I've come 4 times now and it still hits every single time. Almost always a line, but it moves extremely quickly. Service is good, interior is well-lit and clean, and the food is just amazing. Make sure you get the hot tea as well! Noodles are so fresh and perfectly cooked. FOOD: Wagyu Roast Beef Aburasoba (9/10) - My personal favorite! The roast beef is extremely tender, and the yogurt sauce pairs perfectly with her. Pro-tip, add a little bit of vinegar - tastes even better Nikumori Aburasoba (9/10) - Slightly spicy with a ton of pork inside. The sauce coats the noodles perfectly - amazing! read more

Kajiken - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I was in San Mateo, and I was hungry. I checked Yelp and Google, and there were so many places to choose from, I didn't know what to pick. I checked Michelin, and it help me narrow it down to Kajiken. As I walked to Kajiken, I knew I was getting close because it was the only place that had a line-up outside. There were probably 12-14 people waiting, and I wondering if I should find another place because I didn't want to wait. Fortunately, as a single diner, they sat me right away. I ended up ordering the Original Aburasoba and it came in about 5 minutes. It was good. Great texture, good flavours, and a reasonable serving size. Service was fine but minimal. Dining area is typical of modern ramen places. Overall, a nice quick meal. Maybe closer to a 3.5 or 3.75 as it was good, but I was also very hungry. I would consider returning. read more

Kajiken - ORIGINAL ABURASOBA - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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We arrived on a Sunday at 6:20pm and waited 10 minutes for a table. Meanwhile our order was taken so after sitting down our bowls were served within 5 minutes. Besides inside seating they also have counter seating and outdoor seating. They offer 9 different dry ramen variations plus a monthly special. You can add additional toppings for an extra charge. They also serve appetizers and rice bowls. It's a very casual dining experience with Japanese pop music playing in the background. The dry ramen is a very hearty meal with various condiments on the table including garlic, sesame seeds, chili, sesame oil and vinegar to adjust to your taste. The noodles were cooked al dente. I tried both the original and the Homura aburasoba and liked them both. The spicy pork wasn't spicy at all and the char siu was very tender. Had a bit of leftover and took it home. read more

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This place is solid, but can get really busy at nights so it took us a while to try it! We came on a late Saturday afternoon and sat outside. The outdoor seating is pretty nice and inside is even nicer. Good vibes all around. Service was fantastic and very attentive too. Prices are very fair for the portion sizes and quality!! The aburasoba was good and had a lot of components. I always appreciate an array of condiments on the table too for making the bowl taste exactly how you like! I added a lot of vinegar and it was really yummy! The ponzu karaage was really good! Super tender and the grated daikon mixture on top added great freshness! I'll be back to try some other dishes (as long as the wait isn't long haha)! read more

Kajiken - OROSHI PONZU KARAAGE - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Came here on Sunday around 3:45PM and there was no line. There were plenty of outside and indoor seating. We opted for inside since it was so cold. On the menu, there were so many great options to choose from along with appetizers and toppings to add into the noodles as well. I got the keene curry aburasoba with a seasoned egg and my friend got the homura aburasoba. I added chili oil and garlic to my curry noodles for more flavor. The noodles here are so soft and chewy. I can't wait for them to open a location in south bay :) read more

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I love this place so much! It's easily one of my favorite spots for ramen. The aburasoba (soupless ramen) is amazing, the noodles are always fresh and have the perfect chew The San Mateo location is great because they have outdoor seating, and they even have heaters to keep you warm if it gets too cold. Definitely a must-visit! read more

Kajiken - ORIGINAL ABURASOBA NIKUMORI ABURASOBA - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

Soupless ramen? First time having aburasoba and I'm a fan. The noodles are served dried with sauce and oil. Then you add additional toppings like vinegar, chili oil, chili sauce, sesame seeds. Most of their aburasoba comes with an egg yolk. It makes the noodles thick and creamy like carbonara. read more

