Underbelly

Ramen restaurant · San Diego

Underbelly

Ramen restaurant · San Diego

4

Corner of Kettner & Fir, 750 W Fir St #101, San Diego, CA 92101

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Underbelly by Infatuation - Reviews
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Highlights

Underbelly Ramen in Little Italy serves hearty, inventive ramen bowls with tender meats and vibrant cocktails in a sleek, neon-lit, industrial-chic setting.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

Corner of Kettner & Fir, 750 W Fir St #101, San Diego, CA 92101 Get directions

godblessunderbelly.com

$10–20 · Menu

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Corner of Kettner & Fir, 750 W Fir St #101, San Diego, CA 92101 Get directions

+1 619 269 4626
godblessunderbelly.com

$10–20 · Menu

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Jul 30, 2025

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@eater

Where to Eat Ramen in San Diego

"Established years before the influx of ramen shops, it’s best known for its Belly of the Beast ramen, a tonkotsu-based bowl filled with a meaty mix of beef brisket, oxtail dumplings, and hoisin-glazed short rib. As a CH Projects restaurants, it’s also one of the few ramen spots to offer creative cocktails." - Darlene Horn

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-japanese-ramen-noodle-restaurant-san-diego
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@infatuation

Underbelly Review - Pioneer Square - Seattle - The Infatuation

"Located in a heavily air-conditioned basement in Pioneer Square, Underbelly is a great place to drink interesting orange wine, listen to reggae and ska music, watch wildlife documentaries on a projector, and eat a really good hot dog on a baguette topped with melted raclette cheese. If you work in the area, you’d be smart to forgo your usual Happy Hour spots and come here instead." - Aimee Rizzo

https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/reviews/underbelly-seattle
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Epik High Is Here In San Diego 🤴🏻🤴🏻🤴🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻맛있게 먹어
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@judiale
San Diego foods
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Elva Saint

Google
Food was super tasty. We walked up on a Wednesday night there was no wait. the staff was super helpful and friendly and made great recommendations. Price was super reasonable for really good ramen. If I get back to San Diego would for sure eat here again.

J B

Google
I liked the ramen here! The reviews seem polarized one way or another but it hit the spot for me when I wanted ramen on a work trip out there. To give you a sense of my preferences, I typically like tonkotsu ramen. Ichiran in NY (first had in Japan) is currently my favorite. I like the basic ramens, but in this case I upgraded to short rib at the suggestion of the server and I really enjoyed it. The atmosphere is cool, relaxed, interesting layout.

Christine

Google
Don’t go here for ramen. Service and atmosphere is great. Bao was good. Chicken wings good. Ramen is 1 star. Unfortunately there was nothing good about the ramen. The broth was super plain. Egg was unseasoned. Noodles were too soft. The dumpling in the belly of the beast straight up tasted like a soggy ravioli lol. The filling of the dumpling was mush. Don’t know how this place got a 4.5 stars.

shelreece ross

Google
We ordered the Underbelly Ramen and the Beast Ramen (can’t remember the full name). The Underbelly Ramen was okay—my son really enjoyed the soup! Personally, I would’ve liked a bit more spice or seasoning, but since I was sharing with my son, it worked out. My husband had the Beast Ramen and said it was probably one of the best ramen bowls he’s tried so far—definitely a 10/10 for that one! The place is small and busy, but we didn’t have to wait long for a table, which was great. We sat upstairs and kind of regretted it because it was super hot up there. I asked if they could turn the air down, but apparently, they couldn’t, and it was reading 80 degrees. Overall, despite the heat upstairs, it’s a cute spot located in the downtown Little Italy area. Worth checking out, especially for the Beast Ramen!

David Spiewak

Google
With multiple locations around San Diego, Underbelly in downtowns little Italy is the funky, cool original location. The place is small but laid out well to maximize seating. Great and friendly service and the food is top notch. Some of the best ramen you can get in SD county. Parking can get a tad frustrating in that area but just a couple blocks away is a parking garage that’s not too pricey.

