Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad

Ramen restaurant · Carlsbad

Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad

Ramen restaurant · Carlsbad

4

711 Grand Ave Suite A, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Photos

Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by Photo Credit: Hiba Khalid. Courtesy of Harumama Teriyaki & Bao.
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null
Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad by null

Highlights

Asian fusion with creative, cute character buns & flavorful ramen  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

711 Grand Ave Suite A, Carlsbad, CA 92008 Get directions

harumamasd.com
@harumamasd

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

711 Grand Ave Suite A, Carlsbad, CA 92008 Get directions

+1 760 637 5737
harumamasd.com
@harumamasd

$10–20 · Menu

Features

wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations

Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

The Best Kid-Friendly Family Restaurants in San Diego | Eater San Diego

"This adorable Asian-centric restaurant is a total kid magnet with a beer and sake menu for the adults. With six locations from Carlsbad to Little Italy, transporting the little ones to a meal is less of an ordeal. The newest one opened in Westfield UTC mall with sushi options from their partner, Blue Ocean. Harumama’s hand-decorated animal character buns come savory (chicken, beef, and pork) or sweet (Nutella, ube). You can also order a to-go bun box to heat up at home. Other dishes include bao buns, ramen, sushi, and chicken teriyaki, which are often a hit with the kids." - Helen I. Hwang

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-kid-friendly-restaurants-san-diego
View Postcard for Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad
@eater

Valentine’s Day Dining and Takeout Specials in San Diego - Eater San Diego

"Strawberries are a Valentine’s Day staple. Score Teriyaki & Bao’s special Valentine’s Day Owl Bao Buns filled with strawberries and nutella to bring home for a delicious dessert. Harumama, their sister restaurant, will be offering Puppy Buns from February 8 to 22, a sweet treat with red velvet cream cheese filling." - Grace Cassidy

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/valentines-day-dining-and-takeout-specials-in-san-diego
View Postcard for Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad
@eater

Popular Asian Bun Shop Opens Spinoff in Carlsbad - Eater San Diego

"Teriyaki & Bao, an offshoot of Harumama, features an Asian fusion menu with adorable character buns, fried rice with a Korean tornado omelet, almond-crusted cauliflower with gochujang sauce, and creamy matcha or squid ink udon. The restaurant also offers DIY dishes with cast iron skillets for cooking meats and vegetables in teriyaki sauce." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/2020/11/2/21546297/teriyaki-and-bao-asian-restaurant-carlsbad
View Postcard for Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad
@eater

Little Italy’s Adorable Asian Buns Arrive in Carlsbad - Eater San Diego

"Harumama, which opened earlier this year in Little Italy and has been charming the neighborhood with its cute steamed buns in cartoon animal shapes, has just debuted an outlet in Carlsbad. Created by Jenny and James Pyo, who also run Love Boat Sushi, the new branch of Harumama slots in between two of the couple’s other eateries, Blue Ocean Robata & Sushi Bar and Pokewan." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/2018/11/16/18098692/little-italys-harumama-asian-restaurant-carlsbad-ramen-sushi
View Postcard for Harumama Noodles + Buns - Carlsbad

Alex Rodriguez

Google
The service was great and we were well attended too. Lively atmosphere with a little hip hop background music going on. The bulgogi was really good whether it was the udon or the fries. Both tasted good. Pork ramen was very flavorful. Salmon was not overcooked which is always a good thing. I would say the sushi was average. The Nutella baobao was good. If you are into sake, try the strawberry unfiltered. If I'm in the neighborhood again I'll be back.

Nayt Grochowski

Google
Their menu has a good diversity of options we decided to go with their character buns and a few other items. Everything came out in good time with friendly service and tasty good.

Cat C

Google
This place was so good! 😍 We literally ate every last crumb off our plates 🍽️. Both my kids loved it and everything was delicious. The character buns were cute and fun 🥟🐾, and we all left satisfied with the flavors 😋. The food, the service — everything was just really, really good 👏. I’m so glad we came here, and I’d definitely come back if we’re in town again ✨.

Tanisha Walker

Google
Food was so good and they had all the buns in stock. Other locations are usually out of one or more flavors. We had the buns, fried rice, ribeye and ramen. All delicious & close to perfection!!

James Vaughn

Google
Needed a quick meal nearby while working across the street. Never tried poke bowls before. I love sushi, so the superhero poke caught my eye. The staff treated me very well. I was amazed about the balance flavor profile. Very good it was a sweet and spicy which was good. I'm definitely going to come back here again.

