The Yummiest Ramen in Oakland

Menya Shono

★★★★☆ 3.7 (341) • $$

"Came here for dinner with a friend. We picked this place based on my friend's recommendations, boy did it not disappoint.My friend told us that the owner sources from local Ingridents and makes his ramen based on that. Here's what we orderedEnoki chipsCorn frittersBeef don Every appetizer was deliciousI got the tonkotsu deluxe ramen, I love the flavor of the yuzu in the protein. Enoki chips are great to add into the ramen broth too. Environment is casual."

Kinda Izakaya

★★★★☆ 4.2 (143)

"It's authentic Japanese Izakaya (skewers) place with variety of foods. Good thing they serve all sort of Japanese cuisines from sashimi, sushi, ramen noodles, Izakaya and desserts. Food is delicious and fresh.Waiters are attentive but could be a bit slow in rush hours.Nice interior with lots of anime!Indoor seating with Japanese touches, not easily accessible, narrow entry and pathways with uncomfortable seating.Great for couples and small gathering only.Parking options are close by public parking and street parking."

Noka Ramen

★★★★☆ 4.3 (510) • $$

"This spot has been popping up on my social media for awhile now but only decided to go spontaneously with my bf today 1 hour before closing and honestly no regrets! They put a lot of detail and care to ensure you have a wonderful experience. Right when you walk in, the walls are decorated with a floral, jungle leaves and references to anime culture. I'm not sure if they cycle out certain themes every now and then, but everything was themed Pokemon this time around--from their menu to the employee outfits (Ash from Pokemon). They even had really fun plates and their chopstick covers were branded with a kantana sword. The menu is a lot of fun with colorful branding and dishes inspired by their current Theme (Pokemon), but they also had other anime /Japan pop culture references like the Sailor Moon shot flight and the Power ranger cocktail. I was really excited to try out their food, and couldn't wait to dive in. To my surprise, a Pikachu mascot came out to greet us and the other guests, and it was so cute. It really felt like I was in Japan again, at a themed cafe. Experience and branding is 10/10.I really thought this was one of those places where they focus so much on the decor that the food is lackluster, but this was exactly the opposite! The food tasted great! I got the black garlic ramen, and the broth was so flavorful!While the price tag is a bit on the pricer side, I totally get it considering how much they put into the entire experience and the flavor was there too! The customer experience was great too, they were approachable and friendly. It was too early for cocktails so I asked for a cocktail because I really wanted the themed pokemon drinks. Unfortunately I couldn't get a mocktail, and opted for an in-house spritzer. Our server was kind enough to add the Pokemon themed cards to our drinks! I'm sure if you ask, they will make your experience amazing (: I highly recommend anyone who loves Japanese pop culture/anime to visit this spot, whether it's just for some fun cocktails or a meal, you'll find something tasty!"

UMI Tea & Ramen

★★★★☆ 4 (64) • $$

"I'm still dreaming of getting another Vietnamese Coffee w Boba here. They made me like boba. Quiet little spot tucked away that we found when I was looking for the closest Vietnamese coffee spot. This is definitely the place to get one."

Ramen 101

★★★★☆ 3.7 (398) • $$

"Ramen 101 is an okay ramen spot. The noodles are a bit larger than I prefer and the seasonings are a tad peculiar but over it's a fairly reliable take out spot, arrives well packaged, and offers a nice size portion. The phone service is decent as I've only had to call and speak with them. I've never dined in, so can't inform you about the ambiance; nonetheless, they're reliable and consistent. ."

Ramen Hiroshi - Alameda

★★★★☆ 3.9 (85) • $$

"Nice to have a ramen option in Alameda. Came at lunchtime on a Monday (yes, some place open on Monday!). The Shoyu ramen didn't disappoint. A hearty bowl with two pieces of pork chasiu, bamboo shoots, nori, egg, fish cakes, lotus roots and a nice serving of ramen in the light soy sauce broth. Good comfort food dish."

