Kodaiko Ramen & Bar

Amazing food and great service! I can only recommend. I absolutely love this place! We got the Brussels sprouts that are SO good, the crudo, and the vegan ramen…I recommend all of it. Thank you Ashley for your recommendation and your service !

Always love coming to this cute little bustling place. Menu is simple and pleasing and they always have a full house especially on weekend night. I got the karaage and special chef challenge vegan menu item that was a gypsy pepper that was beyond incredible and was shocked about how good and addictive it tasted. Hope to see it on the menu again in the future.

Instant ramen with instant seaweed. Too salty. Hurt my throat. The chicken chashu was entirely white and not marinated. It was no chashu at all. Donburi was even saltier than ramen. Food was prepared and served too slowly. Waited a good half an hour after we ordered. It was only instant ramen, how did it take the kitchen 30 mins to prep? Very noisy. Had to talk really hard. Hurt my throat. I do not recommend and I will not come back.

Fantastic, unique, and truly perfect experience in downtown Sac! If you want a great downtown experience for cocktails, cuisine, and all-around vibe, don't miss going here.

I was here with coworker for lunch. We ordered miso chicken donburi and my coworker also ordered sandwiches. I like the chicken donburi that the rice is flavored and the deep fried onions on top gives a crispy texture of food. The chicken of okay but the running egg is a plus to the food.

Food: The food here is very tasty and has a great punch of flavor. The quality is great and cooked as it should be. I got the Tonkatsu and it did not disappoint. The beef meat and flavor was the best I've had. It had a nice crisp and was well seasoned. The brother however, was a big salty to my liking and for the others I was with. Service: The service was great. We were greeted the moment we arrived and asked if we'd like to be seated. We were constantly getting refills and asked if anything else was needed. Atmosphere: Upon entering in, there is artwork along the walls as you make your way downstairs. It is more of a darker area but as you enter the actual restaurant, it is a bit brighter (which I prefer). If was very clean and looked like it got a recent facelift. If was perfect vibes for an authentic ramen restaurant. I'd definitely come back again.

Atmosphere was great at this location and the food was delicious. I will only be taking food to-go from here moving forward. Tonkatsu ramen and the spicy kimchi sando were very tasty. The only issue I had was when a waiter made a face when I asked for my change back. I like to tip my waiter personally and another lady that was not my waiter (she was wearing regular clothes while everyone else was in all black) took my payment so I asked for my change to be returned. In doing so I was met with what seemed like disgust. The vibes definitely changed and I can see both ladies (the other lady and my waiter) from the ramen bar talking about it and making faces. The vibes felt off when she came back with my change. I still ended up tipping my waiter because the service up until then was great. I had my son hand it to her personally when she was done attending another table on our way out. Again, food was great. I would go back just to take food to-go from now on.

The ramen here is fantastic. The tonkutsu and the shoyu are really good, and although the portions are not magnificent- it's decent. The karaage- friend chicken appetizer is really good- goes quite well with the mayo sauce. The shoyu was excellent- the ramen noodles perfect and the egg was really good. Inside, there is plenty of seating. It's overall pretty quiet although it does get a little warm inside and it's goes for more a dark/ambient feel. They would show International soccer (EPL/La Liga) events on the big screen so that's nice if you like sports and want to catch something around lunch time.

This is not an easy to find place if you don't know what you are looking for. We were in the neighborhood and almost didn't see it. It has a tiny sign above the door and a flip board on the ground by the door. After reading many reviews I knew what to expect. A long wait and slow service. Our experience was just like many others. We arrived on Sunday around 1pm. We were greeted at the end of the stairs and were asked if we were on the wait list. We said no and were asked if we would like to be put on the wait list. We agreed and were told it will be around a 30 minute wait. It was a 30 minute wait. You can watch your name move up on the list through there app. That helped pass the time. My husband went to the bar and got a beer to pass his time. He scrolled on his phone while he waited. After we came to the top of the list we were seated. We then waited around 15-20 minutes before we were given water and met our wait staff. We had plenty of time to review the menu as we waited. I asked what was recommended and our waitress went over some of the top dishes. We ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen and the Kodaiko Chicken Salad. The Ramen had a creamy broth. The pork belly was delicious. The egg was soft boiled and cut in half. I took the yolk out and mixed it in the broth. The Ramen came hot, but not mouth burning hot. It was perfect eating tempeture . I wish it came out a little hotter for my husband. He likes his soup hot. We also got the Kodaiko Chicken Salad. It was huge, it was more then enough to share with another person. It's too much cabbage for one person to eat. It was very tasty and filing. The mandarins oranges was a nice touch. It wasn't till we were about to leave that tables were open. It was packed the entire time we were there. The wait staff was really hustling to turn over the tables fast. There is only around 13 tables, so it's really small. There are 2 bars you can sit at too. I was told that in the summer it's not at busy. I would return, just not when I'm hungry. I learned that you can go on their website and put your name on the waitlist. So if you know you want to eat here I suggest you put your name in ahead of time and just show up when you're at the top of the list.

