Yugen Ramen

My daughter and I stopped in for dinner on a Saturday night and while the place was busy, seating only took about 10 minutes. The staff is very cordial and attentive, which I appreciated. Our order came out very quickly, which was nice but I would have liked a few more minutes between the appetizers and ramen. To start we had the gyoza and takoyaki. The gyoza was decent, about average for the Bay Area. However the takoyaki was delicious and I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it. My Daughter ordered a peach soda, which she really enjoyed. The ramen was above average, it didn't dethrone any of my favorites but still very good and worth working in to a rotation if you like mixing it up like I do. Something that stood out to me was the soft boiled egg. The egg was cooked perfectly with a nice jammy center and lots of flavor from the marinade. A truly elite ramen egg if that's your thing.

This was my favorite Ramen Restaurant!! I typically have great service and food. I haven’t been to visit Mountain View it more than 1 year. Today, my Ramen had hair in it. It was pretty gross. I got a togo order. I’m not coming back for a while.

Busy spot but we were able to get seats quickly. Service was attentive and the loft-like ambiance gave it a cozy vibe I really liked. Pricing is on the higher end but still reasonable. We ordered the Takoyaki and these were eaten up in seconds. Super good. For my main dish, I had the Chicken Paitan Deluxe Ramen. The broth was excellent and medium spicy was just the right level of heat, though the roasted chicken wasn’t for me since the aroma was a bit too strong (probably intentional, just not my taste). I also tried the glowing lychee drink, which was cold and refreshing. My coworkers enjoyed their dishes as well, though they might have regretted choosing the spiciest option! Overall, I enjoyed my experience and would definitely come back.

Great tonkotsu ramen in downtown Mountain View's Castro Street. Had their special tonkotsu ramen without any spice even though I love spicy food cos that would be closest to original Hakata style tonkotsu ramen and it certainly didn't disappoint. The broth was rich and flavorful, the noodles springy and chewy. Their karaage and gyozas we're good, though I wouldn't rave over them. We went early so we didn't have to wait. Groups arriving after 6pm on a Friday had to wait to be seated.

I like this ramen at this spot. Service is fast and we got a seat quite quickly. The décore inside is pretty cool too I thinks. As for the food the ramen was nice and tasty. The tonkotsu broth was rich and flavourful. The noodles were springy, and the meet was tender. The egg and was also soft and gooey on the inside. Also got a side of curry and it was really nicely flavoured too. Would recommend.

This place wasn't too crowded on a Monday night. I got the spicy chicken paitan and it was quite good. The broth was not overly heavy which was nice. The ramen could use a few more pieces of chicken and some more toppings, but the noodles were good.

We ordered spicy tan tan and kakuni ramen. Very average. I did not like it. Too bland. Would not recommend at all.

Within the South Bay Area I’d rank this place pretty good. They have a good balance of price, quantity, and quality. The quantity was good enough for the price. The quality and taste was decent but I have had better in Cupertino. If I lived next to this ramen place I’d probably go eat it regularly without complaints. I like the decor and atmosphere inside. Service is also good and fast.

This is one of our favorite places to grab take out ramen as it is close to home and I have to say, they do take out ramen well! I really appreciate how they package noodles, toppings, and broth all separately so it takes fresh when you eat from home. My husband and I always order the tonkotsu ramen and the spicy tan tan ramen and always leave very happy. If you like spicy, I recommend going with the tan tan. Great flavors! I also like that the pork here feels less fatty than some other ramen places I've tried. Nice ambiance with good seating indoor or outdoor, right on Castro street. Been happy with our experiences here and the prices are normal.

Came here for dinner on Sunday night and there was a short waitlist. I got the special tonkotsu ramen, mild spicy. It was a solid bowl of ramen, but it didn't wow me. Soup had a deep and rich flavor. Noodle was springy and chewy. Just a very comforting bowl of ramen. Also got the chicken karaage appetizer to share and was honestly a little disappointed. The batter lacked flavor and the chicken was a little dry :( Service was quick and server was attentive

great place to go with friends! amazing broth with amazing service. what i got: chicken karaage (10/10 yums): very classic chicken karaage. very filling, but great to share amongst friends. chicken paitan ramen (1000/10 yums): definitely recommend. the broth was rich and creamy. the only thing I would try to do is maybe switch the noodles to something thicker. this comes with the thin noodles which were a little too thin for my taste. however, the broth was probably one of the best ramen broths i have had!

