Zundo Ramen and Donburi

Atmosphere is very intimate and there’s very moody lighting it’s quite pretty. Service was good, attentive server and answered all my questions about the food. And the food tasted exactly as I expected it to Overall I’d recommend this place

I had dinner here with my husband, and it was a fantastic choice for authentic Japanese comfort food. The restaurant has a cozy, inviting atmosphere with traditional decor that adds to the experience. We ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen and Chicken Katsu Ramen, and both were excellent. The Tonkotsu Ramen had a deep, creamy broth with just the right amount of heat, complemented by tender roast pork, a soft-boiled egg. The balance of spice and umami made every bite satisfying. The Chicken Katsu Ramen was equally impressive. The soy-based chicken broth was rich and flavorful, and the crispy breaded chicken cutlet added a great texture contrast. With bok choy, bean sprouts, and a soft-boiled egg, it was a hearty and comforting bowl. Service was smooth, and the portions were generous. If you're in Cincinnati and craving bold, flavorful ramen, Zundo is definitely worth a visit!

Aesthetic Ambiance but Underwhelming Ramen Experience This restaurant has a beautifully modern aesthetic with a darkened ambiance and low lighting that creates a moody yet functional dining space. The lighting is dim enough to feel intimate but still provides enough visibility to comfortably enjoy your meal. It’s a unique setting that adds to the overall experience. However, the service left much to be desired. With only one server handling the entire restaurant, our drink orders, food, and refills were noticeably delayed. Given that it was a Friday lunch on Valentine’s Day, I expected better preparation to accommodate the crowd. We started with the Gyoza dumplings, which were a solid appetizer. They were hot, tender, and had that satisfying melt-in-your-mouth texture. Unfortunately, the portion size was quite small—not just in quantity but also in the size of the dumplings themselves. For the price, I expected a bit more. The main entrée, the spicy ramen, was where things took a downturn. The broth-to-noodle-to-protein ratio was disappointing—about 75% broth, 20% noodles, and 5% pork. The serving of noodles and protein felt wimpy, and the flavor didn’t live up to what you’d expect from a bold, spicy ramen. Instead of elevating the dish, the lack of depth in the broth made it feel underwhelming. Overall, the ambiance is impressive, and I might return to try a different dish, but based on flavor alone, I’d be more inclined to explore other ramen spots in the city.

Best ramen in Cincinnati. I’ve had the best Tan Tan ramen available in NYC and the Tantanmen at Zundo with black garlic oil is better.

Really evokes the japanese flavors, I mean, not the same because they made some adjustments, but broth is tasty as it should be, takoyaki and gyozas taste as they are supposed to, and the staff was nice enough to explain to us how to open a ramune bottle

The service provided was good, while the physical establishment is compact. Although I was not impressed with the ramen, I have tried numerous other variations and this particular style may simply not be to my liking. The broth was thick and flavorful, but the noodles exhibited a different texture and color than what I am accustomed to. Additionally, I noticed that my spicy miso ramen seemed to be missing certain elements. However, their drink menu is extensive, featuring a range of sake options. If I were to visit again, I would likely opt for the Donburi.

All the main dishes were fantastic and the service was top notch. I was not as excited about the appetizers. We only received 4 gyoza for the price, and the calamari was really tough. They felt like afterthoughts, but it didn't take away from the whole experience. Beautiful decor, and we left very satisfied!

It has a very good cozy atmosphere! And our server was very attentive. We had Soft Shell Crab, Chicken bun, Teriyaki Don, Spicy Miso Ramen and a Green tea ice cream! The Soft Shell crab and the Teriyaki Don was great. But the Spicy miso Ramen and the Chicken Bun was not that good. The ramen had a muddy taste and the bun was just okay. Anyway if you choose your food right, it will be a comfortable experience.

