Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Menya Ultra

    4.3 (2.9k reviews)
    ModerateRamen, Noodles, Soup
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Waitlist - Menya Ultra

    Waitlist closed

    The restaurant is not taking waitlist parties right now

    Order Menya Ultra Takeout or Delivery

    Menya Ultra Photos

    Business Info

    MENYA ULTRA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Menya Ultra

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Silvano G.

    Finally checked out Menya Ultra and yeah... it lives up to the hype. Food: 4/5 The ramen is legit. Rich broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and the flavor hits hard. Only reason it's not a full 5 is just personal taste preference, but still top-tier. Service: 5/5 Staff was on point the whole time. Fast, friendly, and actually made the experience better. Ambiance: 1000000/5 This place just feels right. The vibe, the energy, the setup... you walk in and already know you're about to have a good meal. Definitely coming back. If you're a ramen fan, this spot is a must.

    Sara C.

    Love the noodles here, thin but chewy. The soup was delicious and the charsiu was great - no porky scent. The service was amazing and everyone was super kind. Love the vibe and the atmosphere as it feels like I'm taken back to Japan. Highly recommend! We had the tonkotsu and the namban ramen. Also tried the Nagoya style fried chicken. Chicken was crispy out, juicy and tender inside. We really wanted to try the added braizen pork charsiu but they were out. Make sure you get on the waitlist on Yelp before heading over, definitely made our wait much shorter. Max 6 ppl in a party for wait list as the restaurant is a small spot. Wait is based on table availability vs waitlist order... someone who checked in after you might get seated first if the table of their size becomes available first....

    Spicy Tonkotsu with chashu; Gyoza 8pc; Nagoya  Karaage 5pc
    Bethany M.

    Arrive with an empty stomach; you will need all of the space you can get (portions were HUGE). The karaage is made up of whole chicken thigh pieces - 3 pieces is probably the equivalent of at least 1/3 lb. Ramen hit the spot - the broths were deeply flavorful; noodles were al dente with a nice chew. The chashu was well cooked - not at all dry. Service was fast and friendly. A couple of items to note: they will only seat your party if all of you are present (we had a 4th diner who was parking when we arrived = no-go on seating us); and, as at least one other Yelper has observed, it smells like smoke (cigar or cigarette?) inside the restaurant. There appears to be another business that allows smoking next door. Unfortunately that has impacted the MU premises. They do need to work on that -- it is noticeable.

    Gyoza
    Hahudy B.

    Menya Ultra is a decent option to dine out casually. The service was above average, however we had some complications splitting the bill amongst many people so I would recommend just paying together if coming with a group. *FOOD* Tantanmen: The broth had a very nutty and umami flavor that paired well with the wood ear mushrooms. The ramen noodles were bouncy and absorbed the flavor well. I would highly recommend getting the low sodium option as the broth is very salty. Overall, the ingredients tasted very fresh. Gyoza: The gyoza shell was extremely crispy and the pork was juicy and gelatinous. I would highly recommend this as an appetizer. Nagoya Karaage: The chicken was still crispy and juicy by the end of our visit. The batter was lightly doused in a savory soy sauce and was very delicious. Menya Ultra is a at a good baseline restaurant for ramen, however there are probably better ramen restaurants in San Diego.

    Black sesame Tantanmen
    Jiansen W.

    Menya Ultra is having a limited time Customer Appreciation Event March 1-14, 2026 at all locations for dine in only: (1) FREE EXTRA NOODLES (2) $3 DRAFT BEER Limited-time Special Price SERVICE Staff are efficient and juggle a busy crowd well DRINK $3 Draft Beer: crisp, slightly bitter as beer typically is FOOD 5/5 NEGI PON FRIED CHICKEN: flavorful, crispy, and topped with mayo and scallion/spring onion 5/5 Black Tantan Men: chef's recommended - flavor is chef's kiss... mmmmwah I added Egg topping, Corn, Seaweed (4 Sheets), and extra seasoned minced pork (don't skip on this one especially if you like flavor). The Hokkaido wheat noodles are still superbly springy

    Tonkotsu Chashu
    Anna H.