This might not be the best Japanese food in Sac, but this is now my favorite restaurant in Sac. The ambience is second to none. They really nailed the Tokyo aesthetic with the entrance. Very special and eye-catching. The food is on the slightly pricey side for me, but it was tasty. The cocktails were awesome. Best chicken katsu sandwich I've ever had in my life and I've been to Japan multiple times. The staff are excellent. This is a wonderful place for a small group, a birthday, and definitely dates. If you don't take your date here, you are a horrible person.

It's under, freaking, ground! There, got that out of the way. We got there 19 minutes before their 1130 opening and there were already 6 parties ahead of us. By the time they opened and ushered us in, we were 11 parties strong. As you descend into their art-laden basement, you'll find PLENTY of seating. The customer service was good and our orders were taken right away. It seemed stuffy in there, like the ventilation wasn't great. The food took quite long to get to us. 33 minutes later, we were able to eat. I loved the chicken karaage. On its own, the lemon salt was amazing. With their dip, it was a different amazing. My other 3 family members felt the lemon was too strong. My littlest ordered off of the kids CHISAI CHICKEN DONBURI. It was marinated chicken, sweet soy glaze, onion, cabbage, sesame. We loved it. There were mushrooms that were not stated on the menu, but that's fine, because they tossed it into my ramen. Speaking of ramen, I ordered their #1 dish, the Tonkotsu. My son put this ramen up with his other favorite place in Japantown (which is closed now, so Kodaiko wins by default.) Everybody was digging in. Lots of yum to go around. I do feel it's important to share my after action report: This place hurt our collective stomachs. Sure we had a fun time exploring after leaving here, but it all hit us like a cement truck. We were not okay. Food poisoning? Bad oils? Who knows, but this was the one thing we all had together. So a great time and great food hampered by a painful follow up experience for the whole family. 3.95.

Kodaiko has been on my list of places to eat for a long time now!! Finally got to try it for dine downtown if you don't know what that is it's a set menu for $45. 3 courses! The entrance to kodaiko is beautiful it feels like you are in another country! The 3 course meal was a rice starter app, some veggies and then the star of the show was the miso ramen! The ramen was really good! The sauce and the pieces of meat in it were my favorite! My gf and I both got diet cokes. They come in the can! The service was nothing special and honestly the server was nice but she definitely acted like she did not want to be there! She seemed very irritated! Overall- I think this is a really cute spot! Was it the best ramen I've ever had?! No!!! But I love how it's close to the arena and how they support the kings! It's also like eating in a well decorated basement! I would for sure come back! Maybe next time I'll have better service!

Second time here and did not disappoint! Must join waitlist via website as this place is always hopping! The entrance is cool which makes you feel like you're now in Japan! We tried more dishes since our last visit and All were amaZING! Especially loved the Nori fries, best fries I ever had! Hiyakko tofu dish prepared with palette perking citrus flavors.. omg I could eat this daily! And that Corn Chowder Mazamen was a blend of a chowder with pork belly and shrimp in a chowder over Japanese noodles.. wow the description does not do it justice! Chix Katsu with egg salad sando was such a perfect blend of textures and flavors.. YUM!!! Great service at the Bar who provided personal faves and helpful opinions on all of these selections! Bar was well equipped to suit your cocktail mood!! Definitely a fave spot when in Sac!!

The vibe in this restaurant is super cool! Upon entrance, you will have to walk down a flight of stairs to reach a well-lit underground setting. I'm not sure if they have a lift or elevator to reach the restaurant interior. As we came during dine downtown, I just decided to go with the three course meal to try what the restaurant had to offer. The meshi was really refreshing, the yakimono was a bit gamey (due to it being lamb) but it was well seasoned and paired with a good sauce. The butter slice in the miso ramen made the broth much richer; I was super full after this meal. I like the food, but I think each dish was just a bit short off of other Japanese foods I've had of the same variety (at the same price point). Also, we ended up waiting 40 minutes for our orders to arrive. I understand that the kitchen was probably busy due to the dine downtown event, but we had seen other parties enter and leave before us due to how long it took. Nevertheless, our servers were nice and checked in on us occasionally.

Cute spot! We enjoyed their ramen and huge katsu sandwich. Great service and food is generously portioned.

I've been searching for a good ramen bowl and Kodaiko has easily the best ramen in Sacramento. The Tonkotsu had a rich, creamy broth packed with deep umami flavor, perfectly chewy noodles, and melt-in-your-mouth chashu pork. I've had many delicious ramen bowls in LA and Japan and this place was on par. I will definitely be back! Thank you, Kodaiko!

