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    Ramen Bar Ichi

    4.3 (897 reviews)
    ModerateRamen, Izakaya
    Closed • 11:00 am - 8:45 pm

    Ramen Bar Ichi Photos

    Business Info

    RAMEN BAR ICHI ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Ramen Bar Ichi

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    Oroshi ponzu & mentai mayo chicken
    Aileen M.

    Went here for lunch and we got tonkotsu Ramen and chicken. It was yummy and filling. The place is nice and clean. Our server was kind and attentive.

    Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen

    Have been a customer here since its opening weekend. Best ramen in Houston in my opinion. Spicy Tonkotsu is a must!

    Rafael W.

    Ramen Bar Ichi was great! I definitely recommend the Tonkotsu Ramen, it was rich, flavorful, and really satisfying. I'll definitely be coming back to try more from the menu.

    Tonkotsu and karage
    Yesseth S.

    Delicious food everything was good. We ordered the lunch special Ramen combo with karage and tonkatsu. Very nice ambience and great service.

    Jarek M.

    Good menu, okay food. Service and atmosphere: The restaurant is nicely decorated inside. They offer good number seating options. Service was friendly and timely. Could have been more attentive. Food and drinks: I liked that the menu had few options which usually suggest that the kitchen concentrates on what they know best. The many had typical dishes expected at ramen spot. The flavours lucked a bit comparing to other ramen restaurants we visited. My ramen salad (no broth option) was nicely presented. The noodle was on a firm side. Other ramen soups needed more flavours. You can order alcoholic beverages here. Pricing: $$ definitely affordable and not overpriced for what was served.

    Tonkatsu ramen, kaarage, calamari
    Irene C.

    Came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch by myself. Service was quick. I was sat at the bar. Plenty of tables and some booth seating. It was relatively busy. Got the tonkatsu ramen. Broth was creamy- wasn't as salty as i expected. Noodles were chewy and tasty. Didn't transport me back to the ramen I had in Japan though but I enjoyed it. Calamari with ponzu sauce was good- crispy. Kaarage was just ok. Overall experience was pretty decent for what it is and where it is. Next time I'll try the rice bowls.

    Seating
    David P.

    Nut allergy friendly: I've never had issues with anything here. One of the best ramen spots in Houston, though I feel like their broth got more oily over the years. They have lovely takoyaki options. Service is always quick and efficient with food coming out in minutes. I'm partial to their Tonkatsu or spicy tonkatsu.

    Spicy tonkotsu and tonkotsu ramen
    Mimi P.

    There's plenty of parking in the plaza though it can get filled up during busy hours. I came right when it opened on a weekend and it wasn't busy until later. There were plenty of tables inside and the ambiance was nice. Service was quick as the food came out fast! We got the Spicy Tonkotsu ramen and Tonkotsu ramen . The spicy tonkotsu ramen was spicy but it's the type of spice that gradually grows while eating. The broth for both was rich and the noodles were tasty as they were thin noodles. As for the egg, it was gooey and had a sweet taste to it! Overall, the ramen was good!

    Menu
    Caroline N.

    I am not usually picky about food quality if it's a food I like, meaning I've never met a ramen I didn't like until trying this restaurant. The Tonkatsu broth was watery and relatively tasteless, contrasting the rich flavor I'm used to. It felt like I was eating ramen that was run through a dishwasher. The gyoza was also spongey and questionable. I'm deeply disappointed with the food here, especially since I saw an Instagram reel touting that it's one of the best ramen spots in Houston. Giving 2 stars opposed to 1 because the waitress/management was kind enough to not make us pay for the ramen we barely ate.

    John N.

