Ramen Kazama Select

We ordered Tonkotsu ramen which was delicious and flavorful with garlic chili oil it comes with seaweed and pork belly (it was very tender by the way) I really loved the broth it was so creamy, we also ordered a kids chicken broth noodles which was really yummy… our kids liked the fried chicken on it. Oh and we ordered some milk tea (a product from Japan actually) it was really tasty and sweet if you like black tea with milk I think you might like it. We struggled finding parking lots so if you are lucky enough you could find free parking just in front of the restaurant. 🫣

Came here off the suggestion from a family member and the rave reviews. Ramen is great. Never had bamboo in Ramen and as an Asian that uses bamboo in a lot of cultures cuisine. It was different, and can be very overpowering. Thankfully this wasn't (I ordered #1 shoyu Ramen) I'm not even a fan of bamboo and this was good. Broth is everything to me in a good Ramen. And this place is spot on, noodles are cooked perfectly. Only thing I'm really sad to say is I hated the onigiri. 5 dollars for basically a big clump of hard and dry rice. There was a PINCH, of filling. Like might as well not put it in at all. Not worth it.

The place looks cute and cozy inside but food and service were a little disappointing. Tonkotsu ramen was just okay. Food presentation could be a bit better. It wasn’t super busy when we came but food took quite long to come out. It’s a quick ramen spot near campus, but other than that, I wouldn’t come back.

I got the #3 spicy ramen. It was tasty and full of flavor. Tasted a bit greasy in addition to spice but that was okay. There was a sign that said food would take about 40 minutes which was surprising. Would recommend. 9/10

I highly recommend getting an egg with the Karamiso ramen. That and a nice, ice cold Coke is just heavenly. I’d say they’re very consistent in hitting all the elements of a great ramen from bowl to bowl. I’ll admit, I’ve been slightly addicted. 😅

Left feeling very satisfied. I went on a snowy Sunday evening and was impressed by the quality of the food, friendliness of the staff, and the cozy ambience. There’s fancier ramen out there to be fair, but Ramen Kazama does not disappoint. Check them out if you haven’t already. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.

This is a comfy spot that feels like home. The friendly staff adds a nice touch post-COVID. The cozy interior sets the stage for a laid-back atmosphere, and the real highlight is the amazing ramen. Broth was flavorful and the noodles cooked perfectly.

My first authentic ramen meal! Vibe of the restaurant matches with the name of restaurant, it’s small but well run restaurant with constant flow of crowd, light music and anime themed decor. Cool place to hangout with pals if you are looking for something different to tryout. About food, they do have more options than I expected, including vegetarian ramen bowl and fried chicken. Service was fast, within 10 mins of order we got our food. Quality of food was good with rich, fresh ingredients, flavorful and that justifies the price. They also have drinks option ranging from beer, sake and wine. We order tonkotsu which was flavorful, creamy and tasty. Not at all on spicy side. I would also like to try some other spicy options next time. Veggie ramen was also good and flavorful. Hot sake was also something new, good for Minnesota weather. I appreciate the hospitality of staff, they were respectful and welcoming.

My boyfriend said he has passed this place multiple times and always wondered if it was good! I am here to confirm, it is good! Parking situation: Street parking. Be prepared to possibly walk a bit. We went on a Wednesday and found parking right next to this place! The vibes: This is a very "hole in the wall" kind of joint. No frills. I almost wish they did have a little more going on to look at. When you arrive, you just seat yourself. You will scan a QR code and pay at the table. Very little interaction with staff. The interactions we did have, everyone was as very pleasant! The food: The ramen here is a perfect comfort food! I got mine without the egg and it was delicious! The ramen noodles were perfectly cooked! Overall this was a good experience and I would return! If you plan on coming here, definitely stop next door for the crepes for dessert! Those were AMAZING!!

We were hankering for some Ramen in this place hit the spot! I tried a potato croquette and it was fried to perfection. The sauce was a little bit interesting - there was cinnamon or some kind of interesting spice in there. This place is super chill where you order at the counter and grab a seat with a number to wait for your food. They have posters everywhere and are playing anime. The one thing I will note is the Ramen became Jell-O (literally) once I put it in the fridge overnight, which felt a little icky and did not reheat super well.