Came here on a friday night, and I understand they're busy but it took us an extra 45 min of waiting after they had told us our table would be ready in 20 minutes after we joined the waitlist when we were 50 minutes away. (about 2 hrs of waiting in total) On top of this, there were many tables that were already empty when we arrived. Additionally, after we got seated we had to wait around another 10 minutes before water was brought to our tables and our order was taken. The host and restaurant staff were not very friendly and seemed to have an attitude everytime we asked something. In regards to the ramen, was also just average and my whole group found the broth pretty salty. We all go the tonkotsu ramen, and agreed it was not worth the amount of time we waited. Would not come back.

Overall 3.5/5 Our party of 7 came in on a Saturday afternoon after ice skating for a late lunch and we didn't have to wait too long before our table was ready. This was my third time here and my experience has been hit or miss each time. This time was generally positive! We ordered the Karage bucket (5/5) to share, which was my favorite for the meal. The chicken was hot juicy and crunchy - the yuzu tajin mayo it comes with complements perfectly! For my main I ordered the Corn Chowder Mazemen (3.5/5) which was such an interesting dish! I've never tasted anything like it - it was super smoky and savory from the roasted corn and pork belly - I would say the flavor is something to get used to and I would only recommend it if you are more adventurous to new flavor combos. I also tried the Mushroom Peitan Ramen (4/5) which was light savory and creamy. I think this would be easier to finish than the mazemen. I can see why it is popular! The only draw back to this experience was the wait time - I understand our party was large but we waited almost 45 min before we received our entrees and it seemed like the dining room was more empty at that point.

If you're looking for a bar with ramen and good exercise, Kodaiko is the one for you. You walk down a flight of stairs before your meal and another after your meal so you can those steps in. Service was very quick despite being super full when we went and they're very friendly as well. The restaurant is a bit loud so I had to shout to talk to my group but it's a very bustling place for a meal. I got the Nikujaga Mazemen, which is dry ramen. It has a very strong Smokey scent to it and lots of shrimp to balance out the crispy toppings. I really like the flavor but I think the smell might be too Smokey for my liking so I'll go with my usual next time. We also order fries that came with a drizzle of sauce and Furikake. I wish the sauce was a bit more even since once you go through the top layer, there's not as much sauce anymore. But the fries were so crispy and well seasoned that I really don't have a complaint. They taste amazing with and without the sauce.

It's been a while since I've been to Kodaiko, and this past visit reaffirmed why. I came for lunch on a weekday, and the descent down to the restaurant is quite cool! It feels like you're in an Asian subway station, and the restaurant is ADA accessible, equipped with an elevator for those who can't climb stairs. The vibes here are fun and truly transport you to another place! Once we arrived, we were greeted by a friendly bartender. Service was fast, and we were taken care of. After a few minutes with the menu, my partner and I both decided on ramen. He ordered the Tonkotsu and I ordered the Citrus Shio. Our server asked if we wanted either chili oil or paste. My partner requested chili oil, and I found out afterwards on our bill that it's a dollar up charge. This seems like a condiment that should be offered on the table rather than tacked on as an additional cost. We both ended up needing the chili oil from how lackluster the broth was. The ramen isn't traditional by any means, but mine tasted more like chicken noodle soup. My partner's Tonkotsu was more flavorful, but still left a lot to be desired. Fortunately, I could pay the tab via QR and didn't need to wait to close out.

They have tables available but they want to hold them for potential customers and not the ones standing in front of them. Just a horrible policy for customer service. Party of 2 is not allowed to sit at a table of 4. Enjoy your maybe clients

First time stopping by Kodaiko by chance and the food was really good! The ramen was very rich and creamy. Some of the best vegetarian ramen I have ever had. The nori fries were well seasoned and were served with a really tasty house made ranch. The service was great as well. The employees were nice and informative. The entrance to the restaurant was really cool too.

In search for a new and delicious spot to eat for lunch we agreed on Kodaiko. They had a variety of menu options sure to please each of us in our group, from someone who is only vegetarian to another opened to anything. The restaurant felt like I was actually being transported to Japan as we entered. You walk downstairs to either grab a seat at their bar or wait to be seated in their dining area. It was lunch rush but we didn't wait long to get seated for 4. I ordered the Citrus Shio to try something different. I've never had a chicken broth based ramen nor with chicken as my protein. The citrus broth itself sounded light and refreshing preventing me from feeling sluggish heading back to work. This was alright, seemed a little one note - lacking a depth in flavor that I'm used to with a pork broth from our favorite ramen spot. They have a lot of other food options for me to try so I'd like to make another visit here to try those out!

Came on a Thursday night with some friends and it was a bit busy. We waited 20-30min for table, but it was nice they had a seating area and cool Power Rangers decor to look at. No complaints about the service and the food was good! We didn't wait that long for four people. One of my friends recommended Kodaiko and has been there four times, she loved the miso chicken donburi. I got the chicken katsu, nori fries, and the lychee keen cocktail. Everything tasted good and I would definitely go again.

