Ramen Hajime

I am finally a fan of ramen soup. Great texture and good tasting broth. Service is nice and efficient. Also ordered chicken karaage, crispy and tasty. The spicy edamame was fun as well. You need to arrive as they first open or it could be a wait to be seated.

Ramen Hajime is a great choice for consistent quality ramen with plenty of options (including vegetarian). Expect very high wait times during peak hours, so come early to put down your name (Yelp waitlist). I love their Kiwami Tonkotsu as it comes with a smoky black sauce + limes, both which offer a unique twist to the already-deep-flavored broth. Sometimes they have limited-time selections on their menu (many past items featured on their wall decor). Service is quick and friendly, and prices are standard.

Small shop, but big quality. I’ve gone a couple of times and loved it. The servings are plentiful, the food is tasty. I like how the staff are attentive but not overbearing. The atmosphere is also pretty relaxed inside. The ONLY thing I’d warn of is the wait list. But it usually goes pretty quick.

From the moment I stepped into this restaurant and heard the music playing, I knew right away this was an authentic Japanese ramen shop. I ordered the Kiwami Tonkotsu Ramen, and it was hands down one of the best ramen I’ve had on the West Coast. The broth was rich and deeply flavorful, the noodles were perfectly firm and springy, and the chashu and other toppings were incredibly fresh and delicious. The first sip of soup instantly transported me to Japan. Throughout my meal, I heard songs by two of my favorite Japanese artists，Gen Hoshino and Fujii Kaze as well as theme songs from anime I’ve watched. It made the whole dining experience feel personal and nostalgic. The staff were kind, polite, and welcoming, and the atmosphere in the restaurant was cozy and inviting. I’ll definitely be coming back often. This place is a true gem.

My favourite ramen in the bay area. This place has me excited to come back for seconds, thirds, fourths, etc. would give this place more stars if I could. As a first time, I got the meat meat meat and I recommend you do too so you can try all the meats. Definitely a bit expensive but well worth it, you do get lots. They do their meat on the thin side and I really enjoyed it. It was so tender and flavourful. What's more is all the meats had distinct flavours and I enjoyed them all! Normally the egg is my favorite topping but the meats here knocked it out of the park (don't get me wrong, egg was excellent still). Lots of toppings, super yummy. Also oh la la the shio broth. So rich and creamy like a tonkotsu (my broth of choice) without being heavy. I also was hesitant about the lime but it really is just the lightest hint. I enjoyed it. Lastly, I loved their thin style noodles. Just the right level of firm. Only complaints: wish it came with a full egg; tad (just a tad) pricey, but well worth it

I really wanted to like this place, but it just didn’t live up to the hype. The food wasn’t bad—it was fine—but nothing memorable. I had the spicy miso ramen, and while it had a bit of heat, the broth lacked depth and richness. My partner had the tonkotsu, which was better, but still didn’t wow us. I was very sad about the pork slices. It was the standard portion, but the pieces were so thin—thinner than shabu cuts. You barely get any protein, which was pretty disappointing. Also, the seating situation was odd. There were multiple empty tables inside while a long line of people waited outside. Not sure if it was a staffing issue, but it definitely made the experience feel disorganized. All in all, not terrible, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to come back.

The soup is creamy and flavorful, and I’m glad it’s not too salty, so no need to drink too much water in this case! The noodle is thin noodle, similar to Yangchun noodle (阳春面) which I prefer. Karaage is a normal juicy Japanese Karaage, as I expect. Service is welcome and friendly.

The way Ramen Hajime makes ramen is like how a great orchestra plays a piece of music. When the sound is so definitively good it’s almost like this is how the composer meant for the music to be played. Ramen Hajime makes ramen like this. So good that I’ve just about forgotten any other version of ramen out there. First, their broth game is very strong. The broth is complex with a lot of umami flavors. It is on the salty side, so I opted for less salt, which came out perfect. Second, their chef is a master of texture. My ramen had the exact same texture as the kikurage mushroom topping making it hard for my tongue to discern where the ramen ended and the mushroom began. So interesting! The only downside I encountered was that by 7:30pm on a Saturday they couldn't take any more customers because the waitlist was too long. Please be open until later! This establishment is a paean to the art of ramen-making. I look forward to (arriving earlier and) trying out the rest of the menu!

