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I got the Vegan Walnut Tantanem which came with a lot of toppings. The broth was rich with mushroom flavor and the fresh mochi noodles were good with a nice springiness. Overall, flavorful ramen bowls and small plates. We were all satisfied with our lunch meal and service.
NOTE: Arrive on weekdays or right at opening on weekends to avoid the line! Otherwise wait 20-50 mins lol Wooooo new location in Walnut Creek! I've tried their Oakland spot a few times and was enamored by their Matcha Duck ramen-- SO SAD THAT THIS LOCATION DOESNT HAVE IT...! (yet?!) This one's menu is still good tho... My bf and I have been here a couple times and enjoyed it. Staff are always efficient and attentive, service is fast, and the noodles are QQ. SIGNATURE (with no pork chashu, sub duck): I don't eat pork, so I usually sub the pork out! This is so hearty and savory-- good balance of noodles and broth. Their chicken broth is fabulously rich and flavorful. Though... The meat is almost comically thin. I know it's quality over quantity, but the tiny flaps of meat just send me every time... Ajitama is fine. I'm really not a big ramen person, but Mensho is one of my exceptions when I'm craving a nice warm meal :P Pls bring the Matcha Duck to WC.........
Absolutely delicious!! One of the best ramen spots I've tried. We had the signature ramen, and it was incredibly flavorful, I loved every bite! The GKO ramen which was a little bit spicy and packed with all the flavors I love as well. The service was really kind and welcoming, especially for our first time there. I also loved the ambience, the inside felt very traditional and cozy, which made the whole experience even better. The only downside is that there's almost always a long line and a significant wait. There's no sign-in system, so you have to physically wait in line, which can be a bit inconvenient. That said, the ramen is definitely worth the wait, and I'll absolutely be back!
Food: Ordered the classic ramen. The portion was on the small side and came with only chashu, without a ramen egg. I asked for chili powder, but the server did not mention that there would be an additional charge. The charge appeared on the bill afterward, which was disappointing, especially since it was simply a request for a common ramen condiment. I later looked it up to make sure, and shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven-spice powder) is generally provided as a complimentary condiment at ramen restaurants rather than being charged separately. If there is an additional fee, I think customers should be informed beforehand. Service: The server was not particularly welcoming and did not smile or show much warmth throughout our visit. Ambience: We were seated near the kitchen, where we could hear a group of servers chatting among themselves for much of the time. It made the dining experience feel less attentive and relaxed.
Mensho in Oakland was a place I've been meaning to try, so I was excited when they opened a second location closer to me. We got there about 10 minutes before opening and there was already a short line forming. At noon, we were quickly shown to a table. I would recommend going early to make the first seating. I heard Mensho is known for their soup ramen and mochi noodles but it was about 85 degrees outside, so I opted to try their Hokkaido Mazemen and order a side of their famous duck chashu. The prices of their ramen were a bit intimidating, especially since Marufuku down the street is a lot less pricey. However, I will say that Mensho's offerings have a lot more variety and ingredients. Besides ramen, they offer nigiri, rice bowls and appetizers. The food didn't take long to come out and at first glance, I was impressed by the presentation. The contrast of colors and the scent of the grilled scallops and the generous portion of crab made me excited. Unfortunately, the taste wasn't as exciting. The predominant flavor was soy sauce. The crab quickly got lost once everything was mixed together. The inside of the scallops were a bit on the rare side. The duck was okay- I would have preferred the slices to be slightly thicker because I failed to discern much duck flavor. The boyfriend ordered the wagyu truffle shoyu and he seemed to enjoy it. It had caught my eye but at $39, it wasn't something I was willing to splurge on given the heat. The staff and the atmosphere were great but overall, I was a bit let down by the food. It's possible that I might not have ordered the right thing. The lobster miso ramen and classic mazemen are other dishes that I would be interested in trying, but I'll wait until fall or dinner take to partake in heavier, hotter dishes. I'm glad to see more ramen spots in Walnut Creek though! For many years, it was mostly Ramen Hiroshi as the main spot and I wasn't too big of a fan.
Super intimate and nice inside, felt like I was stepping into a restaurant in Japan. The ramen was sooo good. Broth was super rich, flavorful, and comforting - exactly what I needed. The Wagyu charsui was so buttery and literally melts in your melt. It tastes so good with the broth and ramen. Service is super attentive here and they were cleaning our table as soon as we were done with something. Great spot for lunch or dinner.
My friend and I came here for dinner, and there was quite a line when we arrived. Luckily, since it was just the two of us, we didn't have to wait too long to get seated. I ordered the G.K.O., which came with lots of garlic and veggie toppings, black garlic oil, and chashu in a creamy chicken broth. My ramen was delicious! I loved everything about it, from all the toppings to the mochi noodles. My favorite topping was the crispy burdock root, it added such a nice crunch. I also really enjoyed the texture of the mochi noodles. The restaurant has dim lighting and a nice, cozy atmosphere. Service was quick and efficient. Overall, Mensho was a great experience, and I'd come back!