My friends suggested this spot since they like coming here for ramen. It opened in Columbus as well but they have a few locations in town. It was a hot day and I wished the AC had been turned up a bit more as I was still sweating while I sat inside. My friends and I shared peach soju, sake, gyoza, and soft shell crab to start. The gyoza was fantastic! You could tell it was hand made. And the crab was lightly seasoned and had a nice crispiness. For ramen, I got tonkotsu and opted for it to be spicy. One of my friends did the same and my other friend got miso ramen. The ramen wasn't spicy at all. Even added the chili oil they had on the table and it didn't seem to add spice either. The ramen itself was just okay. Not the most flavorful broth. I haven't really had the best ramen in the Midwest. Most options do the job but it's not as good as what you can find in LA or NYC. Staff were nice. The place was clean. And our server checked on us a lot. Even came by to fill our water glasses even though we had a bottle on the table. Parking around here is parallel. I couldn't find parking right by the building. So I parked over by Washington park.

Ugh, I hate to be that person, but I'm giving Zundo Ramen a 3/5 based on my last few visits. And trust me, I wanted to love it -- the ramen itself is solid. But the service? Let's just say it's been giving "we'll get to you when we get to you." From the moment I sat down, the energy was... uninspired. Servers seemed checked out, and the whole experience felt like I was on pause while the restaurant carried on without me. It took way too long for anyone to come over and ask for my order, and when I was ready to leave, I spent a solid 10 minutes waiting for the check. Ten minutes might not sound like much, but when you're just staring into space, awkwardly making eye contact with the staff, it feels like an eternity. Oh, and this wasn't even during a busy rush -- no excuses there. During this particular visit, our server seemed to forget we existed altogether, opting to clean tables instead of, you know, taking our order. And when the food finally arrived? Wrong. No chili oil, no questions about which tofu I preferred -- just vibes. Like I said, the ramen is good. But great noodles can only carry so much weight when the service is this forgettable. If things don't change, I might have to slurp my noodles elsewhere.

Only remembered to take a picture of the ramen bowl, but the spicy chicken katsu curry was delicious as well. The broth for my Spicy Miso was a lot thicker than the usual ramen I get but it didn't make it better or worse. It was just an observation on my end. Tons of flavor and depth in the broth. The pork belly had a great char/crunch around it to give it a bit different texture from the rest of the bowl. The chicken katsu curry was so good. Glad we ordered that to share. The chicken was fried perfectly to blend with the curry. Probably would've been even better had we had not waited to eat it after we finished our ramen. I'm pretty sure the city was a little dead because it was Super Bowl Sunday so they were happy we stopped by I bet. Decor was solid, restrooms were clean and service was very attentive.

Best ramen I've had so far in Cincinnati. We came here with a group of 4 on a Friday night and got a table right away. It's not a huge space though they do have quite a large bar. We got a handful of different appetizers and different ramen. We got the soft shell crab and pork bun appetizers. These were okay, though not sure I would get them again. I got the Shoyu Ramen and added black garlic oil which was excellent. The broth was hot and flavorful and everything in it was delicious. Everyone at the table was quite satisfied with their ramen, including our friend who is vegan and got the vegetarian ramen. All in all, if you're looking for some tasty ramen I would check this place out!

So I had a summer cold and wanted ramen I know have a favorite one This place is delicious It's hiding right next to Queen City radio and you must go I ordered the miso ramen The portions are big and the taste is an explosion in your mouth The service was great and quick perfect for lunch I will be back especially during the cold months

Zundo serves up quality ramen in a trendy atmosphere right in the heart of downtown Cincy. This spot is perfect for a cold day and will heal your soul. The service and the decor are very inviting and the menu is vast. The shrimp dumplings and edamame were pretty good but not a must have. The ramen broth is rich and flavorful and the noodles are high quality. The toppings are also very good and their black chili garlic oil is a must add. Overall, this is one of the better ramen spots in the city and will always hit the spot. That being said, it is too pricey especially with the add ons really racking up the bill higher than expected.

Decent ramen shop! There was an FCC game nearby so parking situation in the vicinity was very bad, and we had to pay a lot for parking so I'm glad their food was great- it was worth it. Our server didn't mention it but I found a poster listing specials on FCC home game day. We got chicken karaage for $7 instead of $8. I felt like appetizers' prices were a bit high considering the size/ portion. Whenever I see Tantanmen on the menu, I order it. They had it so I got it. The soup was so rich, had a nice amount of kick to it and so flavorful! It would be even more awesome if they had white sesame in it. Karaage was so crispy and juicy. It was very satisfying. Highly recommend it.