Food: 5/5 Initially, I would have tried the Spicy Miso but it seems like they do not do adjustments on spice levels so I got the regular Tonkotsu instead. I was very impressed by how good it was! Especially for the very reasonable price of $12, this is one of the highest quality for price ratio ramen locations. Everything from the broth, noodles, and thin slices of chashu were absolutely delectable (I opted for no mushrooms). The ramen was a solid 5 stars! Ambience: 5/5 The ambience at Ramen Hajime was pretty standard in a good way. The location was well-lit, clean, and organized. Service: 5/5 The staff was friendly and the waitlist process was very efficient and had no issues. We put our names down and just kept track of our place in line via the website. After being disappointed by some other restaurants recently in terms of service, it was such a relief to have some good service and this place did a great job! Overall: 5/5 High quality for such a reasonable price point. I can confidently say this place stands out and I will be back here soon.

Ordered the Tonkatsu ramen. Got there @ 1030am to add our name to the waiting list for the 11am opening. The restaurant was full inside by 1115am & there was a long wait outside. The ramen is very good. The broth is not salty at all and has great flavor. The portion is a great portion for the price. They're able to split our bill into 4. Service was great & ramen came out fast & hot. This is not a place where you can wait around to catch up with friends after you're done eating since there is a long line of hungry ramen craters. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because I wouldn't recommend for anyone who needs to bring a stroller (for kids or pets) or uses a wheelchair since the restaurant is not big inside and there's not a lot of space to maneuver around.

The food here was great! One of the nicest tonkatsu broths I've had. I would definitely come back to try more and get some of that spice in. The ramen came with egg and a good portion of meat at a really great price. Personally, wasn't a fan of the thin noodles (personal preference), while my friends really enjoyed it. Service was amazing too! We came an hour before closing and stayed after, they were really nice about it. They brought out food along with the utensils. Definitely a solid cozy ramen spot, it's quite a nice darker aesthetic to it.

Family's favorite ramen place. Amazing rich broth, soft cut noodles, and melt in your mouth meat. We also love the chicken karage which is the perfect blend of crispness on the outside and tender on the inside. Seating is limited so make sure you come early to get a spot. Highly recommended spot and our go-to-restaurant for ramen.

Had dinner with FIL last night at this spot. I have had it bookmarked for a while and was excited to try it when he suggested it. We joined the waitlist and waited about half an hour to be seated. We ordered: Tonkotsu: 5/5 I tried a sip of the spicy version and it was delicious! Shoyu: 5/5 this was even better than the tonkotsu. Although it did leave me extra thirsty afterwards. I liked the thick wavy ramen but was a bit too soft. Karaage: tasty and not oily Edemame: yum! Yay another yummy ramen spot! Ps please hide all your belonging and lock your car. My fil's car got broken into in that parking lot. :(

Ordered the Kiwami Spicy Miso and Kiwami Vegan. The Kiwami Vegan tasted even though the broth did not have bone broth; it had an addition of curry which may have helped thicken the broth. I was not impressed with the vegan meat, but the pickled vegetables and bok choy were good. I think it was have taste better with an assortment of mushrooms. The service was fast and friendly, but be prepared for a long waitlist at the door. The ambiance was very casual.

i like their spicy tonkotsu with thick wavy noodles! noodles are different from other places and broth, meat, and eggs are always well seasoned and cooked their karaage is big and juicy too

Came here at 5:30PM on a Saturday and there was an hour wait. The restaurant itself is pretty small, with pictures of their limited edition ramens on the wall. I ordered the kiwami tonkotsu with spice added and a chicken karaage. The bowl was pretty big, topped with thinly sliced chashu. The broth is a little saltier than I'm used to but it was delicious nonetheless. Chicken karaage was very juicy and yummy. Overall, pretty good ramen spot in san jose, definitely around top 3.

This is a great ramen spot in the Bay Area with a lot to offer. They even have vegan options, which is a nice touch for inclusivity, though I'm definitely all about the meat! We tried the "Meat Meat Meat" bowl, and it was fantastic--flavor-packed and satisfying. My only downside is that the broth could've been hotter, so I'm knocking off one star for that. The chicken karaage was underwhelming, though--nothing special, so I'd skip it next time. We also got the ghost pepper sauce, and it was hella spicy--but we love our spicy food! Overall, the ramen is delicious and reasonably priced, but be prepared for a wait; even 30 minutes after opening, there's a line.

