HIGHLY RECOMMEND! The food is AMAZING and on point! I always get the tonkatsu ramen with extra…read moremarinated eggs. The broth is delicious, the eggs are perfectly marinated and soft boiled. They have so many toppings you can choose from. Great variety! The service is quick and efficient. The ambiance makes you feel like you are in Japan. The moment you walk in there are high top seats at the window, and a lot of small tables. The walls are decorated with Japanese ads and artworks. They have 2 television screens: 1 with anime playing and 1 with a Japanese style pbs station (showing cooking, travel, etc...). They fill up quickly but it just goes to show you how many people love it! You can do take out orders or dine in. They have you scan a QR code on your table to send you to their menu, which ends up being where you order and pay for everything. You then will get your drinks. Then any appetizers you order. Then your food will be out quickly. Highly recommend!

A really nice ramen place to visit on cold winter days!…read more We've been here a few times in the past year and we're always pleased with the quality and flavor. We've ordered tonkatsu ramen, spicy Tokyo ramen, takoyaki, gyoza, the matcha latte, sake, calpico, and likely some other things over the visits and it's also delicious. The restaurant has an authentic feel and is decorated with a lot of vintage Japanese memorabilia and posts and such, it lends a nice vibe to the food. Service is a bit laid back, all orders are done via an app or website and the servers simply bring the food to you. But they are attentive with water refills and bussing of tables so it's not lazy. I recommend Akita!

I found this place through Yelp and decided to come here for lunch after seeing the photos of the…read moreramen. It's relatively small (only about ten seats) and at the time, only two people were working. It took a little bit for the food to come out (my dad was able to go order a coffee at Coffee Break Cafe next door and bring it back before our orders came out) but the portions were perfect for our lunch and my dad really enjoyed his! The noodles are dropped off on the bar for you to pick up and you grab your own chopsticks as well. We ordered the Chili Ramen (tonkotsu with chili oil on top) and the Shoyu Ramen, both with pork as the protein. The cook on the egg was great (nice and gooey in the center and the white was nice and soft) but it was a little cold and lacked flavor (could've been marinated for longer?). The pork was a nice cut of meat but despite being blowtorched it was a little chewy and lacked a bit of flavor also. The lack of marination on these toppings was helped by the fact that the broth was great and flavorful and if you ate them with the broth and noodles, it was satisfying! I think the broth was the best part; I tried both of them and enjoyed drinking the broth by itself even without eating the noodles with it. Overall, I thought the ramen was OK (the soup was the best part!) but for the price and portion I think this is a nice place to stop by for lunch! My dad enjoyed it a lot and was impressed by the authenticity for an American establishment.

Not the best ramen . Took the classic ramen. Bowl was full but there was a bitter taste in the…read morepork sauce. Ambiance was a bit strange. Person at the counter was scratching under his armpits and was the same guy who prepare the food.

Excellent craft udon shop that makes fresh noodles in house and cooks them to order. Seating is…read morelimited to 9 tables which means peak times can be challenging for wait times. The ambiance is casual and comfortable with all dishes made to order. Good mix of hot, cold, and dry noodles. Entrance has stairs (no ADA accessible ramp). Parking is limited on a narrow street but 2 hours. Great spot!

My husband and I went here for a little date night. I had craving for udon but usually we can't…read morefind any unless you go into Boston. You use a Qr code to check out the menu and order as well. The service was quick. It is a small little place but on a weeknight it had a good amount of people. He had a spicy paitan udon and I had a niku one. His broth was creamy and mine was more clear flavored broth. We both enjoyed our bowls . The takoyaki was a little pricey compared to when we go to Santouka in Cambridge but it was still pretty flavorful and delicious. Parking was relatively easy and it was nice to have a udon place that was much closer to us in the suburbs!

