Ramen Parlor

Ramen Parlor is a true San Mateo classic! It's been around for decades, and it was fun to visit again with colleagues (some of whom consider it their favorite spot) after about 10 years. The decor felt exactly as I remembered it—very little seems to have changed, which adds a nice layer of nostalgia. I ordered the Super Ramen with the lobster garlic pork broth (great to be able to choose any broth options!). It was certainly a generous bowl, loaded with soft-shell crab, egg, karage, and stewed pork belly. While it was perfectly enjoyable and a great meal with friends, I found the overall flavor to be pretty average compared to some of the ramen I've had in Japan. Price-wise, it felt a little on the expensive side, but that might just be the reality of dining out today. Overall: A reliable, established spot with good portions, though the taste didn't quite hit the "excellent" mark for me this time. Still, a fun, nostalgic experience!

Ramen Parlor’s parking lot is a bit limited but there’s plenty of street parking. Their service was quick and the staff members were extremely polite and kind. It’s a great place for families, date nights or just a hang out! What was ordered: + chicken karaage - fried well as it was very crispy and hot when it arrived at our table. I enjoyed the texture of the chicken but was a little put off by the sauce on the bottom, which made parts of the chicken soggy. + takoyaki - the flavor is perfect for me but I felt it wasn’t crispy enough on the outside and had a bit too much sauce on top. I’d still order this again but would probably ask for less sauce next time. + spicy crab miso ramen - highly recommend this dish! You get the option of how spicy you want your broth (I went with mild) and it was perfect for me. It had a kick of spiciness but the broth was rich and creamy with some garlic flavors. The broth stayed hot throughout my meal and the noodles were cooked perfectly.

We came here after a hike. The restaurant quickly brought together a big table to accommodate our big group of around 12 people, and our orders were served very very quickly right after everyone had ordered. I wanted to get their special ramen which had chicken karaage on top of tonkotsu, but unfortunately they sold out. So I got a lobster broth ramen instead, which came with a few pieces of crispy fried crab. The crab was pretty good, and the soup tasted slightly fishy but not exactly lobster-like. It was a good bowl of ramen nonetheless.

Happened to visit Ramen Parlor with the family. All of us loved the place. You have a super friendly owner and the ramen was awesome. Get the ramen with soft shell crab and you will get hooked! Arguably this is the best Ramen I had in the Bay Area!!!

It used to be a Sunday ritual to go here. Their vegetarian ramen is really good. Maybe im more ocd than others about this, but the server always has her thumb in my broth while she's serving my ramen, which gives me an ick before I start eating. This is the only reason I dont go as often anymore. Otherwise the food here slaps and the vibe is really nice as well

This is the perfect place to satisfy your ramen cravings! They have vegetarian options available as well. We ordered the Lobster Garlic Pork Ramen, Classic Pork Ramen, and Vegetable Curry Ramen. All were delicious and had a deep, flavorful broth. Very satisfied!

Had dinner here. There was a number of people waiting outside.turnover was fast, did not have to wait long. Got seated & ordered our ramen soups. Delicious, fast service. Highly recommended..

This place used to be much better back then but now it's saltier and not as good as others. Their karaage wasn't fresh and just lukewarm when it came out. It tasted like it was already fried before and reheated. Their soft-shell crab ramen was okay since no one else really has that, but the broth wasn't as creamy and just tasted like salt. Ramen Dojo next door has much better traditional ramen if you like that style more.

We always come here for whenever we're craving ramen - rare, but it does happen. They are consistent in flavor, and have really nailed down the perfect bite. Service is always friendly. I ALWAYS get the same thing: - Lobster garlic pork soy flavor, which comes topped with Roasted Pork (2pcs), Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab (WHOLE) Quail Eggs (2pcs), Spinach, Roasted Seaweed (2pcs) and bamboo shoots @ mild spicy Just enough to feel something but not enough to sweat, haha. The bowl feels like it's getting smaller than I remember, and maybe it's because the crab is half the size it used to be or less broth? Whatever it is, I'll definitely be back.

