Kajiken

If you’re craving bold Japanese noodles with a fresh twist, Kajiken in Elk Grove is a must. Located in the Ridge shopping center, this spot specializes in aburasoba — soupless ramen where rich sauces and house-made noodles take center stage. The vibe is bright, casual, and modern, with friendly, efficient service even during peak hours. The real standout is the aburasoba: chewy noodles coated in deeply savory sauces with perfectly balanced toppings. Favorites like the Homura and Tantan deliver layered umami, and customizable add-ons — from egg to chili oil — make every bowl your own. Crystal was an incredible server and made my first visit truly unforgettable.

Due to my background of being a Christmas fan, and my lingering holiday spirit, I’m renaming Kajiken to “Miracle on Elk Grove Blvd (street)” This restaurant has never failed me, and I don’t think they ever will. The staff is always kind, friendly, and helpful. The food is very reasonably priced, especially because it tastes so scrumptious and high quality. I’ve had the “Soboro Aburasoba” and most recently I’ve had the “Mushroom Aburasoba” and I added a poached egg and bok choy :) I’ve always been pleased by this restaurant, and I finally decided to leave a review! Yum yum “It was good. It was great. It was amazing.” -My friend, who had the “Roast Beef Aburasoba”

Kajiken is my favorite bite of Japanese cuisine in the Elk Grove area. If you're looking for a brothless noodle dish that can still be very creamy and super flavorful, you'll definitely want to give aburasoba a try at this restaurant! Highly recommend getting the Nikumori Aburasoba if you're a fan of pork and spice.

First time trying today and was an amazing experience. The hostess was very patient with us and answered our questions about the menu. Now I know why this is a Michelin recommended restaurant. Will definitely be coming back soon.

While in Elk Grove, we looked for a lunch spot to hit. We stumbled upon Kajiken, sure glad we were able to eat here. My wife ordered the Roast Beef Arubasoba and i got the the Original. We also ordered the Pozu Karaage. Very unique way to have Ramen and i have to say it was so good. Next time we will definitely try the other options.

I went to Kajiken on a Sunday afternoon a little before their mid-day close at 1PM and it was a packed house. It was initially unclear whether you're supposed to go up and order first or if you're supposed to wait to be seated, but I walked up to the cashier to ask and she kindly placed us at a seat in front of the window. Once my boyfriend and I decided on our order, it was again unclear if she's going to come back or if we need to walk up and order considering we waited for some time to place our order. So I walk up to the register and ask if I should place my order with her up there which we end up doing. I order the Oroshi Ponzu Karaage & Nikumori Aburasoba (with a poached egg, which was recommended by the cashier). The Oroshi Ponzu Karaage was good, but not exciting. The chicken was good, but the dish definitely could have used more flavor or crunch (to be fair though, the menu does say this karaage is not crunchy so I was prepared at least). The Nikumori Aburasoba (aka Top 2) was good, but not super exciting either. The pork slices were tough, I probably would have enjoyed the dish if it was tender. By this point, I (respectfully) concluded that this is as a Japanese chow mein. I personally feel like the ingredients could have been fresher, it was as if the meal lacked texture. With all that said, the experience & ambiance felt like a fast food restaurant by the way it operates - to the point where it feels like a chain restaurant. I'd say it's a good place to go to if you're looking to fix that noodle craving. I acknowledge that I came here right after trying a couple pastries from the local Japanese bakery so maybe that may have impacted my appetite. I'm not sure I'd return to try more but if you're looking to try this place out, I would say these bowls can be split as I shared this meal with my boyfriend and we are still leaving with left overs. If I could give one feedback to the restaurant around operations, it would be to put a yelp waitlist tablet outside or a sign up sheet as it can get confusing - especially when people are waiting out front to be seated outside which can be perceived as a line.

The food was really tasty! This restaurant has been on our list of places to try for awhile and I’m glad we did. We came around 8pm on a Friday and we were seated right away. The karaage portion was a little small but had great flavor. The chicken was juicy and slightly crispy on the outside. The noodles were bouncy and had a large portion and delicious flavor

Everything we've tried here has been so good and lots of flavor. I prefer my egg poached. The chicken karaage is also lightly crisped on the outside but very tender and juicy on inside. Sometimes the line/wait can be long so best to go before 6pm unless you don't mind waiting or eating at the outside tables.