Slie

Google
An excellent experience! Very outstanding food. The buns are just amazing with characters! They are delicious and very good. They have some cute merch as well. My one recommendation everyone MUST try here is the bunny 🐰 bun. It is a religious experience. Fantastic experience! Will definitely be making this a regular place.

Jono Tallman

Google
Oh my god!! This is by far the best food I have ever eaten in my life! No joke! Super fast and excellent service. My wife forced me into the restaurant and I am blown away. The flavors and textures. You have found your next restaurant!

Carolyn Ebeling

Google
It's a cute little place on the corner with outdoor seating. The menu had so many varieties that it was a bit hard to choose from because I wanted to eat every single item. However, I got the crab wontons as an appetizer, which were crunchy and really meaty. I ordered the Flying Pig Ramen. It came in a huge bowl, and the pork sui were perfectly sliced. The noodles were just right, and the bowl was bursting with flavor. For dessert, I ordered the sweet bao in the shape of a bunny filled with nutella and shaped unicorn filled with ube. Delicious!! This place will definitely be a spot that I would come dine at again when I am back in Carlsbad.
google avatar

EJ F.

Yelp
(+) Buns were a family favorite. Fun look and a nice sweet treat (we got both the ube and Nutella filled ones for dessert! Next time I might try the savory buns. (+) Katsu (crispy chicken) was delicious. Better than the chicken karaage. (+) Flavorful ramen broth. The bulgogi fries were super filling. (+) Fortunate to be seated fairly soon on a Saturday night. Busy but service was quick and attentive. (+) Sake and more sake. Beer too. Japanese cuisine and some fusion, will come back again.
google avatar

Daniel B.

Yelp
We decided to stop by Harumama because we saw the cute buns they had! We're spoilt for ramen options here in SoCal, so I was apprehensive about this place as I felt it was trying to be too unique and clever with it's offerings. I appreciate some of the outside-the-box thinking (brussels sprouts are intriguing!), but ultimately I thought the bowl I had was just okay. I wasn't too impressed by the flavor of the broth. The buns were as cute and good as advertised! We ordered the bunny buns, as we were looking for a sweet treat to end the night. They were filled with a nice amount of Nutella, and the soft bun is great vessel for it. Ultimately, I thought Harumama was just okay. I didn't feel as if it stood out among the bowls of ramen I've had, but I do think it offers something unique for those that aren't looking for a traditional bowl of ramen.
google avatar

Evan T.

Yelp
Great food and great service. We only had to wait about 10mins in the evening for a seat and the host was super quick with service and topping off drinks. The crispy wontons were nothing to write home about but the Karaage Chicken Bao Bao and the Flying Pig ramen were delicious. Not spicy at all but a tiny kick to make it flavorful. Unfortunately the character bun was not my favorite but I'll need to try the rest before making my full assessment.
google avatar

Meghan W.

Yelp
I did take out around 5pm on a Thursday night. Located in Carlsbad Village, it's in a modern building. There's street parking but I can see that it could be hard to find parking when busy. There was a nice outdoor patio seating that's fenced in. There is someone right at the door to check you in. I told him I was 10 minutes early. He checked on my order. It was ready within minutes. I got the cute bunny and pig buns. While they are Instagram worthy, the buns themselves were small. I was a bit disappointed by this. The bunny buns were oozing with Nutella. The bun was warm and soft. 5/5 The pig bun was OK. The pulled pork didn't wow me. The bun was soft and warm. 3/5 I got the Me so hot ramen. The ramen was cooked just right. The broth was creamy and spicy. I loved the crushed peanuts mixed in the soup. I love peanuts so that helps. 5/5
google avatar

Rungsima V. T.

Yelp
Ramen? Cute buns? Weird sprouts? I rolled in for dinner, ready to slurp some noodles and vibe with the hype. Inside, it's cozy but can be downside for the wait time. Now, let's talk about the real stars: those cute buns! Adorable little fellas. If cuteness had calories, I'd be stuffed. Taste-wise? Meh. They're like dating someone really attractive who's... just okay in conversation. As for the ramen: that broth slapped! It had all the warm, comforting vibes I hoped for. But then they threw in Brussel sprouts. Brussel sprouts?! I came for comfort food, not a guilt trip about my veggie intake. The combo tasted like someone spiked my soup with a side of regret. Overall, 3 stars because the buns were cute, the broth was great, but sprouts and meh service? A recipe for ramen-related confusion.
google avatar

Maricris R.

