HiroNori Craft Ramen

Ramen restaurant · San Diego

HiroNori Craft Ramen

Ramen restaurant · San Diego

3

3803 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

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HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by Kelly Bone
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null
HiroNori Craft Ramen by null

Highlights

Rich, flavorful ramen with tender pork and perfectly cooked noodles  

Featured in Eater
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3803 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 Get directions

hironori.com
@hironoriramen

$10–20 · Menu

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3803 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 Get directions

+1 619 241 2856
hironori.com
@hironoriramen

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Sep 29, 2025

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@eater

Best Ramen in San Diego | Eater San Diego

"Started by friends Hiro Igarashi and Nori Akasaka, this shop has several locations in Orange County and Los Angeles, plus one local spot in Hillcrest. Order the vegan ramen, a sesame-miso-based broth that incorporates five different miso imported from Japan." - darlene-horn

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-japanese-ramen-noodle-restaurant-san-diego
View Postcard for HiroNori Craft Ramen (San Diego)
@eater

Where to Find Vegan Ramen in San Diego | Eater San Diego

"From the Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded duo of Hiromichi Igarashi and Tadanori Akasako, Hillcrest’s HiroNori is a centrally located vegan-friendly sleeper in San Diego. A frothy sesame miso broth fills the deep bowl of their signature noodles draped in charred broccolini stems, tofu, corn, bean sprouts, and a tantan style mound of soy meat. On the side, a jar of pulpy chili paste should not be overlooked." - Kelly Bone

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/vegan-ramen-japanese-restaurant-san-diego
View Postcard for HiroNori Craft Ramen (San Diego)
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Orange County Ramen House Heading for Hillcrest - Eater San Diego

"HiroNori Craft Ramen, a Japanese noodle shop that got its start in Irvine in 2017 and recently opened a second branch in Long Beach, is coming to Hillcrest. The popular eatery’s first San Diego location will open this December on Fifth Avenue; Location Matters represented the landlord in the lease of the 1,101-square-foot space." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/2018/11/5/18056456/orange-county-hironori-craft-ramen-japanese-restaurant-hillcrest
View Postcard for HiroNori Craft Ramen (San Diego)

Mike W

Google
First time there. You scan a bar code out front to get your name on the list. We then asked how long and they said about 20-30 minutes so we grabbed a drink at the bar next door. Well pay attention to the queue. They do not text you when you r up. Do we ended up missing them calling our name. However when we spoke with Celeste she was great. We got a table. Food is great. Very flavorful! Shout to Celeste! Great personality. Note they add a 17.24 percent service charge but they offer to remove it if you want too.

Mike R

Google
This place is a bit smaller than most ramen joints. I went at noon and the place was already full. Their tonkatsu ramen is a must try. It has a rich and creamy broth and has amazing flavors. The pork belly was made to perfection! The cucumber crab salad was also delicious. I also had their fried chicken/karaage. The place get filled very quickly, and they do not take reservations. Parking can be a bit challenging, depending on what time of day you arrive.

James R

Google
TL;DR: Outstanding in every possible way. Even if you’re staying downtown near the convention center, this spot is worth the Uber. I hadn’t planned on venturing this far from my hotel, but after chatting with some locals it became clear: if I wanted the best ramen in San Diego, this was the place. Always trust your barista, folks. While killing time with a morning coffee (still stuck on East Coast hours), I asked for food recommendations. The barista called over a member of the kitchen staff—the resident ramen expert—who confirmed what I’d already heard: HiroNori was the move. At that point, I didn’t have a choice. A short ride later, I walked through the doors. Arriving just before noon, I beat the lunch rush and was greeted warmly. Following my ritual, I asked what they recommended. The answer: their signature tonkotsu ramen with house-made hot sauce. In what felt like no time at all, a bowl appeared that perfectly embodied two days’ worth of ramen cravings. The broth was rich, silky, and balanced with no off flavors. The chashu was tender and nearly melted on my tongue. The hot sauce elevated everything—vibrant, flavorful, and gently warming without overpowering the dish (though it would be easy to overdo). Once I polished off the bowl, I still had just enough room for the eel steam buns. I’m a sucker for eel, and these didn’t disappoint. If I had one small suggestion, it would be to let the eel roast a bit longer or dial back the moisture slightly, to better match the crunch of the tempura shell. The hoisin—whether house-made or not—was a lovely accent, highlighting the eel as the star while adding just the right supporting notes. Overall: A fantastic experience from start to finish. Skipping the waitlist by arriving early was a perk, but honestly, I’d wait as long as it takes to enjoy another bowl here. Keep up the great work!

