Ramen Kotori

Restaurant · Solvang

Ramen Kotori

Restaurant · Solvang

1

1618 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

Photos

Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by  Ramen Kotori
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null
Ramen Kotori by null

Highlights

In a charming corner of Solvang, this cozy, family-owned ramen shop serves up heartwarming bowls and izakaya bites like karaage and fresh uni.  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

1618 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463 Get directions

ramenkotori.com
@ramenkotori

$20–30 · Menu

Information

Static Map

1618 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463 Get directions

+1 805 691 9672
ramenkotori.com
@ramenkotori

$20–30 · Menu

Features

payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

"This understated ramen shop in Solvang slings soul-warming bowls of soup in addition to izakaya snacks like karaage, pickles, and a surprising duo of dishes featuring local uni. On the ramen side, shoyu ramen, vegetarian miso ramen, and shoyu beef ramen are on offer, but diners can kick things up a notch with the spicy tan tan bowl, which comes with a sesame oil-infused broth, woodear mushrooms, baby bok choy, and a “chile bomb” topper. Whole uni and uni hand rolls are available, using sea urchin sourced in Santa Barbara from local fishing legend Stephanie Mutz." - Cathy Chaplin, Eater Staff

The Best Places to Eat Around the Santa Ynez Valley
View Postcard for Ramen Kotori

Natalie M

Google
We had the best lunch today at Ramen Katori. We come here often and are never disappointed. The Bao buns are a must to try… today I tried the A-5 Wagyu Ramen special, wow! it was SO delicious, the Wagyu was melt in my mouth, so good, best I have ever had. Great people there as well, Junior and the whole staff are awesome.

Judy Margaret Chen

Google
Great ramen in Solvang. Honestly, it was one of the few good spots where we can get delicious meal in this touristy area. However, during the holiday season, the wait time was insane. We waited around 1 hour and a half, can be more than that but we lost track of time. Recommend you join their waitlist first and then start the sightseeing after. We did the same after we saw their waitlist. We ordered one Gyoza, 2 shoyu ramen and 2 spicy tan tan ramen, and one kid ramen. The food was really worth the wait. Warm tasty broth soothed the stomach during winter time. Extremely flavorful ramen. The gyoza can be a bit mediocre though.

Jennifer

Google
We specifically picked this place to eat because every other place we tried in the area was disappointing. The staff was friendly and took time to go over the menu. Once we paid, we were able to sit down in the outdoor patio under the windmill. I ordered two bimimbap beef rice bowels, a vegetarian miso soup, and one more item with 3 drinks. It came came out to be a little over $100. The food came out within a good time, and it was arranged beautifully. My rice bowel was amazing. It was full of flavor and different textures. It had a good balance. It truly was one of the best dishes I had while visiting solvang. The soup was good as well, and the portions were perfect. It kept us full for a long part of our day.

William Cheng

Google
Wow, I never would've thought that some of the best ramen I've ever had would be in Solvang, a place known more for its Danish roots and cuisine! I got the Jiro Ramen, which is a special bowl that isn't available all the time. The broth was a rich garlicky and savory miso that was so good, I drank every last drop. The noodles were thicker than usual for this bowl, and they were cooked perfectly, with nice chewiness and springiness. It came with 4 pieces of tender chashu pork that seemed to be seared in a way that gave them an amazing toasty crust. There was also a generous amount of cabbage and bean sprouts. I paired this with a lemon soju drink that was huge -- the size of a tumbler of lemonade. This was also delicious, with a taste reminiscent of an Orange Julius or Creamsicle bar. My wife got a vegetarian miso ramen, which she also really enjoyed. The place is pretty small, and I've read that when it gets crowded, wait times can be long (but fortunately we got there a little early and were able to get a table without a problem). Staff are all very friendly and helpful. If you're visiting Solvang, take a break from all the Danish fare and give this place a try, you won't regret it!

Kristen Phelps

Google
Excellent food and service! Once seated, the food came out quickly. The green tea was great and the food was fresh. Will definitely be going back when in Solvang.

