KAJIKEN BALTIMORE

Japanese restaurant · Baltimore

KAJIKEN BALTIMORE

Japanese restaurant · Baltimore

1

7 E 33rd St, Baltimore, MD 21218

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KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE by null
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Highlights

Specializes in soupless ramen, Abura Soba, with flavorful noodles.  

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7 E 33rd St, Baltimore, MD 21218 Get directions

kajikenus.com
@kajiken.official

$10–20 · Menu

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7 E 33rd St, Baltimore, MD 21218 Get directions

+1 443 835 4617
kajikenus.com
@kajiken.official

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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Kajiken, a Japanese Chain Specializing in Soup-Less Ramen, Opens in Chicago - Eater Chicago

"A Japanese chain with more than 100 locations, Kajiken, specializes in these bowls and has helped spread its popularity with locations in Baltimore and near San Francisco. Now it’s Chicago’s turn, just in time for summer." - Ashok Selvam

https://chicago.eater.com/2023/5/11/23720142/kajiken-chicago-abura-soba-soupless-ramen-chinatown-photos-images
View Postcard for KAJIKEN

Bhakti Dalvi

Google
Great place with spacious seating. The gyozas were amazing. The niku miso was nice. Quantity could be a bit more but taste was great.

Mike Pigott

Google
DO. NOT. EAT. HERE. Unless you’re prepared to destroy your life for Japanese food. I came to Kajiken expecting a normal meal. What I got was a full-blown spiritual awakening. I haven’t been the same since. I think about this place constantly. I smell karaage when there’s no karaage. I whisper “kajiken” in my sleep. It’s become a problem. I cried on the sidewalk lot the first time I had the spicy tonkotsu. Ugly cried. People gathered. Someone handed me tissues. It was the most emotional I’ve been in years. I spent my kids’ entire college fund here. I blew through my 401(k) like it was Monopoly money. My financial advisor blocked me. My wife left. Honestly? I get it. I proposed to the chef. Out of pure panic and admiration. I’m not even into men. I don’t even care if he said yes—I just needed him to know. Kajiken isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a vortex. A cult. A noodle-based religion. I would rate it 100 stars if I could. But don’t go. Save yourself.

Julion Smallwood

Google
I went here several years ago and the food was delicious. I went here yesterday and the food was awful. Absolutely tasteless and the “sauces” they provide made zero difference. Super disappointed. Only given 2 stars because the server was sweet.

Caroline

Google
Food was out of this world good. I got the spicy brothless ramen. We were visiting from out of state and this is still a meal I think of often and wish we could find locally. There was a wait around 7pm on Friday night but we were seated in 20 minutes. Not a huge lobby so we waited outside in the cold. Barnes and Noble is across the street so that's an easy place to eat up wait time if needed. Server gave us water and greeted us / took our order quickly. Food came out in a reasonable amount of time. Tables are very close together- I kid you not maybe 3 or 4 inches AT BEST between the tables. So I basically had to drag myself across our table neighbors dinner plates to get out of the booth side of my seat. Very awkward and embarrassing. I am not a huge person, just average size so i can see this being a problem for some people for sure. Our server was great but also just seemed very over it and tired, kept forgetting small things and our water was empty most of the meal. Forgot to ring in another tables food and rolled her eyes (embarrassment perhaps) rather than apologizing. No biggie though, it was busy so I get it. The cheesecake is incredibly small for the price.

Hye Jeong Lee

Google
Great place to eat close to the campus. I went here multiple times but all the menu I ordered was really good. I had the chicken curry ramen and matcha crepe. Ramen was good. I recommend matcha crepe. It was so good. I think i will come back here for crepe. The vibe is very casual but it can be a cute date place as well. Waiters and waitress were really nice. Highly recommend this place.

Kimberly Ventura (Kimv90)

Google
Great place! Very cozy Japanese restaurant. Food is well prepared and tastes amazing. The portions are good sized and the price is good. Will definitely come back.