Veselin Tripkovic

Google
This place have an amazing meat and real tender taste. You can't reserve the table so you probably will wait in lane, as this place have really a small size inside, not a lot of seats. Not my cup of tea but main corse was worth it! Our service was quick but other than that not on spot for so many little things. We wanted to have a little tiny to go chilli oil, just a side. Where our server came back to us and said "We are sorry ,we need to charge you for this 0.25$" we were laughing at first and we were thinking it's a joke. But no. It was a manager decision. So not coming back ,I don't care what rules you guys in your business having ,but WE ARE CUSTOMERS and I think you should care more about us then charging people ridiculous things.

Robert E

Google
Good ramen. Apparently this place used to be in the Michelin guide a couple of years ago. At any rate, the price is Michelin level at $18 for a bowl of ramen. I sampled the Tonkotsu ramen and the Spicy Cold Dipping Noodles. To their credit, the tonkotsu was deliciously rich and buttery. Definitely in the top 3 tonkotsu broths I’ve had. The toppings were excellent as well, especially the pork. The dipping noodles were less impressive. The flavor was ok, but it wasn’t as complex as the tonkotsu and got boring over time. Service was ok. Since they don’t have too many seats in the restaurant, expect to have to go on the waitlist.

Teena Malicsi

Google
This is an overdue review. HiroNori Craft Ramen Restaurant is my favorite ramen place, even though I drive for almost an hour. I always order the Tonkotsu Ramen with extra ramen. The broth was rich and creamy, packed with depth and flavors that made every slurp absolutely satisfying. The noodles were perfectly cooked—firm yet tender—and they soaked up the delicious broth beautifully. My favorite appetizer is the Crispy Chicken, a perfect complement to the ramen. The chicken was beautifully seasoned and fried to perfection, with a crispy exterior that gave way to juicy, flavorful meat inside. It paired wonderfully with the ramen and added a delightful crunch. The staff is friendly and attentive. If you’re a ramen lover or just looking for a great meal, I highly recommend HiroNori Craft Ramen—the best ramen in San Diego.

Saint Moses the Ethiopian

Google
I was on a quest to find good ramen. All the other places I’ve tried tasted kinda like pee so my hopes were low. This place was outta this world. Best ramen I’ve ever had please try it. Would be a cute place for a date too ;)

Danny Roehr

Google
Absolutely LOOOVE HiroNori 🙂‍↕️ there’s limited seating and at times especially on the weekends it is very busy. Before you go in there is a lil table with a bar code to join the waitlist or sometimes there’s a sign that say come in. Also NEVER do take out, it’s way better to eat the food there it just doesn’t hit the same when you do take out, TRUST. Edamame 10/10 (put some lemon on it), karaage “crispy chicken” 8/10 (kind has a lot of fat, put lemon on it), crispy rice spicy tuna 10/10, pork buns 9/10 (also has a lot of fat, sometimes too much), chicken rice bowl 100/10 hecka fiiirre, tonkotsu ramen 100/10 🔥. Their house chile is amazing and spicy which is the perfect pairing for their delicious food 100/10. The staff are always so great. The walls are a lil crusty and so is the bathroom but the place has an overall great vibe to it 👌 and the food is just amazing.
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Christina T.

Yelp
One of the best ramen you can get in San Diego. Up there with Menya Ultra, I would lean towards Hironori for their chashu and Menya for their veggie. The shop is quite small but they are efficient and go through their waitlist pretty fast thanks to the quick staff and 1 hr dining time limit. No reservations, but upon arrival anyone in your party can sign up for the online waitlist. Their staff are so friendly and helpful! Truly notable how great the service is. We had a large party and they were very helpful with working with the timing our arrival, efficient in getting all our orders in, and able to get all our food out hot and at the same time. I had the tonkotsu with the thick noodles. This is their standard, which had a good bite and chew to them. They also offer thinner noodles. The soup is so rich with a great pork flavor. The noodles were perfectly done, and the thick slices of fatty chashu here are much more hearty and satisfying to bite into compared to the very thin slices of other ramen shops. Overall an amazing bowl of ramen. They offer free garlic and spicy topping to add to your bowl. The free watermelon-mint-lemon infused water is also a nice touch. For birthdays, they offer a green tea mochi freebie which is also very enjoyable.
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Melinda T.