Coolest entrance. Fast service. Good food. We went here before a Kings game. Good thing we went early because this place gets busy.

First time eating ramen in a basement. Yeah, it was pretty awesome. Dishes were fantastic and the service was up there as well! Dig the vibe of this place.

Came with the family on a weekday evening, and the vibrant vibes were apparent as soon as you walk in. I was surprised by how packed the place was, and we ended up sitting at the bar. Don't come here if you're hungry though--the food took over half an hour to arrive after we ordered. Overall, a decent meal that leaves much to be desired. The tonkotsu ramen was too salty, and I'm not sure what I was eating for the miso chicken donburi. The chicken katsu sando and shrimp toast wasn't too bad--who doesn't like crispy fried food? Perhaps I'm too used to more traditional Japanese dishes, and these takes on the dishes surely hit differently.

Long wait but the food was delicious!! Will repeat. Only 4 starts because of the long wait.

First time in! Party of 10 for Monday lunch. Recommend parking at DOCO East Garage, I forgot if they validate though. Shared some apps such as the cabbage-wakame slaw, nori fries, cold tofu hiyayakko, pickle plate. A few folks tried the nonalcoholic lychee lemonade as well. Most people got ramen or Tsukemen, although at my end of the table I was able to snap a photo of one's Chicken Katsu Sando, Kimchi & Blue Crab Ice Cube Ramen. Mine was the Mushroom Paitan. This was creamy (cashew based), and the pork belly chashu and ajitama egg were great. Interior had a cool underground vibe, and service was good.

The ramen was meh. I got the Mushroom Paitan and it was served to me lukewarm. The broth was lacking a lot of flavor, even with the extra garlic paste I added. I feel like this place is mostly hype because of the decor. Not to mention after waiting an hour for our table, we had to wait an additional 10 min when we were alerted our table was ready. So that was weird. Our waitress was very nice and helpful but I wouldn't come back.

oh my gosh, this will always be a 5/5 stars for us. the perfect food for a cold and rainy day, or any day you just need a hearty meal. the flavor of everything is absolutely fantastic -- we've never had a bad thing here. the noodles taste so fresh, the broth is what taste buds dream of. the chicken katsu comes with a chili carmel.. not only is the katsu cooked perfect with the panko, i think about that chili carmel to this day. *insert drool emoji*. you might have to wait a bit, but it's worth the wait. great fun seasonal and rotating cocktails. we love their fry specials too (their animal style fries are *chefs kiss*). service is great, and the inside is so fun inside. 10/5 recommend!

Food was good! Wasn't hungry at first but finished my Chicken Katsu meal and Nori Fries! My friends loved the ramen! The cocktails were also pretty good as well as the service. The Megazord cocktail was different from what I usually get but it was soooo good. As you can see in the pic I couldn't wait to drink it before taking the pic. It was kind of bold yet super smooth and tasty but a little pricey. It had a cool look to the place also. Just a little loud with the bustling, music, and customers talking. Waitress was helpful and gave good recommendations for food & drinks!

One of my favorite restaurants in Sacramento! I often crave this place. It's so cool, you have to walk downstairs from K street and the vibe is warm and cozy. The food is even cozier. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen, which is so flavorful and rich. The chicken karaage is crispy and the yuzu dipping sauce is so bomb. We also tried their Mighty Morphin Power Rangers cocktail which was so fun and tasty. Our server was funny and kind. He did need to take my card as collateral because apparently people are stealing the mugs; don't steal from our local restaurants people! Nevertheless, I love this place! Looking forward to my next visit.

This ramen spot is in the heart of downtown and right next to the arena! The entrance made me feel like I was in downtown Tokyo and the restaurant setting matched the vibes of a ramen house in Japan. We were only a party of 2 but it took a very long time for us to be seated despite us seeing many open tables. Our waitress was very nice but the food also took a long time to come out after ordering. Our food was okay and I love definitely had superior ramen in other spots in town. This is a great late night spot to come to for the vibes!

My colleagues decided to have lunch here after a long day of traveling... and I'm delighted I came. First, if you're an anime fan, well they have walks with anime's that you may know, *ahem- nine-tailed-fox*. The ambiance is super cute, you walk in the doors and head downstairs past all the flags, then there a cute bar on the left and past that at sitting areas. This is very underground, chill, relax spot. Second, wait to be seated. Be patient. When seated, look over the menu carefully and try not to order everything. My colleagues and I ordered the fries, brussels sprouts, shrimp toast, a special sauce, and then the ramens! I had the Mushroom Paitan (forgot to make it vegan), super tasty just needed a bit more seasoning or salt, and zero alcohol- Suntory beer. My colleagues had Ruben Mazemen, Shoyu, Tonkotsu, then Sencha tea, Ramune soda. In total, the meal was superb! We left with extra food which became our departure meal later on. I will be sure to return again as soon as possible.