First time trying this place out and it was amazing! I ordered the Original Aburasoba ($14.95) as per the menu, said it's recommended for first timers. It came with chashu, bamboo shoots (didn't get them though), green onions, and seaweed. It was actually quite a lot of food for just one person so I was able to bring about half home for leftovers. I added some chili oil and vinegar after stirring to add some flavor and it was very good! However, I do think the original is not as flavorful as the other aburasoba's they have so I would love to come back and try a different one. We arrived close to 1PM on Friday as a party of two and were greeted and seated immediately. All the employees were very friendly and we didn't wait long for our food either. There's large windows all throughout so it was quite bright when we were eating. Space is also tight as it's not a big area so not sure if parties over 6 could eat together. They don't have any sort of dessert menu at this location but they recommended the Somi Somi soft serve ice cream that's next door. Tip starts at 18% but they have 22% as recommended (just keep that in mind). Overall experience was really great and I actually do plan to come back here again soon.

Finally got a chance to try Kajiken, and I'm a fan. I'm glad they opened a location in Elk Grove. I came on a weekday lunch and it wasn't busy at all, though I've noticed there's usually a line on the evenings and more so on the weekends, so I would try to come during the week. Since it was our first visit, we went with their signature aburasoba noodles: Homura Aburasoba - Their number one seller. I'd rate it a solid 4.8/5. Great flavor, though it had a bit too many green onions for my taste. Nikumori Aburasoba - Their second most popular bowl, and I actually preferred this one over the Homura. Easy 5/5. Ika Geso Calamari Karaage - I'd give this a 4.8/5. Good flavor, but it felt slightly under-fried and could've been crispier. Service was quick, the staff was friendly, and ordering was super easy. I liked how the noodles were fresh, I also loved the atmosphere--bright, welcoming, and great lighting for photos! Looking forward to coming back!

We came close to closing, we were seated right away, and the service was very helpful in making a selection. I loved that it felt like no frills and good food. A bright and open cafe, a good spot with friends for a quick bite. Came with a friend and still had a good time, we each ordered one bowl and then a small one on the side to share. Noodles were cooked really nicely, I liked that we could add our own toppings and sauce to our liking. LOVED the chicken karaage

If you are a ramen lover/ noodle lover you must try this ramen place. If you love food, you have to try this place too. I never had dry ramen before and I was super excited to try it out and man it did not disappoint! It was delicious, warm & savory, full of flavors, and perfect for the cold season. I finished my bowl in less than 5mins I think. Lol. It was that good. Not only was the food 10/10, the service was amazing, the server was very informative especially for first timers. The restaurant is a bit small but it felt very much like you were in a little restaurant in Japan somewhere.

I arrived just a bit after they opened on a weekend so getting seated was quick. It's a very clean and small space. I got their nikumori aburasoba, it's their spicy dish. The noodles were nice and chewy with a good kick. Everything about it was just so flavorful.

Noods, man... You want em? This place got em! Community seating, so if they're busy and you don't want to wait, be prepared to get cozy! No big deal, though... The food will make you forget your rubbing elbows with strangers! Everything on the menu is excellent, and they even have the Karamen Aburasoba for those who like to sweat! Getchu some! This joint is legit!

Coming into the little restaurant, I noticed there was limited seating, but if you come in on a busy day, I'd recommend the wait. This was my first time trying this type of noodle and I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the texture of the noodles and the toppings on the noodles made the experience better. Although the portion size doesn't seem intimidating, it is very filling. It's okay though, because the leftovers taste just as good the next day. I personally enjoyed the original and the homura aburasoba because I love the texture that the bamboo shoots add to the noodles. The sides were also flavorful and served as a good appetizer. The ambiance was very bright and lively and the employees were very helpful and kind.

Recently visited in store, and I must say I appreciate the single person seating. Spaced out and not looking awkward looking at other people in tables. Food was still good, and I liked how you can add in your favorite condiments. Plus, hot tea and water is free!

We were surprised to find no wait for an early weekday dinner. This location is small with about 10-15 tables and outdoor seating. This is not our first time at Kajiken so we were open to trying something new on the menu. We ordered the unagi aburasoba off the special menu and nikumori. Both were delicious and the unagi was plentiful. I really like the chili oil and vinegar condiments so you can tailor the dish to your specific taste. So come back often and experiment .. they are all delicious.

