We came to Honolulu and saw the line outside Ramen Nakamura, so we figured it had to be worth trying. Overall, the ramen was very good, but I want to share an important tip about their waiting system so others don't get caught off guard. When your name gets close to the top of the list, do NOT wander away. They will call your name three times, and if you're not standing there, they'll cross your name off immediately. What surprised me was that they start calling names before the current customers have even finished eating or paid their bill. I had made eye contact with the host, pointed to my name and party size, and he acknowledged me. There were still people sitting at the counter eating, and it looked like it would be another 10-15 minutes before seats opened up. I stepped away briefly and came back, only to find my name had already been crossed off the list. The party that was supposedly leaving hadn't even paid yet and was still sitting in their seats. When I explained the situation, the host simply said, "Sorry, your time passed already. I called your name three times." Their sign says they will wait 3 minutes, but in our case it felt more like they called the name three times in quick succession and then removed it. Thankfully, after some discussion, he agreed to seat us anyway. So my advice: once your name is within a couple spots of being called, stay close and pay attention. As for the food, we ordered the Oxtail Ramen (spicy) and the Cashew Pork Ramen. The ramen itself was excellent. The oxtail was tender, although it didn't have a lot of flavor on its own in the soup. They provide a separate bowl with ginger and what appeared to be a ponzu-based sauce, and the intended way to eat it is to remove the oxtail from the soup and dip it into the sauce. That definitely enhanced the flavor. The restaurant is set up with bar-style seating in a half-oval arrangement. Your party will be seated shoulder-to-shoulder, and guests will be sitting directly across from you on the other side of the counter. I'd estimate there are about 25 seats total. Service is efficient, food comes out quickly, and most customers finish and leave fairly fast. For reference, we arrived at 8:38 PM on a Tuesday with 17 people ahead of us. We were seated around 9:15 PM, our food arrived by about 9:30 PM, and we left around 10:00 PM. Overall, this would have been a 5-star experience if not for the confusion with the waiting list. The ramen is absolutely worth trying, but understanding how their queue system works will save you from a potentially frustrating experience. read more

Ramen Nakamura - Spicy oxtail ramen - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Passed through Ramen Nakamura at least twice a day but the lines were always very long and out of the day on the street. Skipped it then because of the long wait times, long one hour wait times. But finally got to try it for lunch, shorter wait times, about 10 minutes. The staff here are very friendly and very nice! The ramen is good and the broth here is flavorful. No leftovers, enjoy this very meal the much! Glad I was able to finally try this, would definitely recommend! As it's very hot and humid, would recommend going during when they open to avoid the long lines. read more

The restaurant is small but it is very nice and cute. The wait is not bad at all, don't be scared when you see many people outside the door. The Cantonese speaking waitress is very nice and very efficient. The food is delicious and tasty. We will be back for more. Highly recommended. read more

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Long wait since it's a super tight space. You'll be seated around the service bar. The bowls of ramen were good, definitely a little bit too salty for my liking but checks all the boxes of a good ramen. read more

Ramen Nakamura - Shoyu Ramen Miso Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Authentic Ramen House! First time back in ten years and happy to say they now have a vegetarian menu. We visited on Easter for dinner and got in without wait. The restaurant is small and counter seating is set up in a u-shape with the server in the middle. Be prepared to be seated next to strangers. It is a fun, social and casual vibe. We ordered the Miso Ramen and veggie dumplings. The noodles were the perfectly firm and the broth was seasoned on point. The dumplings were tasty. Service was quick and efficient. Turn over was fast. Prices were reasonable. If you're craving ramen, this is a solid spot. read more

Ramen Nakamura - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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The customer service was very friendly and the food came out within 10 minutes. There were many condiments in the Ramen tasted umami. The atmosphere had good lighting and interesting table. read more

Ramen Nakamura - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I was pretty disappointed about this spot after hearing people rave about it. I came for a late dinner and luckily there were open seats. It's a cool seating concept and you are meant to eat and go. I ordered the standard tonkotsu ramen and it came out in 10-15 minutes. When I first tried the broth it tasted heavily of sink/tap water which was very off putting. I was expecting a rich flavorful pork broth... They gave a good amount of noodles that had a nice chewy texture, but overall the entire bowl was simply disappointing. I guess for these spots that get a lot of hype, you either love it or not. read more

Ramen Nakamura - Spicy Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Sometimes, the best meals happen without a plan, allowing for, authentic, local, dining experiences. We stumbled upon this hidden gem while walking down Main Street Waikiki. And we're so glad we did! Ramen Nakamura is a popular, small ramen restaurant in Honolulu's Waikiki area, known for its authentic Japanese ramen with rich broths like tonkatsu, shoyu, and oxtail. We ordered the shio ramen, spicy ramen with oxtail and a side of fried rice. The broths were deeply flavorful and rich in spices. And the oxtail was super tender and hearty. The fried rice was well balanced and packed with flavor! Despite the restaurant being small and intimate, service was extremely efficient! Our total wait time was less than 15 minutes- that's pretty good considering there's usually a line of people waiting outside. And our food was served in a timely manner. Not to mention, our waiter made some great recommendations! We will definitely be back! read more