A small ramen restaurant, the energy was nice, giving off a "homey" environment. We came on a semi-rainy day, so that probably adds onto it as well. There is no AC and it's very hot in the restaurant. The staffs were busy with orders, but we got seated quickly, placed our order via QR code, and got our ramen quick! Ramen is a solid 7/10! The broth was decent, but could have used a bit more salt. I would recommend getting a side of chili oil as this makes the broth a bit more salty + was not very spicy. The flavor was good, pork was delicious and melts in your mouth! Overall, I would potentially come back if I'm in the area .

Ramen Kazama is in a little corner in south minneapolis. I came here on a Friday night with my friends and everyone loved it! There is lots of street parking and the restaurant has a crepe place next to it inside the same building for whenever you're ready for dessert. I had a spicy ramen although It wasn't the amount of spicy I'd like. It had pretty good ingredients to it but I felt the broth could have had more flavor. The menu is pretty easy to navigate as well although I didn't see many beef options and it was more pork/chicken based. The service was pretty fast even after it got busy and I particularly enjoyed the music they played! It's a nice quick ramen place however I do not see myself coming back. The crepe place next door I adored! I had the Tiramisu crepe and you get the option to add regular or mochi ice cream. They have a variety of unique crepe flavors and drinks too! Although it's a smaller joint, I loved the cozy atmosphere they created with the decor and overall theme.

**WEDNESDAY SPECIAL ONLY Their spiciest ramen - Unknown name was DELICIOUS. It had a deep rich broth, great selection of chilies, great red coloring, and the perfect amount of meat and noodles for each bite. The pork was fattyyyy and sooo tender! Chicken Karage was moist and crispy on the outside. The pairing sauce was delightful The atmosphere was as lovely and music selection was nice. Decor is definitely interesting and matches the vibes or anime and japan. Service was quick, and majority was self serve after. Parking is street and I was lucky to get parking in front of the shop!

Don't be put off by the casual, order-at-the-counter vibe, this spot serves some of the best ramen and Japanese food in the Twin Cities! We've been here a couple of times for the ramen, edamame and chicken karaage. The appetizers came out super hot and fresh and the ramen is consistently rich and delicious. Only feedback is that the broth could be hotter and some of my noddles got compressed into an inedible ball. But the deeply satisfying broth made up for it all!

Best ramen in town. On a weeknight, the service was quick, the food was delicious, and the prices are reasonable. Run, don't walk, because you'll rarely find these three qualities together. Croquette (breaded, fried potato) 10/10 No notes. Get it and enjoy. Torishio ramen (chicken broth) 10/10 The chicken karaage (crispy fried chicken) was delicious, but lost most of its crunch from sitting in the broth. The karaage meat was sooooo tender and delicious. Definitely gonna have to try ordering the small plate of it next time. That said, the flavor of the broth was so purely and definitely chicken it was amazing. (I will say I reheated the leftovers at home and the fish oil became the prominent smell, but it didn't taste fishy. ) Veggie curry ramen 10/10 If you've never had Japanese curry, you're in for a delicious and unique take. My partner and I loved this. The mushrooms are little flavor bombs! The onigiri is a ***MUST***. We like to each order one as an app and one to take home! My favorite is pickled plum--the salty tangy zing hits right in the back of the jaw. My partner prefers the mustard green filled onigiri. He says the filling is earthy tasting with a tang of mustard. I've been back since the previously described visit and I ordered the ***tonkatsu ramen,*** because tonkatsu is always my favorite (I don't know what came over me last time to stray from my favorite pork broth ramen and go for chicken.) Admittedly bias, but the tonkatsu is the best by far. So warming and comforting. Like a hug in a bowl. Perfect during cold, dreary winter or a rainy day. I sipped about half the broth away before I even ate any toppings or noodles! If you like soft boiled, soy marinated eggs (and why wouldn't you) do yourself a kindness and order an extra one for your ramen. Thank me later.

The food was top notch and I have no complaints whatsoever. Service was also good. I'm so glad I was introduced to this place!