    Four years later and it's still some of the best ramen around. Prices are a little higher than they were a few years ago, but the broth is still rich and delicious, and the service was great. Our server Alexander was really kind and answered all of our questions. The edamame was a little saltier than usual, but it still tasted great. I also like that you could add your own spice if you want spicier

    Karen T.

    Love this place for its authentic Japanese ramen. I did not even realize this restaurant was recognized by the Michelin guide until I got here. After waiting for about 20 minutes, my husband and I were seated at the counter. We each received an order sheet, which made ordering really easy and quick. I really liked that the menu was simple and concise. I would highly recommend the Tonkatsu Ajitama ramen. It comes with a slice of chashu as well as a seasoned egg. The pork broth is very rich and flavorful, while the noodles are nice and chewy. If you are searching for high quality and authentic ramen from Japan, then this is the right place to go to. A must-try if you are in San Diego!

    Spicy miso ramen, ajitama tonkotsu ramen
    Tracy N.

    I went on a Saturday for lunch so there was roughly a 30-40 minute wait I think. I joined the waitlist then just wandered around Daiso for a bit to kill time since it's in the same plaza. Despite being so busy, the employees are pretty quick which is great since the restaurant itself isn't too big. To order, you have a piece of paper where you select what you want on a piece of paper so it's nice and easy. Ajitama ramen: 5/5 Really flavorful I liked this a lot. I was craving something a bit spicy though so I asked for chili oil or something on the side which they happily helped me with. I usually prefer slightly thicker noodles so I liked these Spicy miso ramen: 5/5 I tried a bit of this since my cousin got it and I really liked it. It wasn't super spicy but it was a good amount still flavorful

    Tonkotsu Ajitama
    Kevin T.

    Stumble upon Menya Ultra and very happy that I did. My wife and I was fascinated by the line that accumulated right as the restaurant opened. The yelp waitlist fills up quick so make sure to get on the list before arriving. Parking - Free in a shared lot Interior is quite nice, can be a bit compacted but thats pretty typical for a Ramen/Noodle shop. There's also seating on the counter which is quite nice. Staff is very quick with the orders and are very welcoming. Many of the options caught our eyes but a plus is that there's tons of customization for your bowl. Very straight forward and easy to order. When it comes to ramen, this is as good as it gets. We had our eyes on the Ajitama and Chashu Ramen bowls and they came out exceptionally quick. Portions are quite generous and wasn't super salty which is always one of the crucial points of a ramen bowl. Noodles are very savory and mixed with the broth creates that rich feeling. Super flavorful overall. Overall, very impressed with Menya Ultra, a gem that was found and very happy that we got to try it. We didn't get to try any side dishes this time but most definitely checking that out the next time I revisit. Love the high quality noodles and the consistency of the bowls. I can see why they're Michelin recognized.

    inside
    Presh N.

    Menya Ultra is hands down one of best ramen spots, especially if you're looking for ramen without that heavy MSG taste. Tonkotsu Ramen (10/10): Broth is super creamy and rich, and it pairs perfectly with togarashi and chili oil. I always add corn to my ramen and it makes it even better -- such a good combo. Service was great. We got seated about 30 minutes after they opened, which felt lucky since there's usually a line out door. Servers were kind and attentive, checking up on us often, and ramen came out faster than I expected. Definitely a top ramen spot for me.

    Menu
    Beto R.

