Otosan Ramen

Ugh I love ramen and this place has some pretty good ramen!! I ended up getting the spicy miso ramen without mushrooms and it was perfectly balanced. The spice was enough of a kick, but not too much that I couldn't finish the bowl. The broth was also in general super flavorful. I loved the amount of toppings too and the steak was pretty good on top! I also loved the corn too.However the star was the chicken karage. Omg it was so good and with the sauce? Chefs kiss! Our waitress was attentive and quick. Plus the food came out fast (like five minutes after we ordered!). And the atmosphere is adorable. Cute lights, fun decor... I will say that there are maybe five tables so if you do go, just know that it might be hard to get a table. So definitely be prepared for that! We didn't have a problem, but it is super small so just be aware.I'd definitely come back if I'm in the area!

Otosan Ramen is a Thai-owned ramen joint that is in a cozy space with only a handful of tables. It's a first-come, first-serve type of a situation, and this place is jam-packed all the time!We ordered:+Chicken Karaage - served with a side of ichiran aioli; didn't expect these to be chicken 'cubes'; these were just okay+Geso Squid Tempura - loved that these were squid tentacles, my favorite part!; oil could have been drained a bit more properly, as it was still wet/drenched; the spicy aioli was a nice dipping sauce, as the sweet chili wasn't much of a complement+Classic Tonkotsu - with Kakuni pork belly slices, bean sprouts, spinach, scallions, wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, a nori seaweed, and a soft-boiled egg; the hubs thought the pork was forgettable; I enjoyed the spinach and the bean sprouts, as they were fresh and crunchy; unfortunately, the egg wasn't marinated, and it was just a nicely boiled egg+the Tomyum Ramen - this was originally a dipping style, but they have transitioned into a more classic ramen style, as, apparently, patrons were confused and didn't know how to go about it (ugh); this came with nice large-sized deveined shrimp, a soft-boiled egg, mushrooms, dry chili, crushed peanuts, and scallions on a tomyum-based broth; definitely more lemongrass and vinegar-y forward, had a slight kick (thought it could be spicier); if you're into sour things, this could be a good optionAsk for their house chili oil - it is like a 100/10 in terms of spiciness - no joke!We came here for dinner, and while the wait was long, I enjoyed seeing their collection of their anime figurines!Service was definitely 5+ stars - the staff here are super friendly, kind, and just so unbelievably nice! The food, on the other hand, not so much, as we just weren't really fans of them.Limited parking in the small shared lot; there are some limited street parking in the area as well.+Geso Squid Tempura+super friendly staff+limited parking

I'm giving them a higher better review because I've been here three times and the other two were better (FOOD WISE).Small quaint ramen shop in the heart of McLean, and it's really cute. There's little anime figures along the windowsill and cutie lights. The waitress is super nice and accommodating.The food was eh today, which made me sad because I know it's better cause of the last two times I went. I need to stop ordering or change out the meat of the spicy miso ramen cause I am not a fan of the beef slices. The ramen was bland today. The karage was good though!Will be back to avenge today's ramen lack of flavor.

Tiny ramen place w 5 tables that seats a total of 18 ppl. Fast service. Thick broth. We tried black garlic ramen and squid appetizer. Personally,the black garlic is too strong for me. The boiled egg tastes sweeter, prob the best egg I've had in a ramen in term of flavor and texture. Give it a try when you arr in the area.

~Quick Tips~What to eat: Delectable ramen and fun appetizers. Spicy miso ramen, black garlic ramen, and seasonal offerings (curry ramen the day that I went). Try their corn ribs or the chicken karaage to start! Vibe: This small space packs a punch. Come early as it seats only a few. There's reserved parking for guests dining at the restaurant. Fun anime and other near memorabilia inside.

This is such a cute little ramen shop! The corn ribs were super juicy and flavorful! Perf app :)I tried the gyudon (which had a strong black pepper taste, but was overall tasty) and the black garlic tonkatsu ramen. The portions are big and nothing was too salty~ I do wish the ramen had a bit more flavor/ salt but I def could taste the garlic!

I stumbled upon this small little place with a friend and I absolutely loved everything about it! It's a very small place so there isn't much parking but I love the entire vibe of the hole in the wall restaurant. It only has a few tables inside but a really cute outdoor area and a bunch of small Japanese figures inside. There were lots of people but it wasn't fully packed so we got seated right away and it's a very intimate experience. I felt like I was entering someone's home to eat.I've never seen a place that had Thai-style ramen so I decided to try the Tom Kha ramen. It was so delicious! I love that it wasn't too heavy like typical tonkatsu ramen but it had that creamy flavor from the coconut milk. The char on the chicken was great too. My friend got the tempura shrimp ramen and she loved it too. Definitely try this or any of the Thai-style ramens if you want to switch it up. It was a very comforting bowl of soup on a cold winter night to have.

I got the Black Garlic Tonkotsu ramen and it came out warm and quickly. The ramen had a large serving size with a generous amount (3 pieces) of pork and lots of veggies. However I found the broth to be too overpowering and the meat was not tender enough.The interior of the restaurant was very cute with lots of cat themed art, anime figurines, and Japanese themed posters. However it also very small with only a few tables. I prefer other ramen chains in nova like Jinya but Otosan was still good if you're in the area.

Sometimes, the walk is totally worth it! I work just a couple of blocks away from this ramen shop, and since the street is one-way, it's easier to just walk over. It's a small, comfy spot with a great atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. I've been here several times, and the food is always top-notch, in my opinion. The black garlic ramen is my favorite on the menu--and honestly, it might be my favorite ramen in the area. The corn ribs are saucy and packed with flavor, and the karaage is perfectly crispy, tender and juicy inside. The service here is always great- One time, I was having lunch with my fiancée, who was running late; The staff brought me my appetizer and offered to hold off on cooking our ramen until the timing of my choosing, so it would be fresh and hot. And the bathroom LOL..... decorated with anime and funny cat photos, and even playing "thunder sounds" so no one can overhear your ..'business'. Oh, it even has some manga for you to read while, you know!I think this place is definitely worth it; I would highly recommend checking it out if you're in the area!

The menu is exceptionally straightforward, but everything I've had here has been amazing.The black garlic tonkotsu is a standout and I dream about it sometimes. I'm not always in the mood for ramen, but I would never turn down the black garlic. Beer selection is intriguing and also straightforward. Cute little animal beers in the basic styles, look them up and you'll know what you're getting into.Service is exceptional, nicest guy you can imagine. The ambiance is amazing, but definitely an acquired taste. Very cool anime/manga/comics shelf candy, the music is usually goofball 90's covers. Kind of weird but definitely conversation starters; you could take a tinder date here and have tons to talk about (and it is quality food in a median price range, you actually probably should be taking your tinder dates here). The vibe definitely hits for me but I could see this dragging for others. A lot of cat pictures, which I would call an A+. There is nothing that cannot be improved by a presence of heavy cat imagery.I've been crawling my way through all of the food in the McLean/falls church area, and this is the first place I feel really warrants reviewing because it absolutely slaps. Go here. You won't be disappointed.