My old roommate and I used to live in the area and I could always count on Ramen Kazama for hearty bowls of love - aka their rich ramen. My go-to there will always be their Tonkotsu Ramen ($15.75) which comes with chashu, bamboo shoots, mushrooms and green onion. The pork bone marrow broth and chashu are both SO good - the best on a MN winter night. Warms you up and is filling too. I've dined-in and also done takeout. It's not usually too busy, so I liked to go their for lunch or order pick-up if I was feeling like watching a show or movie with my meal. You can request Kaedama (extra noodles for $2.25) which is awesome. Reminded me of my time in Japan. The space is small, but cozy. I wouldn't say Ramen Kazama is for big groups, but if you like to dine solo or with your significant other, it's a good space. They offer 5 ramen bowl options and rice dishes. They have small plates too if you're in a snacking mood. I really enjoy their chicken karaage (Japanese fried chicken for $7.95). If you're on the U of M campus near Como, it's in walking distance otherwise I'd suggest parking in the nearby neighborhoods.

10/10 atmosphere, if you don't get to that back patio, you are missing out. I thought the food was more on the four star level, but the energy and vibe was overwhelmingly great

Really enjoyed this low key ramen shop in the Whittier neighborhood on a cold winter evening. They've got a good, standard menu, a comfortable and welcoming ambience, no frills, and basically nourishing and tasty delicious menu. Great place to enjoy some authentic Japanese ramen and healthy savory fermented and vinegar based small salads. The ramen portion size is perfect, and not too salty. I highly recommend the pork tonkatsu ramen especially. Service is quick and precise, it's easy to order.

Best ramen spot in MN , clean facility and great customer service! I recommend veggie curry don for first timers :)

This ramen place is small and trendy. Also has a patio dining if people wish to sit out and enjoy the Minneapolis summer weather. We just ordered one veggie ramen with vegetarian curry broth which tasted perfect with no fishy taste or that authentic ramen broth taste. Perfect for veggie lovers. Has lots of options to cater for everyone. Definitely recommended if you are a ramen lover.

Absolutely love their ramen ! Had the spicy ramen on a cold winter day and it was comforting and delicious. Craved it all week and went back for round two. This is the real deal!

I have really high expectations when it comes to ramen and this place just didn't meet them. A factor could be because my friends and I ordered the food to go. When we got home and opened it up, we had to cook the noodles ourselves, which is actually pretty smart so the noodles do not get soggy or clunked together. However, they should make it more explicit on their menu that folks have to do this. I recommend ordering earlier before you're super hungry, or else you'll be annoyed that you have to cook your food when you get home. As for food, I got the Tonkotsu ramen ($16) and the broth tasted super gingery and overly salty. Plus my pork belly pieces were tiny, not fatty, and not really pork belly (felt more like pork shoulder). Definitely not worth the price, but could get the job done if you have a ramen craving. I also tried one of my friends Spicy Gyoza ($7) and they were super small and only came with 6.

A lot of weird bowing white people, okay weebs. Ramen was weird, not a lot of pescatarian options. Pooped and nearly puked on my second date with my girlfriend who now has a hemorroid named Boris. I'm beginning to get jealous of Boris, he always gets to be on her butt and not me. Darn you Boris!!

One of the best restaurants to seek refuge in during chilly rainy weather. The cozy layout puts one in minds of a small Ramenya (Ramen shop) in back streets of Tokyo. The broth is tasteful and silky. It feels like a warm hug. The noodles are perfectly chewy as they should be! Regardless of type of ramen, the broth is always well seasoned and the meat/chicken cooked to perfection. Even the veggie curry ramen is delicious! The staff are also friendly and somewhat familiar with Japanese hospitality traditions... you will hear a irasshaimase (welcome to the shop) as you enter the shop and also dozo (go ahead) as the server places the bowl of ramen in front you...

This was a very pleasant Ramen experience. When you walk in, you order at the counter and they bring the food to you. It's relatively easy to know what you'd like. The cashier helped me by outlining the different broths that were used (miso base, chicken base, spicy pork base... etc.) Sometimes Ramen can get very intricate and extravagant, however this place seemingly keeps it simple. Broth + noodles + protein.