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Finally got to try Kajiken, an aburasoba spot in the Bay Area that I've been wanting to visit. Overall I liked it! Just something to keep in mind, the noodles are pretty thick and chewy, so it feels quite heavy and filling. I was definitely full pretty quickly. The flavor was really enjoyable for me, but my husband is a bit sensitive to fishy tastes and he didn't love it as much. So I think it depends on your preference. We also got the karaage on the side, which was okay but nothing super memorable. I'd come back again when I'm specifically craving aburasoba, but just be ready for something on the heavier side. read more

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I tried dry ramen here for the first time and it was absolutely delicious. The seasoning and healthy ingredients made the aburasoba incredibly tasty. There were also seasonings provided on the side of the table which added to the taste. The fried calamari was deliciius with the dip and it had a nice texture. The service was straightforward and the ambiance was casual and clean. I would definitely come here again the next time I visit California. read more

Kajiken - ORIGINAL ABURASOBA - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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What a hoppin' place! It's packed on a Wednesday evening and the food is delish! They give you directions on how to enjoy the soba with all the condiments, and it was so yummy to taste before and then after with chilli oil, garlic, red peppers, sesame seeds, and vinegar. Wagyu beef was really good. The mix of small bites and a few slices was cooked just right. Service is solid and just expect a little waiting due to how busy they are. I'll be recommending this place to my friends! read more

Kajiken - WAGYU ROAST BEEF ABURASOBA - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

Nood Awakening Japan-based chain of restaurants that features brothless ramen, known as "Abura soba," which translates to "oil noodles." Basically, instead of a broth, the noodles are coated in a flavorful oil-based sauce and then topped with an almost limitless variety of toppings. Kajiken is probably the foremost purveyor of this type of cuisine, as they now have over 100 restaurants worldwide, with this San Mateo location being one of their best performers--as it's been Michelin recommended three years in a row ('23-'25), as well as being ranked #14 on the Yelp Top-100 Places to Eat in the Bay Area** 2024 & #10 on the 2025 list*** The Good: * Great location in Downtown San Mateo surrounded by tons of other restaurants and shops. * Service was fast, efficient, and friendly. * Excellent pricing, as we both had our own Abura Soba and shared an app for less than $50! This is unheard of in these trying times of exorbitant housing, gas prices, and tariffs. *Housemade soba noodles were just fantastic. They were packed with flavor, great texture, and are my favorite thicccness. *The sauces on the noodles were both really terrific, and I just couldn't get enough. I definitely could've downed another whole bowl of this stuff just because. The Meh: *No outdoor dining *We enjoyed the crispiness and flavor of the Karaage, but didn't really get much of any of the Ponzu flavor. The Ugly: *Downtown equals street parking only, so be prepared to fight for it and have to shell out a few bucks, as well. Even on a random Wed afternoon, we found ourselves having to circle the block a few times before landing a spot. Conclusion: I realize we're a few years behind on discovering this place, but it's always better late than never! Run--don't walk here the next time you get a craving for noodles. Highly, highly recommended. **https://www.yelp.com/collection/VYiUdPIDvoQ9FOLPfGgJMw/Top-100-Places-to-Eat-in-the-Bay-Area ***https://yelp.to/lANpqKw4Ah read more

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It was a great day to be in downtown San Mateo for the boutique fair in B st. and come lunch time was craving for noodles and came across this spot. Decided to try. The place is packed so I waitied Lined up. but truly the wait wasn't long. I was seated only a few mins from waiting in line. so they are pretty proficient. The staff are friendly and accommodating. I elected to Oder an appetizer and a bowl of my choice and I also didnt wait long to be served my meal. Presentation was good and the aroma and look of it were mouth watering, seriously! I must have been starving. lol. Anyhow overall, it tasted so delicious and I was content. enjoyed my meal to the fullest. read more