Jenny Yoon

Google
Vegan noodles were packed with veggies and very creamy, glad we got a side of chili oil and tamago to break up the umami. Shoyu ramen broth was delicious and great for a cold day!

Lena Garner

Google
This was one of favorite spots, & I honestly hate to see it go, but with that eyesore out front today, I sadly can't continue giving them my business in good conscience knowing that my money support a company that does business with a harmful entity. If you can get past that, the food is delicious, the staff is friendly, & the overall atmosphere is hectic but great. I just don't feel I can continue to give them my business going forward.
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Deb C.

Yelp
Kajiken is great for a lot of reasons. I love the ambiance and vibe of restaurant. Has a busy feel, lots of talking, motion, bustling. Quick service, always friendly servers. You have a significantly better experience if you can score a booth. I've been here probably 5 times, and I didn't have the booth opportunity until the 5th. The seating in the back is open tables and they are very close together, which is part of the experience, but you may find yourself being conscious of moving your elbow too much, your items falling, and you will have overheard conversations. Not a big deal, as long as you know what to expect. Their ramen is good. It's better than Akira for sure. But the abura soba ramen has to be the best thing they have on the menu, the noodle texture is perfect. Amazing flavor that doesn't need anything additional unless you want extra spice. We ordered an egg for our ramen and side of kimchi, which I think was the perfect enhancer. The karaage is alright, it lacks in crunch, has a tendency to be soggy. Not bad by any means, but I've had some seriously perfect karaage that has definitely changed my standard. Overall, great place to grab a bite to eat. The wait time is usually not long. The food comes quickly. You can be in and out within 30 minutes, I'd say, if you know what you want to order.
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Tommy V.

Yelp
One of the best ramen spots in the area. Known for their dry ramen! Interior is very new and clean. Decent amount of seating. Service was excellent. Waiter was very attentive and kind. We ordered the dry ramenz plus Karrage, and gyoza for appetizers. The highlight was the dry ramen or Akurasoba as they call it. Noodles were well cooked and had a decent chew to them. The flavor of the sauce was amazing. Very umami, savory, slightly sweet. It compliments the pork toppings very well. If you're a fan of egg, make sure to get the egg yolk if your bowl doesn't come with one! The addition of the egg yolk makes all the difference. Mixed with the sauce and noodles it makes for a very creamy savory sauce. I would highly recommend the original and Niku Miso. Their soup ramen I have also tried before. It is good, but definitely not the star of the show. Other ramen places have better soup based ramen in the area. Will be one of my regular ramen places for sure!
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Anne F.

Yelp
A nice ramen spot walking distance from our airbnb. The service is speedy and the food is hot and fresh. The place is a lil cramped but cozy. If we stay here again, we may come back!
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Ana B.

Yelp
So cool that the first American location of this chain from Japan opened in Baltimore! This is located near the Hopkins undergrad complex and it's super cute from the exterior. The mazesoba (ramen except without the broth) is their specialty, and it's delicious. The staff is SUPER efficient, very Japanese in that way. You do order with a staff member. I've tried several of their mazesoba (mazemen) and they do taste pretty similar and I always add some extra corn or backchoy. The apps are fine (a little pricey for this casual spot). The takeout and delivery also holds up super well. A great addition to ramen to the city and always a good place to stop for a bite pre or post BMA or a walk around Hopkins.
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Connie L.

Yelp
It was interesting to try the brothless ramen I got the original which was good but needed to order a side of chili in oil for some spice Keep in mind that they close between lunch and dinner and they will definitely rush you out
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Jayna H.

Yelp
I ordered take out from here last week and really enjoyed it! I've never had aburasopa (broth-less ramen) before and I can say that now I'm a fan! Only thing I was bit weird about was the poached egg- it was a bit undercooked and the whites were a little runny. I mixed it all in and it was tasty, it was just a little off putting at first. The dumplings were really good too! Nice and crispy and great flavor! I will definitely be back to try more dishes.
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Fiona L.