Daniel McAdams

Google
Ramen in a Danish town? Trust us, you’ve got to try! The Tonkotsu was spot on! The pork was a large portion, a little more fat than I’m used to but the broth made up for it. Noodles were great and the beer tasted fresh. Lots of locals come here, so you know it’s legit. It’s LA prices, but that’s ok. 4.5 out of 5 for me!

Ivan Zhurbin

Google
We recently dined at Ramen Kotori and were underwhelmed by the experience. We ordered the A5 Wagyu hand roll, but it didn’t deliver on the premium promise—honestly, it didn’t taste like A5 Wagyu at all. The Shoyu ramen with pork belly was also disappointing. The broth lacked depth, tasting more like watered-down hot soy sauce than a proper ramen broth. The addition of cabbage felt unnecessary and out of place. On a more positive note, the noodles were decent, and the pork belly stood out as the highlight. It was thick, juicy, and flavorful, easily the best part of the meal. Service was okay but not particularly memorable. If you’ve had authentic ramen before, this place might leave you dissatisfied. Considering the lack of other ramen options nearby, it’s unfortunate, but I’d recommend looking elsewhere for a more satisfying bowl.

Tim Meehan

Google
Solid ramen with great broth service and optional ingredients and sides.

William C.

Yelp
Wow, I never would've thought that some of the best ramen I've ever had would be in Solvang, a place known more for its Danish roots and cuisine! I got the Jiro Ramen, which is a special bowl that isn't available all the time. The broth was a rich garlicky and savory miso that was so good, I drank every last drop. The noodles were thicker than usual for this bowl, and they were cooked perfectly, with nice chewiness and springiness. It came with 4 pieces of tender chashu pork that seemed to be seared in a way that gave them an amazing toasty crust. There was also a generous amount of cabbage and bean sprouts. I paired this with a lemon soju drink that was huge -- the size of a tumbler of lemonade. This was also delicious, with a taste reminiscent of an Orange Julius or Creamsicle bar. My wife got a vegetarian miso ramen, which she also really enjoyed. The place is pretty small, and I've read that when it gets crowded, wait times can be long (but fortunately we got there a little early and were able to get a table without a problem). Staff are all very friendly and helpful. If you're visiting Solvang, take a break from all the Danish fare and give this place a try, you won't regret it!

Ashley Y.

Yelp
OMG I was honestly blown away. The food is really good and I wish we ordered more but it was our first time here. We ordered the vegetarian noodle bowl with some veggies on the side. I highly recommend checking them out. There was a long line to order and also a long line of people that had already ordered LOL. They do have seating but we ordered it to eat at our Airbnb. The employees were welcoming. It was clean and the food was good!

Maria M.

