Momosan Santana Row

Japanese restaurant · Santana Row

Momosan Santana Row

Japanese restaurant · Santana Row

3

378 Santana Row #1130, San Jose, CA 95128

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Highlights

Ramen and duck tacos in a stylish Santana Row setting  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

378 Santana Row #1130, San Jose, CA 95128 Get directions

momosanramen.com
@momosanramen

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

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378 Santana Row #1130, San Jose, CA 95128 Get directions

+1 408 320 2776
momosanramen.com
@momosanramen
𝕏
@momosanramen

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

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Aug 7, 2025

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@infatuation

Momosan - Review - Santana Row - San Jose - The Infatuation

"OK, we know we said celebrity chefs aren’t exactly driving the San Jose food scene (they’re not), but one new restaurant is breaking the mold for the better. Whether you recognize Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto from TV, or have to ask the waiter who that guy on the giant mural is, his buzzy new Momosan is a great spot for a Japanese meal. Come for ramen fueled by dashis packed with pork, braised beef ribs, wood ear mushrooms, and soy-marinated eggs, but don’t stop there: the appetizers, including roasted duck tacos with apricot sweet chili, tuna sashimi pizza, and more mash-ups of French, Italian, Mexican, and Korean flavors, are worth ordering, too. Designed with sleek black accents, the perpetually busy restaurant works well for any situation or celebration, big or small." - Shoshi Parks

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-jose/reviews/momosan-san-jose
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@eater

This Sacramento Starbucks Closed as a ‘Problematic Location’ - Eater SF

"Early Iron Chef legend Masaharu Morimoto is coming to Santana Row. First reported by The Mercury News last year, Hoodline writes Morimoto’s ramen chain Momosan will open on September 3 in the former Pasta Pomodoro location." - Paolo Bicchieri

https://sf.eater.com/2022/8/29/23327134/starbucks-sacramento-closed-problematic-location
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@eater

Watch an SF Pizza Legend Trade Tricks With the Harlem Globetrotters - Eater SF

"The San Jose Mercury News reports that Momosan, a Bay Area branch of Iron Chef star Masaharu Morimoto’s New York Ramen restaurant, will open in San Jose’s Santana Row this summer. In a statement released this week, Morimoto said that San Jose was chosen for his business because its “a city with traditional culture, including traditions that are adapted from Japan, as well as the most advanced technology as the center of Silicon Valley.”" - Eve Batey

https://sf.eater.com/2020/1/15/21067177/tony-gemignani-caviar-postmates-ristobar-castro-morimoto
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S S

Google
There are few things I love here: Gyukotsu ramen. This $30 bowl comes with beef rib, kale, seaweed and egg in a tonkotsu ramen beef. Honestly, this is the only ramen dish worthy of eating since it’s a unique signature bowl, and other ramen dishes aren’t that great compared to other restaurants. Keep in mind it’s limited quantity of maybe 30/bowls/day…? So get here early. I also remembered loving the salmon carpaccio as it was very fresh and refreshing which is great for the hot days. Next, I had the kakuni BAP and thought this was a fantastic bowl of rice, just a tad on the smaller size proportion wise. Lastly, the duck tacos were fantastic and I recommend this appetizer! I also recommend trying the chili oil here. It’s not spicy but it is packed with flavor and there is a sense of nostalgia which I highly adore! Overall, it’s an expensive, neat place with better appetizers than mains.

Shruti Daga

Google
We literally ordered the entire menu here! If you're vegetarian, heads up: the options are a bit limited, so don’t walk in too hungry unless tofu is something that you like. The food overall was good, but the ramen was a bit of a letdown kinda dry and missing that broth we were craving. However we really liked Tofu Agedashi, spicy wonton, Pork Bao and karage. The cocktails were amazing I really liked the Matcha espresso martini.

Niru I

Google
Yummy! Will be back My friends and were strolling the row scoping out a dinner spot as we waited on a friend to arrive. We shortlisted the dumpling place and Momosan and Japanese got the majority vote. I had the yuzu margarita and Tofu bap. Both were delicious. The tofu bap was served in clay pot and rice was cooked to perfection. Loved the crispy edges. The tofu also had excellent flavor and texture. Crispy on the outside but not so much that it was dry on the inside or rubbery. The pot ensured my food was nice and hot until the last bite which I appreciated as I am not a fast eater. The ratio of rice and protein was just right for me. I was surprised I finished the dish as I had some ice cream before dinner 😋. But it was so delicious and I felt reheated leftovers won’t quite be the same as eating from clay pot so I found room in my tummy to squeeze it all in. Definitely will go back to try the vegan ramen.

Jenn Jiang

Google
Tried many dishes people recommended and everything was good or excellent. The ribs are the best. Only in California one can get interesting fusion food that comes with both pan Asian and South American influences. The part we didn’t like was the chair and table were very uncomfortable and if one has good appetite for lunch, please be prepared to pay $80 plus per head without alcohol drinks.

Atanu Gupta

Google
We had an amazing time celebrating a birthday at Momosan! The food and the hospitality along with staff behavior was just outstanding - Above all Tiffany was this little angel who made us feel so special making our time unforgettable and unique.