Came Friday around 11:30am. Parking lot is small but there is plenty of street parking. The inside was cute but only had a couple of tables. My group of 7 got seated right away. The service was great! Ramen came out quickly and roughly came out at the same time. The ramen itself is very flavorful and filling! Love coming here to eat the soft shell crab.

One of my go to ramen spots in San Mateo. I got their new lobster garlic pork flavor ramen and it was sooooo goooood!! I absolutely love the soft shell crab they add. It's crispy, flavorful, and pairs perfectly with the rich broth. The noodles had the perfect chew, and the broth had just the right balance of creamy and garlicky without being too heavy. I'm not really the biggest ramen guy but this is a place I wouldn't mind going to frequently forsure! The staff was very kind and attentive, and the place itself is perfect if you're eating alone or just want to eat a relaxing meal. Definitely a spot I'll recommend to my friends.

The waiters are very professional and take time to explain the new Super Ramen menu, where you can choose your preferred broth. The place is clean and well-kept, making it comfortable to dine in. The new ramen selections--Thai Red Ramen, Thai Green Ramen, and Stew Pork Belly Ramen--add a unique twist, while the Black Garlic Pork Flavor stands out as a favorite for its rich, savory taste. Ramen Parlor offers excellent service, a clean ambiance, and creative ramen choices, making it a must-visit spot for ramen lovers.

Been going here for years and it's quite a staple for me at this point; I just took my parents and it's their new favorite spot as well. While I do like their pork tan tan men (which is unctuous and thick), or their crab curry ramen (which is more fishy), my favorite will always be one of their tonkotsu broths, preferably the garlic pork. Although their appetizers (chicken karaage and fire oysters) are decent, you should primarily (and obviously) be coming for their ramen. It's definitely flavorful and slightly heavier than most ramens I've tried, and even mild spice can pack some heat. Prices are good and they do dine-in; I don't think I've ever waited here recently, so no reservations needed. They do have their own parking lot, which is quite a blessing.

So, wife and I have been here multiple times. Service: 3/5 Staff is really not too friendly or personable. They just seat you, pour some water, take your order and then pretty much disappear and bring a bill to your table. They don't consistently come to your table to see if you need more water, napkins, etc. Ambiance: 3/5 Not much going on in the restaurant. No TVs. I think they play background music ‍ Food: 4.5/5 Now for the food, we love the broths. Not salty. Noodles cooked just right. We love the SOFT SHELL crab. One of the main reasons we always come back.

Omg! A hidden gem in the sea of ramen spots. I never realized I had such a good ramen place right by me...and I can even walk to it! I tried the Thai Red Ramen and it was so tasty. Truly yummy for the tummy! They're getting really popular, so the wait can be a challenge. I just hope they add some outdoor heaters for people waiting outside.

This place is right off of 9th avenue by the tracks and if you are familiar with the area, you've probably passed by this spot many times. Finally decided to visit here with the family. We've usually seen lines, so we figured we would try to stop by right at the opening of the dinner hours to beat the crowd. Service was friendly and inviting. We immediately received our drinks and appetizers quickly. We got the okonomiyaki and kaarage (as pictured). For our food, I ordered the lobster garlic pork soy sauce ramen (also pictured) and it was pretty good. The serving size was good in comparison to many restaurants with larger portion sizes. I was able to finish my meal at the restaurant. Overall not too bad of a spot. It was a pretty general ramen spot with varying flavors that I think many people would enjoy.

I have been coming to Ramen Parlor for the past 5 years and unfortunately today will be my last time. Their meat quality has gone down hill and I've tolerated it because of the good soft shell crab, but on this visit, the meat had a very pungent freezer burn taste. When dining here in the past, I've noticed the freezer burnt taste but it was not nearly as bad as today. I hope they will improve their meat quality for future customers.