I've heard great things about Mensho, so I was excited to hear we were getting a Walnut Creek location! The line was intimidating when they first opened, but I finally visited on July 3. Around 4pm there was no line and we were seated quickly. I ordered the Lobster Miso Ramen, since it's exclusive to this location. The broth was tasty, and the lobster meat was fresh and delicious. I wasn't accustomed to their mochi noodles, which are chewier than what I'm used to. It threw me off at first but the more ramen I ate, the more I started to like it. While they're not my preferred noodles, I was still satisfied with the meal. My friend got the Wagyu Truffle Shoyu ramen, which he enjoyed. He felt similarly about the noodles. There's a pleasant vibe and ambiance inside the restaurant, though the dining room is a bit narrow. I would only come here with a maximum of 4 people, especially during peak hours. Service was good!
Arrived around 7 pm on Sunday with my family and was seated immediately. I love the clean and sleek decor. Theres a couple of bar seats for solo diners as well! Ordered a spicy GKO, enoki chips, mentaiko takoyaki. The GKO was rich and garlicky with a kick which I enjoyed. The broth was thick and salty, but worked well with the flavors. The ramen was chewy and thick ( I believe they use a mochi ramen?) Emoki chips were great to share, however it was difficult to eat as they were super clumpy and did not separate. The mentaiko takoyaki was just alright. It was just takoyaki with some mentaiko sauce, I would probably skip this next time. The service was quick and they were constantly refilling our water :) Parking: street parking in DT Walnut Creek can be hard, but walk a couple of blocks and get 1st hour free in a nearby garage! Overall I'm super glad mensho opened in WC, probably the better ramen shops in the area! I do wish they had the full menu tho! I noticed some menu items weren't on here compared to the Berkeley location
Excellent food and experience from start to finish. I was initially skeptical because the prices here are far steeper than others for ramen, and they do not offer tonkotsu broth. The mochi noodles had such good texture, and I was amazed at how they nailed the creamy broths down without washing out any flavor. There was a line forming but not unbearable. They hand you umbrellas when waiting outside which I thought was a sweet touch. My friend and I fortunately bypassed it as a table for two opened up shortly into waiting. Ramen Nagi in Santa Clara is my absolute favorite place, and while I can't say Mensho dethroned that, their take on ramen was very enjoyable. I think my only gripe was that our food came all at once, which made enjoying the appetizers harder. Would absolutely return when I'm feeling upscale ramen! RECS: + Signature ramen ($27) was delicious for a chicken broth. The three kinds of chashu were all so tender and flavorful! I had a favorite but honestly could not tell what was what. + Enoki chips ($10) is a must, fried and seasoned to perfection! + Mentaiko takoyaki ($14) was delicious, cooked well, and had a good amount of octopus in the bite + Lobster miso ramen ($37) if you're feeling something different! The broth was subtle but good. It was annoying that the lobster tail was still intact, as it made getting the meat out harder
Omg amazing experience! I been wanting to try here for such a long time but the wait times have been crazy (since they just opened), it's walk in only but we were luckily able to go on a random weekday for lunch on our day off. The line was significantly shorter since everyone was at work so the wait was about 20ish minutes for a party of 2. The place is so cute and has a dim ambience- very much a great date spot or a small party or even if you just want a quick bite by yourself! The food came out super quick and the servers continuously checked in on us. They filled our waters, brought out sauces as well as regular check ins. The enoki mushrooms were super crispy and a great start of the meal. We got both a regular classic ramen as well as the stir fry just to try it. The noodles were chewy and tender and the broth was rich. The chashu was super soft and melted in my mouth. I would love to come here again!!!
My server was a young cool guy. He said he didn't really like any of their ramen and didn't know what the hype was about. So he wasn't very helpful when it came to recommending something. Often during the meal I would need him, but he wasn't very attentive so I'd have to wait or ask other servers or bussers for help. The ramen I had was good. I don't feel like I've had enough food here to truly judge this place. I would definitely come back and try more things.
We've been wanting to try this place for a while and it did not disappoint. Luckily we got there right before a line formed outside, but it was already busy inside. We got a shared table with other customers (not my fave but they had a frosted glass divider that helped ease the awkwardness) The staff is fast and friendly. The inside is very cool and feels like you're in a ramen shop in Japan. They even announce as customers come and go, very fun. The food came quickly and was amazing. My favorite was the Signature Ramen. The waygu and duck chashu are incredible, the broth and noodles are insane. My wife got the spicy lamb ramen and loved it. My daughter got the nigiri and thought it was great. Overall a great experience and we will definitely be back.