Yelp
We began our San Diego weeklong vacation with craft tacos and ended it with takeout craft ramen, a nice bookend for our lovely week here. San Diego Magazine's food critic Troy Johnson did a piece on the best ramen in San Diego so we've been working our way through the list. We went to Menya Ultra the last time we were in town, one of Johnson's top five. We had planned to go earlier to avoid the lines on a Friday night but were too full from The Butchery lunch and tired to wait so we ordered takeout. So not a true comparison with Menya where we sat down. However, Hironori delivered big time! I wish I were more hungry so I could have ordered other items from the menu such as their chicken kaarage but again, too full to try. They said it would be 20 minutes from time of order to pickup and we were a bit late picking and so were they on being ready which worked out perfectly (as did the parking spot right across the street, miraculous). It gave me an extra minute to peruse the menu and add an iced tea, yum! - tonkatsu ramen - 5/5, I added broccolini and bamboo shoots for $2.20 each which is pretty steep for maybe 7 bamboo shoots but reasonable for four stalks of broccolini, both of which really added to the overall flavor and texture profile and also to my consuming more veggies which is often the drawback for me in ordering ramen. The broth was silky smooth and I rarely drink all of the soup when ordering ramen but I came pretty close this time. I appreciated that the half egg was warm, I'm often surprised by the presence of a cold egg in my ramen. The to-go set up kept the soup hot and separate from the noodles so no soggy stuff. The noodles are thicker and more straight than wavy than I'm used to, you can also order thin noodles. The pork belly was perfectly done - seared and not too fatty and very flavorful, one of the best I'd had in ramen. - shoyu ramen - 5/5, husband ordered this one and he said it was one of the best ramen's he's had (which includes ones we've had in Hawai'i and Tokyo) - iced rooibos tea - 5/5, I added this last minute and it was so refreshing and delicious I'd happily return to HiroNori but I also have at least three other places to try as well the next time I'm in town!
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Ashely Y.

Yelp
I'm so annoyed right now. I put in my order online ON THEIR WEBSITE (not a third party). I ordered two tonkotsu ramen. And just received the food at almost 45min later. Seriously I saw two couples walk in, order and get their food while I waited. The food is great but don't bother ordering out. Not worth.
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Felina V.

Yelp
Popped into HiroNori Craft Ramen for a weekday lunch with bestie. He had been talking up that chashu pork, and boy was he right! I had cold dipping noodles for the first time, which was a unique experience perfect for a hot summer day. So yummy. Great, quick service. Quaint, tidy interior. They even have different flavor combos of infused water.
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Shylene B.

Yelp
10/10 - Fave Ramen Spot in San Diego I absolutely love HiroNori. This has quickly become my go-to ramen spot in San Diego. The food never misses--so rich, flavorful, and comforting. My usual is the Tonkotsu Ramen with thick noodles - plus extra noodles, extra pork, extra egg, and whatever toppings I'm feeling that day. The flavor is so satisfying every time. I also tried the crispy rice with spicy tuna--it's got a different texture, so not my favorite, but definitely worth a try if you're into something unique. The edamame is also a nice, classic starter. They offer a house hot sauce that I love. I have a high spice tolerance and load it up--but if you don't like heat, I'd steer clear. It definitely packs a punch. Price-wise? Honestly great. For the quality and portion sizes (even with my add-ons), I feel like it's well worth the money! But I'm a foodie, so if you're on a budget, stick to it and don't add extras- they add up quick! Heads up on parking: The only downside is parking--it's in a busy area and you'll likely have to pay for parking, especially during peak hours. Just something to plan for if you're driving in. Service & Wait Times: Service can vary depending on the time and crowd. I've had both really attentive service and less checked on experiences. When I came with a big group, the staff was great, but we were first on the waitlist and still saw multiple smaller parties seated before us. I understand it's easier to seat smaller groups, but it didn't feel great. Busy hours & space: They do get busy, especially in the evening. If you're super hungry, don't expect to be seated right away--unless you come early or during off-hours. Daytime visits have been faster. The place is also pretty small with no outdoor seating. They close early: Random, but I always crave ramen after 9pm--right when they're closing. I really wish they stayed open later because I'd be there all the time! Tipping experience - just be aware: This part was frustrating. They told us tip wasn't included, but what they don't explain is that unless you specifically say how much you want to tip--or that you don't want to leave one--they'll still add a tip to your card, even if you leave cash. I left a cash tip on the table, then later saw a tip charge added to my receipt. When I brought it up, the cashier basically said it was because I didn't say anything--and honestly, it kind of felt like they were making it seem like it was my fault. I just think if a cash tip is visible, it should be pretty clear not to double charge. They don't clarify it upfront, so unless you speak up before* checkout, you might end up double-tipping without realizing it. Just something to keep in mind if you're particular about how much you leave. Final thoughts: Despite a few small issues, the food is amazing and keeps me coming back. I would've given it a full 5 stars, but the tipping situation and flonky service were enough to take it down just a notch. Still, until I discover another contender, this is definitely my top ramen spot in SD. I've had a favorite in LA for years, but I'm so glad I finally found one that feels like home here too.
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Alena F.

