushroom, green onion, 1/2 seasoned soft-boiled egg (*), thin straight noodles
Spicy Tan Tan
for spicy lovers - rich pork broth, spicy ground pork, bean sprout, wood ear mushroom, chives, cilantro, green onion, garlic, 1/2 seasoned soft-boiled egg (*), thin straight noodles
Seafood Shoyu
chicken broth, shrimp, mussel, squid, fish cake, bamboo shoot, green onion, medium curly noodles
Vegetable
clear vegetable broth, tofu chashu, spinach, charred corn, wood ear mushroom, bamboo shoot, cherry tomato, green onion, thin straight noodles (v) (vegan noodles avail.)
Tsukemen (Seasonal)
cold thick noodles served with rich pork dipping broth, infused with yuzu and fish powder. Topped with thick-cut chashu, seasoned soft-boiled egg, bamboo shoot, green onion, nori, lime
RAMEN
DONBURI
Oyakodon
simmered diced chicken thigh, egg, onion
Chashu Don
diced pork belly, pickled onion, miso mayo sauce
Gyudon
thinly sliced beef simmered in sweet soy, yellow onion, chili flakes, onsen egg (*)
Chicken Curry Don
panko breaded chicken cutlet, Japanese-style curry sauce, potato, carrot, onion, nori
Veggie Curry Don
tofu chashu, Japanese-style curry sauce, potato, carrot, onion, nori (v)
Unagi Don
grilled eel, seaweed salad, tamago, pickle
Carbonara Udon
creamy sauce with chewy udon noodles, onion, your choice of bacon kimchi or salmon
Chicken Udon or Soba
diced chicken thigh, fish cake, broccoli, wakame, katsuo kombu broth
Kitsune Udon or Soba
fish cake, inari, wakame, green onion, katsuo kombu broth
Tenzaru Udon or Soba
chilled udon or soba noodles with tempura (4pc) (vegetarian avail.)
UDON & SOBA
TERIYAKI BENTO BOX
Chicken
Your bento box includes: dashimaki, shrimp shumai, salad, pickles, rice, and miso soup
Beef
Your bento box includes: dashimaki, shrimp shumai, salad, pickles, rice, and miso soup
Salmon
Your bento box includes: dashimaki, shrimp shumai, salad, pickles, rice, and miso soup
Matcha Affogato
vanilla bean ice cream, shirotama mochi, premium matcha
Raindrop
plant-based ice jelly, brown sugar syrup, soybean powder
THE SWEET ENDING
DRINK
Can Soda
Coke, Coke Zero or Diet, Sprite
Ginger Ale
Sunkist Orange
Brisk Lemon Ice Tea
Ramune
original or lychee flavor
Tomomasu Bottled Cider
(non-alcoholic) Peach or Mango
Sparkling Water
ask our server for available flavors
Bottled Water
Hojicha
roasted green tea
Peach Oolong
floral notes of oolong tea and lush, juicy flavors of ripe peaches
Rose Cherry
charming blend of rose petals and dried cherry, lightly sweetened with organic cherry jam
Kyoho Grape Refresher
kyoho grape juice, lime sparkling water
Berry Nebula
wild berry cold brew, house-made milk cap, salted plum
Asahi Super Dry
light and crisp
Crank Arm Hazy IPA
fruity, hop-forward, low bitterness
Echigo Premium Stout
creamy and rich