Grant Palmer

Google
Nice ramen spot. Interesting layout with tons of good, natural light and a spiral staircase in the middle for 2 sections of seating. A full bar with decent selections of spirits and local and import beers to pair with your food. Large, hot bowls of ramen came in handy during the May Gray Sunday we experienced the other day keeping me warm in the rain. The ramen and broth were good, my oxtail dumplings were very good, the short rib I was expecting to be a bit more tender, but the amount of broth I got kept everything balanced. Good fried gyoza too.

Anjul

Google
great fcukin cocktails, awesome open air people watching environment with fantastic ramen. interior design caught all of our eyes. also whoever opened on Saturday morning 4/26, was KILLIN IT alone. thank you 🌹

_Loganbishop

Google
Really solid bowl of ramen! Wish it was a little more creamy but it definitely filled me up! The wings and pork buns were also really good! The only downside to everything was how everything came out kinda warm. Wish it was a little hotter!
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Rajjin N.

Yelp
Underbelly is hands down one of the best ramen spots in town! The chicken ramen bowl is my go-to--it's rich, flavorful, and packed with all the right textures. The chicken is perfectly cooked, the broth is comforting and deep, and every bite just hits different. If you're a ramen lover, this place is a must-try. The ambiance is really cool, too. It feels like you've stepped straight into a Japanese anime--bright, bold, and full of quirky, fun details that make you feel like you're in another world. It's got that perfect blend of modern and traditional vibes, which just adds to the whole experience. And the service is top-notch--super fast and efficient, but also friendly. They know how to get you your food quickly without sacrificing quality, and the staff always makes you feel welcome. If you're craving ramen and want a fun, unique spot to eat, Underbelly should be at the top of your list. You'll get great food, awesome vibes, and a dining experience you won't forget.
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Sarah D.

Yelp
This ramen spot has an incredible, vibey atmosphere! From the striking neon lighting to the spiral staircase leading to loft seating, and the open-concept layout with partially indoor, partially outdoor tables, every detail adds to the cool, urban nightlife vibe of the space. The setup is super convenient--you order at the register as soon as you walk in, pick where you want to sit, and they bring the food right to your table. The ramen itself was also very tasty! If you are looking for a laid-back spot with great energy and good ramen in Little Italy, Underbelly is your spot!
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Jefferson S.

Yelp
One star for good service. And another for the ambiance. No stars for the ramen. The ramen broth isn't great. If this was made in Japan, it'd probably get thrown out. A bit too salty. Pork chasu was alright. Noodles looked microwaved. Only reason I went here was because it's open, close to work, and it was cold. Sad. Ramen was $13. Tasted like 13 Yen.
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David C.

Yelp
JUN2024 3.5 I'd say. Swung by since we needed the broth after a good night out. Seating can be a bit rough, and the area up top can get pretty warm. Service was helpful at the counter but nonexistent once the food drops. Water refills non existent. We had gotten the karaage and some orders of the baos for sharing. I had ordered the farmers market since I needed some fiber in my life for the drinking to come. The karaage was decent. Temp was good, crunch not so much. Inconsistent across pieces as well. The baos I liked the veggies in it but it needed more sauce, or something on the side to gel it. The eggplant ones suffered in the same way the karaage did unfortunately. The farmers market had a simple clean broth. I'd want the broth to be hotter and more flavorful to counter balance everything, but it did have a really good amount of veggies which was great. Good for what it was at the time, but would check out other options in a pinch.
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Annie S.

Yelp
Came here on a Thursday evening after flying in and checking into our hotel. Weather was a little chilly so my friend and I wanted something comforting and within walking distance to our hotel. Underbelly was one of the only places that opened late. When we got there, it wasn't too busy. The host/bartender wasn't that welcoming. We placed our order and paid with her before sitting at the counter. We ordered belly of the beast, chicken confit, and pork belly bao. Our order came out fairly quick. The server that brought out our food was friendly and explained to us the sauces since it was our first time. Food was delicious and comforting. Overall, would come back again if I'm in the area. Definitely worth the try. Pictures of food has bad lighting due to the neon signs but the neon signs looked great and gave "Tokyo city" vibes.
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Phuoc L.

Yelp
Fuck this place. I've been many times and each time It has gotten progressively worse. Service was terrible. From the wait you'd think they were hot shit. News flash, they're not. There are SO MANY awesome ramen joints in San Diego deserving your money. So vote with your wallet and be happier for it.
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Michele S.