    So.... I've been here a couple of times. Food is pretty decent. They had this crunchy cabbage dish in the past but it wasn't there today. Service is OKAY too. For some reason my family of 4 got styrofoam cups verses everyone else standard thick plastic cups. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ idk.... Ramen was ok. My little girl enjoyed it. Wife got the Mentai Takana bowl which was the same size as the mini bowls but cost more. I got the pork chashu bowl (which is a mini bowl) and the unagi bowl (which isn't a mini bowl but came in a mini bowl). The karage was over cooked and a little tough. The wife also got the takoyami but I didn't hear any complaints from her about it (not my thing). Dishes came out pretty but ultimately.... It was ok. Most likely won't be coming back here for a while. It's a cute little date spot if you want to flex to uninformed. Honestly, I find myself spending more money at Seiwa Market next door. Once their kitchen gets back to what they were in the past, I would find myself hard pressed coming back to Ramen Bar Chi. 2.5 stars if I could give it. Didn't hate it but I didn't love it. Kinda feel a little ripped off about bowls. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ it is what it is.

    Fried calamari
    Juliana C.

    My friends and I decided to stop by here for an early dinner based on the high reviews. The restaurant is small and the decors is nice. We ordered 2 bowls of spicy tonkatsu with egg, a regular bowl of tonkatsu, takoyaki, and 2 orders of calamari. Ramen - the ramen noodle was cooked perfectly not mushy or hard. The spice on the spicy tonkatsu was strong and you cannot taste the tonkatsu broth compared to the tonkatsu without spice. Eggs do not come with the bowl of ramen so it is an additional add on but the egg was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The chashu was a little chewy and doesn't melt in your mouth, my friend thought his chashu smelt and tasted strongly of pork (almost like not clean pork). Calamari - they give you a large portion and I enjoyed the little salad that's included with the item. It comes with an "Asian sauce" which I am not a huge fan of. I wished it came with a creamy sauce like spicy mayo. The restaurant is located in a shopping plaza so there was plenty of parking.

    Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen
    Jacob D.

    For me this is the example of doing all the basics near perfectly. It's a cozy restaurant space that feels kinda like it's in the city, but you're in the 'burbs (so there's parking). Brought a larger group size and we were managed to be sat immediately, almost like they made space out of no where. Service was quick and straightforward, and nobody got an order incorrect. The menu consists of about half a dozen types of soups and a few extra ways to customize your bowl. There's a separate menu for appetizers that has a good selection of takoyaki and karaage; mostly just different ways to top them. Also a pretty good selection of sakes, beers, and cocktails to make it a liquid lunch/dinner. The ramen itself is executed exactly how I'd want. Tons of soups fillings with lots of noodles and probably the biggest serving of pork chashu that I've gotten at any ramen spot. The bamboo was prepared better than I've ever had, with plenty of it served; I didn't know that it could be not rubbery. Soup broth was unctuous but not overly heavy, I cleaned the whole bowl. The portions being this generous and the taste being this good made this a 5 for me.

    Takoyaki
    Tony G.

    Drove 30 minutes to this place after hearing all over Reddit that this was the best ramen shop Houston had to offer. Was sadly a bit of a letdown. Showed up right around opening and it was just us there. That was fine. We opted to sit in a booth close to the kitchen. Ambiance looks like a pretty casual ramen shop. Server was friendly. We ordered the Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen, Pollo Loco Ramen, and Takoyaki (I believe it was Osaka style). - Takoyaki: This was pretty standard. Not bad, but also not anything to write home about. - Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen: Pretty disappointed with this one. Although there was some decent spice, I found the broth to be pretty watery. For a tonkotsu ramen, I expected a super hearty/creamy broth, but didn't really get any of that. The char siu and other toppings were fine, but I also found the noodles weren't as bouncy as I was hoping. Maybe a little overcooked? Or just the noodles itself weren't very good. - Pollo Loco Ramen: Don't usually got a chicken-based ramen so this was definitely unique. However, I think this suffered the same issues of the tonkotsu of being a bit too watery when I don't think it should've been. I'm all for lighter broths (i.e. shoyu), but this didn't really connect. The ground meat and noodles also didn't particularly grab onto the broth. One other thing I would like to mention was a little after the takoyaki came we started smelling something weird closer to the kitchen/bathroom. Smelled almost like cleaning solution? We figured maybe it'd eventually pass, but it never really did and we definitely had a bit of a headache by the end. YMMV, but just something I personally experienced. Overall, it was definitely not worth the journey or the hype. If you're closer to this location and want ramen, I can see this working in a pinch, but I have a hard time recommending this one.