We have been here twice with friends, and both times the food was delicious, the staff was able to accommodate allergies and diets, and the service was fast. It is worth the drive and the fight for parking. Only thing worth noting though, there are a set of fairly steep stairs to get in to the restaurant, so if you have difficulty with stairs, you may need assistance or check if they have another way to enter.

This place has a nice vibe to it, the service was decent and the food was decent! however, i tried a sip of my friends ramen and got a chunk of clear sharp plastic. We brought it to the waitress's attention and she said "so do you want a new ramen?" ... yes. that should've been a given. Ramen was good however I was just really surprised by the plastic, the lack of urgency to fix it, and they didn't offer a discount or anything towards the plastic ramen lol

This place has been in Sacramento for almost five years and we've never really had the chance to check it out up until this past weekend. It's not too big inside so be prepared to wait for seating if there's any nearby events. Luckily there was bar seating available at a FCFS basis and we were sat down pretty quickly. Service from the staff wasn't bad but it wasn't good either. Maybe solely off the fact that we didn't order any drinks?? Idk We didn't try any of their cocktails solely due to the fact that we didn't feel like it but did get to try one of their appetizers. The Brussels sprouts are actually really good and actually kind of wowed us. It's a good portion too so it's pretty shareable for at least 3 people. I actually had really high hopes for the ramen but didn't feel satisfied to the point where I can say it was the best I've had in Sacramento. I had the Citrus Chio ramen with pork instead of chicken and it was good just not crazy. My wife got the regular tonkotsu and she said it was a little salty which I can agree with. Again, the ramen flavor selections aren't bad but they're not the best either. For the pricing ,we expected the portions to be pretty good size but that wasn't the case either. Kodaiko is a pretty chill spot all around but has its small flaws. I may check this spot out again but probably not anytime soon.

Wow! So glad I finally tried this place. The ambience is intriguing & fun, like walking downstairs into a speakeasy. We got seated quickly at 1pm on a Monday. I ordered the Mushroom Paitan ramen. The broth was so rich & flavorful and definitely tasted the mushrooms. In love with every bite!!! Our waiter was very nice, gave helpful recommendations. Quick service. My coworker got the Tonkotsu ramen, he was also impressed. I will say, its on the pricey side. I ordered my ramen with extra pork belly (comes with just one piece, it's a thick piece but still). I also wish there was a bit more broth. So if I come back and order this ramen with extra pork and extra broth, that's a very expensive lunch so I'll be coming back when I'm ready to indulge, not for a regular lunch. It's the location and the economy, so I get it. At least it's worth it with the quality and flavor. All in all, highly recommended! Fun spot, quality food.

The food was amazing! We ordered the Karaage to start and the chicken was fried to perfection. There was a delightful hint of lemon and salt. The dipping sauce paired nicely as well. I ordered the Tonkotsu and I devoured it. It was so lovely and earthy. The broth and pork belly were the star of the show. My fiancé ordered the shrimp dumpling and miso butter, he enjoyed it very much and love the portion sizes. We will definitely be back!

Stumbled upon this little hidden gem in the DOCO area before going to Tiger next door. Super cute little spot, love the entrance and signage Got a few small bites to share between 4 people and it was perfect. First off all the Godzilla is seriously one of the best drinks I have had in a while. *chef's kiss* (if you like coffee and tequila this is THE drink) The yuzu margarita is also pretty fire. To eat we got: -chicken karaage 10/10 - so good and perfectly cooked -brussel sprouts - also fire and would recommend eating this with the mayo sauce that comes with the chicken karaage - albacore carpaccio - also 10/10 the chili sauce is spicy but well balanced - cabbage & wakame salad - loved the flavors in this and how crunchy the salad is with the cabbage - vegan ramen - good flavor and portion size was right on point - hand rolls - got the spicy albacore and the crab ones - fish was fresh but I personally like my seaweed more crunchy this one was a little soft and squishy The staff was attentive but didn't hover and didn't take our plates away before I could scoop up the sauce :) Would def return when in the area again.

