This place has amazing food. My wife and I go there often. It's a little tight for space. However, the quality of the food makes the trip well worth it every time. The staff is always very friendly as well. read more

We were craving ramen and came across Otosan while driving in McLean. The restaurant is pretty small and can seat maybe 10-15 customers. The parking is even more limited so you might have to drive around a little before you can find a spot. Once you get in, you will quickly notice the fun vibes from the restaurant decor. The service is pretty fast and helpful if you have questions. We ordered the black garlic tokatsu and spicy miso ramen. Even they the bowl was filled to the rim with broth, noodles and toppings, the flavor was pretty average. Everything worked well together but there really wasn't anything flavors that stood out. The meat could have been a little more tender. They offer a nice Japanese beer and sake selection which is nice to pair with your ramen. Worth checking out if you are in the area. read more

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I had this place so long ago and I STILL dream of the ramen!! I took my family to Otosan and it did not disappoint. I loved the interior of the restaurant, which had stickers all over the place. We got the corn ribs to start which were finished within 2 minutes. The corn ribs were amazing! The corn was sweet which really complimented the cheese and chili on it. I got the spicy miso ramen with tofu and I really enjoyed the chewiness of the noodles and the flavor of the broth. I paired it with the Thai iced coffee which genuinely was some of the best Thai coffee I've ever had. Service was great too, everyone was very attentive to us and answered all the questions we had. Definitely worth a visit! read more

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This hole in the wall spot is so cute and food is delicious! It's a small restaurant which makes it feel cozy and intimate when you first walk in. The service was great, everyone was super friendly and attentive. My friend and I ordered the dumplings, spicy miso ramen and karaage don and everything tasted fresh, flavorful. If you are ever in the area craving ramen, I definitely recommend checking this place out. read more

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Since I moved out of McLean for college several new restaurants have opened, and this is one of them! My friends and I were one of two groups in the entire restaurant (which is fairly small). The restaurant is very anime themed and cute. They have a lot of unique menu items, and I went with the drunken ramen. It was good, although a bit too salty. The owner is a very nice lady and service was great. read more

Otosan Ramen - DRUNKEN RAMEN - Ramen Near Me - McLean, Virginia

After being out in the cold, I googled and discovered this ramen spot hidden away off the main road. Parking was pretty tight for my larger suv. I ended up parking on the street. I sat in the heating outside patio. Service was great. I almost over-ordered but the owner warned me that it was a LOT of food! I tried their version of "summer rolls" and they were the BEST I've ever had in the area. I ate the entire dish and didnt have much room left for my black garlic ramen, which was also amazing! Prices are on par with the area. It is a smaller establishment and seating is minimal but it almost gives the feel as if you're at a family member's house for a meal. Very intimate and cozy! I will be back for sure! read more

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Parking was tight and small, the service was good considering it's seems like one man running the show. Inside is pretty small but had lots of outdoor seating. We enjoyed the corn and karage but the ramen was ok. read more

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Great service home feel!!!! Shogun Ramen Set is a favorite. Starter, Ramen, drink and dessert for 35$ read more

Otosan Ramen - Ramen Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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You're making me craving another bowl of that Boat Noodle Soup... Just tried Otoson Ramen and I'm obsessed! The Boat Noodle Soup was - the broth was rich and flavorful, and the noodles were cooked to perfection. And don't even get me started on the Carafe don, it was a game-changer! As for dessert, the Mango Sticky Rice was absolute perfection - sweet, creamy, and the mango was so fresh! Highly recommend this spot if you're craving some amazing Thai/Japanese fusion food! Perfect combo! The service was top-notch and the ambience was really setting the vibe, The beautiful music added a nice touch to the whole experience. read more

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I stumbled upon this small little place with a friend and I absolutely loved everything about it! It's a very small place so there isn't much parking but I love the entire vibe of the hole in the wall restaurant. It only has a few tables inside but a really cute outdoor area and a bunch of small Japanese figures inside. There were lots of people but it wasn't fully packed so we got seated right away and it's a very intimate experience. I felt like I was entering someone's home to eat. I've never seen a place that had Thai-style ramen so I decided to try the Tom Kha ramen. It was so delicious! I love that it wasn't too heavy like typical tonkatsu ramen but it had that creamy flavor from the coconut milk. The char on the chicken was great too. My friend got the tempura shrimp ramen and she loved it too. Definitely try this or any of the Thai-style ramens if you want to switch it up. It was a very comforting bowl of soup on a cold winter night to have. read more

Otosan Ramen - TOM KHA RAMEN - Ramen Near Me - McLean, Virginia

This is such a cute little ramen shop! The corn ribs were super juicy and flavorful! Perf app :) I tried the gyudon (which had a strong black pepper taste, but was overall tasty) and the black garlic tonkatsu ramen. The portions are big and nothing was too salty~ I do wish the ramen had a bit more flavor/ salt but I def could taste the garlic! read more

