Baka Umai

We're thrilled to discover a great ramen place in SE. Before this discovery we'd trek out to Beaverton. No longer! We ordered the traditional Shio and the Gyokai Tonkotsu both were delicious in their own way. The broth was rich and the dish was nicely balanced. The ramen came out fast and the kitchen really hustles. They live up to their name, the food is Delicious!

My main thing is I wish there was more vegetables but that's a personal issue for me. Midori mazemen ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ - really good but think I liked the red silk tonkotsu ever so slightly more - it was a dry noodle which I expected but I think the ramen hits the spot more - love the pears - wish it was spicier - very creamy, can't taste much shellfish - definitely need to mix it to get the full effect Red silk tonkatsu ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - felt like there was a flavor missing, turned out it was the egg - egg is cooked perfectly - love the mushrooms - not super spicy Habanero tonkotsu ⭐⭐⭐✨ - not spicy at all - wouldn't order again, just ok tho - upper part of mild, could taste underneath Cho maz ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - full meal, but don't feel full - whole grain noodles though which I appreciate --- drinks --- Hot green tea ⭐⭐✨ - just ok - microwaved, could taste it, the mug was also super hot compared to the actual tea Blended coconut ⭐⭐⭐ - it's good if it's what you're looking for - not overly sweet - but not 100% for me, just the tiniest bit sweeter than what I like

I wanted Ramen and I heard this place was good. When I got there I discovered that they had brothless Ramen which I had never tried before. I ordered the Umami Mazemen, it had the house smoked salmon, capers, peppers and other veggies. The noodles were made just right and had a good amount of thickness. All the flavors came together perfectly. It was delicious! You will love this place. I can’t wait to come back and try the other dishes. I’ll have the ramen next time. There’s someone in the kitchen who’s creative and cares about well made Japanese food ~ you can taste it. Order sake, so good!

Combination of great fundamentals (noodles, soup) with inspired toppings (chicken thigh char siu, pickled shiitake). Mala shio ramen is the best bowl of ramen I’ve ever had, and I’m from Japan!

This place was amazing! The noodles are made in house and you can definitely tell because they are unbeatable. There are lots of interchangeable vegetarian and non vegetarian options, and people in my party had high ratings for both. We all got the ghost pepper ramen (veg and not), and it was definitely super spicy and very delicious.

I haven't been the big ramen fan in my family, but that situation may not last. Our family paid a visit, knowing that I would be thrilled with the katsu chicken on their menu. Everyone else at the table had different ramen varieties, and the samples I tried of my wife's choice had me thinking about a return visit to try their signature dishes. Baku Umai is a casual space in a relatively new building, so the ambiance here is laid back, with splashes of local basketball and landmarks as decoration. Patrons order at the counter, and tables are well stocked with all the spoons, chopsticks, napkins, and anything else you're likely to need.

Broth was tasty, egg was perfect, pork was fatty and tender, pickled shrooms were a highlight. My spice fanatic veg. friend gave their reaper + more spice their approval (nothing is ever spicy enough, so wow). If you're a spice lover, this place is for you. I just got tonkatsu with a bit of togarashi and suffered the rest of the evening,

Had a great experience, enjoyed the food, and the gluten free noodles were absolutely delicious

this place has the best ramen ever, my favorite is the ghost pepper ramen and everyone has to try this place, I love it. everyone is so kind and friendly! the food comes out really quick as well! recommend to everyone!

As a spice lover, I am very fond of Baka Umai. Here's what you should order: Chicken karaage and blistered shishito peppers for your appetizer snackies. For your ramen, go with the habanero tonkotsu ramen. This one has the perfect blend of spice and flavor. If you're a real daredevil, get the reaper ramen, but have 911 on standby. I come here at least once a month. Service is friendly, ambiance is medium-loud, but not obnoxious.

