Sakuramen Ramen Bar

A great spot for ramen. The restaurant is quite small so the wait was pretty long for my group of three around 7PM on a weekday, but the waiter took our order while we were waiting to make sure we got our food right as we sat down. The tonkotsu red and chosun ramen were both great, particularly the bulgogi in the chosun. However, I didn’t love the chashu buns — they were quite sticky and seemed like they had been steamed and left to sit on the plate for a while. I’ll be back for another bowl of ramen but probably won’t bother with the buns again.

If you've never been to Japan, if you've never been to Asia in general, or if you've never had real authentic ramen then maybe this is the ramen for you. For everyone else, avoid this place. This was like the panda express of ramen. This was the most white washed, mediocre ramen I've ever had in the US. The broth was watery and didn't have the umami expected from ramen broth. The noodles were too soft like it's been cooked for too long, and they were cheap on the toppings for a bowl of ramen. Should've known something was off when I walked in and didn't see a single Asian person in sight. I still liked the chashu but they skimped on it. and the buns were decent.

Warm, cozy, and truly food for the soul! We visited on a rainy day and savored some delicious ramen. It feels like you’re in your family’s basement dining room. The owner personally checked on us, which added a nice touch. The bulgogi buns were flavorful, and both my fiancé and I loved our ramen—perfect spice level! We finished off with delightful mango mochi. Highly recommend for a comforting meal!

In need of some ramen during the cold weather in DC and we tried out this spot. We got the bulgogi baos and the flavor was perfect. It was so yummy and juicy, so definitely something to try. I got the gojiramen which is like the shoyu ramen I usually get. The pork belly had a great flavor and the noodles were so yummy. I just wish they didn’t put so much bean sprouts and it would’ve been perfect, well, if it also had an egg, but still happy with my order. Definitely a place to check out if you’re hungry, needing warmth from the cold and/or are visiting or live in the area. Lots of other restaurants in the area too that looked really good.

Really good food in a cozy shop! The staff are kind and attentive and really make an effort to connect. If you don’t eat pork, they substitute pork belly for beef/chicken with no extra charged which is not common so that alone is 5 stars for me. The chicken broth is really good and better than many I’ve had in the area and the service is reasonable fast.

The negative reviews on here have no idea what they're talking about. I've tried ramen across Japan and this is on par with a lot of the bowls I've had out there. Get the tonkotsu red ramen, it's absolutely delicious.

Probably the best ramen I’ve had in the city, and I’ve had a lot. The tonkatsu red at spice level 5 made my nose run, and I’ve had spicy ramen in Japan. The broth was delicious, the meat was tasty, and the portion was just right, and the price is really not bad at all. I will 100% be back.

Be prepared for a wait but it goes quick. Restaurant has that small tokyo restaurant feel which was super authentic and reminded me of japan. ramen was so good and best i’ve had in the city. will keep coming back!

Great Noodles, incredible cooking from our chef, the best Japanese noodles I've ever had.

One of the best ramen spots in dc! The chicken ramen is to die for. Perfectly marinated. Get there early because it's a popular spot and limited seating. Definitely a must try!