I came here on a Sunday with two of my girlfriends after a long night of drinking. I have been wanting to try soup-less ramen for quite some time, and it was a perfect option for a warm, summer day. We were able to get a table outside right before lunch service ended. My girlfriends ordered the Homura Aburasoba, and I ordered the Nikumori Aburasoba. There were extra condiments available at the table to add more flavor to your noodles - vinegar, chili oil, and chili powder. My dish was pretty flavorful, but I did add extra chili powder for extra spice. The portion size was perfect, which made the price worth it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who cannot eat hot soup/broth during the summer, like me!

Ok-- who knew soupless ramen could taste soooo GOOD. Our waiter, I think his name was Derek? I can't remember, but he was so wonderful and patient. He went through the menu items with us and answered all the questions we had. He checked in every so often, which I appreciated. He even offered tips on how to dress up our ramen for some extra razzle dazzle. I ordered the Homura Aburasoba and my goodness, I want to eat the everyday til the day I die. It's THAT good. When you mix it all together, it creates an umami flavor that is just indescribable. Perfect for a hot day when you want ramen but it's just too hot for soup! There's limited seating for such a small space. I'm assuming it gets busy earlier in the day or during meal times because they've got a line barrier outside. Plenty of parking spaces available in the plaza. Right next to Somi Somi if you're craving dessert after. Overall wonderful experience and can't wait to come back!!

Been wanting to come here since I read about it earlier this year. My honey wanted ramen, I was mistaken and had no broth, it is more of a soba noodle in sauce with toppings. Had something similar in Tokyo or Hawaii recently. Ambiance Small, very clean, modern. Customer Service It was good. Homura Aburasoba This had spicy minced pork with raw egg. Soboro Aburasoba This had minced chicken with raw egg. Both had lots of flavor. Noodles very good. Pan Fried Gyoza It was ok, could have had a better sear.

We arrived an hour before it closed and there were 2 parties in front of us for dine in, but saw that they were busy with orders as well. They offered inside tables as well outdoor patio dining. Inside was super bright with minimal decor. Service was a bit slow to even order. My noodles came out but they forgot about my sides. I had to ask for it. I had the #1 popular and added a side of charsu. It was a different approach to eating ramen as a dry version but still tasty. It was plentiful portion of noodles. I would order again, but would try other ones as well. The cold tofu was good and refreshing. I had this dish for the first time in Japan at a omakase so I knew what to expect. The sauce taste similar but the tofu was slight firmer than what I had prior. This dish is easily shareable. The calamari- i really enjoyed how crunchy the batter was. Only thing was the portion size is quite small as a dish to share.

Ordered togo and the portion was pretty big! Made sure to mix up all the onions and egg and pork mince up with the noodles and this dry style ramen was good. The noodles had a good chew and there was a lot of pork belly. I do think the flavor from other dry style ramen restaurants I have had (menya hanabi, mogu mogu) are more savory and flavorful than this one though. Wouldn't order from the "sauces" section on doordash next time, we thought the garlic/chili/sesame was going to be a sauce, but it is just those plain toppings for an extra $2! Lol not worth.

I went to Kajiken on a Sunday afternoon a little before their mid-day close at 1PM and it was a packed house. It was initially unclear whether you're supposed to go up and order first or if you're supposed to wait to be seated, but I walked up to the cashier to ask and she kindly placed us at a seat in front of the window. Once my boyfriend and I decided on our order, it was again unclear if she's going to come back or if we need to walk up and order considering we waited for some time to place our order. So I walk up to the register and ask if I should place my order with her up there which we end up doing. I order the Oroshi Ponzu Karaage & Nikumori Aburasoba (with a poached egg, which was recommended by the cashier). The Oroshi Ponzu Karaage was good, but not exciting. The chicken was good, but the dish definitely could have used more flavor or crunch (to be fair though, the menu does say this karaage is not crunchy so I was prepared at least). The Nikumori Aburasoba (aka Top 2) was good, but not super exciting either. The pork slices were tough, I probably would have enjoyed the dish if it was tender. By this point, I (respectfully) concluded that this is as a Japanese chow mein. I personally feel like the ingredients could have been fresher, it was as if the meal lacked texture. With all that said, the experience & ambiance felt like a fast food restaurant by the way it operates - to the point where it feels like a chain restaurant. I'd say it's a good place to go to if you're looking to fix that noodle craving. I acknowledge that I came here right after trying a couple pastries from the local Japanese bakery so maybe that may have impacted my appetite. I'm not sure I'd return to try more but if you're looking to try this place out, I would say these bowls can be split as I shared this meal with my boyfriend and we are still leaving with left overs. If I could give one feedback to the restaurant around operations, it would be to put a yelp waitlist tablet outside or a sign up sheet as it can get confusing - especially when people are waiting out front to be seated outside which can be perceived as a line.