Yelp
The abura soba here is so good. We tried the original, niku miso, and the sukiyaki and all were delicious. The sauce isn't overpowering like at some other places. You can add ground sesame seeds (at the table). Highly recommend adding a poached egg if it doesn't come with one! Street parking was convenient but there is also a garage.
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Katie T.

Yelp
Came here on a Friday night with a friend. Although it was packed, seating at the bar opened up for us within 15-20 minutes so we weren't waiting terribly long. We decided to try the abura soba noodle dishes since it was something new for us. The roast beef abura soba was very delicious and the yogurt sauce and raw egg made it nice and creamy. I would definitely order again. I tried the salted plum sprite which was...interesting. It has a weird after taste which maybe is expected because of the salted plum. Overall the service was great. I felt like our server attended to us very well despite how busy it was. The only con to this area is the parking. It took a while to find parking in the lot with many cars waiting for people to get out, but there is a garage behind the building with a few spots available for retail. I would probably try coming again though during off peak hours.
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Ryan S.

Yelp
Uber Eats review: Awesome ramen, great packaging, quick prep, pickup, and delivery. I'd highly recommend the end product of delivery apps for Kajiken meals! They prep it quickly, package it better than any other ramen spot I've tried locally, and the flavor is soooo good! The pork belly chashu is tender and delicious, the noodles are tender and the perfect texture and thinness. The mushrooms and nori are a nice touch, and I recommend adding Bok Choy. Tonkatsu Shoyu is absolutely delicious. Eat more!
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Amanda P.

Yelp
I really enjoyed this meal! I ordered the Sukiyaki aburasoba which is a type of brothless noodle. Sukiyaki is noodles with sliced marinated beef, onion, and scallions. This dish was super tasty. I enjoyed how flavorful the noodles were despite there not being any broth! The beef itself was fairly fatty for my liking, but I did still enjoy the marinade. When you enter, there is a computer where you can add yourself to the waitlist or order take out!
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Sandra K.

Yelp
Pleasantly surprised by this spot! I really enjoyed the akura soba - nice runny egg (usually this dish is eaten with egg a little undercooked), flavorful meat sauce, and good variety of toppings. Fast, casual, and a great spot to catch up with a friend. Will be back!
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Peter P.

Yelp
Always love seeing the growing food scene in baltimore, came here for lunch during the week so no wait or lines. The service was fast and attentive. got their karaage and their soupless ramen. The karaage was crispy and juicy. The ramen was a new experience but was delicious. It comes with a sauce to mix in with the traditional ramen things. The noodles were chewy and good, pork flavorful, and the veggies crisp and fresh. Will definitely be back to try and other menu items. would totally recommend as a change up to the traditional ramen options
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Susan Y.

Yelp
First time checking out this spot after getting recommended by a friend! Appetizers were fine with takoyaki being the table favorite. The mendaiko don was VERY underwhelming given the size of mendaiko given for the price. The ramen was fantastic!! Definitely recommend the sukiyaki over the shoyu as it was more flavorful and the noodles were bouncier. Service was great and the ambiance was warm. Downside was the long 30minute wait, but it was worth it.
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Erica C.

Yelp
Located in a nice area in the Baltimore region! Parking garage in the building. Been told this place in California always has really long lines, so it was nice to come in around 1pm on a weekend and seated immediately! Original Aburasoba - no soup, mix it together type of thing. First taste was on the saltier side but it got better after a couple bites! Flavors all come together really nicely and the noodles are really tender. The pork was delicious too. Good portion for one meal
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Saumya M.

Yelp
I'm so glad that one of the very few US locations of Kajiken happens to be in Baltimore! Located right on Hopkins Homewood campus, parking is hit or miss right near the restaurant but you won't have to drive too far to find some. There is a cute outdoor patio in front of the but I went on a humid evening so ended up sitting inside. The inside is electric -- there's an open kitchen so you can see, great, and smell everything going on and it got me so excited for the meal! There are some fun non-alcoholic drinks on the menu which you should absolutely try (plum Sprite, anyone?) The menu itself features both dry and classic ramen. Kajiken is known for the dry version, abura soba. If you've never had it before this is an excellent place to try it! Unlike traditional ramen it isn't soupy but still very moist and hearty. The vegetarian options are limited but it's easy to build a bowl to your liking. The servers were helpful with advice as I was trying to create mine! Can't wait to go back and try more off the menu.
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Angelynne Z.