Kumako Ramen Den

★★★★★ 4.6 (836) • $$

"My fiance and I came here around 7 for some ramen. We have been here a few times before, but I wasn't active on yelp. We waited almost a whole hour to be seated, which we didn't mind. Usually, I would leave so that we don't stay too late past close, but we waited so long that I figured we should stay. The solo server was also extremely pleasant and continued taking guests up until close, which helped me feel a little better. If you plan on coming here, either come early or expect to wait. The shop is pretty small, maybe about 8 tables and the counter space. It's definitely a cozy spot. We ordered the curry don as a starter and two tonkatsu ramens. My fiance added an egg and I added an egg and corn.For being the only server, our server was extremely happy, cheerful, and fun. He brought me a nice big cup for my tea and told me it would taste better lol. He was right. I also overheard him reassuring the parties he sat after close that they could take their time. Our ramen came out first. The broth was rich and flavorful. It was the perfect amount of salty and I added some spicy chili flakes to make it even better. The noodles have a nice bite and soak up the flavor of the broth. The chashu was also tender and not chewy at all. With the bamboo shoots, egg, corn, and scallions, there was a nice texture to every bite. The curry was also amazing. It had a nice little kick, and was subtly sweet. The meat was also super tender. The only drawback was that I felt like there wasn't enough curry to cover the rice. Overall, I love coming here for the service and food!"

Ramen 101

★★★★☆ 3.7 (456) • $$

"After losing my voice on a week-long trip to San Francisco, I craved some soup. While shopping in the area, my family and I decided to have dinner at Ramen 101. Though the restaurant was busy, we were able to find a table for our party of four right away. The space was cozy yet provided ample seating.The staff at Ramen 101 was friendly and attentive. Our group ordered a variety of entrees, and I chose the seafood ramen and green tea. Seafood ramen isn't something I come across often, so I was eager to try theirs. Priced at $16.99, it included shrimp, scallop, fish cake, boiled egg, corn, green onion, bean sprouts, and bamboo shoots. The portion was generous, packed with protein, and the broth was flavorful. It was filling and I enjoyed it. My party enjoyed their entrees as well. No complaints!"

Party Sushi

★★★★☆ 3.7 (296) • $$

"I've come to Party Sushi on multiple occasions now and each time I come, I ask myself why I don't come here more often! This is one of my favorite (and more affordable) sushi spots in Berkeley. I'm consistently met with extremely kind service and fresh fish. I came with two other friends of mine so we had to get the 3 amigos roll among others. Can you tell salmon is our favorite fish? The cuts were fairly thick and seem to be salmon belly cuts. I will definitely be back to try more of the menu and to try to catch one of their lunch special bento boxes!"

Sakebomb

★★★★☆ 3.6 (363) • $$

"This is far THE BEST all you can eat I had in the Bay Area!The bay roll (roll with scallop and a creamy sauce on the top) is simply AMAZING!The curry katzu is the best curry ever, it is very flavorful!I give them 5 stars because I can't give them 10.They use quality ingredients on the food, seasoning is perfect, the service is great, super kind staff.The ambient is also super comfy.I will definitely come back!"

Yojimbo Sushi

★★★★☆ 3.5 (101) • $$

"There are 2 Yojimbo locations in Alameda. This location is the more spacious location, so it is ideal for larger parties. The service at this location is nice and they give complimentary salad for large parties.Yojimbo is one of the most aesthetically pleasing restaurants to visit. While dining, you get to see art that are related to Studio Ghibli films and other Japanese pop culture. There are TV's playing Studio Ghibli movies and many figurines are posted around the restaurant. All the food options are great, but I always get the Bento Box Mixer. This option allows you to mix and match different Japanese dishes such as katsu, teriyaki, and sushi. This also has great value since they give a good portion for what you pay"

Slurp Shop

★★★★☆ 3.5 (13)

