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    Ramen 101

    3.5 (106 reviews)
    ModerateRamen, Barbeque, Hawaiian
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:05 pm

    Order Ramen 101 Takeout or Delivery

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    RAMEN 101 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Ramen 101

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    Kelley A.

    Very unpleasant experience and the guy was very stubborn and rude towards me. I'm unsure why he was so mean with me I was so nice but I won't be returning to this place due to behavior I received during visit

    Sonny W.

    Food was good! Was clean to eat, and nice service. Nice spot to grab food in Emeryville.

    BBQ sort rib
    Michael D.

    Order at counter, brought order to us. Interior kind of cluttered, with packages of drinks and stuff piled in one corner. Tables were clean. Food came out pretty quickly. Gyozas were really crispy and tasty in the teriyaki sauce. I had the BBQ short ribs, which were tender but could use more seasoning, so they were treated with different sauces, which were a big help. Veggies were bland but at least not mushy, so they also benefitted from some sauce. Heather D. had the BBQ chicken, which was grilled well, but also needed sauce to make it shine. We'll be back soon to try the ramen. I mean, it's in the name and all, so...

    Veggie Ramen
    Devi B.

    Came here to try their Veggie Ramen. Ramen itself was ok. There are other best places for veggie ramen but would come back to try other ramen as menu looks good. Place has lot of parking available and once we come inside, we have to order and then pick a seat.

    Black Garlic Ramen
    Chanel D.

    I liked the menu selection. They have lumpia, spam musubi, short ribs, ramen, rice bowls. The hardest thing was rehung to decide what i wanted. I saw many people today order the black garlic ramen so I had to try it! I must say it had great flavor, everything inside tasted really good i asked for a mild spice level it wasn't spicy at all probably should have said medium for a better kick. After i was done eating... I got a to go bowl and still had it filled to the top. I also noticed a customer order a mini plate. Those mini plates aren't that mini. You most certainly get a bang for your buck. Now for my lunch break, i think this will be my new spot Also another thing I really love is the customer service. The lady taking orders was very kind, soft spoken, patient; and as soon as a table left and there were no customers I saw her clean up quickly. Great job !!

    Gyozas were the highlight.
    Heather D.

    I was in the mood for Hawaiian BBQ so finally made way to Ramen 101. The space is clean with indoor seating available. Order at the counter and they bring the food when it is ready. I went for the BBQ and was disappointed by the lack of BBQ flavor on the delivered dish. I ordered chicken and although it was grilled nicely, very tender and there was tons of it, I didn't want to have to add a packet of sauce. Also the limp and unseasoned cabbage and broccoli were an issue for me. That said, regardless of the BBQ meal you order you are going to get a lot of meat, so if that is your thing, this is your place. All that being said, the goyzas we started with were terrific. They came out literally piping hot and perfectly crispy with a luscious filling although they were served on 10 strings of lettuce (see picture). I intend to come back and check out the ramen since that may be more in line with their sweet spot. And thank you for the self serve, cold, lemon water - very nice touch. Yelp folks, check in now and get 20% off!

    Chicken Katsu

    I leave a lot of 5 star reviews and that's because I truly only leave feedback if it's an excellent experience. My partner and I live nearby and have seen this place many times. Usually we already have other plans so we've never gone in, but we decided to try it last weekend. It will now probably be our favorite spot around here Food: we got the chicken katsu, crab rangoons, lumpia, and the miso ramen. All but the rangoons were a 5/5 for us. The rangoons had more cream cheese than we were expecting, but they were still good. The standard katsu bowl came with enough food that I had 2 full plates of leftovers (which heated up well). My partner also said that the ramen had enough for at least two meals, but he was hungry so he ate basically the whole thing Service: the cashier was very kind to us and checked in again after we got our food. Ambiance: everyone there seemed to be very content with their food. It was generally quiet at the tables but there were a lot of pick up orders, so they get lots of customers. It was also clean, which in this strip mall is impressive We will be back!

    Outside
    Stephanie M.

