Koi Ramen

Koi Ramen delivered an outstanding meal from start to finish. I ordered the Karaage Fried Chicken appetizer, Crispy Shumai, and white rice, and everything was delicious. The Karaage chicken was perfectly seasoned — super crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The dipping sauce paired with it was rich and flavorful, making each bite even better. The Crispy Shumai had a great crunch and a really nice savory flavor, and the white rice was fresh, fluffy, and the perfect complement to the appetizers. Everything was presented beautifully, the portions were generous, and the food tasted freshly made.

I came last night for the first time. I got there around 7:40p and they close at 9p. That time frame may be the reason but the pork I received was very tough and hard to chew. On its own, it was also very dry. Once I submerged it within the ramen, it was just tough to chew. Service was inconsistent. I had to get my own utensils from a nearby table and generally ask for everything. Server never checked on me. I can't say I'd try them again. *You can zoom in on the pic and see what I mean about the meat.

Black Garlic Ramen-- best ramen I've ever had!! Insane flavors and quality of ingredients. The pork melted in your mouth and had insane flavors. The chicken was so tender. The broth had insane flavor! The fried garlic tied it all together. Ultimately umami profile! The cabbage, bean sprouts, and scallions balanced the flavors with a crisp freshness. The vibe in there was awesome. They were busy but the noise isn't bad. I can't wait to go back!

Pretty good ramen overall. I had the chicken curry ramen, but the flavor could’ve been stronger and it needed to be served hotter. Service & atmosphere is a 10/10!

This restaurant is at the same place as Noodle Blvd was previously. Mostly similar menu and style of delivery. We came here on Monday, and it's open on Monday. Our original choice was noodle Blvd, but it is closed on Mondays. Anyway - Food here is comparably good and in par with noodle Blvd. Very cozy setup. They have some table setup outside as well. Staff was nice and service was fast. We ordered Chicken Curry Ramen and Tofu Curry Ramen. The Curry Ramen is a little sweeter for my taste. The chilly oil on top would have been nicer.

Picked on a wim, but we will definitely be going back! The food was phenomenal and the portions were big! We split several appetizers and each got our own bowls of ramen. Everything was good! The staff was awesome! It IS a small space, but it is well worth it!

Absolutely loved Koi Ramen!! The staff was incredible and literally stopped everything to accommodate our large party. The food was magnificent and was prepared so quickly. We ended up ordering seconds of just about everything. The bao buns were one of my favorite items, but I didn't try anything that I wouldn't recommend. They have a variety for everyone, too, including items for kids and picky eaters. The Ramen itself had incredibly deep flavor, and the pork and egg couldn't have been better. This visit was such a treat. We've wanted to visit, and I'm so glad we did. In an age where Ramen spots are abundant, this one stands out as one of the best in this area. Thank you to the Koi Ramen team, we are praying for your continued success!

Me and my mom came here for lunch 12/1 around 12. We were seated promptly and the waitress was very nice and attentive. My mom has never had ramen before and really enjoyed this! I had the miso ramen and it was delicious. We will definitely be back our next trip to Cary

Simple ramen place, informal,with some outside seating. Don't let the simplicity fool you--this place is a gem in both food quality. Easily see myself as a regular. Seating is tight, a bit awkward layout. but they have a 'bar'. May have started as a take-out place. Pricing is moderate, 12-15 for a bowl of ramen, but generous portions, we got another meal out of it We got an order of gyoza by mistake, but ate it as it was excellent, and they didn't charge for it! Not that y'all get free gyoza every time, but the level of graciousness is over the top Food came timely. My dish as listed as spicy had a great balance of spice and a good portion of ground pork and tofu. They get the "5" even with the tight seating as they put their heart in their food evidently.

Even though this space is small, they creatively make it work. I was disappointed that the egg was cold but the food was otherwise decent

This place makes great ramen. My husband loves their pork ramen. We love how fast and fresh it is every time. I have to have rice noodles and they are always accommodating.