Yelp
What the heck just happened? WHATTHEHECKINHECK OF ALL HECKS?! After telling my daughter there was no way I needed to go to Ramen after eating Ramen in Japan, and Los Angeles, Japantown, she brings me here. I'm not even a noodle fan maybe a fresh pasta, but not a noodle, fan but I am now! This is the most delicious Ramen I've had in the US. I am going to fly my son out who is a foodie to try this Ramen. The atmosphere was fun, the music was fun, sitting outside was not as scary as I thought it was going to be in this area. The guys who took our order and brought the Ramen were cool. I've come to appreciate how fast this dish could be brought out , but honestly, I wasn't even that hungry so I didn't need it to come out fast I was thinking, as I was sitting there waiting for the Ramen that I didn't even need to eat at that point in time. But upon first taste of that broth, I was a total convert. My daughter tells me that it's has been her hangover meal this past year as she lived in little Italy, I don't drink that much anymore but I could imagine how it would really hit the spot. I devoured it with a clear mind and I'm glad I did
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Nicholas G.

Yelp
Great takeout. Everything came packaged so well. The Ramen is delicious, the cuts of pork were so tender. Service was great. About five of us from the office ordered dinner... everything was ready to go as our volunteered "gofer" arrived.
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Nirsh A.

Yelp
This is such a delicious Ramen spot. This place is beautiful and super unique looking. They have an outdoor/inside seating area, which is kind of cool because you can feel like you're sitting outside but you're still technically inside. The interior is super nice and I love the music that they played. Well definitely come back here when I'm in town next
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Claire J.

Yelp
We have seen this spot passing by quite a few times, LOVING the ambiance & decor and finally decided to give it a try. What a spot!! The staff were all so nice & friendly. I like the self service where you find your own seat, go up to the counter to order, pay, and then get your meal brought to you. I ordered the belly of the beast ramen with spicy miso (extra $1) and it was really yummy. I am pretty picky in terms of wanting a loot of flavor, so I could've used a bit more oomph. It came with oxtail dumplings which were the BEST part... I'd want to get those on their own with the broth I think that they also could've had a little more meat, even one more dumpling in there (only two small) and even some chili oil or something spicier as a condiment/option. All this would've brought it to five stars for me :)
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Monique L.

Yelp
I went to Underbelly for the first time on a date. I was surprised that the location was close to other places I had been before. We went in and read the menu. They ask you to order first then you will be seated. It was a nice day so we sat outside. Be weary of this though as some of the seating is under a tree and the leaves from the tree can fall right into your food. I ordered the Tonkatsu and it was pretty good! I think I would order a different one next time though just to try something new. I would say the only thing that could have been better was the service but not in such a strong way. We needed things throughout the meal and I'm thinking if we sat inside, we probably would have been addressed more frequently. I acknowledge that a lot of places are understaffed in these times so that might have been the case here too.
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Ali K.

Yelp
Fantastic little place in San Diego. I'm not a big ramen fan, so when my husband suggested going here, I wasn't planning on eating too much. But once he ordered and I tried his food, I wished I had ordered my own. He got a chicken ramen bowl and it was AMAZING!!!! So flavorful and a huge portion. We also got their wings on the side, and they may have been the hes wings I ever had. The ambience was also really cool here. You go up to the counter, place your order, then find a spot to sit. There were so many different little nooks and crannies to eat at (indoor/outdoor/bar seating/upstairs/downstairs). It was awesome! Food came out very fast and the service was 10/10.
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Bianca A.

Yelp
Amazing ramen!! I ordered the Underbelly Ramen which was delicious! The broth was creamy and flavorful and the meat was tender. It was my first time at this location and I liked the ambiance. There's plenty of seating and the bright red and blue lights give the place a nice vibe. The menu contains about 5 ramen options and an array of appetizers which come out pretty quickly.
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Kim T.

