Rich, flavorful ramen with great variety Had the classic ramen, soft shell crab ramen, and karaage at Ramen Parlor in San Mateo. The classic ramen was comforting and well-balanced, with a rich broth and noodles that had a nice chewy texture. It's a solid, no-frills bowl that delivers on flavor and warmth. The soft shell crab ramen stood out the most. The crab was crispy on the outside and tender inside, adding a unique texture and flavor that paired really well with the broth. It felt more elevated and interesting compared to a standard ramen bowl. The karaage was also crispy, juicy, and well-seasoned, making it a great side to share alongside the ramen. Service was friendly and efficient, and the staff kept things moving even when it got busy. The vibe is casual and lively, with a popular local ramen shop feel. It's the kind of place that's great for a comforting meal without being too formal. Overall, a great spot for ramen lovers, especially if you want both classic and more creative options in one visit. I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu. read more

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Been going to this place for years. Always a solid place for ramen even among the explosion of other ramen spots in the Bay Area. Staff is the same and always super nice and food was out quickly. Got the lobster garlic pork ramen and the broth was rich and flavorful. Noodles had a nice bounce and chew. Quail eggs are a nice change. Chicken karaage was nice and crunchy but lacked flavor even with the sauce. However, good portion size with six large pieces. Overall: 3.9/5 read more

Ramen Parlor - Chicken Kaarage - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Ramen Parlor's parking lot is a bit limited but there's plenty of street parking. Their service was quick and the staff members were extremely polite and kind. It's a great place for families, date nights or just a hang out! What was ordered: + chicken karaage - fried well as it was very crispy and hot when it arrived at our table. I enjoyed the texture of the chicken but was a little put off by the sauce on the bottom, which made parts of the chicken soggy. + takoyaki - the flavor is perfect for me but I felt it wasn't crispy enough on the outside and had a bit too much sauce on top. I'd still order this again but would probably ask for less sauce next time. + spicy crab miso ramen - highly recommend this dish! You get the option of how spicy you want your broth (I went with mild) and it was perfect for me. It had a kick of spiciness but the broth was rich and creamy with some garlic flavors. The broth stayed hot throughout my meal and the noodles were cooked perfectly. read more

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I love Ramen Parlor. It's probably my favorite ramen spot in San Mateo, and I've tried just about all of them. Service is always quick and efficient. They have a small parking lot on site which makes it easy, and while the dining room is on the smaller side, they handle to go orders well. My go to is the extra spicy tan tan men with either garlic chili oil or black garlic oil. The marinated soft boiled egg is perfect every time. Great depth of flavor and the yolk stays nice and jammy. It had been a while since my last visit, and it was just as good as I remembered. read more

Ramen Parlor - Interior of restaurant - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I got the black garlic pork ramen w/medium spice. To be honest, the noodles, the broth, the spice, and the ingredients all tasted just mediocre. The egg was not runny, the noodles tasted and felt generic, and it was as if I was eating something I made with a packet. Might've been just that item, but I was unimpressed with anything. Not saying it's bad! But unfortunately just nothing special. read more

Ramen Parlor - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

I first discovered Ramen Parlor when DJ and I visited SAMA COFFEE, diagonally across the street from the restaurant, on June 30, 2025. Ramen Parlor was closed that day, so I was unable to go inside and check them out, but made a mental note to add them to my "Want to go" list (Slap my hand for neglecting to do so on Yelp). I finally got to visit Ramen Parlor for lunch with Herlina and Vi on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Finding parking here is a breeze since they have a private lot, but even if it's full, there is also street parking. We arrived at 11:45 AM sans reservations, but faced no wait and were seated immediately to a half booth table. The matchbox-shaped dining room with brown wooden tables and chairs was fairly clean and tidy on the day of our visit. Maximum occupancy is probably around 100 persons here. Vi ordered a CLASSIC RAMEN ($17.95) with Pork Flavor broth and added Corn for an additional $1.50. Herlina and I went with the Pork Tan Tan Men (Black-Garlic Oil, $19.95) from the HOUSE SPECIALTY RAMEN section + Corn ($1.50). Honestly, the THAI GREEN RAMEN and the THAI RED RAMEN intrigued me enough to consider ordering one of them, but I decided to go with a more traditional bowl for my first visit, especially since no substitutions/customizations allowed. We all enjoyed our noodle soups. I got to try Vi's and can say that both broths were deliciously rich in flavour. Service was quick and very friendly. A great lunch we enjoyed at Ramen Parlor. I will definitely be back. Next time, I will need to try one of the Thai Ramens. read more

