Ramen Taka

We ordered different kinds of ramen, and they all tasted pretty good. The prices seemed reasonable at first, but when I checked the bill, I noticed a 20% gratuity was automatically added plus a blank line for extra tips. I accidentally paid almost 40% in tips and had to go back to get it corrected. No wonder there aren’t many customers. No matter how tasty the food is, I wouldn’t come back because of that policy. Parking is also limited and usually packed, so it’s best to come early if you want a spot.

I like ramen and was craving the Tonkotsu here. I have gotten this a few times and it always hit the spot. I'm also glad it's walking distance from my work. Service has always been awesome here. The only thing i don't like is they blast their AC. It's so cold in here, I'm not sure why the AC is blowing up but i should be grateful. It's better than no AC. It does get busy on a Friday lunch so prepare to wait a few minutes but the line moves fast.

Amazing place for ramen and to come and relax with your friends. It's a dim lit room that's really relaxing to your eyes. It's really easy to order whatever you want. I got the ramen. It was delicious. I enjoyed the chicken broth and the pork meat. It was all delicious, especially the noodles. They were fresh. If you enjoy spicy, you can get some chili spicy paste and mix it with the broth. It would be really enjoyable to eat it. Highly recommend. Would come again to try more ramen.

The vegan ramen was quite tasty, the broth was very flavourful! However, I felt that that the quantity of broth was quite less compared to the noodles as compared to other ramen's available there. The vegan ramen wasnt spicy so had to get the spicy paste on the side

Good ramen, though minimalistic when it comes to protein, and gyoza dumplings. Authentic Japanese food.

Ramen broth was flavorless! Tried the Vegan ramen, and didn't like it at all. It was average, at best. Tofu had zero seasoning -- totally bland! I read reviews here before trying the place, and most reviews spoke very well about the broth. I'm not sure if the day I visited was an exception, but no spice/seasoning on most veggies + bland broth was honestly not the combination I enjoyed. Service and ambience were amazing. Parking can be a little challenging.

I really liked this ramen spot; it was open and airy, creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, which is pretty rare for a ramen shop. I ordered Veggi-Ramen. The broth was light and clear, yet surprisingly, it had a flavor that reminded me of authentic tonkotsu soup. The limited-time "Hell Ramen" was so spicy that it's perfect if you're up for a ramen challenge. The crispy karaage and the edamame in garlic soy sauce were also good. The ramen here wasn’t overly salty, and I found it more balanced than at other ramen shops. The staff were polite and attentive too.

The restaurant should consider changing its hours. Every time I’ve gone around 1:40, I’ve driven there only to be told that the only option was take-out. If that’s the case, why not just close at 1:30 and start cleaning from there? Just my two cents. The food is good, though. They even have a yuzu ramen option, which isn’t offered at Ramen Hajime. I think the owner might also be working in the kitchen, and I’m not sure if this situation is fully noticed.

OMG! It was completely a suprise . The food was fresh and sweet pork drowned in soup with noodles and sprouts. The service was above and beyond and the staff are amazing. The ambience was a little tight , but menus were on walls and it is a cool setting right off el Camino in Santa Clara! I'll be back and you should too!

We were a large party that they were able to seat quickly. (Make sure to check in when you arrive) Food came out quickly and the price is pretty good for the area. Gyoza was standard but the Ramen was AMAZING! Would definitely go there again and there was plenty for me to take home, I reheated the leftover on the stove and it was like new!

This is my team's favorite spot for a work lunch. Solid ramen spot. It's never overly crowded during lunch and we're always able to get a table right away. What I've tried so far: - miso ramen 4/5 - yuzu ship ramen 4/5 - really like the yuzu flavor and how light and refreshing the broth is - vegan ramen with kale noodles - I like the texture of the noodles but the broth is a bit bland. Added tofu and egg for more protein

6 years since my last review and their quality has been consitent! I tried their Tantanmen for the first time and was in love with it!! It would be my go-to from now on! Update on parking: you can park down the street now, not too far of a walk. There are two great coffee/milk tea shops a couples blocks nearby, make sure you try them both!!