Before I set out to explore more of Sacramento's growing food scene, one of the things that I had high on my list of foods to try was ramen. I had heard good things about a few different places from friends, but the one spot that they all recommended was Kodaiko. And just to be clear - their praise was never followed by "for Sacramento". Rather, they all said it was as good as some of our preferred spots in the Bay Area. Which says something because, when it comes to ramen, a few of them are a whole lot pickier than I am! Between what my friends had to say and how Kodaiko is owned by the same folks as the renowned Kru, I couldn't help but have high hopes, despite trying to keep my expectations modest. It was hard not to get excited even from the look of the place, though (love the Japanese transit signs above the staircase). Downstairs, the space is fairly sleek with a bar area and a room full of tables for groups big or small. Most importantly, the menu is full of interesting offerings, like their starters, katsu and egg salad sandwiches, donburis, and salads. Their wide range of ramen, however, are the most appealing, whether it be their signature Tonkotsu, Mushroom Paitan, Tsukemen, Blue Crab Ice Cube Ramen, or one of their many other options! -- TONKOTSU RAMEN with Pork Belly Chashu, Half Ajitama Egg, Rich Three Day Pork Paitan, Shoyu Tare, Mizuna, Trinity Oil, and Negi...$18 This was...fantastic. The noodles had a nice bite, the egg was good, and the chashu was juicy yet not too fatty. The broth was the star, though - bold, rich, and ridiculously flavorful, thanks in part to their garlicky trinity oil. If the bowl had been larger, I still would've polished off the whole thing! -- MUSHROOM PAITAN RAMEN with Pork Belly Chashu, Half Ajitama Egg, Mushroom Dashi, Cashew Tare, Shimeji Mushroom, Trinity Oil, and Negi...$18 While not as good as their other signature ramen, this was really good. It has most of the same components, but the earthiness of the mushroom broth makes this super interesting. That said, I thought the tonkotsu broth was just a bit tastier (though, I'd happily devour this as well). -- SHRIMP TOAST - Panko Fried, Negi, Kewpie Mayo, Tobiko, and Katsuobushi...$13 I'm not sure if this is their signature side, but between how popular it is and how good it was, it should be! The panko was perfectly crispy and the shrimp had a nice sweetness. The toast had a nice crunch that held up well and I liked how well the mayo, tobiko, and bonito flakes complemented everything. -- CHICKEN KARAAGE - Japanese Fried Chicken Served with Yuzu-Taijin Mayo...$13 Pretty solid, for the most part. The batter was well seasoned and not overly thick and the chicken itself was really moist. However, between the batter and how acidic/tart the mayo was, this had a lot of elements going on. -- TONKOTSU GYOKAI TSUKEMEN with Chicken, Pork Chashu, Half Ajitama Egg, Dipping Noodles Served Cold, Pork and Dried Fish Dipping Broth, Roasted Garlic, Lemon, Trinity Oil, Negi, and Lime Wedge...$20 Not as good as I had hoped, but still pretty decent. Even cold, the noodles were just as good and the chashu was better than I remember. That said, all of the meat made this feel short on noodles and the dipping sauce was very heavy on dashi (I was fine with it, but it was definitely strong). -- JAPANESE CURRY DONBURI with Tofu Katsu, Apple, Carrots, Corn, Tomato, Negi, Chili Oil, Pickled Onion, and Ginger...$16 We didn't plan on getting this, but felt compelled to with how good it made the restaurant smell. Sadly, while the tofu katsu and the veggies were great, the mixture of the curry and the chili oil was almost too assertive, as the two actually made this hard to enjoy on such a hot day (it was 112 outside...). Despite how the dishes we tried during our second visit fell short of what we had the first time, one thing that did stay consistent was the service. Each time we were here, our servers were great - they checked in with us often enough so that we knew we weren't forgotten yet not so often that it felt overbearing. What's more, both of our servers were really friendly and engaging and I appreciated how we've always been seated relatively quickly. Overall, while it definitely sucks that our second visit to try more of the menu underwhelmed, it's ironic how it actually hurt that our first time here was just so amazing. Regardless, I'd gladly come back for another bowl of Kodaiko's Tonkotsu ramen, as well as to try their katsu sandwich (and possibly one of their seasonal ramens)!

A night in Sacramento after coming from the train we were so hungry and hot. Ramen doesn't sound like the right food for this weather but it was nearby to activities we wanted to do so why not. Immediately when entering I noticed how delightful the entrance design was. Feel like you're walking into a Japanese train station. There was also a pretty cool art design on the walls. I like the vibe already. We ordered shrimp toast, crab and kimchi ramen, and the citrus shio ramen. Also an ice sencha. The shrimp toast was good. But I feel like the katsuoboshi was probably skipable. I tried the citrus shio broth it was a nice bright and light broth. My crab and kimchi was really tasty. It's a cold broth noodle so it's perfect for the weather. It seems like a seasonal kind of item so definitely worth a try before it changes from the menu. I like the spoon full of crab, kimchi, cucumber and jalapenos. The noodles are thinner than the other type of ramen , it's al dente so it won't get soggy and have a crisp but not crispy texture that works well w the cold broth. Quick service , great food, a very interesting menu that I'm interested in coming back and trying other types of ramen. Feel like a hidden gem

We went for valentine's day around 8pm, the waitlist was 2+ hours long... since it was valentines we figured the waitlist would be similar anywhere else we went so we decided to wait. I liked their online waitlist because we were able to leave and go to a few bars while watching our place in line. By the time we got seated it was around 10:15, the place closes at 11. I initially asked for their miso butter ramen and they were sold out. they have like 5 ramens on the menu and none other contained miso so I was pretty disappointed. I went for the "Citrus Shio" as recommended by the waiter. I subbed the meat for "seasoned tofu" The broth was soo bland! It was really disappointing. Like hot water with lemon juice. In the ramen the tofu they gave me was an entire block, unseasoned. Like they literally had just taken it out of the package. I had to chop it up myself. I did like the noodles, they were definitely one of the better ramen noodles i've had. the soy boiled egg was pretty good too. but overall the ramen really sucked and I don't think we will come back. There are just so many better ramen places. The service was nice, our waiter was kind and patient even though the place was close to closing. Overall the ramen was 1.5/5 (.5 for the noodles) The experience altogether was super mid. Skip this place for a date night!