"Slurp Shop is a menu option inside SAGA Kitchen in Alameda, CA. Menu offerings include: Ramen noodle bowls, and appetizers (chicken karaage and gyoza). On a Sunday, I pre-ordered using the SAGA app: -House Tonkotsu, ramen bowl-Chicken Karaage-Pan Fried Pork GyozaHouse Tonkotsu, Grade (5/5), delicious ramen soup with lots of noodles! Served in a pork broth, topped with pork belly chashu (slices), green onions, mushrooms, and soft boiled eggs. The menu says it's a little spicy, but I didn't really taste it. This dish has lots of fresh noodles! And the pork broth blends well with the other ingredients to create a great meal. The takeout container is a little hard to open. The broth is in the bottom section, and the ingredients are in the top section. The ramen travels better when the broth is separate, and you mix it at home. Chicken Karaage, Grade (5/5), Japanese Fried Chicken, 7-8 small pieces of chicken. They were juicy on the inside and the crispy on the outside. Pan Fried Pork Gyoza, Grade (4/5). Japanese Pork Potstickers. Juicy and tasty filling, and lightly crispy skin. My problem is, when you're used to Chinese potstickers, it's not quite the same. Gyoza are smaller dumplings, and have less filling. So in general the Slurp Shop menu items I ordered were good. I used the SAGA app to order, used the 20% Discount, left a tip, and picked up my order myself. Had a nice chat with Gilbert about the new menu, and he answered all my questions. SAGA Kitchen is located at Lincoln Ave x Grand Street in Alameda, CA.Indoor & outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery. ------------------------------------------------Support Local business!"

Kumako Ramen

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$

"This review is dedicated to Jeremy, the owner, manager, and superwoman of Kumako Ramen.Long story short, we had stopped visiting Kumako Ramen for the past three months because we thought they had sold the restaurant. Each time we called, Jeremy was not there, and one of their long-time workers was no longer present. It seemed to us that Kumako had undergone a change in ownership or management.During those months of absence, we tried over a dozen different ramen restaurants around the Bay Area, but none came close to the quality and service that Kumako Ramen offered. Over many years, we have tried ramen all over the Bay Area and even in other states, including Hawaii, but we value Kumako as the best. During the last several months, we were disappointed with those we tried during our hiatus.With the Lunar New Year, we decided to give Kumako another chance, regardless of whether there had been a change in ownership or not. To our amazement, Jeremy greeted us at the door. It felt like seeing a family member we hadn't seen in ages. She welcomed us with sincere hospitality, remembered our orders. When we tasted the ramen, complete with their house-special hot sauce and homemade kimchi, it sparked all our taste buds and touched our souls. It felt just like the comfort, contentment, and deliciousness of eating at a family holiday party.Our family of six came in hungry and left with contentment in our stomachs and hearts. In our opinion, Kumako Ramen is the best ramen spot in all of the Bay Area, surpassing the overhyped ramen restaurant in Valley Fair Mall and other ramen places in the Japanese market in Moorpark, leaving most other ramen restaurants in the region far behind.Cheers!Must try new item on menu : Kakiage that comes 3 pieces of deep fried vegetables pancake drizzle with okonomi and may. You won't be disappointed"

Hinodeya - San Jose

★★★★☆ 4.1 (87) • $$

"I came with a group of coworkers on Wednesday for lunch. There were 6 of us in total and we had no issues being seated when we arrived at noon. We walked from our office, but there is either metered street parking or a parking garage nearby with free 90-minute parking. Upon being seated, you scan the QR code at the table and can order/pay individually via the phone. I ordered the Aburi Cheese Spicy Miso Ramen with Level 3 spice ($21.50). I also ordered a sparkling water ($4) - Perrier. Note, you do need to pay for extra spice. I had to pay an extra $1.50 for Level 3 and I liked that level of spice. The bowl comes out piping hot, the noodles are nice and chewy, and the broth is extremely rich and flavorful. I only wish they gave a full egg rather than just half.Service is non-existent except for when they first bring your bowl of ramen. That doesn't bother me as I like to be left alone when eating. The restaurant is clean and fills up quickly during the lunch rush."

Mala Town

★★★★★ 4.6 (523) • $$

"BRING BACK TOM YUM SOUP BROTH. As frequenters who actually completed 3 loyalty cards between 2 people we ask nicely please, bring back tom yum soup. The new sukiyaki broth that replaced it is too sweet and the sweet and sour tomato broth gave me a horrible acid reflux. After they removed tom yum we tried it a couple more times but even the variety of the ingredients decreased. Sadly, we won't be coming back anytime soon. Maybe maybe maybe"

Ramen Hajime

★★★★★ 4.6 (547) • $$

"Definitely worth the 30 min wait...sign in and watch the queue on your phone if it makes u feel better.Restaurant is small but not cramped, service is fast, efficient. Ramen broth is rich with perfectly cooked noodles, but for me the corn rice pork bowl is what I'll be back for. Tender, flavorful pork over rice and corn. Simple and delish.Kill time at Harbor Freight, the comic store or the soon to open Micro center if u have a really long wait."