    We thought making the reservation at 5PM would get us an open table easily, then checked on Yelp, and found out we were 23rd in line with a waiting time of 45 minutes. Nonetheless, we still decided to head to the restaurant and wait for a table. Located in a busy plaza, finding parking space required some patience but we eventually found one after 10 minutes. Upon our arrival, we checked in through the tablet stand at the restaurant's entrance. Inside, with the decor of traditional Japanese ramen-ya, it could accommodate around 45 guests (30 in tables and 15 in counter seatings). The turnover was quite fast and the attentive staff made sure the tables and counters were cleaned right away when vacated. Once seated, orders were placed through the individual order sheets with all the options. On this visit, we ordered the following dishes (arrived in 10 minutes): Ajitama Tonkotsu Ramen: The broth was lightly creamy, savory, and rich without being excessively oily. The thin noodles were perfectly cooked with very nice texture. The chashu was tender and halved egg was beautifully runny. The chopped green onions and wood ears added flavor and texture to the broth. Black Tan Tan (with Egg Added): If you like strong broth, this ramen is for you. The miso based broth was creamy, chili oil covered spicy, and quite rich from the sesame paste. The noodles were al dente and the halved egg was also nicely runny. The bean sprouts, green onions, and wood ears balanced the creaminess of the broth. Nagoya Style Karaage: the battered outer layer was nicely crispy and inside meat was juicy and tender. The savory and tad sweet dressing went well with the dish. The portions were sensible (you can add extra noodles) and the prices were reasonable. It was totally worth the wait.

    Linda L.

    We came in because we were gifted a gift card. Food was good though not really my favorite though. The chicken had good flavor just a bit too salty. The service was okay as they seem to be getting ready to close. Parking is easy to find and price was affordable.

    Tonkotsu Ajitama
    Marissa D.

    I was fully prepared to be unimpressed just by the fact you only get 1 piece of pork chashu with your ramen that still costs just under $20 including tax. However I was wrong. The focus is not even the meat but the incredible broth & perfect noodles. I was very impressed by the quality and would happily return with a hungry belly.

    See all

    17 days ago

    Always had fresh noodles ! Broth is rich and has full body. One of my favorite ramen spots

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liz M.
    164
    14
    4

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    21 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 4
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 3
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anne C.
    1758
    1032
    6768

    6 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hannah L.
    1
    41
    127

    4 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Philip L.
    5
    250
    1012

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 3
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 3

    1 day ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 73

    Menya Ultra Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Menya Ultra

    Which ramen would you recommend for those who don't order pork?

    Negi Miso

    Will you be opened on 1/1/23 evening? (Please consider it! We've been craving Menya for so long and are driving down to SD 😭)?

    Thank you for planning to come Menya Ultra! Unfortunately we will be closed 1/1 at all locations.… Read more

    Do they still have outdoor dining?

    No, there is not outdoor seating any longer.

    Is the waitlist only through yelp? Or is there an additional waitlist for the people physically outside the restaurant?

    Only one waitlist thru yelp. The on-site people use an iPad to join the yelp list. You can join remotely but will have to check in at a certain time and then usually have to wait a bit longer outside on site.

    If the wait-list is closed is it bc it's overly crowded or no line?

    Non of location’s waitlist are closed now. Yet if the waitlist is closed, it means sold out with the waitlist for that lunch (or dinner) time. We only can serve certain quantities of fresh soup noodles in lunch and dinner. If you do not like long… Read more

    How does your wait list work? I thought you always ask us to have everyone in the party present at the time you give us seats.And if we were not there when you give us the last call, we lose our standing and have to start all over again. Am I wrong?

    You're right about everyone needing to be there at the time of getting seats. I've seen them call out names 3 times at certain intervals before they skip that person/group.… Read more

    Do you use MSG?

    I saw in the commends below the owner commented " We make pure bone broth without MSG nor preservatives"!

    Do you have regular tonkotsu ramen again?

    We are serving Gokujo Shio Tonkotsu Ramen now. Enjoy the pure Tonkotsu broth

    Website says it stops [serving] tonkotsu ramen. Is that still the case?

    We are serving Gokujo Shio Tonkotsu Ramen at all locations instead of regular Tonkotsu Ramen (using shoyu) due to late shipment of our supply. We will let you know as soon as we get the shipment. Mean while, please enjoy the pure umami of the… Read more

    Do you open on labor's day?

    Yes we are open as usual. Thank you

    For the Vegan miso ramen, does any know if the broth is still pork based?