Great value for ramen! Portions are filling and affordable. This could be a decent competitor if the wait times were better, but I'd rather get Ramen Nagi if I'm going to wait 45 minutes. KIWAMI TONKOTSU: 4.25/5 ($15.50) + Very creamy. Not that rich in the pork flavor nor garlic, was slightly oily. Paid $0.50 extra for spice but wasn't all that spicy + Good noodle texture and tons of protein, love that it has a half egg! + Comes with thin noodles but I was able to swap for thick noodles

My mini me been asking me to try this ramen place so finally we had a chance to eat here. Frankly I've here before many years ago during covid time but somehow never returned. Today we order the same ramen the kiwami spicy miso. The noodle is uniquely delicious and al dante. They remind me of Indonesian noodle. Mini me like it but it's ok for me, hence the 4 stars. Anything that mini me likes will boost the stars. She's adventurous with food but She's also quite particular about her food. The staff is efficient so the service is good. The ambiance is casual and the noise level is basically you can hear what other people are talking about without deafening you. Mini me wants to come back to try something else next time. So yeah we'll be back

Always consistent! Insanely rich flavored tonkotsu broth... the thick wavy noodles are the perfect texture! Enough bounce but not too tough. I highly recommend the pork wontons too. My friend is more adventurous than I am. He gets their shoyu, spicy shoyu, miso, kiwami, spicy tonkotsu. He loves all of them. My fav part about this place is the owner. She always remembers me when I come in despite how busy this place gets, she always says hi and welcomes me back! Cutest lady I've ever seen.

Ramen Hajime truly lives up to its top 5 ramen in California reputation! Visited on a Saturday for lunch right at 11am when they opened. While there are no reservations, we joined the waitlist with several ahead of us and were seated within 10-15 minutes. The Signature Kiwami Tonkotsu was an excellent choice--absolutely delicious with bold, flavorful broth. The tender pork belly chashu, pork butt chashu, and perfectly soft-boiled egg were standout elements. The pricing is very reasonable compared to other ramen spots, making it even more appealing. The ambiance is casual, with a moderate noise level, perfect for a laid-back meal. Service was great, with friendly and attentive staff. Plus, there's free parking available in the business plaza. Definitely a spot worth visiting for ramen lovers!

My cousin told me this was the place for the best ramen ever so I was a bit skeptical at first. I feel that ramen could either be a hit or miss in my opinion. My bf and I decided to give it a try one Saturday morning and we saw so many people waiting outside even before they opened! We arrived around 11am and waited about 20 minutes. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side but the turnover rate for tables is pretty fast. There's a limited menu but still a lot of items to try out. We ordered the chicken karaage to start and it was so delicious! I don't think I've ever seen a restaurant with the type of karaage they have. Usually it's more on the darker deep fried or popcorn chicken looking karaage. This one was so good, I could eat a whole bowl to myself if they had that option! Our ramen came out shortly afterwards and they looked amazing. You can definitely tell they only serve quality food and nothing less. We first sipped the broth and they tasted so fresh and clear. Sometimes with ramen, I feel as they could either taste too salty or bland. What was interesting at this restaurant is that there's many different types of noodles. I ordered the Kiwami Shoyu which came with the thick wavy egg noodles and they were delicious. Those are definitely my preferred noodles over the thin ones. I believe you can ask for substitutions but I'm not sure if that would be an additional charge. My bf ordered the Kiwami Tonkotsu which was also very yummy. However, we both decided that the Kiwami Shoyu was the best out of the two. The portion sizes are pretty decent, we were both so stuffed after our meals. I'd definitely say this has been the best ramen I've tried so far in the bay area. Either come early or expect a wait, but it's definitely worth it!

Hajime - 4 Oh if this place had great service it would be a 6/5 stars Honestly in terms of taste, best ramen in South Bay! The broth is creamy yet still light, not too salty, and even has garlic oil included - everything I can ask for in a ramen. But this place is open 5 days a week until 8pm, and we have showed up at 7 only to be turned away from the waitlist. We understand good food can have large crowds, but closing the waitlist an hour early when there's plenty of seating makes no sense to us. But the food is still amazing, so giving 4 stars.

My fiancé and I been wanting to try this place for awhile and we finally did this weekend and it did not disappoint. I got the tonkatsu ramen and karage. The food was so delicious and everything came out rather fast. The value for what you're getting incredible! A normal simple ramen is 12 dollars and if you get the works it's 15. The chef post specials on his instagram so be sure to follow them!

