Otaku Ramen

Delicious Experience at Otaku Ramen Rating: 5/5 Otaku Ramen offers a delightful dining experience with its fantastic food and convenient amenities. We ordered the Classic Shoyu with chicken instead of pork belly, and it was absolutely delicious. The restaurant provides plenty of parking in the lot, along with ample seating options both inside and on the covered patio. The combination of great food and a comfortable dining environment makes Otaku Ramen a must-visit. I’ll definitely be back for more!

Otaku Ramen is very delicious definitely on point! Had the spicy miso accompanied with a Koji beer. It was the perfect mix! The atmosphere is very nice and they had One Piece playing! Definetly would be back. It would’ve been 5 stars but I have to say the cashier in the front was very rude, she may have had a bad day that’s fine, but my girlfriend asked about having boba tea and the cashier said that they had a busy day and that they were out. After ordering our meals we went to our table and we saw a gentleman with a cup of boba! I don’t understand how we saw someone with a boba 5 minutes after we were told you were out. Either way it didn’t bother me the food is amazing, but the cashier in the front needs to do better and check her attitude. A restaurant can have great food but the service is the cherry on top for a business to be successful.

I’ve had a lot of ramen and udon noodles and this was certainly not the best but not the worst. A great place for a quick ramen and other side items. Otaku ramen had quite of ramen selections with different side items. I got the miso spicy ramen, Nashville hot chicken bun and Tokyo fried chicken. Ramen was okay, little too much ginger in my opinion. Hot chicken bun and the Tokyo fried chicken was good. If you are in the mood for ramen, definitely give this place a try!

It's ok it's mid at best. Ramen is just not as good as other places for the same price point. And you have to pay extra to have an egg dropped in your Ramen and that egg is COLD! What the white people running a ramen place is that? Look it should just be cheaper for this quality that's all. The triple garlic was pretty good but the charred corn overpowers the broth with that earthy char taste and the garlic is missing till you clear that out. The other selections are a bit watery like the broth has not had long enough to steep and come together. Service is non existent which again at this price point is unacceptable. I can go to two ten or black dynasty pay the same price for food and have a wonderful server. I can also find a massive sake selection liquor and cocktails which is non-existent here. Here it's ordering at a counter and getting flat coke from a fountain. If you do want drinks it's beer or sake in a cup or soju and you gotta go back and hope someone is at the counter and you can cut in line. The prices there are higher to. I could like this spot the interior is nice, the seating is great for groups but this is $10 ramen served at $17 or 18 dollars if you want an egg. Get reservations at two ten or get the ramen at any good sushi joint like Maru sapparro or bite a bit and you'll be better served. If you are a larger group this is a much better place to consider. Still like their takeout window.

My first time here and it was amazing! I definitely over-ordered and got too much food but it was worth it. :) The Hot Chicken Rice Bowl had a good amount of heat but not too spicy and the pickles were an added crunch. My husband loved the Tonkatsu and he’s very picky about his noodles!! This is a fantastic place to stop for a sit down meal or even place a to-go order!

The ramen I had was delicious. 5 star for number 9 Szechuan special. Flavoursome, spicy and hot. Came out very quick too. Maybe lacked a little pork belly, but everything within was delightful. Crunchy, chewey, flavours.. id happily go back for the food. Wasn't cheap though about 30 per person with a drink. Plenty of seating on a Friday evening, parking was no problem.

We have never had a poor experience at Otaku! The newer East Nashville location did not disappoint! After several orders from the "to go" window with excellent success we decided to bring a friend in for lunch. The ramen was as expected for Otaku, fresh, delicious, exceptionally proportioned! I'm soooo glad this location is minutes away from home!