Yelp
We were in town on a busy holiday weekend, December 28th. Picked this place for a nice hot bowl of soup to finish off our evening in town and warm our tummies as the weather started getting colder as the sun went down. It was chaotic when we arrived. It was around 5.45pm. We don't know where to line up, how to get our names on their wait list, whether we should just order to go or dine in. Staff working there are giving customers different information. Some would say line up on this side for dine in and take out, then there's another line on the opposite side which looked like a pick up line but I later find out it was the take out line. But I was so confused as I see those people on that side placing their orders, getting a number and instructed where to sit. We finally make it to the front of the line and a gentleman cuts in front of me and asks about getting their name on the list. The lady who helped him takes his name and adds it on the list. I then asked why she did that and didn't ask him to get in line like we all did. We also wanted our name on the waitlist to dine in. And we were told to get in line to get our name on the list. And this gentleman obviously just went in front of the line to "ask a question" and he gets his name on the list right there and there. Not fair, not right. Total chaos as staff are saying and doing different things. She apologized and took my name but that didn't fix anything or made us feel any better. We already stood in line for 30mins. Someone cuts in line and his name gets listed ahead of mine. I questioned what she did but all she could say was "sorry, there's nothing I can do about it now" and proceeds to write my name on "the list". We are a party of 6 so as expected, it would be harder to get seated as they have limited seating and most tables that come up available are the tables for smaller parties. We've already waited half an hour and the whole town is busy. We decided to stay and wait and stick with it. We figured everywhere in town would be busy and a long wait to get seated. An hour and a half of waiting, I go check our place on the queue. There's still a few people ahead of us, including the gentleman who cut in line. As we got closer to being seated, I hear the gentleman taking orders tell a customer they are out of Tonkotsu Ramen and some other items on the menu. Now I am really disappointed... and HANGRY at this point. Long wait and out of items from the menu. But I kept my composure & figured I would wait and see what they could perhaps do to make things right... or I could just write a review to warn people and let the owners know they have an issue that needs to be fixed and improved. I know they read reviews as I saw them print and post a comment on their window from a yelper. We finally get called to be seated (almost 2 hours later), I mention the whole ordeal and express our disappointment as we placed our order. All we got was an apology that didn't sound sincere, it was just the right thing to say I guess. No offers of how to make things right. Or at least show interest in what transpired so they can make improvements. At this time, the crowd has slowed down and they are approaching closing time. I guess that's the advantage we got from the long wait. We didn't feel rushed to get out so that others could be seated. And the food was great so that's also a plus. No complaints about the food and will definitely not mind going back again. I just don't know about the wait. Perhaps next time we will order to go & find a spot to eat at if they are busy. But they can be more organized in handling their busiest time and big crowds if they can't move somewhere with more space in town. And the staff should be trained better to handle these situations and everyone should be telling customers the same information.

Jeff L.

Yelp
I'm always looking for places to eat in Solvang. I am in town once every month and it's only so many restaurants to eat in the area. I remember years ago when I saw this new ramen place pop up, I had a bookmark it and try it out. This restaurant is located in the Hamlet square windmill plaza. There are a couple of tables inside the restaurants off and there are also a lot of tables outside in the patio area and right behind of the windmill. They have a couple of good food options. There were three ramen options and a couple of the rice dishes sounded really good but I was too full to order it. On a different visit I got the pork belly kimchi rice it was really good. Very excellent taste and it's not something you would think you would be able to get in a town like Solvang. You order at the register and then you are given a number and you find at your table. Stop then later we'll bring your food over to you. There are utensils and napkins and also there are water cups along with water right next to the register that you get on your own. I ended up getting the shoyu ramen because it was their signature dish. I liked how all the ingredients in the ramen were crafted and cooked well. There is some parking around but it can be harder to find when the town is busy and full of visitors.

Nayeli G.

Yelp
The food and drinks were good! It's outdoor seating but they had heaters for the cold. They were better than I expected. The wait time was about 30 minutes, but that's because we were there on a holiday weekend. I would come back next time I am in Solvang. The tonkotsu ramen was good and the ginger soju cocktail was very good, it tasted like a Canada Dry soda.

Lucy B.

Yelp
Stopped by Ramen Katori in Solvang and was immediately impressed by their expansive menu and focus on customer service. It's a patio-only restaurant, the ample umbrella coverage allows you to enjoy Solvang's exceptional year-round weather. There's plenty of parking nearby, just look for the windmill! I tried the Shoyu Ramen with pork belly. The pork belly was well prepared and the presentation of the ramen was a nice touch. They provided a side of chili paste which ended up being necessary as the broth and noodles were lacking flavor. Overall this is a fun spot with quick service, I look forward to trying more items on their menu.

Ankur G.

Yelp
1. Tried the tan tan ramen - overall good but could use less salt. 2. Tried the veggie miso ramen- definitely not recommended. No flavor and excessive salt. 3. The veggie rice bowl was decent No condiments/sauces on any table.

South B.