Great spot for Japanese food! We ordered their Tonkatsu Ramen and Oyako Don and both were delicious. I'm a tonkatsu loyalist and this is one of the better bowls of ramen I've had in Cincinnati. The broth was characteristically creamy with perfectly cooked ramen. The Oyako Don with chicken was also a nice "light" dish with very tender chicken thigh meat. It was pretty quiet on a Sunday night so we walked right in without a reservation. Look forward to coming back!

The service is outstanding and the Ramen might be the best I've had. I cannot wait to try it again!

Probably the best Ramen I've ever had. Just delicious and fresh. This spot was referred to me by a work colleague and I can't wait to return. I had the veggie ramen which is vegan and after listening to my colleague recommendation to add a few extra ingredients I'm so glad that I did. The flavors just continued to build upon each other. My colleague said the add to it the black garlic oil a and the bok choy. I did both plus stepped it up one more notch by adding in the mushrooms. It was so great that if our show was starting I would have extra servings. Can't wait to return!

This is our family's go-to spot on Friday nights after a long week of work and school. There is something comforting and serene about good ramen and the atmosphere there. The service is consistently good as well.

The guy bartending, I believe his name was LJ, was super dope. We chatted a bit and I ordered the Chicken Katsu Ramen that he suggested. I was a bit disappointed by the amount of chicken I got, especially considering it's the most expensive ramen on the menu. I know katsu chicken has to be thin so it will fry correctly, but it still felt a bit short handed. The rest of the ramen was alright, but it lacked the oomph that you would expect from $18 dollars. Everything was clean and pretty laid back, and you could see part of the kitchen from the bar, which is pretty cool. Will probably be back at some point, but I will be getting something else.

A friend and I slipped into Zundo for dinner before seeing a show at the Shakespeare theater and it was delicious! The weather was horrible so there weren't many tables there that early but by the time we were leaving almost all the tables were full and the place was bustling with energy. Our server was attentive and our food came out hot and fast! We both ordered the new menu item, chicken katsu ramen, and both really liked it! I've previously had the tantaman, miso, and tonkatsu ramens and I'll say I do prefer the broths from those but the chicken katsu itself was delicious! Zundo did not disappoint for our pre-theater meal and I'm sure I'll be back soon!

To say Zundo has the best Ramen in the world is probably an exaggeration. But the best in Cincinnati? It's definitely a contender for the title. Deep, hearty broths. Plenty of options, and a decent price for downtown. The restaurant itself has an atmosphere: when it's not busy it feels comfortably intimate, yet still urbane. When it's busy, it feels bustling. Great for date nights.

Excellent ramen and great drink choices in a trendy designed and friendly restaurant. Have been here twice and their tonkatsu ramen and tantanmen ramen are two of my absolute favorites. Their broth is rich and flavorful and the ramen bowl is a generous portion. Their soft boiled egg, fresh bok choy, and char siu toppings are a must add to your ramen. They also have a great spicy sake that is served cold. I personally love pickleback shots and their version is amazing - a shot of Jameson and a shot of pink ginger juice which is salty and a little spicy. For $7 it's really worth trying. Overall the service is great, food is great, and atmosphere is great :)

Wonderful food and wonderful service! I would definitely go back again to visit! It was nice to walk around Washington Park after dinner since it's so close!

Though this is a quality ramen spot I would say it is not #1 for me personally. I love being able to customize my ramen and as someone who doesn't eat pork or pork broth ramen, there wasn't much alternatives for me. Though this is a great spot on a cold winter day.

Me and my friend went to Zundo for lunch. Atmosphere was great. I loved their ramen dishes. Service was also nice.

Busy place, but only had a short wait. The food was awesome, so flavorful and robust. Our server was aware we had an event to get to and helped us navigate to make it there on time.

Experience was amazing! The food was extremely flavorful, food came out fast, and everything was reasonably priced. Love this place! Special shout out to LJ for convincing us to get the Matcha Mule, he said he makes a killer one so I tried it out and it was amazing. We continued to talk about comics and tv shows and he made my experience even better just by conversing, thank you LJ we will definitely be back for another Matcha Mule

Very good. The tonkotsu ramen was some of the best I've had in the states. Broth was very flavorful and rich. The noodles were perfectly cooked. Seaweed salad was good. The gyoza was decent, but nothing to write home about. There wasn't a whole lot of flavor there. Service was friendly and efficient. Great place for ramen.