    Takoyaki

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    Photo of Cecelia C.
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    2 months ago

    Much better service. Food is amazing. You get your food fast. The restaurant cute and clean. Try the ramen noodles yum yum

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    4 months ago

    Good food, good service and good ambiance. Highly recommended to everyone who wants to eat ramen.

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    1 year ago

    Totally worth it - cool little ramen bar. Had a beer cocktail which was interesting. Next to Japanese grocery store.

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    11 months ago

    It was my favorite place for ramen, not anymore. It looks sad, very average ramen now.

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    Page 1 of 23

    Ramen Bar Ichi Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ramen Bar Ichi

    Are they closed on Thanksgiving?

    Thank you for contact us. Yes, We are closed Thanksgiving.

    Do they serve sake here?

    They do serve sake

    Do they make their own ramen?

    Yes! Everything is made from scratch. The ramen here is literally the best in town. It's unbelievable

    Do they use MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)?

    I actually do not know the answer. MSG is commonly used in Japanese cooking. MSG has a bad reputation here in USA but that is not the case in Asian countries. The common complaints of allergy and bloating, not feeling well are not heard as… 

    Hey guys, does this place offer a ramen with a chicken broth option?

    They only have pork or veggie broth

    Do they give option on the broth, like chicken only instead of pork and chicken?

    no. because they make the broth ahead of time.

    View All 8 Questions

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    Izakaya Wa - River Oaks - #YelpElite #Yelp #sushi

    Izakaya Wa - River Oaks

    4.3(319 reviews)
    11.8 mi•River Oaks, Montrose
    •$$

    This place has been on my to-go list for a while and it did not disappoint! We started off with age…read moretakoyaki and toro carpaccio, which were both recommended to us by our server. The age takoyaki was creamy and good to share amongst a group. The toro carpaccio was amazing as well and melted in your mouth. We also ordered chicken curry udon, chicken karaage, and tantan noodles. All had really great flavors but my personal favorite was the tantan noodles which came with poached egg, sauce, and garnishes that you got to mix into the noodles. Super creamy and nutty! I really loved the vibe of the restaurant too, it's small but has a homey vibe that would be great for either a small group hangout or a date. There's a lot of bars to visit nearby too. Our server was also so sweet and brought us a baggie of Japanese candies & sweets after our dinner since it was Valentine's Day. Only complaint was parking. Very small lot and very packed! Get there a bit before your reservation to figure out parking.

    Solid Japanese cuisine in Houston that I'm sad I just tried out! Their lunch menu options are great…read moreand reasonably priced. Nigiri was fresh, tempura was hot and crunchy. Staff were friendly. It feels more casual and a good place for a quick dinner or just a casual grab with friends when you don't want to cook for the night. Would definitely come back. The parking can be a little tricky since it's pay to park. About $2

    Photos
    Izakaya Wa - River Oaks - Sushi bar

    Sushi bar

    Izakaya Wa - River Oaks - #YelpElite #Yelp #sushi

    #YelpElite #Yelp #sushi

    Izakaya Wa - River Oaks - #YelpElite #Yelp #sushi

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    #YelpElite #Yelp #sushi

    Zen Japanese Izakaya - Bluefin Tuna Special Bowl

    Zen Japanese Izakaya

    4.2(332 reviews)
    11.7 mi•Montrose
    •$$

    Since Zen Izakaya opened in 2016, it has continued to provide authentic and excellent quality of…read morefood. Our favorite is their bento, which are only available during lunch service. However, we've tried many other dishes and we've loved them as well. Their appetizers such as Ebi mayo, karaage, and ikageso are always delicious. Highly recommend this restaurant.