Yelp
This place was not so far from the Shoppes where we finished the Carlsbad Marathon & Half Marathon event. Ramen sounds right after the race! This place did not fail. Friendly accommodation, fast seating and food was delicious! Food was fantastic! My friends were happy and ordered some To Go! My daughter was loving her food too! We are not locals but definitely recommend this place if you are in the area! Love the pork buns and wished I ordered more for to go! Read their menu... "Haru mama" has a story to tell how it became:)
google avatar

Laurel G.

Yelp
Tucked in Carlsbad Village, Harumama was nicely lit in the evening and had open free street parking right outside even on a Saturday night. We had a 15-minute wait for a party of 4 but the wide sidewalk outside was a great place for kids to wiggle while we waited. The character buns are too cute. It made for a great family night because our little ones were thrilled with their cows, pigs and unicorns while my husband and I enjoyed ramen and bao bao buns. The spicy garlic edamame was the best I have had anywhere. The flavor was excellent. The Crispy Chickie Ramen broth had a unique flavor I don't usually find in ramen and my husband added the ribeye steak to it which came out sizzling on a platter. The shrimp in the crispy shrimp bao bao bun was cooked perfectly - juicy and with some crispy bounce to it. The karaage chicken bao bao bun was great but the bao buns are very heavy on their sauces. I will ask for mine on the side next time so I can control the amount. It's tasty sauce! Character buns are so fun. Our toddler loved getting to take the lid off the steamer each time one arrived to see what character was inside. The pig buns had my favorite flavor, with the cows next best. The unicorn ube bun had some cinnamon to it that was fun but I didn't enjoy the texture that had a hint of grit to it. I'll order a Nutella bunny next time instead. This isn't a place we would come to regularly because the price adds up quickly and there are only so many menu items our kids will eat, but the character buns make it a really fun place for a unique family outing. *for families, there is no diaper changing table in the bathroom*
google avatar

Tina ..

Yelp
I thought the food was ok. It took 30 minutes for the ramen to come out when it wasn't too busy and the pork was kind of dry. The flavor of the broth was good but the depth of the flavor was just ok to me. I am glad I tried it, but I wouldn't come here again.
google avatar

Tracy N.

Yelp
Nice restaurant with plenty of seating and probably a short/no wait. Service was also pretty quick. High noon ramen: 8/10. Solid and definitely very filling. It had 3 flames on the menu but I didn't think it was spicy Pig character bun: 7/10. Not bad but the meat inside didn't really match what I expected from the description
google avatar

Heather R.

Yelp
Good food, good service, small intimate restaurant, we enjoyed coming here, our daughter loved the character buns- taste wise and being cute lol. We didn't try the ramen at this location, but we have at the little Italy one. Definitely will be back
google avatar

N T.

Yelp
We have been coming to this place since they opened. Always has been a place to go for a good bowl of ramen. But why oh why do you have to keep changing what was once great. First, you got rid of the fat duck. Ok, not the end of the world. But more recently decreased the amount of pork in the flying pig and its ridiculous how little amount of pork chashu there is now. Changed the way the brussel sprouts are cooked and not nearly as good. Crispie chickie is also cooked with different panko and not as good. The portion is still good with the chicken. If this is your first time, it can be good, but only because you didn't know it when it was great... The manager Sugi is awesome though. He deserves 5 stars.
google avatar

Alyssa N.

Yelp
I've been to their downtown location but this is my first time at this one! Visited on a Wednesday night and there was no wait to be seated. Its mainly street parking around the area but we had no issues. We sat on the patio and moved inside because there were sooo many mosquitos so be careful! We ordered a poke bowl, katsu plate, and chicken buns. The food was filling but nothing special - the very average katsu and poke options. The chicken buns did taste weird though, not like chicken? It was still pleasant but we were surprised by the flavor and texture. Still a good photo op though :) Staff was friendly, nothing to complain about. Very reliable Asian option if you want a casual dining experience
google avatar

Trevor T.