We really enjoyed the chicken karaage, it was nicely crispy and the sauce paired beautifully. I thought the ramen was just ok, only 2 pieces of meat to ration among all of the ramen. The flavor of the broth was not bad though. The service was very attentive despite the restaurant being quite busy on a Wednesday night. And the vibes inside were great!

Busy spot but we were able to get seats quickly. Service was attentive and the loft-like ambiance gave it a cozy vibe I really liked. Pricing is on the higher end but still reasonable. We ordered the Takoyaki and these were eaten up in seconds. Super good. For my main dish, I had the Chicken Paitan Deluxe Ramen. The broth was excellent and medium spicy was just the right level of heat, though the roasted chicken wasn't for me since the aroma was a bit too strong (probably intentional, just not my taste). I also tried the glowing lychee drink, which was cold and refreshing. My coworkers enjoyed their dishes as well, though they might have regretted choosing the spiciest option! Overall, I enjoyed my experience and would definitely come back.

What an adorable place in Mountain View for ramen! I was really craving ramen and takoyaki, and this place had both. Parking was a bit of a pain, as it usually is in the area. We had to wander a bit to find a spot, but it was certainly worth it! We were seated quickly in the back even though the place was hopping on a weekday night. The servers were busy, but they checked in on us. The ramen was great - similar to Ramen Nagi. I ended up getting the karaage and ramen, and both were great. The vegetarian ramen was not as great as other places we've tried, but it was decent. Prices were also reasonable for the area. Definitely recommend checking this place out if you're craving ramen or Japanese snacks!

Best thing about Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen is the location. There's plenty of outdoor seating in a closed-off section of Castro Street, and a perfect setting to have a casual lunch with a few friends and family. As for the ramen, the broth is ok (shoyu tonkatsu the best), but the ramen egg is strangely sweet and the noodles don't seem as freshly made as other top-rated places. Still, this place works if you have a big ramen craving.

Solid ramen spot in downtown! There aren't too many good ramen places in Mountain View, but I'd say this one's probably the best in the area. I came here once a couple years ago and sat outside, but on my second visit, we dined inside and I was surprised by how spacious it actually is. There's a good amount of seating, the vibe is chill, and the service was great. I got the Special Tonkotsu Ramen w/ medium spice and it was spot on. Noodles were nice and firm, just how I like them, and the soft boiled egg was cooked perfectly. For drinks, I tried the peach soda with chuhai. It came in a ziplock bag with RGB lights, which was super cool but I barely tasted the alcohol. It was more like a fun soda than a cocktail.

We got dinner at 8pm, just last dinner rush time. We walked in and joined the waitlist which had a 10 minute wait, but when we told the host we can sit at the bar we got seated immediately. Service was quick- to order and to get our food. We got the chicken Paitan ramen (mild) and chicken curry (hot) and both meals were delicious. Portions were pretty big. Great location right in downtown Mountain View! We loved walking around after dinner! Parking in downtown Mountain View is generally easy as there are a lot of lots nearby.

My brothers brought me here claiming this to be the best ramen they've had & they were right because now it has become the best ramen that I have ever had! Our server was Billy, he was very attentive & helpful. We ordered Takoyaki to start, so warm & crispy! Then I ordered the Special Tonkatsu Ramen. The meat was cooked & seasoned so well it melted in my mouth. The broth was flavorful & the noodles were perfectly al dente. We sat outside, it was a bit chilly but our server brought over a heater that kept us warm. Our orders were brought out very quickly after we had ordered which was really nice. Now I will have to bring others here to try this amazing ramen as well!

Visited on Juneteenth and had a brief wait since they required our full party to be present before seating us. Parking in downtown Mountain View was a bit of a hassle, especially during the lunch rush. For 5, we ordered: - Takoyaki: 4/5 - geso karaage: 4/5 - special tonkatsu ramen: 3.5/5 - chicken paitan ramen: 3/5 - chicken cutlet curry: 4/5 - pork cutlet curry: 4/5 - beef curry: 3/5 We chose to sit outside since the weather was nice, but the sun eventually beat down on a couple of us who weren't under the umbrella. Food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. Overall, the dishes were good, but nothing particularly memorable.