Saturday night, bae and I decided to brave the cold for a ramen date. As a single mom, nights out without my little one are rare, so when I go out, I expect to make the most of my time. After a quick search, bae picked Sakuramen Ramen Bar as "the best ramen spot in the DMV," and off we went. Parking? Street and garage options are available, but I snagged a street spot. We arrived, wrote our names on the sign-in sheet, and waited. About 15 minutes later, a staff member came out to start seating people. Here's where things went left. The staffer asked if we were with the party of five seated near us (we weren't) and then proceeded to seat two white gentlemen who had arrived after us. To their credit, those men immediately corrected him, pointing out that we were there first. (Shoutout to them for standing on principle--respect!) Even after this, the staffer hesitated, asking, "Do you want to be seated now?" Excuse me? Why would you assume we wouldn't want to be seated? Isn't that why we're here? Eventually, we got seated, but my mood was already off. The space is divided between communal seating and a more intimate area. We were placed at a communal table, which was fine, but what followed wasn't. Another staff member wandered by to give checks to nearby tables and glanced at us like we didn't belong. Finally, the first guy came back and asked if we wanted to order, but by then, I'd had enough. Here's the thing: I don't take situations like this lightly. There was a sign-in sheet clearly stating we were next. The two gentlemen seated vouched for our place in line, yet we were still treated like an afterthought. Now, let's address the elephant in the room. I don't like pulling the "race card," but it felt impossible to ignore the implicit bias in this interaction. From assuming we were part of another Black party to blatantly prioritizing white guests over us, the experience left a sour taste--one no bowl of ramen could fix. As a customer, my time and money are valuable, and I refuse to patronize establishments that fail to recognize that. Nights out are rare for me, and this one was wasted on an experience that left me feeling overlooked and undervalued. Sakuramen may have great ramen (I wouldn't know), but if you can't value all your customers equally, that's a dealbreaker for me. I'm taking my hard-earned coins elsewhere. Final note: If you want your guests to feel welcome, take accountability when mistakes happen, listen to your customers, and leave bias at the door. It's not just about food; it's about how you make people feel. And I didn't feel valued at all.

In need of some ramen during the cold weather in DC and we tried out this spot. We got the bulgogi baos and the flavor was perfect. It was so yummy and juicy, so definitely something to try. I got the gojiramen which is like the shoyu ramen I usually get. The pork belly had a great flavor and the noodles were so yummy. I just wish they didn't put so much bean sprouts and it would've been perfect, well, if it also had an egg, but still happy with my order. Definitely a place to check out if you're hungry, needing warmth from the cold and/or are visiting or live in the area. Lots of other restaurants in the area too that looked really good.

I went here for dinner with some friends and we enjoyed our evening! I don't eat a lot of ramen, but I have to assume that this is premium ramen because the broth and accompaniments were really good! The pork was cooked perfectly, but I wish there was more! Less corn and more pork. But again, the broth was super flavorful and there was a good amount of spice. My friend got the ramen with kimchi and she said it was absolutely delicious and that the egg was cooked perfectly! My other friend enjoyed the bao. All in all, this place is good. The interior is super small so we did sit outside because we didn't want to wait for a table to open up. But our waiter was attentive and everything came out quickly. I would come back if I was craving ramen! But I don't think it's my new favorite spot, but good all around if this is what you are really in to!

The plating looks nice but I've had better ramen. This spot fell short and while I can appreciate the decor, the space felt cramped.

For the Adams Morgan area Sakuramen is definitely one of the best ramen spots, however in general it wasn't the best ramen I've had. I ordered the goji ramen which is a tonkotsu ramen and it was pretty standard. I do see myself going back to try some of the other ramen options they have. With ramen being the main menu item, theres a variety of broths and combinations that sound delicious and will probably surpass the goji ramen in flavor. Overall it's a good option if you're craving ramen in Adams Morgan! The restaurant itself is pretty casual so you'll have no issues just walking in.

Best ramen I've ever had. My friend loved the ginger tea too. You may have to wait a little to get seated, however it's worth it. The servers are super friendly too. Eclectic vibe.

This place is a gem for ramen in DC! I've tried the Spicy Miso Ramen, Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen, and the Gyoza (appetizer). Each dish was amazing. The noodles have the perfect bouncy texture that I love from ramen. The broth in the Spicy Miso and Spicy Tonkatsu ramens were both delicious, flavorful, and perfectly hit the spot! To be honest, I was worried that the gyoza may not be worth the high price, but I tried it anyways, and it was excellent! Each piece of gyoza is huge and packed with a lot of filling to really make it worth the high price tag. The decor in the waiting area is nice. If you come during a busy time in the winter, you may have to wait for a while to be seated because there aren't many seats indoors. The wait was worth it to me though because the food was so good!