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We always come here for whenever we're craving ramen - rare, but it does happen. They are consistent in flavor, and have really nailed down the perfect bite. Service is always friendly. I ALWAYS get the same thing: - Lobster garlic pork soy flavor, which comes topped with Roasted Pork (2pcs), Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab (WHOLE) Quail Eggs (2pcs), Spinach, Roasted Seaweed (2pcs) and bamboo shoots @ mild spicy Just enough to feel something but not enough to sweat, haha. The bowl feels like it's getting smaller than I remember, and maybe it's because the crab is half the size it used to be or less broth? Whatever it is, I'll definitely be back. read more

Ramen Parlor - Lobster garlic pork soy flavor w/ Roasted Pork, Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab, Quail Eggs, Spinach, Roasted Seaweed, and bamboo shoots - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

I've grown to love this place. The consistency of service and quality of broth and noodles has kept me coming back for years. Plus, for a big eater like me, the introduction of a super ramen for only $25 was a major win. Remember that parking is limited in their lot, and seating inside is equally limited, so if you're coming during a prime lunch/dinner rush, be prepared to wait for a bit. However, once you're in, the menu is limited and the kitchen is constantly cranking, so once you order, prepare to be slurping noodles in less than 10 minutes. It's great for kids too because there's very little downtime. read more

Came Friday around 11:30am. Parking lot is small but there is plenty of street parking. The inside was cute but only had a couple of tables. My group of 7 got seated right away. The service was great! Ramen came out quickly and roughly came out at the same time. The ramen itself is very flavorful and filling! Love coming here to eat the soft shell crab. read more

Ramen Parlor - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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One of my go to ramen spots in San Mateo. I got their new lobster garlic pork flavor ramen and it was sooooo goooood!! I absolutely love the soft shell crab they add. It's crispy, flavorful, and pairs perfectly with the rich broth. The noodles had the perfect chew, and the broth had just the right balance of creamy and garlicky without being too heavy. I'm not really the biggest ramen guy but this is a place I wouldn't mind going to frequently forsure! The staff was very kind and attentive, and the place itself is perfect if you're eating alone or just want to eat a relaxing meal. Definitely a spot I'll recommend to my friends. read more

Ramen Parlor - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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The waiters are very professional and take time to explain the new Super Ramen menu, where you can choose your preferred broth. The place is clean and well-kept, making it comfortable to dine in. The new ramen selections--Thai Red Ramen, Thai Green Ramen, and Stew Pork Belly Ramen--add a unique twist, while the Black Garlic Pork Flavor stands out as a favorite for its rich, savory taste. Ramen Parlor offers excellent service, a clean ambiance, and creative ramen choices, making it a must-visit spot for ramen lovers. read more

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Been going here for years and it's quite a staple for me at this point; I just took my parents and it's their new favorite spot as well. While I do like their pork tan tan men (which is unctuous and thick), or their crab curry ramen (which is more fishy), my favorite will always be one of their tonkotsu broths, preferably the garlic pork. Although their appetizers (chicken karaage and fire oysters) are decent, you should primarily (and obviously) be coming for their ramen. It's definitely flavorful and slightly heavier than most ramens I've tried, and even mild spice can pack some heat. Prices are good and they do dine-in; I don't think I've ever waited here recently, so no reservations needed. They do have their own parking lot, which is quite a blessing. read more