Yelp
Casual ramen spot in downtown San Diego. Parking was super hard as expected since it's right by Little Italy. The decor is really nice inside. The place is small but they do a good job with maximizing the space with bar and table seating. Our food came out in less than 5 mins, but the food didn't come out super hot. In terms of appetizers, I would get the spicy garlic edamame and pot stickers again. Solid appetizers with good flavor. I would skip out on the chicken karaage. The pieces were bigger than expected and it wasn't very crunchy. Unfortunately, the main course was disappointing. The tonkatsu ramen flavor was lacking and I thought the pork was dry. My friend got the underbelly ramen and her noodles were over cooked. The noodles were so soft and starchy. They gave her a new batch of noodles but we were thinking she would just get a new bowl of ramen. My friend had to pour her soup into the new bowl of noodles which did not go smoothly. My friends were saying the other location was better so maybe try that location if you can. Better ramen is around the convoy area in my opinion.
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Sam S.

Yelp
Excellent ramen in a cool environment with gluten free options!! Staff, particularly Cassie, was very knowledgeable about allergies and gluten free options and was able to put together a fully gluten free option for me! I can't wait to go back!
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Emily I.

Yelp
Took the trolley here and got the underbelly ramen. It's a tonkotsu broth with pork adobo and pork belly chashu. While not a traditional ramen, a pretty good bowl. The broth is pretty flavorful and there's plenty of pork on it. Only problem was that my noodles were overcooked, a little soft for my liking. I also got the eggplant bao which was fair. The restaurant is beautiful though with neon lights and an aesthetic setting. It's a little warm in the upper area but the outside dining looks perfect. The service is also incredibly quick. I'd come back for an ube slushie and the underbelly ramen!
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melisa i.

Yelp
The food and service are absolutely amazing! This cute spot offers a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, and their ramen is nothing short of exceptional--rich, flavorful broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and fresh toppings that bring everything together. Highly recommend for a comforting and delicious meal!
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Carol N.

Yelp
I have been here several times but have not been here in a long time. There thing used to be that the broth was so flavorful that they do not serve it with a spoon because they want you to drink the broth. So back in the old days, the servers brought you the food with gloves on so the broth stays "clean" from fingers. Anyways, fast forward to know, looking at my pictures 8 years ago... and after eating at so many ramen places... the broth was not as flavorful as I expected it to be. Still very good but not as rich of a broth as other places, but it definitely hits the spot. They do have soup spoons now! This is a very casual place. Order your food, pay, sit down and they bring the food to you. We had a large group of 9 and I was very happy to see that they have a lot more seating now! We were able to sit outside on the patio where they could accommodate all of us. Inside, there is bar seating with ambiant lighting. I however, prefer to sit on the outside seating. The prices here are pretty reasonable. The underbelly ramen was $14 and even though the bowl looked smaller, it was super filling. The underbelly ramen was tonkotsu broth, an entire soft boiled egg (not half like many places), chashu belly, and adobo pulled pork. It came out hot and I am so glad they have soup spoons now! They also have veggie ramen or chicken if you are not a fan of pork. Would I come back? I would. The food is nicely priced and I do like the casual atmosphere. We ate here on a Saturday night with our big group and we were able to find parking and seating right away and the food came out fast too! Service here was great! They are also open pretty late so that was perfect for us!
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Kate B.

Yelp
This place looks really cool, but I was unimpressed by the food. The interior is decorated with colorful neon lights and a big display of sake bottles. It makes for a fun atmosphere and pretty photos. There's plenty of seating on the patio outside too. They provide soy sauce, sesame oil, togarashi, and a habanero sauce on the tables. The guys who served us were friendly and helpful. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy the food. I'd been recommended this place by a couple of friends so maybe my expectations were too high. I got the vegetarian Farmers Market ramen and it just wasn't good. The broth was hearty but lacking in seasoning. The noodles were overcooked and the veggies were bland. My friend's tonkotsu broth was tastier but still unimpressive. The bao and salad were also lacking in flavor. Overall a cool place to visit but there are better ramen options in SD.
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Nicole B.

Yelp
Overall a cute spot and amazing ramen. Only reason for 4 stars is because the host has a terrible uninviting attitude. Maybe it's just part of their vibe. Good ramen though!
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Bradly P.

