How to Do Ramen in The Bay
Whether you’re sick, cold, or just plain hungry, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a good bowl of ramen. Lucky for us, we're in the epicenter of some of the best ramen in the country. Get ready to slurp on some proper slow-cooked broth with our guide to the best ramen in the Bay.
San Francisco
Ramen Izakaya Goku
(3232 16th St // Mission)
According to the menu, the word Goku means "hella," which explains why this place is hella good. With a prime location near Valencia Street and Dolores Park, it's a great stop to fuel up during a day of adventuring.
Waraku
(1638 Post St // Japantown)
Located in Japantown, this restaurant braves the fierce competition on every corner and still comes out victorious. They serve up a handful of creative ramen dishes, including one made with Impossible meat for the veggie folks!
Iza Ramen
(237 Fillmore St // Lower Haight)
After operating as a successful pop-up shop for two and a half years, Chef Ritsu of Blowfish Sushi decided to give his ramen enterprise a permanent home. Iza offers traditional ramen and tsukemen for those who prefer to dip.
Marufuku Ramen
(1581 Webster St // Japantown + 4828 Telegraph Ave // Oakland + 865 Middlefield Rd // Redwood City)
Another Japantown staple, Marufuku serves up their ramen in rich, milky Hakata-style broth. If you're feeling especially hungry, they also have a selection of top-tier izakaya-style appetizers and small rice bowls.
Saiwaii Ramen
(2240 Irving St // Sunset)
When Karl the Fog rolls in and the air gets chilly, drop into this cozy spot in the Inner Sunset to warm your body and heart with a delicious bowl of spicy noodles. Their ramen is known for being quick, affordable, and full of flavor.
Mensho Tokyo
(672 Geary St // Lower Nob Hill)
Mensho Tokyo is a ramen lover's paradise that offers three styles of noodles: traditional ramen, tsukemen (noodles served separately) and mazesoba (brothless noodles). Look for their twists on traditional ingredients, like foie gras and truffles.
East Bay
Ramen Shop
(5812 College Ave // Oakland)
The commitment to the craft is real at Ramen Shop, where the owners imported a special Japanese machine to make their noodles. An intimate space with a fully loaded Japanese whisky bar, this place is more than worth the wait.
Sobo Ramen
(988 Franklin St // Oakland)
With generous portions of fresh, chewy noodles and flavorful broth, this ramen shop is a solid choice on a cold winter day. They even have multiple vegetarian and vegan options, which is always a win in our book.
Ramen Hiroshi
(1633 Bonanza St // Walnut Creek + 6000 Bollinger Canyon Rd Ste 2501 // San Ramon + 1241 Park St // Alameda)
Using only the freshest ingredients, this ramen shop is one of the tastiest in East Bay. Their ramen features unusual flavors like yuzu and cucumber, and they have a whole section of their menu devoted to fried things. Chow down!
Itani Ramen
(1736 Telegraph Ave // Oakland)
Another installation from Hopscotch chef Kyle Itani, this shop serves up sushi, rice bowls, and ramen, which is basically a dream come true. They even have happy hour from 3-5:30 every day!
Yojimbo
(1221 Park St // Alameda)
Although primarily a sushi restaurant, Yojimbo serves up a mean bowl of ramen that's definitely worth diving into. Their menu is extensive, so you're sure to leave satisfied no matter what you're in the mood for.
Shiba Ramen
(5959 Shellmound St Kiosk 10 // Emeryville + 1438 Broadway // Oakland)
If you're looking for fast, casual, and affordable ramen, Shiba Ramen is the place for you. Offering a streamlined menu, diners order from the counter and can choose from a selection of ramens with a range of additions that rotate daily.
South Bay + Peninsula
Ramen Nagi
(2855 Stevens Creek Blvd // Santa Clara + 541 Bryant St // Palo Alto)
Self described as the new wave of ramen, Ramen Nagi serves up complex classics as well as custom bowls. Sure, you'll probably be standing in line for over an hour, but once you take that first slurp, it'll all be worth it.
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
(675 Saratoga Ave #103 // San Jose)
With the simple phrase "I'm going to make delicious ramen," Santouka originated in Japan in the 1980s and now can be enjoyed all over the world. Aiming to be healthy, this bowl is handmade with fresh ingredients and minimal salt.
Hinodeya Ramen Bar
(2210 S Bascom Ave // Campbell)
Start your meal off with Japanese small plates, then choose from ramen flavors like Butter Corn, Spicy Miso, and Creamy Vegan. They use a light fish-based broth that sets them apart from the other noodle spots around town.
Kahoo Ramen
(4330 Moorpark Ave // San Jose)
Like most other ramen places, you can expect a small space and long lines, but this spot's ramen is to die for. With a large variety of flavors, options, and sides, there's no way to go wrong. Don't forget to add truffle salt!
Ramen Dojo
(805 S B St // San Mateo)
With ramen toppings like fried whole garlic, quail egg, and chicken gravy, this shop has earned many a customer for life. The best part? Each of their ramen bowls costs less than $12.
North Bay
Ramen Gaijin
(6948 Sebastapol Ave // Sebastapol)
This buzzy ramen restaurant puts a California twist on traditional noodles. After a successful run as a pop-up, they now have permanent digs to serve up some of the best homemade bowls north of the Golden Gate.
Uchiwa Ramen
(821 B St // San Rafael)
This North Bay spot features new and traditional styles of ramen, both of which are perfect for warming you up on a cloudy day. Though small in stature, Uchiwa manages to dish out big portions noodles that will fill you up without emptying your wallet.
Raku Ramen & Rolls
(2424 Midway Dr // Santa Rosa)
This casual spot is very similar to what you'd find in Japan: you order and pay up front, and your food is delivered to your table. Their ramen menu is straightforward and super tasty, and they've got vegan options too!
** This article was originally published by Do the Bay. CLICK HERE to view the full article.