My partner and I had just finished hiking around some local wildlife refuge and we were feeling for something soup-y, something hot and while we initially wanted to try a ramen food truck, we ended up trying Baka Umai instead because of proximity. Ordering is done at the counter, and you're free to sit whenever you want. There's a few booth seat, plenty of window counter seats, and some tables for larger parties. We opted for window counter seating. Between my partner and I, we decided to share a bowl of Edamame and from their special menu, the Salt & Pepper Karaage. I wanted something smaller, so I picked the Baka Bento Bowl with Crispy Pulled Pork as my protein. My partner opted for their Traditional Shio, but instead of the dashi broth, he went for the Shiitake Blend broth (with the original protein). Order came really quick. Our shared plates came first, and there was quite a lot actually. The Karaage pieces were really crispy on the outside, but tender and juicy on the inside. It's bursting with flavor. I'm not exactly sure what blend of spices they use, but there's a bit of mala (numbing) in there. I liked the addition of white onions and green onions they threw into the mix. Those were flavored up as well. As for the edamame? That was perfectly cooked. The edamame were still had a slight crunch to them, and whatever seasoning they used for it worked quite well. I think it's the seasoning they used for the Karaage pieces and edamame is quite similar. Very much umami, but also just a tad too salty. For my Baka Bento Bowl. For some reason, I thought I was getting something small because the bowl is like $10-$12 I believe. I wasn't feeling for much, still a bit full from breakfast, so I wanted something small. I ended up getting a pretty sizeable meal. But thankfully, a good portion of it is toppings and salad. The rice portion is small, which I'm thankful for because I prefer more toppings over rice, haha. The crispy pulled pork was great. It's flavored nicely, a bit chewy, but not tough. It's almost got a jerky like texture, but similar to the freshly made ones, and not prepackaged ones from grocery stores. I enjoyed the mix of pickled veggies and the mushrooms were deliciously seasoned. I kind of wonder if they soaked the mushrooms with the soy eggs (similar flavor). I also found it interesting that they used shredded napa cabbage instead of the regular cabbage as well. It worked though. Provides a softer crunch to the mix. I sampled my partner's ramen and the mushroom broth was comforting! Deliciously mushroom-y and umami. I also liked that the noodles were chewy and not too thick. The one thing my partner said was that overall, the meal was a bit ok the saltier side, but it was good and I have to agree. A solid ramen find. I would definitely recommend it to people looking for some comfort experience. We didn't interact with the staff much, but they seemed pretty friendly!

I haven't been the big ramen fan in my family, but that situation may not last. Our family paid a visit, knowing that I would be thrilled with the katsu chicken on their menu. Everyone else at the table had different ramen varieties, and the samples I tried of my wife's choice had me thinking about a return visit to try their signature dishes. Baku Umai is a casual space in a relatively new building, so the ambiance here is laid back, with splashes of local basketball and landmarks as decoration. Patrons order at the counter, and tables are well stocked with all the spoons, chopsticks, napkins, and anything else you're likely to need.

Delicious ramen! I've never had chorizo in ramen before but I really enjoyed it. The broth was quite tasty too. I'd definitely go back!

Absolutely fantastic, the ramen quality being the star of the show! The individual elements including, and most importantly, the noodles functioned on both individual playing fields and together. We got the Tonkatsu and Shoyu, both were outstanding. Portion sizes were nothing to worry about, we eat a lot and were stuffed. Other customers were taking some of their offerings home. The owner and staff were super kind and accommodating to my handicapped needs as well. Will definitely return, don't miss this spot!

Second time here. First time I got the Kanai Tsukemen which I loved. This time got the Tan Tan Tsukemen which had a little too much going on with the chorizo and dipping. Baka bites are great. I'm a fan of this place and will come back for the Kanai Tsukemen or try something else

If you visit you have to try the chorizo ramen and shishito poppers! Flavors are on point, pricing is fair, and atmosphere is chill. This is an order at the front, get a number situation. Staff was kind and helpful with my noodle questions. Only downside is that it's chilly inside with the door constantly opening, but not too cold I had to leave my jacket on. Will come back!

Baka Umai means stupid delicious and this place lives up to its name. The ramen here is very savory and flavorful. I ordered the silky red tonkotsu and it was SILKY. The noodles were dense yet chewy. I also had the chicken karaage which was cooked and seasoned just right. It is counter service and service was phenomenal. They were busy but were quick to get tables cleaned and food served. I'm thinking this will be my new go to spot for ramen.