Yelp
Extremely long wait. If you get there before the rush, you are lucky! You get in line, pay, you find a seat to sit, then they bring the food to you. I've learned this city is very different. Where I'm from--you get seated, you order, they bring the food to you, then you pay and tip. The gentleman was nice to provide seating I requested and accommodate us. The food was average and nothing spectacular. Overly priced (not sure if this is a tourist price). EXPENSIVE for the amount/portion you get. The food was okay and did not provide a lot of flavor. Not much to it. Plain and average. The seating area was SMALL!! Only outdoor dining which was so tight, tables were close and people looked like a pack of sardines. Would I come back? Maybe not. Average okay ramen noodles. Overhyped. Overpriced.

Mike G.

Yelp
When craving japanese ramen in Solvang, Ramen Kotori is an absolute winner. The quality of food and service stand alongside some of the best ramen joints anywhere. Located in a small plaza just off of Copenhagen Dr. An unexpected surprise from a small but efficient kitchen that uses fresh ingredients and delivers the umami that makes you hi-five your friends and family after the meal. Pro tip: This place is not for people looking for indoor dining. Enjoy the open air and heat lamps to provide additional warmth. Parking: Free street parking. Never met a person who didn't like a short walk in Solvang When you arrive, you'll get in line and place your order with the cashier. The cashier will then hand you a number and which at this point you can find seating. You'll find seating within the outdoor patio. Our family of 5 found seating pretty easily. Just takes some patience to allow other patrons to finish and the staff to clear the tables and wipe down. They can get pretty busy but they did great at attending to water to our family and others while we waited for the food. What we ate: Shoyu Ramen w/ pork shoulder plus Pork Belly 5/5 Spicy Tan Tan Ramen 5/5 Oysters (Special Menu) 4/5 Gyoza 5/5 Spicy Tuna Hand Roll 4/5 A5 Wagyu Hand Roll 5/5 (Special Menu) When I saw a Japanese Ramen joint in a Dutch-themed town, I thought, this is either going to be amazing, or going to be very bad. A wise man once said life rewards taking chances and new experiences. Ramen Kotori is one very great reward. Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 4/5

Terry C.

Yelp
Ramen Kotori has only outdoor seating, which can be a challenge during the cool season, but they have patio heaters scattered throughout their small, limited seating area. Service was quick and very friendly. Succulents adorn their dining patio's flower boxes along the fence. Our selections were delicious. The Shoyu Ramen was perfectly seasoned and not too salty. The portion was a bit small, and their website photo looks much more generous than actual ramen received. The Chicken Karaage was perfectly cooked with the outside crispy and the inside meat moist and tender. One of their special selections on today's menu board was A5 Waygu Handrolls. These came as an order of two handrolls. We enjoyed this special as it was tender and had a great flavor. Overall, this eatery delivers delicious and flavorful selections but at a rather high price point.

Glenn M.

Yelp
Avoid Solvang on Mondays and Tuesdays unless you want to be ROL (that's "Ramen out of Luck"). Instead, squeeze in a visit to Kotori before or after your wine tastings. Trust me, it's worth it. As an LA local drowning in ramen joints, Kotori still reigns supreme for me. Their ramen is simply irresistible--I'm craving it just thinking about it! Every friend I've dragged along has become a Kotori convert. Can't wait to plan my next trip back, pronto. Mark my words, it's gonna involve wine and Kotori!

Emil C.

Yelp
I decided to check out this place out for dinner, the night before running a local half marathon. Sure it was kind of weird to eat Japanese food in a Danish town in California, but I gave it a shot. I placed my order at the door and paid for my food before finding an open table outside. That was perfect since the weather was really nice. Once my food was ready, an employee brought it out to me. My order was for the shoyu ramen with pork shoulder and gyoza. It was a surprisingly good bowl of ramen! Even the gyoza wasn't bad. I was definitely glad that I decided to come here!

Peter A.

Yelp
Defiantly worth trying. Excellent food. This is an outdoor seating restaurant so be aware of the weather. Counter service is prompt but be aware that seating is limited. Go for the excellent food but be prepared for seating and weather issues.

Anika A.