Yelp
Harumama is always popular and the food is a big reason why. Been here 3 times and have never had a bad meal. Service is very polite and prompt which is super impressive considering how busy it gets. Seating is not the most comfortable, but that is by design so that you leave after the meal lol. Has darker lighting which makes it great for dates. I've had the Bulgogi Fries and Beef Udon. My MIL ordered the Flying Pig and was impressed. My wife ordered the Crispy Chickie and the presentation was awesome. Something to think about is the ramen is not traditional so be prepared. Only thing holding me back from giving 5 stars is the tonkotsu broth has dairy in it. Tonkotsu broth doesn't need to have milk. The buns also have dairy which is a bummer, but at least they clearly highlight what is dairy free on the menu which I appreciate.
google avatar

Lele K.

Yelp
I ate a plastic wrap in a Poke bowl, and I am worrying if the one I spit out was the only one? What if I thought it was something hard to chew and swallowed it?
google avatar

Hannah M.

Yelp
The food is delicious and the staff are friendly and attentive. Limited seating but it was cozy and charming. Although the buns were very cute and tasted great... they aren't too filling so keep that in mind.
google avatar

Alex F.

Yelp
KARAAGE CHICKEN!! Went in on a weekend for lunch and the place was not very busy. Our waitress was attentive and helpful. We ordered the Pig Character Bun, Karaage Chicken Bao Bao Bun, and Ribeye Teriyaki Skillet. I enjoyed how the Character Bun wasn't overly sweet but would've enjoyed more meat. The skillet wasn't anything outside the ordinary. The Karaage Chicken Bao Bao Bun I would go back for. Everything about it was delicious. The amount of chicken was minimal. I would recommend going for either Buns when you want a snack. One order will not elevate your hunger. Ordering multiple will get pricey. Overall, if you try this place out make sure to try the Karaage Chicken Bao Bao Bun.
google avatar

Ivan D.

Yelp
We saw on social media that the buns were shaped like cute animals so came here to try it. For the main course we ordered the Fat Duck back when they served it and then we also ordered the Me So Hot! Ramen (spicy peanut tonkotsu broth / topped with ground pork, 1/2 ramen egg, bean sprouts, brussels sprouts, peanuts, sesame seeds, scallions, leeks) For dessert we ordered the bee flour dumplings which had egg custard in them. Everything was great and nice presentation of the food.
google avatar

Kristine C.

Yelp
Food was so good! Cute little bao buns come in savory and sweet flavors. Staff were very attentive and helpful. We sat in the back patio and the weather was amazing.
google avatar

Brenna A.

Yelp
New fav ramen spot Found this spot looking for something cozy and cute with a decent budget. The indoor seating was pretty busy and they don't have outdoor heaters so it worked to sit outside in the sun but would be a little chilly later on. We also waited a little bit to get out order taken, but the staff checked in on us several times letting us know we were on the radar and they would be getting to us soon. I appreciated that! I went with my sister and she got the beef bulgogi and I got the crispy chickie ramen, and I knew we had to follow it up with the cutest little dessert buns! We chose the rabbit buns (filled with nutella). The broth was flavorful, the beef was soft and the chicken was nice and crispy. The ramen was so food I told my sister I was so excited to eat my leftovers I will say the buns were a little more average and more of a cutesy gimmick. Regardless, a great spot I will be returning to and recommending.
google avatar

Rafa E.

Yelp
This is a very nice restaurant with a great seating area that takes advantage of the space. We were immediately greeted and seated by our kind and knowledgeable waiter. I was impressed with the extensive menu options but we were here for the buns. We ordered the chicken, pig, and cow, character buns. They were very tasty and my favorite was the cow.
google avatar

Mark D.

Yelp
Good food, good ambiance, decent service. Great variety of different types of dishes all over East Asia (primarily Japanese and Korean).
google avatar

Orlando P.

Yelp
On a date night for some comfort food. Place was busy yet timing was perfect and got a table quickly. The serving staff is thoughtful and considerate. The golden hour was well under way and one young man saw how the sun was illuminating and shining in faces and he immediately brought the shades down so we could see and enjoy our meals!!! Awesome!!! So attentive!!! Tried the Spam Bao Bao Buns and it was delicious. This was a great accompaniment to the J Pop White Peach Malt which was refreshing. For dinner had the Ribeye Teriyaki Sizzling Plate. Wow!!! Flavorful and well seasoned and the vegetables were an amazing side. Ample parking on street and parking lot across the street.
google avatar

Steph C.