Yelp
Came around 1 PM and was mostly empty for the most par The karaage was super juicy and crunchy, coming with a side of spicy mayo, a slice of lemon, and ponzu with radish. Also got the chasu don which was the bowl of rice with chasu pieces, scallions, and seaweed on top. The pork melts in your mouth and had a great flavor, and the seaweed and scallions added a fresh taste to that. Rice was a little cold when it got to my table but it was still good. The two other sobas we got were nice, but were definitely very large. One of them was the niku miso, coming with slices of chasu pork and bamboo shoots. The other one was a little spicy. We ended up taking the spicy one home because all the food was a lot to stomach. Overall nice experience and the staff and service were all very nice and the food was pretty good. Would definitely come again for the rice bowl.
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Cindy D.

Yelp
My family loves the dry noodles. Most of their appetizers are yummy. Their octopus puffs are yummy too.
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Jasmine M.

Yelp
This place is incredible! I used to go to the ramen place in this location before. I was really excited to try the new place that took over. The vibes are similar and it's such a comfy ramen place! This place is famous for their breathless noodles, so I had to get those. We started with the spicy edamame which well cooked and nicely spiced. I really liked the chillis on them. As a vegetarian, I got the vegan ramen and I added chili, as well as a soft boiled egg. You can also make your own which is good for vegetarians! I really loved the vegan ramen -- the edamame, tofu and chili was delicious! There was also this edamame paste on top that added incredible creaminess! We ended with the matcha crepe cake which was the perfect sweet treat to end the night!
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Mason B.

Yelp
The ramen itself was okay. I wouldn't say it was outstanding or anything but didn't disappoint. While the Yakisoba was much better, likely due to their specialty being abora soba, the ramen left much to be desired. The variety of additional seasoning available, such as sesame seeds and garlic flakes, helped. However, the ramen itself was mediocre and definitely was on the airy side. The service was good and the environment definitely leaned towards being authentic. If it was possible I would put it at a 3 1/2 stars Definitely go for their Yakisoba rather than ramen.
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Kojo B.

Yelp
I went there a couple of weeks ago, it was ok.. I just was not a fan... Had the tebasaki wings, personally i can make those, and mine are better. I ordered the standard cold noodles, the was a taste in it that i couldnt get over, may be the nori or something. Needless to say it was just ok for me.
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Desiree R.

Yelp
I'm OBSESSED with Kajiken I went through a phase where I ate here once a week for a month. It's one of my go to spots when people are visiting Baltimore. For appetizers I love any of the 3 below - Kaki fry - Gesokara - Karrage I love the dip that comes with all of the options, but I'd say the gesokara is my favorite. The food is packed with a lot of flavor and you can customize your noodles by adding or removing sides. They have options for pescatarians and vegans as welll! My family really enjoyed it. My top 3 favorite ABURA SOBA - Homura - Old Bay Ebi - The Original I do recommend making a reservation and making sure your whole party arrives on time. They're super busy and a little on the smaller side in terms of size. They have bar seating but that can get packed too. The service is fantastic and not much of a wait on the food. Which is surprising considering how busy they are. This is one of favorite restaurants and I'd encourage everyone to try it out. It won't disappoint
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Riley T.