L G

Google
My friends and I wanted to try this restaurant because they had some unique dishes like duck fat fries and Korean bowls along with ramen. We were seated immediately on a Saturday around noon. We sat outside since we had a dog. Our server also turned on the heat lamps for us since it's February. (The restaurant picked up in busy-ness around 1pm). I got the All Star ramen, which has chashu, pork belly, and chicken (along with bamboo, mushroom, green onion, egg). It is their meatiest ramen. It came out hot and well-plated. Their chashu and pork belly are delicious! The chicken was just okay. The noodles had a fresh texture. The broth wasn't too salty or fatty. I was pretty pleased with my ramen. One of my friends got the tonkatsu ramen which I believe is similar to the All Star ramen. Our other friend got duck fat fries and tsukemen ramen with fried tofu added. Our server forgot to bring his fried tofu and drink though. Our friend said his broth wasn't hot, and it was more watery/less thick than usual dipping ramens he orders, so he doesn't recommend it. All in all, I had a good experience and I would try the pork belly bap next time if I come back.

Daniel Kraft

Google
Went for happy hour, website hours indicated different than what they showed in store, HH prices weren’t anything good, service was ok, location is decent. I probably wouldn’t go back, plenty of other happy hours to check out and the reviews for the food weren’t great so we didn’t order any food.

Tim Chan

Google
The restaurant closes at 3pm and we sat down at 2:30pm. Unfortunately at that time the more popular dishes were already sold out. Overall the food was very good as well as the service. Our biggest issue was the parking. There are very few street parking spots available. The nearby lot is no longer open to the public which means you need to park in nearby parking garages. Our vehicle is too tall to fit in any parking garage so this was a very frustrating experience just to park to try this restaurant. Keep this in mind if you have a large vehicle.
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Rita W.

Yelp
a lil overpriced but what else do you expect from Santana row lol waitress was really nice & kept coming back to check on us can get a lil noisy outside cus of the cars passing by lunch set seems to be a pretty good bang for your buck at $27 tonkatsu ramen : 8/10 nothing amazing but it wasn't bad? negi-chasu don : 7/10 good but a lil greasy - the sauce isn't spicy at first but it kicks in after you swallow & that bothered me lol momo 75 : 6/10 tasted like bubby lemonade but less sweet & had no alcohol taste imo matcha espresso martini : 8.5/10 I had my doubts but I could taste the matcha (esp on the side w matcha powder) and the espresso so yay - maybe a teeny bit sweet but I didn't mind it note: something kept beeping as we sat there (the heater wasn't on, wasnt one of our phones, wasn't a car) so I was paranoid the whole time we would blow up like in the movies
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Cayla K.

Yelp
Waitstaff were so kind and friendly. Super helpful and made sure your drink was always full. The restaurant itself is pretty modern looking. Small- cozy- can get loud, esp if there's live music happening outside. The food was edible but not my jam. The tonkatsu ramen was too salty and the ramen noodles were a smidge over cooked.
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Deborah L.

Yelp
This was my first time at Momosan, and while it wasn't a bad experience, it didn't leave me wanting to come back for more. We came as a group of 10+ to celebrate a birthday and ordered a variety of noodle dishes. The Spicy Kakuni Ramen and Tsukemen were definitely the standouts--rich, flavorful, and well-balanced. On the flip side, the Popcorn Shrimp was underwhelming, and the Spicy Shrimp Wontons were just okay--not quite on par with the ones we love from Din Tai Fung. I ordered the Spicy Dan-Dan and 1) it carried no spice, and 2) the noodles came clumped together, making it difficult to mix, unable to absorb the sauce, and not as enjoyable to eat. A nice touch: the staff brought out complimentary desserts for the birthday guests (lychee ice cream and a green tea cheesecake). Overall, it was a decent spot for a group outing located in the heart of Santana Row, but the food didn't quite impress enough for a return visit.
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Judy L.

Yelp
A longtime favorite that truly let us down tonight. This is my first Yelp review ever, and I wish it were under better circumstances. I've been a huge fan of Momosan since it opened on Santana Row--my mom and I have been regulars here from the start, literally watching the restaurant go up brick by brick. It's one of her favorite spots, so we made a reservation for Mother's Day dinner without hesitation. We were seated promptly and placed a simple order: two Diet Cokes, a hot tea (which never came), a Coke, water, one edamame, one soft shell bao, and five ramens. Drinks and appetizers arrived without issue, and as always, they were delicious. But then came the long wait. We noticed three tables seated after us received their ramen before we did. We stayed patient, assuming a delay--but then our server came by to ask if we wanted dessert. We politely reminded her we hadn't even gotten our main courses. She rushed to the kitchen and returned to tell us the ticket had been lost. Ten more minutes passed, and still no food--while a fourth table seated after us got their ramen. By then, the moment was gone. My mom's special dinner was ruined, and we decided to leave. When we asked for the check, our server threw it at us--for $60, covering only drinks and appetizers, with no apology. It was shocking. Only after expressing our frustration did the manager, Angel, come over to say we wouldn't be charged. He explained the cooks were on break and only one person was working for the past hour. At 7:30pm on Mother's Day weekend, being told the cooks were on break and only one person was in the kitchen doesn't read as an unfortunate slip--it feels like a serious lapse in planning. I don't say this lightly, but that kind of misstep points to mismanagement, not just a busy night. Mistakes happen, but this wasn't just a mistake--it was a breakdown in basic service during one of the busiest weekends of the year. We left hungry, disappointed, and embarrassed--especially since we had close friends with us. I used to recommend Momosan to everyone, but after tonight, I won't be doing that for a while. If anyone else has had a similarly deflating experience here, you're not alone.
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Mary F.