I've never taken the time to really explore Adams Morgan. The traffic deters me but I see why there's so much traffic in the area. Great eats! My best friend & I went on a Friday evening. We were quickly seated. We didn't order any appetizers. I ordered the Chosun ramen. She got the Shoki bowl. There was no talking going on, just eating. It was so delicious. I can't stop thinking about it. The only thing we both agreed on is that our dishes could've been spicier. That's on us. You can choose your own spice levels. I will definitely be returning, SOON. The place was lively. This was a Friday like I said so the place was filled but not overwhelming. Music was playing, people were talking. It was just an all around good vibe to take in.

The spot is very cozy and small . The place was really busy for a Sunday afternoon. I came here with with a friend based on his previous experience and we were not disappointed. We had a bit of a wait when we first entered the restaurant because of how popular and small the restaurant is it is. Be prepared to wait also ,it is a bit cramped and there isn't ample space between tables. I ordered the Sakuramen Ramen with Chicken Spice Level 4 . The amount of noodles given was sufficient, and the broth was really hot and flavorful. Will be back to try more of the menu when in Adams Morgan

Lovely dinner vibe at the Ramen Counter! The food was amazing including the Gyoza, Boa Buns, and the Ramen. Service had room for improvement but everyone was kind and friendly.

Came in here on a whim on a Saturday night in desperate need of warm food. The restaurant is set up so you write your name and the number of people in your party on a sheet of paper right at the entrance and then wait to get seated. From when we got there to when we left, the turnover was insanely fast, quick seating, service, arrival of food, and back out the door which was exactly what we needed. I got the gijaramen which is a shoyu ramen and I really enjoyed it, it wasn't the best I've ever had but I have no specific complaints. I didn't have the appetite to also order any buns like bulgogi buns but every time an order came out for another table they looked so so good!

This is my go-to ramen place in the city, and one of the first restaurants I recommend for others. The restaurant isn't huge, and sometimes the music is loud, so it might not be the best fit for larger groups. The food is always amazing though! I love the chosun ramen with kimchi in it- it's a great fusion ramen with really cool flavors and a great concept. I also love the gojiramen for a more traditional option. The soup bases are always rich and flavorful with the right fatty texture. The noodles are fresh, the toppings are unique and plentiful, and do I even need to say that the egg is perfect? I would recommend Sakuramen for anyone trying to get a ramen fix in DC!

Good food in Adam's Morgan! Took off one star for the service, they weren't very attentive and it was tough to get a drink refill. A waiter finally stopped by with more water after we were done eating and ready for the check. The bulgogi in the ramen was super good and the portions of meat were very large! It's a very small space so be prepared to wait if you're going during peak time.

Everything about this place was AMAZING! We did not have a long wait time before we were seated and the host were very polite. The food was very flavorful and delicious. Even down to them packing our leftovers for us. Just an amazing place and i will be returning

As it is described on the menu, the Shoki Bowl is just that--a meat lover's dream! The dish comes packed with great portions of both bulgogi and chasu pork! I really liked that the restaurant allows you to swap out your noodle choice, and as a result of that, I was able to order my bowl with thick curly noodles, which I highly recommend. The chasu was a tad too fatty for my preference, but the meat itself was excellently tender. The only thing I would change about this dish would be maybe including some acidity with some pickled ginger or sweetness with some sweet corn as a topping to help add some contrast to the intense savory flavor of the dish.

SO GOOD! It was our first time going there. The ambience is really nice and calm - great for a solo dinner or a date! The service was 10/10. They were accommodating and checked in frequently to answer any questions. We got the pan fried gyoza which were delicious, and the spicy miso ramen & the shoyu ramen. Both were tasty! The spicy miso is pretty spicy so I would keep an eye out. I got 3/10 spice level and was reaching for my water constantly. Super flavorful though!

