Marufuku Ramen

"The distractions at the Japan Center Malls are endless, even for full-grown adults. And you’ll need to make use of them while you wait in line for Marufuku’s fantastic ramen, because there will be a wait. Browse the bookshop for kid-friendly, non-iPad activities, or swing by Daiso to pick up novelty trinkets—by the time you’ve caved and bought your child another Smiski, your table will be ready. The tonkotsu ramen is intensely creamy, and even better with their extra tender chashu. Feel free to join the chorus of loud slurpers here, if not to drown out of the noise of any potential tantrums." - julia chen 1, patrick wong

"The SF-based chain (with eight more locations across the country) nails their Hakata-style ramen. So it’s not hard to see why this casual spot attracts hordes of noodle soup enthusiasts nightly. The rich, creamy broth hits you like the intensely porky flavor bomb it is. The thin noodles are bouncy perfection every time, and the chashu pork belly almost dissolves in your mouth, it's so tender. We’ll come up with any excuse to get here with friends who don’t mind waiting an hour in line to get this flawless ramen. " - julia chen 1, lani conway

"Soup: Hakata Tonkotsu This Japantown spot needs no introduction, but we’ll give one anyway—Marufuku’s tonkotsu ramen is worth the hours-long wait it draws every night. We’d drink their intensely porky broth by the liter. And you should, too. Hop in line to get your hands on the Hakata Tonkotsu. It’s loaded with melt-in-your-mouth char siu and is the centerpiece of every table. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez

"Marufuku opened in the Japantown Center Mall in 2017, yet has already expanded to nine locations across the country. One bite of their creamy tonkotsu ramen, an intensely porky flavor bomb, is all it takes to see why. Put your name on the waitlist (there will always be a wait), and wander the mall, surrounded by colored pens and shiba inu tote bags. But it’s a great activity to pass the time, and certainly adds to Friday night dinner dates and any lunch planned around noodle soup. " - julia chen 1, lani conway

"Arriving in San Francisco around the same time as a wave international chains, local ramen outfit Marufuku draws lines that rival any Tokyo import’s quite simply because the noodles and broth are about as good as any in town. Rich, fatty broths — both tonkotsu and chicken-based paitan — are the main draw here, but the soups are balanced and not overly heavy, and the thin, Hakata-style noodles are eminently slurpable." - Lauren Saria, Eater Staff