Yelp
I came here last night for a group dinner and the staff members were super nice! It's also on Santana row so the ambiance is nice. Unfortunately, the food is not good. I ordered the tuna and crab mahi sticks because I wanted something light and it looked like they would be from the menu photos, and they were definitely not what was pictured on the menu (more like burrito-sized). They also were so big that they were difficult to eat and were flavorless. We also had truffle fries for the table. I originally wasn't going to try them because I don't like truffle, but thankfully although it says on the menu they have truffle salt, I think they forgot to put it on the fries. The ketchup did taste like truffle, which I did not care for. The rest of the table got ramen or the rice plates, but they did forget to put one person's ramen order in. The rest of us received our food and were waiting to begin eating until he got his, so by the time he reordered and the food came, the rest of the food was no longer hot.
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Trini S.

Yelp
Delicious! We really enjoyed our lunch and the service was terrific. Our waiter was incredibly sweet and attentive. They have an awesome lunch deal for ramen and rice for $27. You can add on extras too if you want to try more items. Highly recommend and will be back!
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Roxanne I.

Yelp
We came in for lunch on a Thursday afternoon, and there were a few other patrons inside. The restaurant looks modern, and we were able to sit at a booth. My partner and I both ordered lunch sets. I got the tan tan ramen with salmon poke don. Both were underwhelming. The tan tan had a burnt taste throughout the broth and the noodles were overcooked. The salmon poke don didn't have much flavor and the rice was pretty hard. The tonkotsu ramen flavor was okay. The curry that came with that set was watered down and had no protein. My favorites of the meal were the lychee martini and the chicken karaage. We also had the duck tacos which were delicious in flavor but the duck wasn't as tender so it was hard to chew off bites with the crunchy taco shell. Our server was very nice and accommodating. Do not need to come back to this restaurant.

Maribet M.

Yelp
First time here. Met some friends for lunch during the week. Not crowded at all but made reservations, anyway. Sat at one of the high tables. Friendly and attentive service. We all ordered different ramens and all were tasty. Good portions, too. We ordered the tonkatsu, chicken and dipping ramen. Not a large place so it could get very crowded and busy at dinner time. Would go back again for lunch.
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Eric K.

Yelp
When Momosan first opened up, the line was always insane. I decided to try their ramen since it's from a famous chef with Michelin stars. I ordered their Tonkatsu Ramen, Karaage, and Duck fries. The ramen itself was almost $20!! I was hoping the portion and taste would validate the price but it did not satisfy me. The broth was rich and the noodles were nice and bouncy but it felt like it was missing something. The karaage was deep fried and then it comes with a sweet soy sauce dip. The pieces of chicken were huge and when it came out fresh, it was delicious. The duck fries were good, I loved the flavor and the salt that was added to it. It was a bit too soggy for my liking. I usually order my fries well done. I'm not sure if it was because it wasn't fresh or if it's consistently like that. The service was great. Everyone always checks up on you and are free to answer any questions you have. The interior is very compact. Tables are close to each other so if you're having a private conversation, it would not be the best place. They also have outdoor seatings with heaters if it's too cold. Just request to turn it on. Overall, it was fun to try for the one time but I would find myself at Ramen Nagi down the street instead.
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Heather W.

Yelp
Food: We only got appetizers. But even that was very expensive and very small portion. I will say props to the chef for cooking the meat SO SOFT/JUICY! High quality! Service/Ambiance: Very nice/semi-fancy atmosphere. Servers were very interactive! For example, we got confused who was our waiter (because they looked very similar) and our waiter joked "wait are we being racist?" Glad to have chill/funny person as our waiter!
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Cathy B.

Yelp
This restaurant has been on our radar since they opened 2 yrs ago! Had the chance to check them out on a rainy Friday afternoon for lunch. When we got there, we were seated right away on one of the high tables. We looked at the menu u and there were so many dishes we wanted to try but settled w spicy wonton, tan tan ramen, and chicken ramen, and 10oz of of the sake. The spicy wonton were beyond! The sesame sauce was amazing, the quality and taste of wonton were perfect. The tan tan noodles was such a good choice. Broth was tasty, noodles were bouncy, the ground pork and chirashi were perfect. The chicken noodle was also delicious. The broth was very comforting, like a hug in a bowl. The sake was the best way to finish our meal Overall experience was great. Cannot wait to go back to try their other food items.
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Sunnie M.

Yelp
Momosan delivers comforting bowls of ramen although I prefer Ramen Nagi nearby. We most enjoyed the duck taco from Momosan albeit small and the popcorn shrimp albeit soggy. Also, the happy hour menu could use some work. The offerings felt a bit limited compared to the rest of the menu, and the drink specials didn't stand out as much as other places on Santana Row.
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Dat N.