We came here after a hike. The restaurant quickly brought together a big table to accommodate our big group of around 12 people, and our orders were served very very quickly right after everyone had ordered. I wanted to get their special ramen which had chicken karaage on top of tonkotsu, but unfortunately they sold out. So I got a lobster broth ramen instead, which came with a few pieces of crispy fried crab. The crab was pretty good, and the soup tasted slightly fishy but not exactly lobster-like. It was a good bowl of ramen nonetheless.

Everyone that knows me should know that I am ramen's least favorite fan, so my visit to this spot was made entirely to please the group. I had agreed before taking a look at the menu, so my original plan of ordering something that wasn't actually ramen was foiled quickly when I realized that the only thing on the menu was ramen. I can't quite recall what I ordered exactly, but I remember trying to consume as little of the broth as possible since ramen broth tends to be super salty and gets me bloated quickly. The broth here had good flavor, but was certainly no exception. If you are also someone that is not a fan of ramen for the same reasons as me, prepare yourself. I'm sure if I was naturally a fan this would be a five star review, but four stars from someone batting for the opposite team should speak volumes nonetheless. Service was quick. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side so tables are close to one another and it is rather noisy with everyone's chatter. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this spot to a friend who is looking to eat some tasty ramen.

It's been a few years since dining in here and on a weekday lunch, there was still a wait. It still is a solid choice in a downtown that has so many ramen options. One big plus is the free parking lot in front. The lobster ramen specials are solid as they come with plenty of toppings and a soft shell crab. What is a bit confusing is that they don't come with the same additional topping (sometimes corn, mushroom or bamboo shoots). My favorite is the garlic pork version. The miso version is a bit unique with a mild kick even in the "no spice version". Not my personal favorite.

Located near Downtown San Mateo, parking is limited and very difficult to find. The interior is spacious with a fair number of tables. Noise level is average. Lobster garlic pork soy sauce ramen (4/5): the broth was super flavorful. The garlic and spices were balanced perfectly. The meat was a little tough and lacking in flavor. I loved the quail eggs though. The lobster was also quite interesting to eat, as I was expecting it to be crunchy, but it was surprisingly soft to an extent. Tap to pay is not accepted. Overall, Ramen Parlor has some unique and delicious ramen. The service is good too.

The Lobster Garlic Pork Broth is great! My wife got the crab ramen and the flavor was a bit bland/ 1 note, but I do recommend coming here to try the lobster garlic pork broth. Although the space inside is a bit small, they turn tables and serve your order pretty quickly. I also always appreciate a dedicated parking lot since it's hard to park near downtown San Mateo.

We were in the San Mateo area, and decided to drop in to Ramen Parlor. I like that they have their own parking lot! It's a medium sized restaurant, with indoor seating only. Only one restroom. The decor is simple and reminds me like it was a Chinese restaurant before. The service was friendly and attentive. Parlor Ramen: Comes topped with roasted pork (2 pcs), deep fried soft shell crab (whole), quail eggs (2 pcs), spinach, roasted seaweed (2 pcs). We chose the Lobster Pork Garlic Flavor with kikurage mushrooms. Added extra noodles. (4/5). Flavorful, creamy, and spicy. Warning if you can't take any spice, this can pack some heat! The noodles were medium thickness and had a nice chew to them. We appreciated they gave a little bit of soup with our extra noodles that did not have any spice in it, which my wife was able to eat. Karaage: Fried chicken with grated daikon radish and tempura sauce boneless (6 pcs). (4/5) Big pieces of both white and dark meat. Though, since the fried chicken is served in the tempura sauce already, the crispy chicken can get soggy quickly. But, it's a different way of presenting this dish. Note: They require a minimum of $15.95 per guest.

