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    Kajiken

    4.5 (235 reviews)
    ModerateRamen, Noodles
    Closed 11:30 am - 11:00 pm

    Kajiken Reservations

    Order Kajiken Takeout or Delivery

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    KAJIKEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials

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    Outside
    Rolando N.

    Outstanding Ramen. Simple and full of savory flavors. The ramen hits right. The regular tonkotsu is excellent but we also enjoyed the spicy one. It packs a little bit of a punch but wow is it delicious. Good selection of Japanese beers as well. Service was fast and friendly.

    Abura Soba! Love garlic? You'll love this.
    Quandra T.

    Fresh off a Japan trip earlier this month so you know my mood is somber. This was my first time stepping into a ramen joint since then, because I'm now prepared to always be disappointed now that I'm no longer trying it from the source. First of all, I LOVE the ambience and the paper lantern decor here. Took me right back to those neon streets. The staff are polite and patient; one of them even picked up my phone for me after I dropped it mid-meal. During my trip, I was converted to a soba-lover, and while I don't think this is true soba here, they have "abura soba", what they describe as a "soupless ramen" (with a thicker noodle) which I was drawn to. I got the basic one with chashu, and my, it was DELICIOUS! I was so entranced I caught myself wanting to slightly bow with an "Arigatougozaimasu" and a "Gochisousama desu" on the way out! The noodles and the saucy base were DELICIOUS. My friend found it a bit oily, but I love thicker, richer ramen bases so I savored it. We lingered and loafed during our meal and the staff did not rush us once. :) Will definitely be returning!

    Decor
    Aida F.

    I ordered the tonkotsu and takoyaki. The takoyaki was really good. Perfect consistency. The ramen was eh. The bamboo shoots weren't the best texture. The noodles were just okay, don't think they held up the flavor of the ramen well. I wish they had an option for real chili rather than just the oil. Broth was okay but wasn't as savory as some ramens I've had. Usually I'm wanting to finish every drop of my broth and this one wasn't it. The winner was definitely the takoyaki. I did like they were playing Justin Bieber and the decor was cute. Looks like a quick spot for ramen and late night chill vibes, at 10:30pm on a Sunday night it definitely had a younger crowd.

    Evelyn N.

    Quick spot to dine alone or with a date. Had a pretty extensive menu and can add additional toppings at an extra cost. Food came out super quick. I ordered a soup based one and it was a bit salty. Noodles were cooked well though and my friend liked hers. Wish they were more attentive with water refills.

    Christy M H.

    I had a great time eating ramen here. I'm always trying new ramen places and this one was on the list for the night. The place has a nice vibe to it and I was in and out pretty quick. The decor was cute and everything was clean and authentic. If I was a beginner ramen eater I would give it 5/5 but I thought there was something missing about the seasoning. It was definitely tasty but overall I would give it a 4/5.

    Dry Ramen
    An C.

    I am not a ramen lover but I do enjoy dry ramen and this place was great! We were seated quickly and our food came out pretty fast. I got the fried oysters and they were so crispy and delicious. The sauce that came with it really sussed ne out at first because it was bland and grainy, but once I figured out it was an egg/mayo sauce it was actually very good with the fried oysters. Like fried oysters with a side of egg salad. Niku Miso and Original were both great, though i preferred the Original. Im always conflicted ordering ramen because I prefer dry style ramen as its more savory and potent, but I love soup. The perfect solution is to order a separate soup on the side, especially in the winter. The interior is a cozy and tight space. Would definitely come back here!

    Gab G.

    Good option for brothless ramen. Came for weekday lunch with a friend and had no trouble getting a table. Abura soba with beef and Abura soba with hamura were both super tasty.

    Tonkotsu ramen, karaage, sukiyaki don

    The 2 seater tables were too close together, but I understand they're trying to maximize number of seats. Friendly and fast service. Karaage and my sukiyaki don came out first, and my partner's ramen came out a couple minutes later. Perhaps it's my fault. I should have specified that I wanted my sukiyaki don and his ramen served together after our karaage appetizer? Karaage: not super crispy. Served with 2 sauces, soy based and mayo based. Leans towards salty and sour with the soy based sauce. We enjoyed the mayo based sauce a tad more. Sukiyaki don: your classic beef sukiyaki don, solid choice. I have a smaller appetite, so I liked that the rice bowls are smaller portions. You can order more than one to try if you come with a group of friends. Tonkotsu ramen (added black garlic oil): mild garlic oil flavor if any. Decent comforting broth, wouldn't say impressive. Caught us off-guard that the bamboo shoots were cold... It's not a place I'd go out of my way to, but we'd come back again if we're in the area.