Yelp
We were seated pretty quick. Plenty of seating, with a little outdoor seating as well. Service was quick. We ordered the tofu agedashi, duck fat fries, tonkotsu ramen, and tsukemen. I was pretty excited to find a location with tsukemen! We were initially excited, since the presentation was good and the food came out quickly. The duck fat fries were okay - the ketchup was more "truffle-y" than the fries were. The tofu agedashi was decent, if not on the saltier side. The tonkotsu was just okay. Noodle texture was a little overdone, and the broth was thin. The same can be said for the tsukemen; the broth wasn't hot enough to warm the noodles and meat. It was pretty thin and didn't taste like much, and certainly did not cling to the noodles. The pork within was surprisingly dry and tough. Both ramens had pickled vegetables instead of fresh vegetables, which weren't to our liking. Everything was pretty expensive.
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Judy Y.

Yelp
The hubz asked if I wanted to get ramen and I said YES PLEASE. He had suggested us to check out the place we went 2 years ago in Sunnyvale and I was like ugh not that I'm a ramen snob but I know that was not the good ramen that I was used to getting in LA. We went to Santana row on a whim and we decided to stop by Momosan for their ramen. The few reviews I saw were not the best but I like trying new places. We got the tonkatsu and wowwwwww so goooood. So glad we came. My husband had to admit be was wrong! The Sunnyvale ramen place = not good What was delicious: The broth flavor The flavor and texture of the thin pork meat The flavor of the egg The textures in the broth including the sesame seeds and green onions The seaweed thingy adding that extra texture I mean wowww lol Our male server was good. The other female servers were not friendly. But other than that loved the vibes and atmosphere and of course the ramen!! Yum
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Tiffany N.

Yelp
We've been wanting to try this restaurant for awhile but the lines were 3+ hr long when it first opened. We went to Santana row for their Tuesday's' holiday celebration for a date night and decided to get this infamous Iron Chef Morimoto's restaurant. We're big ramen fans and like to try tonkatsu ramen everywhere we go. While we were waiting for our meals, we were intrigued by the design of the classic Japanese style bar and the bag hooks under the tables but the dusts that were accumulated on the walls between the beams made me lost my appetite a little bit... Japanese is known for their cleanliness but to see that the American standards don't hold up here is kind of disappointing. Although the ramen looked really good upon arrival, the soup gradually got really thick and uncomfortable to eat and I usually slurp the whole thing! It was missing some spices so I asked for their house made shichimi togarashi (chili flakes) but the server wasn't aware of what it was and when she asked to manager, I can see that it poured out from a S&B bag... which is fine but it wasn't spicy at all and didn't really live up to the name of the restaurant. The ALL STAR ramen was interesting -- it was the most recommended and came with chicken and pork but it didn't stand out too much. Overall, the ramen was below expectations. But I heard that the appetizer and drinks are pretty good so I might come back for that one day but if I'm ever craving Ramen, this would not be a place to go.
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Jessica N.

Yelp
I've been to a few Morimoto restaurants so was interested in checking this one out. I came on a weeknight and there was no wait. I chose to sit at the bar. Menu features an extensive sake selection, ramen, donburi, and apps. I got the soft shell bao and dipping ramen. While the bao is pricy at $14, it is very tasty. The dipping ramen was also enjoyable. However I was not a fan of the mustard greens. The tonkatsu broth was very flavorful and all the chasu was very tender. It was a decent portion for $19. My biggest complaint is the service here, specifically the hostess who let me wait at the hostess stand for a good 5 minutes without being acknowledged on an empty Monday night. The bartender who served me though was good and the food came out quickly. Overall one of the more decent restaurants on The Row.
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Amanda L.

Yelp
F O O D: ramen was standard but lukewarm unfortunately, made me never want to betray ramenagi again truffle fries were good but nothing exceptional and there is not truffle taste, a bit old oil taste though. can't justify the price point. salmon carpaccio had garlic overload. missing the zest flavor S E R V I C E: not my favorite. had to really haul them down just for refills on water. and we mentioned that we were all sharing but had to further ask for separate plates and was not given utensils. A M B I A N C E: cute setting and pretty lively since it's on the row
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Ana B.

Yelp
Gyukotsu ramen was out so the server advised the next best thing was their All Star Ramen. Really nice and flavorful broth and the noodles were perfectly cooked. Also tried the Buri Bap and honestly preferred this more than the ramen. Lightly sear the yellowtail so you get all its textures and flavors compared to when it's fully cooked. But the hardened rice is my favorite part with any type of stone pots. Lastly, I paired it all with the morimoto sparkling nigori sake. My partner chose the nikka Coffey grain and it was definitely a sit and sip type of drink. Overall, it was a nice dining experience and the winter lights from Santa Row made it very aesthetic.
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Lisa N.

Yelp
A great place for espresso martinis with a twist!! I stopped by here a couple years ago when they first opened for apps & ramen. It was tasty, but nothing to write home about. Since then, I've stopped by here at least 3 times, exclusively for their matcha espresso martinis. THIS, I would write home about. A great twist on the classic & so unique! I think this would be a great place for drinks and apps right after work. Service: 4/5 Food: 3/5 Price: 3/5 Atmosphere: 4/5
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Rey M.