We ordered delivery, so keep that in mind. First, I needed something with a gluten free option and this place has gluten free noodles available. I made the request for the substitution in our Door Dash order and got what I wanted. Miso ramen for me, with house rayu, which turned out to be chile infused sesame oil. Husband got ramen shoyu. Both were excellent. The broth was rich and savory, it was perfectly balanced, needing no salt or soy sauce added. The broth came on the side and we added it ourselves. The egg was perfect. In the end, I heated the broth on the microwave - but it was delivery and I don't object to it being lukewarm in that case. The best part of my ramen was the mushrooms. I don't like mushrooms and would have had them left out if I thought about it but these were amazing flavor bombs. If you like mushrooms- try this! If not, maybe give them a try anyway. We will have to visit in person after such an auspicious start.

A few tables and bar seating. Order at the counter and they bring it out to you. Blended matcha drink with the coconut was soooo good! Not too sweet and blended like the Starbucks frappacino but better flavor. Super good and I'd come back just for this! Got one of the "current specials" yuzu ramen and it was good but not the best. The bowl is a bit smaller than most ramen places. I wish it came with a bit more broth. The egg was kind of cold and the other toppings which messed with the temperature of the ramen once it got to me. Overall it was a good soup with a delicate flavor. The meat was on the salty side. I'd probably try something else next time or just come for the matcha blended drink. I did like their chopsticks which are fancy disposable ones but felt like real chopsticks.

Delicious spot for ramen. This might be my new favorite ramen spot in Portland. The broth was so good, lots of depth and flavor. The noodles were amazing. Service was great and friendly. The place has a few tables so we didn't have to wait at all to grab a seat.

We were out on the town and wanted to get something cozy for the chilly night. We found this spot on Hawthorne and we decided to give it a shot. It was a pleasant surprise in that the three dishes that we got were a good variety and were very well done. The start, our absolute favorite was the spicy karaage. It was a fusion of Japanese Karaage and Chinese mala. It was a beautiful combination. The Szechuan peppercorns and paired with the creamy spicy mayo was the duo of the night. It gave us that numbing feeling with a creamy sauce. The Tsukemen was a great dish as well. The noodles latched on to the dipping sauce so well. It was chewy and bouncy, the perfect consistency that we like. The dipping sauce had a really nice bonito flake flavor which paired very well with the pork and the noodles. As for the Mazemen, the brothless ramen, was a wild card for us. It brought a different take on ramen for us, and we were pleasantly surprised. The pulled pork with the house XO sauce were very well made. The combination of those two and the chewy noodles along with the poached egg made for a great dish. Overall it was a nice casual dining experience for some new ramen flavors we hadn't had before!

What a great ramen option in SE Portland! Located on Hawthorne, Baka Umai is a cozy ramen bar serving unique soups that will warm up any cold day. The atmosphere is casual, with counter service and bar and table seating. They are known for their chorizo-men - a tantan pork broth with housemade chorizo, but offer other options such as miso, shio, tonkatsu, vegan, and vegetarian soups! They also have a page dedicated to spicy ramen, from mala to ghost pepper spices, definitely something for everyone! I got their special, a dirty tonkatsu, and it was good! It was a bit too salty for me, but the flavors and spices were unique and unlike other ramen I've had. Portions were generous and worth the price. If you're looking for a quick, unassuming, yet delicious ramen in SE Portland, Baka Umai is the place!

[ FOOD ]: 3/5 * Tonkatsu - Broth was thick and flavorful, but personally the toppings flavor was throwing me off a tad bit. Definitely was a good solid tonkatsu but the mushrooms were a little vinegar-y for my taste. Chashu pork was good though! Thick and flavorful! * Chorizo-men - Broth was more to my liking, rich and flavorful. Was added a hint of lime and chorizo brought a good saltiness to the dish. * Baka bites - Yummy appetizer but flavors felt like they were clashing a little too much for my own taste with miso, teriyaki, and sweet and sour sauce in different parts of the bowl. Just the pork belly bites alone, they were delicious! {OVERALL- Food was solid, nothing special when it comes to ramen. I feel like there's an effort to be creative which i can appreciate but the flavors don't compliment each other the way that I expected} [ SERVICE ]: 4/5 * Everyone was very kind, friendly and helpful. [ AMBIANCE ]: 4/5 * Cute little anime themed decorations here and there