    We were driving around town looking for a place to eat and saw this place and decided to give it a try. The outside looked very dirty and food laying outside, not the best location. Inside looked nice and clean and very appealing and caught our attention. Everything on yelp looked really good and the food looked delicious!! I felt like the food was over priced especially when the food wasn't the best. The food had to flavorful and felt like it was missing that kick to stand out from other restaurants. The Ramon soup was not the best, I also didn't like how they only gave three of our food orders in a fancy bowl and the other two in a takeout plastic containers when we told them we were eating in. I was not fully satisfied with the food. Once I had finished my food I still felt the need to eat more food due to the fact of not being satisfied with my food. Overall I feel like it was overpriced and not worth the try to be honest. I am not planning to come back to Ramon 101!

    $3.27 for a 20oz soda!
    David N.

    Been picking up ramen and Hawaiian BBQ for the past few months. 1) Simple online ordering from the company website (not the Yelp link). The prices are cheaper and 10% off regardless. If you pick a specific time or even day, the food is prompt and ready. 2) Sketchy peeps hanging out in parking the lot behind the store. What else can I say? Just be aware and careful! 3) Great customer service. It must be family owned. Lately there's a young woman who gives me the latest feeds on Kpop. It's on their television always. Blackpink is her favorite. I'm more into Everglow. Haha! 4) The food is ALWAYS consistent and good. Considering takeout ramen, it's packaged well! The plate lunches are huge and got that local grindz flavor. 5) Not all locations are the same and have different menus. This is definitely a five star spot!

    chicken rice bowl

    fast and very good ordered meanwhile i waited for pizza from little cesar's for my bf

    Miso Ramen, Tonkotsu Ramen and Lumpia
    Marlon T.

    Ramen 101 is a small chain here in the Bay. Luckily they just opened up in the former Smash Burger building just blocks from our place. They offer Ramen classics like Tonkatsu, Miso and Black garlic with some interesting options like Pork rib ramen as well. Their menu also includes many Hawaiian food staples like Teriyaki chicken plates, chicken katsu with lots of appetizers like spam musubi and lumpia. During my recent visit I chose a bowl of Tonkatsu and Miso ramen with some lumpia to start. My wife really liked her Tonkatsu ramen, she liked the generous portions of sliced pork and medium spicy broth. I ordered the Miso ramen with spicy broth, and the heat level was just right. The lumpia was good, but pretty basic when compared to any Filipino restaurant offering. Overall we were very happy, and are excited that we have a Ramen place so close to home. Yelpers, you have to take advantage of the 20% discount with your check-in!! I unfortunately checked-in after the fact, but I'll be back to claim my savings! My only negatives are that the broths lacked true depth of flavor like you get at other high end Ramen places in Oakland. The lumpia was simple, but overall the menu looks extensive enough for you to try lots of Hawaiian food with many customizable options for your Ramen. I'll be back to try more options and update this review!

    Side of shop, no dine in setup
    Victor G.

    Ramen 101 took over Smashburger's spot. infrastructure looks similar. just take out. no inside nor outside dining. offerings: ramen, appetizers, Hawaiian BBQ plates, ala carte (trays), rice plate eats: Chicken Katsu (plate) 11 -big portion, food make to order, not reheated like other fast food places -katsu sauce housemade, lemony and sweet, not the usual Japanese sauce -everything fresh: brocculli, rice, cabbage, chicken katsu, macaroni salad. 3.75 fresh, lotsa food, might not be "authentic"...will stuff u. take outs: -no dine in at present -recipe is bilingual-English & Chinese..... -20% off with Y. check in -so much parking in da back...fyi, driveways are narrow, -hawaiian plates are so worthy!!

    Tonkatsu Ramen no noodles (I don't eat carbs)
    Pepper P.

    The ramen was actually great! The gal at the counter was nice. It's a pick up after yourself cafeteria. They have a giant TV. ‍ It wasn't Marufuku. Which deserves 5 stars... and that's how I gauge all Ramen places. If you're in the area and crave a solid Ramen for lunch, you should stop here.

    Carry out Miso Ramen. We love soft boiled eggs, but these were nasty.

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    Ramen is pretty good. Just a heads up if u order extra shrimp they're gonna charge u $4 for only 3 pieces.

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    Ramen 101 Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ramen 101

    Are you open Memorial Day?

    Is the veggie ramen VEGAN?

