This is the only place I'll eat ramen @ in North Bergen. Big flavor. Springy thick noodles, without the weird ammonia taste/smell. And always top notch service. It's mostly counter service but still deserving of at least a nominal tip. Ask about their off menu kakuni don! Delicious. Oishii! Theres often a wait if you go during the rush hours. Especially weekends. Its a small spot with a single table and a diner counter. read more

A hidden, authentic ramen place run by a ramen master! We stopped by recently out of luck and I immediately had a good feeling when I saw this tiny place with just the counter seating because that's how many great ramen joints are in Japan! No frills, simple menu and the chef seemed exacting and totally focused on his craft. I ordered the original shoyu ramen with chasu and red spicy sauce, while wife had the Wafu Shoyu ramen with chicken. Mine was robust and had a clean taste, although I felt the broth was a bit light for my taste compared to some NYC joints. Wife's ramen had even more watery broth - I think because she ordered the "wafu" broth style which menu claimed had no meat, and together with lean chicken meat without much fat, we both agreed it was tad bit boring. I think it's a matter of chef's philosophy and not necessarily a bad thing, but I preferred a bit richer, more viscous broth than this one. We would stop by again if we're in the area, but won't go out of our way for it either. Still, a welcome addition to the East Bergen County area! read more

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Perfect meal especially in the winter! We arrived right before it even opened and there were already people waiting. The texture of the noodles and the pork are great. I would also order the egg next time. The soup is slightly too salty for me but overall, the meal was delicious and warming. The space is small but the service is great. read more

Ramen Matsu - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

What a gem! Having just visited Tokyo & Kyoto during winter break, I was needing a ramen fix and while nothing compares to the ramen in Japan, this place is the best we can get outside of Japan to get the full ramen experience. Order at the kiosk, expect to wait (and join the wait list), and hope that a seat in their 9 seat counter or four top opens up - it turns over quicker than you think. The staff of two or three are kind and efficient. I absolutely loved the miso - only offered on Wednesdays and Sundays. read more

Ramen Matsu - Miso ramen on Wednesdays and Sundays only - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

This is one of my favorite ramen establishments in NJ! I remember coming to Ramen Matsu when it first opened and when I was there, I saw some notable ramen connoisseurs from the area eating here! That is when I know I was at a potentially good place! It may not look it from the outside, but when you enter, you feel that you have been transported to a small ramen shop in Japan, as it is not a large place and it is ran in a similar model them, where the menu is simple and you are there to eat your ramen and go! To note, try not to come here with a large party, as I would say 3 or 4 people should be your absolute max. There is only 1 small table that could fit the 3 to 4 people and the rest of the seats are at the bar. Do not hesitate sitting at the bar, as you can watch the chefs prepare your food! Expect a wait when you come here during peak hours. There is a tablet where you can add yourself on the waitlist and they will contact you when your table is almost ready. Upon returning, you put your order in on another kiosk and then you will eventually sit down. The options here are pretty simple, ramen and accompanied rice bowls. I have not had a bad tasting bowl of ramen here. Their Wafu Shoyu and Wafu Shio ramens are my favorite regular item bowls. There is a lot of flavor in the broth and you can taste the level of care they perform to make this bowl worth it. These are bowls that I can eat all the noodles, slurp the soup, and clean out my entire plate. If you are hungry, get their deluxe bowls which gets you both chicken and pork! Also, the rice bowls here are also a treat the meat is prepared well and I love the flavor and want to get an accompanying dish. I do prefer getting the pork chashu. Sometimes I'll get a bowl with different meat I get than the ramen bowl. I suggest you choose the menu option of getting a set if you want to pursue that option. Finally, make sure you follow their social media. This is because they indicate changes in their operating hours and special ramen bowl items that they offer periodically. I would highly suggest you check their social media before visiting! Overall, this is a place I would come back to again and again! Come by and try them! read more

Ramen Matsu - One of their Special Bowls with a Pork Chashu Don (Rice Bowl) - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

I've come here multiple times with family and friends. It's a small restaurant but it's cozy inside. I love how easy it is to order through the kiosk. Each time, everyone is nice and our food comes out in a timely manner. The food is delicious. Would recommend! read more