Yelp
A few vegan options but not all are listed explicitly. We got the fried tofu appetizer, fried rice made vegan and the miso ramen made vegan. The ramen didn't come with any tofu but was great flavor wise. We also got a hot tea which was great. Would definitely go back!

Stefan F.

Yelp
We were visiting for a few days and were expecting to do our usual tour of food that Solvang is known for like Danish bakeries & brats and beer. But heard that this restaurant had some top notch Ramen and other Asian dishes so we gave it a try. It was so delicious! Visiting from LA we are used to high quality when it comes to this type of food and this is right on par. Ramen was really good of course but we tried about 5 different things and they were all amazing! We go to the Central Coast a lot and this is definitely the best Asian food we've had in the area. We also got a chance to meet with the owners (a couple) and they were very nice and you could sense the passion they have for their restaurant and customers. Highly recommend!

Michele H.

Yelp
OMG! I am such a food critic and no review comes on yelp unless it's fantastic or horrible to warn people's from a place . This place ramen kotori was DELICIOUS! Very surprising . I really don't expect much from small tourist towns, but boy this little place was worth it . I'm definitely coming back tomorrow for another tasting . I had small portions since I planned for a bigger dinner later so I decided on the pork belly rice bowl, belly bao buns and pork dumplings yummy so good I ate dumplings before I started taking pictures Remember, these are appetizers sizes that me and Husband shared .. good portion size

Maria D.

Yelp
It was a little hot for ramen but we had sushi, I got the hand rolls my partner got the poke bowl. Food was a 10/10, delicious. The hostess or the lady taking orders WAY too rude, almost like she was doing us a favor, didn't really enjoyed that. The place is outside so if it's a hot day keep in mind you're gonna sweat!

Laura B.

Yelp
AMAZING FLAVOR. Exceptional service. Beautiful location. I am SO happy we decided to eat Ramen during our night in Solvang. This little restaurant is right in the middle of Solvang and totally worth a stop. The garlic flavors that I added to my bowl were exceptional. We walked up 3 minutes before they closed but the server allowed us to still order while also having great service. I love what they are doing here and can't wait to go back!

Susie K.

Yelp
For the central coast, I think this is a pretty great ramen spot! When you get there, you order and pay first before getting seated. The bowl looks really small, but it's actually really filling. I have been getting the spicy kimchi miso ramen and it's actually pretty tasty! However, once I'm towards the end of the bowl, the sodium is really noticeable. The appetizers are okay. I'm not really fond of the ones I've ordered this far, but the oysters are really tasty! My husband and I killed a dozen in seconds! We were almost tempted to get a dozen more, haha. The ambiance is alright. When it's warm outside, you'll notice that there's a lot of flies around the tables/food. Other than that, it's cute!

Jaylee M.

Yelp
Great hidden gem in Solvang. Especially if you're getting tired of Danish and American food. Or when you want sushi on a hot day. You order at the window but don't be confused, it's still a full service restaurant (so do tip). It's just faster for them to have you order at the window and then have it served to you. The food was delicious! Wasn't sure what Japanese food would be like here but it exceeded my expectations. We had the shu mai, chicken and pork bao sandwiches, oysters, and spicy tuna hand rolls. The oysters and chicken bao were the best but all of it was delicious! Going back again before we head back to LA because it was that good! Also talked with one of the servers who said the chefs come from Japan and have Michelin stars! This is just as good as a nice LA Sushi restaurant. The only downside is there's no indoor seating so you're left to the elements when it's hot out or raining. Definitely will be back!

Nicole Z.

Yelp
Cute ramen shop right in the heart of Solvang. The quality here is great and my personal favorite is the spicy tan tan ramen, which rivals some of the best ramen shops in LA. Everything else I have tried there is good, but the tan tan is special.

Shirley T.

Yelp
Ambience: Fairly busy when we came and there's limited outdoor seating but definitely a cute place to eat and Solvang is easily walkable! Service: Standard, no complaints! Taste: Got the pork belly shoyu ramen, which was quite good! I enjoyed the fresh wakame and bamboo--didn't have the sour canned taste.