    Hello jade, Unfortunately our noodles are made from egg noodles. Our veggie ramen by itself without… Read more

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    Mensho - Signature Smoked Toripaitan Ramen

    Mensho

    4.5(636 reviews)
    1.7 miPiedmont Ave, North Oakland
    $$

    The food was so good! The ramen broth, amazing. We continue to come back for more!…read more My husband loves the garlic Ramen and I always get the signature. Raman never fails. It's amazing.

    So glad I found this hidden gem in Piedmont. I came with two friends on a Friday night around 7pm,…read moreand as expected for a small spot, there was a long wait. We were seated about an hour later, but once we got in, the service was quick and efficient. We ordered a mix of items to share: * Enoki chips - absolutely addicting. Perfectly crispy with a great crunch, and the umami spice on the side took them to another level. * Chicken karaage - tasty overall, but the glaze was poured over everything. I would've preferred it on the side to keep the texture crisp. * Kani hand roll - super fresh and flavorful; didn't even need soy sauce. * Ikura & hotate hand roll - generous portion and very fresh, again no soy needed. * Garlic Knockout ramen - lives up to the name. Rich, deeply garlicky broth that was bold and delicious. * Signature smoked toripaitan ramen - flavorful without being overly heavy (which I prefer). The chashu was tender and the noodles tasted fresh. I was blown away by the food, I haven't had ramen this good in a long time. The restaurant clearly runs efficiently, turning tables quickly despite the wait. I'll definitely be back

    Photos
    Mensho - Waiting area

    Waiting area

    Mensho - Spicy garlic karaage fried chicken

    Spicy garlic karaage fried chicken

    Mensho - Hokkaido Uni Mini Rice Bowl

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    Hokkaido Uni Mini Rice Bowl

    NōKA Ramen & Bar

    NōKA Ramen & Bar

    4.3(610 reviews)
    2.5 miJack London Square
    $$

    Literally my favorite meal in awhile. I was so surprised by this little spot in Jack London that…read moreI've had in my list for awhile. Decor is stunning first of all. Like tropical, anime, paradise? The service was so quick! I had barely gone to the bathroom after ordering and my food was out. Our server was so kind and attentive too. I love that they're all in power ranger cosplay too. Drinks and menu were unique and fun! I loved my highball which came with a Pokémon card. The gyoza was handmade on my ramen and the broth was so flavorful and comforting. Best of all, they could accommodate my kids! They have a mini kids ramen that was perfect for them. They both ate so much! Needless to say, I will be back. This is a must try if you're in Jack London.

    Came on an early Saturday evening with a party of four and got seated right away. The first thing…read morethat stands out is how friendly the staff is here with their communal greeting as soon as you arrive. You are literally waited on with excellent service, our server today was N and they were phenomenal at what they do. We loved the anime themed "uniforms " and matching decor that instantly transported us back into classic 90s anime nostalgia. The cocktails and food are colorful and delightful to peruse but honestly don't think too hard about it. Everything on here looks great and taste even better. Highlights for us during this trip, where the Pikachu burger and the steak Ramen, which features spicy yet flavorful broth and generous portion sizes for everything. We tried the passionfruit highball that came with an exclusive Pokémon card, which is a great garnish that tickled my inner child. Would not hesitate in coming back and trying more of their offerings.

    Photos
    NōKA Ramen & Bar - Sailor Moon Flight

    Sailor Moon Flight

    NōKA Ramen & Bar - Shishito Peppers

    Shishito Peppers

    NōKA Ramen & Bar - Passionfruit pokemon highball

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    Passionfruit pokemon highball

    Sobo Ramen - Curry Chicken Katsu Ramen

    Sobo Ramen

    3.8(1.1k reviews)
    2.1 miOakland Chinatown
    $$

    The worst yakitori I have ever had. All round no one liked their ramen as well (6 ppl). I normally…read morereserve one stars for food health hazards but this was terrible. Ordered the chicken thigh, chicken skin, and tofu scallion yakitori. Chicken thigh yakitori- cold meat that was clearly old frozen meat. Biting into this was like biting into a spongy mush slab tasting only strange water excretions and the overwhelming teriyaki sauce drenching it. 0/10 Chicken skin yakitori - expected a fried skin lightly seasoned item. Received regular mushy chicken skin with no flavor or pan searing, baking, frying nothing. Again drowned in teriyaki sauce. 0/10 Tofu scallion yakitori - tough, old, and dry tofu on a stick drenched in teriyaki sauce again. 0/10 I have never received such horrible food. All other ramen orders at the table also mentioned bland broths.