This is definitely very authentic ramen. Ramen is chewy with hot broth. I forgot to add egg (thought it came with the ramen). I had the ramen & rice set. The pork on the rice is soft & tender, it's pan seared outside i can taste the crispy part then tender and melt in the mouth. It comes with little soy sauce on the rice mixing with scallions, it's just perfect, i wish i can get a raw egg to top with it. The restaurant is small but clean, there are two tables one can fit 5 the other probably 3 ppl. You can choose sitting at the bar. Go in and place order on tablet and pay before sitting. Simple menu but very delicated food. Come with someone who'd like a quiet setting and enjoy the umami of the ramen bowl together. Tips: parking outside for 1 hr. read more

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11/22/23 I'm always on the hunt for good ramen. So when google suggested this, I saved it for a cold day, LOL. And yesterday was cold! What I didn't expect was how small this place is. Just 2 small tables for 3-4 people and several stools at the bar where you can watch the chefs work. Hubby said it reminds him of the restaurant stalls in Japan. We got lucky, the stools were full, and the guys who walked in before us took a table. We got the other table right by the door, brrrrrr. Every time someone came in, a chill came with them. But I want ramen, and I will keep my coat on and wait! There is a tablet to put yourself on the wait list if the restaurant is full. There is another tablet to place your order. Felt a little rushed as people lined up behind me... I didn't get the chance to see the signs on the wall explaining the different broth, and hubby was holding the table so he didn't get to see the menu. So I had to blindly order, using only my love of ramen : Original Shoyu with Braised Pork Chashu + Shitaki Mushrooms - this was so good, and the pork was so soft, and it is a good thickness. Chashu Don Set - Wafu Shio with Sous Vide Pork + Red Spicy Sauce and Spicy Chashu Don - hubby isn't a ramen fan like me, so when i saw this set, I canceled the original order. This way, if he didn't like the ramen, he still had a rice bowl. hehehe. But he ended up loving the ramen, especially the spiciness, and he loved the bowl. The Wafu Shio broth was amazing! OMG, I can just drown myself in it. I was jealous that I ordered it for him. Well, it just means we have to go back!!! However, we didn't like the sous vide pork... it wasn't as tender... now, if we can pair the Wafu Shio broth with the Braised Pork Chashu, then that is a winning combination!!! The 2 gentlemen / chefs were cordial but not much conversation as they prepared our meals. read more

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By far one of the best ramen places i've been to in NJ! My husband and I decided to check this place out after a friend our ours highly recommended it (they did not disappoint us). Seating inside is limited and first come first serve, but what i loved most was their ticketing system where you pay ahead of time and take a seat so you don't have to wait to pay the check later on. We both ordered the shio and shoyu ramen and they were absolutely delicious! Soup was very tasty and all the ingredients inside our ramen bowl was just made to perfection. Will definitely be coming back again! It's a small place so make sure you only come with a small group of ppl. read more

Ramen Matsu - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

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This could be the ultimate Ramen destination in New Jersey! Delicious food with warm hospitality. Definitely a keeper! read more

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This ramen spot was recommended to my brother and I by a friend. My brother has since become a regular but I tried it for the first time this past weekend. The restaurant is VERY small and seems to be VERY popular. There are maybe 15 seats in the whole place (2 tables for 4 and some bar seating). I came around 1:30 on a Sunday afternoon and signed up for the wait-list via a laptop perched on the bar. I received a text instantly informing me my group was 4th in the queue. Ordering is accomplished via a computer system and it allows for easy customization of your order. I opted for the Deluxe Shio Ramen and Pork/Scallion rice bowl combo. The food came out pretty quickly and it did not disappoint. The broth was rich and flavorful without being overwhelming. I also thought that it was served at the perfect temperature. It was warm enough that I couldn't just slurp all of it down, but I could also dig in immediately. The noodles had the right amount of chew to them and served as a good vessel to carry over some of the broth's flavor. The meat and vegetables in the bowl were also cooked to perfection. I ordered some red sauce on top of my ramen but it was so flavorful I think I could have done without. They have some hot oil in a bottle that i could drizzle on top. The pork and scallion bowl was just as satisfying. The combo of slightly fatty pork and rice just goes so well together. Service was quick and the owners were very friendly. I'm sure I'll be back. read more