Yelp
Food plating and presentation was good, but taste didn't pass. Tonkatsu was too salty so I wasn't able to taste the pork and the richness of the broth. Karaage was served with (Teriyaki) sauce so it was a little sweet unlike the traditional one. Service was outstanding! The lady at the front was really nice, we were greeted with smile, and she was courteous and professional. Their dining area was clean and well organized, and their tables were set up neatly.
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Amanda C.

Yelp
We went here for lunch. We had reservations but didn't end up needing them, as we got there right before the rush. There seats nicely spaced and lighting was good as well. We sat at the bar where Gisselle was our waitress. We ordered the Morimoto sake flight where 3 of the sakes were great the last one that was supposed to be sparkling. Not sure that was the case but it was viscous and not palatable. But was a very good deal for the flight of 4 different sakes. We ordered the Pork Gyoza for an appetizer. It came out still sizzling. There were 4 pieces and were the best Potstickers I've ever had. For the meal I ordered their current special Duck Ramen. The broth was outstanding. The duck was perfectly cooked and very tender. They has this black garlic/ pepper seasoning by Morimoto that was very good. My husband had the All Star Ramen. A pork broth with chasu pork, Kakuni pork, steamed chicken and much more. It was also VERY VERY good. This place does not disappoint. Will definitely return to try a different Ramen next time.
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Rolando N.

Yelp
The ramen is very good. I like that they have their own spin on ramen giving the food a unique taste. The mustard greens in the Tonkatsu were quite nice. I generally prefer a thicker cut of chashu. They use a thin deli slice cut here which is okay. The broth had a nice savory flavor to it. Light on the spice but you can kick it up a few notches with the spicy yuzu ball add on. The appetizers were all excellent. Loved the brussel sprouts and pork gyoza. The popcorn shrimp also had a nice flavor. Great selection of drinks and cocktails in a nice friendly environment. Service was excellent. Pork
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Emma W.

Yelp
I came here to eat dinner on a Sunday night and it wasn't too busy and we were able to get seated right away. The restaurant looked nice with lots of tables to sit at. Appetizers came out within 15 minutes. We got the spicy tuna tacos which were delicious. As for my ramen, I got the gyukotsu. The first bite was delicious and the broth tasted amazing. However I do feel like the meat to noodle ratio was unproportional and I got way too much meat than noodle. Despite that, the flavors were delicious and I enjoyed my dinner!
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Adaeze E.

Yelp
I've been here 3 times and I enjoyed the food and drinks each time. I've had the Tonkotsu, spicy Kakuni and the Gyukotsu ramen. My favorite was the Spicy Kakuni - it was really spicy and just absolutely yummy! The waiters were courteous and the food arrived on time. I usually make a reservation before I show up so I'm not sure if you can walk in. It's definitely one of my favorite ramen spots in San Jose.
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John B.

Yelp
So disappointed. We moved down from San Mateo recently, and we're trying to find "our" ramen shop. San Mateo is packed with quality ramen joints, but we had hopes for San Jose... First off, everything was bland. We ordered the Sake Sangria, the Shishito Peppers, the Spicy Wontons and the All Star Ramen. The sangria tasted vaguely of apples. No booze - which may be good for some. The shishito peppers were supposed to be flash fried, but they appeared boiled, as they were just mushy. No char marks at all. If it was supposed to have a topping or sauce, I couldn't taste it. The "Spicy Wontons" should have been called "Wontons." My wife can't take heat, and even she thought they weren't spicy. The filling of the wontons were flavorless. I didn't even get a sense of umami off the pork. The sauce was slightly sesame-flavored. But the biggest disappointment was the ramen. The All-Star comes with two different kinds of pork and some chicken. Now, I am used to the meat served with ramen being bland in some lesser ramen shops, because all of the flavor was boiled out into the broth. However, the flavor must have been put in someone else's broth, as mine just tasted a little salty. The char siu pork was not char siu as I've ever eaten it. It just had a bit of glaze painted on it. The other pork and the chicken were indistinguishable from each other, flavor-wise. In addition, I have never had so little service from so many servers. There was more "help" working here than I've ever seen at any ramen shop I've been to. Unfortunately they spent most of their time walking around with their eyes raised so they don't accidentally have to interact with anyone. Maybe we just weren't young and fashionable enough. Stay home and eat the Momosan instant ramen instead. That I can recommend, if you can find it.
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Alex V.

Yelp
Went here on a Sunday, pretty early right after they had opened and had a very good experience. I got the sticky ribs, karaage, and all-star ramen. The food was tasty, the sticky ribs had a nice crunch, good amount of glaze and were nice and tender. Similarly, the karaage was very tasty and had the perfect combination of crunchy outside and tender inside. I liked the all-star ramen but it had a lot going on, and maybe a touch greasy from the pork belly, which would be only complaint from THAT ramen. My overall complaint was that they were out of the gyukotsu (short rib ramen) AND the duck, even though they'd be been open for less than an hour. The other weird part was that the chopsticks (they're at the table) were all mismatched, so if you didn't notice when you pulled them out, you ended up with a long and a short one - but that's hardly a problem. The restaurant itself is in Santana Row, so there's parking, it's on the smaller side, but still pretty quiet, so it's a great space. I ate outside, however, they had ample tables inside, as well as a communal table for the single eaters.
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Jasmyn F.