I been meaning to check this place out for a while, and I was a bit discourage when one of friends didn't find it good. However, I decided to check it out. The place it's small but cozy and has a really vibe to it. The service is decent, hence the staff is friendly they are not sol attentive (even on a slow afternoon). We ordered a hot tea and a Yuzo beer since I heard it was good. Not too crazy about the beer but obviously not their fault. We also ordered the seaweed salad, a veggie ramen and the Oyako Don. Let me mention that the menu is pretty cool. Sadly, I was not a fan of their food at all. The soup had no taste to it, the seasoning on the table made it better but nothing to die for. On the other hand the Oyako Don was okay, but again it lacked flavor. I think my favorite part was the seaweed salad and the seasoning. My experience was okay, not sure if I would go back, since I didn't really care for their food.

Food was delicious and came out fast! Service was very casual, not bad but forgettable. Ambiance is quiet and calm with warm light at tables in the back.

Yum! I've been wanting to try Zundo for awhile and finally got the chance when we were nearby for a show. We stopped in afterwards and had lunch. We ordered drinks first - Yuzu Lager for my husband. The House Shot for me - which is Jameson and a Pickled Ginger chaser. We ordered two appetizers because we were starving. And because we couldn't decide which appetizer to order. We decided on the Kaki Fry - fried oysters, and the Geso Karaage - fried squid legs. For our entrees my husband ordered the Una Don. I ordered the TanTan Ramen with added wood ear mushrooms and soft boiled egg. I have never had a Jameson shot with a pickled ginger chaser before and I'm not sure if I liked it or not. But it was interesting and I didn't dislike it. The fried oysters were awesome! Perfectly fried and delicious. The fried squid legs were very overcooked, unfortunately. I only ate a couple but my husband finished them anyway. He really liked his Una Don entree. I thought the eel in his dish tasted great. My TanTan Ramen was so good! I enjoyed it quite a bit and would definitely order it again. It was just as good later in the evening when I had the leftovers for dinner. The service was great too! We'll definitely be back and will check out the Mason location soon.

Portion sizes are really something im wishing was better here. I would consider this place to be one of the top ramen shops but when you order a ramen and get two pieces of pork belly and a few slice of bamboo its kinda trivial. Also their Jumbo shrimp dumpling(?) was just three little guys on a plate

Can't say enough good things about this place. Stopped in solo and sat at the bar for sake and spicy miso ramen. Staff was personable and attentive. The broth was perfect. Warm atmosphere and great drink menu. Definitely a must stop spot for ramen in Cincy 100%

Very tasty, fairly authentic ramen with an excellent vegetarian/vegan ramen option. I stopped in for lunch around 1pm on a Thursday and it was pretty dead. I was seated right away and ordered the vegetarian ramen ($13 plus tax), which is vegan (the noodles are indeed eggless), and added some bok choy ($1). The ramen came in about 10 minutes with a very nice assortment of toppings, including fried lotus root, green onions, pickled ginger, bamboo shoots, and bean sprouts (plus the bok choy). The broth was subtle but fairly complex as you dig into it, and is amplified nicely by the sesame oil and chili powder condiments they have sitting at the table. Friendly service and very comfortable environment, with paid street parking out front. Recommended.

My favorite place for ramen. I love the customer service and the food is amazing. I'm a regular so they know my order by heart. Plus the atmosphere is chilled relaxed. Feels like home.

OMG!!! BEST RAMAN I HAVE EVER EATEN EVER!! The service was on point! It was pleasing the vibe was awesome!!! I would totaly recommend eating there. Love you Zundo!

Ambience was fine and service was fast but less than 8 hours later, we both have food poisoning. Not sure if it is from the shrimp dumplings, the spicy miso ramen or the teriyaki don but I had heard others who got food poisoning here and should've listened to the warning. We could confirm it was from Zundo because it was the only food we had that evening. The food potions were large but we have had better food. I would look elsewhere if you're seeking ramen.

Zundo is perfect for those cold fall days or just when you need a good pick-me-up. The bao bun is so soft. Honestly, I could've eaten like 10 of those. Service was fast and the vibe is great. Dimmed lighting and Vibey music set the mood. Only con, would've loved an option for a spice level.