Of all the ramen in Portland, I think this spot is definitely up there on the list. The service was good and staff was very friendly. I ordered the karage, blistered shishito peppers, and the habanero tonkatsu. One of the staff members saw my indecisiveness on what sauce to choose for the karage and ended up giving us both sauces. I totally forgot to take pictures of the two appetizers, but I inhaled them in about 2 seconds because I was so hungry. The habanero tonkatsu is has a rich broth balanced by the spicy habanero and pickled shitake mushrooms. In my personal opinion, I like when the pork slices in ramen have a little chew. These were tender, but not to the point where it just breaks apart when you try to grab it. I recommend looking at the menu ahead of time because it is pretty big and I've heard that most of their items are super good. So good luck deciding what you want!

Baka Umai is quickly becoming our go-to Portland ramen spot. At our last visit we ordered the Ramen Tonkotsu with extra pickled shiitakes, the Traditional Ramen Shio, and the tasty Chicken Karaage with cilantro aioli. Both ramens were absolutely delicious. The tonkotsu broth was rich, thick, milky white, each spoonful packed with umami. The shio broth was light, bright, truly exquisite. Both bowls came with ample toppings and the best noodles (homemade) we've ever had. The menu offers several other options of ramen, many of which are spicy, which we'll be sure to try on future visits. We're already tempted by the Yuzu Shiro, the Chorizo-men, and the Silky Red Tonkotsu. And this isn't to forget the outstanding pickled shiitakes! The mural on Baka Umai's wall says it all: "From Mount Fuji to Mount Hood. Japanese inspired, Portland evolved."

Baka Umai means "stupid delicious" and they're not kidding!! I saw them come up on IG right before my trip to Portland, and knew I had to make a point to visit. I love that they have ramen for everyone. They have ramen in broth, dry ramen (mazemen), extra spicy ramen for the spice fanatics, and so much more. The boo opted for the chorizo-men which offers thin ramen noodles in a dashi broth and tan tan sauce, topped with the spicy ground chorizo and veggies. If you love chorizo, this one is for you. I am impartial to chorizo, I don't love or hate it, but I'd definitely see how this one is popular especially as a fusion type dish. On a warm day, I'm more of a dry noodle girly so I went with the Midori mazemen. They were not kidding when they said this one was spicy. In my experience, Japanese cuisine doesn't usually have the spiciness I look for, but Baka Umai deliiiiiverrred. I was all ready to add in the Rayu (chili oil) from the table but good thing I mixed this thing up and tasted it first because I was already breathing a little dragon smoke as is. The dish is sooo savory, in contrast to the fresh, sweetness of the asian pear slices. I especially loved the crispiness of the pulled pork. The noodles in this dish are little thicker than the ramen noodles in the broth, but thinner than udon. All it needed was a little drizzle of black vinegar, and mwahhhh! Chef's kiss! Because we're extra, we decided to try the shishito poppers and the baka bites. I don't like jalapeno poppers in general so I wasn't expecting much but shishito poppers are where it's at!! They chop up the peppers and blend it into the cream cheese filling, and panko crust it before frying. They serve this with a sweet chili dipping sauce too, which balanced the creamy cheesiness so well. I loved everything we ate here but this dish might have been top 2. Don't sleep on the baka bites either. Deep fried, glazed pork belly over rice. Need I say more? The pork belly was sooo tender and the fatty pieces melted in our mouths. TBH I could have came here just for these two apps and still have been satisfied. Portions are large for the ramen, and even though I can eat, I still took half my mazamen home. The pricing is on par with Bay Area ramen shops so no big deal there. I love the decor! Airbender Aang with a bowl of ramen being my favorite art piece. This was such a good experience and a perfect way to start off our Portland trip with a bang!

11/26/2023: 4.85 out of 5 - It's been awhile since I've done an update (last one was 2022), and Baka Umai deserves an update. I will keep it short and sweet as it still aligns with my past review. Came here tonight with my wife and some close friends. With everything happening in Portland in the post-pandemic era, unlike many other eateries, Baka Umai has improved across the board! Service, the staff, the cleanliness, AND THE MENU ITEMS...WOW!!! If you have not done so, try it once and decide for yourself, but it's definitely one of my must try recommendation. Enjoy!