This is our second time here, and I'm glad we returned! On our first visit we met the manager who was just the friendliest guy and he was passionate about the shop and the food. This last visit, the weather was perfect so we sat outside. Spacious and clean table for our party of 4. We ordered 3 of the aburasoba - original for the kids, roast beef for me, and keema curry for the husband. All were rich in flavor and delicious. We came at the start of dinner rush, so service was less available but still good, although they accidentally gave us a karamen aburasoba. So what happened? We ate that too! Took home some as leftovers which were still tasty the next day.

I've driven by this restaurant so many times, but I finally had a chance to try it. I ordered the spicy tonkatsu and it comes with minced pork which I requested on the side. It's not very spicy. I added a few more scoops of the spicy sauce they had provided on the table. I'm not sure I would order the tonkatsu again but would love to try the other menu items. The broth was very creamy like. The restaurant is very clean, but as soon as I walked in, I could smell the cleaning products and it was overpowering so I had to sit outside. There was a lot of shade & plenty of parking. Staff were friendly. I would come back here to try the other items.

I've come to eat here three times now and each time it does not disappoint. I've only ate here during dinner time around 4:30-5:30pm. It gets really busy close to 6pm. Food: #1- SO GOOD. I like it best with a poached egg so when it's mixed, it gives a creamier texture to the ramen. They offer raw, poached, and cooked eggs. They ran out of poached eggs one time so I decided to get the cooked egg but it didn't give me the same texture. Flavoring-on point! Although I like my food spicy, I added some of the hot oil and a big scoop of their chili flakes and it enhances the flavor even more. Mix the ramen right when you get it, else the ingredients won't get all mixed around. I prefer no seaweed, so asked to remove. Pan fried potstickers - My daughter loves them each time. She can probably devour two orders herself. Service: The food comes out fairly quickly. Didn't really have to wait. The staff is super nice to help too. Staff is welcoming and will get your order in a good amount of time. Only thing is if you need something, don't be afraid to ask since they tend to start focusing on newer tables to get orders. They give you a pitcher of water so if you're an ice drinker like me, you'll need to ask for a cup of ice. Ambiance: Casual, gets packed during prime dinner time. Try them out, great place!

First time here and there was no waiting. We were quickly greeted upon entering and seated right away. The restaurant was a little compact. We shared a table with two other people that was divided by condiments. The restaurant was bright and noise level was moderate. The food choices looked good however we decided to order the top dishes, which were #1,homura aburasoba and #2 nikumori aburasoba. We also ordered the goyza and the cold tofu. I had my dish #2 with a raw egg. If you don't know how to eat the dish, there is step by step images in the restaurant showing how to stir the dish. I really enjoyed the aburasoba as it had simple ingredients but was flavorful and great texture from the noodles, meat, veggies and egg alm together. Will come back to try the other dishes.

I first heard of Kajiken in San Mateo (where I live) and seen the long lines firsthand. Must be good! I've meant to try it but just never got the chance. A clean, modern restaurant with traditional touches. I heard they opened a location in Elk Grove and it is close to my partner's house so we came by. No line. Amazing. We were seated right away and chose to sit at the window so we could see our dog in the car. We ordered takoyaki and the homura aburasoba and unagi aburasoba. Now I understand the hype and the lines! Very savory but flavors complement each other well.