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We got lucky coming here for dinner there was no line, which was honestly surprising because this place is usually packed. The ramen was flavorful, comforting, and exactly what you want after a long day out in Waikiki. Everything tasted fresh and well-balanced, and you can tell why this spot is so popular. read more

Ramen Nakamura - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I ordered take out, so please keep that in mind. Instead of waiting for a table, I called in my order. Since it's take out, you can't order any mini items on the menu. The ramen was solid, it was not extraordinary for a five star, but good enough for this rating. I wouldn't mind eating there as it could be better. The gyoza was good and the fried rice was also decent. It's a solid four star food status. Recommended for sure! read more

I came in with my autistic son, who doesn't eat meat. The kids' ramen includes meat, toppings, and only half a portion of noodles. I simply asked if they could skip the meat and toppings and add a little extra noodles instead, since there isn't a plain noodles and broth option. They refused to make any accommodation and told us to go somewhere else if we weren't happy. It would have cost them less to leave out the meat, so the response felt unnecessary and dismissive. Very disappointing customer service. . read more

I've been coming here since high school. More than twenty years now. Back then, there were only a few ramen shops around. Today, the competition is everywhere. This place is still standing. That says something. I ordered the oxtail ramen. The broth is deep and steady, built from time and patience. Rich, but not careless. You taste the beef first, then the quiet sweetness that follows. The oxtail is tender, soft enough to fall apart, doing its job without showing off. This bowl hasn't changed much over the years. And it doesn't need to. I also ordered the fried rice. I always do. It's familiar and dependable. Each grain stays separate, lightly coated, carrying that wok aroma you remember long after the plate is empty. Simple, satisfying, and still one of the best companions to a bowl of ramen. Ramen Nakamura doesn't chase trends. It doesn't need to. It holds its ground by doing the same things well, year after year. I've grown older. The ramen hasn't. And I keep coming back. read more

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All I can say is yummy! Went on a mommy daughter grandma trip for Spring Break, stopped in for ramen after a day of snorkeling. It's a little spot with a community sitting/bar area. We ended up talking with several other families while eating and it was great conversation. Food was good and service is quick. Affordable prices for being in downtown Waikiki. Check it out! read more

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A bowl for people who've actually eaten ramen in Japan - not for beginners. The Broth - a masterclass in patience Ramen Nakamura's oxtail broth is the kind of soup you rarely find in the U.S. It's clear, slow-simmered, collagen-rich, with a natural body that comes only from hours of extracting flavor from whole oxtail bones. No shortcuts, no heavy creaminess to hide mistakes - just careful technique and time. This is very close to an old-school Japanese clear broth, the kind you usually only find in regional shops in Japan. Deep, elegant umami The first sip was a surprise. Despite being a clear broth, the umami is layered and deep, built from: * Natural sweetness of vegetables * Gelatin and collagen from the oxtail * Subtle aromatics from long simmering It's the kind of flavor you appreciate only if you've had traditional Japanese clear soups before - quiet, but very precise. The ginger paste - the "unlock" button That small mound on the side isn't garlic - it's fresh ginger. Stirring it into the broth unlocks a second stage of flavor: more lift, more warmth, and a gentle sharpness that cuts through the richness of the oxtail without fighting it. In Japan, this is exactly the way you'd season a beef- or oxtail-based clear soup. Noodles & toppings - intentional and balanced * Bean sprouts and negi add natural sweetness and crunch * Garlic chips add aroma without overwhelming the broth * Oxtail pieces are tender, clean-tasting, and full of flavor * Noodles are sized right for a clear soup -- not too thick, not soggy, and they actually carry the broth instead of diluting it Nothing on top feels like decoration. Everything is there to support the soup. Gyoza Crisp, evenly browned, and not greasy. Technically solid, exactly what you want as a side to a clear, elegant broth. Service - real Japanese hospitality Service is calm, attentive, and genuinely warm. The owner (an elderly lady) checked on us, and when I thanked her in Japanese as we left, she responded with a deep, sincere bow. You don't see this kind of old-school omotenashi often in the U.S. anymore. Small detail I loved Even the spoon carries a classic phoenix crest - a tiny touch, but it tells you how much they care about the experience at the bowl level. This is not fusion ramen. Not tonkotsu. Not trend-driven. This is traditional Japanese clear broth craftsmanship built on time, patience, and respect for the ingredient. In Hawaii, finding a bowl like this is rare - and absolutely worth going out of your way to try. - Dr. C "Taste honestly. Write clearly." read more