Worst service! They messed up our order. The chef/owner? came out to our table to aggressively tell us that we were wrong about them giving us all the same type of ramen. Will not be coming back to this location.

Incredibly delicious! I got a brothless ramen, some edamame, and a beer and it was all great. The folks there are super kind and had helpful recommendations and service was quick. It's a small spot but in a great location on Hawthorne.

Amazing food as always! Definitely worth the trip from Washington! Staff members are so sweet and welcoming!

This is a pay at the counter/food delivered to your table restaurant. The service was friendly and fast. We asked for a recommendation on the Japanese microbrews and we were not lead astray! We had the chicken karage, which was good. The pieces were large (neither positive or negative - it just depends on your preference). The traditional shio ramen was yummy and one of the ramen specials (sorry, forgot what it was called) was delicious too! There were a few other parties so the noise level was pretty low. We did go at 3pm so I imagine it would be more lively at key meal times.

The staff here is very helpful and friendly. Atmosphere is OK, they try, but the seating is a bit awkward and also the DIY spice dishes were all dirty to the point that I didn't want to use them. The ramen was meh. I got the miso ramen, my partner got the tonkatsu Ramen. My ramen was lukewarm at best, and the pickled cabbage and pickled shiitake were straight up cold. Also, the mushrooms were pickled to a point of in edibility, just marinade bombs, but not in a good way. The noodles were undercooked, and the broth was greasy. Maybe it all would've been better if it was piping hot, hard to tell though. My partner's ramen was also lukewarm, and his noodles were undercooked (not just the normal stiffness of Hakata Ramen). It was a little bit more manageable, though, as the thinner noodles were still better than my traditional noodles, and he didn't have any cold side toppings to cool his ramen down further. The eggs were perfect, the potstickers delicious, and the beer choices were great.

Came here with high hopes after seeing it had high ratings on yelp but left a little disappointed. Ordered the tonkotsu and the toppings were all cold so we had to dunk them in the broth for a long time to warm them up. That was honestly not a great experience. The mushrooms had been marinated for way too long and were actually a bit sour, which made me avoid them all together. The broth didn't have much flavor and neither did the pork belly. Maybe it's because we got their tonkotsu instead of a signature ramen or maybe because we went an hour before closing or maybe was just an off day. Not sure but wouldn't come again & wouldn't recommend

Got a to go order. Well packed to assemble at home. Had one vegetarian order of Shoyu ramen with fried tofu that my wife loved. I went with the Tonkotsu which was also delicious. The hit of the meal was the spicy Karaage - simply amazing.

They had a good variety of different ramens and one of the best spicy ramen selections I have seen. It was difficult to pick what to try. We end up getting the yuzu shio ramen and habanero Tonkatsu. I need to come back to try the other items on the menu. For parking, you just have to find a spot around the neighborhood. It was too difficult to find a spot. The service was good. The ambiance was nice too. Yuzu Shio Ramen You definitely can taste the yuzu juice in the broth. It's a nice touch to the broth. If you like yuzu, you should try this ramen. The pulled pork was crispy and the pickled daikon adds a nice crunch to the meal. Habanero Tonkatsu It had a nice kick to it but not too spicy. The broth was rich and nice. I like the thin noodle, good chewy consistency. The pork belly was juicy and not to dry.

Last week, I finally tried Baka Umai. It has been on my list for a while, and I can't wait to go back. I will definitely recommend to others and continue going in the future after my experience was positive. The restaurant is somewhat tidy, but with cool portraits inside like the rip city painting with Damien Lilllard. You order at the front and seat yourself. I ordered the chorizo-men (veggie version) and the broth and noodles were delicious. I love how creamy the broth was with lots of flavor. So much spice. The portions were also huge full of noodles. My friend order the reeper, and it was VERY SPICY, living up to the expectations of the spicy menu. I also like how there are different spices such as hot chili oil and powder on the table. Anyways, great flavors with SPICE.

I've been on the search for the best ramen spot in Portland and this is my favorite! The broth is well seasoned, the mushrooms are bursting with flavor, and the marinated eggs and pork belly are perfect.

Wonderful flavors in the hatch chili shio with candied jalapeño and pork belly. The tables outside were too wobbly for me, I was afraid I'd spill so I moved indoors and was pleased with everything.