Yelp
this place is so good. my friends and i come here all time and every time we're in town. parking in charles village can be annoying but you can park in the garage right above. around lunch time there is usually a wait because the place isn't huge. they also don't serve alcohol. and the food is so amazing!! i love to get the teriyaki toki, the flavor of the sauce in the bottom of the soba has amazing flavor, the chicken is always cooked and seasoned very well, and i love the toppings they have on the table. my friends also like the pork abura soba and we all like to get the chicken karaage. dessert is also great. i was shocked to find out this place is a chain, the food tastes of such great quality

L. Celeste R.

Yelp
Rude manager. Cannot make any modifications to the entree, i.e. could not pay extra to add broth to a noodle bowl. Could not opt for chicken dish not be fried even though the chicken is baked first. Manager explained the chicken is baked and then fried. It was unclear why the chicken had to be fried. Does not make accommodations for dietary restrictions. Ordered seaweed salad but spinach was added to bowl. Did not get full serving of the seaweed salad and was charged $7-$8 for it. Go to Akira Ramen. Better service. Food modifications are allowed. Just wanted to try something new. This place fell short of my expectations. The space is tight. It looks bigger from the outside. Parking is limited.
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Lauren B.

Yelp
Great go-to ramen and mazesoba place! Their homura aburasoba is great if you like spicy as well as their original. They provide chili oil for everyone who likes to spicier food as well, which is a plus. At times, their service can be lacking, but this has really only happened once for my group. There is usually a wait time for dinner, but they seat and serve you quickly afterwards. Definitely a great place if you're looking for close ramen.
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Ahra J.

Yelp
It is very hard to come by a great ramen shop. This was probably close 2nd in my books. Located in Charles Village, it is conveniently located however, if you choose to come here, it is mainly street parking. With that, we did not have too much trouble given we visited on a Saturday afternoon. We arrived right when the place opened up and within 30 minutes of opening, the place was packed. Since the food service was pretty quick the tables did turn pretty fast imo. I think we were there a total of 30-45 minutes from seating to paying. They have a good array of items to choose from to appease any and all palate. This is a good spot for those that want to try a variety of other dishes outside of just ramen. The service was spot on, very quick and again the food came out under 10 minutes after ordering. The prices and portion was reasonable and I would definitely go here again. The restaurant is not big however, so the only downside was that I felt like I was sitting verryyy close to the next customer.
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Derick Y.

Yelp
Parking - you should be able to find street parking within a few blocks (get them steps in after crushing a meal here) or there's a parking garage right next door. Seating - it's a small setting with seating for maybe around 30 people or so. We showed up on a Saturday right at 12pm but by 12:30, the place was popping! I opted to go with the Honmura since I've never had a broth less ramen before. The noddles were cooked to a perfect al dente. This may be my new way of eating ramen. Broth is great for those colder months! The karaage was on point and friend to perfection. My only knock is that the gyoza taste store bought and were warm on the inside. I got the feeling like they were just popped in the microwave. Without a doubt I will be heading back to try the other ramens!
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L C.

Yelp
We went to this restaurant twice for dinner. Food taste great (reminded me a bit of Japan), we had the spicy tonkotsu, niku miso, takoyaki, salad. Service was good too although I do think to give a bit of breather time vs keep on asking if we are doing good every few mins and worst asking if we would like to pack our food to go while we are still working on it. Place is clean and ran efficiently. Highly recommend especially you are visiting JHU Homewood campus.

Shantelle D.

Yelp
Kajiken is my new go-to ramen spot! I was a bit skeptical of brothless ramen at first but it is incredibly flavorful. We have enjoyed every appetizer we have tried thus far (fried squid, gyoza, salad, seaweed salad, fried oysters). Prices are very affordable as well. My only complaint is that servers seem very busy and it can take a while to get their attention, but it is a busy restaurant. It's well worth it - just have to be patient with them!
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Kathy T.

Yelp
Went last night and SO good! I'm so often disappointed by ramen because the broth is just not up to snuff. At Kajiken, you avoid the broth altogether! Noodles are wonderfully chewy. I came not expecting much because I do love me my ramen, but if you can't get the ramen broth you want, Kajiken gives you the rest. We got there at 6 on a Friday and were seated right away, but the place was definitely busy. Highly recommend!
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Heru S.

Yelp
Taste so good but unfortunately not for someone who needs protein. For mainly eating carbohydrate with that price I'd rather go to a different places
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Paul J.