I had quite a frustrating experience here. I am a vegetarian but I love ramen so I figured I could find something to eat here. I read over the menu and they only have a few different dishes to choose from. The only vegetarian option was curry, which I cannot stand. So I picked the ramen that sounded the best to me, the shoyu ramen, and asked to make it with no pork and chicken broth instead of pork broth. I am not a 100% strict vegetarian and I am okay with chicken broth but not pork broth, not that I should have to explain my choices. The cashier said something that kind of shocked me, in a patronizing tone he said he could not honor that requested because "then it's not shoyu ramen." I'm quite confused about this concept. Why on earth is the name that we call the dish more important than providing the customer with the things they want or need due to dietary restrictions? He then suggested I try the chicken ramen. I asked if it was the same as the shoyu ramen but with chicken broth, and it's obviously not. It has all different toppings and components. I said I wanted the shoyu toppings with chicken broth, and he said if that was the case I would have to order the chicken ramen and modify the toppings accordingly. So as a cashier he'd rather remove all of the chicken toppings manually, type in each shoyu topping individually, adding like $2 per topping per modification because that's how adding toppings works there, rather than just swapping out the broth because then it's not the Japanese definition of shoyu? Seriously? Get a grip.

Recently tried the Torishio Ramen, (Chicken broth with karaage, sprouts, shiso, and green onions), delicious! At the server's suggestion addedspicy picked

My pick for best ramen shop in the Twin Cities. I have dreams about their dipping ramen, which is only a special on certain days of the week. But in a place where real good Japanese food is really starting to bud, this place was one of the OGs. Obviously the ramen is fantastic, but their donburi and curry are incredibly delicious and an excellent value. Highly recommend.

This Ramen Kazama is a cute little shop next to the Blue Door in Como. You go up to the counter and order and they bring your order to you. They also have drinks for sale, such as sodas, and free water that you can grab yourself. There are also self-serve condiments, including chiles and different sauces (ie: soy sauce in a Hello Kitty bottle). Free street parking is available but can sometimes be a little hard to find Foodwise, I usually get karamiso which is supposed to be spicy. It was good but not spicy and is a little salty. Although not my favorite for ramen because it is saltier than other places I have tried,Ramen Kazama has really good Kaarage or Japanese fried chicken. It's super crunchy and comes out steaming hot.

On this trip into the cities I had a few specific missions. Candytopia YEE (check), outlet mall shopping spree (check), great craft coffee (check), great craft beer (check) and great ramen... I started my search through the Yelposphere at around 2am from my hotel. I needed to find something that would sooth the neverending winter chills. I yearned for rich, creamy broth and hearty criminally carb heavy noodles... and pork belly, naturally, pork belly. I narrowed it down to 3 places. Then I checked the parking situation, distance and hours of operation. We had a ckear winner... Now, I know, I know... if we were talling about ramen in another country it would be half the price... great, I get that BUT I feel like paying twice the price was still more cost, and time, efficient than catching a plane. So $12, not so bad. Hot sake at $3.50 & a generous pour. We ordered #1, #2, hot sake & a beer. I loved the rich creaminess of my dish, while my husband was more keen on the beefiness of his. I suppose that means we chose wisely! The pork belly was perfectly cooked and seasoned correctly. I couldn't finish my dish, so I dare say it was plentiful. It really hit the spot!

You can get a solid bowl of ramen here and wash it down with a can of Japanese beer. The menu is simple, it's counter service. They play kinda shoegazey music. Overall, it's a chill place to grab a quick meal, I would come back for just that.

I like Ramen Kazama and would say it's more like a 3 1/2 star but since Yelp doesn't do halves, I'll round up. I've been to this location (off Como near Van Cleave Park by the U of M) before and now they have a second location in South Minneapolis (off Nicollet Ave. and 34th). Only about 6 ramen options and I got the "old school" or Shoyu. It's a good size portion and the broth is good however it is pretty bland and the pork was very fatty. Trick is to add chili flakes or chili oil or if you get a side of Kimchi, add the kimchi juice - yes it's a little childish but adds plenty of flavor. We also got some Karrage (Japanese fried chicken) which was good. Limited alcohol options - beer (they only had one beer left at 6 pm on a Wednesday) and I think they also had wine. You have to order at the counter, they give you a number for your table and bring the food to you. Overall prices were decent and again, it was decent-to-good ramen. I still think Zen Box ramen is better or some of the places in St. Paul (where I never venture to since I don't cross that bridge unless I'm visiting my sister and nieces). Again, since this is by the U of M, parking on the street at meters - I believe it's free after 6 pm right in front of the restaurant or you could walk a couple blocks and park for free in the residential neighborhood.