Ramen Matsu - Deluxe Shio Ramen with Red Sauce - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

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Since my last review, I've visited Japan and my eyes were truly open to the incredible variations that ramen can have. Now that I've seen what ramen can truly be, it makes me appreciate this spot even more. I realized that most of the spots in the area are serving styles of ramen that are older to put kindly but also outdated. Every so often, matsu drops a special and every single special has proven been incredible. While competitors serve the same mediocre menu items, master has consistently been bringing new options that blow my mind away. This is my #1 spot outside of Japan, but also might be #1 cause nothing reminds me more of Japan than this spot. read more

Ramen Matsu - Shio (Salt) Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

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This is a hole in the wall best experience, food is AMAZING. Chef is just simply concentrating on preparing food just like in Japan, definitely a AAA+++ read more

Ramen Matsu - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

this is probably the best if not top 3 ramen spots in all of jersey, and definitely best in northern jersey. it's very simple to see why. You know all those michelin star ramen places in japan? their ramens are all about the broth and they're actually quiet simple. this is the only ramen place i know that does it the truly authentic and realistic way that japan does it. this is the only ramen place i actually drink the broth it's so good. their chicken is also delicious and i always replace the pork with the chicken. this is not the ramen where the broth turns hard and coagulates, it's a ramen spot like a true japanese ramen spot. absolutely love this place. please open more places lol - closer to paramus! this couple definitely deserves it's flowers for this place. absolutely love love love. read more

I went to Ramen Matsu because a friend of mine recommended it. My dad and I walked in after ducking under a curtain in front of the door. It's a very small restaurant, with only one table for a group. The rest of the seats are bar seating. It looks like only two people work here, possibly husband and wife? The kitchen is open and clearly visible behind the bar. They told us to place our order on the tablet by the door and to take a seat. They only serve ramen, and few bowls of meat over rice. They had a special for ramen and a rice bowl, but i opted for just the ramen. I ordered the shio ramen and it was so good, i went to have a second bowl of ramen that day at my former favorite spot to confirm that it was in fact the best that I have had. The noodles were springy, the broth was light and flavorful, and the toppings were cooked perfectly. The egg was softboiled and the bamboo shoots were very tender. The pork was cooked sous vide so it was also very tender. The aroma oil was spicy since i also got the red spicy sauce. I also really liked that their chopsticks had textured tips. This made it very easy to pick up the slippery noodles! Best bowl of ramen I had to date. It was so good I almost ordered a second bowl. Next visit, i'll either get extra noodles or the combo with the rice bowl. read more

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First time eating here and will definitely not be the last. Delicious Ramen in this hidden gem!! Staff was very friendly!

Seems like the secret is out! This is the best and most authentic ramen bar in the area, maybe the best we've had in the United States outside of NYC (hey, Nakamura). Okay, they don't have a push-button machine in the front that dispenses tiny tickets, but you do order on a tablet. The chefs are efficient, and every part of the ramen is as it should be. It's a tiny place, though, so be prepared to wait if you show up after they've already opened. Hopefully they'll open a second! read more

A new legit ramen joint in Closter downtown. I got takeout and the order process was very easy via their website. Food was ready within 15 min of ordering. the one thing I really appreciate is that they packed the noodles & condiments separate from the broth. That makes a huge difference as it keeps the broth hot and the noodles firm. The last thing you want is to eat ramen when the noodles are soggy and the broth is lukewarm. As far as toppings go, I got ajitama, nori, bamboo shoots, and chashu. They were all fine. My only minor complaint is that I prefer my chashu to be more thinly sliced and have some char on it. Matsu doesn't cook theirs this way. Other than that, this place is really good and people should definitely check it out if they are craving authentic ramen. read more

Ramen Matsu - Chashu bowl - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

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Shio Ramen was so yummy. Meat was tender and full of flavor. The broth was not too salty. Everything about this dish was great. Very fast and noodles were al dente. Restaurant is tiny and gets busy Orders are taken from kiosk on the iPad. No need to wait for a server to place an order. Ramen was so comforting and great for winter weather. Will definitely return. read more