Summary: Delicious broth, firm noodles, well marinated pork I arrived at 5 pm and was seated quickly as it was not busy. Outside seating was not as popular since it gets a bit chilly in the evening, but the ramen warms you up. I beleive as we were seated outside, the service was a bit spotty, but it is easy to get the attention of staff if you need it. The tonkatsu deluxe and shoyu tonkatsu ramens were delicious, with not too much tare (salt) and noodles that kept a bite. The big standout was the meat. Both the chashu and the kakuni were thoroughly marinated and the kakuni did not have too much fat, yet was very tender. The chili oil on the table also was a nice mix in as it added to the depth of flavors in the broth. If you are like me and have trouble finishing broth, I'd recommend taking it home and giving it a new life with your own noodles!

Great Ramen spot in mountainview with indoor outdoor sitting option. Price is decent too. The only downside is limited veg menu. Only one Ramen option to choose from but the taste was really good.

3.5 stars rounding to 4 Nestled downtown Mountain View with closed off roads to walk down the street of many different restaurants and dessert places. There's nearby street parking, public parking and structured parking lot. There was the option to dine outside with heating lamps set up or inside. We opted to eat inside. I enjoyed the setup with privacy curtains. Our server was friendly and service was quick. I ordered the Special Tonkotsu Ramen. The overall broth flavor was good and not salty. I find most ramen establishments to be on the salty side. The portion was good and I finished the whole bowl. My main complaint was that the meat was dry and chewy.

Service and ambiance were great, but food was a bit lackluster in our opinion. Me and my friend got: Chicken karage - 7.5, good! 2 dx tonkatsu ramen's with bamboo shoots - 7/10, the meat, egg, toppings, basically all the fixings were really good. We just weren't fans of the broth or the noodles. Our broth didn't have much flavor, but pretty salty. Noodles were a bit on the harder side. We went on a Thursday night and it was pretty busy, but the service was very good! The food came out fast, and our waitress was really attentive during our time there.

My friends and I call this place the spot because it's where we go when we gotta go some place. Every time we go one of my friends eats the takoyaki and then starts moaning and slapping his stomach.

Pretty standard ramen spot in downtown Mountain View. Ramen tastes good, but is nothing too special. Service is good, but restaurant is a little dark.

Tonkatsu DX Ramen (5/10): Broth (3/10): Underwhelming and somewhat tasteless Noodles (9/10): Very good, perfectly chewy Chashu (5.5/10): High quality pork, fatty and smoky, although not marinated for long enough Kakuni (10/10): VERY good. Tender, fatty, amazing flavor. I'd come back for just a plate of this Ramen egg (4/10): Perfectly cooked. Not marinated long enough (again.....) Other toppings: Average. No complaints. Honestly this place could have been great. They just seem to cut major corners for important steps. The ingredient quality is amazing, but they are being used poorly. Is this place bad? No, just underwhelming for the price. Especially when you need to pay exorbitant prices for basic toppings that are usually included. I would not return.

We came for lunch at 2pm on Sunday and there was no wait. The decor is nice and feels modern. We ordered the karaage chicken and medium spicy special tonkotsu ramen. The chicken was tender and juicy, but I found the ramen to be a bit underwhelming. The noodles were ok, but the broth was overpowered by the spice, so I would probably get a mild broth if I came back since I enjoy a strong pork flavor. Overall an average ramen experience.

We ordered chicken karage, edamame, vegetable ramen and TanTan ramen as well as house sake. It was Friday so the places was pretty packed both inside and outside. For the number of tables they have the had just one restroom for men and women. For both veg and Tan Tan ramen the broth could have been more flavorful. The quantity was great, the soft boiled egg in the ramen was also delicious. Chicken Karage was good too. I wish I had better things to say

This place wasn't too crowded on a Monday night. I got the spicy chicken paitan and it was quite good. The broth was not overly heavy which was nice. The ramen could use a few more pieces of chicken and some more toppings, but the noodles were good.