I loveee chicken karaage and ramen, but (surprisingly) it's been to hard to find a good spot in the bay. I was pleasantly surprised by the ramen at Hajime! I got the spicy miso, which was nice and savory with spicy chili oil, but was not too salty or sweet as some ramen places can get towards the end. The soft boiled egg was perfectly jammy. I also added some duck chasu, which had a nice smoky flavor. The stand out though where the thinly sliced pieces of pork. They were sooo thin, which surprisingly gave it a super nice texture to complement the ramen. The chicken karaage was nice and crunchy, but the sauce was a bit more tart than I would like. The bf got the tonkotsu ramen, which tasted pretty standard. Overall, this is one of the better ramen places I've been to in South Bay. They seem quite popular - we went around noon on a weekend and there was around a 45 min wait.

Ramen had nice flavor, soft and chewy noodles, good toppings. The chashu was average but broth made up for it. Serving size was just right. Chicken karaage could have been a bit more crispy on the outside but it was cooked well and delicious nonetheless. Smaller restaurant, didn't get too loud despite being full. Arrived at 5pm on a Friday, had a 15 minute wait for a party of two. Service was attentive & friendly, and the food came out reasonably fast.

To be honest, I kinda struggled to write this review. Ever have a place that you love, and would love to tell folk about, but then realize that it might mean that you'll never be able to get back in again? Yeah, that kinda struggle. Fortunately, Ramen Hajime has me covered, and you too. The ramen here is top notch, and you have an unusual amount of control over it. All the better, if you decide to have take-out, they've thought of everything. You get a kit, one container has the thick, tasty pork tonkotsu broth (or miso, or one of the specialties, I'm not one to judge and they're all very good) with just the right amount of salt and fat (I usually go for less of both when I order). The other container has the fresh noodles as well as the rest of the ingredients in a bowl that's ready to hold everything. You even get instructions for how to put everything together when you get home, and holy cow, they're right on the mark. You get a bowl of noodly goodness that, while you miss out on the helpful and attentive staff, is still good to the last slurp. So, yeah, try this shop and wonder exactly why all those folk line up at the mall if this place is just up the road a bit.

A terrific and slightly newer ramen place in the Santa Clara/Cupertino border area! The Kiwami Tonkotsu is delicious. It has almost all the elements of taste to it -salt, sweet, sour, bitter, umami, and fat (it doesn't have spicy though). I've ordered it twice now and it was amazing every time. The place can command a line, but the longest I've seen someone wait on their waiting list system has been around 30-40 minutes. It is a smaller place though. Almost every patron I've seen unanimously orders the Chicken Karaage. I've done so myself and it's worth it every single time. I'll also get the edamame and a bottle of Asahi, quite the pairing! The Kiwami Shoyu isn't for me, the broth is almost more of a broth liken for Udon. I tend to not like sugary/sweet broths. They also seem to have a gnarly vegan ramen, which other reviewers have raved about from what I've seen.

Bold statement from me but I'm gonna say it: this is the BEST ramen spot in the Bay Area. The broth was rich and not greasy, the slices of pork were thinly sliced (my preference), and the noodles were super chewy. The wait was fortunately not too bad (apparently it always get super packed) and my family got our orders in. During this cold winter, I'll be definitely coming back more often.

Insanely good ramen for its price point. We also ordered the chicken kaarage but did not take a photo of it unfortunately. The noodles are firm and bouncy. The portions were also perfect with the soup not being super salty. Some places make their soup so salty that I will be drinking a lot of water later. The service was really good with constant refills on water and the food came out in a timely matter. The inside is really small and can be busy towards the dinner time. I suggest planning accordingly. We waited outside for 10-15 minutes before seating. You put your name down on the tablet.

I revisited Ramen Hajime recently, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the expectation the second time around. It was in my too 3 ramen places in the Bay area, but not anymore after my last visit. The service was really slow. We had to flag down the staff to get a water refill or to pay our bill. I will say, though, that the lady who served our ramen was the sweetest. She was so bubbly and such a bundle of joy. The broth wasn't as creamy as last time, and the pork butt chashu was very dry and lacked flavor. The spicy garlic edamame had a good kick to it. The Japanese chicken karaage was juicy and crispy. This time around, we didn't have to wait in line to get seated. Surprisingly, there wasn't a long wait, so we got seated within 10 minutes. It could be because of the weekday. As always, they ran out of their cheesecake. Their cheesecake was completely sold out by lunchtime (from what we were told by the staff). It's a bummer that within a short span of time (my 2 visits weren't that far apart), the quality of ramen has gone down.

this is the best ramen in the south bay. i havent had enough ramen in the sf bay to say its the best in the bay overall, but i'm confident it makes a case. there's so much care in every aspect - the service, the food, the menu, the ambience. truly a gem in the bay. i absolutely love this restaurant.