45 minutes for 4 bowls of ramen at lunch time on a Saturday. Kinda made the experience disappointing as this was our first time introducing the kids to Japanese Ramen.

Super delicious and authentic food! One of my favorite ramen places in Cincinnati . Can't wait to go back!

Amazing food and service with a great environment! Highly recommend if you want to enjoy food and have fun with your friend.

I wanted to try a new ramen place and I heard about this one. It was really good! Not the best ramen I have ever had but definitely good and does the job. I recommend the tonkatsu ramen which has creamy pork broth. The broth was very flavorful. I wish there was a bit more meat and the noodles were average. Overall I would come here again!

Came five minutes before closing (the worst ) but they were gracious enough to seat us!! We ordered quickly to speed up the process and the food came out fairly quickly! The appetizers were all phenomenal and the katsu I had was so good - saucy but still crispy! Just how we like it The donburi was also delicious but I preferred my katsu. I'm not much of a ramen girl but I would love to come back and try their ramens and other apps as well!

Not the best ramen I can tell you that. The broth is bland and needs more flavor. The black garlic oil didn't really do much. The takoyaki was decent but the gyoza wasn't as crispy as it should have been. It however had a good char to it. The Sapporo was on par as it should. The sake, you can't go wrong with that. Decent prices, but the quality of the ramen isn't there. The broth wasn't as creamy as it should have been. The miso was off. Chashu was cooked well. The noodles didn't seem like they were made in-house -- kind looked and tasted prepackaged. I'll probably try to get the katsudon and the curry next time. Rating may change after that! Service was great! Great ambiance. Parking is on the street and is pay to park. Overall, I haven't found a good ramen spot around Cincinnati/Ohio yet. Will return and try the katsudon/katsu curry next time, but will stay away from the ramen.

It's one of the Ramen-centric restaurants in Cinncinati. There's a large-ish seating area inside and bar, but due to the Virus, it was very empty, with only 2 people making food and 1 server. There is a small amount of outdoor seating. I got the tonkotsu ramen. It was pretty good. Tasted good and like how it should be. The standouts were 1. The blackened garlic oil. It was PERFECT. It had a great roasted flavor. Pungent but not overwhelming. 2. The egg! Perfect jammy texture and flavor inside. It's hard to make an egg with the yolk not too salty and with the best consistency. AND keep it at a nice temperature. It was a total success. The other toppings were OK. Red ginger seems like the prepackaged stuff but still good. Menma and green onions were there too. I thought the noodles were good but they didn't stand out. Felt a tad on the soft side vs springy. Again, not bad. One thing I think could be better is that the pork was a bit drier and blander than most. I prefer a buttery and soft consistency in the pork, with a good amount of soy taste. Maybe needs longer time in braise to make it salter. Or cut up the pieces first before marinating it, otherwise the center after you cut it remains bland. My opinion is that using the blowtorch on the pork doesn't really help when the pork isn't salty enough. Toppings came out to $3 for extra pork belly, and $1 for the garlic oil, for a total of $17. They also had an interesting Sasadango dessert which I've never had before. I expected a cold dessert but it was a warm, sticky red bean paste wrapped in a sticky mochi-like green thing. The banana leaves gave it an interesting flavor.

This place was great! We arrived during happy hour and went straight for the $5 sake bombs which were A1. The gesso kaarage was bomb and so was their in house beer with the owl. We all ordered the tonkotsu ramen and everything was great! No complaints and great add-ons for spice were on the table including a cute container for chili oil. No complaints whatsoever. Service was great, they even stopped the A/C for us when the vent was right over us. Attentive and great food, expected prices and delicious. Would definitely return especially for happy hour!

This is my go-to place to grab ramen and donburi in the Cincinnati area! The ramen broths are always flavorful. My favorite is the tonkatsu ramen. My favorite Don is the Oyako Don, which contains chicken thigh and eggs with rice. They do add new menu items from time to time. My fiancé tried out one of their new spicy noodle dishes but unfortunately found it to be too salty. Service can be a hit or miss. Most of the time, I get good service and even got free edamame once when the wait was longer than usual. Overall, I do recommend this place for flavorful ramen.