Showed up for an early dinner. The waiting staff is very attentive and proactive. As a parent of a toddler, they were very quick and professional in setting up the high chair. They kept refilling our water which was helpful on a hot day and our toddler just kept drinking their water instead of the water in his bottle. While we had good service and the place was clean and dynamic enough to keep my toddler's attention, the curry was a far cry from when this place took on Kobe Curry. The salad greens were kinda bitter. The pork cutlet was chewy, stringy, and had this odd aftertaste. The appetizers were just ok, met what I expected, but not what I would come to Yugen for. Unfortunately, I have to give their food a 2 but their service got them to a 3.

While visiting my friend in Mountain View, I was really craving some ramen on a chilly rainy day. Everyone seemed to have the same idea and the place was very packed, but we were able to snag a spot at the bar to avoid the wait. The ramen was flavorful and arrived very quickly after ordering. Not sure if it's a Bay Area thing, but almost every topping costs extra rather than being included in the ramen, which to me is a big con. After living in New York City, my ramen standards remain pretty high, but this place was decent and dependable to satisfy my ramen craving.

2/24/2025 Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen 152 Castro St Mountain View, CA 94041 I went there for a solo lunch on a Monday around 12:30. There was ample parking in the city free parking structure behind the restaurant. The layout is long and narrow with a contemporary chair and table setup. There is some bar seating at the front, which I chose. I ordered the Pork Cutlet Curry at the spicy level. My food was brought to me shortly and consisted of a gravy boat of curry sauce, a green salad topped with macaroni salad and corn, pickles, rice and the sliced breaded pork (tonkatsu). The curry sauce was not spicy but there was a condiment dish with cayenne pepper which I dumped in the sauce to take it to the level I wanted. The cutlet was thick and uniform in thickness with a golden brown crispy coating. It was moist and a little chewy but okay by me. Flavors were good, service was fast and attentive. A good value and repeatable for the curry.

Yummy ramen and tasty chicken karaage, can't ask for much more! Do wish they had more toppings on their base ramen, but the broth was rich and filling, with a good amount of noodles.

My party of 3 walked in on a Wednesday night around 7pm and were sat immediately, which was wonderful for our growing hunger! We ordered the karaage, gyoza, tonkotsu ramen and tonkatsu curry with cheese. The karaage and gyoza were mid, I wouldn't get the gyoza again. The ramen was good but not the best, I felt like it could've been more rich and oily. The texture of the egg was very nice, but slightly under seasoned. The customer service was very quick and friendly, our water cups were always filled. All in all, it's a good place to go for a craving but it won't be a knock your socks off meal.

Uniqueness: Exceptional curry and good ramen broth & noodles Wait Time: [x][x][x][ ][ ] (Can get busy with a waitlist during peak hours) Food Quality: [x][x][x][x][ ] Service: [x][x][x][x][x] Setting: [x][x][x][x][ ] Cost: [x][x][x][x][ ] First visit? Fantastic. Second visit? Still good, but a little off. The ramen here is rich, flavorful, and well-executed, but the spiced chicken had an overpowering cinnamon flavor this time. Most people seem to love it, but for me, the seasoning was too intense and threw off the balance of the dish. That said, their curry is absolutely amazing--aromatic, creamy, and packed with deep, layered flavors. It's easily one of the best things on the menu and something I'd come back for without hesitation. Service is always friendly and efficient, but depending on the time, there can be a wait. If you're patient, though, it's worth it. Next time, I'll be skipping the spiced chicken but will definitely be back for that curry.

A cozy spot amid the buzz on Castro Street in downtown Mountain View, Ramen Izakaya Yu-Chen offers a delicious bowl of hearty noodles in the traditional tonkotsu and non-pork broths too. Went here with a friend and enjoyed the spicy chicken tan-tan ramen and the vegetable ramen. All their ramen broths have customizable spice levels which I appreciated. We also got the squid karaage for some crunch with our ramen. This is served with a delicious mayo dipping sauce which I could have eaten by itself! Both the chicken tan-tan and vegetable ramen were flavorful and I appreciated that they checked about the diner being okay with boiled egg being part of the vegetable ramen. They have a few beers on offer and a free refill hot tea, which I got several refills of while I was sitting outside. Service was super quick and we got our food in minutes after ordering, but they didn't rush us as we caught up and chatted away. They was heaters outside which are a just as it gets cooler into the evening. Overall, great place for ramen with solid service!