Been eating here for years but today when I bit into the pork, tasted old and lack of flavor for some reason. The broth is no longer thick like before, I feel like the spice of the soup bear to taste. There's many better ramen spot under the $20 price range and it's all within the neighborhood of San Mateo I'm sorry

The food was really good here! The chicken karaage appetizer was made up of big pieces of chicken with ponzu and radish on top. That was pretty good. I had a ramen with soft shell crab and the flavor of the broth was delicious. There were 2 soft shell crabs which was a nice touch! It was also a bit spicy which I also enjoyed. The service was nice here, and the space is small. There is still a good amount of seating though. The outside parking is small but it wasn't a problem on the night we came (it was a Friday night). I would recommend this place for sure! I will definitely be back.

I never thought I would find a ramen shop when you first find this spot. The restaurant gives off an old cafe vibe. Inside, there are decent amount of tables to sit. On a weekend, there were couple of families seated in late afternoon. The ramen here is great. Lots of flavor in their broth, soft meat, and flavorful eggs. Only downside to this place is the flies that are inside and outside of the restaurant. While eating, there was a big fly that was flying against the wall and wouldn't leave the area. I also noticed that these flies were also flying outside of the restaurant.

Ordered the popular Lobster Farlic Ramen....very tasty!!!! I enjoyed the blend of the garlic and lobster taste !!! I ordered mild spicy which was perfect!!! They also have a parking lot so you do not have to look for parking!!! I will be back for more!!!!

Our family has always loved coming here for as long as I can remember. One thing that I find different about ramen parlor is that they offer soft shell crab in several dishes and that's what got me into soft shell crab in the first place. The flavor of the ramen is always so good and I really like the toppings. The only complaint is they don't allow any substitutions. Service is always pretty friendly and there's usually no wait when we go

Ramen Parlor has some solid ramen broths. Today I had their new stewed pork belly ramen with garlic pork broth. It was so good and had a hearty piece of tender pork belly. On a cold day this place really hits the spot. They are very friendly and quick to serve you. I usually luck out getting parking right in front. Great place for solo or group dining so head on down.

The Lobster garlic pork flavor ramen comes with chashu pork, quail eggs and soft shell crab. Chicken Karaage has big chunks of crisp chicken with ponzu sauce. They are both delicious. Been here several times and the Server is always friendly and accommodating. The place is clean and decent and has its own parking lot.

Wifey's been braggin(?) about this spot so we visited. Tuesday lunch time, 1 other table, pretty chill. Nice old school Japanese decor. Server gentleman was very courteous, seated us right away and the ramen came out even before i was able to wash my hands. Great ramen, amazing broth, order of kimchi was MASSIVE. 10/10 would recommend but 1 star less because the broth was not hot.

The ramen never disappoints you, it's delicious and keeps you warm on a cold day in the bay. The spice levels are perfect too. It's hearty, made with love! I always go with a friend, big fan of pork and veggie ramen. I am a big fan of the noodles to broth ratio, and the broth has so much flavor it's incredible

Friendly service and dedicated parking lot. Interior looks a little worn and without much personality. Ramen was just OK. Broth tasted rather one-dimensional. Egg was nicely cooked but not seasoned. Good chew to the noodles. I appreciated the hefty amount of book choy included. With so many great ramen spots in the area, I don't see myself retuning anytime soon.

I love this ramen place! I always get the vegetable curry ramen since I find the other vegetable ramen too bland. This time we had 2 vegetarians so we got 1 veggie curry ramen and the daikon salad! The salad was delicious! It was so fresh tasting and the dressing was mild but perfect! We enjoyed having a few bites of salad in between bites of the spicy, hot ramen! The one thing I don't like here is that they enforce that every person order worth at least $18. We had to order an edamame and a beer to get to that amount. The edamame was good so at least it wasn't a waste.

Good ramen. Smaller indoor seating but okay. Managed to get seated with 3 of us on a Friday evening, without much wait. Service was kind and prompt. Food was delicious. Our kid is a ramen monster (not top ramen although no judgment), so she requests ramen restaurants all the time. We hadn't taken her here yet and da hubs and I haven't been in years... so, we went. Two thumbs up by the kid. Overall, we enjoyed. The ambiance was chill. Mostly dinner dates or families and not too loud. We'll likely return in a few weeks-months.