Yelp
Finally, a serious ramen place! Kajiken gets it right - you choose the noodles, wet or dry, and all the toppings. Choice aside, the ingredients are top notch, fresh, and perfectly cooked. One taste of the fried squid tentacles and you'll see how they take this stuff seriously. The flavors are deep and intricate, and each of the ramen toppings stands on its own, even when mixed with other ingredients. And, of course, the crystal ball dessert is a show stopper if you need a visual treat! Definitely coming back to Kajiken as soon as I can!
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Jon F.

Yelp
Didn't realize this was a chain in Japan, but I'm stoked they are here in Baltimore. I've been to Tokyo, but I've never had soupless ramen or mazesoba. So I was glad to have tried it because it's delicious and something I crave. This restaurant is located near Hopkins University, and it's not a big space so depending on when you go there might be a wait. I've had to wait once, so I walked across the street to Barnes & Noble. They have bar seating and table seating which is great. If you come alone, sitting at the bar is a great option if there is a wait for tables. I've ordered the squid karaage, chicken karaage, sukiyaki and the chicken version. All very good. The wait staff is all very nice and they offer mobile payments which is quick and easy. Looking forward to my next visit.
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Zhicao F.

Yelp
First time trying this place that took over from an older Japanese ramen store. Unlike the previous cashless store, they now take all kinds of payments, including cash. Seating and lighting mimicks typical Japanese ramen store. One issue I had was the decorative portierein in front of the restroom door actually made it hard to find the handle and open the door. Menu was simple but had both ramen and rice dishes. Had three dishes: Karaage (fried chicken), Gyoza (dumpling), and Tonkutsu Shoyo Chashu ramen (pork bone broth, soy sauce, broiled pork). Karaage: frying was spot-on, hot, crispy skin, juicy inside. Seasoning was a bit on the heavier side but not too overwhelming. Went well with the honey mustard, but I wish they had more authentic Japanese sauces. Gyoza: one side of skin was crispy, the other three sides a bit soft. Stuffing was a bit mushy and seasoning was on the bland side. Ramen: soup tasted nice, rich briney flavor but not oily. Noodle tasted standard. Half-boiled egg nicely made, temperature was spot-on. Chashu could use a bit more seasoning. Wish they put in more veggies in the ramen. Overall: 3.5-4 stars. Karaage was nice, gyoza a bit disappointing, ramen is standard. There are things that could use some imporvements, but I am glad to see a decent Asian restaurant open near JHU campus again.
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Halit Y.

Yelp
We were super excited for kajiken since we had a great experience last summer; however, it was sad to see that the quality went down significantly. The dumplings were cold and sunomono lacked flavor, but fried tofu was ok. Abura soba was not bad--the level of spiciness for homura was just right. The worst part was when we were asked to be quick about leaving literally 5 minutes after we paid because people were waiting. This was shocking to me because I have never seen a restaurant treating customers this way, not even in restaurants with 2+ hour wait time. I will not return and cannot recommend an establishment operating in this manner--very disappointing.
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Anna S.

Yelp
TLDR: Super authentic but has next to none vegetarian/vegan/GF options; loud setting; staff still in a learning curve. OK so hear me out. I realize this is a very popular chain worldwide. Reading their website, it's clear that mazesoba (ramen except without the broth) is their specialty. This is their first location in the United States and still fairly new. I went in with high expectations since the photos look delicious and the reviews have been great so far. Unfortunately, their menu is nowhere to be found on their website and had I been able to check out the menu beforehand, I would've probably avoided visiting. For anyone who is gluten free, vegan, or vegetarian, you'll want to avoid Kajiken. Currently, they have zero gluten free noodle options and almost all of the ramen is in pork broth. I believe I remember seeing one vegetarian option from the mazesoba menu. They do have rice dishes but they are very small and nothing to write home about. When I asked about rice noodle options, the waiter seemed to not know what the noodles they were using were made out of. Being that this is a nationwide brand, they know what they're doing and their menu is extremely authentic. I'm not rating this place low because of authenticity - I realize that not every place is going to be appealing to everyone especially those of us who unfortunately have to work around allergies or dietary restrictions. However, it would've been great to be able to research this beforehand like if their menu was on their website. I do think their staff need to be more knowledgeable about the ingredients in their food too. I will also say that the inside is super loud. Frequent loud beeping coming from the noodle cooking timers and shouting coming from the hostess and kitchen staff anytime someone new walks in or out. I guess it's part of their shtick. If that's your thing, you'll probably love Kajiken! I can't say the same for myself. Maybe if they broaden their menu a bit and provide a "build your own bowl" option their website suggests, I'd return.
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Ariana F.