Yelp
Can I add a star and make it 6 out of 5?! We absolutely loved this place for dinner. The goods: Food - delicious, filling, creative and beautiful. Udon or ramen, you can't go wrong with any flavor. The buns are hard to eat because they're just too adorable. They come in two's so you can get onesies. Bao buns were soft and packed with flavor and come in two's. Service - genuine, attentive, quick. You can tell they love their job and they like interacting with people. Bathroom - single stall, urinal next to toilet. Short wait time for dinner and has both indoor and outdoor seating. No heated lamps outside though. Dining area inside felt a bit cramped but they make it work. Definitely a highlight in Carlsbad if you're visiting. Parking - street only. Pay attention to time limits posted.
google avatar

Betty H.

Yelp
This place is known for the character buns. Super cute. It comes in cute little different animal shapes in both salty and sweet fillings. There are different seasonal animal shapes too. We got the ube unicorn buns. So cute. Pretty pricey, but you do it for the gram.
google avatar

Crystal K.

Yelp
My best friend brought me when I was visiting and it was a fun spot with a variety of food options ranging from buns, poke, to ramen. Our server was friendly and attentive and made sure to check in on us and answer any questions we had. Overall the restaurant is clean with a good amount of seating. There's street parking around the area as well. The character buns are adorable and it's great that there's both sweet and savory options. We had the savory cow bun and got the unicorn ube filled for takeout. Each order of the character bun comes with two which is nice. There's a wide range of ramen options both spicy and non spicy. The ramen was delicious and full of flavor with chewy noodles.
google avatar

Abeeha H.

Yelp
This rating is an aggregate rating based off of coming here since it first opened! I think that harumama as a chain is a really good concept with a lot of thought and consideration being evident in the menu! Usually when a place is fusion it's like... americanized asian food but this is like actually a fusion. I love the ramen here, the high noon being my favorite. The buns are fresh just like dim sum, and generally the quality of service is consistent. This is a great place to try or take someone out to a date in san diego if you want consistency! Also must try the jpop sodas they are so yummy i love the lychee one specifically. The bulgogi fries are also really yummy here. I would personally pass on the udon here and try the ramen instead if you want soupy stuff! that being said, i really, genuinely, think this restaurant could improve on their waitlist methods. I think platforms like the yelp waitlist or the open table waitlist methods are really good from keeping people just standing in the cold waiting for their name to be called. my friends and i have often been told 30 minutes for a wait and we've waited upwards of over an hour and 15 minutes before. a waitlist running long is fine but the workers are too busy to tell us where we are, what's taking a second, what # of parties are ahead, and i think a system like mentioned earlier could really keep me and my friends (and ofc other people) from just standing...
google avatar

Sarah W.

Yelp
This was our first time here and I'm floored that I did not know this place was walking distance to our house! Wis I found it sooner! The food was absolutely amazing. You could taste how fresh everything was and the quantity compared to price was really good! The pork, shrimp, and chicken bao buns were just next level. We could of ordered 4 more easily. The service has some opportunities around it but it was great overall. We went Friday night and it was a group of younger men and women holding it down. Our food all came out at completely different times (apps came out with dinner plates) and we waited a bit longer in between meals (we didn't know more was coming out) but they were doing a great job. All the tables were cleaned as soon as someone left, they all worked together to run food, and as soon as there were empty plates they were quick to clear them out. And they all were smiling and working hard so overall loved this night!! Such a fun date night and so lucky to live next door !
google avatar

Erika-Kelly C.

Yelp
Added this place on my list of places to try while visiting Carlsbad for the weekend. They were pretty busy, but the workers were all so kind and kept a smile on their face. I tried the veggie ramen which was surprisingly very delicious, I personally would pass on the bulgogi fries, and for the character buns we ordered chicken, beef, & Nutella, the chicken one was my favorite but our order for the buns took forever to come out, we were all pretty much finished with our main entrees and appetizers by the time it came out and I noticed a lot of tables that ordered after us were getting there's before us.
google avatar

Angela C.

Yelp
I was visiting a friend in the area and she brought me here, it was a Tuesday around 2 and it's a small place, not too busy but they explained they only had one server at the time so there would be a 30 minute wait. I appreciated the explanation and we were able to take a walk through the village and get some coffee as we waited. The service was slow (but that was explained) but the staff was very nice, friendly, and helpful. We both were content with the ramen that we got. There could've been more broth in mine and the protein was a bit dry but overall the flavor was good. We got the novelty character buns and they are the cutest things ever. Usually cute food means terrible taste but these were decent. They weren't the most delicious buns I've ever had but definitely not the worst. I would recommend giving it a try simply for the cuteness factor, for special occasions but I wouldn't order them again as part of a regular meal, given the cost.
google avatar

Sydette H.