Yelp
Their food is 100000% five stars!!!!!! The cold dipping ramen and crispy rice with spicy tuna are out to go's when we come here. My only complaint is whenever ordered online, the food is still not done after 35 minutes...and people who are waiting to eat get their food before me. A bit odd, and sometimes the girl working the front is very rude.
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Charlene L.

Yelp
I wanted to try a ramen spot I'd never tried before and this was the number one ramen on some guy's spreadsheet on reddit. I think that my expectation of this place skewed my experience but I still enjoyed it. We came on a Friday night for dinner so there wasn't much parking, which is to be expected in Hillcrest, but there was a paid lot next to the restaurant that was pretty affordable, $5 per hour. The restaurant is not that big but we didn't have to wait that long which was nice. The interior is a little dark and modern. When we got seated, they immediately asked us if we wanted their house water- lightly infused with mint and watermelon- which I enjoyed and it's complimentary. We ordered the pork bao, crispy chicken karage, crab cucumber salad, and tonkotsu ramen as a combo with the green salad, a pork bowl, and garlic and house spicy sauce on the side. The pork bao had a really good, soft bao with a lot of sauce. The crispy chicken was nice and crispy and it came with lemon and a sweet sauce. The crab cucumber salad had a lot of sesame. I expected krab but I wished that's what it was called on the menu too. The pork bowl was delicious and unexpectedly smoky. And for the star of the show, the ramen. The broth was rich and had a unique flavor. It kinda reminded me of chicken foot too. I really enjoyed the noodles. The toppings were really good and had a variety with bean sprouts and spinach. The pork belly was soft and perfectly fatty but not too much. One of my favorite parts of the meal was the garlic that came on the side. It was generous, grated, and mixed so well into the soup and the other dishes. Overall, I'm glad I tried HiroNori after hearing about it. It's personally not my go to but I had a good experience.
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Royal H.

Yelp
I love Hiro Nori sooooo much. Goods amazing. Best Ramen in the nation. It's delicious.
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Veronica H.

Yelp
To say I was beyond impressed with this location is an understatement. The service, friendliness and attention to detail exceeded all expectations. The food had a different flavor profile than what we are used to in ramen, but we were pleasantly surprised. We ordered a tonkotsu and shoyu ramen, both very different but extremely flavorful. We like our food spicy and were blown away by the flavorful hot sauce they brought us. This sauce compliments everything on their menu and takes the flavor to the next level. The crispy tuna and chicken were just as delicious as the ramen. They did have music playing in the background and it was a good playlist. The location is rather small and we were lucky to not have to wait to be seated. This is definitely a place we'll continue to keep coming back to.
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Jennifer C.

Yelp
Still delicious! It's been a while since I've been here but it's still as good as I remembered. Got the shoyu ramen with the standard thick noodles and the garlic and spicy hot sauce. The broth is so flavorful plain but I like the additional flavor the garlic and hot sauce adds. The meat is also well seasoned and a slightly thicker cut than other places which I liked. We came on a Fri night around 6:15 and put our name on the wait-list for 5 people. Ended up only needing to wait about 20 min. Service was fast and friendly. They do mention that a 16% automatic gratuity is added to every bill.
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Isabelle L.

Yelp
omg its so yummy and creamy! this might be some of the best ramen ive ever had, except for maybe in japan LOL
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Maria D.

Yelp
What a wonderful place! The servers are very welcoming, nice and attentive! Ingredients are fresh, flavorful and so delicious! The poke and salads are also so wonderful!
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Nicole C.