Ramen Osaka- San Jose

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (233) • $$

"I only came for a drink - walked by while I was on lunch break, walked in & was greeted right away. I wasn't hungry but I was thirsty after walking the farmer's market. I got the fruit bomb with lychee jelly (+.50) & aloe Vera (+.50) total was $6.01. The drink itself was really refreshing. I saw people getting the ramen & it actually looked really tasty! I would definitely come back to give their ramen a try next time & update the review. But as for now, based on service & drink I will definitely be back.Also; their air conditioning system here is WONDERFUL."

KYU2 Sushi - Emeryville

★★★★☆ 3.7 (289) • $$

"KYU2 holds a special place in my heart. We came here for dinner. This place is very cozy and clean.Fishes are fresh. The special rolls are very good combination of ingredients and presentation is beautiful. Here also has small plates for appetizers, we ordered fried potatoes, , fried calamari. It's all good. Special thanks to Nuchy for giving us the best service as always with her sweetest smile even when the busy time."

Alley Kitchens

★★★★☆ 3.6 (137) • $$

"restaurant is very small and few seats. I got the beef donburi bowl and it was very good. Lots of meat and it was flavorful. Perfect sweetness."

V8 Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.2 (32) • $$

"I have only ever ordered this through delivery, and every time is perfection. Strongly suggest you try their beef chow mein and their red chili oil dumplings. Both are just out of this world! Tender beef, flavorful noodles and veggies, it's absolutely top of the charts in deliciousness.I will definitely plan to visit their location in person when the weather improves. Super super delicious!!! A++"

Ramen Champ

★★★★☆ 4.4 (497) • $$

"Good experience overall at Ramen Champ yesterday at 12:30. We looked at the busyness level from another review page online and were surprised it was low so we went for it! It's a small restaurant, but it's cozy! My husband had a craving for ramen on this cold day so I thought it was a good chance for me to broaden my food horizons. ;)Funny enough, I had never tried ramen before. It was a bit of a letdown when there was a sign on the door that Tonkotsu Ramen was unavailable, but hopefully this isn't a common thing... My husband said that is the flavor he always orders. In this case we opted to split the Shoyu Ramen. We ordered extra noodles for the perfect, shareable lunch. The portions are huge and it was great to split. We had edamame to start and I was feeling extra brazen so I ordered the fried octopus balls. I have to say the Takoyaki was not for my taste, but that must just be my taste buds because they seem very popular from reading the reviews. I appreciated the QR code to easily order and pay ahead. We opted for a window seat to have a bit more privacy and it was a nice lunch. I will hopefully be back to try the Tonkatsu Ramen since I did like the Shoyu Ramen. ;)"

Ramen 101

★★★★☆ 4 (149) • $$

"Go-to place in the area when craving for some asian food whether ramen or something with rice or just appetizer snacks. Been here many times dine in and to to and so far got positive experiences and food. Love the ramens and rice meals except the rice bowlwhich has too much rice and little vianda. Service is ok they don't force you to tip upon placing your order, ambiance inside is ok, ample parking in the outside."

Kinja Sushi

★★★★☆ 4.4 (172) • $$

"Absolutely loved our dinner tonight. Service (Owen) and food were excellent. We started off with the grilled edamame appetizer and it was a keeper, absolutely delicious! The sesame chicken was really good and the portions were huge (definitely enough for 2 meals). My husband enjoyed his sushi and said we are coming back soon with the kids. The restaurant itself was very nice and clean. Definitely one of, if not the best Japanese restaurants around!! We had a wonderful evening with our cousins and are so glad they recommended it."