Yelp
We came on a weekday, the lunch special is a great deal! $25 for a bowl of ramen and a side entree. It's a good amount of food for the price. I got the spicy ramen, it had just the right amount of spice. I would rate it a 9/10. Super flavorful! Service was a bit lacking. Our server forgot to bring our water and another server came to ask us if we wanted water. Other than that, service was fine - nothing above and beyond but adequate. I will be back!
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Sean L.

Yelp
We had an overall decent experience, probably around a 3.5-star rating. The service was alright, but we did run into an issue with our drink order. We asked our server about the vodka in the espresso martini, and she told us it was Grey Goose. However, I saw the bartender use Svedka instead. It would've been nice to know upfront, as we would've paid to upgrade the vodka and avoided a potential headache from well liquor. Because of this, we stuck to just one drink. For starters, we had the duck tacos and soft-shell crab bao. I was excited about the duck, but since it was just my wife and me, we didn't want to over-order. The duck taco came in a crispy wonton shell, which was a nice touch, but the duck itself was gamey and the skin was chewy. It would have been better if it was like Peking duck. The soft-shell crab bao, the crab tasted great, but there was way too much bao compared to crab, and the bao itself was pretty unimpressive. Given those appetizers, we didn't have high hopes for the ramen, but surprisingly, it was pretty good! The broth was rich and flavorful--yes, a bit salty, but that's ramen for you. The chashu was well-cooked, and the egg was perfect. We liked it so much we ordered one to-go for our son. Unfortunately, they packed the noodles in the broth, which made them soggy by the time we got home. Separating the components would've kept it from turning mushy. Despite some hiccups, we might come back if we're in the mood for ramen. While it's not the best we've had, it's definitely not the worst either. ---
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Kylee O.

Yelp
Visit Momosan the other day and absolutely loved it. I loved it so much that I came back two days later. However, it just wasn't as good as my first visit. This place gets pretty busy even during opening so I would recommend getting there as early as you can because this place is small. During both visits you can just tell that they are understaffed with servers. The first time worst than the second as they weren't as attentive as the male server I had the second day was. Not their fault of course but I think two servers handing the whole restaurant makes the dining experience longer than it has to be. To start off, I ordered the tonkatsu ramen which was exceptional on the first day I had it. The broth was soo creamy and filled with flavor. The noodles and meat were cooked just right and it honestly was one of the best ramens i've had. However, second day it seemed like it was lacking a lot of flavor and it just seemed really inconsistent. I also don't know why there aren't many reviews on this but the tap water they serve was disgusting. I thought it was just that one round but we asked for it to be changed and it tasted the same. Second time we went it was the exact same and tastes just like wood, so weird. Made it super hard to drink while eating. For appetizers we ordered the duck fries which I would not order again as it tasted like regular really crispy fries for about $15. We also ordered the spicy tuna roll which I would not order again either. Overall, I would probably not come here again. It is priced pretty well in a really nice area but I just don't like the inconsistency. Another note, I lost my credit card and just wanted to see if this place would have had it as it's the only place I used it at and the phone goes straight to voicemail. Why have a phone number online if it's not able to be called? Saw another review about this same issue and should be fixed.
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David C.

Yelp
We were served by a very cute and friendly waiter who smiled a lot and helped us with choosing our orders. His jovial attitude helped make the dining experience better. Our party of 4 shared the popcorn shrimp, and while the bowl is a bit small for the price, it did taste amazing. Each shrimp was crispy, and the sauce was very tasty with a little bit of sweetness and tang. As for the All Star, I was not disappointed by the variety and quality inside the bowl. I especially enjoyed the little sourness and bitterness that the little pickled vegetables added, but the soup felt light enough to drink without feeling too rich or salty. I feel that for the location, service, and taste, this restaurant is worth the more expensive meal prices.
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Brian K.

Yelp
Stopped by for a drink and some appetizers. Have been to Morimotos's restaurant in Napa, so was looking forward to this experience. We sat outside on the heated patio along side the road, pedestrians and a whole lot of marijuana smoke. I think I got a contact buzz!! Had an old fashioned, duck fat fries and kakuni bao (pork belly bun). The old fashioned was decent. They smoke it so it comes out with a smoker lid. The fries were spectacular. Thin, crisp and soft inside. Reminded me of McDonalds fries (my favorite) on steroids. The small $8 pork bun (just one per order) was nice. Well rendered and lightly seasoned / glazed. Overall, a decent experience.
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Shailee M.

Yelp
Food- Just 1 veg/vegan ramen option. They do not even make alterations for other ramen to make it vegetarian. Taste was average. No choice to pick different kind of noodles. Too many noodles and less broth. For appetizers we had fried tofu & edamame. Tofu was bland. No good flavor. Service- Average Ambiance- good
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Alyssa C.