Yelp
Quaint and cozy this place is a great find, and YES IT SMELLS delicious inside. The buzz about town is that this is the best ramen in San Diego. We stopped in to eat on Friday night just before the dinner rush started. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and even went out of the way for our 6yr old. We ordered the Tonkotsu ramen and our daughter couldn't wait to eat so we also ordered her cucumber crab salad. She ate every bit of the salad and almost an entire bowl of soup! From the ramen egg to the texture of the noodles... yum! We all ate well, and found ourselves not surprised by the line waiting for a table once we walked out the door after dinner.
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Sydney G.

Yelp
HiroNori is hands down one of our favorite ramen spots! There's usually a bit of a wait, but honestly, it's always worth it. I got the tonkotsu ramen with karama (extra noodles, obviously), and my husband did the same but as a combo -- came with a salad and a pork chashu bowl. The broth is super rich and flavorful, and their homemade spicy sauce is so good. It's a small, cozy spot which makes it feel really personal, and the service is just as solid as the food. Celeste was helping out when we were there, and she was absolutely on it. Even when it was packed, she was checking in on everyone, keeping things moving, and somehow still smiling the whole time. She made the whole place feel really welcoming. Already looking forward to coming back!
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Melissa G.

Yelp
HiroNori Craft Ramen delivered on my cozy meal craving! This was my first stop after my afternoon flight into San Diego, and I was thoroughly impressed with my experience. When my party arrived, we were warmly welcomed and seated without a wait. HiroNori is located on a busy strip in Hillcrest; however, the vibe inside is very relaxed. HiroNori prides itself on offering authentic ramen, noodles, stock, and sauce, and the owners' story is framed for guests to read. The owners are from Japan and have extensive experience in the ramen industry. They also had their Yelp accolade for "Top Places to Eat" visible by the front, so I had high expectations from the start. Service was excellent, and servers check in to ensure everything is to your liking. I really liked the watermelon fruit-infused water that they serve, and my partner and I both ordered the Tonkatsu ramen for lunch. Our server informed us that the Tonkatsu makes up about 75% of their orders so I knew I had to try it! The broth was rich and flavorful, noodles were thick, and the pork chashu was the best I've ever had with its crispy exterior.
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Jasmine G.

Yelp
LOVED IT! I got the spicy cold dipping noodle, and it was so flavorful and delicious! They also provide complimentary watermelon infused water, and house spicy sauce and garlic are also free if you ask them for it. My dipping sauce that came with the cold noodle was already really good on its own. My husband got the tonkotsu ramen, and he enjoyed it as well. Portions were good and the prices are super fair! We joined the waitlist via QR code when we arrived at the restaurant. Maybe waited 20/25 mins since it was prime dinner time, and we sat at the bar since it was available first. Service was friendly and fast; they brought us napkins and refilled our waters without having to ask. Service charge of 16% already included in your bill, as they are a no tipping restaurant. Just went two weeks ago for dinner, and I'm already craving to go again!
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Gena H.

Yelp
SERIOUS RAMEN GIRLIE here and let me tell you this Tonkotsu is THE BEST I've ever had! I'm from Vegas and every ramen spot here has something I wish was better, or I wish I could combine elements of each, BUT HiroNori has them all! Broth: savory, flavorful and rich (literally perfect-- I'm salivating thinking of it rn) Noodle: I got mine barikata (less cooked) per usual and they were solid, thick noodles Chasu: I usually have to ask if I want my chasu grilled so it has a little crisp, but at this place it's standard. The chasu texture and quality is really good too! Egg: OK, so idk how so many places get this wrong, but look at my uploaded pic -- the egg! Perfectly gooey and it's the right savory, light flavor. Sides: black garlic is great to get on the side and add to taste, spicy sauce as well. I'm really picky with these sides, and they are both well balanced and good-quality. The location is right around plenty of shops and things to do. The establishment is clean and has a view of people passing by. Service was also great! I'm only bummed that this place is so far from home. Can't wait to experience it again (I will find a way)! Please do your ramen-loving self a favor and don't skip on this spot!
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Kevin W.

Yelp
The San Diego HiroNori is a solid place for classic ramen! It's a smaller space with limited seating, so lines at peak hour are rough. We waited about an hour 45 for a table of 4. Appetizer: What you would expect out of a crispy rice spicy tuna dish. The rice has a great crunch, the spicy tuna was well flavored! Would highly recommend if you go. Ramen: I personally am not a fan of the style of noodle they use here, however it is the more classic thicker style of noodle. The egg was done perfectly and the pork belly was tender! The highlight for me was the broth, very easy to slurp down! Overall a solid place for ramen, nothing really blew me away. Main detractor was the wait.
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Harrison T.