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This place is truly one of the best experiences of my life. Other restaurants have lesser food, worse tastes, and DOUBLE the price, yet this restaurant feels like eating divine perfection. The service is friendly, welcoming, and always warm. The ambience is always so welcoming, lively, and comfortable. The decor, the music, all of it comes together to create a truly wonderful experience that you must visit, or else you're never going to experience TRUE fine dining. read more

I got the Black Garlic Tonkotsu ramen and it came out warm and quickly. The ramen had a large serving size with a generous amount (3 pieces) of pork and lots of veggies. However I found the broth to be too overpowering and the meat was not tender enough. The interior of the restaurant was very cute with lots of cat themed art, anime figurines, and Japanese themed posters. However it also very small with only a few tables. I prefer other ramen chains in nova like Jinya but Otosan was still good if you're in the area. read more

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Personally, it just wasn't the food for me. This place is popular so take this review with a grain of salt, I think it's still worth checking out if you've never been, but as I said just wasn't for me. The staff were fine a bit cold, but I'm not complaining they were straight to the point. My only complaint is they have this A/C unit right by the door, during the warm/hot months it's very beneficial as there's a table right across the front door, but during the cold months they should shut it off.. in my opinion. We kept getting hit with cold air every time they stepped out and into the restaurant when they were taking orders from the people sitting outside, so overtime it just became colder and colder. read more

Sometimes, the walk is totally worth it! I work just a couple of blocks away from this ramen shop, and since the street is one-way, it's easier to just walk over. It's a small, comfy spot with a great atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. I've been here several times, and the food is always top-notch, in my opinion. The black garlic ramen is my favorite on the menu--and honestly, it might be my favorite ramen in the area. The corn ribs are saucy and packed with flavor, and the karaage is perfectly crispy, tender and juicy inside. The service here is always great- One time, I was having lunch with my fiancée, who was running late; The staff brought me my appetizer and offered to hold off on cooking our ramen until the timing of my choosing, so it would be fresh and hot. And the bathroom LOL..... decorated with anime and funny cat photos, and even playing "thunder sounds" so no one can overhear your ..'business'. Oh, it even has some manga for you to read while, you know! I think this place is definitely worth it; I would highly recommend checking it out if you're in the area! read more

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The staff was super nice and friendly. They have a tiny parking lot. They have indoor and outdoor seating. I love their bathroom. It's homage to anime and manga. It's so Asmr and magical with the clouds, lightening, and the rain sounds. So our top 4 favorite appetizer was the corn ribs, Chasu pork buns, chicken karrage, and gyoza. I really liked the pork buns. I got the black garlic tonkotsu ramen which you can taste the rich garlic broth. The meat was cooked nicely. We got the matcha and Thai latte. It was so creamy and you can really taste the flavors. We got the strawberry and matcha mochi. It taste like the frozen one you get at the grocery store. I recommended eating here. read more

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Truly excellent ramen that rivals even some that I've had in Japan! The pork chashuu in particular was incredible. The dumplings were also very good and came stuck together which is not easy to do! Service is also excellent. There are just a few tables inside and a lot more outside. There is some street parking across the street. Highly recommended! read more

Otosan Ramen - Ramen Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Otosan Ramen is a Thai-owned ramen joint that is in a cozy space with only a handful of tables. It's a first-come, first-serve type of a situation, and this place is jam-packed all the time! We ordered: +Chicken Karaage - served with a side of ichiran aioli; didn't expect these to be chicken 'cubes'; these were just okay +Geso Squid Tempura - loved that these were squid tentacles, my favorite part!; oil could have been drained a bit more properly, as it was still wet/drenched; the spicy aioli was a nice dipping sauce, as the sweet chili wasn't much of a complement +Classic Tonkotsu - with Kakuni pork belly slices, bean sprouts, spinach, scallions, wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, a nori seaweed, and a soft-boiled egg; the hubs thought the pork was forgettable; I enjoyed the spinach and the bean sprouts, as they were fresh and crunchy; unfortunately, the egg wasn't marinated, and it was just a nicely boiled egg +the Tomyum Ramen - this was originally a dipping style, but they have transitioned into a more classic ramen style, as, apparently, patrons were confused and didn't know how to go about it (ugh); this came with nice large-sized deveined shrimp, a soft-boiled egg, mushrooms, dry chili, crushed peanuts, and scallions on a tomyum-based broth; definitely more lemongrass and vinegar-y forward, had a slight kick (thought it could be spicier); if you're into sour things, this could be a good option Ask for their house chili oil - it is like a 100/10 in terms of spiciness - no joke! We came here for dinner, and while the wait was long, I enjoyed seeing their collection of their anime figurines! Service was definitely 5+ stars - the staff here are super friendly, kind, and just so unbelievably nice! The food, on the other hand, not so much, as we just weren't really fans of them. Limited parking in the small shared lot; there are some limited street parking in the area as well. +Geso Squid Tempura +super friendly staff +limited parking read more