Ramen Parlor is nestled in it's own little plaza, allowing for quick and easy parking in downtown San Mateo. We were seated immediately on a Tuesday night and knew we wanted to try the Crab Spicy Miso Ramen and the Parlor Ramen with Lobster Miso Flavor. Takoyaki ($8.95): Not pictured, but this was my favorite dish! They added just the right amount of sauce on top and every bite was chewy and flavorful. Crab Spicy Miso Ramen ($19.95): The presentation of my ramen was pretty lackluster. My egg was in the bottom of the bowl once it got to our table and for the price of the ramen, I felt like there should've been more toppings in my ramen, like maybe seaweed? As for the broth, which is usually my favorite part of ramen, was very disappointing. The taste was very bland instead of the usual rich, umami flavor of ramen. However, the other toppings were delicious, such as the runny egg they added on top, soft shelled crab, and charbroiled chashu. For the most part, I wasn't blown away by my ramen and probably won't order it again. Overall, the service was great as they were quick and attentive. If I'm in the area, maybe I'll give it another shot.

I was excited to try Ramen Parlor, sadly the meal was underwhelming. We were seated quickly and I decided to try their Lobster Garlic Pork Soy Sauce Ramen and my friend got the Lobster Garlic Pork Ramen (both extra spicy and the second being one of their signature dishes). First, the ramen wasn't spicy...at all. I could barely tell they added chill oil/flakes. Second, nothing in the bowl of ramen excited my palate. From the thin, relatively tasteless pork to the broth which lacked any debth of flavor (where was the garlic??). The toppings had some range: seaweed, soft shelled crab (interesting but nothing amazing) , bamboo shoots, uncooked spinach, quail eggs (wish they had been soft boiled), but the ramen overall was lackluster (2.5/5). The service overall was fast and attentive (4/5). Overall, Ramen parlor was full of people and quite popular, so I was pretty surprised and disappointed to be honest and based on this first dining experience, I doubt I'll be back.

Love, love, love this place! Hands down the best ramen in all of Bay Area. They do no not skimp on there ramen one bit. My go to place to bring friends, coworkers and family. If you go around lunch time be prepared for a line around the block. It goes super fast though. Their chicken karaage is out of this world juicy and delicious. I got for their lobster ramen - they mean it when they say spicy too! You can't go wrong with anything on their menu truly. Note: During lunchtime time it can get loud but not unbearably. Even if you have to drive an hour to get here (I do), it's beyond worth it!

~3.5 stars rounded up. Wouldn't go out of the way to come here but would come back. Got the chicken karaage and lobster garlic broth with pork, soft shell crab, spinach, mushrooms and two quail eggs. I kind of just like the ingredients you get at the price you get. It's quite average but hits the spot if you know what to expect. That is, no lobster flavor, more like just pork, and it's not a rich broth packing any punches. It can get busy here still but was ok on a week night.

Finally got around to trying the famous Ramen Parlor after living five minutes away from it for almost a year! My boyfriend and I came around 7:20 pm on a Friday night. There were three parties ahead of us despite the spot closing at 8 pm. We were seated within ten minutes. There is a sign-in sheet on the inside of the front door. The place was smaller than I thought! There are maybe only about 10 tables inside. We were given menus immediately and our order was taken maybe 10 minutes in. I didn't want to keep them waiting because I hate being one of the last people to come in before closing, but we got our bowls around 7:50 pm and powered through them so we left on time! :) I ordered the lobster garlic pork bowl with mild spiciness and my boyfriend ordered the miso ramen bowl with mild spiciness as well. Feedback? I really, really loved mine! Definitely one of the better ramen bowls I've had in the area. It wasn't FANTASTIC but it really wasn't bad at all. I really appreciated the soft shell crab - like where else can you get that for only $17? The noodles were cooked well and the broth was very flavorful. I would now choose going here over some of the other ramen spots nearby. Our bill came out to $36 or so which really isn't bad considering we left very full and satisfied. Despite the other reviews on here about someone chasing them for tip, I do believe that the man in question was the one who served us and spoke to us and he was very warm. I could tell they were busy pre-closing but we were spoken to really kindly when we were leaving. Hopefully the issue was addressed and that kind of behavior doesn't happen anymore, but we had a great experience and will definitely be back!