Yelp
Underbelly Ramen is located in Little Italy, San Diego off of Kettner and Fir serving up ramen and many other Japanese Fushion dishes. They recently did a makeover, making the ambiance and vibe more vibrant with neon lights throughout out the restaurant, making it more appealing from the outside where you can't miss it by passing by. The ordering process is simple as to where you place your order with the cashier at front and pay ahead. I went ahead and ordered the Standard Underbelly Ramen, which had a pork bone broth soup, also known as tonkotsu, a soft boiled egg, chasu belly, and Adobo pulled pork. It was well garnished with finely sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. I also had a Japanese lager to wash it down as well. As for the broth, it wasn't much of a bone broth in my eyes but more of a standard soup base with noodles and toppings. The chasu was definitely tender and flavorful, and the soft boiled egg was cooked to perfection, releasing a nice ooze of egg yolk. As for the noodles, they were cooked al dente and had a nice snap back when biting into them. The dish was served hot, and the customer service was average. There's plenty of sitting arrangements from inside, outdoors, or even upstairs. Overall, Underbelly Ramen serves good ramen in their own twist and way, and there are many different variations of ramen you can choose from, such as oxtail dumplings or hoison glazed short ribs. They have a nice draft beer selection, and the location is prime for a nice date night in Little Italy for people watching and slurping noodles.
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Diana N.

Yelp
Underbelly has always been our go-to for late-night ramen due to its flavorful broths, unique ambiance, and quick service. However, this location specifically really disappointed us and will make us stray away from it. We had a party of four, and the server tried to seat us along the bar where the seats were spaced far apart. We wanted to face each other and have two sit on the outside, but the seats all along the outside were taken by a group of six at a small table. When we tried to move the extra chairs from the inside to outside, the server scolded us, saying, "You can't move the chairs around." When we pointed out that the group outside took the designated chairs, she responded, "Yeah, that's not allowed... but you can wait until they're done and I can look for chairs for you." She never did look for chairs for us. When we received one ramen, we asked if we could get some spoons. Her response was, "Oh, let me go check if we have some." Now you have to check if you have spoons?? We asked another server after realizing she wasn't going to help us, and this different server promptly brought us four spoons. Our experience was very much ruined by the poor customer service at this location.
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Dylan S.

Yelp
I was recommended underbelly by a friend since I was staying in little Italy during my visit to San Diego. This location is perfect for a night out with surrounding bars and walking through little Italy. This is a very small location so keep in mind of having large parties. Also, the decor is pretty awesome. Neon signs making you feel like you're in Japan. I tried a few things: Belly of the Beast Ramen - this ramen was great! The broth was nice and hearty. The oxtail dumplings were sooooo tender inside and maybe the best dumplings I've ever had. Eggplant Bao - I decided to order something most people wouldn't typically order and I was not let down. The soft Bao bun paired with the crunchy eggplant was the perfect pairing. Don't be afraid to order because this bite was full of flavor. Beef Gyoza - As simple as it may sound, the gyoza were still amazing. A nice true beef flavor with every bit stuffed full with a crispy dumping skin. This is a counter style order location where you order at the bar and given a number to take your seat where you'd like.
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Andre S.

Yelp
Went to the Little Italy location on a Friday night with friends, and really dig this ramen place! The space itself is pretty small, but it doesn't feel small. They really optimize the seating for sure, there are a few tables outside, there's bar seating, and also an area upstairs for seating for two. The decor is very industrial and modern. Feels pretty hip and I dig the neon lighting. The have a good selection of food, different ramen options and small plates, and also a bunch of drinks and cocktails. The food is a bit of Asian fusion with some Filipino and Viet influences. I thought the food was really tasty and really liked the chashu! Their small dishes were also good, I like the wings which were pretty crispy Overall would recommend for sure! Overall, would recommend!
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Devin D.

Yelp
This is a high-quality Ramen place in San Diego! The food and the drinks are very yummy. We had The Belly of the Beast ramen and the Underbelly ramen. Both of them were so good, and we would get them again. We went on a Friday night, so it was swamped, and it took a while to order. Be prepared to wait if you go on the weekend. However, the line was long because the food/drinks are great, and after ordering, everything came out really fast. The ambiance is very dark, and it is not up to the quality of a tier 1 restaurant, but I personally like the aesthetic for a quick dinner place. The servers and everyone working were really nice and I will be going again!
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Jessica F.