Kajiken - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I've wanted to try out this spot for years because I love soupless noodles. Wasn't sure if the lines had died down since they opened, but seems like they have - we didn't have to wait at all to get seated on a Wednesday evening. I got the soboro aburasoba, and I was honestly a bit underwhelmed when I was eating it at the restaurant. I felt like the noodles weren't quite picking up enough sauce / toppings, so were a bit bland (though I liked the noodle texture). But in a surprise twist, when I reheated my leftovers the next day, they were much better. The noodles were perfectly coated, and the noodle texture was still excellent. So maybe the move is to order it for takeout and eat it the next day. Or maybe I'll try different toppings next time. read more

Being a woman who considered ramen to be "glorified noodle soup" (as stated in my ramen nagi review), my better half suggested that I try dry ramen. I, of course, wasn't aware of such a thing. Abura soba it's called. Huh. Sounded brilliant to me, but for hardcore ramen enthusiasts though, where the broth plays a significant role in the execution, the omission of it seems counterintuitive. Am I right? Sigh. My better half then told me about Kajiken. They specialize in abura soba. He then went on to inform me that Kajiken is even recognized in the Michelin Guide. Intrigued as all get out, we made our way over to San Mateo. No reservations, so yes there will be a line. But it moves quickly. Both visits we only waited about 15-20 minutes tops. It's a bustling small space, very high ceiling, very minimalist. A clean aesthetic. Nikumori (ground & sliced pork) for me, wagyu roast beef for him. I don't know ramen, but I do know pasta. With the latter, it's important that it's cooked al dente. This transfers over to ramen noodles for me; I need them to be al dente. And they were. Both visits. Hubby's too. You're supposed to mix the noodles w/ the raw egg & everything all together, then add your seasonings. I'm a purist, so I didn't add anything other than some chili oil. Delicious! Next time I'll try adding some vinegar. After we were served, we had to flag a server down for napkins, & then again when we were finished for a takeout box. Not meant to be a complaint; it's a packed house. We loved our meals here, & I love the concept. Service: 4 stars Food: 5 stars 4 & 1/2 stars read more

Kajiken - WAGYU ROAST BEEF ABURASOBA - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Kajiken has been on my to-try list for awhile. Two of us ordered: oroshi ponzu karaage $10 homura aburasoba $17.50 half ajitama + cheese $1.50 homura aburasoba $17.50 raw egg yolk Chicken needed some mayo/sauce of some sort, but fried well. Had high hopes for flavor profile, but a bit mushy. Bonito flake fishiness overpowers the bowl quite a bit. No need to add the cheese as it didn't melt. Came in around 1PM and no wait. Street parking and garage parking available. read more

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Came here for a quick dinner and I was not disappointed. I was told the line can get quite long at this place but we were able to walk right in. Timing! A very casual dining experience. The noodles were delicious. They had chili oil, vinegar, freeze dried garlic, and sesame seeds at the table for you to "fix up" your noodles. I did add a little bit of chili oil for the extra kick but the flavoring was on point and didn't really need anything additional. read more

Kajiken - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Overall: 4.5/5 Was exploring downtown and saw their Michelin sticker on the window. Luckily there was no line when we came but it was BUSY (came during lunch time). Service could be better overall. We got seated quickly by the door. They didn't give us water or extra plates when requested. Luckily, we sat near the table with the plates so we got it ourselves. Food: . Original Aburasoba (5/5) - very flavorful and not overly saucy, noodles are soft and well cooked. Would definitely get this again~! read more

Kajiken - Original Aburasoba - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

We're so back! Came back to try more of the menu. The wagyu roast beef aburasoba is to die for!! The yogurt sauce seemed like an unusual pairing at first, but actually worked extremely well with the wagyu slices. So much umami flavor. The nikumori aburasoba was pretty good too, but not quite as spectacular as the wagyu roast beef ;) I'll be thinking about this meal for weeks to come. read more

