Ramen Station

I loved everything about this place. The videos playing on the TV screens and the sounds of the JR line were so authentic that it felt like I was back on the platform in Japan waiting for a train.This is the place to go if you want zero human interaction (other than the mystery hand connected to a real person who quietly slides your order out to you from behind a small door). Order from a screen, wait for your food to be completed, pick it up from the window once it gets slid out. While this isn't how I'd want to have all of my meals, it's a fun, unique experience and, again, an extremely authentic recreation of many dining experiences in Japan.The ramen was delicious. I went with the spicy tan tan deluxe and ate every bit, and I couldn't get enough of that broth. The noodles were cooked perfectly; I got the thick ramen and loved it. It was a good portion for the price and I left satisfied but not stuffed.Drinks are available from a vending machine. I washed everything down with a can of cold oolong tea, which is what I drank with almost every meal in Japan. The little personal eating nooks make this place a perfect destination for lone diners or pairs, but not so good for groups if you're hoping to have a conversation with your meal. If you're ok with being head down for a while, just you and your food, and don't need to talk to each other the entire time you're eating, you'll have no issues here.We dropped by on a Sunday afternoon and there wasn't anyone else inside, so we had our pick of seating and the food came out almost instantly. Nice and quiet other than the sounds of the "train."I can't wait to come back here. Great food and a cool place.

For the days you want a solid solo meal, no human interaction, and some background noise - Ramen Station is a great option for you.There isn't lots of seating inside for the solo booths, but I've also never seen this spot crowded so never had a problem. If you're trying this spot with a group, there are a few outdoor tables available.I got the Deluxe Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen + $3 double deckered spam musubi (combo, it's $4 purchased on its own) while my friend opted for the Original Tonkatsu Ramen. She ended up taking some of the separate spice included with mine.Deluxe Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen (4.5/5): Personally, I prefer thin ramen noodles so this option was a hit for me. The broth was rich, and tasty, the chashu was surprisingly delicious, and I enjoyed my egg. Only knocked off that half star because if given the choice, I would have asked for my noodles extra firm. They definitely get a little soggy a few minutes into your meal. Still enjoyed it when I took my leftovers to-go.Spam Musubi (5/5): For an added $3, I'll take it. It was a generous size and actually tasted really good. Again, unexpected.I do wish there were water cups or options to order it instead of defaulting to the vending machines for a drink. The drinks were a bit more expensive than I thought, so if you enjoy a liquid with your meals, bring a water bottle! Overall would come back again on one of those days. I enjoyed the background noise imitating the train stations in Japan, all the announcements, as they draw attention away from the slurping noises.

Ramen Station is off of 880, along the Embarcadero. Great spot for solo diners. Def not a large group place. Great take out option alsoPlace your order on one of the tablets. The interface is the same as Sizzling Lunch's. Pick the menu items you want, add them to your cart and checkout. You can customize what toppings you'd like, what type of noodle, and salt level. Note- I opted for light salt but still felt it was still salty. Your order will be sent to the kitchen and will be ready in a few minutes. Maybe 7 min. For take out ramen- you can choose to have the broth separate so as not to have soggy noodles. Ample parking. Go during the day.

Cute ramen place I've seen many times off the freeway and always meant to check out. Finally came with my 8 year old and it reminded us of our 2 weeks in Japan last summer. The vending machines are cute as is the interior decor. Everything is automated except the humans in the back presumably making the meal and sliding it through the port to where you pick it up when your number is called. lol. Ordered a plain tonkotsu ramen for my son and a deluxe tonkotsu ramen for myself plus two of their spam Musubi to bring back for my daughter and husband. The broth and noodles were good and the pork and egg on mine were also good. Nothing that screamed omg best ever but I liked the novelty concept of this place. We bought a drink from the vending machine and they have some cool snacks like a limited edition Peppermint Pocky. A lot of the drinks were $5 which seems steep but maybe I'm not up to date on vending machine prices for Japanese drinks. My daughter liked the spam Musubi which kept well until the next day after being nuked in the microwave for a few gentle rounds so the rice wasn't hard. Nice option off the freeway for ramen for convenience and the innovative concept that makes you feel like you are in Japan. The maps and signs, decor, and the Japanese being spoken overhead are a different environment to have ramen to be sure.

When you walk in, it looks just like Japan! The ambiance has music playing and noises like a Japanese railway station. It's easy to order on the digital kiosk and it took about 15 minutes for us to get our ramen. It was delicious with the noodles, broth and the black garlic oil we ordered too. We added chashu and it was big pieces. It is a great novelty to eat at and fun to experience Japan all over again.

I recommend trying this place at least once to experience an introverted dining experience where you don't interact with any of the staff. You walk in and order at the kiosk computer. A window opens up with your food. You take it and sit down in a cubby type sitting area. The food had a lot of rice. They have to go containers out for you to grab. Also it means you don't have to ask a human being for anything. The vending machine for drinks ate my friend's money and of course there was nobody we could ask to help. Or maybe there was but we didn't take the time to do so. Food was good. It had a subway train station theme.

Super cute. Some people have experience hiccups with the vending machines. The ramen is great. Love all the extras I can add.

Ramen Station is a super fun experience, though I don't know if it fits well with where the location is at. The restaurant mimics the japanese experience of quick service with minimal human interaction. The plaza is on the Oakland warerfeknt, however it feels this would be better placed in a heavier foot traffic area. The food was great when we got it. It was fresh as you can expect from anywhere else, and I would recommend getting their Spam Musubi. It was delicious. One thing I would mention is that I ordered spicy chili oil on my ramen, but it didn't come with it. I wasn't sure how to ask for help or ask for extra chili oil since there is no window to talk to the chef.

Cute environment, if you've been to Japan. It's themed after the train system in Tokyo and the vending machines. I love that it plays music from the trains and uses the same voice too!This is self service, you order at the kiosk and pick up your order from the window. I got the garlic ramen. The broth was flavorful! I would order it again. Outdoor seating available with waterfront view. And plenty of seating inside too. Environment is casual, perfect way to chat without worrying about hogging table space for too long

So good I love it I definitely recommend this place the worker come up to my car and delivered my food