I got the supreme ramen that had both pork belly and shashu cut of pork. Both meats were very good and fell apart as you bit into it which I love. The noodles were a little too hard for my liking but for the most part enjoyed the broth. Chicken Karaagre was juicy and tender. The mayo they give you on the side was also very tasty. There was about. 20 min wait but it went by really fast and ramen was perfect on a cool night in DT Mountain View.

First time here! Really yummy ! Food: good! The ramen is creamy. Service: we had to wait for some time and the staff are nice . Ambiance: casual. It had those curtains you would see in an authentic Japanese restaurant.

I love the ramens here and every time the taste is spot on. Even their boxes (Pork cutlet Curry) are amazing. I love getting the Kakuni Ramen with corn and extra mushrooms. I usually end up having two portions of the meal because it's so hearty and will take the leftovers home.

The servers were attentive and cheerful! The ramen was AMAZING!!!! I enjoyed the outdoor seating. I gave one less star because there is not a place in the bathroom to change a baby's diaper. This is no big deal if you don't have children, but for people like me with an infant in tow , it can be very stressful to not have a place in the restroom to change a diaper. However now that I know that I will be prepared when I go there or just order out!

Ramen tasty and chewy, had body Soup and soup made fresh every day Should try gyoza / dumplings

A decent ramen spot in downtown Mountain View. The highlights: 1. Location: Perfectly situated among many great places, making it easy to turn your dinner into a full evening. You can grab drinks, enjoy your ramen, and end with dessert--all within a 5-minute walk. 2. Service: We were seated promptly, and our server was friendly and accommodating. 3. Ambiance: Cozy yet classy decor and seating, offering a comfortable dining experience. The downside: The ramen itself was decent but didn't stand out enough for a return visit--at least for me. While some may love it (as reflected in some of the glowing reviews), I found it lacked the richness and depth of flavor I look for in good ramen. We tried the Tonkotsu and Tantan ramen, and while the Tantan was better, neither really delivered on flavor complexity I expect in a good ramen. Overall, I'd describe it as an uneventful but not unpleasant meal, if that makes sense. If you're in the area and want to check out a new ramen spot, it's worth a try, but there are plenty of other great options nearby.

Great service! Our waiter helped answer our questions and recommend us the house soju. I wish I remembered his name, he was very kind! The pork in the tonkatsu was so flavorful and I really enjoyed my bowl of ramen! A great broth with lots of fresh noodles. We sat indoors and enjoyed the setting we were brought into, very relaxing to enjoy our meal!

Review for my first visit to Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen. Apparently, I haven't been to this area in a LONG time, because I didn't realize Castro Street was all closed off. Did this happen during COVID? ha ha! Anyhoo, I called upon my Yelp foodies to find something good for this rainy afternoon. Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen was a great find, thank you! I met my friend at 11:45 am and there were plenty of seats available. Since I did my research ahead of time, I knew I would order the Tonkotsu Deluxe ramen that comes with cha shu AND pork belly. I've been building up my wimpy nature when it comes to spiciness, so I boldly ordered the Mild instead of Not Spicy option. It was perfect for me! My friend wasn't sure what to order but said she didn't like chicken broth, so I suggested she try the Special Tonkotsu Ramen. She took my advice and also tried the mild spiciness for her broth. Kudos to Yu-Gen, because their broth was stand-out delicious! It was rich, flavorful, and had a luxurious, coat-your-mouth feel. The cha sui and pork belly were tender and the marinated soft-boiled eggs were perfectly jammy. It would've been nice to have bamboo shoots as a garnish, but I didn't want to pay extra for those. Our ramen came out super fast, and it was the perfect lunch for this cold and rainy day. If broth is important to you, and it should be, you should definitely try Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen. This is a strong 4 star review. I'll need to come back and try other items before granting a 5-star review, but definitely a delicious bowl of ramen.

Kakuni ramen was delicious! We always get the extra Kakuni because one isn't enough! Very tasty, melts in your mouth. Service is always nice & quick

Stopped by for lunch. The place looks nice and I like the decoration. It is like ramen shop in Japan. We ordered katsu curry, tan tan ramen, spicy tonkotsu ramen, veggi ramen and gyoza. I can say they highlight is tan tan ramen. The broth is very yummy. The tonkotsu broth is a bit on the light side. The noodle is cooked nicely. Gyoza is good and veggie soup is a bit back. The service is pretty good and the server is friendly. I like the open kitchen concept. For me it is about 3.5 stars.

