Shoki Ramen House

Ramen restaurant · Newton Booth

Shoki Ramen House

Ramen restaurant · Newton Booth

5

2530 21st Street, Sacramento, CA 95818

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Shoki Ramen House by null
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Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null
Shoki Ramen House by null

Highlights

Authentic ramen & gyoza with unique broths & fresh ingredients  

Featured in Eater
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2530 21st Street, Sacramento, CA 95818 Get directions

shokis.net
@shokiramen

$20–30 · Menu

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2530 21st Street, Sacramento, CA 95818 Get directions

+1 916 454 2411
shokis.net
@shokiramen
𝕏
@shokiramen

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 10, 2025

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@eater

The Best Restaurants in Sacramento, Roseville, and Elk Grove | Eater SF

"If there’s a Sacramento restaurant that serves as a reminder of the beauty and importance of taking one’s time, it’s Shoki’s Ramen, Gyoza & Koji. Chef Yasushi Ueyama makes each item on the menu by hand, including the popular tantanmen, which takes seven hours to prepare, and the delicately breaded chicken breast fritters. This is Ueyama’s third, and final, iteration of Shoki’s, a fact that’s imbued Ueyama with an even greater determination to keep every detail under his control; in doing so, he subtly holds guests to account to enjoy their meals just as intentionally. As you stare into a cavernous bowl of steaming ramen, make sure to drink the soup after the noodles and other toppings are gone. The slice of sourdough bread smeared with garlic spread may look peculiar, but trust Ueyama on that; the fermentation beautifully complements the umami richness of the broth." - Tamerra Griffin

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-sacramento
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Massively Popular Sacramento Doughnut Shop Doughbot Just Closed. Again. - Eater SF

"Shoki Ramen let its fans know unforeseeable maintenance issues forced the restaurant closed again 'until further notice.'" - Lauren Saria

https://sf.eater.com/2023/7/6/23785927/san-francisco-restaurant-bar-closings
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Wildly Popular Sacramento Ramen Shop Shoki’s Is Finally Reopen and Reservations Are Selling Out in Minutes - Eater SF

"Shoki’s Ramen, Gyoza & Koji has reopened after a fire in 2019. The restaurant, owned by Yasushi and Kathy Ueyama, is known for its high-quality, locally sourced, and organic ingredients. Yasushi's cooking style integrates local American tastes with traditional Japanese techniques, and everything on the menu is made from scratch. The restaurant has a dedicated fan base, and reservations are highly sought after. The new menu includes a twist on classic ramen, featuring unique ingredients such as sourdough with homemade garlic paste." - Tamerra Griffin

https://sf.eater.com/2023/5/4/23710030/shokis-ramen-sacramento-reopen
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The Best Dishes Eater SF Editors Ate This Week: Spring 2023 - Eater SF

"About a month ago, Shoki’s Ramen reopened, and if you had any worries about the long-running Sacramento shop being as good as ever, let me assure you: there’s nothing to fear. In keeping with tradition, it’s a bit tricky to get a seat (the restaurant’s small spaces have always made squeezing in somewhat difficult) but if you keep a close eye on Instagram you may be able to snag a same-day reservation as I did on a recent weekday. That's how I found myself staring down a bowl of Shoki’s shio ramen, a deep pool of nutty broth laden with not one but three different kinds of meat including a thick, marbled slab of succulent Rancho Llano Seco pork. Full disclosure: I’ve been eating at Shoki’s since I was a teenager so this particular dish comes with a heady side of nostalgia. But in any case, this remains my favorite bowl of ramen, period. It’s quite specific to this place, and I adore the delicate but powerfully salty flavor — a nice departure from all those decadent bowls of tonkotsu — and the dance of the Celtic sea salt, pepper, garlic, and sesame across every bite. The springy noodles bounce like tennis balls, and these days, if you order your bowl with “The Works,” you get a slurpy onsen egg that gets a quick bath in housemade dashi to dump into your soup. The care and attention to detail given to every bowl at this family-run restaurant simply cannot be overstated so all I’ll say in closing is: Shoki, I’m so glad to have you back. Shoki’s Ramen, Gyoza, and Koji, 2530 21st Street, Sacramento" - Lauren Saria

https://sf.eater.com/2023/4/7/23674486/best-things-eat-drink-san-francisco-eater
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Best New and Most Anticipated Sacramento Area Restaurants This Fall - Eater SF

"Reopening in early December at 2530 21st Street in Sacramento. Shoki’s Ramen, Gyoza & Koji will be run by Yasushi and Kathy Ueyama. The new restaurant will embrace a return to Yasushi’s roots with handmade gyoza; the 300-year-old Japanese fermented superfood koji; the traditional fermented beverage amazake; and ramen using local, seasonal ingredients." - Vanessa Labi

https://sf.eater.com/2022/9/27/23373338/best-new-anticipated-restaurants-sacramento
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Adam Gomez

Google
Okay number one you have to know that this place is only opened on the weekends so if you're planning to go plan accordingly. Luckily we went about midday to enjoy some Ramen and it was very tame when it came to the crowd. There were roughly eight other people there to group set inside the others were outside. The service was impeccable. We were greeted very warmly by the person behind the cashier and they gave us a quick rundown of the different options. Especially what is considered the star attraction on the menu. That would be all the different spicy style ramens would have their very own section on the menu. The food itself was very very flavorful. I'm not going to lie I cannot remember the name of the two ramens we got I believe one was the sHoyu Ramen and the other one was a Godzilla Ramen. My husband and I split some of the meal with each other and both were fantastic. The one change I would make with my dish would be to see if I could get the garlic chips a little bit more fried within the ramen. I'm a texture person and that nice fried crunch would have put it over for me. We also enjoyed the spam musubi, pork belly bites, and shared one of this Sapporo supreme beers. It's a lovely place and if you have the ability to go support it please do because it needs all the love it can get on the weekends with bigger crowds.