Yelp
I am obsessed with the aesthetic here especially at night! The meat in the ramen was very rich & the egg was a beautiful golden yellow. I got the belly of the beast ramen (tonkotsu broth, soft boiled egg, oxtail dumplings, hoison glazed short rib) and the underbelly ramen (tonkotsu broth, soft boiled egg, chashu belly, adobo pulled pork). I personally enjoyed the belly of the beast more because of the oxtail dumplings. My favorite item though was the ube colada and it was SOO good!! It's not too sweet & it was just the perfect frozen drink for the summer!
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Aennie K.

Yelp
This restaurant has a veryyyy open layout. Sitting at the indoor/outdoor bar top, we were all (a party of 9) feeling BLESSED on the first day of the new year to experience that beautiful breezy San Diego weather. The ambience alone kept my spirits up after a long night of dancing and drinking. 10/10 What my bf and I ordered: -2 belly of the beast -sweet and spicy chicken wings -gyoza -2 fujisan Belly of the Beast ramen has beef short rib instead of the traditional chashu pork that I usually order and man oh man that short rib was tender and perfectly cooked. The ox tail dumplings had an amazing flavor, however, I wasn't expecting the texture of the meat inside to have almost a mushy consistency. Nonetheless, quite enjoyed it. The egg was also perfectly cooked, nice and jammy inside. The broth was perrrrrrfect; rich in flavor but not heavy where I felt overly stuffed. The sweet and spicy chicken wings were great in flavor; it was both sweet and spicy as stated in the name. However, a part of me wished that the wings were a little more crispy/crunchy. Nonetheless, still enjoyed it very much. Gyoza was delicious, but I felt it wasn't hot and crispy upon arriving to us. Still, enjoyed. The cocktail Fujisan was soooooo dang refreshing. You can 100% taste the apple and ginger and it sincerely was the perfect cocktail after a night of drinking. The bartender, Cassandra explained that the ginger syrup is made from scratch, from ginger that they juice themselves. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. Service was great. Cassandra was bartending AND working cashier so although we waited a few for our cocktails, her personality and personal touch working her magic on those drinks really made the wait worth it. I wouldn't mind waiting again just to have to those drinks again. Everyone was hustling and it showed and brought a nice welcoming feel to the restaurant. Overall, this was probably my most favorite ramen experience that I've had thus far in my life. The ambience, the service, the food, the drinks.........10/10. I recommend and will definitely be returning.
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Angela W.

Yelp
Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Great ramen and cocktails! A friend and I came in on a Thursday afternoon for lunch and there was no wait. You order at the counter and sit down wherever you want. The interior and decor is so cool and love the open windows - outdoor seating as well. Both of us ordered the Tonkatsu ramen and shared the chicken karage. Broth of ramen was delicious and noodles were thicker. Chicken was juicy and perfectly crispy on the outside. We shared the "Fine Wind, Clear Day" cocktail - super delicious and refreshing! Would definitely return!
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Michelle Z.

Yelp
The vibes inside here are amazing. The coolest lighting and decor and neon lights I've ever seen in a ramen restaurant for sure! The food sadly wasn't as memorable as the vibe though. I went with my family while we were visiting San Diego. This location is located in Little Italy and the parking in the area is pretty sparse and tricky to find so keep that in mind if you're planning to drive. They have a lower level and upper level for seating. The upper level is a lot smaller and quieter and feels very tucked away from the rest of the restaurant. I think the servers forgot about us to be honest. I got the belly of the beast ramen because I really wanted to try the oxtail dumplings. They tasted good but wasn't anything special unfortunately. The ramen & broth were fine, not bad but tasted pretty standard to me. We also ordered the karage/Japanese fried chicken to share and it was very dry, so wouldn't recommend that. I will say the portions were very generous, even for the meat in the ramen. It's definitely enough for at least two meals! We left very full. Prices very reasonable for ramen!

Ashley H.

Yelp
The location of this restaurant is nice, right on the corner of the street; however, parking is a struggle. The ramen was mediocre. It has good flavor but doesn't have the japanese ramen authentic flavors.
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Juzenne C.