Had some pretty yummy and flavorful ramen here recently! They weren't too busy during lunchtime on a Saturday so we were seated quickly at a semi-private table (separated partially from the walkway with curtains). I ordered the spicy tantan ramen at a medium spice level. I really enjoyed the broth, and it was definitely spicy but not overwhelming for me! The noodles I thought were just a touch undercooked (a bit chewier than I'd expect), but the rest of the dish was great. The marinated egg was excellent, jammy in the middle, and soooo flavorful. Overall a pleasant experience; I'd come back here if I was craving ramen and in the area, but I don't think it would be my ultimate go-to in the South Bay.

Came for dinner on a fri night & was able to get seated right away inside for us 2. I've been here before & had their ramen (which is great) but I was set on having their curry rice dish. I got the pork cutlet with spicy level curry & it was delicious. The side salad made it a wholesome meal. I shared some pork with my husband & finished the rice with the addicting curry, so good! My husband's tonkatsu ramen was rich & flavorful but he wished he'd order more ramen & pork. Other than that, our dinner experience was great. Staff were attentive & helpful. Would be back for the curry though for sure.

First time visiting this spot and it definitely won't be the last! We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon and were pleasantly surprised by how quickly we were seated, especially for the weekend. The service was prompt and attentive, and our food came out in no time. I ordered the Kakuni Ramen and it was absolutely delicious rich, flavorful broth with tender, melt in your mouth pork. Everything was perfectly balanced and incredibly satisfying. Overall, a great experience from start to finish fast service, cozy atmosphere, and food that truly hits the spot. Highly recommend if you're in the area and craving quality ramen and great vibes.

The broth was hot and full of seasoning. The spice level could be spicier I got a medium and i didn't feel any spicy at all. I feel like the tonkotsu was very rich and creamy and delicious. The chicken broth is less rich but still full of flavor. The service was good though they were attentive and quick to bring out our meals. The place is a cute little place, they greet you every time someone walks in.

Chicken Paitan Deluxe Ramen 3 creamy white broth, super salty; soft boiled egg, dry seaweed, green onions; seasoned roasted chicken leg on a sizzling hot plate, bean sprouts underneath, tender, medium juicy, soy flavor, slightly too salty Takoyaki 4 octopus dumpling balls, octopus chunks inside, chewy, mayo, unagi sauce, flavorful

The vegan / veggie ramen here is good. I like to ask for extra tofu for mine. If vegan, ask for no egg. They have outdoor seating. There are two single stall bathrooms. I wish the big spoons for sipping were made of porcelain or ceramic instead of plastic but that's the case for many places around the bay.

Since coming back from Japan in December I have been craving authentic japanese ramen. Delighted to say that I was well satisfied after finding this spot. My special tonkatsu ramen hit the spot. My bf opted for the chicken broth spicy ramen and it had a good kick to it. There were plenty of tables available at 12:30pm on a Thursday so we only had to wait about 5 mins. Would definitely come back whenever I'm craving ramen

One of my favourite Ramen places! The food is really tasty, I usually go for Ramen with a miso base and get it extra spicy. The service is usually good, but they do have some off days once in a while. Inside is kinda rustic and cool but I prefer to sit outside if the weather is nice. Inside can feel a bit cramped. Overall great food and good service!

Amazing place! Make sure to get a table in advance on Yelp cause tjey are really really busy. Once inside, the plates came out 3 minutes after ordering and everything was delicious! I think this was the best ramen I've had in a very long time. Will be back.

We ordered tan- tan ramen. Broth tastes good minced meat with Japanese style egg and ramen noodles are excellent. Service is fast & friendly. Ambience is good while entering their decor remind me Japan

Solid food! Flavor was decent -- definitely have had better but pretty solid! Service was decently quick and we were seated quickly for Sunday lunch. The space is larger than you'd expect from the outside, so seating didn't seem to be too much of a problem Would possibly return! Parking -- free lots or street parking nearby (2 hour limit)