My friends and I came here for dinner after a day in the snow. We were craving hot soup and this ramen spot was perfect after a cold, snowy winter day in DC. It's small inside but we were seated pretty quickly in the upstairs level. Service was good and atmosphere was relaxed. I ordered the goji ramen and was really impressed! I love ramen and am pickier about ramen spots that I enjoy. The shoyu base was so savory and rich, well-seasoned and a slight spice kick in the aftertaste. They didn't skimp on the meat, which is something I find that ramen spots tend to do. The chashu was also not overly fatty. The portion of the ramen bowl was generous as well.

They got the good ramen here. Small and cozy, hole in the wall but good service and solid ramen make it worth it. Call ahead to find out when the crowd comes because it'll be a wait if you time it wrong.

A truly 5 star ramen spot. Great flavor and delicious food. I got the spicy miso and it was delicious. You can even add more spice if you're looking for something a bit hotter. My partner also enjoyed their Tonkotsu Red. We went on a Weds which was much more manageable so I would recommend visiting on a weekday vs. a weekend. Great service as well.

Definitely get there early because there will be a wait. Parking is horrendous, so uber there. We'll start at the food. Yes. Everything I ordered was amazing. I got the bulgogi steamed buns and they were well seasoned, very flavorful and bigger than I anticipated. You get two, but it's more than enough, especially if you get ramen as well. The ramen was really good and really filling. I ordered chosun and I enjoyed it! You will only get a spoon and chopsticks, so be prepend. Now, the service. If you're looking for a location to cater to your every whim, this is not the place for you. For the most part you will be left alone, which isn't a bad thing, especially if you know what to expect. It's literally a hole in the wall, but you know hole in the wall spots generally provide the best food and this was accurate in Sakuramen's case. I will definitely be back.

Delicious ramen spot! My friend has been hyping this place up and I must say, it did not disappoint and lived up to the expectations! Firstly, their BAO buns were very delicious! I only tried the chashu buns and I'm excited to come back and try the other meat buns, pause. Secondly, I went ahead with their house ramen, the Sakuramen and it was so delicious!! You're able to choose a spice level as well. The staff ensured we were properly taken care of, and a huge special shoutout to the lovely owner! Unfortunately I don't recall her name, but we've had the honor of meeting her and personally thanking her. Once again, Arigato gozaimasu!

Came right when they opened on a Saturday and it slowly got packed! Did not know what to expect from ramen in DC, but this place did not disappoint! This ramen was packed with meat! Very interesting to have the bulgogi meat in it, but it was good bulgogi so no complaints. The charsiu was a great fatty and meat piece as well. The soup was a nice clear shoyu(?) so it was really easy to sip on. Slowly the flavor of the bulgogi seeped into the soup so make sure to eat quick if you want to keep that initial flavor! Good amount of noodles! we thought about getting appetizers, but glad we didn't because this filled us up! 8.6/10

I decided to come to Sakuramen for the first time because I was in a ramen kind of mood this past Sunday. I typically use the cold weather as an excuse for my ramen adventures. The building's outside wall art walking upon it was pretty cool to me. When I walked in, I must admit, I was not expecting it to be so small. I suppose it makes sense because it's an "underground"/basement restaurant. I reckon no more than 20 people at a time can dine in. It took a while to be seated because the restaurant suddenly got full, and a long line formed behind me. The wait wasn't too long, though. Thankfully, I came in solo. They have patrons sign their name on a waitlist in case it becomes too crowded. The wall art inside is a Samarai, I think, which is pretty awesome. It adds a fiery touch to the ambiance. The Food: I ordered the Tonkotsu Red ramen bowl. I noticed on the menu that the noodles were "thin," but it didn't take away from the overall experience. The bowl itself was quite delightful. I typically rate how well a ramen will be if the chashu is cooked properly and the aromatic oils. The chashu was perfection, nearly melted in my mouth with a perfect lean to fat ratio pairing well with the broth. The oil (black garlic) and the red pepper tare were barely noticeable. I think improvement is needed on that. The mushrooms added a very interesting kick to me, mainly because this was my first time having mushrooms in my ramen. My main issue was the seasoned egg. I typically prefer & expect mine soft boiled with the runny yolk. As one can see, it was overcooked to my dismay. It was also quite overpriced (almost all of the "Extra Toppings" are very overpriced, in my opinion). Though the bowl I had was pretty solid (not the best I ever had in DC, but can be better), I am unsure if I will return any time soon. The restaurant is located in Adams Morgan, which is a hike for me even without heavy traffic. The parking was also atrocious in the area so it'll take a minute to find something. If I am in the neighborhood by chance, I will come in for a bite. For those living in the Adams Morgan neighborhood or close by, I do recommend it. Just get there in the times when they aren't busy. I think that will typically be before 7 pm, even on weekends. They offer a decent variety in bowls and also have appetizers, drinks (regular drinks & Japanese + local beers), and a short list of side dishes & mochi ice cream as the dessert.