Had so much fun here for my son's 10th birthday for a kid who loves Anime and Ramen he was in heaven. Service was great, and food 1000/1000 in my son's words. Thank you 😊

Otaku Ramen is an exciting and fast growing local spot serving up some of the best Ramen around Nashville. This Eastside location makes 4 for the brand. We have been passing Highland Yards for months now and never stopped in until recently, and man have we been missing out! Our first stop at Highland Yards was Otaku Ramen for a casual and tasty dinner! Otaku is set up as a casual dining spot with fresh, made to order food. When you walk in, you are greeted by delightful staff who are ready to take your order. And if you are unsure, they are happy to toss a few recommendations your way. You order all your food and beverages up front, then seat yourself. Food is brought out as it is prepared, so something you ordered as an appetizer may come out after your entrees. For our dinner we started with a few skewers and the corn fritters. We tried the sausage, chicken meatball and steak skewers. Steak was the favorite of the three. For our bowls, we got a Chicken Donburri bowl and the Maz and Cheese bowl with pork belly. Bowls were solid, no complaints at all. While I enjoyed all the bites and bowls, my absolute favorite dish was the corn fritters! Honestly, maybe the best corn fritters I have ever had. Like, no joke. I do enjoy a good ramen bowl, but I would go back solely for those fritters! The dining area is split into two, both technically inside, but half of the tables are surrounded by large windows that make it feel like an enclosed or covered patio. Most of the tables are long, seating up to 8. This allows for communal seating when they get busy. Fountain drinks and water are self serve, while everything else is counter or waiter delivered. Parking is decently plentiful in the complex. If not, there are several side streets nearby for street parking. Overall, really enjoyed our experience at Otaku. Will certainly be back!

Otaku Ramen Izakaya is an absolute gem! From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the clean, modern interior--it's both stylish and welcoming. The staff here is incredibly helpful with suggestions, be it for vegans, first-time guests, or drink decisions. Now, let's talk about the food--absolutely delicious! The ramen is great, with rich, flavorful broths and perfectly cooked noodles. If you're into drinks, Otaku Ramen Izakaya won't disappoint. They have an impressive sake selection, along with other great drink options, including some fantastic boba tea. Overall, Otaku Ramen Izakaya is a must-try for any ramen lover in the area or anyone looking for a great meal in a modern, friendly setting.

Visited Feb 4, 2024. Originally came in to Highland Yards for Kisser, but wait times were 90mins so my group came here first. Fast casual, order then self seating. Interior decor is slick, modern, with dark paint contrasted with light wood. Many frames of anime photos that were displayed thoughtfully and not everywhere that can be tacky, but not here. Tables are large to sit in groups of 6. Also had plenty of outdoor seating. Ramen was amazing: spicy miso. I believe the other flavors were lighter in flavor, so I would definitely be ordering spicy miso again! Our ordering service and kitchen service was great! The manager came to speak to us about the other locations and the kitchen staff was very helpful in assisting us with extra spices (believe the name was TK). Food came out fast, hot, and nicely displayed. Restrooms are located outside the restaurant, in the building, down the hall. Parking is available mostly in the back of the building.

The entrance was a little confusing at first, but super cool little spot! This place has a very modern style with a great patio option as well. The staff was really friendly and offered suggestions (it was our first time there). Their fryer had just been fixed, so we weren't able to try a few of the items on the menu, which I was bummed about. A few things we tried: Chicken dumplings - they were delicious and flavorful on their own. I preferred them without the sauce, which had an odd taste to me. Okonomiyaki - was too salty for us and we didn't finish it. Sesame green beans - super delicious and acted as a nice cool break from all the warm food. Absolutely loved it as a palate cleanse between trying different things. Cool ranch wontons - if you like cool ranch Doritos, you'll love these even more! They were a light alternative and very dill forward. The ramen was decent, but not the highlight of the meal. Overall, the food tasted fairly decent, however price is always a huge factor when deciding whether or not to visit a place again in the future. And I have to say, I probably wouldn't go back simply because of the prices. The dumplings were $10 for 5 small dumplings (about $1 per bite). In order for my husband and I to have a full meal, we were looking at almost $70+, not including tip.

I got the tonkatsu shoyu. It was nothing special. The ramen is sooo salty. And everyone I know that has had otaku says the same thing: it's too salty. I've had way better ramen elsewhere.