Jenny R.

Yelp
The food was ok if you are craving the only Asian place in solvang. The people taking my order were nice and it's el Fresca for dining which is nice in California winter. I live in the Mecca of melting pot of the great food in socal. I have had a lot of ramen houses and if I compared it to those places, the ramen was standard but nothing that wowed me. Not bad but not the best I've had. Price is kind of high but I guess that's the world we live in now.

K E.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious food - worth the price and the limited availability for sure! I had the Shoyu Ramen and it was so good! The broth was delicious and comforting, the noodles were fresh and filling, and all the toppings were perfect - especially the mouth-watering soy-marinated egg I can't wait to come back and try something else!

Cristina V.

Yelp
Fast service, casual ambience, great tasting ramen and bao buns! Would definitely come back when visiting Solvang!

Regina C.

Yelp
A lover of ramen but also very picky. Wanted to end our day trip in Solvang by eating something hot to match the cool weather so we thought of ramen! We were lucky to come at a right time to grab a table and order right before a line started to form. We all ordered the Spicy Tan Tan which was delicous. The broth was tasty and I loved the addition of bok choy as well. Might be a go to spot whenever we visit Solvang now!

Tanya B.

Yelp
First thing to know, seating is outside. We went on December 13th in the evening, it was chilly outside but we were dressed warm plus they have several outdoor heaters so we didn't feel cold at all, so just make sure to dress appropriately and you'll be fine. Next the experience is a hybrid between fast casual and full service sit down. When you arrive you order, pay, and tip at the counter. After that they take everything to you and it feels like a normal restaurant experience. We ordered 2 bowls of ramen and 1 order of gyoza as well as a Thai tea. The ramen bowl had pork belly instead of chashu, but it was such a nice fatty tender delicious (and large) piece of pork belly that I actually preferred it. The broth was not fatty if you like a fatty ramen broth, and it also had a lot of seaweed in it which I would have skipped had I know (my husband would have skipped it as well) Overall tasty, a solid place and just such a lovely ambiance. Beautiful memories made. I would definitely return here

Courtney O.

Yelp
The fact that there is real Japanese ramen in Solvang is such a treat! Sometimes, you just aren't feeling your standard American or Danish foods and need a little warm comfort. There's an order window and you can order the ramen for take out or eat it in the dining area. They have great ramen options along with a variety of appetizers like karaage and sushi bites.

Kaitlyn B.

Yelp
This may be the best ramen I've ever had. We waited around for it to open because the menu looked so good, and it was! They offer kids ramen options too and even my picky toddler loved it. It's patio seating only which had a great vibe and the service was top notch with someone consistently checking in and refilling our water. We've been coming to Solvang for decades and this is such a perfect addition to downtown.

Joe S.

Yelp
This is one of our go to restaurant in Solvang. Nice outdoor sitting with a great view of the folks going out and about. The servers are always courteous and professional. The food is flavorful and ones you won't find anywhere else locally. I highly recommend this place.,

Lily S.

Yelp
TLDR: shoyu and bao were good, tan tan was okay. Good service. We decided to come to Solvang on our way out to the coast. We were not sure what we wanted but stumbled upon this small ramen shop during our walk. Being the ramen enthusiasts we are, we had to try it. Service was quick and easy. I ordered the shoyu ramen and bao and my fiancé got the tan tan ramen (although he is a tonkotsu kind of guy, they didn't have it on their menu). They sad us inside at a tiny set up near a window. Very charming and luckily since it was a little cold out we felt great. Bao came out first and I loved it. Great flavor and texture. No complaints. I got the shoyu ramen shortly after and I think it was a solid choice. All components were well done. This might be a personal preference but the mushrooms at a spot in my hometown are made to be a little sweet and tangy. If that was the case here it would've cut the saltiness and been even better. I enjoyed it either way. My fiancé said his was "okay". Nothing more and nothing less. He ate the whole thing but wasn't overly impressed. Overall, a good choice although I'm not sure how many people go to Solvang to have ramen.