Yelp
If you are craving rich and delicious tonkotsu ramen, you have to come here! Hironori has plenty of locations in LA and OC and I stopped by the Hillcrest location for the first time for lunch earlier this week and I had a delicious bowl here. Menu is the same as all the other locations and more importantly, the quality and consistency is just as good as the other locations I've been to. Service was friendly and quick as well. I got the classic tonkotsu ramen with some eel tempura buns on the side. Both were delicious. The broth was rich and creamy and the pork belly was tender and so soft. The noodles were chewy and held to the broth well. Eel tempura buns were crispy and soft and it wasn't too mushy. A nice light side before my bowl of ramen. There isn't a lot of seating at this location so there is usually a wait but people do come and go. Parking is available at the lot across the street. The inside is clean and gives off nature vibes with all the greenery and wooden furniture. A great spot for ramen if you are in SD
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Kylie P.

Yelp
Classic, delicious ramen. What more can I say? I ordered the Tonkotsu which was rich and filling with tender pork meat. Service was efficient and no frills. Fortunately there was no wait when we came early on a weekday night, but I noticed a line had formed when we were leaving. It's very small inside so I could see the wait time getting long on a weekend or cold night. It also is not really suited for parties larger than 4, so I would look elsewhere if coming with a large group. Parking is tricky as expected in Hillcrest. You may need to take a few laps for street parking or there is a paid lot a few blocks down that usually has spots, which is what we opted for. Will return.
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Katrina D.

Yelp
I normally come here for ramen but recently tried the pork rice bowl and omg it was everything I could ask for!! The pork belly is so fatty and honestly the main reason why I keep coming back here for the ramen is for the pork belly... so why not just order a whole bowl of it?? The large portion comes with the strips of pork but if you get the small it comes chopped up with the random ends that get cut off. The large is a very big portion and only ate half for dinner. It was delicious and would definitely get it again! Every time I come the servers are always so nice and attentive
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Lillian W.

Yelp
This is consistently my favorite ramen spot in San Diego! The tonkotsu broth is my favorite! Every time I stray away from my usual tonkotsu, I end up trading whoever got the tonkotsu because I could drink that broth through a Camelbak if it wouldn't set off my cholesterol. The egg is always perfectly soft boiled and the chashu is tender and delectable. Noodles are great texture too but even if they weren't, the broth alone has me sold. I come here a few times a year because I can't get Hironori off the mind!
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vincent j.

Yelp
The food here was amazing, got the tonkatsi ramen with extra pork, and it did not disappoint. The proportion were a tad smaller than I'm used to but definitely made up in quality. The rich broth and tasty pork left me completely satisfied. I also got the eel buns and they were delicious, if you do like eel I highly recommend.
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Kevin Z.

Yelp
One of the best ramen spots in SD! They have a QR code in front for the wait list as it gets pretty long at night, but as long as you're on the list you will be able to get in for sure. I got the crispy chicken that was amazing and crispy, and I put a little bit of the house garlic on it to make it even better. The ramen was great too. The tonkotsu was better than I expected and had a depth of flavor. I thought the salmon poke bowl was pretty good. However it could use some sort of a sauce like a spicy mayo? One smaller thing is that our order came out wrong and it was hard to get a hold on a staff, but overall great place.
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Alexa M.

Yelp
Soooo good! I love this place dearly, the ramen was incredible. They have a QR code to get on the wait list when you arrive and once seated the food comes out really quickly. The service and food were both great. I highly recommend the Tonkotsu ramen and the pork buns, both were extremely flavorful and really tender meat. I'll be back :)
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Marianna L.

Yelp
Yummy appetizers, get the black garlic oil for your ramen. Best bite was spicy tuna crispy rice.
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vanessa c.

Yelp
Friday evening and there was no wait!! It definitely got busier as the night progressed and I can see why, service was quick and the employees were super kind and helpful making sure we are taken care of The tonkotsu ramen was sooo good, creamy and flavorful and the pork was crazy soft, just fell apart in your mouth I really enjoyed the noodles and being able to add spicy sauce and garlic as I wanted The pork buns were also crazy good and the pork inside was just as soft, the crispy tuna was a must try for me with the perfect amount of crunch and a generous amount of tuna per bite Will definitely be coming back!!
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Hosai W.