    Hi thank you for asking questions here. No pork broth in Vegan Ramen. Miso (soy) based soup with vegetables on top. Hillcrest also has Shio Vegan which has soy milk based soup with vegetables. Hope this answers your question.

    Indoor dining open yet?

    Yes

    Do any ramen places offer a gluten free option?

    We have rice and you can take out noodles instead. Rice is limited in lunch / dinner. Please ask your server before you seated. Thank you

    Will they text you when your table is ready? Or do you have to wait out front the whole time?

    You have to wait outside in front of the entrance so you can hear your name called.

    Ramen is one of my go to foods especially when I'm feeling a bit under the weather Will this place allow to-go orders placed over the phone?…

    We do not recommend to eat our ramen to-go for your best experience. But if you really with to pack your meal, Yes you have to signup on our waitlist before you come and order as to go when your name has called. It will take 10-15 min to make your… Read more

    Do they have gluten free noodles?

    No, they do not have gluten free ramen noodles.

    Do they have any gluten free noodle options?

    We have rice or just soup options. (Price is same) Please ask your server for more details.

    What time is last call?

    Last call is 2pm for lunch, 9pm for dinner, but might be sold out before.

    Can we order to go?

    You have to put your name on the waitlist as if you're dining in. Then after your name is called in, you place your order, and can ask for it to go.

    Are there any vegetarian/vegan options? I don't see anything on the menu.

    No. All ramen is made with a pork bone broth, and the majority of their sides, except for edamame and white rice, contain meat.

    View All 34 Questions

    You might also consider

    Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen - Original Chicken Ramen

    Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen

    3.8(5.2k reviews)
    0.7 miKearny Mesa
    $$

    Chris Maldonado was absolutely incredible. From the moment we sat down, he took amazing care of us…read moreand made the entire experience exceptional. He was attentive, thoughtful, and truly listened to every detail of what we needed, especially regarding a gluten allergy, which meant so much to us. It is rare to find someone who is both so professional and genuinely caring at the same time. The ramen, floats, appetizers, drinks were all fabulous! Highly recommend this restaurant and definitely ask for Chris if you visit. Service like his is what keeps us coming back.

    I have seen the subpar humble beginnings of this restaurant and swore I would never come back after…read morea lukewarm experience with painfully mediocre food from an uncreative limited menu, not to mention being charged at an obscene level. About a year ago, some friends want to try the food out here and I was pleasantly surprised to see how much it had improved! So imagine my surprise where I came in this evening and was completely floored with how abysmal it has somehow become again with only the last few months. The service has been insultingly, rude; we had a talk with our server and even pass along a compliment, it was shocked with how unkindly they responded. Every single item of the menu has been absolutely terrible; the sushi was a quarter of the size it usually is and tastes terrible, the edamame is cold and feels like it was scraped off the floor, and the karaage chicken is now covered in a glaze that is making our stomachs absolutely sick. And the food is even more expensive than it was before! I absolutely do not want to pay for any of this and it makes me sick to my stomach to have wasted our time here this evening.

    Photos
    Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen - Inside seating area

    Inside seating area

    Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen - Kurobuta Spare-Rib Ramen

    Kurobuta Spare-Rib Ramen

    Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen - Spicy Tuna Roll

    See all

    Spicy Tuna Roll

    Baikohken Ramen

    Baikohken Ramen

    4.3(212 reviews)
    5.8 miHillcrest
    $$
    Kid friendly
    Large group friendly

    Amazing weekday lunch special! $15 will get you a ramen, fried chicken or chashu rice, and a drink!…read moreMy coworker made this great pick for a workday lunch. I got the shoyu ramen, chashu rice, and a cold oolong tea. The ramen was fine in texture and al dente. The broth was flavorful, without being oversalted. I was very impressed by the chashu: it was carefully cooked and just melts in your mouth. Extra tender. The oolong tea really hit the spot too. The food came quickly, and service was good. I just came back from Japan last month, and this place in San Diego did not disappoint. I would definitely come back again to try their other items. Sorry no pictures this time, as I was famished. Parking lot was small, but we were able to find a space at 1pm on a Friday

    We tried the spicy ramen, tonkatsu ramen, curry, and while all were tasty and good, I'm not sure…read morethis would be at the top of our ramen list. The serving was a bit smaller than what we are used to when we order ramen but overall we enjoyed our dinner and our 9 year old gave it a 6/4 stars. Service was very nice once we were seated and the wait for the food was not bad. It is a really cute place, feels authentically Japanese inside, but also authentically small, so I recommend reservations for a larger group: we were a party of 7 on a Saturday evening around 5:30 with no reservation and we had a wait of around 40 minutes. Definitely worth trying at least once.