Delicious, soupless ramen! My wife and I tried this place out without checking on what kind of ramen was available here. We were pleasantly surprised to see that it was soupless. I haven't tried aburasoba specially before, but have had stuff like mi goreng and pancit canton, which are similarish imo. We ordered the Homura Aburasoba (top 1), Nikumori Aburasoba (top 2), and Oroshi Ponzu Karaage. Time of day: We went during lunch (around noon) and it was pretty busy, but we were able to be seating instantly. Flavors: The idea of aburasoba is that the flavor comes from all of the oils and toppings after you give everything a good mix. I thought that both of our aburasoba were pretty delicious! The minced pork and pork slices were well seasoned and you have the option to add more chili oil, sesame, and fried garlic to your bowl. I will say that the karaage itself lacked isn't seasoned and it's meant to be eaten with what it's served with. It was okay, I'd prefer the chicken to also be seasoned as well lol. Service: It was busy when we went, so I'm not expecting to be checked on constantly. However, we did have to flag down the servers to refill our water carafe and for the check as well. These aren't big deals to me, but figured this would be good info for other people. We were checked in on a few minutes after our food came out though, so that was nice. I'd definitely come back and try the other aburasoba bowls. They also have rice bowls and tonkatsu ramen if you aren't there for the soupless!

There was so much hype around Kajiken and I really wanted to love it like my family but the cuisine just isn't my thing. With that being said, everything else about my experience has been great. On our first visit during the restaurant's soft opening, we had to stand in line outside in the sun, waiting for a table. In the meantime, the staff handed out menus and took our orders so that when we finally got seated inside, our food would be ready. The staff were all amazing even as they were still getting the hang of things. On our first visit, they explained the menu to us and how to use the condiments with our entrées. They had pitchers of water at the tables, but we're very attentive and replaced empty ones very quickly. We never had to ask for anything and staff came by and checked on us on a regular basis. Pricing for the items are reasonable. The restaurant is small and sometimes there's a wait for a table usually on the weekends. There is ample parking around the restaurant. To be honest, the only thing that I didn't like was the food. That is only a personal preference and is nothing against the food they serve or quality of the ingredients. I tried four different entrées and nothing clicked for me. That's not to say I would not come back because my family loves this place. I will just usually stick to the chicken katsu which they do very well.

A beautiful restaurant with light wood features and circular ceiling lamp lighting. The staff are nice but seem busy. One staff member did take the time to chat with me a bit as I paid for the bill. Aburasoba ramen is the popular dish here, a soupless ramen from Nagoya, Japan. It was flavorful and allowed for many modifications. There is chili oil, vinegar, sesame seeds, fried onions and chili crisp available at every table. Water is served in small jugs with metal cups - very Korean. Chopsticks are available in a small metal box. Food Offering I only ordered the homers aburasoba with a half ajitama (soft boiled egg). It was super delicious and flavorful. The ramen noodles were just the right amount of cooked where they still had a nice chew. Plenty of green onions. There was some dried seaweed, flavorful minced pork, and bamboo shoots. Overall, it is a lighter meal than regular ramen, but still very filling.

For a Michelin recognized restaurant I expected better but the food was still good. I ordered the Roast Beef Aburasoba. The Roast Beef one was very creamy thanks to the yogurt. The beef was good in terms of texture but flavorless. The dish was very heavy and reminded me more of pasta rather than ramen. The portion size was big and I couldn't finish it. Service was great and the restaurant was clean and modern.

Service: 5/5 - came here with 25 and got sat down on the patio. Service was as good as if we were sat inside. Fast, attentive and responsive. Jesus was amazing at comms for setting up a lunch this size. Ambiance: outdoor seating was actually for a late June lunch. Sunny, breezy but shaded Food: always good. Even with a large group, food came out fresh and fast. Didn't need to pre order and they made lunch for us on the spot!

A Japanese chain renowned for its abura soba/ brothless ramen I had the Homura Aburasoba, which came with spicy minced pork, green onions, bamboo shoots, seaweed, fish powder, chives, and a raw egg yolk on top. Yummy, not too spicy, and surprisingly not oily. Also tried the Original Aburasoba. It has 2 chashu, bamboo shoots, green onions, and seaweed. Initially, it felt a bit bland, but it tasted better after adding some of Kajiken's house-made spicy sauce, garlic

I really enjoyed the tonkatsu ramen. It was flavorful and honestly one of the best I've had in a while. The Homura Abura soba was good, but the ramen definitely stood out more. The chicken karaage was tasty, just nothing too special. Prices are solid for the service and quality, and overall I had a great dinner. Can't wait to come back!