We tried to go to Como location but a sign said it is closed for remodeling. We will try again in Autumn when it is finished.

Met up with a friend near campus and he suggested a ramen place that has been his go-to since visiting Japan. As with all Japanese places in the Twin Cities, I am typically skeptical of the quality and authenticity that I will be served. Net of things, Ramen Kazama (RK) was a nice surprise and generally impressed by it! Menu is simple with a list of ramen, rice, and side dishes. Prices are very premium, ~9-14, and maybe a tad higher than NYC and Hong Kong (crazy, I know...) Ordered - Tonkotsu style ramen (4/5). This is the usual order when I have ramen as it is considered one of the 'lighter' broths and has all the quintessential elements of a good bowl of ramen - pork belly, poached egg, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and a piece of seaweed. Impressed with the presentation of the dish and the taste itself. Noodles were properly cooked and not too rough or stringy. There was also this msg-looking condiment on the table and I poured some of that and it enhanced the broth, too. Portions are quite small which is expected for Japanese food in general Overall RK is pretty good if you're looking for your ramen mix and willing to spend a little extra. cheers!

Ramen Kazama is definitely in my top 2 favorite ramens in Minneapolis! The interior is pretty small but cute and there was no wait when we went on a Saturday for lunch. There is a shared lot and ample street parking available. I got the tonkotsu ramen (my go-to), which was delicious with silky flavorful pork broth, plenty of tender pork chashu, and perfectly done egg. It does tend to get rich after a while but was still enjoyable. For those looking for a lighter but still flavorful broth, I tried my friend's shoyu ramen and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I also tried a friend's spicy miso ramen, which was also quite good. Prices are on par with most ramen places nowadays and there is also a limited menu of non-ramen items (don bowls) available for those who don't want ramen. Will definitely be back!

Best Ramen in MSP hands down. They have a great variety as well. Staff was friendly and accommodating. Brought a toddler and had no issues.

Stopped by here because I was in Minneapolis and I'm a huge Ramen fan. I've had ramen all over the US and recently just got back from Japan where I tried many different spots as well. I got the chicken karaage for starter, and then karamiso ramen (miso based / spicy) with added egg and pork chashu. The karaage was excellent, served w some mayo mixed with, what looks like nanami spices it really complements the chicken. The batter is great and the meat is juicy inside, it is dark meat of course. The Ramen was good, I'm going to break down some of the elements for your enjoyment: The broth was good overall but it was definitely lacking in depth. I like a very deep ramen broth with lots of flavors, this ramen was more one dimensional. The egg was perfect, seasoned nicely, runny inside but well done outside just the way it should be. The pork chashu was ok. I would say the fat on it was not melt in your mouth like I prefer, I had to chew a little more then I'd like to but it was good overall. Noodles were standard skinny weavy noodles. Nothing to write home about but they well cooked nicely. Service wise it was good, you place an order and get it brought out. Got a recommendation for a sake, everyone seemed nice and service was quick.

I've been to both this one and the one on Nicollet. Both are delicious! The noodles are soft and still chewy, the broth is always so hot and flavorful. Their riceballs are DELICIOUS (have tried the salmon, bonito, and chashu pork ones... all good). I like that they have a little bar where you can add free toppings, get water, and take to-go containers. It's super convenient and may be helpful to people who get nervous talking to waiters (like me lol). The atmosphere is also really pleasant, and they have a 10% student discount when you bring in your student ID. (-: Love this place! My friends and I go here every once in a while.