Kajiken - nikumori aburasoba - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Dry ramen - I got the curry flavor and added corn and green onions. It was super yummy and light but large portion so we couldn't finish. We also got karage which was super moist and crispy. It was quiet when we went late afternoon on a Thursday. Great service and a very bright environment. read more

Kajiken - KEEMA CURRY ABURASOBA - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

Pretty delicious! I got the Mushroom Aburasoba after asking if I should get the Mushroom or the other veggie option with eggplants. I was recommended the Mushroom Aburasoba with the crunchy onions and I added an egg yolk on top because I gotta get my protein goals. It was my first time having aburasoba and I was surprised at how savory and creamy it was! I added a bit of chili flakes to make it spicier because I thought it was otherwise a little bland. I should've added some more garlic flakes and crunchy stuff though (crunchy onions were great on top but got soggy pretty quickly) This place got SUPER busy by the time we left. As a vegetarian, I thought it was good. I would come here if my meat eating friends wanted to come here and probably would order the other veggie dish just to try it out but probably wouldn't come here on my own. read more

Kajiken - Mushroom Aburasoba - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

This place is among my favorites for aburasoba/dry ramen in the area. It's located on a street that doesn't allow parking but there's several parking lots and garages nearby. There's usually not much of a wait on weekdays for lunch but it can be busy on weekends. I usually order their original aburasoba which comes with char siu, noodles, green onions, and bamboo shoots topped with seaweed flakes. The noodles are always chewy and it's enough for two meals. There's chili flakes, fried garlic, sesame seed, soy sauce and vinegar at the table. Water is provided in a small pitcher and quickly swapped out if running low. This time, I ordered their Amakuchi bowl (new item, $20.50). It had minced beef and pork, bamboo shoots, fish powder, chili garlic oil, noodles, green onions, bean sprouts, and seaweed flakes. Raw yolk is included but can be removed upon request. I felt it had more flavor than the Original Bowl though it did have a bit of a kick from the oil despite it not being labeled as a spicy item. I would probably get this again. Ponzu karage ($10 for 4 pieces) is pretty good, but wouldn't say it's a must get. Service is fast, servers are friendly. Ramen is reasonably priced. read more

Kajiken - Amakuchi Ramen - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

The line builds up quickly so get there early or towards the end of the night! The ramen is a soulless ramen with is soooo good! Our first time here and the Wagyu option was creamy and full of flavor. So filling too! The Ponzu Karrage was so delicious as well! The pickled daikon on top is the cherry on top and a great addition. The line does move quickly because people come and leave quickly. There seating outside and seating indoors. Very calm ambiance and great place to socialize. read more

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Have visited multiple times since the restaurant opened. Lots of indoor seating at tables and bar stools as well as outdoor seating with heat lamps. Place still often has a wait even on weekday nights, but fast and kind service. I personally always order the homura aburasoba, and I like that they let you sub the egg yolk for an ajitama or poached egg. Noodles always perfectly al dente and great flavor. If the flavor ever gets heavy, can add vinegar/sesame/etc. on the table to change up the flavor in a new and delicious way! read more

Kajiken - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

pretty busy on a friday night, as the queue stretched into the closed-off street. a worker promptly gave us a menu to browse while we waited, which took around 15 mins. when you're towards the front of the line, your order is taken and you're seated shortly after. i like this efficient system! worker at the front was welcoming and nice, and the food took around 10 mins to come out. original aburasoba (7.5/10): sauce is savory and coats the noodles in a nice creamy layer, and has the slightest kick of acidity. pork had a smoky/grilled taste which i (surprisingly) don't hate. it pairs w the sauce well. got a poached egg for extra protein and mixed in provides more creaminess. the flavors were yummy but can get borderline overly-salty. towards the end it did start to feel too rich but the portion size kept that from happening to me. was contemplating adding cheese for more creaminess but i'm glad i didn't (it would have been too much). would come back again, especially to try the appetizers! this doesn't seem like something i would get often, but would satisfy an occasional (once a month) craving. service was decent and what really makes them stand out is their efficiency. read more