I drive by here every day and finally called in a takeout order. Got sausage dumplings, duck ramen…read moreand vegetable ramen. When I went to pick it up, the restaurant was much bigger than I expected. Full bar, lots of tables and chairs and the aroma was making my stomach grumble with anticipation. Staff were lovely, prices reasonable. Got home and it was like being back in Japan. The soup was separate and pouring it onto the ramen was delightful. The dumplings were perfect and yummy. I had the duck ramen and not only did I eat the whole thing, I drank what was left of the soup.. large portions and very delicious. I could go on and on!!! Go there!

Wow!!! We live nearby and I was like "let's try", I am so glad I did. First off when we got there…read moreparking is a bit funky, we parked in the upper lot an walked down. OK so we are in. The moment you walk in you can smell authenticity! We started with the pan fry dumplings which were delicious and served with a sauce unlike anything I had before. My bride opted for a pork noodle bowl.......loved it, I got the Dan Dan peanut noodle bowl. This dish had such depth in the flavor, it was not a quick sauce off. I noticed the sesame oil roasting of the peanuts in my dish, it just added that level of complexity and flavor. Prices are exceptional, two of us ate, 1 drink each, app and two dishes $60. I love Anju a ton also, but these flavor profiles are completely different. YOU need to go her and check this place out.

The design of the place is simple, clean, classic. Service was very quick and responsive, answered…read moremy questions without hesitation. The food, I ordered the tonkotsu ( pork bone broth Ramen) was absolutely delicious. The ramen were firm, a bit chewy in a good way, the vegetables were crisp, the pork belly was decadent. The flavors are layered so perfectly that each spoonful they are dancing on your tongue. I will certainly return and now more often as the parking out back is free and convenient. R

Each time I come back to this place--now three or four visits in--I'm reminded why it's become one…read moreof my go-to spots. The service is consistently friendly and attentive, and the menu pairs perfectly with the excellent house cocktails from their full bar. The ramen bowls remain the highlight. The Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen, especially, is outstanding: a rich, deeply flavorful broth, tender pork, and that comforting warmth that hits the spot on a cold New Hampshire day. The Bao Bao buns are a great way to start the meal, and the Takoyaki--light, crispy spheres filled with diced octopus and drizzled with savory sauces--adds a fun, flavorful twist to the appetizer lineup. On our latest visit, we tried the Okdol Bibimbap. The presentation was appealing and the flavors were solid, but the dish leaned a bit too heavily on the rice compared to the protein and vegetables. A slightly more generous balance of toppings would bring it right up to the level of their other standouts. Even so, this place continues to impress, and I'm already looking forward to coming back and exploring more of the menu on my next visit.

Tonkotsu ramen is bomb. You can get no spice or kick it up. Cocktails were good too. Wife had…read moreTattoo Girl Riesling which went well with the spicey ramen.

This was the worst ramen I have had in a long time. I got the Vegetarian Ramen and the tofu was…read morebland and the toppings were weird; I've never had arugula and cabbage in ramen and I will not be eating that combination again. The noodles were super thin and tasted like instant ramen. Not impressed and a waste of $20. The staff were friendly so I'll add a star.

Food, service, ambiance all very good. Don't know if they have a separate lunch and evening menu -…read morewe went for lunch. Not a very large selection (large enough, either six or eight main ramen dishes to choose from, and then appetizers and a number of other dishes over rice) - which is probably a good thing. And all the selections basically full meals, and the dishes holding more than you think. I'd like to see a selection of simpler and less expensive noodle-only bowls, maybe with a few veggies. And Udon noodles. Absolutely worth the trip. Not cheap - but nothing these days is. We did not attempt a custom order; on the menu it says no substitutions. But there is a list of add-ons. For next time!

Cute little ramen restaurant, we got the Yokai red and black ramen, rate it 9/10…read more Staff service was amazing! The dipping sauce for the shrimp tempura was so delicious! Enjoyed the lovely lunch with our loved ones..