Ramen Matsu - Shio Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

Visited on 04-05-2023 Overall a nice quiet experience, I was craving some ramen in the middle of the week and decided to stop by, plenty of parking options. Inside the process was very easy, paid on the self pay kiosk, sat down at the bar seating and was shortly greeted by a hot bowl of ramen. I ordered the Deluxe Soy Sauce Ramen, it was exactly what I was looking for, the noodles were just a little chewy, just how I like it. The broth here is a little different from other ramen stores I've been to, it wasn't as salty as I am used to, but its still good! very flavorful. For the toppings, the chashu had just the right amount of fat on it and it went well with the soup and noodles without overpowering it. The eggs were perfectly soft boiled, smooth and creamy all the way through. I highly recommend giving this ramen a try! I can appreciate the more subtle flavors of the ramen here and I will definitely be coming back here. read more

Ramen Matsu - Shoyu (Soy Sauce) Ramen With deluxe toppings - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

4.5 stars!! I have been craving ramen for months and there aren't many spots near me. Closter is a bit of a drive but the reviews were so great I had to give it a try! When you walk in there is a kiosk to order your food and you can order it for dine-in or to go. There is a small counter where people were huddled over their ramen. The people working looked very busy which is a great sign. I ordered my food to go and waited in the car. It was ready very quickly, around 15 minutes. They packaged the broth separately from everything else which was great so I mixed it in together when I got home. It was really yummy! I definitely will be coming back. read more

Ramen Matsu - Shoyu (Soy Sauce) Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

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A small town ramen house with very mediocre food. However, if you are vegan this may be a great choice for they have a broth that is kelp and vegetables. The noodles taste like they're from a package and the soup is just meh. I only got two slices of mushroom, one sheet of nori, and two pieces of chicken. Overall, I just wish there was more. However, the egg was great; in fact, it is one of the best eggs I've ever had in my life. I have no idea how they make their yolk this yolky. The combo is not really worth it- i mean the chicken is okay i guess, but not a huge rice person. There is an open kitchen, but honestly I don't really desire watching people clean dishes while im eating. Although, the restaurant is only one year old so it is relatively clean. There are defined better places out there, but like i said, if you want to try half of an egg that's really good, you can come try it out since its pretty affordable (like $12 for a ramen bowl). read more

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Matsu ramen is the best ramen shop around. They have a cute counter as well as one small table. Their business is primarily take out. I have eaten here as well as gotten take out, and the ramen is just as good when getting it initially. The broth is packed separately from everything else. This is helpful incase the broth gets cold and you need to heat it up for a few quick minutes. Their ramen is literally the best that I have had in this area. The egg is my favorite part. It is so creamy and gives an eggscelent texture to the ramen. I also love their pork as it is very tender, but not too fatty. Service is also amazing, you are given water right off the bat and can ask about the various ingredients they use. The place is also very clean. They put hand sanitizer throughout different parts of their small restaurant. You can tell that they put time, love and effort into their cooking. I love every bit of it. I highly suggest this place to anyone who is a ramen officiado. read more

Ramen Matsu - Spicy shio ramen, extra pork extra egg - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

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Amazing dishes and the staff is wonderful!. Service is quick but will not sacrifice quality.

My friend and I split a Shoyu ramen and braised pork chashu don after our church service and its was great, ramen broth tasted clean and noodles were a nice degree of chewy. The chashu don had meat that melted in your mouth with rice that was very flavorful. Portions are about medium size and seating inside is limited, only reason I gave it four instead of five stars was the price. It is a little expensive for what it is but not that much compared to other ramen places read more

What a local GEM! We finally ordered takeout today from Ramen Matsu and will continually be doing so going forward! Easy to order from their website; pick up was easy, as well. Warm, welcoming staff. We got Shoyu and Shio ramen, one with pork chashu-don. I appreciate their packaging so their noodles don't get soggy (see photo). Their pork topping was extremely moist and tender; meat toppings from most ramen places are usually very dry. Pork Cha-shu was a little bland, but the scallions helped with flavor. My twins enjoyed the extra order of noodles. I mixed them in with my leftover Shio soup. It was perfect since my kids would have freaked if they saw all the toppings in their bowl. Highly recommended!!!!!!! read more

Ramen Matsu - Pork chashu-don - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

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The best ramen ive tried so far. My bf loves ramen and this place is our new fave spot! read more