I was in a rush and they got me a hot bowl and in and out quickly. I got the yuzu shoyu ramen, it's not usually my go to but I wanted to try something new while I was in town and it was a great experience. I loved the yuzu flavor with the broth, I would love to try it with a thicker noodle, just a personal preference.

Food was delicious and the service was quick. A lot students at Santa Clara University eat here. The price was very reasonable for the quality and quantity that you get. I loved my Katsu curry!

We ordered tonkatsu, shio ramens, and fried calamari. We loved the tonkatsu and calamari. The calamari was whole pieces of squid, tender flesh and lightly battered. The mayo sauce combo was perfect. Also love the table condiments, the garlic condiment is especially superb. The ramen portions are on the smaller side, so def recommend ordering appetizers. The price was very reasonable. There is a line and parking is tight.

Came in on a Sunday evening looking for a hearty bowl of ramen and found just the spot. First off service was great. We were seated promptly and given water immediately. The food came out within 15 minutes of ordering and was piping hot. We tried the garlic edamame and it was so flavorful. Plenty of garlic and a delicious sauce. Cooked well too, it wasn't soggy. The ramen was very good as well. The noodles were cooked perfectly and had a good dense bite to them. The broth of the tonkotsu was creamy, rich, and very balanced. I also appreciated the full egg vs half at most other places, which was perfectly soft boiled. I will gladly be coming back here when the next ramen craving hits. Prices are a little cheaper than most places too.

Service was fast, food came out fast. Noodles are delicious and chewy, soup is def braised for a long time

Solid ramen spot! My boyfriend and I came on a Monday evening and it was pretty chill, not crowded. It is only street parking, but we didn't have an issue. Service was friendly and prompt. Food: - Tonkotsu ramen: (Large bowl) Broth was light, but packed with porky flavor. The large does include more noodles and toppings. Lots of chashu pieces, corn, and menma (big fan). The noodles were the right amount of bounce. 10/10 - Miso ramen: (Large bowl) Broth was strong tasting and fragrant with miso for sure. Extra toppings and bouncy noodles as well. My boyfriend thought it was slightly too salty for him, but I found it normal. It did get a bit salty by the end without noodles or toppings. 8/10 - Spicy karaage and chicken wings were super crunchy and the meat was tender and moist. 10/10

My new favorite ramen spot! Coming from LA, I haven't been very impressed with some of the more popular ramen spots around here. However, Ramen Taka is not only authentic and delicious but also reasonably priced. I got the taka ramen and the broth is still light but heavy on the flavor. Would come here again to try out some new soups!

SO good! I don't find many places that make yuzu centric ramen but so glad I could find it here. The Yuzu Shoyu was phenomenal! The broth was a perfect blend of umami-ness and yuzu-ness. The noodles too...it was perfection. I like thin ramen noodles that are more on the al dente side and they were able to hit this so perfectly. In addition, I ordered my ramen with an egg, though they gave a regular soft boiled egg, in which I would've thought it would be a marinated ramen egg lol. So beware! As for portion size, Ramen Taka gives a large portion of noodles! Only thing is I wished they gave just a bit more of their delicious broth. Service was great and ambiance was like your typical casual ramen spot. Overall would come again!!

My wife and I wanted to try a new ramen place and we read about Ramen Taka on Yelp!! Great little restaurant!! Service was great as well as the food. I had the Tonkatsu curry and it was delicious. I would highly recommend this place for some great Japanese food. I would give it five stars but the parking isn't great.

Really good tsukemen (dipping noodles). Ramen was ok but the dipping noodles are delicious. Similiar to what I had when I was in New York.

The venue is small and quaint. The service was great. They were friendly and greeted me at the door. Ordered the Miso Ramen and Taka Ramen. Both were very Hot (a +) and very delicious. I added some chili paste and the dish was incredible. I will definitely return on a cold day.