2 months ago
The food was great, but it was expensive and the portion was very small. Inside, it was pretty dark. The service was very fast. read more
Ambiance - 5/5 Food - 5/5 Service -5/5 Had an amazing dinner at mensho on a Saturday night. Got very lucky because there wasn't a wait. The signature ramen was flavorful and memorable. The restaurant is well staffed so our table felt taken care of. The moody lighting and Japanese aesthetic makes it a perfect date night spot! read more
3 days ago
Before you get the signature, ramen at Mensho you must ask yourself this question, can a bowl of ramen be too rich? If you think so, maybe this is not for you. On the other hand, if you like a rich creamy broth and some decadent meat, this may be just the thing for you. I kept trying to decide whole time if it was too rich for me or not. The meat is the best I've ever had anywhere: three kinds, beef, roasted pork and my favorite the duck. The broth was a little too salty for my taste and I would've liked some more complexity. Normally I get black garlic, so maybe next time I get the GKO. But it's amazing how creamy it was with no dairy. I can't imagine how they achieve that. The noodles at first seemed too firm, but then I realize they were actually just right. The soy egg was perfect. Why did I leave five stars even though it may be too rich for my taste? I think they made it exactly the way Mensho wanted it to be and the service and atmosphere were excellent. I would come again when I'm looking for a rich indulgent treat. read more
I got the Vegan Walnut Tantanem which came with a lot of toppings. The broth was rich with mushroom flavor and the fresh mochi noodles were good with a nice springiness. Overall, flavorful ramen bowls and small plates. We were all satisfied with our lunch meal and service. read more
16 days ago
NOTE: Arrive on weekdays or right at opening on weekends to avoid the line! Otherwise wait 20-50 mins lol Wooooo new location in Walnut Creek! I've tried their Oakland spot a few times and was enamored by their Matcha Duck ramen-- SO SAD THAT THIS LOCATION DOESNT HAVE IT...! (yet?!) This one's menu is still good tho... My bf and I have been here a couple times and enjoyed it. Staff are always efficient and attentive, service is fast, and the noodles are QQ. SIGNATURE (with no pork chashu, sub duck): I don't eat pork, so I usually sub the pork out! This is so hearty and savory-- good balance of noodles and broth. Their chicken broth is fabulously rich and flavorful. Though... The meat is almost comically thin. I know it's quality over quantity, but the tiny flaps of meat just send me every time... Ajitama is fine. I'm really not a big ramen person, but Mensho is one of my exceptions when I'm craving a nice warm meal :P Pls bring the Matcha Duck to WC......... read more
Absolutely delicious!! One of the best ramen spots I've tried. We had the signature ramen, and it was incredibly flavorful, I loved every bite! The GKO ramen which was a little bit spicy and packed with all the flavors I love as well. The service was really kind and welcoming, especially for our first time there. I also loved the ambience, the inside felt very traditional and cozy, which made the whole experience even better. The only downside is that there's almost always a long line and a significant wait. There's no sign-in system, so you have to physically wait in line, which can be a bit inconvenient. That said, the ramen is definitely worth the wait, and I'll absolutely be back! read more
Food: Ordered the classic ramen. The portion was on the small side and came with only chashu, without a ramen egg. I asked for chili powder, but the server did not mention that there would be an additional charge. The charge appeared on the bill afterward, which was disappointing, especially since it was simply a request for a common ramen condiment. I later looked it up to make sure, and shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven-spice powder) is generally provided as a complimentary condiment at ramen restaurants rather than being charged separately. If there is an additional fee, I think customers should be informed beforehand. Service: The server was not particularly welcoming and did not smile or show much warmth throughout our visit. Ambience: We were seated near the kitchen, where we could hear a group of servers chatting among themselves for much of the time. It made the dining experience feel less attentive and relaxed. read more
Mensho in Oakland was a place I've been meaning to try, so I was excited when they opened a second location closer to me. We got there about 10 minutes before opening and there was already a short line forming. At noon, we were quickly shown to a table. I would recommend going early to make the first seating. I heard Mensho is known for their soup ramen and mochi noodles but it was about 85 degrees outside, so I opted to try their Hokkaido Mazemen and order a side of their famous duck chashu. The prices of their ramen were a bit intimidating, especially since Marufuku down the street is a lot less pricey. However, I will say that Mensho's offerings have a lot more variety and ingredients. Besides ramen, they offer nigiri, rice bowls and appetizers. The food didn't take long to come out and at first glance, I was impressed by the presentation. The contrast of colors and the scent of the grilled scallops and the generous portion of crab made me excited. Unfortunately, the taste wasn't as exciting. The predominant flavor was soy sauce. The crab quickly got lost once everything was mixed together. The inside of the scallops were a bit on the rare side. The duck was okay- I would have preferred the slices to be slightly thicker because I failed to discern much duck flavor. The boyfriend ordered the wagyu truffle shoyu and he seemed to enjoy it. It had caught my eye but at $39, it wasn't something I was willing to splurge on given the heat. The staff and the atmosphere were great but overall, I was a bit let down by the food. It's possible that I might not have ordered the right thing. The lobster miso ramen and classic mazemen are other dishes that I would be interested in trying, but I'll wait until fall or dinner take to partake in heavier, hotter dishes. I'm glad to see more ramen spots in Walnut Creek though! For many years, it was mostly Ramen Hiroshi as the main spot and I wasn't too big of a fan. read more