Wow this place was a life saver on MLK Day since it was sooo cold lol. This spot is located inside…read moreBambolima which is an Italian spot serving pizza which is a win for us since I got ramen and my daughter order cheese pizza. The service was great and our server was amazing. The ambiance was a little bar feeling with lots of wood tables which I liked. Now let's get to the food.. Pork buns: the pork was cooked perfectly and the bun was nice and soft. The sauce went well everything and it's a great starter dish. Spicy Kimchi Ramen- this consists of pork belly, pickled mushrooms, kimchi and fried garlic. The ramen was really good and had a lot of flavor with just the right amount of spice from the kimchi. Perfect for a cold day! Colonel Sanders Ramen- this had a pork broth with fried chicken and was delicious and moist. Also had corn with Vermont butter which you can taste through the bowl. This dish was the highlight for me and I'll definitely be back again. If you're in Salem, MA and are craving ramen then be sure to give this place a try.

This place was SOO good. It was very interesting because it's a combination of Asian and Italian…read morefood. I only got the ramen and the fried dumplings, but I absolutely loved it. Had the pleasure of having the owner as one of the waiters and he was so sweet and passionate about his store. I would absolutely love to come back here and eat here again.

Fantastic little noodle shop located in the heart of downtown. We got the wonton noodle dish and I…read moregot the poor color curry Both were excellent. This is an expensive restaurant, but for the quality of service and the food. It was worth it Just to know this is a smaller join, so the large party might have difficulty or a long wait.

I was thrilled when I discovered that there was a supposedly authentic ramen experience a stone's…read morethrow away from my hotel while in the area for a business trip. Unfortunately, I am a die-hard ramen aficionado and former New Yorker of over 10 years-- so I can be quite a tough critic. Points for the lovely atmosphere and cultural aesthetic... though the restaurant closes early on weekdays and I was informed of such the minute I entered the door prior to receiving a proper greeting. I had no other option but to order takeout and I would have appreciated being offered a seat, glass of water or beverage while waiting. The waitress stood next to me while I perused the menu so I definitely felt rushed to order and she was very brief in her responses regarding the most popular/tasty ramen options on account of wanting to begin closing perhaps? Overall, reception wasn't overwhelmingly warm... if it wasn't after 8 PM, I likely would have gone elsewhere simply off of the initial vibrations. Nonetheless, $40 later (OBA ramen, cucumber salad, ginger tea and I tipped $5... when I really shouldn't have)-- I dive in upon arriving to hotel to a very AVERAGE experience. The tea is not freshly brewed in-house with ginger, lemon etc... had I known I was going to receive a tea bag and hot water, I would have passed on spending the $4.50 (as the hotel has artisan teas). Cucumber salad is lacking spice, flavor profile and brine... just large, chopped chunks with a vinegar + chile concoction that lacks heat, reminds me of tajin (very salt forward) and was not marinated. It's a quick cucumber salad-- because it was prepared in this manner, the result is extremely watery because the flavor elements didn't absorb into the cucumber. I like cucumber salads almost like a kimchi... made with passion and spicy on the palette. As far as the ramen.... Nothing noteworthy. Cabbage, bamboo, corn were just naked toppings and placed on the ramen comparable to a salad bar. I like my elements flavorful and braised/sautéed. These were completely PLAIN toppings. Bamboo and shredded cabbage were likely canned/bagged respectively. Completely devoid of seasoning and umami. Tamago was cooked relatively properly but the rim was approaching hardboiled (yellowed rim with the jammy yellow center= slightly overdone). Chashu was actually lovely on the flavor scale but over-cooked as well and sliced in uniform disks, which seems as if it was pre-prepped versus made to order. Pork belly should be rich, smoky and more dense... Broth was short on miso presence but definitely edible. My favorite aspect of the whole meal was the chili oil (that I requested upon leaving... it was not provided to me without prompting even though I ordered my food at the spiciest level/5). It really elevated the flavor of the broth and I was happy that it was able to salvage the meal! Perhaps homemade? Perhaps this is an authentic ramen establishment by New Hampshire standards but it's a hard pass for me. Also, the to-go bowls should be larger to house the broth provided and to mix with ease. Bowls are too shallow so you have to pour broth, eat a bit, then add the remaining broth otherwise it will spill everywhere when you attempt to mix the ramen components. Additionally, a customer should always be asked if they would like utensils... I had to ask on my way out after checking my order for accuracy. Fair attempt but a far cry from stellar-- perhaps on account of not dining in? I just didn't taste the love and the authenticity. I've had many ramen experiences outside of metropolitan cities (and Japan) where you can still taste the craftsmanship and love in preparing all the elements. Sadly, OBA missed the mark on the flavor and execution train for me!