    Sobo. So good! I got one of the signature ramens, Black Garlic Mayu. The combination of pork bone…read morebroth with roasted black garlic oil is layered in its complexity and oh so satisfying. The Chashu pork, Ajitama egg, bamboo shoots, bok choy, and garlic cloves are delicious and nutritious! Well worth $19.50. It's a huge bonus that they have my favorite sake, the Demon Slayer. The service is polite, the food comes out quickly and there are plenty of tables. Nothing fancy, but a nice place to have noodles with friends.

    Photos
    Sobo Ramen
    Sobo Ramen - Garl Spicy Black Tonkotsu

    Garl Spicy Black Tonkotsu

    Sobo Ramen - Agedashi Tofu

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    Agedashi Tofu

    Tada Ramen & Yakitori - Tonkotsu Ramen

    Tada Ramen & Yakitori

    4.4(133 reviews)
    2.2 miGrand Lake, Lower Hills

    Ambiance is pleasant here. It is another ramen restaurant that replaced the one before it, but is…read morerenovated nicely. I got the tonkotsu ramen and my partner for the yuzu ramen. The tonkotsu was delicious and creamy! The yuzu was mote sour than my preference, but my partner enjoyed it.

    Tada Ramen & Yakitori in Oakland was a bit of a rainy day pivot for us. I'll start by saying I'm…read morehella biased, I love Marufuku over in Temescal, but we wanted to dine in for lunch and found out they were only doing pickup. So we ended up here instead. For starters, we got the enoki chips, and they were such a fun, unique treat. Super crispy with a great texture, I'd absolutely order them again. We also tried the Tada bun. It was good, but it felt like it was missing something to really make it pop. I really appreciated the variety on the menu, especially the starters and curries. There are so many options that I'd definitely come back to try something different next time. If you're vegan, this is actually a great spot. They have three vegan ramen options, which felt special since most places only offer one. My partner ordered the spicy vegan ramen and thought it was terrific, though we both agreed the broth wasn't as rich as we're used to. I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen, but unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. The broth felt a bit underwhelming, and the pork flavor came across stronger than I expected. That said, I'd definitely come back, especially because of the thoughtful vegan options. Next time, I'll probably try the Chashu Bowl, which looked really good when it came out at another table. The space isn't very big, so it's probably not ideal for groups larger than 4-6, but it would be great for a casual date night or cozy lunch.

    Photos
    Tada Ramen & Yakitori - Inside

    Inside

    Tada Ramen & Yakitori - Mochi Bacon Skewers

    Mochi Bacon Skewers

    Tada Ramen & Yakitori - Unagi Skewer

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    Unagi Skewer

    Ramen Station - Black Garlic Ramen

    Ramen Station

    4.1(172 reviews)
    3.4 miEast Oakland
    $$

    Gotta drop my review down to 3.5 stars based on my visit last Sunday. In the short time since my…read morefirst review, this place seems to have changed ownership, given the significant change in ambiance and decor (and good luck "grand opening" plant at the entrance). I don't understand why the owners have put a Guan Yu shrine near the ordering tablets, which is neither Japanese nor has any connection to what was at least once a JR-themed restaurant. The restaurant wasn't playing the station chimes or showing the station stops on the TVs when we were there, but instead it was totally silent inside while the TVs played random Japanese programming. There are new fan art canvases based on various animes hung on the walls, but again, they have nothing to do with the former theme of the restaurant, and everything combined just broke the immersion of what was once an incredibly unique, creative experience. I was really disappointed, especially since I brought my cousin here to try the ramen for the first time, which is at least still as delicious as it used to be. But they got his order wrong, both the food and the drink, which made for a poor impression (and also leaves one wondering how you get help for an issue like that at a place that's totally contactless and devoid of human interaction). It was good while it lasted, and while the ramen is great (went with the black garlic, added spice, and got the thick noodles), I'm not sure I'd make another trip all the way over here when half the allure is now gone. Sorry, Ramen Station, but I think my fascination with your restaurant is over.