I am so glad "Ramen Kazama Select" is in Northeast! It's just as amazing as the original RK on Nicollet except it's much more efficient... it's closer to where I live and the service is quicker. And I couldn't be more grateful that it opened during what seemed to be a never-ending winter. This RK is a little smaller, but again, more efficient. The menu features their top ramen selling ramen and small plates, plus select sake, beer, and wine. My favorite ramen = their rich silky tonkotsu ramen, and the spicy yet creamy karamiso ramen. The bowls sell at $12.50 each, which is a fair price since I've never been able to finish a whole bowl myself, though I try my damndest. Their chicken karaage is on this menu too, which is some of the best I've had in the cities. RK Select also has a few new items too! The new gyu don (beef and rice bowl) is fantastic; the beef melts in your mouth. And the new sous-vide egg is a nice side that is a great addition to any dish. (touche!) There's free street and a shared lot for parking, and the Metro bus #3 runs this route.

For Minnesota this place does Ramen pretty well. It's hard for me to like a Ramen place after going to Japan so many times its very hard to compare. However, I've had other ramen in Minnesota (I won't mention where) but let's just say it was horrible. The tonkotsu ramen at Kazama is my favorite. If you want to try ramen in Minnesota go here.

Welcome again to "Hong's Honest Food Review." Topic: Ramen Kazama Price: Appetizers $5+, Entree $13 Tucked away neighboring to Blue Door Pub and a park, a nice, small, little Ramen shop sits in the heart of the Como area in Minneapolis not too far from the U. When i entered the restaurant my first impression was that it was going to be a sit down and order fancy restaurant, but i was wrong. There is a cashier that takes your order right away and no waiters. (Sort of like United Noodle). I went during the day time so i couldn't feel for the ambiance but i can only imagine. They get their lighting from huge windows that bring a nice natural comfortable lighting that fills up the entire room. They have simple but nice decor. There are tables, but also a small "bar" area that can sit on a bar stool with and eatby yourself. They have nice little asian hanging lights that i can only imagine would have a low toned down lighting to add to the intimacy of the restaurant. Parking is hard to find so you might have to walk a ways. The menu is small, probably less than 15 selections but that by no means means that it was bad. Now to the part you've been waiting for, the Food: Spicey Gyoza: I will give them this, it's different from the gyozas that i'm used to. Instead of pan frying, they deep fry the suckers, which i like. You won't have to struggle with trying to bite the soft skin. It's so crispy and the crunch mixed with the filling adds the much needed texture to the flavor profile. I tried to analyze the filling, but the red chilli and oil stuck inside overpowered the coloring of the mix. The taste was good. Not overwhelming, but had enough flavor to hold it's own. It definitely was not spicey though. It's a soy sauce dipper kind of dish but overall i like it. Japanese fried chicken: Chicken thigh cutlets that has been lightly battered and deep fried. I liked it. It wasn't overy battered and it was lightly salted. It was crispy enough to have a crunch, yet wasn't greasy. The sauce was very good. It wasn't watery, had a light sour kick to it that complemented the savory from the chicken. Good dish, but not what i call fried chicken. More like chicken tenders. Lastly the Ramen. I got the tonkatsu ramen and let me just say that you know it's going to be good when you have a film of fat on the top layer on the broth. It was rich and savory. There was a nice thickness to the broth that latched on to the noodles. The soft boiled egg was cooked perfectly and the mushrooms added a complexity to the rich broth. The pork belly was amazing. It was savory, fatty, goodness that melted in your mouth. I haven't felt this way about a ramen dish since i first tried United Noodles when the old korean grannys used to make it. I must warn you that the salty creamy broth may be overpowering, but you can go to a small garnishing area and get some pickled ginger to help balance the taste. They also have chilli oil if you want to add another flavor profile to the ramen. Size was smaller than a serving of pho but the flavor makes up for it. All in all, great food that's worth the price. If you are in the como area it is a must go and even if you're not, go any way. Great alternative to a pho dominated state. Awesome job Ramen Kazama 8.4/10

Disappointed. Based on the rating on Yelp, I was expecting to have a bowl of ramen that was crafted at least to taste good, if not to reproduce what were to be served in Japan. Ramen is not about putting Ramen ingredients together, such as chashu and banboo shoots, and karaage is not about fried chicken. The only impression I had after the meal was oiliness from both dishes I ordered. And about the shop itself. Although this restaurant was designed to have a modern, sleek outlook, the place gave me an impression of untidiness. And the person at the register seemed drowsy all the time. I really miss the vibrance in ramen shops in Japan. Despite all the disappointments, I still gave this shop 3/5 because I tried to evaluate the quality of the shop in the US, instead of in Japan. So, to be fair, I would say, even though this place is not authentic and the food was not that delicious, it is still much better than other fast food places (after all ramen is a fast food) from my point of view.