My sister just moved to the area and told us about this place. The place is a bit small, so it couldn't fit us 5 right away. We waited outside where there are seats, but it was a windy day...no thanks! The experience was great! The waitress' could've been more attentive and acknowledging. We ordered a few items, but they forgot. Not that big of a deal, but when you ordered extra mushrooms to go with your noodles you kind of want it together...not after half way done with the noods. On the other hand, the flavors were good (I ordered #1) and I love that they have a mini condiment buffet on the table - Condiments choices - vinegar, chili oil, chili, sesame, and garlic pieces. Poached egg is the way to go. It binds everything together so well! Loved it! The rest of the family didn't enjoyed as much as I did, but it's all about me! Will definitely come back!

Wow! One of the best quality ramen shops I've been to! Not your typical ramen shop since this place is known for their soup-less ramens. Fairly small menu but they have something to accommodate every dietary restrictions! They even rolled out ramen with soup for those that love a good broth and an unagi ramen bowl! I got the #2 ramen with minced pork and pork belly! Not spicy at all and super flavorful! I cannot express how chewy the noodles are! Cooked to perfection and seems like made in-house! I also opted for the ajitama egg vs fully raw egg yolk. The bowls may look small but it was very filling! I will definitely be coming back! Good food, plenty of parking, and friendly staff!

The restaurant space is small, but we came around 8pm, and there wasn't a lot of people, so we got seated quickly! We got the Homura Aburasoba, Spicy Tonkotsu, and Original Karaage. Homura Aburasoba - the noodles were chewy and tender and overall flavor was perfect as it was not too overly salty or lacked flavors. This dish is very fulfilling, and can be a heavy dish, so I would recommend coming for their noodles when you're down for a heavy dish. Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen - the broth was good, although it did came off as very "milky" to me instead of "creamy." Overall, this was a decent dish, but I probably would not order their ramen and stick to their speciality dishes. Original Karaage - as the menu mentioned, the chicken karaage is not crispy, but is tender, which I did enjoy. However, the chicken karaage lacked flavors and tasted plain as well as their sauce. Overall, I did enjoy the aburasoba, and would come back to try the other noodles.

Soupless ramen isn't as bad as it sounds. There's no soup, but it's not dry either. Instead, they replace the soup with a sauce that adds a depth of flavor. My go-to order is the roast beef aburasoba. The yogurt sauce just adds a creamy texture that can't be found in other dishes. The service is on point and everyone is attentive.

Kajiken is the new hot Ramen place to go in Elk Grove. I've been here several times now and the lines have not died down during peak times. The line does go fast so don't be discouraged. The outdoor patio seating helps speed up the wait. The servers are aware of the line and they process the group requests efficiently. The place is clean and the music is upbeat. The servers are polite and explain the menu well. My go to is the Original Aburasoba - two chashu, bamboo shoots, green onions, seaweed plus I requested a side of seasoned egg (ajitama). I found the dish fulfilling with many complimentary flavors. The chashu (pork belly) was not too fatty - which is good. I can't wait to try their upcoming expanded menu, they said it's coming soon.

What a different and amazing experience. Had the No. 1 was so tasty and full of all flavors in your mouth. First time having no broth ramen. The appetizers karaage and octopus were delish! The soba bowl was a huge serving, of course had leftovers for home. Small place with indoor and outdoor seating. Service was great and they're attentive.

In a span of a week, I have eaten here 3 times. This is a place where they give you noodles with sauce with other dry ingredients for you to mix. It can be accompanied by vinegar, chili oil, sesame seeds, fried onions, and chili. I really enjoy mixing my bowl and putting in all the vinegar and chili oil to my hearts desire. The mixture of the sauce with the noodles is savory perfection. This is essentially the base of the dishes and varies in dry ingredients. I had mine with raw egg yolk. When I ate in, I ordered the Roast Beef Aburasoba and thought it was perfect. I think what is missing with the dish is a crunchy element. So I think adding menma, or bamboo shoots, completes the dish texture. I inhaled it. When I got take out, I ordered the Homura Aburasoba. This one was also very good but essentially you were eating everything together since the meat was minced compared to eating slices of roast beef with noodles. So the experience was a bit different. I still inhaled with one. I also think it is best if you eat at the restaurant where it's hot and ready to stir than taking it out. If you do end up taking it out, the noodles will be harder to mix with the sauce and the container it comes with does not give you enough space. Unfortunately you *probably* have to pay for the vinegar, chili oil, sesame seeds, and fried onion (Disclaimer: I ordered on computer via Toast and that is what was presented) for to go- so again, it's BEST eaten right away. Overall, I love this place for dry noodles.