Yelp
I've been to the Momosan Waikiki before, so the menu was very similar if not the same. Even on a Saturday night, the restaurant wasn't too crowded but the food is good! The flavors are savory with a small tinge of sweetness. The tofu agedashi was good, with the mushrooms adding an unexpected layer. The kakuni bap could've used a bit of spice to add to the flavor but the savory umami flavor was nice and balanced. Parking is available for free in the Santana row structure :) I'd likely return but only after trying the other restaurants on Santana row.
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Samantha W.

Yelp
Feeling pretty neutral about this spot. My husband and I came here for lunch last weekend, eager to try the latest restaurant from Iron Chef Morimoto. Ambience is typical Santana Row nice - clean and modern with dark wood accents. They had a nice outdoor seating area with a semi covered patio, which is where we sat since we had our baby + stroller with us. We ordered the gyukotsu ramen (meat was 7 hour braised beef rib), spicy tuna tacos, and buri bap (essentially a modified yellowtail bimbambap). The ramen was okay.. a little too oily for my taste. Buri bap was quite good! A lighter take on bimbambap that I'd get again. Spicy tuna tacos were also good, but nothing special. Total was ~$75 pre tax pre tip, which is a little pricey for lunch.. not sure if the food is worth the cost. Service was fine, nothing too good nor bad. I probably wouldn't return here on my own accord, as there are so many other (better) options in Santana, but wouldn't object if a friend wanted to try it out together.
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Jenny M.

Yelp
Great food always. Service is ok, they're always busy so it's understandable. Love coming here for lunch & dinner
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Daniela B.

Yelp
We didn't have to wait too long for a Friday night. We did get the communal table which was fine for us. The speciality beef ramen was delicious and comforting for a rainy night. Their duck fat fries were really tasty and not too salty or greasy. The duck tacos were ok. The taco shell was greasy and the sauce was meh. We had their hot sake and it was good quality. Ambience was nice and not too noisy.
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Steven C.

Yelp
I loved watching Chef Morimoto on Iron Chef when I was a kid so no doubt I will try out his restaurants when I got the chance. In the past Momosan was only opened for dinner but they have been conveniently opened for lunch now after their soft opening and I got to try it out! [[ Location ]] Located towards the back of Santana Row where the old Pasta Pamodoro use to be (for you OG's out there). It's also conveniently located near Boba Guys so you can pop in for a sweet treat afterwards! I'm going to do a Pro's and Con's list for this review because there are a bit of both. [Pro's] 1.) Food In my opinion the food is stellar. I enjoyed the food immensely and definitely thought they were "elevated" in some way or form from original recipes. I'll talk about the price a bit later... We ordered: 1.) Duck Tacos 2.) Duck Fat French Fries 3.) All Star Ramen 4.) Buri Bap My favorite from these are the Duck Tacos and the All Star Ramen. The Duck Tacos were sweet and delicious with a nice crunch on the tacos. I thought it would be a regular Duck Bao you can get at chinese restaurants but was pleasantly surprised. The All Star Ramen was a great intro to the Ramen at Momosan as it had 3 separate meats all cooked to perfection (Chashu Pork, Kakuni Pork, Steamed Chicken) with really delicious broth and good textured Ramen. I was disappointed in the Duck Fat French Fries since it was WAYY too salty but this could be a fluke on the seasoning. I hope it's more balanced normally. The Buri Bap comes "uncooked" and the server will cook it in front of you after bringing it to the table. A good way to impress your date/friend/co-workers if you go. 2.) Service / Ambiance Service was really good and the ambiance of the restaurant is "upscale". It's a nice place just to hang out and enjoy with your significant other / friends. [ Con's ] 1.) 2-seat Tables WTF is wrong with their chairs here? There is no backseat and there is no where to put down your bags or hang your purse. Everyone had their bags/purses on their laps while they were eating which was really bizarre and an easy way to get your items dirty. I hope they figure out a solution to this in the future. 2.) SJ Employee Mandate - 4% This will be added to your bill when you get the receipt. I usually don't like "hidden" fees but just a heads up to everyone. Can't wait till the law passes to get rid of things like this. 3.) Price This place ain't cheap. Even though the food is good, you'll always wonder in the back of your mind if it's really worth the price. For example, I was really enjoying my Ramen but I was thinking, "Is this really worth $30?" I can just walk down the street to Ramen Nagi and get a really good bowl of Ramen for $16.25. [[ Conclusion ]] I really enjoyed the restaurant and hopefully it stays alive here even with the pricey menu.
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Adit S.

Yelp
Great Food with Solid Vegetarian Options! Momosan is a really good spot with some great vegetarian options. Here's my take on what I tried: * Tofu Agedashi - Solid 8/10. * Brussels Sprouts - Crispy and flavorful. 8/10. * Tofu Bap - Absolutely delicious! One of my favorites. 9.5/10. * Vegan Miso Ramen - Perfectly rich in taste. 9/10. One of the best things about this place is that you can usually get a reservation even on weekends, which is a big plus. Definitely worth a visit!
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edlyn l.

Yelp
Made reservations and came for lunch. It's very close to boba guys. We were seated right away. They gave us our menu. But it took longer than usual to take our orders. It was a bit busy. There are also some outside dining. We ordered spicy Dan Dan which was brothless and tuna pizza and tsukemen the dipping ramen. The Dan Dan was flavorful. The tuna pizza was so light. I could have eaten 2 more pizzas. If you spend the day at Santana row, this is a great place to get some ramen.
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Laila K.