Ramen Parlor - Garlic pork ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

So, wife and I have been here multiple times. Service: 3/5 Staff is really not too friendly or personable. They just seat you, pour some water, take your order and then pretty much disappear and bring a bill to your table. They don't consistently come to your table to see if you need more water, napkins, etc. Ambiance: 3/5 Not much going on in the restaurant. No TVs. I think they play background music ‍ Food: 4.5/5 Now for the food, we love the broths. Not salty. Noodles cooked just right. We love the SOFT SHELL crab. One of the main reasons we always come back. read more

Ramen Parlor - Chicken Kaarage - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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LOVE LOVE LOVE! Fantastic, genuine and thoughtful service. Food was incredible. And they went above and beyond to take good care of our kids! They blew my mind giving us scissors to cut up the noodles and stuff for the kids... can't believe I've never thought of doing that life changing haha. They even let our son pick a song at the end of the night since we were the last ones there. So fun. Thanks for the memories made! read more

This place is right off of 9th avenue by the tracks and if you are familiar with the area, you've probably passed by this spot many times. Finally decided to visit here with the family. We've usually seen lines, so we figured we would try to stop by right at the opening of the dinner hours to beat the crowd. Service was friendly and inviting. We immediately received our drinks and appetizers quickly. We got the okonomiyaki and kaarage (as pictured). For our food, I ordered the lobster garlic pork soy sauce ramen (also pictured) and it was pretty good. The serving size was good in comparison to many restaurants with larger portion sizes. I was able to finish my meal at the restaurant. Overall not too bad of a spot. It was a pretty general ramen spot with varying flavors that I think many people would enjoy. read more

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We came here after a hike. The restaurant quickly brought together a big table to accommodate our big group of around 12 people, and our orders were served very very quickly right after everyone had ordered. I wanted to get their special ramen which had chicken karaage on top of tonkotsu, but unfortunately they sold out. So I got a lobster broth ramen instead, which came with a few pieces of crispy fried crab. The crab was pretty good, and the soup tasted slightly fishy but not exactly lobster-like. It was a good bowl of ramen nonetheless. read more

Ramen Parlor - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Everyone that knows me should know that I am ramen's least favorite fan, so my visit to this spot was made entirely to please the group. I had agreed before taking a look at the menu, so my original plan of ordering something that wasn't actually ramen was foiled quickly when I realized that the only thing on the menu was ramen. I can't quite recall what I ordered exactly, but I remember trying to consume as little of the broth as possible since ramen broth tends to be super salty and gets me bloated quickly. The broth here had good flavor, but was certainly no exception. If you are also someone that is not a fan of ramen for the same reasons as me, prepare yourself. I'm sure if I was naturally a fan this would be a five star review, but four stars from someone batting for the opposite team should speak volumes nonetheless. Service was quick. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side so tables are close to one another and it is rather noisy with everyone's chatter. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this spot to a friend who is looking to eat some tasty ramen. read more

Ramen Parlor - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

I have been coming to Ramen Parlor for the past 5 years and unfortunately today will be my last time. Their meat quality has gone down hill and I've tolerated it because of the good soft shell crab, but on this visit, the meat had a very pungent freezer burn taste. When dining here in the past, I've noticed the freezer burnt taste but it was not nearly as bad as today. I hope they will improve their meat quality for future customers. read more

Ramen Parlor - Lobster garlic pork ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

This is my favorite ramen place. I've tried ramen all over the bay, but this is the one I keep coming back too. Simple and delicious. The staff are always friendly and available. It's a little restaurant and I really like the homey feel. Their garlic pork ramen is the best! read more

The Lobster garlic pork flavor ramen comes with chashu pork, quail eggs and soft shell crab. Chicken Karaage has big chunks of crisp chicken with ponzu sauce. They are both delicious. Been here several times and the Server is always friendly and accommodating. The place is clean and decent and has its own parking lot. read more

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It's been a few years since dining in here and on a weekday lunch, there was still a wait. It still is a solid choice in a downtown that has so many ramen options. One big plus is the free parking lot in front. The lobster ramen specials are solid as they come with plenty of toppings and a soft shell crab. What is a bit confusing is that they don't come with the same additional topping (sometimes corn, mushroom or bamboo shoots). My favorite is the garlic pork version. The miso version is a bit unique with a mild kick even in the "no spice version". Not my personal favorite. read more