The service is awesome here. Seated promptly. The inside is small enough seating for small groups. Outside seating as well. The food was outstanding. Some of the best I have ever had. I got gyoza and a pork and chicken with black garlic. The gyoza cooked perfect. The pork in the ramen was out of this world. Juicy and delicious, it set this bowl flying with flavor. The chicken was bland. No big deal. I needed a little salt and added some chili oil. For the price and what I got, I would definitely be back!

We have ordered takeout from KOI Ramen at least a dozen times, and they never disappoint. We usually get the Shoyu Paitan with kikurage mushrooms and fried wonton skins. It is stupid good!!! The pork is outstanding! The service is excellent! We love this place!

Nice little ramen shop. Prices are in line with other local options. Staff was friendly and prompt. Is it my favorite? No, but it'll do in a pinch.

We tried the chicken curry ramen which was average but the blacken chicken pork ramen was good.

Came here before my flight out of Raleigh. I was sat at the bar area. It is cute inside, a little small but nice. I ordered the curry ramen. It came out very quickly! I asked for no egg but it still came with egg. It's okay I was easily able to take it out. The flavor of the ramen was delicious and the meat was very tender! I was so full afterwards. A lot of food for about $15. I wish there was more corn. Overall had a very nice experience!

My friend saw this place and suggested we try it. I'm glad she did! It was great! It's a small spot maybe 4 tables and the bar/table with the stools surrounding. There are some tables outside, but it next to an ice cream place and I think those patrons sit there. Plus the tables outside were real dirty. There were maybe two to three people working there, so the service was kind of slow, but good service. We started with the crispy shumai which I've never had fried, it was very good. I had the black ramen garlic that came with pork and chicken and it was delicious. I would definitely go back!

Been coming here for 3 years now and the people are always nice and the food is always good. Service is also quite fast, I've been able to get in and out within 45 minutes. Ambiance is very cute and it feels very comfortable. I've always been able to come here after whatever I'm doing and relax while I eat.

I'm giving this a four star only because I really love the food here and this is my first (and not so great) delivery experience. If I was just rating this one time takeout it would be a lot lower, but I like this place, so no hard feelings. My order was perfect in terms of ingredients (I had some add ons like mushrooms in my ramen--highly recommend!). However my salad was swimming. Lettuce can apparently float. I don't know if it didn't get spun properly in the salad spinner or what, but I used a strainer on it to get all the water out. Consequently, the usually yummy crispy noodles on the salad were soggy and not crisp. Basically inedible unfortunately. I'll be back, too good not to give it another chance, but I don't think I'll get delivery any time soon.

After a long day of errands in Cary, my boyfriend and I wanted to grab something quick that had outdoor seating because we had our dog with us. We both got the black garlic ramen and it was delicious! The service/ food came out faster than I expected- maybe because it was near the end of the day and it wasn't packed. Overall it was great and didn't disappoint!

I was visiting North Carolina for work and came across this ramen place as I was looking for someplace to eat. This place definitely did not disappoint as everything was so good! I got gyoza which were a perfect combination of meat and vegetables. The seafood ramen was filled with seafood and had so much flavor. The service was great, the waiter was very attentive. I highly recommend this place!

If you're looking for yummy ramen in North Carolina this is a pretty good spot. I'm a big ramen lover and I enjoyed the spicy miso ramen I got. What to expect with this ramen is thin non-handmade noodle and a thick creamy broth with great tasting pork. Broth had great flavor but I prefer it not as thick. The pork was perfect! The noodles were not my favorite but they aren't bad. I love fresh hand made noodles but most ramen spots don't make their own noodles. All around the ramen is good but nothing over the top fancy.