Zundo has great decor and ambiance. The service was unfortunately slow, and various mistakes were made throughout the night. I ordered the tantanmen ramen and members of my party got the tonkotsu and spicy miso. I would rate the broths tonkotsu, tantanmen, then spicy miso far behind the others. The tonkotsu broth was really rich, hearty, and flavorful while the spicy miso just lacked the tonkotsu's flavors. The minced pork for the tantanmen was okay... but the only garnish was onions and couple pieces of bok choy - think they forgot the beansprouts. The roast pork for the other two dishes were just disappointments. Just 2 slices each of pure fat that could be passed as pork belly.

I'm no ramen connoisseur, but this was excellent. The FRESHNESS of everything here is incredible. The gyoza filling was so good it was almost creamy wrapped in a soft/ crispy dumpling... perfection. I got the spicy miso ramen and ate the whole thing. The broth was so flavorful and the noodles were fresh (though I agree with another reviewer... a little bit spaghetti like). My husband liked his ramen too. I got hot sake and they had quite a selection to choose from if you're feeling adventurous including a sake flight. The servers were nice. It took a while to get food but I didn't mind. Worth a second trip.

This place is great! Visiting from our of town and want something differnt then the normal Cincinnati seen for food. We went on a Thursday at diner time, we were able to get a table just fine. Our surface was fast, attentive and accommodating. I got the Tonkotzu Ramen, the broth was rich and hearty. I recommend adding the black garlic oil! I definitely will go back to this place if I'm in town again.

The ramen was so good. Had the spicy miso and it was amazing. We sat at the bar and loved the cozy vibe inside. Food came out very quick!

If you want to have a good ramen, you should come here. There are two best authentic Japanese restaurants in Cincinnati area. One of them is here. The another one is Mei in Montgomery. Both of them are owned by a same owner. Spicy Miso Ramen, Tantanmen Ramen(minced pork+sesame paste), Tonkatsu Curry(deep fried pork with Japanese style curry) are fenomenal!!! Fried Chicken is also good! They have various Japanese beer. My favorite beer is Sapporo. I didn't expected they had Orion beer. It's the beer from Okinawa island, the southern part of Japan. It's rare beer even in Japan.

Dropped by here on a thursday evening and did not have to deal with a wait for the 2 of us. The place is on the smaller side, with bar seating, small ledges with stools and tables/half booths. We made the decision to try out some Ramen since winter is still hitting hard in Cincinnati. Ordered the Tako Yaki for an appetizer, which was good and easy to split. We decided to split the Tonkutso Ramen and Katsudon. The Ramen was fine, for me it was missing something with the flavor (almost like a neutral taste). If I am able to come back I would try the miso ramen. I really enjoyed the Katsudon, it was very filling and tasty. Service was nice, and prompt. The place is worth a visit. I'd consider coming again if around the area for the rice bowls and maybe to give the Ramen another flavor chance.

The food was yummy. The appetizers were a little over priced. We ordered the udon noodles, spicy ramen, teriyaki rice and chicken, one coke and a Japanese soda shipped from California lol for $56. Udon curry was yummy but something was missing. It tasted a little water down. I think "mei Japanese restaurant" in Montgomery rd. Has a better curry! (Nice chunks of meat and tons of flavor!) Spicy ramen was really good! I wish had more noodles. (they charge extra $3 for noodles) I get it, rent is expensive in otr. Teriyaki chicken and rice was good. (I won't crave it but it's a good option for kids) Glad we tried it. Would I recommend it to people? Maybe if they are looking for something different that the usual otr spots. Would I be back? Maybe with out of town friends.

We happened upon this place after a day of strolling around the city. We were only going to check out their menu, but decided to stay for a lil snack. 3 appetizers, and 1 Katzu don shared by 3 reaped 3.5-4 stars. We are definitely returning to explore more of the menu before offering up a complete score Ambience is authentic Japanese and similar to places we've experienced in NYC. Good service. Appears to be a fun place for a bigger party.

I had been wanting to try this place for a while and it was great!! I love ramen but there are not many options around here and I am glad I finally found one. I got the spicy miso ramen and my friend just got the normal miso ramen, I liked the spicy better! The restaurant does not take resos so it is all first come first serve but there is more seating than it appears from outside so we did not have any problems. They have a lot of options besides the ramen so I am excited to go back and try some other things.