Yukon was our waiter and he was great in helping us pick our luncheon items. We started with the Daikon salad, crisp, fresh, and the dressing blended well. The best cool tasty salad we have had. We definitely will be back again and maybe order as main course. Next we split the non spicy pork ramen soup and added ground pork. Tasty with great flavor levels. Was just enough food for the two of us. Was a fulfilling tasty lunch that was healthy and satisfying. We will be back. read more

Located near Downtown San Mateo, parking is limited and very difficult to find. The interior is spacious with a fair number of tables. Noise level is average. Lobster garlic pork soy sauce ramen (4/5): the broth was super flavorful. The garlic and spices were balanced perfectly. The meat was a little tough and lacking in flavor. I loved the quail eggs though. The lobster was also quite interesting to eat, as I was expecting it to be crunchy, but it was surprisingly soft to an extent. Tap to pay is not accepted. Overall, Ramen Parlor has some unique and delicious ramen. The service is good too. read more

Ramen Parlor - Lobster garlic pork soy sauce ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

The Lobster Garlic Pork Broth is great! My wife got the crab ramen and the flavor was a bit bland/ 1 note, but I do recommend coming here to try the lobster garlic pork broth. Although the space inside is a bit small, they turn tables and serve your order pretty quickly. I also always appreciate a dedicated parking lot since it's hard to park near downtown San Mateo. read more

Ramen Parlor - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

My FAVORITE ramen spot! They had new items but I forgot what it was. I was just Craving for the Lobster Pork Ramen. Service is great as always and pelite read more

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We were in the San Mateo area, and decided to drop in to Ramen Parlor. I like that they have their own parking lot! It's a medium sized restaurant, with indoor seating only. Only one restroom. The decor is simple and reminds me like it was a Chinese restaurant before. The service was friendly and attentive. Parlor Ramen: Comes topped with roasted pork (2 pcs), deep fried soft shell crab (whole), quail eggs (2 pcs), spinach, roasted seaweed (2 pcs). We chose the Lobster Pork Garlic Flavor with kikurage mushrooms. Added extra noodles. (4/5). Flavorful, creamy, and spicy. Warning if you can't take any spice, this can pack some heat! The noodles were medium thickness and had a nice chew to them. We appreciated they gave a little bit of soup with our extra noodles that did not have any spice in it, which my wife was able to eat. Karaage: Fried chicken with grated daikon radish and tempura sauce boneless (6 pcs). (4/5) Big pieces of both white and dark meat. Though, since the fried chicken is served in the tempura sauce already, the crispy chicken can get soggy quickly. But, it's a different way of presenting this dish. Note: They require a minimum of $15.95 per guest. read more

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I love ramen, and not sure why the review is not as high. I like their lobster /unique flavor and that is what I intend to get here. My wife usually order the tonkatsu. We think the ramen taste great overall. Is it Michelin star no but as a day to day casual ramen, 5 star from us. The service is also generally good. No complaints read more

Food is always on point! Been going to this place since it opened. We go at least 3 to 4 times a month!

Been eating here for years but today when I bit into the pork, tasted old and lack of flavor for some reason. The broth is no longer thick like before, I feel like the spice of the soup bear to taste. There's many better ramen spot under the $20 price range and it's all within the neighborhood of San Mateo I'm sorry read more

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The food was really good here! The chicken karaage appetizer was made up of big pieces of chicken with ponzu and radish on top. That was pretty good. I had a ramen with soft shell crab and the flavor of the broth was delicious. There were 2 soft shell crabs which was a nice touch! It was also a bit spicy which I also enjoyed. The service was nice here, and the space is small. There is still a good amount of seating though. The outside parking is small but it wasn't a problem on the night we came (it was a Friday night). I would recommend this place for sure! I will definitely be back. read more

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Omg! A hidden gem in the sea of ramen spots. I never realized I had such a good ramen place right by me...and I can even walk to it! I tried the Thai Red Ramen and it was so tasty. Truly yummy for the tummy! They're getting really popular, so the wait can be a challenge. I just hope they add some outdoor heaters for people waiting outside. read more