Yelp
Unfortunately, I was disappointed by Momosan. I was excited to try this new ramen spot in the South Bay, but it fell dim compared to other ramen restaurants in the area (HiroNori, Ramen Izakaya). I ordered the vegan ramen and tofu agedashi, while my friend ordered the beef ramen (gyukotsu) and gyoza. The ramen was very flavorful, but there was very minimal broth (could hardly even see it) in both of our dishes and the noodles had soaked up most of it. The toppings felt more like a salad (kale and diced tomatoes), and it just overall lacked richness and a soup-like quality. The tofu was also not as crispy as I'd hoped. Furthermore, it was quite pricey ($20 for vegan and $30 for gyukotsu). The ambiance was okay, it got busy around 7:30pm but when we arrived at 6pm it was very open. The service was quick and our server was attentive throughout the evening. Overall it was a fine experience, but the ramen itself did not meet my expectations.
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Ruhi C.

Yelp
Delicious food! The ramen tasted very fresh and was incredibly tasty! We also enjoyed the shishito peppers, which were cooked perfectly. We tried their yuzu margarita, which was very refreshing. Overall, the quality of food was great. However, I wasn't a huge fan of how close the tables were next to each other. It felt like I was sitting with other people. That being said, i would still come back again!
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Toan N.

Yelp
Momosan is a very nice place! I love the interior of the restaurant and the service is very friendly and quick. Food is good like the kaarage and tsukemen, but others like the poke aren't as worth it considering the portions. But the main dishes are definitely a must try.
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Peter X.

Yelp
This has got to be one of the most overpriced mediocre Asian fusion out there. First of all the portions are absurdly small and the "shared" table arrangements are so dysfunctional; the table was shared with other parties and the staff mixed everyone's order at the entire table and we had to keep telling them what we ordered. What a disaster.. How embarrassing. For $30 for a small bowl of ramen, I'd expect to be blown away but I've literally had $10 bowls that tasted twice as good. Also, what is kale doing in ramen?? $120 later we have a strange taste in our mouth and are still hungry. What a disappointing experience.
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Amy N.

Yelp
Overdue review, came over a year ago, not sure if it has improved. I had high hopes for this place since it's by Chef Morimoto, but unfortunately, I did not like it here. I got the duck tacos, buri bap, and mango matchasu. Duck tacos: 3.5/5; good but nothing special. Buri bap: 3; despite being served in a hot stone pot, it didn't have any of the burnt/crispy rice at the bottom which I love from usual hot stone bibimbap. Also, overall, this dish was really bland. Mango matchasu: 5/5; it was light and refreshing which I really liked.
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Sunil R.

Yelp
***Downgrading from a 3 to a 1 star. I realized I had left my credit card there after my visit and left multiple messages over the course of a week asking for them to call me back and no one did. I ended up canceling the card. I ended up driving there since I was in the area after that and was curious if they had my card...guess what, they did. I wish someone had just called me, would have saved me a lot of hassle.*** I am not a big Iron Chef fan but was still curious to try this spot. The decor is nice and modern and service was average. I got the lunch combo where you can pick a rice and ramen dish. I got the curry don and chicken ramen with chicken karage. I also got the tuna tacos. I was hungry ok... The food was decent. The tuna tacos for $14 was a little silly given the super small portion. I don't think this food is winning Iron Chef anytime soon.
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Gillynn C.

Yelp
Nice place to check out in Santana Row. Prices weee very reasonable we had outdoor seating and for some reason it was a bit chilly out around lunch time. They did have heaters to save the day. My rib ramen was very tasty and they even left the bone. The meat was tender. I do love their combo lunches that includes some sushi or sashimi. Service was great and they were very attentive. Will need to come back to try other dishes.
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Madison M.

Yelp
Came in on a Sunday night - wasn't too busy, we were seated immediately. Food was okay, the poke was enough for one person if you're not super hungry- it was sufficiently filling - nothing really standout (neutral dish). The ramen is a decent serving with quite a few accoutrements. They were out of the thinly sliced pork that came with the ramen and said they would replace it with two pieces of an alternative cut - they ended up only serving one piece of the alternate cut so protein in the dish was lacking a bit. Considering the restaurant wasn't super busy we didn't see our waitress again until it was time for the check. Overall the restaurant was pretty minimal in style and clean. Probably would not come back here considering how many other ramen places there are in the city.
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Melissa N.

Yelp
We arrived around an hour after opening on Saturday and got one of the last tables. We ordered two rolls, the gyukotsu ramen and buri bap. Everything tasted fine. I thought the dishes would be elevated or a bit different from the norm but not so much. The beef rib was a very healthy portion of meat for ramen but not much else going for that bowl of ramen. Service was good. I appreciated the table side mixing of the bibimbap.
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Greg F.

Yelp
Exactly as expected at a Morimoto spot. The ramen was excellent, but it's everything else that is really stand out. I think next time we go we'll treat it like tapas... the service was on-point and the location is perfect for eating and people watching