    Ramen Station is hands down one of the best ramen spots in the Bay Area. What really sets it apart…read moreis the fully contactless experience, which is both efficient and fun. Walking in feels like stepping into a Japanese train station--bright colors, bold art on the walls, and TVs playing scenic views from a Japanese train ride. Below the screens are self-ordering kiosks where you customize everything yourself. My go-to order every time: Spicy Tan Tan Ramen -- 10/10. The broth is rich, creamy, and perfectly spicy with a sesame-infused base. It comes with ground pork, seaweed, green scallions, corn, and woodear mushrooms. I usually substitute the woodear mushrooms for shiitake mushrooms, add pickled pink ginger, ask for light salt, and choose skinny noodles. I love that you can customize toppings and noodle thickness exactly how you want. Once you pay, a receipt prints with your number. You wait until your number is called over the radio--when it happens, a train bell rings, and your number flashes above the serving window like you're boarding a train. Such a cool touch. Portions are generous, flavors are always bold, and the ramen is consistently packed and satisfying. If you're taking it to go, they offer solid packaging options so you can reheat everything properly at home. Tip: skip the paper bags--they don't hold up well. Get the box and handle with care. I come here often, and even after trying other ramen spots, nothing compares. Ramen Station is a true 5-star, contactless ramen experience. Highly recommend.

    Photos
    Ramen Station - Original Tonkotsu Ramen & Deluxe Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen

    Original Tonkotsu Ramen & Deluxe Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen

    Ramen Station - Touchscreen ordering

    Touchscreen ordering

    Ramen Station - Outside

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    Outside

    Tsuruya - Black garlic Tonkotsu with Hokkaido noodles. I added spinach and spicy paste. Yum!

    Tsuruya

    4.7(169 reviews)
    3.0 miGourmet Ghetto, Downtown Berkeley
    $$

    Delicious ramen! The chopped onions were a really nice, refreshing touch. Portion sizes were just…read moreright. The matcha panna cotta was delicious too. We walked over on a weekday night at 5:30 pm and were seated immediately with no wait. Restaurant started getting crowded around 6/6:30.

    I went here with my friends around 6:30pm for dinner. There was fortunately no wait and we were…read moreseated immediately. We were given the option of sitting at a table or at the bar, but we chose to sit at a table. I ordered the Deluxe Spicy Tori Paitan which is their chicken option. They also serve each ramen base with tonkotsu/pork as well. You can choose between having Hakata (thin, straight) or Sapporo (medium thick, wavy) noodles. I chose to get the Sapporo noodles. The spice level was good, however besides the name, there was no other spice indicator for this menu item. The only item that had spice indicators was their spiciest option which had 3 flame symbols next to it. The spice was good and didn't mask the flavor of the ramen. The waitress came around a lot to refill water as needed. The restaurant is small, but the food is really good. I'd love to try their tonkotsu options next time. Parking is a bit difficult to get, especially in downtown Berkeley. You may have to find street parking a block or two down depending on the time you come to eat.

    Photos
    Tsuruya - Interior

    Interior

    Tsuruya - Matcha Panna Cotta

    Matcha Panna Cotta

    Tsuruya - A deliciously crunchy and savoy chashu pork croquettes! Warm and healing vibes on the first bites

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    A deliciously crunchy and savoy chashu pork croquettes! Warm and healing vibes on the first bites

    Ramen Shop - Yeee

    Ramen Shop

    3.5(1.8k reviews)
    1.9 miRockridge, North Oakland
    $$

    The Ramen shop never seems to disappoint in Rockridge Oakland. My husband and I often like to go in…read moreand grab a cocktail at the bar. The drinks are very flavorful and strong. For New Year's Eve we went to the special event at the Ramen shop for the first time and really enjoyed ourselves with Japanese appetizers a DJ and great drink. On normal days, we like to catch the appetizers with a bowl of Ramen or my husband's favorite is the fried rice!!! It's a little smaller inside, but it's intimate and very cozy. Staff is often very helpful and quick.