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100/10 recommend eating here. I didn't know what to expect at first but there was a long line so it had to be good! We tried the Homura aborasoba and we can see why it was #1 pick! We tried the Cold Tofu, and Takoyaki! Recommend all of these!! When you arrive, everyone in your party has to be present or you can't sit down. You have waiters coming out calling for if u have a party of two or three, and they can walk you straight to the table. The line was long but the wait was not. Being Friday night, the street is blocked off so there was so many people. We found street parking close by so that was fine. The tables are really close together, we were a party of 3, so our table was next to another table of 4. The service was impeccable and quick. They ordered our food and it came out right away. We were even joking that we would be back the next day, and we actually did! The food was phenomenal so we had to go back! We really loved this place! We will be back! read more

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So glad I finally got to try Kajiken! We visited on a Monday evening and got seated outside right away. The interior looked small and cozy, but they did have propane heaters in the outdoor area. For drinks, we all got hot tea, which was nice on a chilly night. For food, I chose the Wagyu Roast Beef Aburasoba. It rocked my world! I'd never tried dry ramen before, and instantly became a massive fan. The wagyu beef was so tender and tasty, and the buttery sauce was incredible. My friends loved their food as well, especially the Homura Aburasoba. Can't wait to return and eat this again! read more

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Came back a second time, and it was just as good as the first. While there's always a decently long line, it moves quickly, and the servers are constantly turning over tables to keep things moving. I ordered the Homura Aburasoba, and it was delicious - 8.5/10. Once mixed, it almost tasted like a ramen-carbonara fusion: super creamy from the egg yolk, with a rich, meaty umami from the ground pork. I added a bit more vinegar and chili oil on top to make it perfect. An amazing bowl that I would happily order again. I also got the Ika Geso Karaage (calamari), and it was okay - 6/10. The squid was cooked nicely and tender. However, the pieces were really large, and the sauce was a basic sriracha mayo. It wasn't the light bite I expect from typical calamari, but it was still good. I probably wouldn't order it again, as there are likely better appetizers on the menu. When at Kajiken, get the aburasoba. You really can't go wrong with the Top 1 choice, and I'm sure the other variations are just as good. I'll definitely be back to try more of them, but I'd probably skip the appetizers next time. Stick to what they're known for. read more

Kajiken - Homura Aburasoba - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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This is meant to be an express meal in Japanese culture. So don't ask why the place is so small . I was pleasantly surprised at how legit and authentic this kajiken was. It's exactly like the locations in Japan. Perfectly cooked dry ramen to be tossed in egg sauce and chili oil. For the record - I LOVEDD the chili oil. The rice dishes - not as much. They feel like fillers. Although you just order everything on the QR code/website, but the staff is still very helpful. I would definitely return One star is taken away because it IS a bit crowded and not very comfortable to sit Even for a bowl of ramen. read more

Kajiken - I forgot the name. The most popular one - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Incredibly savory soupless ramen. I'm a big noodle soup fan and am always a bit dubious of soupless noodles. But boy did Kaijiken impress! So much flavor and umami in every bowl. Be prepared to queue up on the weekends, but the wait will be worth it! Service was a bit spotty and the ambience is basic. But we're all really there for the food, aren't we? Be sure to liberally add extra vinegar, chili oil, and spices to your dish - all available right there on your table. read more

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I love the concept of dry ramen (the soupy kind is way too messy and not as customizable imo). Kajiken didn't disappoint and has plenty of interesting toppings (keema curry anyone?). The soboro chicken I got to-go was flavorful and held up well. Looking forward to trying more combinations soon! read more

