Mike L.
Yelp
I know it's a little (read: very) childish of me, but the first time I read Fuku Ramen's name, I couldn't help but giggle to myself. While it obviously wasn't their intent, my brain kept reading their name as...well, you could probably guess (fuk...). For that reason alone, I probably would've eventually made my way here, but it certainly didn't hurt that their photos on Yelp all looked so good. Especially given all of these cold, rainy nights we've been having - a piping how bowl of ramen is a perfect way to warm yourself up!
From the outside, Fuku Ramen doesn't look all that flashy...and it's just as true of the decor inside. Although it's far from barren, the vibe of the place definitely feels a bit more minimalistic (not that there's anything wrong with that). Similarly, the menu isn't super extensive either, but there's still a good amount of offerings to choose from. Along with a half dozen starters, they also have a handful of rice dishes and about ten different ramen options - four "basic" ramens with different broths and six that come with additional toppings (those same four broths, plus a chicken karaage ramen and a vegetarian miso ramen).
-- TAKOYAKI - Ball-Shaped Dumpling with Diced Octopus...$7.95
(https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/fuku-ramen-san-francisco?select=3gQRqn9Q81uH7FCTLaKAqA)
For the most part, this was pretty solid. The takoyaki were all plump, crispy on the outside, and velvety soft on the inside. Each piece also had a nice chunk of octopus too and was covered with bonito flakes, which I loved.
-- CHICKEN KARAAGE - Deep Fried Chicken with Aioli...$8.95
(https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/fuku-ramen-san-francisco?select=nHpLvcBQKcJHJfsM0tgRmA)
Ehh...decent, but nothing about this stood out. The chicken was cooked perfectly and had a nice bit of crispiness to it, but it felt like it could use more seasoning, as it was a little bland on its own.
-- FUKU TONKOTSU RAMEN - Pork Broth with Chashu, Bamboo Shoots, Green Onions, Black Fungus, Corn, and Soft Boiled Egg...$15.50
(https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/fuku-ramen-san-francisco?select=Mq87HnNfB1mOl7bgpT6dfQ)
Initially, the portion felt a little light, but this was actually prety filling. The noodles had a nice bite to them, the chashu was tender and just slightly fatty, and the broth was quite flavorful. Sadly, the egg was a little overcooked, but this was great otherwise.
Along with the ramen, the other thing that I really like about Fuku Ramen is how friendly the workers are. Not only did they greet us quite warmly when we walked in, but they were super nice and checked on us often. What's more, our orders came out pretty quickly too, which we appreciated even more so considering the weather outside. Not that any of that was really required - given how satisfying the ramen was, I would've been perfectly fine with just "okay" service. Fuku Ramen, you'll definitely be seeing me again!