Ramen Parlor - Thai Red Ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

I never thought I would find a ramen shop when you first find this spot. The restaurant gives off an old cafe vibe. Inside, there are decent amount of tables to sit. On a weekend, there were couple of families seated in late afternoon. The ramen here is great. Lots of flavor in their broth, soft meat, and flavorful eggs. Only downside to this place is the flies that are inside and outside of the restaurant. While eating, there was a big fly that was flying against the wall and wouldn't leave the area. I also noticed that these flies were also flying outside of the restaurant. read more

Ramen Parlor - Ramen full of flavors - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

This is our family's go to spot for Ramen in San Mateo. We've been coming here for years and they've been continually consistent. If you want to try something different with Ramen, there are many options downtown. If you want to have the tried and true tonkatsu comfort food ramen, they don't disappoint. Simple menu, come for ramen. Classic garlic pork broth ramen for me, all the way! And I always get an extra egg. Parking on site so if you just want your ramen fix without the downtown parking fiasco, look no further! read more

Lobster garlic pork ramen is our regular go to lunch treat. Keep saying I will try something else but don't. Someday!

Our family has always loved coming here for as long as I can remember. One thing that I find different about ramen parlor is that they offer soft shell crab in several dishes and that's what got me into soft shell crab in the first place. The flavor of the ramen is always so good and I really like the toppings. The only complaint is they don't allow any substitutions. Service is always pretty friendly and there's usually no wait when we go read more

Ramen Parlor has some solid ramen broths. Today I had their new stewed pork belly ramen with garlic pork broth. It was so good and had a hearty piece of tender pork belly. On a cold day this place really hits the spot. They are very friendly and quick to serve you. I usually luck out getting parking right in front. Great place for solo or group dining so head on down. read more

Ramen Parlor - Spicy crab miso ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Ordered the popular Lobster Farlic Ramen....very tasty!!!! I enjoyed the blend of the garlic and lobster taste !!! I ordered mild spicy which was perfect!!! They also have a parking lot so you do not have to look for parking!!! I will be back for more!!!! read more

Ramen Parlor - Lobster Garlic ramen ( not the soysauce one) - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

The ramen never disappoints you, it's delicious and keeps you warm on a cold day in the bay. The spice levels are perfect too. It's hearty, made with love! I always go with a friend, big fan of pork and veggie ramen. I am a big fan of the noodles to broth ratio, and the broth has so much flavor it's incredible read more

Ramen Parlor - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

Friendly service and dedicated parking lot. Interior looks a little worn and without much personality. Ramen was just OK. Broth tasted rather one-dimensional. Egg was nicely cooked but not seasoned. Good chew to the noodles. I appreciated the hefty amount of book choy included. With so many great ramen spots in the area, I don't see myself retuning anytime soon. read more

Ramen Parlor - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

Ramen Parlor is nestled in it's own little plaza, allowing for quick and easy parking in downtown San Mateo. We were seated immediately on a Tuesday night and knew we wanted to try the Crab Spicy Miso Ramen and the Parlor Ramen with Lobster Miso Flavor. Takoyaki ($8.95): Not pictured, but this was my favorite dish! They added just the right amount of sauce on top and every bite was chewy and flavorful. Crab Spicy Miso Ramen ($19.95): The presentation of my ramen was pretty lackluster. My egg was in the bottom of the bowl once it got to our table and for the price of the ramen, I felt like there should've been more toppings in my ramen, like maybe seaweed? As for the broth, which is usually my favorite part of ramen, was very disappointing. The taste was very bland instead of the usual rich, umami flavor of ramen. However, the other toppings were delicious, such as the runny egg they added on top, soft shelled crab, and charbroiled chashu. For the most part, I wasn't blown away by my ramen and probably won't order it again. Overall, the service was great as they were quick and attentive. If I'm in the area, maybe I'll give it another shot. read more

Ramen Parlor - Crab Spicy Miso Ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California