Damn with ramen, Blue Door, and pizza within 100 feet from each other, this Como neighborhood can satisfy all my cravings! This new location is awesome; very quick and friendly service, good amount of seating in restaurant, lots of street parking nearby, and I felt like I had more noodles in my ramen here. I loved their Shoyu ramen and ordered extra noodles, but really didn't need to. It was perfect on a cold, winter night. I was also excited to see to go containers that are self serve-where you can put your broth in one and noodles in another. Love the vibe and the great smells in Kazama as well. Hopefully this place doesn't get so packed with school back in session, because I will absolutely be back!

So yay for a second location that is close by the University. It is important to note that this location is smaller and that it is super casual. So I gave this location two tries with different ramen, 1st time during their soft openning it was kinda of a bummer. As they did not seem ready to open as they were missing some condiments and their Tonkatsu Ramen was saltier that I remember it. The second time I got the Shoyu which was better than the Tonkatsu Ramen. The one solid thing that I enjoy from Ramen Kazama is the Chicken Kargage. If they gave a bigger lemon slice that would be nice. The prices are bit higher for lunch pricing for a small portion. Service is friendly and minimal as it is mostly a self-serving. If you come here for a meal, you will be able to come in and out in less than an hour. If you are looking for a quick decent casual lunch, I would go here.

I may have liked this place more if I was not vegetarian. I really really really wanted to love it. It's not bad and I might return for some veggie curry don because that great. I would give that 4 stars. I love ramen and I love Japanese curry but I wasn't a huge fan of the veggie curry ramen. It was a bit too salty and I couldn't finish it. And I ALWAYS finish my ramen. Service was great and it's a cute little place. One thing I would give 5 stars to is the onigiri. That was delicious!

Oh my god! It finally happened! I love this place from the Nicollet location. It definitely hit the spot in this cold Minnesota winter. I always get the curry ramen. It is delicious and slurpy. My husband loves the Shoyu, old school broth - rich in flavor but no too heavy. The pork is roasted to perfection. The new location has cool decorations and looks really cozy. No wonder Ramen Kazama has been featured in the Bon Appetit 2018 issue.

Almost as good as my favorite Ramen bar at home here in DC. Gave it a 4 instead of 5 because my favorite ramen bar has more options to throw into the bowl and the hot saki machine was down when I went in. But the soup is great, the broth is great, friendly staff. This is my favorite ramen bar in MN

For anyone who has never traveled to Japan and gotten ramen, the ramen at Kazuma are balls expensive (US ramen typically). A typical ramen dish would cost around 500 yen - 900 yen max (that's around $5 - $9 with the average price of ramen at $6). However, the ramen at Kazuma are overpriced at $13.99 and up - talk about pricey for eating mainly crabs. Besides being really bummed out about the overpriced ramen, it's pretty good! But not good enough to spend $15 on my tantanmen ramen only. It sucks for Americans that their only choice is to buy balls expensive ramen for about the same quality of ramen in Japan. The restaurant is a self-serve. When you come in, you will be immediately face-to-face with the cashier at his stand. Just pick a menu if you need to off the stand and order. Then you may seat yourself wherever you want or get yourself water etc. They have some condiments on a small table with ginger and some spices if you'd like to add it. Pretty chill restaurant and good food if you're willingly to pay the overpriced ramen. Street parking is available, however, there is about 4 slots of parking available in the back that has the sign for "Obento-ya" parking (they didn't change the sign the last time I was there). Tantanmen ramen is NOT SPICY. It says spicy, but it's not. Japanese have low tolerance for spice, so pretty much anything to do with Japanese cuisine is not spicy. It is, however, somewhat salty, but I like my dishes a bit on the salty side so it was perfect for me. Overall, it's good but overpriced.