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tried out this ramen spot since it always looked so busy and it was super close to our airbnb during our oahu trip. we put our name down and waited probably around 10-15 minutes at most for a seat. it's a smaller, casual establishment and service was very nice and food came out relatively quick with the gyozas coming out some time after our ramens. the ramen in my opinion was good, but definitely have had better. the best part for me were their gyozas as they were freshly made so they came out piping hot! crispy on one side and soft on the other, with the perfect meat to cabbage ratio. a decent spot to try if you're in the area. read more

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The Ox Tail Ramen was so unique and so good. The broth was very flavorful. And the service was fast and friendly (once we sat down). They work hard to get ppl sat but there is a wait. You all sit at a counter which is pretty cool. read more

Got the mini combo. It was perfect for me. No issues with service. Water was replenished on a timely manner. Just like the good old Japan. Just shut up....eat and go...lol read more

Although Waikiki was rather warm the time we visited last month, we craved authentic Japanese ramen one afternoon and this place did not disappoint. Having come back from Japan earlier this year, the ramen was comparable. The portion was more than enough and our ramen cravings were satisfied. Just walking distance from the Waikiki luxury shopping row, it was a nice spot to walk into. The seating is very casual and is like a walk up counter. Service was very attentive. I prefer this place over Maragume udon. read more

Ramen Nakamura - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Very authentic Japanese ramen noodles. Small little joint, just like in Japan. One of the few places to get an authentic tonkotsu ramen in Waikīkī. I noticed most places only serve miso or shoyu ramen. The gyozas are also very good and crispy. read more

We ate here 5 years ago and it was even better this time. -The broth is liquid gold and sooooo incredibly flavorful & delicious. -the oxtail Ramen was amazing that we had to come back again. Definitely must try. -Super attentive in excellent service. Your water glass is never 1/2 empty. :) -absolutely loved the miso butter Ramen. read more

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Takeout ramen was amazing so I can't even imagine the full fresh experience in store. Very well packaged. Flavor profiles are amazing. Quick service, order was ready in 10 min during peak dinner service. read more

The food is good and served reasonably quickly (at least on the day we visited) the restaurant was full and counter seating turned over frequently. My fried rice was tasty and my spicy ramen was hot for my taste, so that made it good. Also, the sprouts were fresh and added texture to the dish. The price was $120+ for my family of four. Sadly, that is what eating out costs now! read more

Ramen Nakamura - Spicy Ramen & Gyoza Set - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Get there early or get there late to avoid the lines...no reservations, walk in only. No BYOB either and they don't serve alcohol. But what they do serve is amazing Ramen. My go to is always Ox tail Ramen. They simmer the broth and tails for over 12 hours in huge pots. Their noodles are chewy and the portions are generous. The ladies are super friendly and nice! My favorite ramen place in Waikiki. read more

Ramen Nakamura - Small place but worth the wait - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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One of my favorite Ramen places in Waikiki. They have the best spicy Ramen I've ever had. Also, they're dumplings are pretty good. There's usually a 15 to 25 minute wait from my experience. It's your typical Japanese seating everyone around a horseshoe, which is always fun. The service is rapid they want you in and out as quickly as possible as you're in another seat for another patron read more

A very Japanese ramen shop in Waikiki. Its seating is like that of a small ramen shop in Japan. The service is very traditional Japanese style. The ramen is good. Made well but added little different touches. The gyoza and fried rice is like that in Japan when eating ramen. Very delicious and satisfying. read more

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Delicious oxtail ramen at this place! Remember it is cash only! We had to go to target first to get cash back from a debit card cuz there's not conventional American banks on the Waikīkī strip! read more

If you live in Hawaii, and have driven through Waikiki at night, then you've probably seen the line for this place out the door. We have been meaning to go here, but of course, the wait is what stopped us (and parking). Finally we were driving through Waikiki and we saw no line. We thought maybe it's closed and if it is, at least there's more spots to eat in Waikiki, and if it's open, we finally get to try this place! Thank goodness! The business is small, but I was fooled at first with the large mirrors. The smaller the business, the more it seems like traditional ramen restaurants; the core of ramen is that it's a quick food and quick service to get as many guests in and out as fast as possible. It also seems like there's only a few employees - a mother and son duo serving and waiting tables and someone in the back as a chef. I never would have thought this was a small family owned business in Hawaii and now that I do know, I give it even more praise for operating for so long. Okay, to the ramen part. I forget what I got, I just know that it had a big knob of butter in it and corn; for some reason I felt like corn that day. I do know it's one of the ramens they're most known for! My husband got a combo so that he could get ramen and some rice, and we both ordered gyoza as well. Everything tasted great and up to par. I understand why this place always has such a long line. Part of the reason is because of the limited seating in the shop, but also it's just worth a stop. It's a small business in Waikiki that serves great ramen! Why wouldn't you want to stop by and support them? read more