Koi Ramen is a small gem of place the offers delicious ramen ... Koi is off of N. Harrison and NW Maynard in Cary .... exterior doesnt look like much ... but inside is a cute small Ramen bar with single bar seating along the window and kitchen and houses about a few 4 seat and 2 seat tables ... there is outdoor seating which are like metal picnic tables .. So let's talk about the food .... there are a variety of ramen choices here so it was a hard decision on what to get ... but opted for the .... ready for it ???? Tan Tan Paitan Ramen which is served with spicy ground pork and fried tofu in a creamy chicken broth, topped w. special made rayu sauce, scallions,cabbage bean sprouts, corn, onions & fried garlic ... I opted to add Char Siu and ramen egg which were amazing ! The broth was delicious and delicate and flavorful..... the noodles itself was also pretty good and had the right amount of springiness and chew to it which is a good thing ... especially with the ground pork and veggies... the char sui was thick and suprising tender and moist with the right amount of char from a torch .. the ramen egg was not exactly a ramen egg which is basically a soft boiled egg... kois Ramen egg was one level above and one level below a hard boiled egg .. So happy to see a chili oil and a Shichimi Togarashi on the table to kick some heat into the ramen .. if you're unsure what Shichimi Togarashi is ... it's a mixture of red chili pepper, orange peel, sesame seeds, Japanese pepper, ginger and seaweed .. you basically top your ramen with it to add some heat .. Verdict is .... I will be back to try the other ramens... This definitely gives Nood Blvd a run for their money and just as good without the huge crowd.

This is the second time I visited this place and wished I had taken pictures from the first time. I always end up eating half before I remember. Also eating as one means less pictures because I can't eat 2 bowls of ramen. Today I selected the chicken curry ramen and added fried tofu and bamboo. There were bean sprouts, salad mix, fried wonton, corn, and a soft boiled egg. My review on this, it's decent. Not great not bad. The flavor was a little light and could use a bit more salt but that may just be personal palette. The chicken is plain boiled white meat and I didn't care for the fried wonton. There was too much going on in my bowl, maybe this has to do with me adding two more things. I was digging for my ramen! It's a nice place. I would still come back and try other items.

Four stars considering I did a take-out order and did not get the full experience of dining in. With that said, I cannot wait to go back and dine-in because even the take-out was delicious! I tried the chicken karaage, spicy miso ramen, and the black garlic ramen. I typically don't order any appetizers, but I assumed the ramen portion would not be filling enough (based on my previous experiences at other ramen places), so I ordered the chicken karaage and wow no regrets. DO IT! It was perfectly crispy on the outside but tender on the inside, and the perfect little bite-size pieces that my toddler enjoyed as well. About the ramen- DEF filling enough to not need anything extra. My husband and I were almost too full for dinner that day. We thoroughly enjoyed both of the ramen we ordered and truly cannot be back to try again at the restaurant!

Amazing! Both by else to say! Great flavor. Ordered for takeout. Quick and friendly service.

The best ramen I've ever eaten. Literally my go-to restaurant. Service is always quick and friendly. Atmosphere is casual and a bit small but have never had to wait for a table because they get you in and out!

Came here with a friend. We shared the Karaage Fried Chicken Appetizer and I had the Spicy Miso Ramen while my friend got the Black Garlic Paitan Ramen. Kaarage Chicken was not very special at all. To us just basic chicken nuggets that weren't much different than what you'd find in the freezer section. It came with a dipping sauce so that's what made it unique I guess. I was first exposed to ramen in NYC so my expectations may be high, but I was not impressed by their ramen. Although the pork was tender and the veggies fresh, the broth and noodles themself were subpar. The broth in my opinion wasn't seasoned as I would expect and the noodles seemed like package ramen noodles. It was filling and nice on a cold night but not a place I would want to take someone for ramen in the area. My friend's ramen was the Black Garlic Paitan. He was also not impressed and he was suppose to get a more premium type of cut of the protein and he noticed something off from the start. He inquired if the meat was the same and they admitted it was not due to being sold out. I believe it was still a pork product but a different cut so my friend was disappointed that he paid extra for this dish and wasn't even told about the change until he starting eating. Otherwise staff was nice and were attentive to our needs like water refills etc. Many ramen places in the the greater Raleigh/Durham area so would recommend trying elsewhere first.