Ryan Logan

Google
Delicious ramen, will definitely be coming back! There is limited seating indoors but lots of outdoor seating. Parking can be a bit tricky but there should be lots to be found.

Diamond Cloud

Google
I was told to try it by co-workers before Covid. He talked up the ramen, so this place must be under new ownership because I got the garlic ramen, and it was atrocious. I couldn't take more than 3 bites. I tried a bite of the greens, then the mushroom, then the noodles themselves. It was so bad I spat each bite out. I knew at that moment that I should stop trying to get my $20 worth out of that bad bowl of soup. My girl got the Tomato ramen and she said it tasted like it was noodles in a can of Campbell's tomato soup. WE dumped it and left without ever lo.I love ramen, but this is not it. If I could, I would get my money back. Theres $40 that I will never see again. -Why are the broths only vegetable flavored? And why did mine taste so vulgar - Why was the spoon dirty when I got it? -The chashu was just some washed up Ham -There were out Ajitama eggs(Seasoned Softboiled eggs) -Who serves unseasoned boiled eggs with ramen? -What ramen joint doesn't sell Tonkatsu?

Zina Padgett

Google
First-time experience, and this place did not disappoint. This is a family owned business, and its owner is super sweet! So knowledgeable about Their menu! The ramen was freshly prepared as ordered. The wait not long for me to recieve my order. Since I am gluten-free, there were plenty of options! Noodles, soups! Great selection! There is outside dining and inside as well. What I love was that the broth was so flavorful, and the noodles were perfectly cooked. Definitely felt like a homemade! I will definitely be back.

Leng Ooi

Google
This is a breath of fresh air in the broth base. It's light yet full of mushroom umami. The noodles were just the perfect chew. We tried the shio, garlic shio, shoyu and mazemen. The garlic was fresh and raw, really added the spice into the broth. The mazemen sauce is full of sesame nutty flavors. This is one of the ramen places I come out of feeling refreshed instead of stuffed.

Shikha Patel

Google
Food is incredible. Will definitely visit again. Definitely a great spot with multiple vegetarian vegan, and gluten free options. Limited seating so accommodating big groups would be difficult. Parking was easily available. Really homey vibe and the employees made us feel welcomed as well.

sonya purcell

Google
It was soooooo good! It's been 3 years since I first experienced this amazing ramen. I traveled to Sacramento from Dallas to support a friend. I had to make a stop by the Shoki Ramen House. The service and hospitality were amazing. The atmosphere was so friendly, even the other customers were nice. The broth was so good that I wanted to pick up my bowl and slurp it up ..lol. I am already planning my next trip.

Danyel Church

Google
Food is amazing. When they were on 12th st I would go all the time. But since they opened their new location. They are open a very limited schedule which is harder to abide by with my schedule. But definitely a good to for ramen if its available!
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Britany M.

Yelp
One of the best Ramen houses is in Sacramento. I love all the customization options, so you can get your Ramen exactly how you want it! I always get mine spicy with lots of spinach just because I love spinach in my ramen!
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S S.

Yelp
Super excited to try this place! Many have said it is the best ramen in sac. Sadly, I can not say the same. Have tried many, many ramen places and this is not one I would return to at all. The good: love that it's a family like, two people making the food. Like going to mom and dads for dinner. Mom is kind enough, dad is cooking while mom runs the register and serves the food. It's set up as a fast casual. Order at the register, buzzer calls you to come pick up your tray. Sometimes mom will bring some things to you. She seems to really care. The not so bad, bad: food is mediocre at best. Lacking substance. With multiple dishes ordered from ramen to curry and sides, the edamame was the fav. Edamame! Not the ramen, not the curry and def not the furikake fries. Skip those for sure. Don't waste the money if you decide to still go here. The indoor dining was uncomfortable, the stale feeling of ambiance pushed us to eat outside which was actually very pleasant. Heater and string lights were inviting and relaxing. We enjoyed each other's company, ate some of the food, cleaned up after ourselves and walked. Never to return.
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Ann H.

Yelp
I visited Shoki on a Friday night to get my ramen fix since this establishment will be a tasting menu type restaurant after March 2024. We arrived at 6:15 PM and we did not order until close to 8 PM. By this time, most of the menu items were sold out. I ordered the tan tan men; however, the dish only came with 1 slice of chashu due to limited supply. The ramen is always perfectly delicious on every visit. I added the pork belly, which I wasn't aware that it had a sweet sauce. I did not care much for the sauce. The spicy edamame was delicious. Then again, it is difficult to ruin this dish. I am looking forward to try the tasting menu when it is available.
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Judi M.

Yelp
I've been to Shoki 3 times since they re-opened and each visit has been great! Their new shop is pretty small on the inside, so it makes for a homey vibe. They have an outdoor area also, but we prefer to come inside. The first two times I went, I got the ramen (because what else am I gonna get?) I had the Shio and the Tan Tan Men. Both were hearty and flavorful. You can tell there was great care given in making the broth. There's a depth of flavor there that I don't get with other ramens. Plus the noodles are perfect compliment to the unctuous broth. On my last visit, I wanted to try something different so I got the chasu curry over rice. Their curry was fragrant and spiced just right. Unlike Indian curry, Japanese curry isn't spicy and can sometimes be a bit on the sweet side. I was perfectly find with just the sauce and rice. Which was just as well because I was a bit disappointed with the chasu. I prefer more heartier proteins with curry and the chasu was overpowered by the curry. I had gotten a pork belly appetizer which seemed better suited for the curry. For me, what sets Shoki apart from all the other ramen places is the service. Each visit felt warm and welcoming. The family who runs Shoki is front and center when you walk in. They walk you through the menu, even if you've been there before. They take their time when you're placing your order. I really appreciate that small detail. In today's go-go-go society, it's nice to take my time and savor the hospitality and the food.
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Emma W.