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Good: cute ramen shop, I like the fun interior design of the shop. Also, nice outdoor seating as well. Great services. Our waiter accidentally gave our squid to the wrong table and gave us edamame as complimentary. Our ramen has 3 pieces of pork belly slices, which I thought was very generous. Bad: the shop is located in a pretty awkward spot, easy to miss. Parking can be a little bit challenging on busy nights. Not a whole lot of seating so expect to get acquainted with people nearby lol. The ramen and the squid were a bit too salty. I just want to chalk it off as one of those nights. But most of the ramen places I have been to tend to have this issue. Overall, not a bad new ramen spot in the area. Worth checking it out yourself and giving it your own ratings. read more

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This is a fun place and the food was good. The yellow curry ramen is extra sweet, though.

Cute cozy spot! The food was amazing! Staff helpful and friendly. Can't wait to return. read more

Otosan Ramen - Ramen Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Tiny ramen place w 5 tables that seats a total of 18 ppl. Fast service. Thick broth. We tried black garlic ramen and squid appetizer. Personally,the black garlic is too strong for me. The boiled egg tastes sweeter, prob the best egg I've had in a ramen in term of flavor and texture. Give it a try when you arr in the area. read more

Otosan Ramen - Black garlic ramen and fried squid. - Ramen Near Me - McLean, Virginia

I'm giving them a higher better review because I've been here three times and the other two were better (FOOD WISE). Small quaint ramen shop in the heart of McLean, and it's really cute. There's little anime figures along the windowsill and cutie lights. The waitress is super nice and accommodating. The food was eh today, which made me sad because I know it's better cause of the last two times I went. I need to stop ordering or change out the meat of the spicy miso ramen cause I am not a fan of the beef slices. The ramen was bland today. The karage was good though! Will be back to avenge today's ramen lack of flavor. read more

Otosan Ramen - Ramen Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Cute little ramen shop in McLean. Very small interior but nice outdoor seating. Simple menu. Service was quick! Very reasonably priced! Heads up they only have lychee ramune. Parking is extremely limited and you may have to park around the block! read more

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Great apps and ramen at affordable prices with fun decor. Excellent service too. ..... read more

Wonderful very creative more than Asian Chinese cuisine in the center of McLean on elm Street and Old Dominion Drive not too far from the post office I can say and I live in McLean 36 years and the place is famous for the high quality food but also the design about cats read more

Otosan Ramen - Yes this is hand painted by the artist graduate of Cornell University 5 years window entrance of this restaurant - Ramen Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Ugh I love ramen and this place has some pretty good ramen!! I ended up getting the spicy miso ramen without mushrooms and it was perfectly balanced. The spice was enough of a kick, but not too much that I couldn't finish the bowl. The broth was also in general super flavorful. I loved the amount of toppings too and the steak was pretty good on top! I also loved the corn too. However the star was the chicken karage. Omg it was so good and with the sauce? Chefs kiss! Our waitress was attentive and quick. Plus the food came out fast (like five minutes after we ordered!). And the atmosphere is adorable. Cute lights, fun decor... I will say that there are maybe five tables so if you do go, just know that it might be hard to get a table. So definitely be prepared for that! We didn't have a problem, but it is super small so just be aware. I'd definitely come back if I'm in the area! read more

This is a VERY small but VERY amazing ramen spot! The staff is accommodating and attentive. Everything we tried here was delicious! I wish I could have tried every menu item! Our table had a variety of drinks from beer to sake. A smaller selection of drinks overall, but quality choices. The corn ribs were flavorful and the gyoza cooked perfectly. The bathroom was such a fun surprise! Definitely check everything out here! read more

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The cozy restaurant has very hearty and flavorful ramen! While I enjoyed the heap of veggies in the Vegetarian Ramen: crispy brussels sprouts, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, scallions - the black garlic broth and the spiced tofu had a bold, savory flavor that overpowered the veggies. My friends seemed to enjoy their hearty meaty ramen. The crispy Brussels sprouts with leeks appetizer was the best part of my meal. I enjoyed the cream soda, which helped to dilute the savory flavor. There's no alcohol offered. The restroom tucked behind a curtain is very vibrant with fun, kitschy decor! Parking is very limited at the front with only a few spots, you can find street parking. read more