Genya N.

Yelp
Really good food! Super fresh. Well done. Always a very friendly greeting when you arrive. Don't expect a lot with ambiance--all outdoor seating, not very comfortable--best to go when the weather is comfortable, unless you're ordering take-out, of course, which they do very well.

Max Y.

Yelp
I had a terrible experience. I ordered the spicy ground chicken rice bowl and got food poisoning. I was expecting something like a chicken saboro-don, but what I received was mainly rice with very little meat. The service was chaotic and lacking. I suggest saving your money and avoiding this restaurant.

Evie L.

Yelp
For a 45 minute wait time.... Food was not worth it. I would just say pick another small restaurant to support. Food was honestly nasty and had no flavor, kimchi tasted like pure vinegar.. keep in mind they mostly just have 4-5 tables available at a time...

Ted C.

Yelp
Ramen Kotori was recommended to me by Sandy, one of the owners of Valley Brewers. As much as I respected her taste in beer I was a little unsure of the recommendation; it's the only ramen place in town so maybe that's not saying much. However, RK was actually pretty good and I've had some disappointing ramen not that long ago in LA. Maybe it's a lowered expectation but the broth here was rich and the veggies plentiful. I pre-emptively ordered a side of the pork belly thinking there wouldn't be enough ground chicken but there was plenty of both. The karaage was also pretty good-moist with a good crunch on the outside. The only quirk is their ordering-it was this weird mix of counter service and seating is all outside.

Mayuko R.

Yelp
Cute place and really good food. Staff is nice. One of the only places in the area to get ramen, they even had a vegan and gluten free option which we appreciate.

Krissy B.

Yelp
The only ramen place in Solvang! It was really cold at night so we were all craving ramen. It's average ramen. The broth was on the saltier side. But one thing I did like was the pork belly. It was char grilled so it had good flavor. The kid's ramen is the same portion but without the toppings and it's 50% cheaper so if you just want noodles, I would recommend getting that. It was okay but very pricey. $20 for a bowl of ramen...eh.

Melissa A.

Yelp
This is the best ramen within 100 miles. Not to mention their gorgeous fresh fish selections. Thank you to Stephanie. You guys should be applauded for doing such a fabulous job. Your ingredients are always fresh and on point and we absolutely love your food!

Cindy J.

Yelp
After a day of pastries and aebleskivers, the Asian in me craved noodles and broth! Was thankful to come across Ramen Kotori to satisfy my craving. Husband had ramen with pork belly, while I opted for the vegan ramen with tofu and bamboo (extra charge). We sat outside by the heating lamps and the hot broth was very flavorful and comforting. It was decent, considering it was a ramen shop in Solvang! Wasn't the best ramen I've ever had or anything, but it made me happy that night :) the wait can get a little long, and they don't have a text/calling system -- but you can walk around and check back in and they will hold your spot even after they called your name.

Elber G.

Yelp
Tried this place because there was a lot of hype around it. Ordered the shoyu ramen & a rice bowl, was very disappointed to say the least the food not great at all mid at best. My ramen was cold after 2 mins, broth is okay nothing special. Wait about 40'mins. Do NOT order the kimchi ! It was disgusting the worst I ever had. Would it recommend eating here.

Pablo R.

Yelp
The food!! Amazing I'm gluten free and their gluten free menu is super small but it's there. The miso ramen, Amazing!!! This was the best I had in a while. Service was great. On a nice day when the sun is out is hands down the best. Great ambiance.

Trilina M.

Yelp
Ramen shop hidden in the streets of Solvang. I got their special oysters and melon-cream soda. Oysters were topped with elderberry and yuzu granita. These were some of the smoothest oysters I've ever had. And the sour/tartness of the yuzu and berry were such a nice compliment to the rich oysters. I love melon cream soda. So this is something I always get if I ever see a place make it. Definitely worth getting if u haven't tried before.