Very very good ramen! Not anything amazing or unique but definitely hit the spot and great price!! However the curry was AMAZING! Such good flavor esp w the spicy paste.

I was out in SJ to celebrate a friend's birthday. With our celebrations ending a bit later, we were searching for some late night comfort food. My friend found Ramen Taka through a quick search and suggested we go here. We came a bit before closing, and there was a short wait. Check-in is done through the Yelp waitlist. Once seated, service was efficient, and we were helped throughout. The ambiance is super low-key and casual. Lots of families and pairs come here to eat. Being a party of 5, the party fee was also added onto our bill. The menu offers a variety of ramen dishes plus appetizers and curries. The prices are quite reasonable plus they have good combos. We got Takoyaki to share which wasn't too hot and good. For ramen, I had the Tonkotsu Ramen. It was decent for the price but not many toppings. The broth was flavorful but pretty salty. I added an egg for an extra charge. The egg was good but not seasoned like other ajitama eggs. Noodles were bouncy and pork wasn't fatty. For the price, it was decent but not mind blowing! For those craving ramen, there are so many options in the area. Ramen Taka is a decent spot in Santa Clara with affordable prices. It's easy to find off The Alameda with parking in the back. We were all satisfied, but I wouldn't necessarily come back.

This is some of the best ramen in the area. The Yuzu ramen is a delightfully light broth with a citrus background. The thinner noodles add a more traditional feel and taste The Tonkotsu broth is amazing as well

Te food was good. Service was quick. Nice neighborhood. We lucked out on parking - this could be a problem if they are super busy - street parking is limited. Got there at opening so we got seated right away. 20 min in, it was getting busy.

Haven't been here for years, service is excellent! Ambiance is cool and light weight reminds me of ramen spots in Japan. I got the Taka Ramen with Spicy Sauce on the side. The ramen is simple yet hearty. Husband got the tonkatsu ramen with side of fried rice and Chili Oil, which he enjoyed. There are plenty of ramen spots in San Jose, this is good but the service puts it over the top.

The broth is excellent, flavors are delicious. We tried out two different Ramen both did not disappoint. We got there at 1:30 and the wait was only 5 minutes. Parking is available in the back but was full. Ambiance is great they have about ten tables and you can also sit at the bar. The place is in a brick building super cute. Would definitely recommend to Ramen lovers.

Tried Ramen Taka for the first time and I had a pleasant experience - the ramen bowls being less expensive than other locations (Taka Ramen is $14) is a selling point. Taka Ramen had smooth and non-greasy broth which I really liked. Yuzu Shoyu Ramen had umami, sweetness, and a fresh yuzu kick at the end. Spicy Karaage was not very spicy but had a lot of seasoning (borderline salty but I didn't mind). Staff were quick and friendly, the restaurant was pretty slow on a weekday night. Would visit again!

Wow! Why haven't I found this place before? I love all the combo deals that they have here. Perhaps it's because it's next to a college so these deals are geared more toward the college students and I love it! I ordered combo A: choice of ramen (yuzu shoyu ramen) + fried rice. Both were delicious! The portions are just right for me. Also ordered the spicy wings because they have a beer combo deal with a choice of side, in which we chose the spicy wings. The taste is great and it's got a good kick to it. One thing I wish they didn't do is to cut a full flat wing in half. It looked like they gave you a lot but really it's just half portion. And because the wings are cut in half, the meat is a little dry. Overall I enjoy my meal and will come back again and recommend my friends to this restaurant.

My favorite ramen spot in the bay. The broth is very flavorful. Noodles are cooked to perfection. Fantastic soft boiled egg every time. All of the staff and servers are very attentive and friendly! Spacious dining area even when it's a busy night, it doesn't feel cramped or crowded. My favorite is taka - with the thin noodles. I usually add an egg and chili oil for a spicy kick. And a Sapporo beer alongside is great for a refreshing beverage! I've also recently tried the pork katsu curry and it's quite delicious!