The food was Amazing. The server Stevie was very helpful and a joy. The area was small but nice. We was placed on the patio and it was snowing but the area was heated but when the heater went off you felt that chill come through until the heater come back on. Overall it was nice, we will be back because the food was Excellent!

You order at the counter and then seat yourself. A waiter/waitress will bring your food to your table. The cashier was kind and patient. The broth and noodles of the ramen were edible but not good. The broth was greasy. The tonkotsu ramen had one tonkotsu and it was overcooked and greasy. When I bit into the tonkotsu it was brittle and greasy. The texture was almost crosshatches of hay.

***Review for vegan options*** My husband and I decided to finally give Otaku a try and we instantly wondered why we'd waited so long! We were the first ones in for lunch on a Saturday so we had no wait. The menu has two vegetarian offerings and we had them hold the egg on both our dishes. I ordered the Tantamen ramen and my husband had the kimchi fried rice. We also shared a strawberry hibiscus boba tea. Although the tea was good next time I'll try one of the boba milk teas made with oat milk. The staff was helpful in assisting us to make our selections and were very friendly. From the moment my bowl of ramen was set down the aroma was quite enticing. We both really enjoyed our dishes, my husband said next time he'll definitely order a ramen since it was such a fragrant flavorful dish and a bit larger than his fried rice. In fact he kept taking spoonfuls of my broth to pour over his rice. The restaurant itself is a large space with plenty of seating both in the main room and the glass enclosed four season room. We both won't hesitate to come back next time we're craving ramen. Another reviewer mentioned the corn fritters so hope to give those a try as well!

I have been to all of the Otaku Ramen locations and this location is my least favorite. The food here is not as good as the downtown or franklin location. The service is good though. I think this is a newer location so they may be still working somethings out. I may try again when I'm in the area.

It was charming ramen shop. The food was to die for..the broth a lone would make any thing you choose delicious Ramen.The service was extremely pleasant.. I wish I lived closer to Nashville because this place would be on my regular food routine.

Hidden gem right outside downtown. I might be a little biased on my review, but if you are craving ramen on a chilly day. Or just want something out of the ordinary. This is the spot. The service was second to none. Definitely helped with the experience, and enjoyed the staff's hospitality. Made me feel like I was someone of culture. The space makes it feel like you are almost walking into a anime ramen shop. Right out of a manga. After this delicious meal I feel like I could be the world's greatest hokage. Naruto would make this a regular meal

Yum! I've been to a few Otaku Ramen locations and each time is great! The atmosphere is lively and makes for a great time, especially with a group of friends or coworkers! It is a bit pricey when it comes to add-ons, but overall an enjoyable and delicious experience.

Pretty good. Def on the pricey side after everything added in. Does not come with an egg included- that is extra, too. Come at happy hour because otherwise the drinks aren't worth the price. My frozen hibiscus sake was pretty good though! Noodles are on the firmer side, and the shoyu I wasn't the biggest fan of. It may have been overcooked. Atmosphere is very cool and modern. I think a lot of inspiration on the design came from Japan. Service is relatively on the easier side as you order your food before you sit at your table. Less intimate.

The place is beautiful, but the food was blah. I don't know what's changed since the original gulch location I've been to, but the food was cold, the service struggled to get us our food. Noodles seem like they have thrown premade spaghetti noodles in a pot of water. We ordered 3 bowls of ramen, and all of them were tepid. The extra noodles I ordered were a good 30 degrees hotter than the broth. All of our gyoza were cold.

Nashville ramen does not disappoint! Service here was great; you order at the host stand and they bring it to your table (shoutout Brit for being a great host!). The noodles in the ramen were the highlight, but the broth and toppings were great as well. Would definitely recommend!!!

A cool indoor/outdoor place, but the food is mediocre at best. We ordered two types of ramen both of which were shockingly low on flavor and incredibly overpriced considering the lack of accompaniments. $17 for a so-so bowl of ramen with no egg, chashu, or mushrooms isn't okay. We also ordered the Karaage, which was extremely salty, as well as overbreadeded and grainy. Truly disappointing.