Yelp
My friend recommended me to try this local ramen shop in Sacramento. I'm so glad I got to try this place before they close their indoor dining this Sunday (March 31st), but I'm excited to see their new series and what's in store for them. The wait was around 15 minutes since there isn't much indoor dining. They have plenty of outdoor seating but it was cold and raining, so the seating was limited. However, the wait went by fast and we were seated inside shortly. It's such a cute and cozy ramen shop. The lady who helped us was so friendly and helped answered any questions we had. Great customer service. As for the food, we got the shoyu ramen, which tasted delicious. The broth tasted as it should be, and the noodles were very soft and cooked to my liking. The furikake fries were crunchy and had a sauce on them. Toward the end it was just plain fries so I wish there was a bit more to spread evenly amongst all the fries. But still very delicious! We also got the pork curry which was quite good and a big portion. Although this place will be closing their indoor dining, I believe they're still accepting take out order. Hope to see this place open its indoor dining soon!

jamie l.

Yelp
Tried coming here on Saturday night following New Years. Called on the way as stopping through on way home. Said new hours were Saturday Sunday and open. No mention about holiday schedule. Arrived and it was closed. Other large group outside and disappointed. .
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Cainen G.

Yelp
Authentic ramen and gyoza nestled in a small shop in Sacramento. The family is very nice and the food is always on point!
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Maria Z.

Yelp
Great ramen. Simple. Tasty. Lots of topping options. My favorite is the Tan Tan Men. I didn't think I'd be able to finish it but... pictures speak for themselves. Definitely recommend.
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Niro H.

Yelp
SHOKI BACK AND COMING BACK STRONG! I've always enjoyed Shoki and holds a special place in my heart as this was my first introduction to authentic ramen. Their story goes deep and you can always get a glimpse of that rich history if you've ever been to any of the restaurants. Due to circumstances the previous locations are no longer there, but this one off of broadway is now taking reservations. Space is limited and they are only open for an allotted time. Given that, they've taken special time and care to each and every one of the dishes that they make. Upon walk in, you are greeted with a really lit room covered with some Japanese paintings and art. The host is will give a brief history lesson as well as what Shoki has for the future. The price for their items are a bit of a stretch compared to other ramen restaurants, but I guarantee you that it is WORTH EVERY PENNY! The broth has umami, depth, richness, with a bit of smoky and a touch nutty. The contrast from the crispy chicken and soft chashu is unlike no other. On top of that you get welcomed with the perfect size of chewy noodle with every bite. I ate this dish at 93 degree weather, outside in the heat, and not once did I hesitate to dig in for more! This bowl is delicious! The tan tan men comes with a standard size and heat, so if you want it a little spicier, they'll give it to you on the side. The egg is soft boiled and is given on the side as to not over cook in the broth. WELCOME BACK SHOKI!

David K.

Yelp
Best ramen restaurant in the Sacramento area by far for ramen purists. The go to place for ramen.
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Sly C.

Yelp
In a nutshell; quite difficult to reserve, find parking and you may have to sit outside fighting the weather, but still enjoyed some good food. Getting straight to it. The food's good. It is quite pricey considering it's an $18 dollar or $22 bowl of ramen, but it is good. Menu's straight to the point and the servers/employees all do seem nice and accommodating and the place does give off the "hole in the wall" type of style or commodity that some establishments are but because this required a reservation, thought it'd be a bit more that what I expected. Food's good but for the price, it's just alright as to amazing, the limited inside seats were all taken so had to procure the seats outside during hot weather which didn't bother me too much if my allergies didn't attack me that often, and parking may be an issue but there is an alleyway (left sids facing the building) where you can park if it isn't all taken already. Overall good food, but wish i can just go to it without the reservation.
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Stephanie H.

Yelp
*Currently it is online reservations only. You cannot eat here if you don't have the reservation; they only make the ramen in small batches for the day. They open reservations at 5PM on Mondays and the only days of the week available are currently Friday through Sunday.* I'm torn on this rating, I kind of want to give them a 3, because compared to their old location on R Street, it's just doesn't even come close to being as good. Everything about it is worse: the counter ordering (a buzzer will be handed to you & will alert you when it's time to pick up your order from the counter, you bus your own table when done eating as well - it's like fast food, only you're not served fast), the required reservations (yet still having to wait in a long line to order + wait for quite a while to get your food), the toppings included (are not great), and THE PRICE. Was I shocked to read prices were now $20 for the "cheaper" version of the ramen - you can upgrade for more toppings for $26...at those prices I think it's better to just put the money towards my next flight to Japan. The thing that's preventing me from giving Shoki a 3 star rating is their broth. I've always loved their Kurogoma broth, and it remains one of my favorite ramen broths I've ever tasted. (I really enjoy that flavor though, black sesame isn't for everyone; it's a roasted & nutty flavor.) Their broths are superior to other places since they only use natural ingredients; it tastes clean and doesn't have that fatty/oily consistency you sometimes see at other ramen places. However, the toppings are terrible now! I want fresh veggies in my ramen, not fried-in-old-oil mushrooms! I feel like they can at least throw in a few bamboo shoots or something. They used to give carrots, corn, spinach, cabbage, and other veggies with this dish... now it's just those fried mushrooms and cabbage at a much higher price point. When I read "steamed veggies" on the menu description, I wasn't expecting it to just be cabbage. It honestly makes me so sad. What they do throw in is a random piece of bread with a garlic spread on it. Service: The employee was helpful and nice. Seating: There is a few spaces to sit inside. The majority of the tables are outside. Parking: Street parking on Burnett. Don't park in the parking lot; it's for the other business, and I heard you will get towed. I used to go to the old R Street location at least once a month, but I'm pretty sure I won't be back more than a couple times a year.
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Justine O.