Cool place with great service. They Play good music and the restaurant is clean. Ordered the tonkatsu and taka ramen broths. I liked the tonk broth better but my wife liked the taka sauce better. Also got the fried rice which was solid. Overall a good place to get authentic ramen.

We started with the Fried Calamari, Karaage, Garlic Edamame, and Seaweed Salad and ordered the Tonkatsu Ramen, Tsukemen, and Beef Bowl. This is one of the closest tsukemen restaurants here in the Bay, which I've been looking for since having Tsujita in LA. The noodles were amazingly thick and chewy. All around the board we found the broths a bit on the salty side. The beef bowl was good, with the only comment being that he wished there was more meat. The fried calamari and karaage was lightly fried and crispy. The garlic edamame was a hit. The seaweed salad was good, but not unique compared to other seaweed salads. The service is super friendly and attentive. The restaurant had no wait on a Monday night around 7pm, but got busier as the night went on. We ordered so much that we almost ran out of space on the table. There is a parking lot in the back, which makes for easy parking. Overall, we enjoyed having dinner here as a family and would come back if we are in the area, but wouldn't go out of our way to eat here.

Crazy good deal for a huge bowl of ramen and a gyoza for only 25 dollars post tax. Great service very quick to bring out the food. Ramen was good for how cheap it was and the gyoza def surprised me with how good it tasted!

Good food. Not so friendly staff. This place is right next to our condo, so my family and I had dinner here the other night. We ordered gyoza and karage to start and then each ordered a ramen for dinner. Everything was pretty good. Nothing spectacular but pretty good. Something was off with the staff however. Just not personable at all. We asked for recommendations and they couldn't really offer up help. At one point, my boyfriends glass of water was being refilled and I put mine next to it to be next. The waiter just ignored me and walked away! Probably an honest mistake but still. On our way out we stopped at the machines you put a coin in to get a prize. Unfortunately we didn't read that it took special coins and put a quarter in. Instead of being helpful, they just watched us struggle to get our quarter out without offering to help. So we just left. Probably going to be a while before I return. If I return.

We've been visiting Ramen Taka since before the Covid pandemic, and we continue to enjoy it. The service has always been pleasant, and the food never disappoints. It is a small joint, but it is clean and the ambiance is a casual business lunch stop. This week, after our lunch, I felt compelled to write a review because our server, Steve, was the best we have encountered here. He was humble, polite, and attentive, truly enhancing our experience. While most of the staff over the past few years have been good, Steve stood out from the rest. Our only complaint was the parking situation, but not their fault.

Started off with the Beer Combo, which came with a Sapporo Draft and a side of Black Pepper Wings. Great flavor, but not much meat on them wings. Not bad for $11 though. The Aburi Shime Saba was very good -- more like sashimi, as it wasn't seared much. But very nicely done. I went with a ramen where the broth was not so heavy and the Yuzu Shoyu Ramen hit the spot! Nice, attentive service, as usual.

I fear that my favorite ramen place ramen nagi may have been dethrown as my favorite place now. Ramen tacos close to the University of Santa Clara so they have more student deals which makes it more affordable and there's not a huge line sitting outside for you to eat there like at the mall. The food I got the spicy ramen and it was the perfect spice level and the perfect amount of food. I also got the spicy wings worse were in my opinion some of my favorite wings that you see twice. He might know things that you would expect. The service Service was impeccable. They were very attentive and came by our table to check on us multiple times. They also didn't chatter when we asked for an extra set of bowls for the kids because the soup needed to cool down in a separate bowl. Overall, I would definitely come back. Unfortunately we found this place on our last day in San Jose and now I'm sad.