Food 4.3 Customer service 4.1 Daughter is home from college so I get a chance to spend a little quality time before she decides to go on her summer adventures! While at the Ridge (Costco) strip mall, and I let my foodie know there's a place that might be "Michelin rated", she said LET'S GO! She grabs her phone and corrects me: dad it's "Michelin recommended", but she still agrees that we should try it. Upon entering, we were greeted and said to sit wherever we like. The server provided menus and gave us a few minutes to look it over. After a few minutes he comes back and takes our order: Takoyaki (octopus), Original Arubasoba (daughter) and TanTan Arubasoba (for me). The Takoyaki comes out of the kitchen fairly quickly, followed by our Arubasobas. The server had to ask who had which bowl, which I find sad when an establishment is "Michelin Recommended". When a server takes an order and also delivers the food; he/she should know (or note) who ordered which meal and where it should be placed on the table (restaurant 101). As for the food: my daughter and I enjoyed the noodles in both the Original & TanTan. The noodles had a nice firm chewy bite, but I found that there was too much chili oil/paste at the bottom of the bowl for my taste ; once you mix everything you lose the taste of food due to the chili oil. Don't get me wrong, I can handle spicy but still want to be able to taste the intended ingredients. My daughter's food quietly disappeared but she did add chili oil to her bowl towards the end of her meal but agreed that there was too much chili oil in my bowl (after I mixed the food). Oh, the Takoyaki was light and flavorful but the octopus pieces were too small or missing to taste it in two or more pieces in our order (I ate 4 of the 6 pieces) Overall, is this a nice place to have a meal = absolutely! But if advertising the establishment as Michelin Recommended a few things need to change...

I came here on a weekday dinner around 5pm, so there was no line. Easy in, easy out. This is my first time having soupless ramen. I love ramen with soup, so I was very excited to try this. I wasn't sure what to expect either. For the dishes, we ordered ordered roast beef (top 3) and nikumori (top 2). The food came out within 10 minutes. So service was definitely quick, and the food was very fresh and hot. The inside is pretty small, it's definitely a busy parking lot but still lots of parking. It is well lit interior, very bright. Well light interior, bright. Lots of smaller tablets. Larger parties may be more difficult, but I am imagine it may be doable? As for the dishes, the roast beef was surprisingly delicious. It is sweet and saucy. I like the yogurt and chaplain sauce. I was hesitant about it but it works well together. I really enjoyed the ground meat that came with it. The raw egg in the dish works really well together in my opinion. Nikumori has a slight kick. I do enjoy the creaminess and sauciness on the noodles. The pork was also delicious and soft.

Walking to the curbside line outside there is a menu posted so you can decide what you want to eat once you get seated. Walking in, you are welcomed by the usual Japanese saying you hear at other establishments. So getting acquainted with the menu; this is NOT ramen. My daughter forewarned me so I knew walking in that this is not a ramen bar. Aburasoba noodles are thicker than your typical zaru soba noodles. They taste like a wheat based noodle, somewhat similar to a ramen style noodle, yet thicker like a spaghetti noodle, but not a spaghetti noodle either. There is a sauce at the bottom of the bowl for which you want to mix your noodles in for a good 20 seconds to coat your noodles. You can ask for your egg raw, seasoned soft boiled (ajitama), or poached. If you order the original, you can add on an egg ($2.50). For any of the dishes it is perfectly fine to ask for less onion. Mine had chives and green onion. The hot tea was good too. I really appreciated the ambiance! Japanese music playing in the background, no distracting TV playing, just conversations happening around. Long tables and bar seating throughout the restaurant. I have to say I will be back. FYI: they will be starting broth options around in April 2025. Stay Tuned!

Great place to try noodles when you're not feeling soupy noodles. The menu is straight-forward and has some fun options. We got the karrage which was great. Very juicy and tender. We tried two different types of noodle dishes and both were great. The ingredients seem like great quality and I like that each table has an assortment of things you can add to your dish. The restaurant is small but clean and the service was really fast. I would definitely come back if I'm in the area.

Finally went and it was pretty good. I believe you have to go a couple times to try the different options to give a full review. I got the original with no spice and it was pretty good. The service was great, provided recommendations. The place is modern but small. My niece had soup ramen and I think the noodle of the dry would have been better than the noodle it comes with.