The service at this location needs a lot of improvement. We ate in but wanted to place an additional order to go. The counter was left unattended for 10-15 minutes. We saw a handful of customers (families included) walking out. I ended up placing a pick up order through their website since there wasn't anyone to help at the counter. It got worse though. I placed the order at 6:55pm and my ticket said the order would be ready by 7:25pm. At my designated pick up time, we drop by the to go window and rang the bell to pick up our food. No one was at the counter: here, we saw a customer walk out as he waited a while to place a to go order. We waited around 10 minutes before someone came up the window to ask for my info. I gave them the info and they said they'd return "soon" with my order. I waited another 15 minutes. We started to walk away to wait in our car, when someone else was able to grab their order. After we asked why it was taking too long, we were told that they were finally firing my order. If they were that backed up, it would have been better if they were honest and communicated that we would have to wait for a bit longer. The lack of communication and organization was such a turn off from the food that we enjoyed during our dine in. We got our to go order over an hour after i placed the online order. Even though they gave us appeasement coupons, I don't see myself coming back soon. I would love to see this place succeed but they really need to figure out their logistics and their front of house first.

Went here on a Sunday with my wife because the wait at Kisser was over an hour and a half. Not going back. Service was ambivalent. Got the order wrong at first, drinks offered on menu weren't available. Too expensive for bad ramen. Both dishes were incredibly salty. Meat was nearly non existent. Beats me how they've gotten such good reviews. Should have maybe focused more on their kitchen and less on front of house.

Ooomg the vegetarian ramen was soo flavorful. Great portions.. the veggie dumplings that were in there we absolutely amazing. The device was great. The milk tea was really good as well.

We LOVE the gulch location!! We go once a week easily, and always love to be sat with John! Allie and Matt are amazing servers as well! Nothing bad to say about this location, they are AMAZING!!!!

Having been to Japan recently this definitely reminded us of some of the amazing places we ate while there. Otaku is as good as what we had in Japan!

My ramen came out cold :/ I ate it anyway. Very impersonal environment. I like the gulch location best.

LOVE the new Otaku Ramen in East Nashville. Beautifully designed with a super fun set up. Obsessed with the Tantanmen and ramen eggs. My husband's "go to" is the Spicy Miso. Highly recommend! So stoked to have this in our hood.

The ramen at this place is nothing special. Two ten down the street is much better IMO. It's pretty pricey and doesn't come with an egg. Dumplings were great though. Probably wouldn't come back again, too many other options out there with better food.

Arrived around 11:30am on a Saturday. Must have just opened for the day since there was only 1 other customer. The person taking our order at the entrance counter was super friendly. Ordered 3 ramens, edamame, and the fried chicken. Everything tasted good. Just wished the soup/broth could have been hotter when served. By the time it got to the table it was lukewarm. The ramen noodles were too al dente as well.

I was pretty excited to have this open in East Nashville but was very disappointed. I have been to the location in the Gulch and had a good experience so I am not sure if it was an off night or what. Location is very nice, however, it's about the food. The broth was luke warm, lacked flavor and the noodles were spaghetti like. My soft egg looked ok but the yolk was cold. Gyoza was cold to. We had a group of four and the experience was the same for each. Hoping things improve.

The Gavigan's have done it again. From the exceptional design of this gorgeous restaurant down to the multiple ramen options, dumplings, and delicious canned wine (yes I said canned) our meal was so yum!!! To note- their playlist is not to be ignored.

So excited to have another Otaku Ramen and it's in my neighborhood! .... Swoon. I can walk there, sit in the most beautifully designed space and have my favorite ramen. I think this is their best one yet. I really love the classic shio and I have my fingers crossed for the return of the szechuan bowl. Each bowl is slurp worthy. I love spice and they have awesome side options to spice it up. Add their ice cold Sapporo, a spicy chicken bun and some edamame and I'm leaving the happiest.