This review is to benefit the business, I hope they seek improvement. First off, the service was A+. They were fast and nice, very attentive. The ambience was good as well. I liked the layout and decor. But the food... I ordered the tonkotsu ramen with an extra egg. My first realization was they just throw a medium boiled egg in there, uncut and not marinated. Not good already. There was not many ingredients in it. The broth was watered down and not creamy nor salty. The noodles were fine. The menma tasted old and hard, like it had been sitting out for two long. The pork was boiled and not seared, lacking flavor and tasting bland. My tips to the restaurant. *marinade your eggs in Mirin, soy, etc *cut your eggs *improve the broth *sear your meat *add new ingredients. I did not even finish my meal, which is rare for me.

Came here for dinner as it was cold and we were wanting soup. We ended up getting the combo ramen with gyoza and fried rice and also got the combo beer and wings. The gyoza was nicely cooked, but typically the dipping sauce is too salty as it's soy sauce base. We did enjoy the black pepper wings. Although small it packed a lot of flavor and with the rice it could have been a meal in itself if there were more. Now on to the ramens. I tasted both and both were good. I did enjoy the miso ramen a bit more, just wished it came with the egg and a tad more spicy. Service was just okay. We did go during a busy time and they did forget to bring our beer until we asked for it. But it was still overall a nice eating spot. Ambiance wise, the decor is modern with nice pics of Japan. It is small and a bit tight. My friend got nudge couple times as employees walked past him.

The ramen was delicious! The staff were fast and friendly. We went for dinner and it wasn't too busy luckily.

Located in an unassuming area in Santa Clara. Plenty of free, street parking. Upon entry, everything looked clean and there were many tables. 20min after opening, the restaurant was about half full on a Wednesday. Service was quick despite there only being one server! We ordered: -Takoyaki: a bit pricey at $8.5 for 6pc, but tasty and very crispy. Some pieces only had a small piece of octopus, while others had several. -Taka ramen: Solid bowl of ramen with a good portion size, and basic toppings (green onion, woodear mushroom, two slices of pork). Soup was very flavorful and broth was rich. Noodles were thin and cooked well. -Tsukemen: I am a tsukemen enthusiast and have tried various bowls in the bay and LA. Outside of Japan, the best tsukemen I have had is at Tsujita in LA. This tsukemen tastes super similar! Very rich dipping broth, thick/chewy noodles, and came with wari (extra broth to dilute your dipping broth at the end of your meal). I also loved the addition of the lemon slices to cut the richness of the dipping broth. Would 100% come back for this dish!

Ramen Taka serves traditional Hakata style ramen, characterized by its rich flavors, thin slices of pork, and a healthy layer of oil! Ramen Taka executes it all perfectly - I love how they cook the noodles to my personal favorite level of al dente. For apps I usually get the takoyaki or kaki fry (deep fried oyster), they both come out piping hot so be careful while consuming! I highly recommend Ramen Taka if you are looking for an authentic experience!

Ramen was very good, but didn't have the egg which was a surprise. Japanese beer selection is good too.

Great flavorful tsukemen ramen! Didn't have to wait for a table which was so nice, as I was starving haha. Mom added a ramen egg but it was just a normal soft boiled egg, wish it was marinated like a ramen egg. Would still come back and try their other ramens! Soup is good. Good soup.

Any of the tonkatsu ramens are excellent. Top notch broth, then noodle toothiness are my top two acid tests for a good ramen. They peg both! I was not, however, a fan of the pork and cabbage ramen. Their service is awesome. Everyone is very attentive, accommodating and kind.

Tried the vegan ramen! absolutely delicious! must try! Service - 5/5 Food - 5/5 Ambiance - 3/5

*Love the Karaage with mayo *Taka Ramen is the go-to *Serve Sapporo on draft *Fast service with pleasant employees *Order with QR code or wait staff *Can get busy for dinner put efficient and the wait is not too long usually We are repeat customers for dinner and our favorites are the Taka Ramen (add a soft boiled egg) and the Karaage. Portions are large and I am always saying how I had too much to eat. The ramen soup is tasty, and I am no expert but I enjoy it as its unique from others. Sometimes can be cold so bring layers. There is a counter as well as tables. Staff are quick, friendly and efficient. Small parking lot in the back and on street parking in front.