Such a delicious spot! Had this as my last stop on my weekend trip to DC while walking around Adams Morgan. Got the red tonkatsu ramen and spicy pork buns. The pork buns are a must try!

Delicious, quick, and great variety! Love that you can easily mix proteins/broths instead of being limited to traditional pairings.

The vibe of this place is great. The bulgogi buns were amazing, meat was really tender. The gyoza was good and had a lot of pork. I added an egg into the spicy miso ramen but the rest of the toppings were great and the broth was a good spice level for me. Didn't have enough of the noodles in my opinion but great amount of the chashu. The service was good, they took a little to long to take our order but once they took it food came out in a timely manner. I will say the prices are a a little too high but that is to be expected in DC, especially admo. Good place overall.

Hands down the most delicious bowl of ramen in NoVA area. The ramen broth was soooo flavorful- not too thick and not salty like some other places. The char siew / pork was perfection! I love the cool city vibe of the restaurant. Service was great and friendly. No reservations so come early or be prepared to wait a little.

Wait time was around 10-15 minutes on a Friday night. I don't think there's an option for reservations. Decor is nice inside. Simple but inviting. Good service. My spicy miso (spice level 4) was spicing. I'd order spice level 3 next time. The meat and broth and noodles were all so delicious. I might add an egg next time as well. I would definitely go here again!

My friends raved about this ramen spot so I had high expectations going in. I ordered the bulgogi bun as an appetizer and I was really disappointed in this. I was expecting shredded beef bulgogi (like how it says on the menu) but instead got a bulgogi patty that was a little too salty. The tonkotusu ramen was good, but I wish the broth was creamier and had more flavor. The noodles were cooked very well, and the pork belly chasu melted in my mouth!

**Update to my original March 2015 rating** We wanted something nice and light for lunch, so we decided on ramen. This was my umpteenth visit to SAKURAMEN and Babe's first. He enjoyed it. Here's what we had: We: BULGOGI BUNS (no heat) Him: GOJIRAMEN (level 5) ME: SPICY MISO (level 4) Per usual, both ramen dishes were flavorful and HOT. You will sweat. Ramen is the perfect remedy to cure a cold and clear those sinuses, so the leftovers will be frozen for later use. NOTE: The space is small and the seating is tight. They don't take reservations. This is a better move for a solo outing or date. I wouldn't recommend large parties. Pack your patience if seating is at capacity. __ I eat. @f.hux I thrift. @DCthriftish

Amazing food and service! The ambiance is great nice and cozy, cool decor and the ramen taste just like you would get from Japan!

Not only is this place some of the best ramen I've ever had but the service is fast and everyone is so knowledgeable and kind! They can get busy but make the most of the space and the food comes out quickly.

Absolutely delicious! I got the Tonkotsu Red Ramen level 6. It was so flavorful even the noodles taste like garlic. I decided to find a last minute food spot and decided on ramen (which I love) and I'm very picky with my ramen, most places have good broth yet the flavor of the noodles are always bland. So the first bite into my ramen I was more than happy! It wasn't packed, easy to find, staff was quick and friendly. Came on a Saturday so I feel I got lucky, the restaurant is clean and on the smaller side. I saw they offer door dash so keep that in mind as well. I'll definitely be back for more when in the city!