    This restaurant is a cozy, authentic gem for Japanese small plates. The space is intimate with a…read moresmall dining area. Reservations are highly recommended. There aren't many tables, and it fills up quickly. Service was incredibly friendly and attentive. This is what we ordered: 1. pepper tuna tataki 2. hamachili 3. hijiki 4. karaage 5. agedashi tofu 6. Rock N Roll roll 7. Zen Mega Dragon roll 8. hamachi sashimi 9. hamachi roll 10. Extra Picante roll 11. Yakisoba noodles 12. Brussel sprouts Almost everything was absolutely delicious. The pepper tuna tataki and hamachili were fresh and flavorful. The karaage was crispy, tender and juicy, and the agedashi tofu had that perfect texture in a savory broth. All were sooo good. The Zen Mega Dragon roll, hamachi hamachi roll, and Extra Picante roll were all fresh and excellent. The only two dishes that didn't quite wow us were the hijiki and the Rock N Roll roll. Both were a bit basic compared to everything else on the table. The yakisoba noodles did take a little while to come out, but wow... they were soooo worth the wait. Savory, hot, and incredibly satisfying. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes, which makes it even better. There is free parking, but the lot is small. When it's busy, finding a spot can be a little tricky. We will definitely be back to explore more of the menu.

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    Zen Japanese Izakaya
    Zen Japanese Izakaya - Fish from Japan

    Fish from Japan

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    Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori

    Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori

    4.5(398 reviews)
    14.6 mi•Downtown, Fourth Ward
    •$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Speaks Spanish

    Part of the duckstache hospitality group (which I can't not support because I love Handies duozo…read moreand you can find me at Handies every week) The nigiri and the chicken fat rice was great, just how I expected. However the maki here is pretty average, not what I expected of this group. Very casual location in a little food hall like area. Next to a fried chicken place and a pho place. Horrible parking nearby tbh since it's downtown Overall considering the experience, the food, the location, the parking, the price, I likely won't return

    Used to love this place, my downtown staple for sushi. I can't recommend this place less…read more On their website and on Google it says they close at nine, understanding this and knowing I would have to order and eat fast, I showed up at 8:30 for a quick dinner downtown. Upon arrival, I was told that I could not sit at the sushi bar and eat. If I wanted to order I had to go sit in the common area of this dining hall. After this discussion, I said fine and asked for a menu. They then told me I had to get up and order at the register and view the menu glued to the counter. They took the order of a couple who sat down maybe 2 minutes before me in front of me. I will never come back to this place. They seem to be the last man standing in this dining hall, and with this kind of customer service, they won't last much longer. It's a shame because I love the food and I am a regular at handies and aiko as well. Won't be back to any of them.

    Photos
    Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori - Front stall pic

    Front stall pic

    Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori - Wagyu toast

    Wagyu toast

    Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori - Wagyu Toast

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    Koi - Tuns tower $21

    Koi

    4.5(288 reviews)
    13.2 mi•Midtown, Montrose, Fourth Ward
    •$$$

    Amazing all around! Decor was refined and modern throughout the entire dining floor…read more Fish were all super fresh and delicious! Also had to highlight their house made soy sauce which was extremely umami, very unique and sets this place slightly apart from the many other sushi joints in its range Truffle crab chawanmushi was certainly a top highlight for me as well - rich truffle oil with the perfectly light steamed egg and sweet crab chunks, just an incredible dish and I could have easily eaten several of these The uni was also extremely fresh and buttery and was nice even for someone who doesn't usually like uni In the same class and range as places like Kata Robata and I would say it's a strong rival! Would come back again!