    Lina L.

    I was super excited to try this place and really wanted to like it. We came on a Wednesday evening and were seated right away. The staff are really nice and service was quick at first but it took over 15 minutes for a staff to come to us so we could pay. You order through your phone and pay by clicking a button on your phone after scanning the qr code on the table. The place is super cute and cozy. They were quite busy the entire time we were there. Food- we got the takoyaki, tonkotsu ramen and the original abura soba. The takoyai was the only thing we liked. The ramen and soba were just not flavorful, tasting very watered down. The chashu pork was super tough as well.

    Menu
    Liudmila K.

    We were passing by this spot and decided to stop in to try their ramen. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen and a seaweed salad. The tonkotsu broth was visibly creamy, but a bit too salty for my taste. Portion-wise, there was less broth than I'm used to. Unfortunately, they don't offer a vegetarian ramen option, so my friend couldn't order soup. Instead, he had the seaweed salad, cucumber salad, and octopus balls, which were tasty and flavorful. Overall, it was a decent bowl of ramen, but nothing outstanding. The staff was kind and friendly, and the interior was clean and cute.

    Kristi C.

    The food here is like no other! I love the flavors combined with the sauces and additions available at every table! My friends come here all the time because the atmosphere is so fun besides enjoying our meal!

    Wakame
    Andrew S.

    The abura soba is really great and the appetizers we had were delicious, the sunomono and takoyaki. I wish the service was a little more efficient to start but once things were not as busy, they were much more attentive.

    $7.34 - takoyaki (full set is $22.95)
    Ashlyn K.

    My friend and I went to Kajiken around 1pm on a Friday. They don't take reservations for smaller parties, so try to go at an off-peak time if you do not want to wait. We happened to go after a holiday when it was pretty windy out, so we did not have to wait. By the time we finished eating around 2:30, the place had really cleared out. The interior has the Japanese decor that makes it seem like a bustling street stall. Since it was a Friday, my friend and I took advantage of their lunch special. We both had the abura soba; I had the original with takoyaki ($22.95) and my friend got the roasted beef with gyoza ($25.95). The special also comes with a drink, but they only offer soft drinks (my friend asked for tea, and they said no). A lunch special over $20 will always be pricey, but appropriate for midtown location. Everything tasted great and had nice flavor, though I don't have a comparison for the abura soba, since this was my first time trying it. It was heavy on the oil, which was my only critique of the dish. Service was mixed. It took a while for anyone to check in on us or offer a water refill. However, they didn't rush us at all, and we even had to flag them down for the bill. I'm sure if it was busier, they could've been more pushy to turn tables, but it was a nice gesture. Overall, I enjoyed Kajiken, and I would go back to try other things!

    Chicken curry

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    1 month ago

    excellent atmosphere and food. Service was immaculate and in such a convenient area as well.

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    Quick service. Everything smells delicious. Would definitely come back for lunch again!

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    Tonchin

    Tonchin

    4.4
    (2.5k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Loved it! The chicken wings are incredible with the perfect crisp on the outside and juicy…read moreunderneath. I loved the classic ramen broth but the spicy tantan is also good. Save room for dessert for the huge shaved ice in all sorts of flavors. We had to wait for our whole party to arrive before we were seated. After that, the service was really fast and helpful. It's not a huge place, they have a mix of small tables, one or two larger tables, some booths and counter seating.

    Is it Japan? No, you're in NYC. But is it good enough? Absolutely. Just expect to pay NYC prices…read more My biggest recommendation: stick to the classic ramen. I usually order spicy ramen at most ramen spots, so that's what I went with my first time here. Big mistake. The spicy ramen really takes away from the depth of flavor. If you actually want to appreciate the broth, the classic ramen is the way to go. You can always add spicy oil yourself. A few things could definitely be improved. For an upscale ramen spot in the heart of NYC, I was surprised the tap water was straight-up lukewarm. Nobody wants lukewarm water after eating a piping-hot bowl of ramen. I'd also avoid the bar seating if you can. The seats aren't very comfortable, especially if your back tends to get tight from sitting hunched over. Another small but surprisingly annoying issue is the front door, it doesn't have a slow-close mechanism, so it's constantly slamming shut. Depending on where you're sitting, it can get pretty loud and distracting while you're trying to eat. On the positive side, the service was great. The staff was attentive, and the food came out incredibly quickly after ordering, which I really appreciated. The ambiance definitely fits the upscale NYC ramen vibe without feeling overly fancy. You don't need to dress up, casual clothes are completely fine. I'll definitely be back, classic ramen next time, no question.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Chicken Tsukune Bun
    Chicken Tsukune Bun
    Kimchi mushrooms