    We dined at Ramen Shop on a weeknight for dinner and it was an alright experience. The restaurant…read moreis a cozy and dimly lit ramen shop in Rockridge with a bar area close to the front entrance and a good amount of seating. The front entry way is a bit narrow, so it may be slightly awkward if there are others waiting in the same area. The restaurant was quite busy when I went, and most tables were occupied, which seemed surprising for a Tuesday night. I arrived a few minutes before our reservation time and was seated right away. The menu features a special along with a handful of appetizers and ramen dishes. There were also two fried rice options. One thing to note, I did not notice any ramen dishes with tonkatsu broth, it was either shoyu or miso broth. However, each ramen option appears to have a good amount of toppings. Both my friend and I opted to order the Meyer Lemon Shoyu Veggie ramen without egg. The dish took longer than expected and while I liked the addition of the baby carrots and broccolini, the broth was lacking flavor (I didn't notice much of the Meyer lemon flavor) and the noodles were mediocre. Considering the price of the dish ($28.50), I expected the ramen to be more palatable and impressive or loaded up with veggies. It would've been nice to have more toppings in the dish, maybe some sautéed mushrooms or roasted eggplant, without having to request/pay for add ons. The broth was bland and I was hoping for a noticeable, citrusy flavor, which didn't come through. My friend and I opted to order and share both dessert options. We both liked the Sticky Toffee Pudding, which was warm and comforting and paired well with vanilla ice cream. I thought the black sesame ice cream sandwich was good too. Although, the brown butter cookies had more of a crunchy, cracker-like texture and not the type of cookie I was expecting. Customer service was kind and attentive, and I had no issues there. I think the main drawback is the price for each dish and the lackluster flavor of the ramen. For 2 bowls of veggie ramen and two desserts, the total was $91+ before tip. We didn't order any appetizers or drinks, and the cost seemed too steep for what we ordered to be honest. While it was worth checking out, I am not fully sure if a return trip is worthwhile. It may be best to visit a different ramen shop for a truly flavorful dish and a better meal.

    Photos
    Ramen Shop
    Ramen Shop - Roasted Sweet Potato - mushroom daikon bagoong, jalapeño, crispy garlic, and lime

    Roasted Sweet Potato - mushroom daikon bagoong, jalapeño, crispy garlic, and lime

    Ramen Shop - Necronomicon  yuzu gold rush, brown wolf

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    Necronomicon yuzu gold rush, brown wolf

    Itani Ramen - Spicy Shrimp Ramen

    Itani Ramen

    3.5(655 reviews)
    1.7 miUptown
    $$

    Nice spot in the afternoon! Haven't been for dinner…read more A friend and I came in late afternoon and had a few beers and sakes with a happy hour deal and ordered a ramen bowl each. The chashu buns were really good, but the ramen could've had more flavor. I would say this isn't a specialty ramen place (despite its name) but a nice, casual ramen spot to satisfy the craving.

    I hit up Itani Ramen on a random Tuesday evening with some friends. The spot itself is solid. It's…read morethat medium-sized, industrial-chic aesthetic that Oakland loves. I liked the layout; the seating kind of wraps around the open kitchen, like we're all spectators in a delicious production. It's a nice design that allows you to feel the energy without being jammed up. Good space for a group dinner. I took the plunge and ordered the Oxtail Ramen (sweet potato, garlic chives, sesame, shio chicken broth). Now, I love oxtail, and I love ramen. This should've been the culinary equivalent of watching an undefeated season. The Verdict? It was... fine. You ever eat something that's technically correct--the spices are there, the texture is fine--but it just doesn't hit that emotional frequency? That was this bowl. The oxtail was tender, and the sweet potato was an interesting, earthy addition. The shio chicken broth was savory, but it frankly lacked that deep, soulful complexity, that umami punch that makes you stop mid-slurp and appreciate the moment. It wasn't bad, just not inspired. If this bowl was a term paper, it would get a competent 'C'--meets the requirements, but nowhere near the Dean's List. If you're in the area and need a decent, perfectly acceptable bowl of hot soup and a chill environment, Itani will do the job. But if you're looking for that transcendent, life-affirming ramen experience, you might want to adjust your GPS. I'm giving it a 3 out of 5 stars--it passed, but I'm not running back for seconds.

    Photos
    Itani Ramen - Interior

    Interior

    Itani Ramen - Housemade Gyoza - option of pork or veggie

    Housemade Gyoza - option of pork or veggie

    Itani Ramen - Full cocktail menu at fair prices

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    Full cocktail menu at fair prices

    Ramen 101 - ramen - Updated May 2026

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