Kajiken - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

There's a reason why there's always a line at this establishment and it's because they hellllla goood and they know it! I've been here so many times and they've consistently have super nice staff, very efficient turnaround time, and high quality food! Their #1 homura aburosoba with raw egg is where it's at. Definitely read the instructions to mix everything thoroughly and then add the vinegar and chili oil half way for a nice twist to end the meal. They also have amazing karaage (original and ponzu) that are perfectly crisp with a creamy wasabi sauce + a more generic aioli. Although there is a long line and a quick turnover on their tables, this is actually a great spot to take your kiddos. They have high chairs and boosters as well as a clean single stall bathroom with a diaper changing station. They even have children's dishware which was such a pleasant surprise. I can't recommend this place enough! I'll be back! read more

Kajiken - HOMURA ABURASOBA - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

I first time I tried Kajiken was back in May 2025. Since then, I have been back for lunch and dinner in December 2025, twice in one week haha. Why? Because the ramen here is sooo good! 5/26/25 My husband and I were always turned off by the long line everytime we walked by Kajiken and my husband is not a patient person.... so we decided we were finally going to try Kajiken since it's been on my list of places to go. We got there at 10:55AM and there was already 4 parties ahead of us. Since it was a holiday (memorial day), we were able to park one block away and didn't have to pay the meter. They have outdoor and indoor seating; indoor seating can feel pretty cramped though when the restaurant is full. Here's what we got: - Homura aburasoba (his) - Original aburasoba (mine) - gyoza (share) The gyoza came out pretty quickly. They taste good, but are small and the filling is small as well. The ramen arrived as we were biting into our first gyoza. After putting your add ons (vinegar, chili oil, chili paste, garlic, sesame), then you mix everything together for about 20 seconds and then dig in! My husband doesn't love ramen as much as I do, but he said that Kajiken is number one for him for ramen since it's as good as the ramen we had in Japan. More recently, I came here for dinner in December and then the following day came back for lunch. For dinner, I was in a group of 4 and the restaurant was already packed when we got there at 5:30PM. The only available seating at the time was at the high or low bar area. We were initially placed at the high bar area, but with my pregnancy belly, it would have been tricky for me to sit up on the chair so we swapped for the low bar area. Even at that area, it was uncomfortable since I had no back support, but I digress xD. The ramen was still super good. This time, I got the Nikumori aburasoba. It was a little spicy but I liked it. For lunch the next day, I got the original. Get your dry ramen fix here at Kajiken. Get there early a little bit and make sure your whole party is there or they won't seat you. I will definitely be back for more delicious ramen! read more

Came here for lunch and there was no line. Service was quick. I got seated at the bar. Food was good. You mix the noodles and ingredients together to create a creamy and flavorful sauce. I would come back here again but it's not something I'd wait in line for. read more

Kajiken - HOMURA ABURASOBA - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

Normally, Japanese restaurants (especially popular ones) try to overprice their items because they are "premium". But this place has good food while also giving a good portion. The takoyaki isn't super hot when it was served, which I actually like as it didn't burn my tongue and it was packed with octopus. The gyoza I expected to be some typical gyoza but the wrapper was very thin and gave a good mouthfeel. The meat in the gyoza was also very soft and I didn't really expect that. Lastly, the aburasoba. It was packed with pork and I was expecting for the meat to be chewy because of how it looked. It was not like that at all. The noodle was also a texture of noodle I've never had. This might have been a life-changing experience for me and I see why this is so highly rated. Just watch out because there is no waiting list. read more

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Visited Kajiken for the first time two months ago and was pleasantly surprised! I heard many great things prior to visiting but I don't really crave noodles that often so it was never a must to visit. We came on a rainy Sunday night and thankfully the wait was not too bad at all. We waited maybe about 15-20 minutes before getting seated. Since it was my first time, I ordered their recommended which was the Original Aburasoba. We also ordered their oroshi ponzu Karaage, ika geso karaage, and the mentaiko rice bowl to share. We definitely did not need all of those sides but they were all really delicious especially the ponzu Karaage. I love mentaiko and rice and it's pretty basic but I still love it regardless. The original aburasoba was so good. So rich in flavor yet not too heavy or greasy which is something that I tend to dislike about ramen or noodles. It was so well balanced. The fixings made the noodles even more spectacular. The vinegar did help when I needed a little change in the flavor. I would definitely recommend coming here and trying it out for yourself. The Karaage is definitely the best when it's still hot so I would not recommend saving pieces to eat later. Would love to visit again once I get the chance! read more