Yelp
It was nice little lunch, super delicious and flavorful broth. It is small place and only few tables but definitely recommend this little gem in hillcrest area. The service was nice at tentative, so will be coming again.
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Michele T.

Yelp
There aren't too many tables inside, so we waited about an hour for our party of 8 to be seated. Service was friendly and attentive. Started with the crispy chicken and crab cucumber salad. Both were good, although there wasn't much crab with the cucumber. Everyone ordered either the Tonkotsu or Shoyu ramen. We also asked for the garlic to add to our ramen. The broth was very flavorful and smooth. Texture of the noodles were good, and I really liked the jammy egg. We all enjoyed our meal. Glad we were able to give it a try.
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Marielena V.

Yelp
The best ramen in town in my opinion! They have this house salsa that's to die for! The pork belly buns are soooo sweet and savory. It's a must when I go here :) their watermelon/strawberry infused house water is a pretty nice touch as well! All servers are always so sweet! Love coming here
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Paige B.

Yelp
Best Ramen in all of San Diego! Located in Hillcrest, this spot is easily one of the best ramen places. While the wait may be long -- it's definitely worth it! Great location and beautiful ambiance inside, the food really shines.

Melanie M.

Yelp
The food here is absolutely delicious! I came here for lunch with a friend on a Thursday, and it was perfect time! We were seated quickly and the food came out quickly. We got the vegan ramen, and it was soooo good! I cannot recommend this enough! My only grief is that my water cup was empty after the first time I finished it.
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Amanda J.

Yelp
Delicious ramen spot! The broth was hot, fresh, and tasty. Noodles were cooked perfectly and slightly chewy, the way I prefer it. Portions were good too. Their pork bao buns were also delicious. I like that they came with pickled red onions. Service was good. Definitely a top ramen spot for me. Restaurant is on the smaller side and was clean.
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Heidi P.

Yelp
Food Was Really Good! I Really Enjoyed The Ramen And We Also Got The Small Side Salads That Were Also Very Refreshing, Especially The Chicken Salad. Id Definitely Come Back At Order Again. The Service Was Also Good, It Was Our First Time Eating Here So We Were Alittle Confused But Luckily Someone Greeted Us Right Away And Helped Us Out, I Really Appreciate Them Also Checking In From Time To Time Asking How Everything Was Was Nice. Ambiance Was Mellow And I Did Also Like How It Was Alittle Dark Inside, It Really Set A Nice Chill Mood, It Was Kinda Small But Overall Really Nice. I Said It Once And I Will Say It Again I Will Definitely Come Back Again
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Grace H.

Yelp
Absolute 5/5 and I would come back again! Stopped by on a trip. Before we saw the sign, I didn't even know that they were one of the Top Places to Eat in SD-- but this is totally deserved. I got chicken Tonkotsu Ramen and was impressed by both the portion size (I had leftovers, which still tasted good the next day) and the taste. $16 for ramen is a little pricey, but I'd say it's well worth it. Keep in mind there is a service charge that is automatically put on your bill. :)
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Casey C.

Yelp
Delicious ramen in the heart of Hillcrest! My party of 4 arrived on Sunday at 7. There was not a line but we got the last table. I love their flavored water with fruit and mint, very refreshing. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen, the broth was delicious and full-bodied, and the noodles were perfectly bouncy. There was a generous portion of pork, and the seaweed and green onion added a nice flavor. It was very good! We were there celebrating my birthday, and they also gave us a few mochi ice cream halves, which was so sweet of them. One thing to note is that their general policy is a 16% service charge in lieu of tipping. Will definitely come back, that tonkotsu was amazing!
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Rene M.

Yelp
This place never fails to impress! I rarely update a review just to say the same thing, but this spot continues to deliver amazing food every time. The only downside is the wait time for seating--not my favorite part, but absolutely worth it. If they could improve that, I'd rate it 10/5! Love this place to the max, the ramen is always top-tier.
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Nicole D.

Yelp
Very intimate space but truly worth the wait. Their vegetarian ramen is phenomenal. Pair it with their house tea and it is perfect. Since the spot is small the service is very quick but without feeling rushed. I've been back a few times and even took my vegetarian friend here. Totally one of my favorites in San Diego
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Coco G.