    Started off with Toro Amaebi Tartar which was interesting the taro chips mixed with everything…read moretasted light and creamy with everything mixed together. The Chawanmushi was decent but it was a little different than I expected. It had a little bit more liquid at the top of the egg custard. The flavor was fine nothing overpowered and it was soft and had that gelatin mush to it. The carbonara udon pasta was creamy and tasted exactly how I imagined it would which was smooth and creamy with a little crispiness from the pieces of bacon. Just make sure you mix the egg into the pasta to give it that rich creaminess. The only dish I would say that was underwhelming was the crispy rice. I guess my expectation would be a little less rice and a balance of the crispy rice around it. It reminded me more so of a thick fried outer crust. However, I did like the fish and meat they used on top of the crispy rice. They all had their own flavors. The Handroll tasting is probably the most interesting dish I ordered. It seemed to have a good portion of fish and they try to keep the seaweed nice and crispy by leaving the plastic film over the seaweed. The flavors of the Handrolls were subtle. They did make a nice presentation. The salmon flight was pretty good you definitely could tell from the different cuts and fattiness of the salmon. My favorite was the aburi cheese the scorched cream cheese gave the salmon a melted coating of cheese and made it silky and smooth. The nigiri platter was almost like a flight of nigiri. In the order I ate them they got progressively better. My favorite was the scallop and tuna. The only roll I tried was the royal chutoro. The portion was a good ratio of rice to fish and the tobiko gave it a slight crunch. as service and parking. The parking costs $10 and it's only Valet. If you decide to park on the curb somewhere you will get a parking ticket (I saw a guy placing tickets on cars). The atmosphere was upscale and you can tell they try to emulate Japan with the decor(zen inspired). Overall, the fish was tasted fresh and the vibes were there. However, I do think everything was a bit overpriced compared to competitors.

    Photos
    Koi - Aburi roll, el Diablo roll

    Aburi roll, el Diablo roll

    Koi - Crispy rice

    Crispy rice

    Koi - Yuzu Mojito

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    Yuzu Mojito

    Aji Izakaya

    Aji Izakaya

    4.5(187 reviews)
    16.8 mi

    Friendly team. Clean restaurant including bathrooms. I'm not able to eat sushi often as I usually…read morehave my family of four and can't literally afford what we can put away in sushi. 98 pieces is the family record with just myself and one other child let alone adding two others. Just a quick visit before a volleyball game. Got Jalapeño Popper app, Crunch roll, Phoenix roll, 911 roll. All came out quickly. Excellent rolls. Loved their unique on table mix of jalapeño/onion marinated in a sweeter marinade. Also table ginger was very good. Still as mentioned, gotta pay to play. $64 dollars with tip for four items. Still nice place and will be back.

    This is our SPOT!…read more My husband and I come here at least once or twice a month for the jalapeño poppers and stay for the "Buy 5 get 1 free" $15 sake bombs! The service is usually always on point, the food is phenomenal, and we always strive to try new items. There have been a couple times where the jalapeño poppers were on the smaller side but when they're done right, boy oh boy! This trip my daughter was with us and she got the chicken teriyaki bento box, always a hit. It comes with a lot of food for $10- rice, chicken, an egg roll, 2 dumplings, and this yummy sauce in the middle. My favorite would have to be the egg roll! My husband ordered the sushi pizza and this is now going to be a staple when we come. It has such a good crunch when you bite into it, the flavors are oozing goodness, and it is big enough to share for an appetizer too! I ordered the seaweed salad, the Philadelphia roll, and of course the jalapeño poppers. This was my first time trying to seaweed salad and even my husband commented how creamy yet satisfying it was! The Philadelphia roll is a classic, no complaints. It's getting busy here so make sure you get in before the rush to save on wait time! You won't regret it.

    Photos
    Aji Izakaya - Paper lanterns

    Paper lanterns

    Aji Izakaya - Beef skewers (2)

    Beef skewers (2)

    Aji Izakaya

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    Ramen Bar Ichi - ramen - Updated September 2026

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