Super intimate and nice inside, felt like I was stepping into a restaurant in Japan. The ramen was sooo good. Broth was super rich, flavorful, and comforting - exactly what I needed. The Wagyu charsui was so buttery and literally melts in your melt. It tastes so good with the broth and ramen. Service is super attentive here and they were cleaning our table as soon as we were done with something. Great spot for lunch or dinner. read more
1 month ago
My friend and I came here for dinner, and there was quite a line when we arrived. Luckily, since it was just the two of us, we didn't have to wait too long to get seated. I ordered the G.K.O., which came with lots of garlic and veggie toppings, black garlic oil, and chashu in a creamy chicken broth. My ramen was delicious! I loved everything about it, from all the toppings to the mochi noodles. My favorite topping was the crispy burdock root, it added such a nice crunch. I also really enjoyed the texture of the mochi noodles. The restaurant has dim lighting and a nice, cozy atmosphere. Service was quick and efficient. Overall, Mensho was a great experience, and I'd come back! read more
2 months ago
I've heard great things about Mensho, so I was excited to hear we were getting a Walnut Creek location! The line was intimidating when they first opened, but I finally visited on July 3. Around 4pm there was no line and we were seated quickly. I ordered the Lobster Miso Ramen, since it's exclusive to this location. The broth was tasty, and the lobster meat was fresh and delicious. I wasn't accustomed to their mochi noodles, which are chewier than what I'm used to. It threw me off at first but the more ramen I ate, the more I started to like it. While they're not my preferred noodles, I was still satisfied with the meal. My friend got the Wagyu Truffle Shoyu ramen, which he enjoyed. He felt similarly about the noodles. There's a pleasant vibe and ambiance inside the restaurant, though the dining room is a bit narrow. I would only come here with a maximum of 4 people, especially during peak hours. Service was good! read more
2 months ago
Arrived around 7 pm on Sunday with my family and was seated immediately. I love the clean and sleek decor. Theres a couple of bar seats for solo diners as well! Ordered a spicy GKO, enoki chips, mentaiko takoyaki. The GKO was rich and garlicky with a kick which I enjoyed. The broth was thick and salty, but worked well with the flavors. The ramen was chewy and thick ( I believe they use a mochi ramen?) Emoki chips were great to share, however it was difficult to eat as they were super clumpy and did not separate. The mentaiko takoyaki was just alright. It was just takoyaki with some mentaiko sauce, I would probably skip this next time. The service was quick and they were constantly refilling our water :) Parking: street parking in DT Walnut Creek can be hard, but walk a couple of blocks and get 1st hour free in a nearby garage! Overall I'm super glad mensho opened in WC, probably the better ramen shops in the area! I do wish they had the full menu tho! I noticed some menu items weren't on here compared to the Berkeley location read more
2 months ago
Excellent food and experience from start to finish. I was initially skeptical because the prices here are far steeper than others for ramen, and they do not offer tonkotsu broth. The mochi noodles had such good texture, and I was amazed at how they nailed the creamy broths down without washing out any flavor. There was a line forming but not unbearable. They hand you umbrellas when waiting outside which I thought was a sweet touch. My friend and I fortunately bypassed it as a table for two opened up shortly into waiting. Ramen Nagi in Santa Clara is my absolute favorite place, and while I can't say Mensho dethroned that, their take on ramen was very enjoyable. I think my only gripe was that our food came all at once, which made enjoying the appetizers harder. Would absolutely return when I'm feeling upscale ramen! RECS: + Signature ramen ($27) was delicious for a chicken broth. The three kinds of chashu were all so tender and flavorful! I had a favorite but honestly could not tell what was what. + Enoki chips ($10) is a must, fried and seasoned to perfection! + Mentaiko takoyaki ($14) was delicious, cooked well, and had a good amount of octopus in the bite + Lobster miso ramen ($37) if you're feeling something different! The broth was subtle but good. It was annoying that the lobster tail was still intact, as it made getting the meat out harder read more
2 months ago
Omg amazing experience! I been wanting to try here for such a long time but the wait times have been crazy (since they just opened), it's walk in only but we were luckily able to go on a random weekday for lunch on our day off. The line was significantly shorter since everyone was at work so the wait was about 20ish minutes for a party of 2. The place is so cute and has a dim ambience- very much a great date spot or a small party or even if you just want a quick bite by yourself! The food came out super quick and the servers continuously checked in on us. They filled our waters, brought out sauces as well as regular check ins. The enoki mushrooms were super crispy and a great start of the meal. We got both a regular classic ramen as well as the stir fry just to try it. The noodles were chewy and tender and the broth was rich. The chashu was super soft and melted in my mouth. I would love to come here again!!! read more
My server was a young cool guy. He said he didn't really like any of their ramen and didn't know what the hype was about. So he wasn't very helpful when it came to recommending something. Often during the meal I would need him, but he wasn't very attentive so I'd have to wait or ask other servers or bussers for help. The ramen I had was good. I don't feel like I've had enough food here to truly judge this place. I would definitely come back and try more things. read more