Yelp
Ramen was excellent! Service was horrible! We were the first ones in when they opened for the day but waited 45 minutes for our food. Our server didn't seem to be able to control our order and an online order. The kitchen staff seemed irritated by our server and would brush him off when asking questions which probably contributed to long wait for our food. We probably will be never return.
google avatar

Arya R.

Yelp
Such cute little steamed buns. We tried the strawberries and cream buns and they were shaped like koalas! Super adorable.

M. V.

Yelp
Delicious and super fresh food. The cucumber noodle salad was a delight and loved the octopus appetizer. Ramen was also very good. Cute space and nice staff. Will definitely be back.
google avatar

Star G.

Yelp
Hopped in for lunch recently. I really liked the pork belly bao buns. The mixture of the pickled veggies with the fried garlic, and pork was delightful. As good as my bao buns were, the chicken fried rice was not it. Just not much flavor at all and the chicken pieces were big and plain. The service was excellent and hearing Mary J. Blige on their Spotify in the background was a nice vibe. I'll be back for the bao and I will try something other than the fried rice.

Carly M.

Yelp
Such a great restaurant. We were visiting from Oregon and enjoyed everything. My kids loved the character buns and the ramen was flavorful and delicious!

Christina S.

Yelp
We first came here a couple of years ago and came back because the food is good. The reason for the 2 star is because they charge $1 for ketchup! We ordered fries and it didn't come with any ketchup so I asked for it. When I got the bill, it said $1. The waiter didn't inform me that there would be a charge for the ketchup. That's the most absurd thing ever! I understand if I asked for more, which is still absurd, but I've never been charged for ketchup.
google avatar

Ava L.

Yelp
Pretty bummed about our experience as we used to come here often and really enjoyed. I hope someone from the location reads this and can make some changes/adjustments for future guests. Like a lot of people mentioned recently, service was incredibly slow. I went for an early dinner and it took 5 minutes to be greeted at the door, 15 minutes (at least) to be greeted at our table, and another 15 minutes to get our water. I thought about walking out because we were short on time and starving. The server wasn't rude and apologized for the wait. I could tell she was overwhelmed she was by herself for a while. I was understanding. I ordered a ramen and an order of the Nutella buns. It's sad but the dessert buns have gotten a lot smaller than what I remembered. If I knew that they were so small I probably wouldn't have ordered them. Regardless they are still delicious. Just disappointed in the size change from what I remembered. The ramen we got tasted burnt. The corn was charred (maybe it was meant to be) but I've gotten this same ramen plenty of times before and it's never tasted burnt. Even the broccoli tasted burnt which was odd because it didn't look burnt like the corn but still tasted burnt. Honestly we were starving and we couldn't waste more time waiting to reorder so we just ate it all. I also had another request for our meal which wasn't honored. It was time for us to leave and I really wanted to bring up to someone how we really didn't enjoy the meal and felt the slow service was disappointing. However, it wasn't the right time honestly. There was a line out the door, plenty of people needed attention at their tables, and there was only 2 servers from what I saw. So I just paid and left. I understand they can't control being short staffed. I really felt bad for our server. But it was every little thing that kept adding up for me (service being slow, smaller buns, burnt tasting ramen.) Paying for my meal left a bad taste in my mouth (literally.) Like I mentioned before we used to visit all the time but it's been a while (at least 6 months) since we were here last just by being super busy. So we were excited to return. I've recommended this restaurant before to a lot of people so just really hoping they read this review coming from a longtime supporter!
google avatar

Maya T.

Yelp
Words can't even begin to describe how obsessed with Harumama I am. Such a great place to dine for such reasonable prices, there should be nothing stopping anyone from paying Harumama a visit. We stopped in for Happy Hour and ordered basically everything on the menu. Originally, I just wanted to try their Bao Buns that were decorated like animals, but everything else just looked too good to pass up. We got the Beef Tacos, Seaweed salad, Pork Potstickers, Spam Bao Buns and the Veggie Egg Rolls in addition to the Cow Bao Buns. I cant even begin to describe how amazing everything was. I'm so sad we were too full to try more. The Cow Bao Buns were filled with ground beef and were even cuter than what I imagined!!! The tacos were huge and had a TON of shredded beef. Honestly everything was beyond expectations. And keep in mind, because it was happy hour, everything was $5-$6!! Such a steal for the quality and quantity of the food. Would love to return!!
google avatar

Lara G.