Kaisen don

★★★★☆ 4 (361) • $$

"A nice, cozy Japanese restaurant to get delicious Japanese food from!My friends and I stopped here for a dinner and we were able to make a reservation for here. For a Sunday at 5:00 PM, the restaurant was somewhat empty however more people came by throughout the night. We did family style so we ordered an array of dishes. My notable dishes of the night were the takowasa, kaisen don, and the estudillo roll. The takowasa has the perfect kick of wasabi and it was the perfect cleanser for in between meals; I've had some takowasa where it was not enough wasabi or it was too much wasabi to where I cannot enjoy it. The kaisen don was so yummy! From the plentiful ikura to the sushi rice, it was such a well balanced meal for all to enjoy, It also comes with a bowl of miso soup. The estudillo roll took me by surprise because I did not expect a lot of flavors from a sushi roll. All of our seafood tasted so fresh and for a reasonable price! Apparently, we also came during happy hour but there was no happy hour menu so we weren't aware of what we could've ordered."

Mensho

★★★★★ 4.5 (393) • $$

"Arrived here early on a Friday before the rush! As soon as we were seated, we were greeted promptly by the friendly staff. In fact, we were greeted by at least 4 staff within our first few minutes of being seated, and were asked if we were ready to order before we had a chance to pick up the menu.Ambiance: fresh, lively, and fun; the walls are papered with info about their philosophy on ramen.Food: we both got the spicy garlic vegan ramen and spicy tuna and garlic hand roll, and shared the enoki chips. The food was phenomenal. I typically don't prefer vegan ramen because most places skimp on the both and veggies, but the broth had a lot of depth and layer of flavor. The spice level was excellent and wheat noodles were a perfect consistency. Service: this is where I had to dock a star. :( there is a difference between being friendly and checking in, and downright aggressively hospitable. There was someone checking in on us almost every minute (not exaggerating) between the moment we sat down and when we put in our order. Once we got all of our food, the aggressive checking in continued until we got up and left. That turned me off big time- felt like they wanted us to order, eat, and leave, without any time to consider another drink or side. I understand they have to turn tables, but this was excessive.I'll definitely return for the food, and while I appreciate the friendly and welcoming staff, hope to feel less rushed next visit."

Mala Town

★★★★★ 4.5 (267) • $$

"Do not be like me and come here after a long day of not eating because you'll end up packing down a bowl for 2 meals! But also be like me if you don't mind delicious leftovers.The selection variety for the bowls here are great: they'll have most of the classic hot pot options with some few extra goodies I haven't seen elsewhere where and enjoy such as the fish tofu with cheese and mochi nuggets! With mild spice on the signature beef bone broth I could def feel a little numbing in my mouth but it's so flavorful.Their bottled drink selections were refreshing if you want a fun flavored drink like grape or pomegranate tea. Alternatively, they offer drinks on the side that are free next to the sauce bar.I'm already looking forward to my next time eating here! Definitely come with friends to bet on how much food each person will end up paying for based on the weight of their bowl."

Ramen 101

★★★★☆ 3.9 (180) • $$

"I haven't enjoyed any ramen bowls for about 1.5 years. As I'm under the weather mostly due to these cold winters of dropping temps and atmospheric rivers overhead pouring river drops, I am left with a season full of coughs. So I'm sticking to hot soups, broths and stews as much as possible. My neighbor was kind enough to pick up Tonkotsu Ramen while driving through Milpitas. Although I knew it would take time to reach me, the broth was still warm, but I admit I love hot foods to be enjoyed hot, so I simmered before pouring broth over the black bowl containing perfectly blanched yellow ramen noodles, black mushroom caps, a fish cake, fresh mung/soy bean sprouts, and 2 small and thin pork tonkotsu. (But I don't recall seeing or tasting bamboo shoots) The broth came in a seperate plastic bowl with a tan color and was quite opaque in appearance and viscous to the tongue. In addition, the broth had a super thin layer of fat (oil) floating on the top (which personally I would have wanted more fat bc it adds flavor imho). This order was requested in the medium spice level and it was a perfect "medium spice" as it was more on the milder side of a "medium spice" range.In addition, I had one spam musubi which was not good (Order comes in a pair) It simply had way too much rice for the size of the spam. If the spam was thicker, then maybe they can use a thick layer of rice. It looked out of proportion. In addition, rice was dry tasting and spam appeared and looked dry, that the spam had a curve to it. In todays order, the spam masubi was a fail."