We've been wanting to try this place for a while and it did not disappoint. Luckily we got there right before a line formed outside, but it was already busy inside. We got a shared table with other customers (not my fave but they had a frosted glass divider that helped ease the awkwardness) The staff is fast and friendly. The inside is very cool and feels like you're in a ramen shop in Japan. They even announce as customers come and go, very fun. The food came quickly and was amazing. My favorite was the Signature Ramen. The waygu and duck chashu are incredible, the broth and noodles are insane. My wife got the spicy lamb ramen and loved it. My daughter got the nigiri and thought it was great. Overall a great experience and we will definitely be back. read more
We finally don't have to drive all the way out to Oakland or SF for bomb ramen. This area will be deprived of top-tier ramen no more bb!!! Mensho's noodles are insane: thick, chewy, bouncy. Just perfect. The broth? An intense, creamy, flavor packed chicken base that redefines what chicken is capable of tasting like. The jammy-ness of the egg puts all the other soft boiled ones to shame. And the three meats? Yeah don't even bother getting them as part of the appetizers bc the signature one comes with all three. The only thing worth skipping imo is the chili oil. It's nothing to write home about. Service is speedy and polite, they get you in and out but still don't make you feel rushed. We sat at a table near the entrance so we didn't get a great view of the full interior and decor. But I guess that's just another reason to come back and visit. read more
We were super excited to try this ramen shop in downtown Walnut Creek, but unfortunately, it just didn't live up to our expectations. I'll start with the positives first. I thought the employees were all very nice and friendly. That said, several of them kept bringing the wrong dishes to our table, which got pretty confusing. I also thought the restaurant was much dimmer and darker than I would've liked, and it was so loud that we could barely hear each other's conversation. Each table had a small table lamp, which would've been a nice touch to brighten things up a bit, except ours unfortunately had dead batteries and wouldn't even turn on :( Now onto the food. I ordered the Wagyu Truffle Shoyu, which comes with Dashi And Truffle Broth, a slice of Wagyu Chashu, Red Onion, Truffle Sauce, and Mochi Noodles. The first thing that stood out to me was the noodles. They were fantastic. They're made with a blend of wheat flour and mochi flour, and you could really taste and feel that wonderfully chewy texture likely from the use of mochi flour. I loved them! Unfortunately, the broth was just average for me. I was expecting more pronounced truffle flavor and deeper beef flavor, but all I could taste was how salty it was. I thought the idea of adding Red Onion to bring a little brightness and freshness to cut through the richness of the broth was great, but I wasn't a fan of how it was prepared (chopped). I think thinly sliced Red Onion would've worked much better than chopped pieces. The Wagyu Chashu was nice, but to me it was basically just a nice medium rare fatty slice of beef. It didn't really feel unique or memorable enough to justify calling it Wagyu Chashu. Overall, the whole experience felt underwhelming, especially considering the Wagyu Truffle Shoyu was priced at almost $40. I don't mind paying this level of prices when it's justified with memorable food experience, but this one was just not it for me. read more
I've been meaning to check out this place since it is relatively new. I am a big marufuku ramen fan so it is quite difficult to find something that I'd be willing to skip out Marufuku for. This place did surprised me. The food is delicious but it's not quite your norm kind of ramen. It is full of different flavors! Me and my friend got the spicy miso, the signature ramen, and A5 Wagyu Akuri. The spicy miso flavor was amazing. Def a good chunk of lobster with it. However, both times I had the dish, the claw meat is a little tougher to chew. I'm not used to lobster being that way but maybe it is? The signature ramen had a lot of flavors but overall, it's good per my friend. The A5 Wagyu Akuri-- wow. It melts in your mouth so I def enjoyed it. Service was attentive-- a little too attentive lol. The 2nd time, I felt like several staff kept asking if we were done even when we still had ramen in our bowls. We thought maybe they were trying to make more room for next customers, as we've been there for an hr or so but realized there were beginning to have empty tables. Therefore, we felt rushed to finish. The place is clean, modern, and spacious enough. Not entirely huge but it's fine. First, I had a late lunch around 3pm midweek and there were no lines. Ate on a Saturday and arrived around 12:30pm after opening at noon and there were roughly around 6-8 people in front of us. We didn't wait too long, maybe 15min before staff came out and offered seating for two. Overall the experience was great. I'd come here again and maybe try something else. read more
Can I just say... wow!! The quality of the soup completely caught me off guard. It was so rich, flavorful, and packed with umami that I honestly can't think of many places that compare. I ordered the signature so I could try three different meats, and I was not disappointed! Every cut was incredibly tender and buttery that it practically melted in my mouth. The mochi noodles had the perfect chewy texture and didn't feel too heavy or overwhelming despite the generous portion. Even the wait wasn't bad at all, which made the experience even better. I'm already looking forward to coming back for more! read more
2 months ago
Wow the hype is real! I already had ramen this morning, so I did not order ramen with broth. I had the Crab Meat Don and the crab meat was so fresh! The mix of all the ingredients was also very good. Note: I knew, this was more like a small bowl, not a full full size. The Hokkaido Mazemen was so good! The two large pieces of scallops were very fresh. The mix of the dried ramen, sauce and onions was just about right. I got the Waygu Ramen take out. Will try tonight. Will update this review for this $39 Ramen Bowl! I love that they separate the broth from the noodle for take out. Wanted to order the calamari but sold out by 5:30pm. Will try next time. Parking was easy for a weekday early evening. $2/hour for metered parking on the streets and plenty of streets prior to it getting busy prior to 6pm. I definitely want to try the Waygu appetizers next time and the Ramen with broth. Service was impeccable even I did not order much. Was too full for a full dinner. Ambiance was very nice: I loved the atmosphere and the dimmed lights. Cannot wait to come back! The broth of the A5 Wagyu Ramen and the beef were both SO good! Will get it again! read more