We visited this place on Hawthorne Blvd last week. The food is really good. The place is a little smaller, and you have to order and pay first. I went with three buddies and we wanted to spend some time drinking and having a few appetizers before ordering the main dish, which is ramen. But with this process of paying first for everything is a little annoying. But the food is awesome, especially their chicken karage is really good. We kind of ordered it for times to eat those with beers. They also have really spicy ramen including Carolina reaper, ghost pepper and habanero.i did try habanero ramen and it was amazing. I will totally go back for some more. The service is awesome, the folks are very nice and friendly. This place is totally worth trying and visiting. I am totally going back for more.

Food was okay, service was lackluster, and the ambiance was a little dark. Overall i would not come back here as there are wayyy too many ramen spots in portland to try

Ramen! I chose this place because they have an entire menu dedicated to spice lovers. And I loooove spicy food. We went early, around 5:45, and it was already fairly full inside. A few minutes later and it was packed. We ordered the spicy karaage to start with both sauces because my husband and I each wanted to try one. When it came out, I'm not entirely sure it was the spicy version, but it was still very good. Both sauces were tasty, but I think I liked the cilantro one better. I ordered the habanero tonkotsu ramen. I would have loved to get the ghost pepper, but I only like tonkotsu broth. I also don't like ramen noodles so I usually opt for gluten-free and get rice noodles. I requested this not knowing it was an additional $3. I wasn't told until after when they came to my table and asked me to pay for it since they forgot! The noodles were some purple things that were okay but not my favorite. I probably would have preferred regular ones...especially knowing they were upcharged so much. It also wasn't super hot temp-wise, which was great because it's hard to eat spicy food when the temp is hot too. The spice level was good. Not too spicy but spicy enough to enjoy. I liked it. My husband the silky red tonkotsu, which was supposed to be mild. It had zero spice, so he was pretty disappointed. He added spices but then thought it tasted chalky. Sad.

It was my 1st time there, so I had to go with the staple, Tonokatsu Ramen. The broth was rich and very flavorful, pork belly was cooked well, and they gave a generous portion of noodles, which were a good chewy consistency. I like that they have some crazy hot ramens on the menu and will definitely be back to try them. The unsweetened ice tea was a blend of green and black tea, and I liked it so much I got one to go. I definitely will recommend this place to my friends.

Really good food and nice servers! Most of us got ramen which was very delicious, everyone enjoyed their meals

Cute Little spot to eat at. Although I can't recall what I ate b/c, I had asked the server to recommend me something, it was good don't get me wrong.

Man oh man.... what a great ramen spot! My boyfriend and I decided to get take out here on Valentine's day. I did get it delivered which I was nervous about but neither of us felt like driving. Knowing it's typically a busy day for restaurants even made it more nerve-wracking but we were determined to try it out! The menu just looked so good! And we were so right. Not only did the menu look good but everything we ordered tasted AMAZING. We got the Habanero and Miso ramen. Also got an order of karaage with the jalapeno cilantro aioli. Broths were so flavorful, pork was delicious... and oh my gosh... I would make the karaage with the aioli my last meal on earth. It was SO GOOD.

Everyone that is leaving these reviews is high as a kite. Tasteless sodium water with over cooked tonkotsu pork. The pork butt bites were overcooked, bland, and cold. Plus it was drenched in some sweet sauce. Service could have been better but tall dude was nice. Ambiance was dirty looking. Hard pass

Favorite ramen place in town. By far. I always get the Vegetarian Shoyu -- and gosh it's delicious. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I often get takeout so I can't comment on the other aspects other than the food itself, but trust me when I say that the food is fantastic. Can't recommend this place enough. If you're thinking of trying it out, go for it!!

Chicken Karaage - try it with the cilantro dipping sauce! Really good. Reminded me more of popcorn chicken. Tonkotsu - the bowl was huge. The eggs were a bit cold but after dunking them in the broth they warmed right up!

This place is glorious. I tried a dry ramen, their classic ramen, and their dipping ramen. I loved all of it. My favorite was their dipping ramen. Super strong flavor, they gave me vinegar and lemon to change out the flavor notes mid dish and it was such a good call. Loved every moment of eating the noodles here. Good gracious I'm hungry again writing this.