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~Quick Tips~ What to eat: Delectable ramen and fun appetizers. Spicy miso ramen, black garlic ramen, and seasonal offerings (curry ramen the day that I went). Try their corn ribs or the chicken karaage to start! Vibe: This small space packs a punch. Come early as it seats only a few. There's reserved parking for guests dining at the restaurant. Fun anime and other near memorabilia inside. read more

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Both service and food were amazing. We got the Green Curry Ramen, Tofu Ramen and Edamame. The curry tasted more the type of curry you would get from a Thai restaurant. The edamame was great, but I would and should have chosen another item instead. There were a lot of unique choices, so try some new ones! All soooooo good. Amazing service. The right amount of attention for being in a smaller space. Would definitely come back. read more

Otosan is a welcome addition to the sparse McLean dining landscape. The food is hearty and delicious. The prices are reasonable. The dining room is cozy and fun. The service is super friendly. We like both the traditional and Black Garlic Ramens, and look forward to trying more. read more

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This is a place to try. Understand that there are few parking spots which are small so you might have to street park. Also understand that the place is small, like 5-6 table small. But, and this is the important part, everyone of their ramens are delicious. The broth will warm your soul. The noodles will fill your heart (and stomach). There are a few options and you just can't go wrong with any of them. I am hopeful that this restaurant graduates to a larger place (maybe Chesterbrook mall) as its predecessor did (Chiang Mai). I know that McLean. Will continue to support this great eatery. read more

Otosan Ramen - SPICY MISO RAMEN - Ramen Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Broth was clean and flavorful. Parking lot is extremely small, recommend carpooling. Ambiance and decoration is super cute, to include the decked out bathroom that had thunder sound effects (hah!). The indoor and outdoor had about the same number of seating, outdoor is definitely more spacious if you have kids. Speaking of kids; they had a ramen kids menu with a delicious veggie broth base. This was perfect because my daughter loves noodles/ramen just like her momma! read more

Otosan Ramen - Im not hungry kids ramen - Ramen Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Cute ramen shop in McLean. A bit hidden and not a lot of parking in front. You'll walk in and realize it's quite a small restaurant, although, there's plenty of outdoor seating. I don't eat ramen regularly so I can't speak to how it compares to other local spots, but I was very satisfied with the ramen, the speed of service, and the overall ambiance. I'm told the bathroom is really unique as well. I'll definitely want to come back here with colder months ahead. read more

Otosan Ramen - Ramen Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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The place is cold and uncomfortable. Ramen is so salty and bitter. It tastes like straight out of the instant noodles bag. The meat is all fat. We were looking for a place to enjoy food and relaxed. Instead we suffered the whole time. read more

The place is somewhat hidden and easily missed. It's a quite small establishment with only a handful of tables. I decided to order a Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen, and I enjoyed the broth, especially with hot chili oil added. The pork was a tad tough, and I would've preferred the pork to be a bit more tender. Regardless, I still enjoyed the bowl of ramen. I may go back to try the other bowls of ramen they offer. Check out the bathroom! read more

Otosan Ramen - Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Came on a Sunday around before dinner time. Has its own parking lot. The restaurant was smaller than I expected but they made great use of the space and made it seem bigger than it actually was. Loved all the cute wall art and ways to segment the space. Menu is very simple and easy to read. Have a couple ramen bowls to choose from. Lots of starters/appetizers. The shrimp tempura was awesome and had two delicious dipping sauces. Ramen broth for me was good, broth temp wasn't as hot as i usually like it but it was fine. Broth was tasty and I finished almost every drop of my ramen. :) thanks for having us! read more

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I noticed a post about their grand opening from a Facebook group and we decided to check it out since we were near McLean. We started with some Truffle Fries that went very well with the sauce and lemon. We tried the Classic Tonkotsu and Black Garlic Tonkotsu. The chashu stood out to me the most and I really enjoyed how it was cooked. Overall, the prices are a bit steep to me, but definitely worth a try! The interior is relatively small with several tables. Be extra careful when leaving your seat because I almost knocked over the sauce from the table next to me! They do have limited parking spaces in front of the restaurant, but there are street parking available. Otherwise, the service was great and the staff member was very attentive and offered many recommendations. read more

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Otosan Ramen is a very cute little spot perfect for lovers of great ramen, great service, cats and not in need of a lot of parking. If you are lucky enough to get one of the four or five spaces, you are sure to enjoy the generous bowls and warm atmosphere. I had the highly recommended black garlic ramen which came with a very generous amount of pork as well as a wonderful mix of vegetables. It did not disappoint. I also appreciated that, since there was no one waiting at the time, my friend and I were welcomed to sit and chat for a while. When even after a long lunch, we still had plenty of ramen left to spare (I told you it was a generous serving) Otosan offered a to go bowl which was so much easier to pour in to than the usual plastic container. I will happily return to Otosan to try another menu item and to have fun admiring more of the figurines gracing all the nooks and crannies. read more

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