Walnut Creek just got another restaurant winner in its repertoire of upscale eateries. Mensho Walnut Creek is one of two ramen restaurants that recently opened during the Summer of 2026. Mensho, however is recognized by the Michelin Guide for excellence for 9 consecutive years (2017-2025) as made evident by the accolades and poster by the front of the restaurants. I first discovered this place when it was remodeling. Not sure what this was before, but they have completely transformed the interior into a modern eatery with understated aesthetics of classic Ramen shops in Japan. Everything from the lanterns, fixtures, and staff attire to the plate ware and bowl wear were carefully considered and curated. I have also noticed that in another occasion, the host had lent customers waiting for their reservation, red parasols to protect them from the scorching sun - such a nice touch that not only advertises the Mensho brand but is considerate of its customers. I ended up trying Mensho Walnut Creek on a Sunday at 4pm. It was several hours before the normal weekend rush. I was seated promptly, greeted by the entire staff, and presented a menu. I ended up ordering the Mensho Signature. Dissimilar to other ramen shops, it had a decadent chicken broth base. The bowl was also adorned with A5 Wagyu chashu, smoke roasted pork chashu, duck chashu, egg, a generous heaping of truffle goop (lol I know there's a more accurate name for it), baby spinach, burdock root, and pea tendrils. The ramen, made out of mochi noodles, were relatively mild but perfectly chewy, which was very well thought out and balanced the richness of the toppings and broth. Looking forward to my next visit here. Have been eyeing the Spiced Lamb GKO, Hokkaido Mazemen, and the rice bowls. Good job Mensho! read more
Came back for another visit! Their menu is now larger and has more items (I unfortunately didn't snap updated pics of it) Service also continues to be great! This time around I tried their Hokkaido Mazemen and wow.... It was soooo good! Per usual, Mensho has the best noodles with the perfect texture. This seafood mazemen featured crab, ikura, and 2 scallops on top. It was savory while the crab and scallops provided some sweetness. This might be my new favorite at Mensho! read more
I came here for a nice late birthday lunch with one of my best friends! There was a line when we got there and waited for about 30 mins, but time went by pretty quickly as we were just talking and catching up. We got seated in the back of the restaurant and inside was dark but a very nice ambiance. Servers were nice and attentive too. My friend ordered a classic ramen and I ordered the uni ikura don, and we both shared the A5 Wagyu nigiri set. We got our food pretty quickly. Food was delicious and yummy, I really liked the A5 Wagyu nigiri it was super flavorful and the meat was buttery/melts in your mouth. The uni was really good too in the nigiri and in my don. I did wish the portion was a bit bigger for the don but for $17 it was really good and flavorful. The ramen I didn't expect the broth to be chicken flavor, but was still good regardless. Overall recommend and would definitely come back again :) read more
As a huge fan of Tomoharu Shono's ever-expanding global ramen empire, any time I'm close enough to dine at Mensho or Menya Shono, I'm thrilled. It's the closest thing to ramen I've have had in Tokyo that is in the States. They also don't just serve your standard tonkotsu or miso ramen. Their signature ramen is a thick and mega flavorful Tori Paitan chicken ramen. They also have a Spicy Lamb ramen, Wagyu Truffle Shoyu and Hokkaido Mazemen loaded with scallop, crab and ikura. The presentation for each ramen is also meticulously crafted to be picture perfect. There are also the fav appetizers such as fried Enoki mushrooms and buttered corn ribs to go with Wagyu nigiri, donburi, draft and bottled Japanese ales, and an extensive sake collection. I did find it a bit odd that the A5 Wagyu Kani nigiri was brushed with truffle oil, as Wagyu is already so flavorful. The first time we drove by the new location on the way back from Sacramento, there was a huge line outside. We opted to return at a later point. We came back on the 4th of July for dinner. We were seated immediately with no wait. The dining room is spacious with plenty of tables and a counter facing the bustling kitchen. The service was swift and to the point. We got our order in with the patient waitress. I did feel a bit paranoid that they might take some of my dishes before finishing them. The staff seem to have been instructed to clear plates from tables immediately after they are done. The Lobster Miso Ramen is an exclusive dish that was created by Chef Shono just for the Walnut Creek location. It has a very well balanced seafood flavor and creamy broth. It has mochi noodles topped with a lobster shell and frizzy greens. There are also crunchy almonds as you get further into the dish. Rarely do I clear an entire ramen, but the broth was so exquisitely made that I siphoned the bowl clean entirely! I can't wait to return and try more of the dishes. Hopefully at some point Shono-san opens a location closer to home in Cupertino or San Jose. I would be ecstatic. read more
Great beer selection, delicious ramen! I love spicy, but if you're sensitive to spice, pick a non spicy option. My stomach hurt all night, not their fault but beware. I'm not always this sensitive to spice but it happened today. Unfortunately like most restaurants in Walnut Creek, walked out with $100 bill for lunch. Servers came around 3x while we were still eating to take our bowls. I get that you guys are busy but if we are spending $100+, please let us enjoy our food in peace. At the end we just told them to take the bowl since they kept bothering us. Will likely not return and continue with mixed grain and marufuku as the price is better, no stomach ache, and no rushed service. I understand the hype, but not for the price and rushed service. Beautiful decor inside. read more
3 months ago