Yelp
Starting off this review by saying I'm incredibly biased, since this has been mine and my family's favorite restaurant since I was 10 years old. When I heard it was opening back up after a few years, I was thrilled to say the least! Reservations are so hard to come by, so consider yourself lucky if you get one! Luckily, we were able to snag one on a Sunday for dinner. For starters, we ordered the steamed cabbage, which sounds simple, but the green onions and shoyu definitely elevate it. I also tried the locally-made pomegranate cider, which was surprisingly delicious! I'm not all that into ciders, but I really enjoyed this one. I ordered the vegan kurogoma tan tan men. They don't have regular vegetarian options (just vegan), but they still give out the soft boiled egg upon request. This was absolutely delicious! I think it's actually an improvement upon their previous recipe, especially with the addition of the bread and oyster mushroom. What I love about the broth is that it doesn't leave you feeling terrible afterwards. It tastes clean and healthy, while still being so delicious. The owners are always so kind! We mentioned being unable to bring the rest of my family due to them not getting reservations, and they gave us some extra sides to take home for them even though we didn't ask. They also recognized us as being some of their last customers before they closed, and it's so nice to come to a business that really cares about their customers. I love that every ingredient is locally sourced, and that this is a small family-owned restaurant. Shoki's truly makes me proud to be from Sacramento!
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Hector C.

Yelp
So, I really wanted to give this place a better review, but I just can't do it. First, the good. Staff were all pleasant. They are a family and really passion about their food. They take the time to explain to you what their food is and what went into it, which is cool. Also, they offer gluten free options, which is much appreciated. Okay, now the not so good. Reservations are hard to get because they only serve a certain amount of people per day. Seating inside is extremely limited and most likely you'll be sitting outside. It was pretty cold the day we went so we instead decided to hover inside and wait for seats to open up. Which eventually did happen during the almost hour wait time for our food. Yes, we waited almost an hour for our food as their is only one chef. As for the food itself, it's good. But not quite worth the price point. I actually didn't enjoy my ramen, as I think it was also a vegan dish and overall lacked flavor. We did get some side dishes that were quite good however.
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Wyatt W.

Yelp
The food here is spot on and top notch. This is high quality food all around. While seeing the reviews, I noticed some downgrading due to reservations and space. Not all places are open to masses and dump food on plates quickly. The one thing I always miss about Japan and Germany is the food quality. I will gladly wait for a reservation and spend $$ for quality food over quick food. That's what this place is about. We had our ramen and it was exactly what we wished for. We also had appetizers and they were awesome too. Fresh made, fresh ingredients, served hot. All ingredients were fresh cut. The effort and pride in the food here is appreciated. We will be back!
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Mikey J.

Yelp
I believe the current rating of 3.5 stars is accurate, though I will round up for the friendly service. The restaurant is reservation only and the family seems to be thoughtful on the food and service (though I feel the effort doesn't always translate to the customer experience). For example, they describe how the water is exquisitely filtered. I myself could not taste a major difference in the water and felt some of the effort could be focused on other elements (e.g. filling the need for more covered seating). The ramen itself was good but I did find it particularly exceptional to others I have had. The bread that came with the ramen seemed like a standard sourdough and I found it unusual. The prices are on the higher side. Overall, I am glad to see them back and hope they do well.

Alan H.

Yelp
this is easily the worst ramen i've ever had. what happened to shoki??? the lady up front is bouncing register and helping with topping food in the kitchen without gloves?? food is INSANELY salty. 'godzilla' tan tan men is made up of (canned??) baby corn, wakame seaweed, baby spinach, with 1 piece of ham - not cha siu, overhydrated dried shiitake mushrooms, and an hard boiled egg. just a plain hard boiled egg - the soy braised egg is extra, and in limited quantity. what's not limited quantity is the premade fried garlic slices they put copious amounts of in your ramen, so that you get a big chunk of garlic for every noodle slurp. utterly disgusting. nothing is authentic here.

Joseph M.

Yelp
Best ramen I've had. Healthy focus. Rayu oil, the steamed cabbage, the godzilla garlic, the marinated eggs, the potato croquettes, always fantastic to add on. My favorite is Tan Tan Mien. So good!
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JP R.

Yelp
Solid ramen. Went once at their old location near the railroad tracks when in college. Glad to have discovered their new location in Land Park. Drove up from the Bay to get the TanTan Men and it was worth the trip. Amazing noodle texture and the service and appetizers were excellent. Come back and support local businesses!
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Krisha B.

Yelp
I have been waiting for shoki to come back for so long! It is still my favorite ramen place! The tan tan men is by far the best broth around. It has such a depth, and umami flavor that you could tell took hrs to do. I really wanted to give this place 5 stars but just couldn't for a few reason. "The works tan tan men" was delicious and came with spinach, memna, ground beef, 3 kinds of meat: chasu, a breaded chicken and chicken breast. All high quality meats. But to be honest didn't really need the chicken. The chasu was the best meat but I will admit it's not quite as tender as I remember it to be. It also use to be cut thinly ( which I preferred ) vs now it was one thick slab. But like I said the broth is the star! The pot stickers was also good and came with a variety of dipping sauces. It did also take a while for the food to come out because there is only one chef in the back making all the food. For me it was a little too long, give your self at least 1.5 to 2 hours here. As much I love the ramen here it is just too pricy! Pricy enough to keep me away and not make a habit of coming here to often.
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cecilia r.

Yelp
Still the best Ramen in town. I'm so happy they reopened their doors. The place is much smaller so get there before they open and put your name in the list placed outside by the door.
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Cheyanne H.

Yelp
Delicious ramen (ordered the chasu tam tam ramen), friendly front of house staff, and timely service! Ate outside on a chilly January evening - fortunately outdoor patio is well-lit and heaters were available. Definitely enjoyed my visit and will be back!

Jim N.

Yelp
The food is not as good as few years ago and it is overpriced. Btw, it is self serving. One word about this place "suck".
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Miko M.