Yelp
Yum! I love Kajiken when I'm looking for something a little bit different to eat. I am a BIG ramen lover, but as someone that loves a good broth, I was initially weary about wether or not I would enjoy broth-less ramen... But my worries were quite foolish in hindsight, because Kajiken knows what they're doing. I've tried three different types of ramen here, but I'd like to emphasize the vegan option! It's not only new, but it's absolutely delicious. I'm a meat eater, and this was my favorite item I've tried from them so far! The service and food comes out fast, but I wouldn't recommend this spot for takeout since your meal will taste best hot! Don't forget to stir your ramen for about 20 seconds when you get it in order to unlock its true flavor and power. Enjoy!
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Thembi S.

Yelp
This is a hip new-ish spot in Charles Village. I would say the major cons are your entire party has to be present to be seated and there is no convenient waiting area. Also, it's right in the middle of a college campus so there's a lot of youngsters who frequent the place. That may be a deterrent for some. Otherwise, it's a nice place, though tight. I'd love to say what I ordered but can't recall the names and the Kajiken website doesn't provide a menu. I'd say the food I ate was ok, but would order other things next time. Also, I'd definitely get takeout.
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Ajia L.

Yelp
I am officially an abura soba fan! I've never had real "dry ramen" before. It's been all over social media with people in California talking about it, so when I saw a place opened in Baltimore, I knew I had to try it. Also, it's the first chain location in the US! So cool. The restaurant is right by the Johns Hopkins - Homewood campus. Parking can be a little difficult depending on the time and day. Lucky for me it was midday on a random Monday, so I only had to circle once and found free parking a half a block away LOL. The storefront is pretty unassuming besides a small sign at the bottom of a high-rise. Once you walk in, it automatically feels like you've been transported and the hostesses great you in Japanese. It was just me, so they sat me right at the bar that faces the kitchen staff. Within minutes, every seat at the bar was full and I was elbow to elbow with other patrons. The menu is well curated with enough options to satisfy anyone, but without feeling overwhelmed. I ordered the Honmura abura soba and the takoyaki. Both seemed to come out super quickly, but I was very distracted watching the workers put together orders like a well-oiled machine, even though the restaurant had only been open for a month at the time. My noodles were delicious! I wish I had remembered to put the chili oil in earlier. I found the fish powder a little tiring towards the end, but still super tasty. When I added a bit more vinegar, it seemed to cut the oil and heaviness of the dish better. The takoyaki was piping hot and great. I love me some octopus balls haha. Happy to have a great addition to the Baltimore area! Can't wait to go back and try another noodle next time and just eat my way through the menu. Welcome Kajiken :)
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Vy T.

Yelp
Nearby the Johns Hopkins campus, my cousins and I decided to stop in for a quick dinner. You'll want to start off by finding street parking nearby, like any other city. The restaurant was a great choice! The building itself is a bit narrow in construction, and there's both chair/booth seating, booth seating (on both sides), or bar seating. The tables themselves have extras you can add to your meal if you wish, such as sesame oil and rice wine vinegar (I think). For appetizers, we ordered the gyoza which I'd recommend. The chicken karage was good and came with two sauces - one was creamy and the other seemed soy-sauced based. As for entree, we ordered The Original (brothless ramen), and added sweet corn. We also ordered the Tonkotsu ramen which was delicious. Both are good, and it just depends on what you want - with or without broth. You can also add a bunch of toppings at an additional cost if interested. As for dessert, the matcha crepe cake was awesome, with a side of red bean and whipped cream. The restaurant service was quick and the waiter was nice.
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Janet L.