I wanted to give this place another chance because I had heard good things about it. I got my chance after being invited. It was good timing, since I literally had arrived from a trip to Japan a couple days ago, giving me a solid reference point on tastes there. I ate so much food there, including ramen. Last time I had been at Kodaiko, I said maybe I should order the ramen since I wasn't enthralled with our order last time. So I did. I ordered tonkatsu, a ramen available across Japan and the world. I had many bowls on this most recent trip to Japan, and when I get back there again, I'll have even more. It's one of my favorite things in the world, and the bowl I had here was just ok. It didn't have the same complexity as the bowls I had earlier in the week in Japan. It was mid, just aight. Like last time, service was stretched thin. They didn't have enough people working to meet the demand, so it's not the workers' fault. They tried but they were so busy. If you go here, I'd definitely recommend budgeting more time than you think you'd need (important if you have an event at G1C or the general downtown area). The staff took a while to seat people, even with open tables. They walked past people waiting to be seated, nor acknowledging them until they passed a third time I saw. It was also interesting that there were people passing out flyers outside the business telling prospective customers of the health violations that had taken place previous here.

Perks of working in downtown Sacramento is trying all the food spots around DOCO! I have passed by Kodaiko so many times but finally gave it a try! I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen which came with pork belly chashu and also tried the Nori Fries. The Tonkotsu was delicious! Everything was very flavorful! The piece of pork was a huge chunk, so I did wish it was easier to eat. The Nori Fries definitely surprised me! The nori ranch was the perfect dip for the fries which were lightly seasoned with nori as well. The ambiance of Kodaiko is so nice as well! When you enter, you go down these stairs which makes it feel like a very intimate spot. For anyone looking for a ramen spot and maybe catching an event at Golden 1, I would recommend Kodaiko.

I adore Kodaiko! It's nothing like you'd expect, and yet it's just what you'd expect. Located on the K street mall in downtown, where the food is good, and the parking isn't. Diner's Tip: make reservations! They aren't always needed, but this is a smaller sized restaurant, and if there are more than two people dining at any given time, and even then, reservations, absolutely help. The restaurant gives off New York vibes, which is kind of cool. When you enter the restaurant you immediately walk downstairs to the restaurant. The current seating hostess isn't always the friendliest, so just ignore her and get to the good stuff. Once seated, I've consistently found the service to be pretty decent. Menus, water, etc. are usually immediately brought to the table. As for the menu... I love almost everything that they have, and it definitely is worth going back to try the menu items. You must order the karaage! It is so damn good! It's everything you want fried chicken to taste like, and then, some. I have ordered this as a shareable for the table, and I've also ordered it as just my meal. Perfectly seasoned pieces of chicken that will leave you wanting more. The chicken is well, seasoned, moist and tender. I love that it makes really good leftovers as well. The dipping sauce that is served with the chicken is citrusy, fresh, and the perfect accompaniment for the chicken. The fries are a must also. Nori fries are a bite of heaven. Lightly crispy and super tasty. The ramen ... just yum! I've tried several of their different Ramen, bowls, and each time they've been outstanding. The broth has a wonderful flavor, and makes me feel amazing every time I have it. My only gripe about the Ramen is that there are several different charges, and some of them I understand, and some of them hit me on the ridiculous side. For example, I don't think there should be an up charge for adding garlic or extra vegetables. But that's just me. I would highly recommend getting the onsen egg. I love a really good yoky egg. The Ramen bowls are generally a pretty good serving, and I rarely am able to get through a quarter of my Ramen. For me, it doesn't make the best leftovers, unless it's eaten within a short time afterwards. It's always a great meal, great experience, and it's a fun place to go for date night, with friends or family, and if you're not feeling the vibes with any of your peeps, they do have a bar area that tons of people enjoy sitting at, ordering a drink, or just ordering food and sitting there and enjoying it. This is definitely a must try restaurant!

My family & I had dinner here a few weeks ago. My daughter & I were so excited to try this place based on videos from Instagram. The atmosphere is fun, but the service was a little underwhelming & while I enjoyed my mushroom paitan ramen, my daughter & husband were not too impressed with her tonkatsu ramen. We also tried the spicy albacore handroll which was just ok. However they did have my favorite Ginger Elizabeth ice cream sandwich!! Final thoughts, food was overall enjoyed (I enjoyed a new flavor to me with the mushroom ramen) however it was very pricey for portion size.