Yelp
In all my life, I only rave a few places. One is Pasta Sisters all the way at SoCal and another is Shoki, this place. Decades ago, my older sister took upon herself to take me to Shoki. Without a car, with barely any money, we both brave downtown as a middle school student (myself) and a high school student (my sister) just because she wanted me to experience and taste ramen since I always talked about it. This is nostalgia at the end of the day and it's what I feared coming to this place today. Will I be disappointed because I was running on decades old nostalgia? But none of those worries came to fruition because as I tasted the broth in almost 3 years, it's like I was brought back to that time a decade ago. But somehow, it's even better. The broth has always been the selling point regarding this place, but now their noodles is on point. The noodles is on the thicker side but it doesn't get soggy at all, it's always the worst thing when I visit other ramen shops nearby and by the time a minute pass by, their noodles are already soggy and it's difficult to keep eating due to the inflated noodles. I'm not sure if they make it in the house or they make a custom order but their noodles are superb, it compliments the broth quite well. Barring my trip to Japan next year, I can confidently say the broth (specifically in their tantanmen) is the best I've ever tasted. I've eaten everywhere in Sacramento and most of Bay Area along sides SoCal. The only place that comes close to Shoki is Marufuku but that by itself is by a large margin. The broth has a good mix of everything while at the same time, no ingredient overpower the others. It's light and flavorful and surprisingly not salty. My main complaint with ramens in general is the broth, while some places are flavorful, they are inherently heavy, thus it's difficult to enjoy it because the more broth I consume, the more uncomfortable I feel. However what makes Shoki unique is the fact that it doesn't rely too much on the oily side of flavor but at the same time it beats out the competition with the flavor. All the while, I can taste all the individual ingredients in the broth. It's superb. A ramen broth that can do it's job without necessarily upsetting my stomach is sublime. In fact, it's probably the only ramen place where I can feel comfortable drinking all the soup. I can keep writing but I feel like I'm gonna end up with more than 10 paragraphs so I'll end it with this statement: Shoki is the definition of a craftsman ramen, no other place comes close to the quality and taste. This is coming from someone who has been to more than 40 locations all over California. My only complaint is the reduced amount of the tantan beef, back then, it used to be an actual scoop but now it's very little, though it's marginally better flavor wise.

N. D.

Yelp
So good! The ramen has been missed and I'm really glad we got to taste it again. The garlic shoyou was absolutely delicious. Somthing that I appreciated were the variations of both flavors and textures within the bowl. Crunchy garlic bits along with a hardboiled egg and chewy (but not soggy) noodles. It is a different experience than on R St. The wait is long, and you pick up your food and bus your own tables. The price point is also much higher. Meaning this will be a special occasion type of dinner spot rather than a regular drop in on a whim spot. All in all I'm glad they are back!
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Sarah H.

Yelp
The Tan Tan was delicious but it was $26. The price included three types of protein and an egg. The way everything was prepared would have been 5 stars but it was Rsvp only and it took over an hour for the food to come out. I understand that there is only one chef but don't squeeze so many reservations within an hour if you cannot handle pushing those orders out in a timely manner. Don't come here hungry unless you want to be hangry.
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Stan J.

Yelp
This was my favorite ramen spot before they closed R Street and before 21st street had the fire. I was excited to hear 21st street had re-opened. But...this is the most RIDCULOUS concept to have to make a reservation to eat ramen! Ramen is an impulse craving and isn't one you plan out early in the week. I wasted my time bringing family there only to be turned away when there were a number of tables open. They need to rethink their decision. An regards to making a reservation... Is there even a place to make it on-line? If there is, they need to hire a better web manager for that since I couldn't find it. I'll just keep going to Ryujin Ramen House until they figure it out.
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Chris C.

Yelp
Uniqueness, quality, and passion define the food I experienced here. It's a treat that the family who owns, as well as operates the restaurant, continues to share their passion for ramen with Sacramento. Their small batch, daily made broth was something special, unique and delicious. Ingredients were high quality and most were locally sourced; just ask they'll tell you which farm or farmers market the ingredients originated. And passion comes from each member of the family, who operates the restaurant, that I encountered during my visit. It was really a pleasure to be served food that came from a place of care and passion.

D D.

Yelp
There are soo many mosquitos. We left before finishing our meal because we were getting too many mosquito bites. It made the whole dining experience not enjoyable. I ordered the shoyu ramen and it was not good. Very disappointing. Shoki is not what it once was.
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Alicia C.

Yelp
WE LOVE SHOKI RAMEN AND KATHY!! I have been coming to Shoki for well over 8 years now, and ever since I invited my husband on one of our first dates here back in the fall of 2016, he has also been a huge fan of their ramen. We were so deeply saddened when we couldn't get our Shoki fix for two years during the closure of their R Street location and the reopening of their newly remodeled original location off Broadway. We frequently would check their Facebook for updates on their reopening date, and the moment we realized they reopened we immediately asked Kathy (owner) to keep us in mind with any reservation cancellations. We were lucky enough to get in right away and I must say, the ramen was already delicious before but now they're using local fresh produce and meats and it's absolutely amazing. The price did go up but that's understandable with the quality product they're serving now. During our two years without Shoki, we tried different ramen spots in the Sacramento area that cost about the same as their new pricing and no other ramen place came close to Shoki's ramen for us. Another nice change is that Yasushi (owner) is the sole chef now and you can tell he puts his heart into every bowl made daily. Another change is the reservation style ordering. Before you typically had to be waitlisted anyways, because they have always been pretty busy and popular. So in a way it's nice to be able to book a reserved time slot in advance. It is pretty hard to get a reservation, as they only open them up Monday's after 5pm and sell out quickly! So if you're looking to get in, make sure you set an alarm and best of luck!
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James Q.