Yelp
This ramen took me back to Tokyo! The noodles were on the thicker side but deliciously chewy and filling. The sauce was the perfect compliment for a summer ramen! I got the origins with chashu and I added a half of a soft boiled egg. I will say that the additional toppings were super affordable. This place fills up fast so go early or be ready to wait a bit but the service is equally as fast!
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LeAnn F.

Yelp
During the lunchtime on Sunday, we had to wait 15 mins for seating. They were really quick to take our order and bring it out. The ambiance was like traditional soba-ya and the waiters greet and say goodbye to you in Japanese. I had the old bay ebi soba noodle which I finished thus dish quickly. I loved how they took the local flavor of old bay and coated that in the shrimp. In my opinion, they need more old bay but personally I love a lot of old bay. I know their quality food is good because I've been to their partner restaurants and cafes too. I highly recommend this place if you're in downtown Baltimore!
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Joyce L.

Yelp
Today was their soft opening. They serve this unique soba with soupless noodles. It was udon like noodle with soft pork slices, bamboo shoots, sesame oil, chili oil, and vinegar. We also tried their gyoza and Tonkotsu ramen. The soup was quite porky which was little too strong for me. I didn't see any ramen place around JH university so this is a good edition to the food selection for the people.
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Mandy T.

Yelp
Great location close to JHU. Waiter is very friendly and gave good food recommendations. It was be VERY crowded but thankfully we came right after the place open. Yummy ramen, perhaps I was expecting a bit more flavor
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Jasmine K.

Yelp
I love love love the ramen here! Perfect spice level for me! The service is quick and friendly and the ambiance is perfect to go catch up and have a nice dinner here!
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S. Grace C.

Yelp
The worst part was finding the restaurant. Everything was wonderful. The food and the service were amazing. The space is trendy and visually pleasing. Hopefully I will be returning soon.
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Tola O.

Yelp
I've been to Kajiken now twice and it is the BEST ramen ever! They have a very unique concept which is brothless (dry) ramen which can be customized in any way you want for a nominal fee (starting at 50 cents) to add different toppings that change the flavor of the dish. I had the Keema curry to start which was super flavorful. Our amazing waitress Aisatta gave us tips on what to order and add to our entrees to give us the full experience. I highly recommend adding a poached egg to your dish. It makes the dish so creamy and delicious. The original is also amazing! Most recently I had the Honmura which I loved! It is salty, spicy, savory. Can't miss. I added extra chili paste and let's just say my nose was running from the heat! It's good as is on the menu. I have also tried the karage appetizer which was delicious as well. I can't wait to go back and try different dishes and appetizers. Must leave room for the array of desserts they have!
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Briana S.

Yelp
I saw a video of this place on Instagram and new I had to stop by and it was definitely worth it! The inside is cute and welcoming. Our waitress was attentive and sweet. The food was amazing and I had no complaints! I got the brothless pork noodles with curry and spicy paste on the side and it was amazinggggg!!! When I mixed everything up with the yolky egg, it blended perfectly. I will definitely be going back here!
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Jacob W.

Yelp
Very good. Much better than the previous ramen place (peko peko), which honestly wasn't very authentic. I got the homura, which is one of the dry ramens (abura soba). The noodles were thick and perfectly chewy, the poached egg added a lot of creaminess to the dish, and the meat was delicious. Overall a great experience and cohesive dish, and their chashu pork is pretty good as well. We also got the age tofu as an appetizer and it was good, flavor was nice and texture of the tofu was good. Also, when entering the establishment, the staff greet customers similar to the way that ramen shops and izakayas do in Japan, which added to how authentic the place felt.
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Sarah K.

Yelp
Best noodle shop in the Baltimore area! The texture of these handle pulled noodles is to die for. They are so chewy and flavorful and unlike any other noodle shop I've been to before! I got an egg on the side (highly recommend)! Kajiken is always busy making service a little on the slower side, but nonetheless will definitely be coming back!