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    Kimchi mushrooms
    Kin Ramen

    Kin Ramen

    4.5
    (727 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    ****DISCLAIMER WAIT OUTSIDE to be seated****…read more Ding ding took the number one spot for ramen! I can't wait to go back to this place to try something new! Every meal I had from the chicken baos to my ramen was jaw dropping. I wish I could just snap my fingers and have their ramen right in front of me. You know a soul is delicious when you don't have to add extra sauces or spices. It's a tight place so not the best for large parties. However the decorations and overall feel of the place is welcoming. I will say, the drinks too a bit long to come out and they were super expensive. One drink was $20 I believe. Which is more than the ramen itself haha I wouldn't go here for drinks cause you'll end up spending a ton of money. Save your thirst for somewhere else but bring the eats cause you'll love all the food !

    AI summary for all those that need it. Its amazing,…read moreatmosphere is great. Staff great. Details for everyone else. Appetizer: Tori Karaage. We get this Appetizer everywhere we see it. This is hands done the best we have ever had. Sauces that come with it need to be saved for the main dish Ramen. You can thank me later! Ramen Kara Kin. Top 5 Ramen bowls Ive had to date. It says spicy, its pretty a medium spice level. Our daughter could enjoy it, broth was what really shined . Wife got the Curry Ramen. Different, but not in a bad way at all, the base was amazing flavor. The Crispy pork was perfect, I stole lots of that with just the curry as a drizzle over the top. Daughter had the Miso Ramen . Miso, you are thinking meh, plain. This is not that Miso, this miso base broth was extremely good. For the first time ever, our daughter drank all the miso before the noodles. Wish we could go there again as its our favorite Ramen place.

    Photos
    Second floor dining
    Second floor dining
    Shishito Peppers
    Shishito Peppers
    AGEDASHI TOFU

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    AGEDASHI TOFU
    EAK Ramen

    EAK Ramen

    4.2
    (373 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$
    Kitchen open late
    Vegan friendly

    I was in the city, and wanted a quick bite to eat, so I dropped by EAK Ramen. It was not crowded,…read moreand I was able to get served within 10 minutes. The tables, floors, and bathrooms were all very clean. This will be short and sweet. I ordered the Shrimp Bao. It was very good. The shrimp was crispy and tasty, but I think there should be 2 per order. One was not enough. 5/5 for taste 1/5 for quantity. I also ordered the Oh So Hot ! Miso. This consisted of pork and chicken broth, spicy ground chicken, spinach, bean sprouts, cabbage, and nori. I ordered it spicy, but I should have gotten it hot instead. I like spicy food, and the spicy needed more kick to me. But it was delicious. 5/5 Til we eat again...

    I came here for a quick preshow meal but unfortunately it wasn't quite as good as I hoped it would…read morebe. We started with the pork belly appetizer which was recommended and stated on the menu indicating it's their featured dish. It was the biggest disappointment as it was extremely fatty with large chunks of fat, while the lean portions were dry. It didn't look very appetizing. The dumplings were just okay--they had decent flavor but I was hoping for a crispier texture. I ordered the Zebra Ramen. The noodles were cooked perfectly al dente, but the broth was much saltier than I would have preferred. The pat of butter felt unnecessary and made the broth overly rich without adding much depth. The chashu was on the small side and also quite fatty and I assume it's the same as the appetizer but was sliced instead of in large chunks. The marinated egg had good flavor, although the yolk was a little more cooked than I typically like. Another thing is the pork belly appetizer came with an egg. I wish the server would tell us so we didn't have to add it to our ramen with an extra charge. The nori was also completely soggy by the time it reached our table. Overall, the noodles were the only highlight of the meal and the rest were very underwhelming. It's definitely not a place I would recommend.

    Photos
    EAK Ramen
    Oh So Hot Ramen
    Oh So Hot Ramen
    Tofu Impossible Karaage

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    Tofu Impossible Karaage
    Toribro Ramen

    Toribro Ramen

    4.4
    (187 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Cozy no-frills ramen bar near the theater district. I enjoyed a delicious, balanced bowl of Paitan…read moreramen ($19). No complaints, except that I guess I prefer Tonkostu (pork bone) over Paitan (chicken bone). I appreciated sitting at the bar to watch the lone ramen monger stir around the next batches of broth, hand-torching some chashu; boiling, whip-drying, and gently nestling my noodles, then manually laying out the toppings. The dish feels real, personal.