Yelp
Wanted to try this place out since there is a bit of hype surrounding this place and didn't know they recently re-opened. Do not park in the lot to the right of the shop, it belongs to a restaurant nearby and they will tow you. Park in the street past the restaurant. They have about 4 spots to dine inside with A/C in a really small converted home. I had a reservation at 5:00 P.M. expecting to be seated as most places do but it's done a little differently here. There's just a pile of people in front of the door and when the door opens, everyone trickles in. When this happens, you'll want to either be some of the first to get through the door or make your way closest to the register as the line will begin after the host provides you some information about the menu. I was in the back and one of the last to have my order taken. Since the place is small, they'll ask you to wait outside to make room for people to sit and clear up some space. My order wasn't taken util 5:32 P.M. Afterwards, I went outside for some seating and lo and behold, of course, all of the shaded seats were taken so I get to sun tan outside. We received our appetizers around 5:45 P.M. (meat potstickers which were good with miso sauce) and our ramen (Shoyu and Tantan men) came out around ~6:20 - 6:30 P.M. Of course, if you don't leave a trace that you were sitting somewhere, those who came early for their later reservation may sit in your seat while you're getting food. The host brings food out for a select few people but not for others so I'm not sure how that works. It would be nice to receive an update on ETA for food or whether there are delays with the kitchen. The food itself was relatively bland. The miso sauce was amazing but that didn't last long. The Shoyu ramen had some flavor but quite lacking for a $22 bowl. The chashu had great texture but it couldn't make up for the soup base. The tan tan men had a nice spicy kick that slowly goes away but besides that.. you aren't able to taste much else. Maybe it was just a broth with vegetables and salt but I was expecting a bit more since the pork packed a punch. It of course, quickly melts away into the broth and disappears. All and all, for what was paid and for how long we had to wait for food, I do not feel that it is worth it. tl;dr: - This is a reservation only restaurant - No parking in the lot, park on the street or nearby neighborhood. - Come early and stand by the door or come an hour late so you won't have to wait an hour for food. - The closer you are to the register when the door opens, the faster you're served food and get to sit in A/C or a place with shade. - It's pretty pricy for what it is. - There is only one chef - Lack of flavor but you can tell the chef puts a great deal of time into creating the dish.. May just be this variation that was relatively bland since some things pack a lot of flavor and others not. - The host is select with who she checks in with and speaks to. - It is self serve since you're seating yourself, getting your own water, grabbing your own food, and stacking your own plates, so something to consider since you're tipping before you receive food
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john d.

Yelp
so good to have Shoki back and back in the neighborhood!! hands down, the best ramen in town, and now it's even better than before. I think it must be the choice ingredients and simple menu. treat yourself to the steamed cabbage and some premium cold saki. I wish the dining area was bigger but I'm glad they have a comfortable kitchen.
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Jay R.

Yelp
On numerous visits, I saw management (which I was later told were the nieces and daughter of the owner) belittle and mistreat staff. Stopped spending my money there because of it. No surprise they went under. You can't run a business when you don't respect staff. Heard they were missing a bathroom key too ;)

Teresa K.

Yelp
Shoki Ramen House is open!!! Not sure why Yelp shows it temporarily closed until March 1, 2024. The ramen is delicious! The noodles are freshly made and the broth is amazing with just enough spice. Service is great and very helpful in explaining the ingredients and the flavor in each dish. A perfect spot even in cooler weather. The outdoor patio has plenty of space with amble outdoor heaters.
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Douglas Y.

Yelp
This used to be the age old Trails Char Bque and the sign is still out front. The place is nothing fancy but it is clean and has seating for 30 or so. I tried the Curry ramen which came with corn, spinach and a few slices of delicious BBQ pork. I also made my ramen Godzilla with garlic and onion for another dollar bringing the total to $8.90 before tax. My broth was tasty but not overly strong and the noodles were fresh and had good chew. My only complaint would be there wasn't much protein in my bowl and meat lovers will need to order extra protein. Overall I really enjoyed Shoki and I will be back to try more of the menu.
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Jenny P.

Yelp
How can both Shoki locations currently have a 3.5 star average on Yelp? I've never had a bad experience at either one, and all the servers are lovely humans. Aghast. True, the R street location is the one I currently favor, and true, I don't like the new menu layout at this location because it is hard to decipher even for someone like me that slurps up some ramen on the regular. The low down is this: Shoki is still my favorite place to grab noods in Sacramento hands down, and I will stick to that. Winter is here to stay, so I've been visiting all my ramen favorites lately, including this location of my favorite favorite of favorites. Did I mention favorite? I told you all about my obsession with the mushroom add in when I reviewed the R street location, and now I shall tell you my newest recent (OBSESSIVE) discovery here at Shoki 21st street: Godzilla ramen! $1 upcharge for garlic chips and crunchy onions, and you can add this firecracker to any ramen dish. Not only does it make the nostrils perk up, but it's the perfect addition to my favorite ramen dish here, the yasai tan tan men. I also enjoy their shoyu ramen, curry ramen, and takoyaki appetizer. It's all about the broth at Shoki. Creamy, rich, filling, flavorful, not too salty....per-FECTION I SAY. They call it a Bowl of Dreams, and I can see why as it frequently flits through my food dreams. This location is in my man's neck of the woods, so we go here more than we do the R street location or other ramen joints in town. Local beers are on tap, and they have tv screens on the wall that show various news segments that Shoki has been on over the years. I've been nomming at Shoki for at least 7 years now, so it's been interesting to see how far they've come. This location is bigger than R street, but has no outdoor seating. The wait for 2 is never longer than 10 minutes, but if it's raining beware, as there is really nowhere to stand inside while you wait and they don't have much of an awning outside. It gets packed quickly, but staff have always attended to us timely. Parking: Better than R street by far, since it is juuuuust off grid. There's a small lot on either side you can usually find a spot in, and street parking (unmetered, what what!) on Burnett Way in front of the Littlest Pet Shop if you have issues with the lots. Veg Friendly and GF: menu items available here, and they're super hearty, too. Order those mushrooms, I am telling you. NOMNOM.
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Allen Y.