While I'm grateful for gluten free ramen, that was by far the worse gluten free ramen I've ever had. Even a chain like Jinya has done better. I was surprised because I often hear that Sakuramen has the best ramen in the city. I would live it if they upgraded their ramen to be more tasty.

The ambiance is fun Japanese style paintings on the wall. Staff were very friendly and even suggested other places for us to try out. Food was amazing. I had the spicy Miso ramen at a level 3. I would highly recommend coming here on your next trip to DC.

Best ramen I've gmhad in dc. Had the tonkotsu red. Pork was really good and the broth was spicy. Would go again

great food, quick service, not much seating so you need to just get lucky or wait. a lot of food for a good price.

Ramen was pretty good here but I will admit I prefer OKIbowl! The service was quick and my ramen came out piping hot just the way I like it! Seating was a little tight however. The price was decent, but if you ever have to pick between ramen places here in DC I would recommend OKIbowl!

It does not look like much from the outside, but Sakuramen has great food! I got the "bulgogi buns" which tasted good. It looked a bit like a burger when it came out which was a different but nice presentation from how bulgogi buns usually are. I also had the "chosun" ramen which also tasted good. It was a large portion but definitely a good choice. The restaurant itself is a bit small but you still have your own personal space. If you are looking for good ramen you should definitely check out Sakuramen.

Great service, loved how it was underground- it made it feel more authentic. The noodles were chewy and very tasty. We ordered the spicy miso ramen (level 7 spice) and the DC ramen. Both of which had Berkshire Chashu mmmmmm. We also ordered the bulgogi buns which were in my opinion a little too salty and quite messy.

My cousin highly suggested us try this place when we visited DC. I have to say, from the location, the tucked away way to get into it, and the food. The food. I've had some food ramen, this was THE best I've had. The broth was so amazing. So savory, the noodles were perfectly cooked. The meat, the egg, everything. The pork buns?!? oh my! I could have had a million. So good!

Very tasty spot! Limited seating so expect to wait a little bit. But the vibe was very cool and relaxed. I ordered the Spicy Miso Ramen and asked for a heat of 4. The scale goes from 1-10, and the 4 was not spicy, so if you love spice then don't be afraid to get higher on the scale. I'd also suggest adding an egg if your dish doesn't come with it. It was delicious. I'll be back!

Perfect comfort food and the best ramen around. Chashu buns are also great. Felt like it had a little slump in quality the winter before last, but this winter it was back as delicious as ever.

I'm not a major ramen expert but we enjoyed our visit. I wish there were a few more options with meats other than pork belly but otherwise I was fine with it. The pan fried gyoza were great. I had the sakuramen, the vegetarian option, and it was good but I'd add egg or cheese next time. My husband liked the dc miso. The miso broth was really good. Excellent service.

Best Ramen I have ever had in my life. Gyoza was bomb as well. Good service. Zero complaints. Highly recommend...

I have had better ramen. I was really excited to find out that there was a spot in DC with gluten free ramen but unfortunately my expectations were too high. The broth was mediocre and the gf noodles were just okay. My boyfriend who isn't gluten free also ordered ramen and told me that both of our ramens were subpar. (So it's not just the gluten free palette!) The servers were nice and the manager was very attentive & quick to speak to everyone. There are no reservations so you have to be prepared to wait. The atmosphere of the ramen location is also very haphazard. We sat upstairs which didn't seem like a fully operating location, the downstairs had a much better vibe. All in all, there are better ramen spots out there.

Cute little ramen spot located in the basement of a building! Came on a summer day when it was definitely way too hot to be eating hot ramen in a place with little to no AC, but I survived to tell the tale. My friends and I split the chashu buns and absolutely inhaled them! They were so good. I got the spicy ramen for myself, and although it was super tasty, it was just way too hot in the restaurant to fully enjoy it. It was definitely quality ramen though. I would advise stopping by on any day except one that's 90 degrees outside.