4.5 stars! I've been hoping for a ramen spot in downtown Portsmouth for a while, so I'm thrilled…read morethis place finally opened. It's a great addition, the atmosphere is lively and youthful, and it would be good for groups (just note they don't take reservations yet). The ramen was delicious, with a rich, flavorful broth. They give you a generous amount of noodles and pork belly, enough to feel satisfied without being overwhelming. While I wouldn't come here solely for the yakitori due to the price, the ramen is absolutely worth the $20. What would have made this a five-star experience are a couple small details: The cabbage salad (Kyabetsu) would benefit from being shredded more traditionally- the larger pieces were a bit bitter and less enjoyable. Also, please please PLEASEE cut the egg in half before adding it to the ramen!!! Trying to break it into bite-sized pieces with chopsticks is awkward. It's the little things that really elevate the experience. All in all, I'd highly recommend this spot on a cold winter night. Hoping you're around for a long time!

It's quite strange to see an alleyway restaurant with afternoon opening hours for the majority of…read morethe week, not take reservations. However, in the same breath I too, understand the urge to be unique myself. I didn't want to appear alike to the rest of the target demographic of this place where XTRA L SPICE is the equivalent of munching on a jalapeño with no seeds and got put through the washer. So, I showed up with 4 other friends, with one specifically white so we- as a group- wouldn't get hitman'd. I'd like to think it worked because we all had a safe walk to the place. For real though, I ordered the Lost In Koshi drink, spicy Gyoza small plate, the pork skewers, and the black garlic ramen bowl. The Koshi drink sucked. It was giving soil(ed), gardener-tasted-dirt-from-going-down-on-mother-earth realness. Mostly from how poorly the Matcha tasted with the Roku Gin and the citrus mixer together. The gin itself sat entirely on the top of the drink, so I spent a good 3 minutes thinking I was safe just sipping nonchalantly, and then WA-BAM! An expired sharpie was the only flavor profile in that moment. I'm going to pair the spicy Gyoza and pork skewers together here, mostly because there WASN'T A LOT to begin with! Six steamed dumplings with minimal meat, served with a rationed amount of chili. The same chili you can get in a massive bottle at a local Asian super-mart... is how they determined this dish was spicy. If you made it this far and wanted to know how it tasted, just yoink a Big Mac from someone at a drive through, take the patty, and power-wash it like your life depends on it. As for the pork skewers... pork skewers..? What pork skewers..? And finally, the payoff that I was begging for the entire time.. the black garlic ramen bowl. Highlighted in scarlet red on the menu, bragging about it's 8 hour slow cooked broth.. and whatever else it said. I honestly forgot. The ramen bowl was delicious, I could not get enough. The noodles were soft but firm, you could tell they were hand made. You get served an egg with a gooey yolk, giving the entire thing a sweet break from the savory-ness of the meat and broth. I finished the entire thing, broth included. All for $20.. The pork skewers, AND gyoza both costed $20, and those two together? Quite literally a ripoff. You'll get two toothpicks for skewers, and six count of dumplings. BOOO !!!! If you go here, save yourselves 40 minutes by not ordering any small plates or skewers, because you'll be waiting that time for the check.