Yelp
First and foremost, I would like to thank the staff that works at this location. They are super friendly and helpful with my order. On top of that, they provided top notch service. However, much of my bad review ratting is due to the food. It was my first time at Shoki so I ordered a large variety of things to get a full experience of the menu. Neediness to say, everything on the menu is salty! The chef probably has a heavy hand for generously sprinkling salt on everything! Our group started off with the ShuMai, Curry and Rice, & Char Sui platter appetizer. The ShuMai are very tiny and expensive. However, it was probably the most delicious thing of our dinner. The Char Sui has a charcoal taste to it that wasn't very palatable. However, the curry was so salty that it wasn't very enjoyable. I can see the flavors are good but the high salt content just totally destroyed this dish. I had the #2 Shio ramen but was also able to taste the Tan Tan Men & Spicy Miso. The Shiro soup was very bland and left much to be desired. Both the Tan Tan men and Spicy Miso soup was overly salted. Overall, this place is pretty upsetting for the Ramen lover in me.
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Scott D.

Yelp
Shoki or Shōki may refer to: the Japanese pronunciation of Zhong Kui, a figure in Chinese mythology, traditionally regarded as a vanquisher of ghosts and evil beings. From wiki page shoki. After trying some ramen the night before at another location that was closed on sunday, we found another one open. And we have read some good reviews from yelp on shoki. So off we went kids and all. The menu is easy and very detailed, from broths, noodles, ingredients you can add on if you like. And they have kids size option avaiable in the shio and shoyu for a discount price of the small bowl. Everyone gets greated when they walk in with "namaste" and promptly seated. And the servers were friendly and helpful on explaining the menu if you need help like this guy right here! I choosed the tan tan men medium spicy, after hearing many spicy good things about it. Of course i added the egg to the dish(+$2). I would of added the shiitake mushrooms but didn't want to add another (+$3) to the bowl. The flavors of the bowl were decent, liked the smokey ness it had. For the medium level it seemed decent for spicy but if you like spicy go hotter! My wife and son got the shio bowl regular for her and kids size (small) for him. She opted to add the shiitake mushrooms to hers. And for the kids you can select one item to add the broth and noodles choices was spinach, bamboo shoots, Chashu, or bean sprouts. You can choose more but will pay the add on prices for such items. The broth did seem less flavorful on this bowl. My daughter is more picky and luckily they had the bowl of rice with pork and she opted for no green onions and such on top. Just plain white rice and the shredded pork meat only, i forget the name of it and she quickly ate the pork before i could take a picture. She ate it all and enjoyed it, and sampled some of the ramen noodles from her brothers plate too. Kids enjoyed there plate and ramen. Adults we wished it had more flavor for the shio and the add on prices could easily make the $8 bowl for regular size turn into $13 to $20+ bowl if you like a lot of items in your bowl. They explain in the menu about the perfect temperatures and the exact measurements of the base and the broths to get that perfect bowl of flavor. So if you like a hot bowl of it ask cause the noodles to the ingredients come cold and the broth can only get to a boiling point, so it will cool off fast it says whem reading about it. So my non ramen expertise and different ways of liking my soups normally may of contributed to my dish lacking some greatness.
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Rachel C.

Yelp
"A bowl of dreams" ...hmm, I don't think I agree with that... Not sure if it's because I came at a very busy time (7PM), but maaan, this place was packed! I really didn't expect it to be packed on a Wednesday night... it looked like there was only one server so props to her for holding it down for Shoki! Anywho, their location is in a very "sketch" area and you're not allowed to park in a certain parking lot. A sign is posted so just look out for that. The inside isn't too big either. It felt very crowded even though it's bigger than the Shoki on R street. So expect a wait especially if you come at a busy time. I was seated right when I got in, but I waited for about 40+ mins for the server to ask for my older and for my ramen........ Food: I was not happy with my ramen. Sad face. The noodles didn't taste fresh, the broth didn't really have much flavor to it, and the presentation just didn't "wow" me.... I ordered the Kurogoma Tantan Men. My friend ordered the Spicy Miso and the broth was ...sour? Is Miso supposed to taste sour? It was such a different taste to us that we were confused, but either way, we both weren't satisfied with our ramen. Don't be fooled with how affordable the ramen might look because you have to pay extra money for a lot of the add ons. (i.e. egg, mushrooms, etc.) On a positive note, the egg was the best part.

Miles M.

Yelp
Loved Shoki since it first opened and was located in the small house. Not the same as it used to be. Had to wait 35 minutes for food. Also $20 and $26 for an alright bowl of ramen is criminal. Go to Ryūjin ramen for a better bowl of ramen for $13.75. Very mid.

Sue S.

Yelp
Newly reopened and just as magnificent as you remember--all the more precious for the time we had to live without them! Note that they are currently (May '23) only doing limited, reservation-only seatings. Details via Instagram, but seating slots drop once a week on Mondays 5pm. Run, don't walk!

Scott M.

Yelp
I was excited to see our old favorite opening up again. Had to pay to make a reservation, and that doesn't even reserve a table. The tables are mostly cheap plastic tables outside with no shade covering. There is no parking lot, only street parking. You have to bus your table, and in our case clean and pick up food too. Food was expensive (about 80+ percent increase from R street) with a very basic bowl with no eggs and limited toppings at 20 dollars. The vegetarian bowl had no protein, only broth, noodles, three pieces of fried mushroom and a piece of bread. The broth was also way more bland than R street. Adding an egg costs $3.50! Also the outside hose was malfunctioning and occasionally let out a spurt of water that sprayed my wife.
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Jo B.

Yelp
My wife found a METAL WIRE in her ramen last night at dinner.  After complaining to the waitress about it, my wife was given a new bowl of ramen.  At that point we were hesitant to eat our food, so we were cautious about each bite after that. We considered leaving altogether and eating elsewhere, but we had an event to get to and didn't have time to wait elsewhere. To make matters worse, upon receiving the bill, we were surprised to see that we were STILL CHARGED for the bowl of ramen.     I regret not having kicked-up more of a fuss about this because it is disgusting and unacceptable.
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Bridget W.