I went off script and ordered the TanTan Tsukeman, a.k.a. dipping ramen. It was complemented with some sort of spicy/sweet jalapeño. I'd order it again. Portland offers some excellent ramen, and taste varies greatly from place to place. The server here was nice, turnaround time was good. You order at the counter, I'm not a fan of this trend, but it's the norm in Portland. At least there's no QR code for now. The vibe feels more Portland than Japanese, it's aesthetically pleasing. Looking forward to returning.

If you are ever looking for a comforting meal, this ramen place on Hawthorne is the spot. I ordered the chorizo-men. Very cool that they have their own twist to the traditional ramen with spicy chorizo "meat", pickled daikon, and red cabbage as ingredients and toppings.

I appreciate when a restaurant takes a traditional dish and makes it their own. Sometime the results are...questionable, and other times, they're a hit. In Baka Umai's case, the latter is absolutely true, and some of their creations have taken the name of the restaurant to heart, because they are truly "baka umai" ("crazy good/stupid good")! Wanting to feel the heat, I went with the Habanero Tonkotsu Ramen, preferring the superior flavor of habanero to that of the more extreme Ghost Pepper or Carolina Reaper (although I'm definitely tempted to return and test how hot these two are!). My newly pregnant wife felt similarly, although wanting to be cautious, and ordered something a bit milder, further down the Spice Lover's Menu: the Mala Miso Ramen. As I was finishing our order, I happened to spot one of my favorite sakes on the shelf behind the register, and ordered a bottle of Ippongi Hannyatou Spicy Umeshu "Hot Devil" to complete the meal. The Habanero Tonkatsu was everything I wanted it to be: spicy, hearty, warming, and filling, a little oily, and with enough heat to get me sweating. Much to my surprise, my wife felt hers could be spicier, which filled me with great joy: I have trained her well! It only took a few years, but she's finally entering the big leagues when it comes to her spice tolerance! I'm so proud! Everyone working the restaurant was exceedingly pleasant, friendly, accommodating and helpful. The restaurant interior was clean, amply spaced, and there are a handful of tables outdoors for those with dogs or a preference for cold winter nights (not us!). Prices are quite affordable, with the two massive bowls and a not-cheap bottle of sake running us less than $50. We are blessed with a robust selection of ramen restaurants in Portland (traditional or otherwise), but if you're looking for something a little off the beaten path (and into the pepper fields), Baka Umai is the place to be. They truly live up to their name; it's stupid good!

A friend recommended and it did not disappoint! The employee who took our order was so kind and suggested for me to get their blended matcha drink which is now a new fave! I got a bento bowl and the karaage was sooo good along with the veggies and side of sauce that came with it. My boyfriend got a spicy pork ramen and he loved it! The pork belly appetizer was so flavorful as well. It was very cute and clean inside the restaurant. 10/10 will be coming here again.

Food is good, but not terribly exciting. Service was friendly, helpful but not in our faces. We were able to linger and chat over our meal without feeling crowded or rushed because the vibe was chill.

Baka Umai is such a unique ramen spot. A fusion of flavors, I was blown away with how many options of ramen they had!! Everything looked and sounded so good. My fiancé and I eat quite a bit of ramen, and the parts that stood out the most for both of us were their eggs (it was perfection!) and their pickled mushrooms in the ramen. The pork slices were really thick and their noodles absorb the flavor of the broth really well. The karage chicken was also on point! The overall ambience is chill and when you walk in you can pick where you want to sit. You order at the front with the hostess and then they'll bring your food out. Overall was a very satisfactory and delicious meal. I'd come back again!!!

Great ramen options & service! Convenient location. Casual atmosphere for dine in or take out.

This delicious Ramen hit the spot! The Shishito poppers were so tasty! Creamy and warm on the inside, full of flavor and crunchy on the outside. Would definitely recommend. The Midori Mazemen was bomb!! The handmade noodles paired with that crispy pulled pork and all the flavors in that dish, chefs kiss!! I would get this dish over and over again. The restaurant is clean and the staff is very nice. If you're hungry, go there. Even if you're not hungry, go there. You won't be disappointed.