Yelp
So happy to be back! Love this place for a satisfying lunch in the midst of a perfectly fun day of thrift store shopping in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego! We enjoyed their crunchy rice spicy tuna appetizer today! The watermelon infused water was very refreshing. All the staff is always super attentive and kind. Glad to see them having lots of customers at lunch time. Excellent service, delicious food, clean calm ambience. Come by and enjoy!
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Les V.

Yelp
HiroNori is definitely worth a trip. This is a small place with very friendly wait staff. The star, IMHO, is their TONKOTSU RAMEN (Pork chashu, spinach, green onion, seaweed, bean sprouts, half egg). The broth is super rich and the pork belly super soft.
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katrina b.

Yelp
Delicious broth! Had the Shoyu and the pork belly and egg wa cooked to perfection. The crispy rice/spicy tuna was an awesome app addition!
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Stella Z.

Yelp
The ramen here is so good. Noodle is perfectly cooked and their broth is super flavorful. Their matcha is also great super creamy and rich. The staff there are super friendly. Inside does have limited seating but it is worth the wait.
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Brett C.

Yelp
Service was good restaurant was clean, the food was decent, they didn't have bamboo or braised chashu ends to add in. Broth could be a touch richer too.
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Deanna P.

Yelp
I've been wanting to try this place for quite sometime. I finally made it in and tried the ramen + combo. My favorite thing is not pictured here which was the Crispy Rice. Those were gone right when the plate hit the table.
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Jade W.

Yelp
Simply delicious! The simple looking classic ramen with the white broth will fool you by its unpretentious aesthetic. It blew my mind flavorful it was. The chasu pork was so tender and Smokey tasty. I thoroughly enjoyed the broth just the way it was but they brought out freshly minced garlic and house sauce and then after adding it to my ramen, it was as if it was a completely different yummy bowl! If and when I can have it again, I will put off adding the other stuff as long as I can take it because the broth is just amazing the way it is. But you know, it's so fun adding garlic and hot house sauce cause it just is! Oh I had the combo by the way, the salmon poke bowl was a nice little appetizer. I enjoyed my meal with a plum wine and finished everything!
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Kaci S.

Yelp
With a nod on the Michelin guide, I expected this ramen to really send it with the flavor. I will say the noodles, and broth both hit it out of the park. I shared the tonkatsu ramen with my husband. We also had the pork buns, which were the epitome of pillowy soft and tender. Also, these jammy eggs are just the chef's kiss. Service was attentive without being obtrusive. We ended up waiting for about five minutes, and entered a bustling but not overcrowded restaurant. I would recommend a visit here, if you consider yourself a ramen connoisseur and want to try everything San Diego has to offer in this style of cuisine.
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Adrian V.

Yelp
The food here isn't good. Having ramen in Japan for two years and a few other spots in San Diego, this one is on the low end for quality. Had the fried chicken, I assume their version of "karage", and it was pretty tasteless and overly fried. A small chicken rice bowl that didn't have too much flavor and they give you the soup/ramen spoon to eat with. Main meal was the shoyu ramen. Noodles were hard, broth was flavorless, and pork was dried out. Very disappointing from all the reviews I've seen.
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Bruna M.

Yelp
Hiro Nori Ramen is EVERYTHING. I ordered through DoorDash, and even at home, the broth was absolute perfection--rich, creamy, and full of flavor. The noodles had that perfect chew, and every bite was just chef's kiss. If I could change one tiny thing, it'd be the spinach on the tonkotsu--not really my vibe--but honestly, it's so good I didn't even care. I'm OBSESSED. Next time, I'm definitely going to dine in because I can only imagine how amazing it is fresh out of the kitchen. Hiro Nori, you've got my noodle-loving heart!
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Kayana H.

Yelp
I came to HiroNori fresh off a trip to Tokyo, where I ate a lot of ramen, so my expectations were high. That said, this place did not disappoint--the ramen here is amazing and tastes incredibly authentic. The broth is rich and full of flavor, and overall, it's one of the best ramen spots I've tried in San Diego. Be prepared to wait--there's always a line. You have to join the waitlist when you arrive, and it typically takes about 45 minutes to get called. But once you're seated, the service is fast, and the ramen comes out quickly. Price-wise, compared to what I was paying in Tokyo, this place is expensive. But considering we're in San Diego, I'd say it's worth it for the quality. If you're craving a solid, authentic bowl of ramen, HiroNori is a great choice--just be ready for the wait!