Oooooh so good!! Definitely a spot to wait for. The waitlist is very easy to use and you are able to see how many parties are ahead of you. The interior had good atmosphere and space. The ramen was so good! The kiwami tonkotsu was delicious. Very creamy broth with very finely sliced meat. Maybe the thinnest I've ever seen at a ramen shop. It was very melt in your mouth texture and very tender. Both the pork belly and the pork butt chashu were tasty. The noodles were cooked perfectly and given in abundance. The dish was very interesting to be accompanied with lime; I feel like it didn't do a whole lot, but did enhance it ever so slightly I guess (?). The shoyu was lighter in broth and featured thick noodles which were nicely cooked and chewy. Also very tasty. Comes with pork belly chashu and bamboo shoots. The karaage appetizer was out of this world good! Highly recommend. Great dipping sauce and the crispy, juicy chicken was amazing. I need more!!!

Pretty good ramen spot. Tried the Meat, meat, meat with thin noodles. Meat and noodles were delicious. All the meats were so tender and not overcooked. Straight melted like butter. Some had a nice char as well which I love. You can get it with three different noodle options: thin, thick, thick wavy. I opted for thin which was really good. I def have to come back to try the other noodle options. My only complaint is that the broth to me wasn't flavorful enough. It's supposed to be a tonkotsu broth. While it was very creamy, it just felt it could use more flavor. Overall, had a great experience here and would come back if I was in the area

Yum!!! Huge portions and the broth is delicious and doesn't feel super heavy. The second time I stopped by here a few minutes before 5 pm, and was so surprised to see so many people waiting in line already! FYI, you can enter the restaurant to put your name on the waitlist despite the restaurant sign saying "CLOSED". What I've tried: - Chicken Karaage (Legs): Crispy!! The batter is relatively thin and crunchy so you get more meat than the batter. I am a sauce dipper so I'm happy there was a side sauce to use! - Kiwami Shoyu: I think this is a great option for a first timer, can't go wrong with a soy sauce based broth! There is a good balance of toppings but I think my favorite part was the broth. It's seasoned so well, but it's not as heavy as other places- it'll leave you feeling content instead of bloated after your meal. - MeatMeatMeat: Meat lovers unite... I think this is a great option for those who want to try all the meats. Out of all the meats, my partner and I agreed that the Duck Chashu was the best one- so tender and flavorful! - Kiwami Vegan: This dish is different from the usual vegan ramens that I have had in the past since it's a soy milk based based soup, and they add Graceful Meat (plant based meat from Japan). This heavily reminded me of a curry since it was a lot more dense than regular ramen. The Kiwami Vegan is a good option, but I think I enjoyed the Shoyu ramen more. - Fuwa Toro Yuzu Cheesecake: Yum! The yuzu flavor was super light, and cheese-y flavored. I think the texture of this cheesecake was great. It was very light, airy, fluffy and had breadcrumbs on top. I heard that this cheesecake sells out relatively fast, so I recommend trying it for the one time!

A really cute and authentic ramen spot with really easy parking in Santa Clara. Highly recommend if you're looking for a not-as-heavy ramen with tons of options for customizability + vegan friendly options! They have a preset menu with classic, house recommend options or you can build your own ramen (choose your own noodles, broth, and toppings!). It's run by a kind Japanese lady who is quick and incredibly friendly in explaining the menu and the interior is moderately sized and clean. Definitely be prepared for a wait during peak dinner times and note they close their waitlist early so get there with an least an hour to spare before closing to secure a spot in line. The food: We got the Tonkatsu & Spicy Miso along with the chicken kaarage. The Tonkatsu was perfect, not too oily or salty with thin slices of pork. Probably would recommend this one over the Miso and others. The spicy miso wasn't too spicy but got more and more spicy as you ate. They're really generous with the roasted garlic (and it was a tad too much for us as it felt like it overwhelmed the dish a little). Chicken kaarage was good - just standard fried chicken and nothing too special but was still tasty. Overall we'd definitely come back. Maybe one small thing was we wished our ramen came out a bit hotter but it was still warm and it's more of a personal preference.

go-to spot for togo ramen to dodge the line thick wavy noodles are the way to go ($3 for an extra serving to split with someone else and make use of all the leftover broth)

Tucked away in a strip mall between harbor freight and the remains of Bed Bath and Beyond lies a small unassuming but authentic ramen restaurant. The lines are long, the restaurant is small. The decor is dated and forgettable, and the same laminated menus have been handed out for years. This is not Marafuku, Nagi, or Ippudo. This does seem like an actual family run ramen restaurant created by an actual Japanese family. The cooks often come out and speak to you in Japanese. But back to the food. They say it's the #5 ramen restaurant in California. I don't think that's accurate but it's certainly good. The tonkotsu ramen has great broth and noodles. The meat is good but still is missing some depth of flavor. The chicken karaage is really good. Fresh, hot, and flavorful. It's perfectly cooked and well seasoned. The mecha uma meshi was a nice surprise. It tastes much better than it looks. Very flavorful chicken and pork on top of well cooked rice. Service is good but the food does take more than a minute to arrive.