Great service, excellent ramen! I got the spicy miso ramen (extra egg of course), and it was legit! Highly recommend.

Black garlic ramen has me in a chokehold. Superb blend of heat, salt, and fat...perfect for a chilly evening. Portions are huge and quality control is 10/10...it's always so good!

I came for lunch today and I was in and out very quickly. First time here! I ordered the miso ramen and the spring rolls. Considering a lot of other ramen places are closed on Mondays or for lunch, I was very happy to find this place. Tucked away in a small but quaint building. I do wish the miso was a bit spicier, but that's subjective, of course. I thought overall it was a solid ramen place. Don't wear a white shirt or dress when coming for ramen if you're a messy eater like me!

Rushed in on a Sunday afternoon at 1:30pm (30min before closing). Tried to go to Noodle Blvd, but the wait was crazy, so tried Koi with the clock ticking and the options for ramen were few in the Area. Boy, were we so happy we ended up at Koi with minutes to spare. We were greeted by a friendly and courteous waitress, we got seated at the counter and after a quick study of the menu, we ordered gyoza, bottled sodas that came with glasses full of ice and chose 3 ramen bowls : miso, tan tan men (spicy) and seafood. The ramen was served hot and in generous helpings. My daughter loved her seafood ramen and my tan tan men was hearty with cubes of fried tofu and corn kernels. The only thing we all mentioned was that there seemed to be too much cabbage in our bowls. We left a little after 2pm (I noticed they lock the door to prevent any latecomers) and our bill came to around $50. I definitely will bring my family to Koi the next time I'm in the Cary area. What a great find.

This particular spot -- big shoes to fill, right? KOI definitely does an amazing job to fill it! WOW! I'm impressed and so happy that I gave it a shot! I stopped in for lunch and was the first to arrive but people kept flowing in after me. I'm loving the setup inside, less tables with more space which is a fresh breath of air. The menu seem to have something for everyone, from the appetizers to the ramen. I went with R5. Black Garlic Paitan, GO BIG OR GO HOME! The bowl of ramen was $15.95 but it was worth the price point! I'm loving the smokiness of the chicken broth. The portion of toppings and meat was very generous! I wished there was more noodles but overall, it was a super balance bowl of quality ramen. I didn't mind paying that price at all. Overall, the customer service is fantastic! My waiter was generous. I am excited to try other items on the menu. KOI is a hit and definitely here to stay!

First time here and decided to give it a try after seeing the good reviews. Overall, the food was good. Broth was very flavorful. I originally thought it was a Japanese restaurant but it's more Chinese I think. At least there was cabbage in my dish which u don't see with Japanese ramens.Salad was just okay and the popcorn chicken was also just okay. Not much service. Small restaurant not much of space. I think that's where noodle boulevard used to be. Overall just typical 4 star restaurant I am willing to come back for.

I love a good paitan ramen and I SO wanted to live Koi...but it was all just too ordinary to be anything but honest. Ordered to Black Garlic Paitan and a Kaarage appetizer. The fried chicken was certainly freezer case kaarage and came out way too quickly to have been fried to order. It was hot, but the breading was a dead giveaway that this is mass produced chicken. I read the other reviews of the Black Garlic Ramen before deciding on Koi, and I gotta say, what I got was nothing like the reviews...or the photos. Again, ordinary. Broth was under-spiced and watery. Not the creamy paitan I love. Served with char shu pork (that's was absolutely on point) and boiled chicken breast slices that were bland and limp (definitely lowering the bar on the whole bowl). Veggies were fresh, but the noodles were limp and lacked any spring or chew. Again, mass produced. Service was kind, quick, and attentive. Everything was fresh, nothing overtly wrong...just all and all, mediocre. So if 3-star is "average" it's definitely 3-star.

I ordered the Spicy Tan Tan. I have to say, it was not spicy at all and kind of bland. Otherwise, service was great. Will have to try other menu items and re-evaluate.