It was my first time trying this spot, and my server was extremely helpful in providing recommendations on the menu. I normally don't eat spicy and decided to just give it a try anyways. I loved the dish I ordered, as it had just the right amount of spice. I can't remember the exact name as I am writing this review, but I believe it was like popular item #2. My son was not in the mood for noodles but he was able to get an order of the Unagi over rice. They had plenty of seating inside and outdoor as well. Loved the decor of the place and you have the wall menus behind the counter as well. We enjoyed our lunch and defintely would love to come back again.

Went again last week and tried their new menu! Got the unagi noodles and that was good. I still like the original menu spicy noodles more but I think I will still try the other new items next time. BTW if you are into labubu you have to check out their collection behind the counter!

The portion size is a bit small in my opinion, but the chewy noodles, flavorful sauces, and generous toppings combined to make the best aburasoba. The food always comes out fresh and piping hot, which I love. This will be the only place I will ever get a soupless ramen. The restaurant fills up quickly during prime lunch or dinner time, but the food comes out so quick that the wait usually doesn't take too long. If anything it's the difficulty in making a decision among all the delicious dish and the small dining space that forms the wait. Whether the weather is hot or cold, any item at Kajiken always hit the spot.

This place is so good. I would recommend going right when they're open because this place has been open for a while and I always busy! Their service is amazing though! When I went it was pretty mellow but when it gets busy it could get a little loud as the restaurant is very small. The food is a bit heavier despite it being dried noodles. I think it's the yolk creaminess and tender meat along with the noodles making this meal feel super heavy.

The shop is on the smaller side so wait times can be long. They did seem to have outside seating too though. I got the original ramen. It was ok. The noodles are on the chewier side. It is a lot saltier than normal ramen since there is no soup. And the noodles got cold really quick because of it too. Good to try once but don't think the portion/cost is worth it for me.

My mother & I were craving ramen and we happened to stumble upon Kajiken after doing a quick search on local ramen spots in the Elk Grove area. They open at 5'o clock for dinner & we arrived early to avoid standing in line on the advice of other Yelpers. I highly recommend arriving at least 15-30 mins before they open so you can ensure to get in quickly as the place was completely full by 5:20! The restaurant is clean & cozy. The friendly server provided us with helpful recommendations after we shared that this was our first time visiting. For an appetizer, we ordered the Original Karaage. The chicken was tender, crispy, & perfectly seasoned and served with wasabi mayo dipping sauce. I ordered the Original Aburasoba & my mother ordered the Mushroom Aburasoba. While broth- less, the noodles were tender & still full of flavor. The noodles had the perfect amount of sauce. The toppings were fresh & plentiful. The food was served with an excellent green tea that was complimentary. We will definitely be returning to try some of the other food items.

The flavor of the original aburasoba is so delicious. The chasu slices just melt in your mouth, and I always add in dry garlic to my bowl for extra flavor. The servers are quick, they try to get you seated as fast as they can; given that this restaurant is pretty small, with some outside seating.

Been here a few times and the food has always been rich and delicious. Dry ramen with a very limited menu. Ordered the roast beef aburasoba this time around and it was great! Everything mixed together made it really creamy and amazing to eat. It is a really heavy meal but is really tasty. Really small inside so a bit difficult to host larger parties. Would recommend this unique place though!

Food *Price is up there but so is the quality of the food, so in my opinion worth it (if I feel like treating myself). Filling portions as well, I walked away very satisfied. I got the roast beef aburasoba which was rich and creamy once mixed, great balance of salty & umami flavors. Also tried the hiyayakko cold tofu which was simple but refreshing (sauce was sweet & very mildly spicy with a good sour/acidic tang). Service *Great service. Came in just a bit after 5pm (evening opening), and server was immediately ready, friendly, and attentive. Ambiance *Medium sized, decently spaced, very clean. Nice Japanese-style aesthetics (we really like the ceiling lanterns). Comfortably bright lighting allowing for a pleasant, light ambiance.

I had a lunch date with my son here recently and did enjoy my noodles. We shared the yuzu chicken karaage which was crunchy with lots of chicken. My son had the original aburasoba which was okay- he prefers the regular soupy ramen. I had the wagyu roast beef with the raw egg yolk. The texture of the egg with the creamy yogurt sauce coated the noodles beautifully and gave it a rich savory taste. The meat itself was thin and tough so did not care for it at all.