Ordered the kiwami shoyu. A lot to unpack here. The shoyu wasn't overly salty like most other ramen places. In fact it reminded me more of a Taiwanese noodle soup with the additions of Shanghai bok choy and wontons. Ramen was softer than al dente, it didn't have the firmer bite that I typically enjoy. The pork was cooked nicely and was very tender. Egg was jammy. Came here because I saw that this location was ranked #4 in CA for ramen. I'm not so sure about that, seems like too high a bar to clear for the ramen that I ate today. I would come here again though.

"Value and variety, Are Hajime's gifts to society." It isn't difficult to spend $30 on a bowl of noodles in the Bay these days. And if that's your need, Hajime can meet it with their meat orgy bowl. But Hajime's real draw is their wide variety of broths and noodles at very reasonable prices. This foodie tried the spicy tonkotsu with thin noodles and even thinner chashu. A very respectable, competent bowl -- just missing a bit of bite in the noodles. Service was prompt and Japanese-friendly at the tail end of a workday lunch hour. The space is well laid out with seating for both groups and singles. Laid back J-pop plays over the PA while you slurp. True score: 8.7 Return? YES

We happened to be visiting the area and saw this ramen place on Yelp with Stellar reviews. My mom is obsessed with ramen so we wanted to try it. When we arrived around 545, there was already a line and we put our name down on their iPad and found out we are party #15 on the list. We were pretty bummed and considered walking away. However, given the reviews and time people take to eat ramen, we thought we would wait and see. Luckily we made the right decision to stick around! We got our table in 35 minutes, which isn't terrible considering. Then we each ordered our ramen. My son and I both chose the kiwami spicy miso ramen and my husband got the tonkatsu ramen. I love my broth and the flat noodles they use. The thinly sliced pork is tender and it melts in your mouth but honestly wasn't much. I think it should be at least a few more strips of it in the bowl. My son kept asking me where is the meat.... the spice level is pretty firing and it is perfect for me but my son who loves Shin ramen couldn't eat much because he thinks it is too spicy. My husband's broth is cleaner and equally rich. He also only has a few slices of pork and some extra wood ear. Overall I think this ramen place is definitely top choice given the broth, noodles and meat quality. The portion for meat and toppings however is a bit lacking. I will come back though because it is very delicious!

Second time visiting ramen Hajime and I am pleased that this is still great value for money joint. The ramen tastes really good. After my favorite ramen place, shalala closed down, i have been on the hunt for my next favorite ramen joint, and I believe ramen Hajime was the best among all the ramen I have tried so far, it is comparable to good ramen you can find in japan. There can be a small amount of wait, so plan ahead before going here. The owner speaks Japanese, and it seems like a family owned and run place.

This place gets really busy! I came here on a Thursday at 1pm and there was 18 people ahead of me on the waitlist. Luckily I only had to wait about 30 minutes to be seated. I'll definitely be coming earlier next time! The ramen is one of the best in the area. The noodles are thin and perfectly cooked, the broth is creamy and tasty, and the toppings are plentiful too. I got the Kiwami Tonkotsu which comes with green onions, mushrooms, 2 types of pork, and half an egg. Everything tasted so good together, and the egg was so full of flavor, easily my favorite. Service is quick but nothing too special. Parking is also very easy to find, there is a huge parking lot in the plaza.

Simple menu, but done well. Tonkotsu ramen had bold flavors but definitely different than any other Tonkotsu I've ever had. Turns out their Tonkotsu is made with chicken broth instead of pork broth which made the broth thinner and less creamy, but it was just as flavorful. I really appreciated all the default toppings like a half egg and 2 types of char siu. Chicken karaage was crispy and juicy chicken with a little spicy mayo dip. Be prepared to a wait, it is quite popular.