Yelp
This place is excellent. Definitely would recommend. When we entered, we got a weird vibe because a guy behind the counter asked if he could help us. Obviously we were there to eat but maybe he was asking if we had takeout or if we wanted to dine in. I don't know. Then he went to the back to check for a table, came back to get us, and we saw that they were a ton of empty tables available. That was super weird and unnecessary. Anyway, we sat down, and I was immediately impressed by the menu. Very authentic Japanese food with tons of options. Lots of choices for kids as well. This place is very kid friendly, and they make buns and adore them with little animal faces. It is very cute. The restaurant itself is clean and the ambience is friendly. The tables are not too close together. We ordered spicy edamame to start, and then had two bowls of Ramen. Everything was absolutely delicious. The server was knowledgeable about the menu, and she was able to describe some of the ingredients that we were not familiar with, and made good recommendations regarding spiciness and taste. Overall, very good food and, despite the immediate first impression encounter, the rest of the experience was great. I would recommend this restaurant, and I will definitely go back.

Shaughn C.

Yelp
They always forget to put the thing i told them to do idk why. Food is good this is good for cold weather foods me and my friends loved it service is good too
google avatar

Kat - Russ G.

Yelp
This is hands down one of our favorite restaurants!!!! If there was one near us we would probably go weekly. From the ramen, to the character buns, to the sushi, and the skillets , everything and I mean everything is delicious. The staff is super nice. The restaurant is really clean as well.
google avatar

Hyun Y.

Yelp
I finally got to try this cute little restaurant and was impressed by their delicious ramen and cute character bun, which was a great lunch combo. I got the high noon which was the more spicy ramen and I loved the texture of bamboo and shiitake mushrooms. Service was friendly and quick as well. Keep in mind they don't seat you unless all the parties are present.
google avatar

Myia J.

Yelp
This place we have enjoyed coming to for a while. Mostly our kids love it. The character buns have always been a big hit. Recently we came here twice at close intervals. We were there on Sunday and then again the following Tuesday, October 1. On Sunday, we noticed, the quality of the food was still good. However, the service was really disappointing. Our buns and Ramen took forever. Our waiter, to his credit checked in once to let us know that things should be up shortly because it was taking so long. However, my Ramen order was totally wrong. So that was disappointing, but understandable, we all make mistakes. What was worse though is that there was no real customer service. When you get someone's order wrong, you should do something to make up for that. I was in the service injury industry for a long time, and I would've just taken the Ramen off the bill altogether. The second experience was today, October 1. There was a big sign on the door on Sunday when we went saying they would have some special buns on October 1, Frankenstein bunnies. My younger daughter was so excited about them that she chose to come there for her birthday dinner basically just to get those. When we got there, they said that they didn't have them Again, what's worse is that we mentioned that it was her birthday and she came here just for the Frankenstein bunnies and they didn't even do so much as give us an order of free buns. They didn't even tell my daughter happy birthday actually. It's not egregious, it's just lame. I will probably come back because the kids, but not often.
google avatar

Sunny W.

Yelp
Service was great, took our orders pretty quick, food came out in a timely matter, not too long of a wait. The ambiance was pretty hip, it was a little dark in terms of lighting but it created a great atmosphere for photos. Finally, we get to the food. We got the chicken cutlet, pork , and Bulgogis beef ramen bowls. Also got the $7 add on for steak on the side. The broth of the noodles was phenomenal, the noodles themselves were also very well cooked. The ramen bowls came with a side of half a soy-marinated egg, some bamboo shoots, and charred Brussels sprouts. The Brussels sprouts needed seasoning. My least favorite part was the charred bitter taste of the charred Brussels sprouts seeping into the soup, making the whole dish overly bitter. I love some char in my food but even for me it was a little overwhelming. The steak on the side was super tender, however this was due to the monstrous amount of oil and butter. It was also lacking a crust on the outside. Overall, a well rounded place to go with friends.
google avatar

Quynh T.