Food and service are amazing. Ambiance is very laid back, the inside is small but they have tables outside.

Dumplings and Ramen were excellent. Server was attentive and helpful. Small and busy place. Difficult to get seating for large parties (more than 2) and may have to wait for a long time for a table.

Koi ramen has some of the best ramen I've had in the area. The wait for the food was not long, and the staff was very attentive and friendly. I got the yellow curry ramen and the chicken appetizer. Both were delicious and prices were good.

Saw some reviews and my friend and I figured that we would try it out. All servers were extremely nice and helpful. We got the takoyaki appetizer to start and it was pretty good. I ordered the chicken curry ramen (I added tofu) and my friend got the black garlic paitan ramen. Both were good and the portion size is a lot. I personally didn't think the food was anything spectacular but it was definitely a good bowl of ramen. I would recommend if you want ramen but I don't think that I need to go back now that I've tried it. Also, there isn't a lot of seating inside so maybe plan accordingly if you are going in a group.

The char siu pork is thick and PHENOMENAL. The noodles could have been better, I'm not the biggest fan- not sure if it's a one off but they are a bit more over cooked than I'd like. The broth is pretty good too. I do prefer the old ramen shop that used to be here but this one is a good alternative

Highly recommend this place for good ramen. There is enough of a selection of proteins that there should be something for everyone in your group. I have ordered multiple ramen bowls here and have been impressed every time. The preparation of the pork is the best imo. Portions are a great size that leave you feeling satisfied. The interior seating area is relatively small and they have a large break after lunch from 12-2 that you should be aware of. Get the Black Garlic Paitan to sample chicken and pork and add your own spice with the oil options on the table.

Fantastic small ramen shop! Really enjoyed my visit! I had the miso ramen and thoroughly enjoyed it - the highlight was the incredibly cooked pork that was tender, charred, and brilliantly flavored! The buns were good but I wish they'd used less of that mayonnaise based sauce as the bun was perfect, the meat charred and tasty, the lettuce crisp and a perfect foil - only complaint was the overuse of sauce

Small menus always make me happy because it means that they focus on mastering the stuff they do have. We got both versions of the Miso broth and it was delicious. Food came out quick and service was very friendly. This place is small and it is always crowded so just means that people know it's good!

The options and portions are great! I was relieved that the broth was perfectly seasoned. The pork and chicken were rich in flavor on their own as well.

Dined here with my father for a father-daughter date. We got ika geso (fried squid tentacles) and gyoza to start. Both delicious. Thoroughly enjoyed the tenderness of the squid. I ordered the chicken yellow curry ramen; my father ordered black garlic paitan. We enjoyed everything and left nothing behind! Definitely recommend.

Very clean place and the food is delicious. Great location with a drive thru. Definitely recommend!

Delicious and yummy ramen! They serve such a great portion with meat. I'm so used to places only giving 2 pieces of meat but this was full and packed! Get the spicy miso ramen!

Koi ramen feels so good. As soon as we walked in I knew it was going to be good. It was a very clean establishment. I appreciate how fast the service was despite the "help wanted" sign. Great service and the options were awesome. We opted to try the R9. chicken yellow curry. The curry was sweet and the noodles were so buttery. I loved the egg it was perfectly cooked. I was especially impressed but the chicken. It was clean, perfectly cooked, seasoned and so tender. Melted right in your mouth! I would come back and try the tofu considering how could the curry was! This meal was perfect comfort food for our cold lunch break. I love that there was chili oil and pepper. Also great additions. We shared one bowl and still took leftovers home. Support your local ramen spots!! Come try koi!!!