We waited about 45 minutes for a table. Once seated, the service was quick and efficient, albeit rushed. They obviously want to get diners in and out as soon as possible. We started with the chicken karage. It was similar to other ramen establishments we've been to. We ordered the Kiwami Tonkatsu Ramen and the Kiwami Spicy Miso. Both were good and consistent with other Ramen restaurants in the Bay Area. They really stand out from any other ramen place we've been to except for their price point was slightly less. Ramn Hajime was good but definitely not worth the wait IMO.

Ramen Hajime is one of the best ramen places I've ever been to! We waited about 35 minutes during lunch time on Sunday and it was 100% worth it. The shop is ran by an adorable Japanese family and you can tell every dish is made with love. The restaurant is very cozy and homey. Unfortunately I wasn't able to try their desserts today since they were unavailable but I'm excited to in the future.

The best vegan ramen of my life!!! Kiwani vegan ramen is amazing and always fulfills the ramen craving! My husband and I come here often for this ramen! Adding tofu is a nice touch for extra protein! The graceful meat they use from Japan is yummy as well! The service is quick and the ambiance is cute! I really do feel like I've walked into a ramen shop like when I was in Japan.

Since Obaitori died, the South Bay has been needing a new king of ramen, and Hajime just might be it. I remember having a super premium option pre-COVID and it was super light yet flavorful. I don't think they serve it anymore. But this place is special to me because it was one of the first places I took my girlfriend, and it's her favorite ramen spot. Every time we come here, there's a wait, and there's a reason. It's that bomb. You go in, put your name on the iPad, and hope for the best. And if you don't get the best, you'll get damn near close to it. This place has the best vegan ramen you'll ever have. So if you're on some sort of meatless diet, I highly approve of the vegan ramen here. Not vegan? Pork it up. The shoyu to me is just fine, but their other Kiwanis and Tonkatsu options are pretty bomb. Actual Japanese people serve you here too so you know it's legit. This also one of the few places in the bay with matcha IPA, and that's also bomb. Go here.

We love our Kiwani Tonkutsu spicy and non spicy one. It's the thin noodle type and the half soft boiled egg is delicious even though I am not an egg person. Service is great!!

I got their spicy kiwame tonkotsu with thick wavy noodles, and the noodles were some of the best ramen noodles I've ever had. They were chewy and the perfect texture. My friend got the same thing, but with the thin noodles. I liked it with the thick wavy noodles much better, but both were good. The broth is average - it was really the noodles that stood out to me. The sliced meats are very thin, if that's what you're into. At 12:30pm on a Saturday for 2 people, we waited around 30 minutes. Some other parties waited an hour. Overall, solid ramen spot!! Would recommend trying

I came here with a group of 11 friends on a Sunday lunch. We had someone come early and put us on the waitlist. If you come too late, they may close the waitlist early before the store's listing closing hours. Since we were a big party we got separated into 3 different tables somewhat away from each other, which was fine. I ordered the Kiwami Tonkatsu. It was really good. I liked the light but flavorful broth and the noodles had a great texture to it. The black sauce they is also a great addition to the broth! The meat pieces were also pretty soft and fatty. The picture looks like a large meat portion, but the actual pieces are very thin

Another rainy day in the bayarea and I had a hankering for soup. I had this place on my list for a long time and did try to dine here a couple of times earlier but the long wait times drove me away. This time I decided to try my luck on a rainy Thursday evening and got a table with almost no wait time. Since I only eat chicken and seafood, I decided to get the vegan ramen as all other ramen had pork broth. I got an extra topping of chicken on the kiwamj vegan ramen. We also got some edamame and fried chicken. My first impression of the broth was that it needed a touch of extra salt, but as I kept eating I realized the salt content was perfect and didn't leave me feeling thirsty. The ramen was supposed to be spicy but personally I felt it needed more heat. I asked for some hot sauce to amp it up. The noodles were perfectly cooked and had a good chew. Overall definitely one of the better if not the best vegan ramen I had. The extra chicken I got on top was surprisingly soft and well cooked inspite of being breast meat. Fried chicken was delicious but felt suspiciously undercooked. Edamame was decent.

We got here a few minutes before opening on a Friday and were the 5th party in line. They seat people 3 at a time so there was a long line outside even after we sat in the empty restaurant. I'm sure it's more efficient for them and that's why they do that, but it's unfortunate for the people outside waiting since it was freezing at the time. I ordered the Kiwami Tonkatsu and thought it was only ok. Thankfully they allowed me to sub for thicker straight noodles but the noodles were over cooked and soft. The broth was extremely flavorful and delicious, but gets overwhelming if you like to drink the broth while eating. The egg was absolutely delicious and perfectly cooked, I just wish it came with a whole egg and not just a half. Lastly, I read that the Yuzu cheesecake was highly rated so we ordered it off the menu, but didn't realize the cheesecake flavor rotated and the cheesecake of the day was strawberry (sign printed on the door even though menu shows Yuzu). I unfortunately wasn't a fan of the strawberry cheesecake and it was heavy and too sweet for our liking. The service was amazing though and the staff is super friendly. The ramen price is competitive so if you're around the area, you should try it out for yourself!