Yelp
My best friends and I came here on a weekday for dinner. I've been to the other location in north park and absolutely love eating there and enjoying the night. This is my first time at this location and the first time I opted for the bento box. The amount of kimchi they give you is so much it's comical. I still finished it though - it was delicious. The pork belly and the cucumber salad paired so well together. The service was so great, offering to get us a heater set up and getting us to go boxes when we were finished, even though this is more of a restaurant where you order your food, sit yourself and they bring it to your table. I expected to get my own to go boxes but they offered kindly. I think I'll continue to go to Underbelly but the north park location as I don't want to deal with parking here again, but I still loved coming here!
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James B.

Yelp
Vibes are on point! Really cool spot in Little Italy. Great music, good Service, chicken wings were fire!! Just hanging out for a date night and we decided to stop by Under Belly for quick drink. Turned out to be one of the best spots of the night! If you have never been here it's definitely worth checking out! There can be a long line at times but we just happened to make it when it was clear! Enjoy! :)
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Lisa S.

Yelp
Great place! The woman who took our order was also the server and she was amazing! Great vibes and chill music. Cute little space with open air seating. Good was delicious. We both got the farmers market bowls and the sweet and spicy wings. Will def return.
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Veronica C.

Yelp
There was only one other table dining when my family walked in on a Thursday around 5 pm. After placing our orders (2 Underbellies, 1 Belly of the Beast and 1 Chicken Confit, Sweet our Spicy Wings, Spicy Garlic Edamame) we chose to sit at one of three tables upstairs. Our server was awesome. Helpful for explaining our options and checking on us a couple times throughout our meal. It has a chill atmosphere and good music and I'm sure it would have been such a vibe if we came late at night. I don't have a ton of experience eating ramen (my kids always want it so I finally caved), but I enjoyed it along side an ice cold Sapporo. The broth was perfect for me. The wings were super crispy which was great but more sweet than spicy. The edamame had a good balance of garlic to spice.
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Sasha A.

Yelp
Food was very good! We got the tonsuku ramen and the Japanese chicken. The guy cashier was very nice and friendly but on the other hand the waitress was very rude. She had curly dark hair and colorful tattoos. She was slamming stuff on her tray when cleaning up after the people next to us pissed off that they even asked her to clean the table nicely. I thanked her for my food twice very clearly even though she kind slammed it on our table and she looked at me and walked away. She probably was just having a bad night but don't take it out on us if you hate ur job lmao. Won't be back unfortunately
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RJ E.

Yelp
First time visitor. It was 10pm and was looking for a ramen place around the area. A small yet two story restaurant. Not yout typical ramen spot as it looks and feels like a club/restaurant with loud music, neon lights and alcohol. Was not really familiar with best food spots after 10pm but Yelp came thru and here we are: Service: Our party of 4 was greeted and seated promptly on the 2nd floor as the seats on the first floor were taken. They do have outside seating if wish to sit just outside the restaurant. You will need to pay first. Staff was friendly and the service was good. Order turnaround time was fast, around 15 mins or so. 5/5 stars Food: Our party ordered the Underbelly, Belly of the Beast ramen and Chicken Wings. The ramen was really good based off the feedback from my party. Pricing was very reasonable too. Chicken wings is chicken wings. I wasn't expecting much from this place but was honestly surprised that the ramen turned out well. 5/5 Overall: As I mentioned above, this is not your typical ramen place. I'm not sure though if it's different earlier in the day compared to late night, I assume so. With the lights and sounds, it's like a pseudo club which I don't think is bad at all. I just prefer going to quieter ramen spots. Tip: If you're drunk and want a ramen fix, stay on the first floor or outside seating. That narrow, spiral staircase leading to the second floor is an accident just waiting to happen. I'm not surprised if people have fallen in the past. No wonder no one sat upstairs during my visit =) And if you're wearing a short skirt, it's a peep show for those seated at the bottom.
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Jessica D.

Yelp
My favorite ramen spot in San Diego! Service is fast and friendly. I always get the belly of the beast because it has oxtail dumplings. The beef gyoza are also delicious !
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Jana N.

Yelp
I've been to this location a few times before, a pretty convenient location in Little Italy with a cool vibe inside and added outdoor seating. This was my first time coming for lunch and it was not very crowded which gave us an option on where to sit. Note that you cannot make reservations here and Dinner time can get crowded and be prepared to wait. I ordered the underbelly ramen since I particularly like the adobo pork that is included. Overall this is pretty good ramen and they have a good selection of cocktails and sake. On this visit, my friend ordered a Japanese whiskey cocktail for me and while I cannot remember the name, it was tasty and perfect for the summer-like weather. Overall, a good place and is one of my go-to spots downtown when I'm craving ramen.
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Tahlia K.