Les S.

Yelp
Getting ramen in Solvang just seems wrong, since there are so many good ramen places near where we live. My wife and I decided to give it a try anyway just to see how it would compare against places in LA and OC. We totally expected it to suck, but it actually turned out to be pretty good. Not exactly authentic, but I don't really care about authenticity these days as long as it tastes good. The noodles had nice, firm texture, and was flavorful, and so was the broth. My wife got the Shoyu Ramen and I got Wagyu Ribeye Ramen, but both came with shoyu broth. I generally don't care for shoyu broth, but this one was pretty good. I would still prefer to go with tonkotsu or miso broth if they were offered as an option. I don't know if this place would allow substituting broths. Based on the menu, miso broth is only available for vegetarian ramen, and tonkotsu broth isn't available at all. This place offers other items besides ramen, such as rice bowls and hand rolls. It has a very extensive selection of beers as well. We got a rice bowl with soy braised pork belly for the kids, and it was pretty good. Outdoor seating only by Hamlet Square. Quite pricey for ramen, but kind of expected for this area. Definitely not a place I would go out of way to get ramen, but a nice change of pace if I want something ethnic while staying in the area.

Janet D.

Yelp
The food was inceedibly yummy! We went when they first opened for dinner on a Friday evening. Multiple heating lamps for outside cozy seating made it perfect in the chilly weather when we went. Service was top notch!

Myphuong L.

Yelp
We wanted Asian food walking distance in town. It was a toss up between Pho or ramen. We chose the latter. You order at the front door and sit anywhere outside. No indoor seating. It was a very windy day but they have heaters. We ordered crispy tofu ($8), gyoza ($10), and a bowl of shoyu ramen ($18) to share. I don't think I've ever paid that much for a bowl of soup! The ramen noodles and broth was good. I picked pork belly and it was tender and fattie. Gyoza was average and the crispy tofu was meh. That item could be skipped. It was lightly crisp but no seasoning. The same dipping sauce was given to both, a soy vinaigrette. If they changed their sauce to something sweeter, I think it would bring out more flavors. 5 stars for ramen, 2 for tofu m, 3 for gyoza. Giving this place a 4.

Yusuf N.

Yelp
The food was really good and flavorful. The service was OK we had to put our name down and wait 15 minutes because it was really crowded. The atmosphere was pretty cool. It was my first time being in this part of town, and I was craving Ramen.

Tere V.

Yelp
Well, well, well, where do I begin? My brother and sister-in-law own the place and prep, cook, and create remarkable Japanese concoctions with a vibrant Mexican flair. ¡Órale! Fun facts: My brother is Mexican-American, and my sister-in-law is Japanese-American. For all the tourists that come to Solvang for a cultural experience, eat a Danish pastry when you first wake up, visit a winery, and then come to Ramen Kotori for lunch or dinner. There is outdoor seating with umbrellas when it's sunny and heaters when it's chilly. Tourist tip: If there is no seating available, have a picnic at Solvang Park. My favorite things to order at Ramen Kotori: 1. Shoyu ramen, obviously. 2. Poké bowl 3. Bao buns with tofu 5. Spicy tuna handroll 6. Something from their specials 7. Boba

T K.

Yelp
Was so excited to try this since I love ramen, but there were a few reason while I'll probably skip next time I'm in town. Since it's a small town, there's bound to be a bit of a wait time... it was a bit confusing since one side appeared to be a take-out line, and the other was for dine in. The wait time wasn't too bad (about 20 mins) and you order AND pay at the counter. The ambiance is great, but the food is mid... I don't know if we went on a bad day or if it was too busy, but we did not enjoy our food :( we each got different types of ramen and they were both not great. Idk about the other stuff on the menu, but considering this is a ramen place, I'd suggest you try elsewhere for dinner!

Sam R.

Yelp
Food is pretty good and filling. The wait is a different story, very long . However, the service was quick with the food and the portions are quite good. update: nvm I got food poisoning from the pork.