Ramen Matsu - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

Favorite ramen place. I usually get shio ramen. I love the clean broth here compared to other ramen places. Service is always very quick. The place is very clean inside but small. The only downside is that they close very often. read more

If I could give this place 10 stars on this app, I would! Where to start? The service by both the owner and his staff is nothing short of exemplary, for they treat every customer with care and kindness as though you are family! The ramen is completely out of this world, from the treatment of the ingredients to the way they are displayed in the bowl in front of you. Everything is more then authentic when it comes to taste and it's fabulous when it comes to the flavor and textures you'll experience even from the simplest of Shoyu bowls. I've been everywhere in New Jersey when it comes to finding delicious ramen and when it comes down to it, Ramen Matsu is THE PLACE when it comes to getting ramen, and definitely the best ramen spot in the whole state of New Jersey. And a quick note! If you're willing to drop an extra $15 on a bowl of ramen, grab what I call "The Fat Man Special" you definitely won't regret it! read more

Ramen Matsu - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

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Great Ramen. My friend recommended this restaurant because the ramen was excellent. He moved from Japan two years ago and he says this place reminds him of home. Fast service and the food is great. read more

Ramen Matsu - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

So glad to finally have a ramen place in town! My hubby and son are the real ramen connoisseurs and they enjoyed their meals! We're looking forward to more items on the menu! read more

Ramen Matsu - a bowl of ramen with a boiled egg - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

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Soooo Happy that I found the real JAPANESE RAMEN by Japanese chef in this town. The broth so rich but not too salty. And the size of noodle so perfect. Love Japan Vibes and peaceful and calm. Call for reservations first if you don't want to miss the seat. read more

The food is definitely not as good as it used to be although it's still pretty good. The hours are not very flexible and the restaurant doesn't have much space to sit. Ordering is all done via iPad and there is no waiter service. read more

Best ramen!!! The broth is delicious and so nutritious! Everything is carefully made and my family also enjoy their tsukemono! This is the place we repeatedly go back again and again! We love Ramen Matsu!! read more

Ramen Matsu - Wafu ramen with spicy sauce! - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

I'm sooo happy that a ramen spot opened up here in Closter to say the least. Today was My 2nd time ordering to go and both experiences were good. Our go to is the shoyu(soy sauce) ramen. Me and my 7 year old loveeeee Japanese ramen and the shoyu meets our expectations. Broth is Not too salty with the right amount of flavor/salt. We ordered a side today which was the pork belly chashudo and rice with the ramen. The pork belly was nicely cooked. My 2 year old seemed to enjoy the pork belly as well. My only complaint is wish they could give a bit more noodles with the ramen because compared to other ramen spots I've been too I feel like they don't really give a good amount of noodles. Other than that I'd def recommend you try out their ramen!!! read more

Ramen Matsu - Pork belly chashudo to go - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

I had the shoyu ramen and my friend had the vegan ramen. Both were great. The pork belly was very smooth and the broth was hearty. If you're looking for something less salty, the vegan is a great choice. I appreciate the sizing (since I don't eat that much) and the price reflects the portion. read more

Ramen Matsu - I had the Shoyu and my friend had the vegan ramen. - Ramen Near Me - Closter, New Jersey

Quick service, simple yet delicious ramen. The couple who runs the place does it so efficiently!

A hidden gem nestled in a small suburban town in New Jersey near NYC. This place offers some of the best, authentic ramen in the area, inclusive of NYC. Unlike most ramen spots in the area, this place deviates away from the tonkatsu ramen and goes back to basics: Shoyu, Shio (Salt), and Wafu. The broths are clean, clear, and good for the soul. You will not have extreme flavors, which is exactly what you want. The pork chashu is perfectly cooked, tender, and tasteful. No complaints. The noodles are solid. It has good texture and enough bite. 8/7 would recommend. read more

Ramen was very simple yet flavorful. Master Jiro Matsu definitely knows how to cook the broth but when it comes to noodles, he uses packaged noodles. The broth and noodles don't become one but feels like they are "playing separately". I would come here since I live close, but wouldn't mind driving 10 more minutes to go to fort lee to get a more flavorful ramen. Overall, it is average judging from the ramen I've eaten from Japan. read more

We got the original shoyu and the wafu shoyu, both were great! This little restaurant is perfect for a quick but good meal