Yelp
I never would have guessed that putting pulled pork in ramen would be such a revelation, but it's definitely one of the best meats I've ever had in a ramen. It gave the bowl a layer of flavor that was so completely...American, but in the best way possible! If I lived in this city, I'd be ordering it regularly. Plus, service was EXTREMELY fast. We got our food less than 5 min after ordering at the counter. Both the outdoor and indoor seating areas are creatively designed and have such a fun ambiance.
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Pegah M.

Yelp
I have not dined in here for a while but I like their remodel ambience. I loveeeee their oxtail Potstickers!! It melts in your mouth. I'm usually not a big fan, but I can't stop getting their Ramen with oxtail potstickers. Belly of the beast or add on to any of the Ramens (3 for on $5). Unfortunately, no delivery option, but worth the walk or drive for take out. Of note, I am not impressed with their Japanese fried Chicken so get another appetizer.
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Bev M.

Yelp
The food at this downtown location (and the North Park location) is always fantastic. The pork belly broth (Tonkatsu) in the Underbelly Ramen is flavorful with just enough salt. I also love that they have sparkling water on tap (available without an additional charge). The wait staff are patient and fun! The bar at this location is very fun and picturesque. It's an excellent photo spot. I also like that they have seating upstairs.
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Mike G.

Yelp
This place was nice. Try the Belly of the Beast Ramen. We also had a Benton box Meat Eaters (hardly any meat but good). The Pork belly with white rice, and a cucumber salad fills and the 3 beef goyza was winner.
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Vema G.

Yelp
The employees were friendly and welcoming. The food was tasty and satisfying. We like the open air setting. Would most likely go again if we are in Downtown San Diego.

Delaney D.

Yelp
Perfect Sunday meal. Belly of the beast was perfeccttt, the short rib was everything and the ambiance was a vibe. We love this place! Awesome service.

Ross P.

Yelp
My family and I saw this place as we were walking over to the farmers market. The host and waitress were friendly and kind. We ordered the Belly of the Beast Ramen and Karage chicken. The food came out pretty quick and both were tasty.
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Jonathan K.

Yelp
On a cold spring night, Underbelly came in clutch with decent food and being open late, the staff was nice because of the limited seating and line forming, but the ambiance felt like you were about to enter a nightclub with neon everywhere I got the Underbelly ramen that had char siu and adobo pulled pork in a tonkotsu broth, and the fried chicken bao. The broth could've used more flavor so I added in the togarashi spice and a little more salt, the char siu was good and tender, the pulled pork tasted dry and didn't really mix well with the rest of the ingredients The fried chicken bao was good, soft bun, crunchy and juicy chicken, creamy sauce made for an excellent bite Maybe the oxtail versions are better if this fusion spot, but not my favorite ramen spot, but I guess so far the best I've tried in SD
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Lily S.

Yelp
Really regular Asian food as it's a fusion and not that authentic. I got the beast ramen with pork and 2 oxtail dumplings. But the dumpling is like kind of bad as it's so mushy inside without much flavor. I couldn't eat it. The cucumber salad was refreshing!
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Jazmein T.

Yelp
While in San Diego my friends and I were looking for somewhere to eat before we went out for the night and i'm so glad we found this spot! The concept is super cool with the gorgeous ambiance of neon lighting and 2000's music in the background. We were a bit confused as to how it worked when we got there but we figured it out eventually. We ordered and paid with the host at the front by the bar then we were able to choose our own seats. the food was delicious and did not take long to come out. i ordered the meat eater's bento box and i didn't expect to like it was much as i did! the only change i would make is having a little more protein rather than three sides that felt larger than the main part of the meal. Overall all of us enjoyed our meal and next time we are in town we are excited to come back!
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Mason B.

Yelp
The Ramen here is easily some of the best I ever had. The broth and meat is so flavorful and didn't lack anything. They even offered extra seasonings for personal preference, which was a nice touch. The service here was amazing and paired really nicely with all of the decor. The music was very fitting and made the experience even better. 10/10 would recommend