Eighty-Eight Sushi & Ramen

★★★★☆ 4.2 (234) • $$

"I came in wanting good sashimi, good service, and a nice (and clean) ambience for a dinner date.We loved everything er ordered and had good service . I liked the inside interior design, it's casual and comfortable and clean, warm lighting that's good for dates but also bright enough to be family friendly, not sure if that made sense. -Omakase Sashimi Experience (chef's choice of 12 pc sashimi, and you get an appetizer with it, and soup and salad).-grilled short ribs-Sashimi combination: 3 tuna, 3 salmon, 3 yellowtail-Daruma sushi rollI highly recommend all of the above to try. I appreciate the aesthetics on the plate."

Obu Ramen House

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (758) • $$

"I'm amending my review for a few reasons, mainly for the consumer to be discerning and have a full understanding that this place is hit or miss. When it is good (service and food) it's very very good, but when it's bad, it's horrid. Good day:Service is on point, prices are fair, and the ramen is served hot and very tasty. Bad day (actual experiences, and I've been here several times as it's my go-to ramen place)Broth lukewarm, tonkatsu overcooked and dry (today), the server doesn't ask your noodle thickness preferred and just chooses what they want, server forgets appetizer, server doesn't bring the proper drink you asked for and there can just be a lack of attentiveness from service. All that said, they offer a semi-full bar, restrooms and establishment always clean and when the food is good, it's banging. I hate that this place is so inconsistent. It makes me hesitate to recommend it to friends or take people here as I don't know if they/we will go on a good or bad day. My warning to you is to go and just pray it's a good day."

Ramen ARASHI

★★★★☆ 4.2 (127) • $$

"I went here on a recommendation of a colleague. It was really great. Super selection of ramen and good spice level when ordered that way. Really flavorful and quick service."

Tada Ramen & Yakitori

★★★★★ 4.5 (71)

"Located on grand , it can be crappy finding parking on a weekend so I recommend going by the Safeway and just walking down . But if you are coming in the week days you should be fine . Enoki chips were fried mushrooms. I've never had them before and they were flavorful, they have a lemon wedge and some extra optional seasoning which I loved . I got the Tada Men . Tada Men Spicy Ramen at Tada inis outstanding! The rich, spicy broth pairs perfectly with chewy noodles, tender chashu, and fresh toppings. Every bite is flavorful and satisfying, with just the right amount of heat. Great portions, quality ingredients, and a welcoming vibe make it a must-visit for ramen lovers.Service was super quick , and we were able to be seated hella fast ."

Ramen Shop

★★★★☆ 3.5 • $$

"My first time here and it's amazing. I stumbled across this place and it had an enticing vibe. I love ramen so it was a no brained to check it out. Sat at the ramen counter and had one of the best Miso Ramen that I've ever had! Super rich broth, fantastic chashu with great flavor, the noodles are perfectly tender but not soggy (Japanese al dente?), and the charred Brussel sprouts add yet another layer of rich toasted flavor to the bowl. Fantastic all around! I'll ask for extra chashu next time, idk if they do that but I can hope! Bet their cocktails are fire too, I'll have to find out next time."

Juban Ramen & Tapas

★★★★☆ 4.1 (280) • $$

"Ramen is good any time of year but I especially enjoy eating ramen in colder weather. I consider Juban ramen to be a hole in the wall and undiscoverable unless through word of mouth or Yelp! Juban is consistent and I recommend their tonkotsu ramen with the deep pork bone broth - it's so soothing! Two thin slices of chashu, some bamboo, bean sprouts, half soft boiled egg, green onions and chewy noodles for $16. Max capacity I'd say is about 25 people with 10 tables so service is quick. The chicken karage uses tender and juicy thigh meat but I do prefer the batter to be more crispy. All in all solid ramen place; give it a try in you're in the area."

HiroNori Craft Ramen

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"This HiroNori location is by Great America. The parking lot is really small and limited to one hour. This restaurant out of the three HiroNori locations offers Yelp reservations on the app. That is a bonus. This location is pretty small though and will fill up real fast as this is next to many businesses as well. Not a fancy place but it's clean. I really like their ramen here. The added paste and fresh garlic adds more flavor but you don't need it. Their side salad and edamame's are good as well. Service is just service as they want to serve you and go as they have many customers. I would still come back for a quick ramen meal. [71R,2024]"

Vons Chicken

★★★★★ 4.5 (354) • $$

"First time dining here. This place has good food and good service! I recommend the crunchy chicken. Will definitely come back!"