Yelp
Harumama is an Asian Fusion Restaurant located in Carlsbad - quite close to the beach and its main area too! We put out names down and were quoted for a 20m wait but it ended up being like 8m wait. It can get crowded though as we exited there was a crowd waiting. It is a small store with pretty limited seating available. The inside is cute with noodle puns throughout. I do feel like their menu is all over the place serving stir-fried noodles, ramen, small bites (including fried rice?), baos, and poke? I feel like they chose to be a ramen shop and also a bao/bun shop. We ordered five things - Beef Tacos, Crab Cheese Wontons, Duck Bao, and the Piggy and Cow Character Buns. I thought all of their food was fine - it just wasn't for my personal palate. All of their food is Asian American fusion. Beef Tacos 4/5 - Pretty good! Again doesn't really go w the other items but the flavors were savoury. It was a lot bigger than I was expecting but not bad Cream Cheese Wonton 3.5/5 - Not bad I just wantes it crispier. It looked deep fried but tasted microwaved or warmed up Duck Bao 3.5/5 - The duck bao came with lettuce and cucumber that just didn't go with it at all. When I took them off though the duck bao was so much better! I think their Hoisin sauce was still too sweet though but the duck was nicely cooked Piggy and Cow Bun 2/5 - The main reason I wanted to come visit! Presentation wise they're soooo cute!!! It was hard to tear it open and eat. But that's kinda where the praise ends lol. The bao itself is quite fluffy and soft. I was just disappointed with the filling. The cow has bland ground beef and the pig has pulled pork. I had to put the chili oil and soy sauce on both to enjoy it because it was so bland. I just feel so let down because they could have marinated both the meats better or put char siu in the piggy bun instead. So disappointing.
google avatar

Stephanie D.

Yelp
Obsessed! Loved this place. Service was great, food was delicious and ambience inviting. To mention the music playing was a throwback that had me jamming out! Will come back again and try more items on the menu.
google avatar

Natalie C.

Yelp
This place was awesome! I went here with my friend for dinner and we were immediately seated outside! The service was quick and the outdoor seating was very nice! I ordered the chicken teriyaki as well as the bunny character buns! Both were delicious! The buns were super cute and had a Nutella filling!
google avatar

Miriam M.

Yelp
The picture is blurry because I was way too excited to start eating. Sometimes im skeptical of places that go "viral" but all I can say is that this place is worth the hype. Possibly the best ramen I've ever tried. I ordered the beef bulgogi udon, flying pig ramen & the karaage bao. Everything was a 10/10 and I cant wait to go back and try other things on the menu. The broths were very flavorful, the kaarage was crispy on the outside and tender inside. My mouth is watering frlm thinking about my meal here. Service was really fast & our server was very welcoming and helpful. I went on a weeksay night so there was a lot lf seating available. This is definitely my new go to ramen spot.
google avatar

Helen L.

Yelp
I've had this place bookmarked for awhile and I'm glad I finally got to try it! They have both indoor and outdoor seating, but it's not a huge place. They were able to accommodate my group of 9, but I don't recommend going with a big group (that's just my opinion). The staff here are great and so was the food! With my group, we like to share our food, try various items, and eat family style (the best style!). Tried the bulgogi fries, turtle character matcha buns, bunny character Nutella buns, pig character pulled pork buns, chicken karaage, Kim chi ramen, fat duck ramen, the tuna protein poke bowl, and a hot green tea. The bulgogi fries are different than how most places make bulgogi fries. They add noodles, almost like a loaded japchae with all the fixings (bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc.). The chicken karaage was cooked and lightly seasoned (or just salted) to perfection and comes with an aioli dipping sauce. I highly recommend these appetizers. The matcha and Nutella buns were good. The pig bun was cute, but was not my cup of tea - the pulled pork was a bit on the dry side. The kimchi & fat duck ramen flavors and content were on point. I'd go back for the kimchi ramen again. I'm a tea girly, and the green tea here was chefs kiss. Great food, friendly staff, and a nice ambience - this place is 10/10. And not to mention, the food came out pretty fast, especially for a big group. I was really impressed - fast service and the quality was still there!
google avatar

Amy K.

Yelp
We were recommended this place by a family member who works in the area, so we decided to stop by. Ribeye teriyaki - 2 stars - ribeye was tough to chew, not at all tender (probably because it was sizzled to well done in the skillet). The veggies were pretty bland as well. Decent portion. Me so hot ramen - 3 stars - not bad, but the Brussels sprouts were super hard and really didn't add anything to the ramen. There was a mountain of them though, so if Brussels sprouts are your thing, you might like this one. We both tried one, and my husband decided to dig them all out, because he didn't care for them. Ramen was decent. Chicken katsu was crispy but standard. Character bun is overrated for the price. Our server was 5/5 though! She was attentive, gave stickers and toys to our toddler, and made our experience so much better. Overall, this was a good place to try, but we probably wouldn't go out of our way to go back.