Came here on a Saturday. Stood in line 10 min before opening. Was able to get the first round of tables. We were seated right away. The decor inside is very upscale. Chicken Karage with black garlic vinegar - 4/5: this had nice sauce with good crispy skin. Was nice as it was a bit upscale from your traditional Karage. Comes garnished with eggplant and greens. A5 Wagyu sashimi - 4/5: served with wasabi on the side and soy sauce. Was good but nothing special. Signature Raman - 5/5: broth had a smoky, earthy tone to it. Sauce was creamy and thicker than traditional broth. Charsui also had a good charcoal flavor to it. Noodles had a good bite. Was a bit thicker than ramen I am used to but was still good. Service was good with the exception of someone new taking our order. Took a bit to get our order inputted into the system. The ambiance was nice until kids were seated all around us who were loud and obnoxious. Parents did nothing to quiet them down. Other than that, good Ramen spot. I would say this is good for when you want a fancier atmosphere that your regular spot. The price reflects that as well. Marufuku still wins for my everyday favorite Ramen spot. read more
Came here for lunch on Sunday. We were seated immediately with no line. The restaurant had nice modern Japanese style design. Service was quick. We ordered two Japanese Kyoto craft beers which are normally hard to find. Got the Kyoto matcha IPA and Yuzu White Ale. We also ordered the signature ramen and the lobster miso ramen. I wanted the lobster miso since it was unique to the Walnut Creek location. The lobster miso didn't have an egg so I added one. The egg had a smoked flavor and was perfectly jammy. The lobster was big but slightly chewy. The broth was rich, thick and had a slightly sweet taste. Signature ramen was solid, had a bunch of unique flavors including crispy garlic, pork was good and the broth had rich umami flavor. Both ramen were not spicy so we asked for some chili spices on the side and it brought out all the flavors in the broth after adding the chili. Noodles both were so soft, chewy and fresh. Everything was very delicious. Only thing was that it was expensive. We ended up spending over $100 for 2 beers and 2 ramen for lunch. read more
Walnut Creek has a great new addition. Mensho ramen has a beautiful and clean new restaurant with a friendly and welcoming staff. The food is (as expected) outstanding. We got the "special" ramen which was special. The noodles were perfectly cooked, the broth was thick and rich and the meats were tender and nicely smoked/seasoned. The chicken karaage was decent but the sauce was a bit strange. Next time I'd try the chili garlic version or maybe something different. I'm definitely going back. read more
The broth was rich, savory, and smooth. The signature ramen was much better than the Wagyu ramen, it had more variety of toppings (pork, suck, beef, ajitama egg, crispy root), and the broth was creamier. The price was also much cheaper for a better ramen bowl, win-win! They use fresh mochi noodles and the texture is on point. Overall, on the pricier side of ramen. Service was good and ambiance was mellow. read more
3 months ago
Delicious but if I want a bowl of ramen, I just want a simple bowl of ramen. I got the signature ramen and it was over the top for me. The broth was delicious . Noodles were a good texture but I prefer noodles like marufuku or ramen nagi. The egg was perfect. And yes, the meat melted in my mouth. I like A5 wagyu, duck, truffle oil, but maybe I prefer not to have all these wonderful flavors in one bowl. It was just too much. My daughter got the TKO ramen and she liked it too but also felt it was over the top. We wanted to get the seafood cup appetizer but it was sold out. The matcha pudding was good. I do love the atmosphere, Japanese minimalist and modern decor and the service was good too. Since I didn't finish my bowl, a server checked on me and brought me out a to go cup. I might come again but I'll try the other menu dishes like the nigiri or donburi. read more
1 month ago
The classic ramen was delicious with excellent noodles. Loved the spinach in it. Chasu tender. The corn wings are a gimmick and not worth ordering. Nice place. Quick service. No line at the early hour of 4:15pm. TINY and dark pictures on the menu don't show off the food well. But it's trendy looking. read more
We showed up 15 minutes after they opened on a Saturday afternoon, and we were fortunate to snag the last booth seats for first seating. This is a great ramen option to have in town. We started with the fried Inoki, which was good but a bit hard to eat. The Wagyu nigiri had a very good beef flavor and was well worth the price. And my classic ramen was delicious with some duck meat added on. I love duck, and theirs is well made and so tender. The noodles are a very good thick ramen noodle, and there's more in their tall bowl than you initially think when the bowl arrives. Overall this is now my new favorite ramen place in the east bay! read more
1 month ago
We arrived closed to noon and the wait to get seated was about 10 minutes. Service was fast from the time we seated to getting our food. Both ramen were delicious, the noodles were perfectly cooked and chewy. The signature ramen was served in a thick miso broth. The broth could use a little bit less salt as half way through the salt was getting a bit much. Still delicious but could be much better. The Hokkaido Mazemen had a bit too much raw onions. We shouldn't have mixed it all in. The onions overpowered the flavor. Chicken Karaage was okay and if I were to order again, I would request for less sauce. Prices were on the high side, total bill came up to $70+ read more
4 months ago