Yelp
I may be a ramen novice but I can't see what they could possibly improve on here. We were greeted immediately and like we were old regulars, told up front that this was a soft opening... which seemed odd since they moved locations and still have a grip of old yelp reviews... What evs because the food was M'm M'm goooood! Thank you to whoever designed the menu. Vegetarian and vegan options are clearly outlined and they have basically lined out a step by step build your own bowl how-to so a ramen rookie like me can order quickly. Fresh, delicious, and the flavors they serve match the menu descriptions exactly. Don't you just love when that happens? Had a chat with the server and learned they have plans to add coffee service (local brew) and Happy Hour deals. Both ideas I definitely approve of ;)
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Steph G.

Yelp
Reading the menu takes longer than eating your ramen... So, they are working out the kinks. I don't even think they've technically had a 'grand opening' and I doubt they'd even have a formal one. I didn't even realize this was a new spot, my co-worker brought us here on our monthly lunch. I have no clue what this was before, but I know I've driven past it tons of times and never paid attention to it, which is why I probably never noticed it being transformed into a noodle haven. Ordering ramen really shouldn't be that difficult. However, they are trying something new to the Sac ramen world. A create your own ramen, but it probably brings your total closer to $18 ramen. Also, I don't want to think that much, I just want to get straight to slurpin my noodles. The a la carte ramen was doing too much. The menu has so much text on it, trying to describe this ordering method I just gave up. Just skip all the way to the back side at the bottom, they have three classic ramen's to chose from, but no substitutions. You can do add-on's from the a la carte portion of the menu. Ooh man, it's not even summer yet and I was sweating out as much sodium as I was slurping while eating my ramen. It was a warm day and the inside was not as cool as you'd hope. I hope they figure that out before the warm Sac summers hit, otherwise it's going to be disgustingly hot in there. There is nothing fancy about this joint at all, you can tell the building and decor has been around for a long time, I'd even suggest the booths, tables, and chairs might have been inherited from the previous owner. The service was okay. Our server was trying really hard to explain the 'make your own expensive ramen' style they were trying to offer. But he didn't quite execute it well. He was really pushing us to order it, but we all went with one of the classic options. Also, don't expect them to have everything their sister store on R street has. They don't carry the curry on a regular basis, but they have it as a rotating special. They also have specials that are posted on the door (hopefully, just for the time being) -- make sure you peep them before you sit down, so you know your options. Note for Parking: Don't park in the lot between Pancho's and Shoki, that is Pancho's parking lot. Shoki's parking is on the other side of their restaurant. The dilapidated cacti blocked the sign that said this, so we ended up parking there. No harm no foul, just an FYI. It was literally a hot mess, from the temp to the menu configuration. But my bowl was delicious, they still serve delicious bowls of noodles. I like ramen a lot, but not at the expense of sweating while I try to enjoy my meal. I know they are new, so I'll probably go here again with J. I'm sure they will work things out, but until then, bring your sweat rag and get ready to read a lot. Sacramento loves to be cramped and sweat while slurping down noodles!
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Grace B.

Yelp
I don't like writing bad reviews, but I hope the business will take this as room for improvement. Im a bit disappointed. Back in the day when Shoki was old school in their original location, I remember the broth. I was always going back for their Tan Tan Men the most. I can say that I can actually remember it clearly because the broth was so memorable back then. It tasted authentic Niboshi broth back in the day. That's what one of the reasons Shoki was made famous. Even today I can still remember. So my life had changed since 2010 and I stopped coming around because I was focused on graduating college. I was not going out as much. But recently ...I finally attended a bath house located near by the area with my Mother, I decided that it would be great to visit Shoki's again. Also to give my mother the experience of what I remember. My mother was not impressed. I saw that they changed location. I knew about their second location too, but Asha Bath House is near by. So the location is a lot larger and I thought it was nice that they have finally accepted cards. Back in the day it use to be CASH only. Boy! I was expecting the old broth recipe. I have no idea what happened. The broth tasted like there was a bitter after taste. I couldnt put my finger on it. I cant really explain or describe what was different. It was only the bitter aftertaste. Did they leave the Kombu in the broth? I know for sure that Kombu makes the broth bitter if you leave it in the broth for long periods. I have no idea. But there is something different happening. I will never return again. It is so heartbreaking. I really miss their old broth recipe.
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Sondra T.

Yelp
Extremely sad to see that this location had an unfortunate fire incident. I love this place. Their old 21st street location was cool but far too tiny. This location is (I want to say) a tiny bit bigger than their R street location. Shoki is what introduced me into the world of REAL ramen. I can very much admire the fact that the owner pays close attention to where he sources his products. Everything always tastes extremely fresh with some TLC sprinkled into it. Service is always amazing. Everyone is extremely attentive and friendly. Best wishes to this business, and I cannot wait for them to reopen.
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Jacob C.

Yelp
I had to come back for 2nd's!! If you're looking for a authentic high quality ramen experience, this is the place! Chef Yadushi Ueyama (owner) sources the highest quality organic ingredients! He puts his passion into every bowl and tailors it to your exact specifications! Easy to find location and cozy seating atmosphere. They also have a second location on "R" street. They have gluten free & vegan ramen options as well! The staff is very knowledgeable and easy to talk to! 4 different spiciness levels for everyone! We will be back!
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Eni J.

Yelp
I came to Shoki Ramen house on Sunday night on Father's Day, I thought it would be busy, but it's wasn't. This is the third time I came to this location since they opened. This second location is actually bigger than the first one and has better parking spots. I ordered tan tan men noodle and Takoyaki. The takoyaki tasted good and hot. The tan tan men tasted ok. Service was good. There was only one server, and she had a great smile and provided great service. Few suggestions: They probably need to check the restroom often because there was no cover sheet. It was messy with a lot of toilet paper and hand paper towels everywhere. (I'm guessing this was because they only have one server on site and they got behind.)