"If you crave a basic bowl, Ramen Taka makes you whole." With the proliferation of flashy ramen shops across the Bay, Taka has carved out a niche for itself as a purveyor of solid, basic noodle soup. Said noodles are super firm by default. Said soup is satisfying and competent, although the egg is unremarkable. The gyoza is quiet and gets the job done. There is nothing flashy here -- but the full house on a Friday night speaks to the quality of Taka's product and the reasonable prices. A+ service and ambience as well. The groovy blues rock and modern soul music playing over the PA evoke fond memories of visits to plenty of ramen shops in Tokyo. This is a great little neighbourhood gem. True score: 8.7 Return? YES

It's not bad, I definitely recommend the tonkatsu ramen over the Taka ramen. The broth was more balanced and flavorful. The Taka to me was a salt mine. Personally I thought the ramen noddles texture could be improved. It's does not have a nice chew to it, I don't know to describe it. They also got a nice appetizer and beer combo too! Service was great though, really fast and nice servers. I like the atmosphere of the place with windows at nice too.

[Food] takeout - Tsukemen ($17.80): Noodles are thicker than the normal ramen I believe. The dipping broth is a tad bit saltier than most I've had but still pretty good flavor-wise compared to others in the Bay Area. Love that it's a thick broth and not watery. To combat the saltiness I like to add at least two lemon slices. Just wish they provided soup wari to pour into broth after the noodles are done. [Service] - Fast, helpful, friendly [Overall] - Would come back again as this is one of the few ramen shops that offer tsukemen that's decent.

Made our way here as my colleague recommended the vegan ramen as one of the best in town. In addition to the vegan ramen we also ordered shio ramen, miso ramen and black pepper kaarage. Vegan ramen: came with kale noodles. I was frankly not looking forward to the possible vegetal taste of the noodles but they were surprisingly tasty. The broth was Uber flavorful as well. Definitely ranks as one of the best vegan ramens I had so far. Black pepper kaarage: this was AMAZING! Easily the most delectable kaarage I had, ever. The flavorful juices ran deep. The outer layer was not very crispy but delicious nonetheless. Shio ramen: this was mild. The chicken flavor was not too strong which was good but it seriously needed some other components to amp up the flavor.

Excellent Ramen. Service was awesome and very attentive. would definitely go back. The only critique (very small critique) is that they have music playing and the tv volume up so you're hearing both at same time plus people talking. It was a little annoying to enjoy dinner.

Great ambiance and good for gathering with a group! Service is quick and attentive. We got all the food super quick and it came out hot. The Vegan Ramen is delicious, but I would def get it with the spicy paste (adds a lot more flavor). I also got this with the egg noodles instead of the kale noodles (just a preference tho!) The Lychee Sorbet is phenomenal -- I definitely ending strong with this treat.

Parking is in the back which was a pain because it was very limited. The ramen was alright. I think I still prefer Ramen Nagi. So I did not finish my portion unfortunately but maybe I'll try their other items in the future

I haven't been back here in over 10yrs since I moved but I'm so glad I came back recently because they did not lose their authenticity at all. I'm very picky with ramen given that I've had so many authentic ramen in Japan and Ramen Taka definitely hits home for me. My hubby got the Taka Ramen while I got the Tonkotsu Shoyu. The broth is so flavorful without it being overly salty or heavy. It's got the right balance of fattiness and umami. We both did the large to share and asked for extra toppings. Portion is pretty generous that we even had leftovers to take home. We also got the karaage which was perfectly juicy on the inside and light airy crisp on the outside - not overly battered, done just right. Instead of waiting in a long line for Ramen Nagi, please try Ramen Taka because I can ensure you that it's just as authentic. The only other Ramen place I will go to.