    If you've ever missed the original Totto Ramen days in NYC, Toribro feels like a true throwback to…read morethat era but elevated. This spot delivers the kind of authentic paitan that reminds you why people used to line up on cold sidewalks just for a bowl. I ordered the Paitan Ramen Deluxe, and it genuinely lives up to the name. The broth is silky, rich, and comforting without being overly salty which is exactly what a proper paitan should be. The bowl comes loaded: tender shredded chicken, seared chashu, marinated soft-boiled eggs, fresh scallions, bamboo shoots, and a sheet of nori that ties everything together. Every topping tastes intentional, not just filler. The texture balance is what really stands out fatty chashu that melts, shredded chicken with real flavor, and noodles that hold up beautifully in the broth. You can taste the care in the soup base; it has depth, not just heat or salt. If you loved Totto Ramen back in the day, this feels like its modern successor same spirit, new precision. Toribro isn't trying to reinvent ramen which they're just doing it right. And in NYC, that alone makes it worth a visit.

    Photos
    Takoyaki
    Takoyaki
    Special ramen
    Special ramen
    Special ramen (photographed by Dave Liao)

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    Special ramen (photographed by Dave Liao)
    Sozai

    Sozai

    4.3
    (171 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    On our very first day in New York, we had some time before taking the Statue of Liberty cruise…read more We originally had another restaurant in mind, but the timing did not work out, so we searched on Google and found Sozai Japanese Restaurant, which was supposed to be close to our hotel. Google said it was a 10-minute walk. But honestly... was that 10 minutes measured by someone running? It was an extremely hot day in New York, and my family and I were walking there, sweating like we were on a small survival mission. It felt more like 20 minutes or more. By the time we arrived, we were hot, tired, and very hungry. But the moment we opened the door, everything changed. The manager welcomed us with such a bright and warm smile. We told him we did not have a reservation, and he kindly said it was okay and seated us right away. That alone made us feel so much better. As soon as we sat down, we ordered cold beer and highballs. After walking in that heat, that first sip felt like pure happiness. It was exactly what we needed. My sister, my mom, and I each ordered different kinds of donburi, and my daughter ordered tonkatsu. When the food came out, I almost fainted -- in the best way possible. The rice was absolutely amazing. It was perfectly sticky, nutty, soft, and full of flavor. I know this may sound dramatic, but every grain of rice felt like it was dancing gently in my mouth. That was the moment I thought, "This is what good rice should taste like." A good donburi is not only about the toppings. The rice has to be right, and here, it was perfect. The sashimi was incredibly fresh. The texture, the flavor, the quality -- everything was excellent. Every bite made me think, "This place really knows what they are doing." My daughter's tonkatsu was also wonderful. She is a very picky eater, but she kept saying how soft, juicy, and delicious it was, especially with the sauce. When a picky child finishes everything quietly, that is the most honest review you can get. In the end, all four of us completely finished our bowls. Not a little bit. Completely. Clean. Empty. Happy. We told the manager how much we enjoyed the food, and our server was also very kind and explained everything so nicely. The food was excellent, but the warm service made the experience even more memorable. At first, we came here simply because the timing was awkward and it was near our hotel. But by the time we left, we knew we had found a place we would want to visit again. The long, hot walk was absolutely worth it. Sozai Japanese Restaurant gave our family a delicious and happy memory on our first day in New York. If I visit New York again, I will definitely come back.

    Cuisine: 7 Service: 8…read moreDecor: 7 Value: 6 Overall: 7 Not a bad late night spot when craving some Japanese izakaya. The space is clean and nicely lit, but tables were somewhat tight. Service was very good and everyone was friendly. As for the food, it's not the best I have had for sure, but not too shabby either. However, prices were definitely on the higher side. A quick snack turned into a $120 bill after tax and tip. My favorite was probably parts of the Uni Hon Maguro Hara Don. Yes, the rice should be warmer and definitely seasoned better, but passable. The seafood was fresh, but the otoro and chutoro were a tad underwhelming. Hokkaido Uni should have been sweeter and creamier. Hamachi sashimi was fine, and so was the Ankimo (though I would have preferred it creamier). Unfortunately, the Sake Clam Miso was overcooked and not enjoyable. I would totally drink that slightly spicy clam broth like a shot though if they sold it that way. Lol Anyway, not on my top to return list, but I would certainly give it another go and try a few more items before making such a conclusion.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Sake Clam Miso
    Sake Clam Miso
    Black sesame ice cream and red bean

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    Black sesame ice cream and red bean

    Kajiken - ramen - Updated July 2026

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