Went here for a little late evening dinner. It was a cold evening and both me and my wife were craving some ramen and warm broth. We started off with the pickled plate which contained pickled cauliflower, mushrooms and kimchi- it was extremely good! Then we had the Karaage(Japanese fried chicken) this was hella good and had a nice zest/lemon dust on them that really made these stand out 10/10 fried chicken. My wife ordered Citrus Shio ramen, and I ordered the tonkotsu ramen and both were delicious and on point. We both would come back and order the same plates for sure. Lastly I did order an old fashion drink with cherry bitters- "shift into turbo" old fashy. Pretty good and strong. The place was very different than your normal ramen spot here in the states. The entrance is lowkey until you walk in then boom- feels like you are in Japan Tokyo. Going down the stairs it was darker ambiance but solid theme. Felt like a cool saiyan walking there.

My Sacramento office is around the corner here and I came here on a very rainy day, Kodaiko is in downtown Sacramento and the decor definitely makes you feel like you're in downtown Tokyo, as you need to go do a flight of stairs to get to the main bar and dining area. This place was very busy that day, and I did have to wait a bit, however since I was by myself, fortunate to get a seat relatively quickly. The ramen was incredibly tasty, the broth was not too salty, and the noodles were neither too soft or too hard. I'll admit that it was a little on the pricier side, however given its prime location and the quality of the ramen was worth it. If you're in downtown Sacramento for either lunch or dinner, definitely give Kodaiko a try!

I had the Tonkotsu Ramen here, and it was absolutely fantastic -- rich, flavorful broth with tender pork, and I added an extra egg (of course!). Every bite was so satisfying. The ramen hit all the right notes. The ambiance and decor of the restaurant are amazing! It has a cozy yet modern vibe. The service was also friendly, attentive, and made me feel welcomed from the moment I walked in. This wasn't my first time eating here, and it certainly won't be my last! This place is a must-visit if you're craving delicious ramen in a great setting

The entrance, stairs, and interior have great designs and really immerses you into the experience. We ordered 3 ramens (vegan shoyu, mushroom paitan, and tonkotsu), Brussels sprouts, and albacore hand roll. All the ramens were decent but the paitan stood out to be more uniquely flavored than the rest, it has a very thick broth and is quick filling. The best dish there were the Brussels sprouts, it has a great flavor and surprisingly enhanced by mint leaves. The service was good, they were attentive, but the food did take a very long time to be served. We waited around 30 minutes between our appetizers and ramens.

Great Food & Great Service. The wait time was reasonable, just got drinks while we waited. The first time we went they said it would take 35 minutes to get seated but we waited 20, and the second they said the wait time was an hour. I signed up for an online waitlist and could track where we were in the queue. It was probably half an hour. Food was good. The ramen was excellent. Not to salty, not overloaded with a lot of extra ingredients. I also tried their Katsu & Egg Salad Sandwich with a side of coleslaw. The coleslaw was excellent and the sandwich was everything I wanted in a sandwich. I got the Japanese Water Highball. It was Suntory with a lemon soda. It wasn't too carbonated so it was an enjoyable drink and I don't normally like highballs. We got the fries and brussel sprouts for appetizers and they were excellent.

I really loved how this place is designed. It is beautiful all the way around ! I came into Kodaiko for lunch and had the tonkotsu ramen with a side of sambal and onsen egg since I've never had it. The ramen already came with an ajitsuke egg (marinated egg) but I wanted to try the runnier version (onsen) I personally prefer the ajitsuke egg because I don't like a runny egg white. The ramen was very creamy and breaking the black oil made it more flavorful. The ramen had the perfect texture. We also shared karaage which was good too. My friend had a tofu curry and the flavors were there I enjoyed it . The service is quick, even during a busy lunch rush. It's a little on the pricy side with one ramen being $17 side of sambal $1 (house chili oil ) and onsen egg $3.

We picked this restaurant based on multiple local recommendations and oh my gosh, they were right! Aesthetic (10/10) Such a fun vibe, you walk in and go downstairs through large Tokyo-inspired signs to their basement floor. The main dining area and bar are very moody, vibes, and welcoming! Staff (10/10) They were all so sweet, gave great recommendations, and very prompt! Our order: - King's Colada - This drink was creamy, dreamy, and had a light up straw! Such a fun drink and would definitely recommend it to anyone. - Kong vs Godzilla - They have a Godzilla-themed drink list which was so fun and creative! This drink was delicious! - Tonkatsu Ramen (10/10) - I LOVE ramen and this is not disappoint! I added chili oil to the ramen which added a nice little kick. When in downtown Sac, check this little joint out!

It was pretty good. The food did take a while to come out for two folks on a Sunday night though. The waitress was really nice though. Very hip atmosphere.

Decent ramen. Price is good and the ambiance is fine. Service was quick. Would return