    Photos
    Baikohken Ramen - Heart Melt Ramen - Valentine Special 
Stretchy torched cheese over rich miso broth.
Limited time only!

    Heart Melt Ramen - Valentine Special Stretchy torched cheese over rich miso broth. Limited time only!

    Baikohken Ramen - Shoyu Ramen- It is classic Ramen in our restaurant.

    Shoyu Ramen- It is classic Ramen in our restaurant.

    Baikohken Ramen - Hand rolls are here! Pick your base & topping--tuna, salmon, scallop, ikura, or tako wasabi. Build your perfect bite!

    See all

    Hand rolls are here! Pick your base & topping--tuna, salmon, scallop, ikura, or tako wasabi. Build your perfect bite!

    Harumama Ramen + Sushi - Little Italy

    Harumama Ramen + Sushi - Little Italy

    4.0(2.3k reviews)
    7.5 miLittle Italy
    $$

    046/2026/FEB Decided…read moreto try this other location ! So lucky we got a table of 5 without reservation! This location has capacity of 56 diners only ! A stellar service from Matthew ! Food was great ! So famished that when food came didn't get to take picture! Crab Wontons had generous filling and very delicious as well!! Grilled Salmon served on a sizzling plate with rice and topped with furikake and teriyaki sauce!

    The first time we came, there was an empty table, but we were told it would be a 20-minute wait. We…read morewaited, came back, and it was still the same table sitting empty, which was a bit confusing. That said, the waitress we had was very kind and attentive, and the food was decent, so we decided to give the place another try. After a long day at Legoland, we returned around 6pm and I had called ahead to make a reservation for four. The person on the phone took my name and number, so I assumed we were all set. When we arrived, the restaurant wasn't even full, but no one greeted us for several minutes. Eventually, a waiter came over, and when I mentioned our reservation, he seemed confused and said they don't take reservations for parties under six. I tried to explain that someone had taken my information over the phone, but he interrupted me multiple times and didn't let me finish. He then walked over to another group behind us and asked if they were there first, even though we had arrived before them, which was frustrating. We were eventually told there was space available at the bar seating (bar stools) instead of a table. At that point, we were tired and hungry, so we accepted. Unfortunately, the service didn't improve. The waiter seemed rushed and disorganized--he couldn't remember our order and had to ask us which dish belonged to who when the food came out. As for the food, it was okay but not memorable. My ramen was just average--the pork was dry and the egg was overcooked. Overall, the food is decent, but the service really needs improvement. This particular waiter clearly needs more training, or possibly a different role, as the level of service did not meet basic expectations for a restaurant. Our second visit left a bad impression, especially since it was our last night in San Diego. Sadly, we won't be coming back.

    Photos
    Harumama Ramen + Sushi - Little Italy
    Harumama Ramen + Sushi - Little Italy
    Harumama Ramen + Sushi - Little Italy

    See all

    Izakaya Masa - Ochazuke

    Izakaya Masa

    4.2(1.5k reviews)
    5.8 miMission Hills
    $$

    How have I not been here before! This not-so-hidden gem is probably one of the best sushi spots…read moreI've been to in San Diego. My friend and I met up for dinner and put our names down at 5:15pm. We were there 15 minutes before they opened. Although, we were eighth in line, we were seated first since no one else was around. Once we were seated, our server came around and took our order for drinks and appetizer. We started with seaweed salad, fried gyoza, and tuna carpaccio. The tuna carpaccio was delicious and I loved the garlic. I wanted to order everything on the menu, but was sold on the rolls. I ordered the spicy hamachi roll and the cherry blossom roll, which was recommended by the server. Both rolls were the freshest sushi I've had in a long time. The flavors were perfect and they weren't flashy rolls. They were classic rolls that showcased the fish so well. The service was incredible, everyone was so friendly and I really enjoyed the whole experience. I can't wait to come back, especially on a colder day to try their ramen!