This is our go to soup ramen spot near us! Wait is short and the lobster pork base ramen with soft shell crab is our go to order. Their karaage is in a ponzu sauce which is different that typical spots. The waitress took our order very quickly and the inside of the restaurant has around 20 tables. We go here almost every month! Sometimes they will have two small tables outside so you can probably bring your dog.

I was advised to visit this spot, and I absolutely love it! Everything tastes just great. I had pleasure eating this pork miso classic house ramen! My friends had a spicy crab and also loved it! Would definitely come again

Our favorite restaurant for bringing kids to in San Mateo. Food is excellent, kids have fun getting noodles with lots of sides, and the owner is great at making everyone feel welcome!

I love this restaurant. One of my favorite restaurants to get ramen. Good costumer service and the food is delicious. There is plenty of parking too

First time coming here since I was a kid, and it's a lot better than I remembered. Came here on a whim, and ended up really enjoying this place! First off, absolutely loved the fact that there is parking here. Came in on a weekday during lunch, and we were seated right away. I ordered the lobster garlic pork ramen and chicken karaage to share. The ramen came with a whole soft shell crab that was so delicious when soaked in the ramen broth. You can't really taste a lobster flavor in the broth, but there is a sweet seafood umami taste to it. The chicken karaage was just okay for me, it wasn't as crispy as I'd like. Service is also pretty good and fast, so it's a great place to go when in a rush and need a grab n go ramen fix!

One of my favorite gems in san Mateo! I have been coming here since college once in a while. I try to come here at least 2x a year if I'm not tired of ramen. Their chicken karaage is so different from other ramen shops. The chicken stays hot, juicy, and crispy while it's drenched in a bed of sauce! I always get the garlic lobster pork ramen mild spicy. It always hits the spot when I come here. I love they provide a variety of toppings such as soft shell crab, Nori, kikurage mushrooms, spinach and 2 slices of pork. Next time I definitely want to add bamboo shoots or corn for more texture. My friend got the garlic soy sauce ramen and said it was super flavorful like they made the broth in 72 hours. We both want to try something different next time!

Have tried a lot of ramen places and Ramen Parlor is by far the best in the bay over the decade. Have tried a few of their ramen flavors and for the longest our fave was the lobster garlic pork. They have 4 new ramens for a few months now (Super ramen, Thai red and green curries, and Taro aka Stewed pork belly) and both Thai red curry and Taro are the newest faves. Have come to noticed that the spicier the broth, the saltier it gets so what I have to do (for someone who loves spicy noodle soup) is to bring my own chili pepper concoction and order non-spicy or mild broths (don't judge me). As for their appetizers, love the crab and cheese spring rolls and daikon and mizuna salad. Place is small, but thankfully patrons don't sit around hanging out after they're done so tables are quickly turned over. Service is quick and efficient. Good amount of parking in the lot and on the streets. Will continue to try other ramen flavors over time when we're feeling courageous enough to give up our faves for the adventure.

I've been here a couple times already and it's been good every time I went. But I went there with my girlfriend and I ordered the parlor ramen with lobster miso flavor with a soft shell crab. It tasted a little off. The broth flavor was a little bland. Soon I'll go back and give another try. The service was good. Got seated right away and given us water and the menu. Our server was very polite and attentive. The restaurant was very small but had a lot of tables for everyone. They can seat big parties. Lighting was perfect.

Pretty small restaurant but they move quickly. We were in and out within an hour. The service is fast and constantly moving. They're moving people in and out extremely quickly but not rude about it. There was a line for lunch but we were seated pretty quickly which we were thankful for since it was pouring outside. Now, onto the food. I came with a few coworkers based off a recommendation. The ramen was okay. It was warm and flavorful but there was nothing special about it. Maybe it was the amount hype that it didn't meet or it's just not for me. Regardless, this warrants 3 stars and maybe another visit.