Ramen Hajime apparently has been around for a couple years and I had NO idea until now. This is GOOD ramen taking into account the literal best chicken karaage to have encountered my tastebuds to the most fresh ramen noodles out there. This is a semi-hidden restaurant with plenty of parking and situated next to the now defunct Bed Bath & Beyond. Inside you're greeted with a clean, modern take with a moderate sized number of tables. Getting here at 530p on Wednesday allotted for a quick seating whilst upon leaving ~630/7, the wait-list and outside crowd had grown significantly. Lunch available Wed-Sun and dinner Wed-Sat. Choose carefully. The eats: *Note: vegan options are available 1. Chicken leg karaage $9. The lightest crunch coating with the most tender chicken and yuzu-flavored aroma. Ugh, I could eat a whole appetizer myself. 2. Kiwami tonkotsu $16. Great flavor (perhaps not THE deepest flavor but good) with the thinnest of pork belly slices (my preference). Eggcellent ramen egg. Star of the show: just "QQ" aka just-chewy fresh house made thin egg noodles. 3. Kiwami Spicy shoyu $16. Good flavor (personally I like the tonkotsu one more) with just enough spice. Love the thick QQ noodles. 4. Strawberry cheesecake. Flavor varies by season (previously yuzu). Not made in-house but oh-so delicate, light and incredibly good.

Ramen Hajime is a top-tier ramen shop in the Bay Area and a competitor for being the best. It's located in a small plaza and has plenty of parking. Due to its popularity, the waitlist fills up fast, so expect long waits during peak hours. I recommend coming here early because the restaurant stops accepting customers once the waitlist gets too large and the restaurant is smaller. The staff work fast and can be rushy, which makes sense due to how busy it gets. I visited this place two times so I'll give a general overview of the items I got: Chicken Karaage: (6.5/10). It reminded me of popcorn chicken from boba shops. I wished it was crispier on the outside and less dry on the inside. The sauce they provided was sour and left a strange aftertaste. Regardless it's still a decent option for an appetizer. Kiwami Tonkotsu: (10/10) This is where Ramen Hajime shines. When I think of Tonkotsu ramen, I think of this now. The broth was creamy and came with a special spice that elevated the flavor to another level. It was also not that salty, and quite light. The bowl came with a lot of thinly sliced savory meat that wasn't salty. The noodles were thin and chewy, which works well with the mushrooms texture-wise. This ramen is an excellent choice and I highly recommend it. Kiwami Shoyu: (9/10). If tonkatsu isn't your thing, then this shoyu is a great alternative. The broth is light, but is still packed with a yummy soy sauce flavor. It also comes with lots of toppings: egg, scallions, vegetables, meat and even dumplings! The amount of toppings made the ramen feel like a full meal. Note that the noodles are thicker and softer than the tonkatsu ramen. . If you're in the Bay Area and want some great ramen, then Ramen Hajime is a great way to begin your adventure. Not only does it taste great, it is also pretty value with each bowl being $15. I for one will be a returning customer to this establishment.

We came here with a group of 10 and they served us. We had to wait around 30 - 45 min for our large group. The chicken was crispy and delicious , but I don't like the sauce that much it was too sour for me. The ramen was just strong enough, this place is heavier than Hinodeya and lighter than Ramen Nagi. I got the tonkatsu ramen since it was my first time here. I love the noodles and they give a lot of meat pieces, but they are a little thin compared to other places. The price was decently priced around 15 dollars. The service was really fast and the servers are nice. Our friend spilled water and the server helped us clean it up fast. Overall one of the best ramen places in the Bay Area.

Came by during a weekday night. Put our name on the waitlist inside. Called in about 10 mins later. I came here for the duck chashu. Ordered Spicy Tonkotsu with duck and soft boiled egg Meat Meat Meat Chicken Karaage (Legs) Staff were friendly. I loved the duck chashu. The chicken kaarage was hot, crunchy and juicy. I tried the thick wavy noodles and next time I'll try the thick straight noodle or thin egg noodle. Broth was rich. Inside was clean. I'll come back!