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Before seeing the ballet in San Francisco, my buddy and I dined at Kajiken for the first time. Arriving around 5:30p on a weekday meant no wait time (yay!) and we paid for 30 minutes on metered parking because it's free after 6pm. Per social media influence, we ordered two bowls of Wagyu Roast Beef Aburasoba and added all the condiments. We were amazed! The chew of the noodles, the garlicky secret sauce, and the tenderness of the meat made for a magical bowl of yum. I cannot wait to return. read more

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I've been here a few times and always enjoy the Homura aburasoba and original aburasoba - the latter being the dish they recommend for first-timers because it's the basic aburasoba you can find in Japan. I once ordered the spicy Nikumori aburasoba for take-out, and while take-out ramen is never as good as dine-in ramen, this one was really not good. Maybe they can do a better job of balancing the flavors at the restaurant or something, but when I mixed all of the take-out items together (that I assumed were meant to be mixed together), the flavor profile felt way off. All I could taste was the spice and nothing else. Live and learn, I guess. This place used to have awfully long lines. My first time here was a 60 minute wait. Since then, the lines have gotten shorter - which is a huge plus. Kajiken is good, but not 60-minute-wait good. They have outdoor and indoor dining. Now that the lines have gone down, it's not too tough to find a seat here. And if you made it this far in my review - definitely take advantage of the shorter lines and dine-in! read more

This was my first time trying dry ramen and I was taken away. I came here on a Tuesday during December with a party of 9. There are no reservations, only a line to wait in and they will only seat you when your full party arrives. Perhaps since it was a weekday during the holidays, it was surprisingly crowded. I arrived first from my group and waited in line for about 30-40 minutes which was perfectly fine since that's about how long it took for my entire party to arrive. I was pleasantly surprised they had no issues making space for our large party by the time we got to the front of the queue. I tried the Original Aburasoba ($14.95) and the group ordered a few chicken karages for the table. The dry ramn was so flavorful, I think the only thing I added to it was garlic flakes since they were readily available on the table. It was a large enough portion for me to take about half of it home and it was great even after being warmed up again. Just to note, since we had a large party, 20% gratuity was already added to our final bill. Our friend didn't realize it when he was paying the bill, so I hope the employees enjoyed the extra tip from our large party! I will surely be back with my family in the future. read more

Want some perfectly cooked, al dente, slurpy ramen? Well, get your bunny buns over to Kajiken! I ordered the Keema Curry Aburasoba with poach egg and corn. I quickly mixed it up and slurped it down. Too bad it was already luke warm when we got it, so eating it fast was key for me. I normally like my ramen heated hot! I love the dry noodles w/curry meat gravy. Such a comfort food. Nice staff, fast orders, and delicious! read more

Kajiken - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Can't believe I waited in line 40 minutes for this experience. Packed in like sardines and very average is how I'd describe it. Service is well run, in & out style. The servers work very closely together. They pull out smaller parties and get them seated as opening occur. They immediately come for your order. Food comes out 2 min later. Very quick process. All the sides offered are already available on the table... vinegar, hot oil, garlic flakes, chili flakes, chopsticks. We ordered the minced pork dish, the one clearly marked #1,) most popular. It has the most add ins. Overall it was fine, but not much flavor. I felt the noodles were slightly over cooked, but enjoyed the garlic flakes, chili oil and chili flakes, which I added. For me the experience was a 3, but no complaints other than the sardine like experience. read more

Kajiken - Part of the 40 min. Wait Line - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California