Maki Express Ramen House

★★★★☆ 4.2 (239) • $$

"My best friend and I visited Cincinnati for a day trip and on this rainy day ran across Maki Express Ramen House. We almost passed on the experience after we stepped inside and noticed the small place, which could only seat a handful of people. The tables were full but the gentleman working offered to take out number and call us when one opened. Thankfully we found shelter next door and stood outside to wait about 15 minutes. We were offered menus right away and were able to ask questions about a few of the ramen options. I chose the miso ramen with bone broth, pork belly, corn, spinach and other goodness. The broth was thick and flavorful with tons of noodles. I was hooked from the first bite - my first ramen experience. The only thing I left behind was the pork belly, which was very fatty. A small fridge offers bottled waters and sodas. I love the graphics on the wall and multiple lucky cats. This spot does heavy carry out. People came and went throughout our lunch. Highly recommend this spot and it would be a regular spot if I lived in the area."

Mei Japanese Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (144) • $$

"We really liked Mei Japanese Restaurant! The food was great, the interior was very well done and the staff were excellent! My daughter and I were craving ramen one afternoon, and decided to try Mei. I had a great miso ramen and my daughter had curry katsu udon. She loved her and mine was excellent! Great portions served piping hot. The friendly server suggested a hot lemon citrus drink for me which was outstanding . The menu is quite broad - lots of sushi and many other Japanese dishes that we would like to try in a future visit.We were the only customers in the restaurant but that was not surprising since we were there on New Year's Eve day, at an odd time in between lunch and dinner. The interior space is very well done, with lots of seating.The location was the strange part - sort of behind a car dealer in an odd little "neighborhood" of businesses in what look like ranch style houses? Definitely the landlord should invest a few bucks in sprucing up the exterior commercial spaces (Mei looks fine but some of the other buildings could use some TLC), but none of that impact Mei - Mei shines once you get inside. Lots of parking, welcoming staff and great food. We'll be back!"

Rokaru Ramen

★★★★☆ 4.4 (121) • $$

"I raved about this local ramen stop after our first stop -- but a service mistake and an incorrect order (not vegetarian) make us hesitant to go back. For my first visit, five of us dined in. Everyone loved their ramen. The veggie gyoza was a highlight -- so flavorful and crispy. The waitress was helpful when it came to creating a Build Your Own Ramen bowl that was vegetarian. So delicious! Unfortunately, our takeout order a few weeks later was not so good. The cashier had our food ready, but said she'd accidentally charged a previous customer for our order. She was confused on what to do. My husband suggested he pay in cash for the cost of our food, then she can sort out a refund to the other customer later. Simple, right? Not to her. She was so overwhelmed by confusion that she left my husband (and our food) waiting at the register for more than 15 minutes. Once home, I noticed my "vegetarian ramen" didn't look the same as last time -- and the stomach problems that followed for two days tell me they gave me a meat-based broth (or similar non-vegetarian mistake)."

Hoshi Ramen

★★★★☆ 3.8 (128) • $$

"We had to come and see what this restaurant had to offer. We were visiting friends on campus and one of my friends mentioned a quint ramen shop so of course we could not pass it up! We had to come and check Hoshi Ramen out! It was very cute walking in and seeing lots of different japanese decorations with Scooby-Doo episode playing behind the bar. Immediately felt comfortable as a nerd coming here to get some food.We actually reserved a table ahead of time for the 5 of us and they were excited to accommodate. We sat down and the server started service with waters and our appetizers. We ordered the Chashu fries, the chicken karaage and the seaweed salad. Everything was fresh and tasty! Then we went in ordered our respective ramen bowls. I acquiesced to a spicy seafood ramen bowl. Because spice and seafood is the best combination.The noodles were chewy. The vegetables were fresh. And best of all the broth was light and savory. This a great place to try. The even have a description key to aid in the menu if you didn't know what it's from. 5 stars!"

Zundo Ramen & Donburi -Mason

★★★★★ 4.7 (79) • $$

"Great, authentic food. Im not a huge fan of ramen but this place has changed my mind. Fresh ingredients and quality preparations. Beat ramen Ive had for sure."

SAM Sushi & Ramen

★★★★☆ 3.9 (92) • $$

"I wish I could have been here before COVID, but it appears they have made some pretty extensive changes to the place because of COVID. For the most part there is no dine in. They have put up a wall and there are two tables in the area to sit in which are not attached to the regular HVAC system.... cold in winter. That being said, the food was good. I got a tuna bowl and the tuna was fresh. My husband got ramen and really liked it, but there is no dine in experience. Everything is served on disposable plates/containers. I ordered a hot sake and in came in a coffee cup. All drinks are bottles (even water).Typically when I go out to eat, I want the experience and service too.... this is not the place, but would be great for take out."

Dope! Asian Street Fare

★★★★☆ 3.9 (83)

"Everything was delicious. Would go back again. It was a fun food hall market style above the Kroger and for an out of towner- I'll recommend any day and I'll be back.The lemongrass broth was so yummy! The baos were great, and my guy was digging the pork belly ramen. Everything too notch!"

Ramen Hachi

★★★★★ 4.5 (40)

"I didn't expect a little ramen shop in tiny Oxford to be anything special so I was extra delighted to discover how excellent the food is at Ramen Hachi. They've really set the bar for me actually. As I try other ramen places all over, I haven't found one yet that compares. I had the black garlic tonkotsu and will likely keep getting that because it's memorably delicious. Our server was also really personable and attentive. The shop feels new, clean & inviting. Wish there was a Ramen Hachi in my city!"

Osaka Sushi & Hibachi

★★★★★ 4.7 (36)

"Such a delicious find!Run, don't walk (brisk carry out business too). Everything was delish. Started with crab Rangoon, followed by hibatchi shrimp and steak, sweet and sour chicken and a dancing crab roll. We loved it all and we were thrilled with this find!!"

Ninja Ramen

★★★★★ 4.5 (27) • $$

"Was really excited to try this place because we are big fans of ramen and their sister restaurant (Ozu 852). We ordered two drinks, app and two different ramen dishes. Delish! Inside is so so beautiful as well!"

Rokaru Ramen

★★★★★ 4.5 (20) • $$

"Good ramen at a good price. It's not upscale or gourmet, but it is, importantly, tasty. Deserving of five stars because I cannot think of anything I was dissatisfied by. Everything landed right in the good range, at prices I couldn't disagree with. It's interior is cute and chic, emphasizing multiple textures and tied together by a light wood. It's just modern enough, without it feeling like it is trying to be trendy. Service is fine and fast. Again, not a gourmet dining experience, but it doesn't pretend to be."

Speakeasy Miso

★★★★☆ 4.2 (19)

"Wonderful experience! The food, service, and ambiance were all great. Excellent selection of ramen (not your typical shoyu/miso!) and sake/cocktails/beer and ciders.We tried the beef gyoza, very tasty and big! I had the sapporo ramen, husband had the hakata. Both were good, I think I liked his a bit better. They also offer kids bowls of ramen which weren't listed on the menu.I also tried the Southside cocktail and the 21 Barrels Lychee cider. The cocktail was pretty solid, but the cider was fantastic! Not too sweet, not too dry, great lychee flavor. Husband also tried the juice box sake - very cute.Very happy to have a Speakeasy Ramen location closer by and can't wait to see how they evolve!"