So on one hand, I get the hype. But to me, it's overhyped. My husband and I have been wanting to try Mensho and Marufuku as soon as we learned of their locations in Walnut Creek. Of course when it opened, lines were super long. But we went to Mensho last night (Tuesday night) and while the restaurant was full, there was no line at 7:30 PM. Marufuku on the hand had a line where the wait was 20-30 min still. So onto the food...both my husband and I agreed the noodles are too expensive for what they are. We got their corn wings which basically is just grilled corn ribs brushed with some sauce on the top and togarashi on the side. It's good, but nothing to write home about. We both got their signature ramen. My husband kept his as is whereas I had to remove the pea sprouts and their ajitama egg since I'm pregnant. The weird part was the waitress gave me a strange tone when I said I didn't want the egg and she somehow assumed I didn't like the egg...even questioned me whether that was the case. I told her no and she looked at me like I grew two heads when I said I was pregnant (so I couldn't eat undercooked stuff). When I asked her whether the pea sprouts were raw or not, she said she didn't know either...which...I guess if you're still new, then maybe you don't know the menu as well as you should? Anyways, since my husband got everything on his bowl of noodles, turns out the pea sprouts were raw as a garnish. While the noodles were good and the broth was super creamy...there wasn't much else going for it. I get the idea of Wagyu and the smoked meats...but either the smoke was super strong or the other meats didn't have much taste. Pregnancy warning, most of the meats were cooked medium-rare to medium. The one good thing that was more memorable was their Yuzu Peach soda and that's a bottled item... Like is the overall meal good? Yes, just nothing spectacular. Is it worth the price? No. Also, for those who are pregnant, this restaurant really isn't pregnant friendly. All of their rice bowls have ikura (salmon roe) which while you could remove, doesn't change the price. One of the ramen has blue fin tuna which is also not ideal for pregnancy. Mentaiko mayo on the takoyaki and their Hokkaido seafood cup as well as sushi generally shouldn't be consumed during pregnancy. That said, would I come back to try other items? Potentially, but it would definitely have to be post pregnancy. But I could also do without the judgement from the waitress on what I can and can't eat...I get not everyone knows the rules on pregnancy safe food, but it's not like I expect to be questioned either... Ambiance wise, it's loud. Almost too loud to have a conversation properly.... read more
4 months ago
An outstanding, mind blowing ramen spot. Walnut Creek is genuinely a better spot since Mensho opened its doors here. I thought I'd had good ramen, and then I got the signature ramen with a side of OG spicy sauce and wow. The noodle pull- delicious, plentiful, nice texture. The 3 meats - duck, wagyu, pork, all delicious. The toppings- divine, the crunchy chips or whatever they were? Gave it a nice mouth feel. The broth- amazing, creamy, balanced. It is not spicy at all so if you're someone that likes a little kick you'd definitely need a side of spicy sauce. IMO it made it taste even better. I also had some of the Lamb Ramen and it was surprisingly very, very, tasty. Not too lamby at all and the middle eastern spices were really there. Great toppings as well. If they gave me that by accident I would not complain. Also fell in love with the Yuzu Peach drink they had 10/10 Seating - decent amount of seating, nice decor that makes you feel like you were transported for a minute. The staff was great, line went by pretty fast since they try to accommodate tables of 2 or 3 the quickest. I seriously can't wait to come back. Amazing job Mensho! read more
Wifey decided to take me out for an early birthday dinner without the kids. Gave me the option of either of the newly opened Ramen spots in WC (Marufuku vs Mensho). Picked here and we'd have to say it was good but not great. With all the hype surrounding its opening, we expected a wait, showed up and waited in line about 30 which wasn't too bad. It was pretty hot waiting in line with the sun beating down but staff were nice enough to hand out ice water while waiting. They're quick to turn tables quickly. Once we were seated at the bar, since it was just 2 of us, after a quick look at the menu, they took our order pretty quick. We ended up sharing a Signature ramen, Lobster Miso Ramen (WC exclusive), A5 Wagyu Uni Ikura nigiri, A5 Wagyu Truffle Nigiri, and Nori Calamari. The nigiri dishes were delicious, highly recommend. But both ramens were both just kinda mid. Both broths were good but not great. Smoked chashu on the signature is a great idea but for some reason the smokiness was kind of off putting on the flavors in the bowl. The noodles however were delicious. Overall it's a good but not great ramen spot. Considering that this place isn't cheap and all the accolades listed I did expect better ramen. It's unfortunate to look back at the meal and have the nigiri dishes be the highlight. It could be that my palette is drawn more to Tonkotsu based broths than chicken, but there are better (while also being cheaper) options in the Bay like Ramen Nagi (with some modifications you select), Santouka, Tsujita (for Tsukemen) and Wadaya (for Mazamen). Have yet to try Marufuku's new location in WC, but if it's similar to the location in Redwood City, probably will be our to go to for Ramen in WC. read more
i was very excited to try thus new ramen spot in WCR. i went on a wednesday around 6:30 and luckily there was no wait. by the time we left around 7:45, there was a long line. now for the food. for starters, we got the fried enoki. this was the highlight of the night. perfectly crisp. fun to eat. and delicious with the spicy seasoning its served with. unfortunately, i was not a huge fan of my vegan walnut ramen. the chunky toppings made it hard to slurp my soup. i was not a fan of the chopped onions and cilantro. i wanted to like the walnuts, but it just didnt work for me. the broth itself was pretty good. my friend got the classic ramen and she rated it a 4/5. the texture of the noodles is a bit too hard and chewy for my liking. that being said, i would come back to try another ramen, specifically the yuzu or lobster one. a downside was that i was given a chipped plate.. i watched the server inspect it right infront of me and still decided to place it on the table. inside is cozy and dim. the tables are pretty close to each other. they have one bathroom located in the back of the restaurant. read more
14 days ago
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1512 N Main St
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
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(925) 926-8888
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