I ordered to go online, and I never eat in the house unless I'm in a group, but when I got into the restaurant the vibes were awesome, the person at the front was super kind, and the kitchen staff outstanding as well, it was so great, I chose to eat in house, 100% recommended!!

Great staff and absolutely the best ramen. Always very kind and inviting every time I go in. This is my favorite ramen spot that I've found and I've tried many different hole in the wall spots. I always get the pork tonkatsu and it is *chefs kiss*.

I live pretty close to the Ramen Kazama on Nicollet, but this location on Como is my favorite. It's smaller, and occasionally less busy than the other one AND it's open all day. Doesn't have the closing gap between lunch and dinner hours. My go to ramen is the tonkatsu which has the milky broth. The bowl is huge, and sometimes I feel like I can't finish it all. It's a lot! I've also tried the Torshio that is the chicken ramen and it's a lot lighter than the tonkatsu ramen. If you want something lighter, definitely check that out or the old school ramen. This location also sells the gyudon - thinly sliced beef w/ onions on a bed of rice and the veggie curry don. Not sure if the other location has one or the other or both, I could be wrong. I've tried the veggie curry on rice and it's pretty good! They also sell maze-men here. Overall, pretty solid menu and staff members are friendly!

So happy Ramen Kazama opened a second location, and one so close to my house! I'm still sad about Obento-ya's decline and eventual closing, but this is a silver lining. Our visit was before the UMN semester started up, but I image this place will be packed once school is back in session. So watch for Google peak hour notifications accordingly. Ramen Kazama has become my favorite ramen place in the Twin Cities. I can confirm that this place keeps up the high quality and great flavor of the original location. There are a couple of new items on the menu, and a slightly reduced appetizer menu compared to the Nicollet location. In winter, their tonkotsu ramen can't be beat for the soothing richness, but I haven't had something I didn't like yet.

I stopped by with my niece on her birthday for ramen and the ramen was great! You know that feeling when you'd had authentic ramen from Japan and nothing compares to it? Well, Ramen Kazama was pretty legit! I had the Tonkatsu ramen and it was not super oily like most places that I've had. It taste super fresh and was very well portioned. We ordered the chicken bites/nuggets and ughh! the sauce was definitely better than the chicken! Okay, fine. I'm exaggerating a bit but it goes well together. Would I go back?! YAASSSS! Absolutely! I kinda wish they had poke bowls. That place used to have bomb-a** poke bowls and they're no longer there. Anyways, I did ask the cashier kid and he said that it's still the same owner just now Ramen?! Idk, but do correct me if I'm wrong. Anyways, enough with me talking nonsense, try it! I really liked it! Obviously, it's not ramen in Japan but I think it's safe to say Ramen Kazama is Ramen in Minnesota -- best served hot and in Minnesota's coldest winter day.

Would rate this place 4.5/5. Food tastes good with descent price. The service is help-yourself style. There's a small table with add-on sauces including marinated jalapeños pepper and chili oil. For water you have to grab a cup and walk all the way to the back to get water from a looking old water machine. One complaint is that it's freezing sitting on the tables next to the window. I had to keep my coat on for the whole time. That being said, the half points were taken off mostly because of service and the temperature. The food (especially the ramen and chicken karaage) are definitely worth a try!

Always a delivery! Went to the Como location for a warm lunch on such a freezing day. 2 degrees to be exact. I got the veggie curry, YUM! And hubby got the spicy miso ramen. What a fulfilling meal we had. The edamame was steamed fresh and the green tea was delightful. Warm, full and happy.

I'll start by saying I only ordered take-out appetizers, but they were great! I had one piece of onigiri filled with mustard greens (recommended by the man working the register) and an order of edamame. Super simple order, great food. Good portion sizes & very reasonable prices. The onigiri was $3 and the edamame was $3.50 and was larger than I expected and perfectly salted. The service was good, the restaurant was relatively busy on a Friday night at 7:30. The staff seemed a little rushed/chaotic, but we're pulling everything off & remained friendly and welcoming. Can't wait to come back for a full meal sometime soon!