    They do have a list outside where you put your name down. We came a little early knowing there…read morewould be a line. I genuinely thought people were exaggerating how great this place was, especially when it came to authenticity. They were not. Not one item we ordered was bad and we ordered about 20 dishes. The ramen was the absolute winner. Best ramen I have had in San Diego. I was blown away by the broth and the noodles. The sushi was great, including the spicy tuna. Everything tasted fresh and fairly priced. You really can't beat these prices. The fried chicken and tuna carpaccio were standout appetizers. Honorable mention to the chicken katsu roll. It was insanely massive and so good. We will absolutely be back to try more appetizers and the ramen. We recently went to Japan and this ramen has been the closest we have had to what we experienced there. I didn't even take a picture of it before it was in my stomach!

    Photos
    Izakaya Masa
    Izakaya Masa - Green tea mochi

    Green tea mochi

    Izakaya Masa - Green tea mochi

    See all

    Green tea mochi

    Underbelly

    Underbelly

    3.9(3.1k reviews)
    7.6 miLittle Italy
    $$

    Some restaurants become part of your travel memories & Underbelly is absolutely one of those places…read morefor us. When we visited San Diego back in 2016, we ate at Underbelly twice because it was just that good. Returning this trip felt a little like revisiting an old friend. And I'm happy to report... it was every bit as awesome as we remembered! The best part? The staff affectionately called us "O.G.'s" when they heard we had been longtime fans, which immediately made us feel welcome & set the tone for a fun dining experience. We started with the kimchi because some traditions simply should not be broken. Tangy, punchy, spicy & full of flavor, it was the perfect opening act before the ramen arrived. I opted for the Tonkotsu Ramen: rich tonkotsu broth, soft boiled egg & chashu pork. The broth was deeply savory & comforting, the pork tender & flavorful, that perfectly soft egg tied everything together beautifully. It was exactly what ramen dreams are made of. Hubby went with the Underbelly Ramen, extra spicy: tonkotsu broth, soft boiled egg, chashu belly & adobo pulled pork. The extra spice brought serious heat & he was thrilled with every fiery bite! There is something incredibly satisfying about returning to a restaurant years later & finding that the magic is still there. Underbelly delivered the same bold flavors, cozy ramen comfort & cool Little Italy energy that made us fall in love with it the first time around. Not every restaurant earns a repeat visit nearly a decade later & even fewer live up to the memory. Underbelly absolutely did. We will be O.G.'s forever! NOM NOM NOM #YUM

    Me and my friend came here after skating for 7 hours and we were HUNGRY. We both got ramen and…read morenothing else. My friend really enjoyed her ramen. We both devoured it. I literally ate my ramen in like 5 bites. Not a big fan of the Charsiu pork cus I really don't like the big chunk of fat but I just ate it for protein. I got the underbelly ramen with spicy miso which I think was recommended by our host. We just needed a quick bite but I'd come back to try something other than ramen. The vibes inside was giving Tokyo after dark. It's kinda small inside but they have outdoor seating and I thought it was hilarious that they exited out the window to serve the food LOL

    Photos
    Underbelly - Whiskey drink

    Whiskey drink

    Underbelly - Pork Belly Bao: Chashu Pork Belly, cucumbers, hoisin, pickled mustard seeds, scallions, and cilantro served on steamed buns. | $9

    Pork Belly Bao: Chashu Pork Belly, cucumbers, hoisin, pickled mustard seeds, scallions, and cilantro served on steamed buns. | $9

    Underbelly - Upper level looking out

    See all

    Upper level looking out

    Menya Ultra - ramen - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...