Koi Ramen is a decent place. We ordered the Spicy Miso and Black Sesame Paitan Ramen and I thought the flavors were really well put together. There were many dimensions to the broth, even though the broth was chicken based. The only slight disappointment was we asked for lower sodium broth, and it still tasted like it was the normal salt level. I would still recommend the ramen, since the broth is earthy, intricate, and packed with flavor. For the appetizer, I thought the karaage was just okay. It was crispy- but was not any better than chicken nuggets. And I would suggest NOT ordering the sui mai- which tasted worst than brands you buy from the frozen section of grocery stores and reheat yourself. Closing statement, I suggest coming for the ramen! It isn't a place where I'm like "omg I have to come back" - but it's still a good bowl of ramen. Also, the service is great. The ladies there were super nice, quick, and attentive. Taste: 3.5/5 (Rounded up to 4 stars because of great service). Presentation: 3/5 Recommend to a friend?: Yes- for the ramen Consistent: 1st time Cost: $$ Parking: Plenty of parking, but pro tip, if the parking in front of KOI is completely full, it's a sign that inside is also full and you will have to wait.

Koi Ramen now stands in the same spot that the old Noodle Blvd used to be, but while the name is different, the food remains excellent. The wife and me showed up late on a weekday and we had the place to ourselves. We had a light dinner of an order of Veg Spring Rolls (crispy and fried to perfection) and the hot and piping Tofu Yellow Curry Ramen which was excellently seasoned, but not too spicy. They also provide seasonings on the side for you to spice it up a bit more if you so choose to be a bit more daring! Once they realized we were vegetarian they very also kindly let us know that the ramen contained dairy, which we were totally ok with, but certainly appreciated the courtesy of the staff to check with us, in case we had any other dietary restrictions.

Went here in the way out of town, and was extremely impressed. Very small space, so not the best for parties over 4 people. There was one waitress who took care of all the tables and was attentive during our dinner. We ordered the gyoza for an app, and then got the Black Garlic and the Miso ramens. Both were great. There is chili pepper and chili oil at the table for you to add to increase spice.

This is our new favorite hole-in-the-wall ramen place that filled the hole left when a Ramen eatery called Noodle Boulevard left to open a full service restaurant by Crossroad. It's been a while and I can't fairly compare the two, but Koi Ramen definitely does not disappoint when compared to our fond memory of the past occupant, and actually brought a new set of flavors. So there ARE our new favorite ramen shop, bar none. Service is fast and friendly, especially when compared to the previous occupant when their business outgrew this location. They were out of lemon grass for a ramen bowl my wife ordered, but the chef customized a different ramen bowl to create something different but with a similar flavor profile. This is service worthy of a 4-star restaurant. As for the Ambiance, it's the same hole-in-the wall experience, but they refreshed the place and it feels clean and homey all over.

Always love coming here for the ramen. It's a little hole in the wall but they still make great food. The staff is always super friendly.

We were in search for some Pho but found a Ramen place instead. We were completely satisfied with the experience. The "Black Garlic Ramen" was simply amazing. Loaded with flavor and a large enough amount to fill you up and have leftovers. I enjoyed the steamed dumplings and the fried chicken as well. Everything was well seasoned and the food came out minutes after we ordered. My two year old was able to enjoy everything that we had and wanted more. Absolute hit and we will be back for sure!

I was driving around and found Koi Ramen. The place looked pretty neat from the outside so I decided to stop in. When I entered, I asked to be seated outside and the male proceeded to seat me at the front of the restaurant instead. As others entered and asked to be seated outside, the waiter complied. The food came out quickly - to my shock, the waiter also brought my check and asked me to pay. I thought it weird that I was the only one given a check once my food arrived. The food was disappointing. As a Ramen LOVER, i have never been presented with ramen containing spaghetti noodles. The whole experience was horrible and I will not be returning. If you are an African American... DO NOT EAT HERE UNTIL THE VALUE YOUR MONEY AS MUCH AS OTHERS.

This place is a hidden gem. The ramen and appetizers are so dam good. The theme inside is very authentic, with the wooden chairs and interior designing. Servers were very kind. Most of all, the menu wasn't extensively long, the fold came out hot and ready super fast, and the price point is great for anyone not wanting to spend a ton of money when going out to eat. Its also nice and quiet too.