Went here recently after a year or so, and I gotta say it's still a solid ramen spot. Ordered the Classic Ramen with Pork Garlic flavor and an order of karaage. The soup is still flavorful, and the noodles still have a good chew and bounce to them. The slices of pork are a bit thinner now, and the price has gone up a bit, but that's to be expected. It's still a good portion and perfect for a cold day. On the Chicken Karaage, it comes with 6 on a plate with a slightly sweet sauce. They're well fried and juicy, and make for a solid side choice and great compliment to any ramen you order. They have a small parking lot in front, or street parking around the area. The inside is small but cozy, and they turn over tables pretty quick. If you're craving ramen and are in the area, Ramen Parlor is definitely worth checking out.

I was a little disappointed with the ramen this time. I ordered the super ramen which had fried chicken, stew pork, soft shell crab and egg. The fried chicken pieces were too large, soggy and lacked flavor. They should have served it on top instead of soaking in the broth. The pork stew pieces was also too big, lacked flavor and a little chewy. The broth was not bad.

This seems to be a favorite amongst my coworkers and I've been here 3 times trying to figure out why. I got their lobster broth ramen which has a soft shelled crab and no lobster tail. The lobster is infused in the broth but honestly you wouldn't know it by tasting it. Or at least I didn't. The fried crab cheese appetizer is some of the worst I've ever had. Don't order it. The fried oysters are very small and not worth the 4 small pieces for the price. The ramen itself is small and the broth is watery. We've also had the chicken karagge which is also a dissapointment. There's plenty of parking outside even at 8pm, dinnertime.

Very good ramen! You couldn't go wrong with any, they're all pretty solid. I haven't had any side dishes but they look good as well.

We went here as a second lunch with some friends and were excited to try out the food. My partner and I wanted to share a bowl of ramen since we had eaten quite a bit prior. I did not realize there was a 12.99 minimum per person, I wish they had signs or some form of notification about that somewhere as we both did not realize. We both got the lobster broth and my partner ordered the pork cheek because of how caught off guard we were by the minimum. When the pork cheek came out, we were disappointed to see it was 3 strips of cheek, a leaf of shanghai bokchoy and an egg... It is very easy to go to chinese restaurants and for the same price of $11 to get far more better tasting pork cheek for a larger dish. The lobster broth was okay and the soft shell crab was decent. Lastly, the bill was very challenging to read. It was handwritten and it was not clear what each word was trying to indicate. We asked for them to break it down and it was even more confusing.

I was in the mood for ramen and totally forgot about this popular place! This place is typically packed in the evening so I'd get there a bit early, but this time I came in the morning and the wait was minimal. What's special about this place is being able to have a whole soft shell crab in your dish. I ordered the lobster garlic pork flavored ramen with medium spicy. Spice level was good but I'll tone it down to a mild so I can enjoy the other flavors. The broth was definitely rich and hearty. I'm honestly still dreaming about this dish It really fits well with the cold weather. Price isn't too bad given that this is a seafood type of ramen too! There's also parking in front of the restaurant which makes it super convenient. Service was also very great! Staff were all attentive.

This shop continues to be my favorite in the Bay Area even after the other popular options have opened. My fiance and I always enjoy their soft shell crab ramen. I came on a weekday for lunch to an empty parking lot. It's great to not fight for spots for once!

Lobster garlic pork is my go to! I've been coming here for 10+ years and it's my #1 ramen spot. The broth is always hot, which is my favorite thing about soupy noodles. Everytime I have ramen I have to compare it to this place. This place reminds me of Japan when I was there. Service is good they always refill water and are very quick. The guy server seems to have been working there for the last 10+ years I think? The restaurant is on the smaller side. So groups bigger than 6 I think would be hard to get a table when they are busy.