Ramen Nakamura - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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My go-to ramen shop in Waikiki! Food: 4.5/5 My favorite is the Miso Ramen and Oxtail Ramen. The soup is so flavorful and addicting. I do wish they gave more meat though. Service: 5/5 The staff is quick and friendly! The food will come out within 5 minutes of ordering. Ambiance: 3/5 Small place with very little seating. Can get stuffy at times, especially while eating hot soup on a hot day. I recommend going right before it opens so you're at the first seating to avoid the place feeling too stuffy and the wait being long. read more

Ramen Nakamura - Miso Ramen (left) and Shio Ramen (right) - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Small ramen shop in Waikiki! Love how intimate it is and the counter where you can sit right in front of who's serving you. Spicy Oxtail ramen was great! Oxtail could use more flavor but broth was great. read more

Ramen Nakamura - Oxtail Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Whenever I'm craving ramen, this place delivers great overall. Comfortable and authentic. Will definitely be back. read more

Amazing food, excellent service! This small hole in the wall ramen restaurant is one of the best ramen you can get in Waikiki. It's very much Japanese style so it's all counter seating and the place is quite small. There were two small Japanese grandmas serving and they're super quick and efficient. The food was 9/10 and I definitely would come back again. They also have a restroom located in the back of the kitchen, which was super clean and tidy. Definitely recommend trying this place out :) read more

Ramen Nakamura - Half spicy ramen combo - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Excellent service, very welcoming, food is very good would definitely recommend.. Good location

Sorry, not nearly as good as it used to be. Broth is not as flavorful, noodles aren't as good. Much more expensive, too. Only good news is that there isn't a line anymore. read more

Ramen was great and affordable in the heart of Waikiki. Charming little spot that's been here for 30 years. Perfect for a quick and easy dinner with excellent service. No alcohol is served, so have a pre- or post-dinner cocktail elsewhere. read more

Service - came on a Tuesday night with a short line (20-30 minutes wait) so opted to order take out - waited patiently for 15 minutes because the server was clearly overwhelmed with the 20 counter seats - only to be told "no take out - too busy" and then he motioned me to move out his way so he can seat other guests I remember coming here with long lines, way busier and had a better experience Ramen is good but with more ramen shops to choose from, it's not worth the wait anymore read more

Stopped in around 7 PM as a group of 2 people on a Tuesday. We waited about 25 minutes for a table. We chose this restaurant based on its online reviews and it did not disappoint. This was our first time trying ramen and I think it set the bar too high it was so good. Very reasonably priced. The staff moved very quickly so even though it is a small restaurant they are getting people in and out. Very clean. read more

Ramen Nakamura - Miso Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Vegetarian/Vegan Options. Tasty soup bases. Very hardworking and helpful staff. It's a small oval shape bar style individual seating.

Stumble on this place walking around checking out shops. I loved this place so much I went twice. Walked in signed up for a seat. Love the set up and engage with others eating there talking about how good everyone's meals are. It's a small place but love the setup. Staff are amazing there very helpful. If you like spicy foods then you'll love the spicy ramen. I suggest getting the combo it was worth it! Almost went with the ox tail but can't resist spicy food. I'll definitely be back next trip to Hawaii. Sending all my friends there way to enjoy the best ramen dish I've had. You have to try this place if you find yourself walking around downtown. read more

Ramen Nakamura - Spicy ramen combo - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Best time to check out this popular ramen restaurant is outside of mealtime. Otherwise, it is almost a guarantee for a long wait. Their tasty noodle is highly praiseworthy; same goes to their pork slices, too. Gyoza also noteworthy, but fried rice was just about average, although appearance wise attractive. With add ons (sets), one can expect to spend over $50.00 or more for two, not including suggested 18% and up for tips. The eatery is more for foot traffic customers, since parking would be one formidable challenge to overcome. read more

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Was an interesting experience. Partner said it reminded him of Midnight Diner. Lots of rules in place such as: -$18 minimum per person - If you use a gift card, an 18% gratuity is applied - No BYOB - No additional takeout orders after dine in - 40 minute dining limit - 18% gratuity applied on parties of 6 or more. Service was very friendly and I liked the dividers between parties, it felt very homely. My shio ramen was tasty, for $18 it came with one piece of chashu, bean sprouts, fried garlic, spring onions, bamboo, and the broth was rich and noodles were filling. Definitely filled the stomach. Not the best value for price but acceptable! The biggest downside for me was the music -- they played covers of 2000 hits that were not great and it kinda distracted me from the food, but otherwise a decent spot for dinner. read more

Ramen Nakamura - Shio Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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