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    Taishoken - San Mateo

    4.3 (2.1k reviews)
    ModerateRamen, Noodles, Soup
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Waitlist - Taishoken - San Mateo

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    Order Taishoken - San Mateo Takeout or Delivery

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    TAISHOKEN - SAN MATEO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy

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    Kama (duck) sipping broth cold ramen
    Erika C.

    I think their calamari, takoyaki, abura soba, and regular ramen are pretty solid go-tos. The fish powder of the mazesoba is a bit strong for me but if I get that in the side, that's a good dish too. While known for their tsukemen, it's not my fave. I had their kama dipping ramen special recently. The duck and bamboo shoots weren't seasoned at all. The dipping broth was a too salty and didn't have much flavor. It was better after they added the dashi at the end, at least it had some smokiness and bonito flavor. So I'd skip that next time. Great service and comfortable seats. Also like the Yelp waitlist option bc they get busy.

    Matt V.

    had heard a lot of hype about this place, so I came in pretty excited to try it. The concept of cold dipping noodles in a hot broth is definitely unique and something I was looking forward to experiencing. First off, the price is very reasonable, especially considering how popular and packed this place usually is. Expect a wait, but it's not the worst since there are plenty of bakeries and shops nearby to check out while you wait. The tsukemen itself was solid, but not mind blowing. The broth was okay, nothing too rich or memorable. What stood out the most were the noodles. They had that chewy, slightly dense texture, almost like buckwheat or something similar, and honestly reminded me of jajangmyeon noodles, which I liked. One downside was the meat portion. It either lacked variety or just felt too minimal for the bowl. I found myself wanting more protein to balance everything out. The standout was the spicy ramen. Great tasting, good meat portions, super flavorful broth but a bit too thick. Overall, it's a good experience and worth trying at least once for the style alone.

    Hojicha lemonade
    Cat N.

    If you're wanting something different from the usual ramen - this location offers Aburasoba and Tsukemen. The Tsukemen comes dry but the difference is you dip the noodles in a thick broth from another bowl. This review is mainly for the Aburasoba since the only thing I remember is that it stands out more in flavor and punch. The Aburasoba is very creamy and thick in flavor. You get a side of vinegar that you can add so you can break through the creaminess. I do recommend mixing everything up first and slowly adding it instead of adding all the vinegar at once. I remember they use to have it with chopped pork but now it's one slice. The hojicha lemonade was good - a nice twist on the usual Arnold Palmer. It's been busy everytime I've gone and they have a check-in at the front door and bench seating. Parking can also be a challenge but there's a parking lot a few blocks away.

    Tokusei Ramen
    Benjamin N.

    I ordered the Tokusei ramen Tsukemen I really enjoyed the tokusei ramen because the egg was super marinated and jammy and came in a full egg size(preface I see ramen sometimes with only half egg). The pork chasu was alright but the chicken slice was so clean. I loved the mushrooms and there was a good amount of noodles. Broth wasnt heavy and tasted great The tsukemen had my favorite cold buckwheat noodles but the broth was lighter than expected. It wasn't as thick so it feels heavy. Overall I think its alright but i much rather prefer the ramen

    Tokusei Tsukemen
    Alina H.

    Stopped by Taishoken for lunch. We started with the karaage, which came out nice and crispy with super generous portion sizes. I was craving dipping noodles, so we went with their tsukemen which is their most popular dish. The noodles had a great chewy texture, and the broth was very thick, with a lot of flavor and richness. The slice of meat was also well done -- not overly fatty. This was a very satisfying meal!

    Limited offering (no takeout): Kamo Shoyu Tsukemen
    Nick C.

    Taishoken has been the trailblazer for tsukemen in the bay area and for good reason. The attention to detail and consistency is always apparent and shines through every order. My go-to here is, of course, the tsukemen. As a self-proclaimed ramen purists - keep the onsen egg and medium rare pork. All I need is a dank broth with some perfectly (maybe slightly tooth) al dente noodles. While the tsukemen here might not be for everyone , it totally hits the spot for me. The unique taste of the dipping broth is one which can only be found here, as well as their noodles which have their own size and consistency. Don't get me wrong, all their other offerings are pretty good too. In particular I like the mazesoba. Recently they also hatched a new limited duck tsukemen. As tough as it was to pry me away from the original or the soupless ramen, I was convinced by staff this would be enjoyable - and it was. Super light but complex. This had a rich and earthy flavor whole also being light and, fragrant with yuzu. Service here is exceptionally friendly but also rigid. Items tend to come as they are with little to no flexibility for adjustments, but they'll let you know very nicely. Overall taishoken makes the short list of bay area ramen spots for me, in particular when craving their rich & hearty tsukemen that'll be sure to satisfy any ramen craving, but even in hot weather. Besides that, taishoken has a particular spirit it carries, one that I recognized even from spotting their original location on Tony Bourdain's earlier "no reservations" episodes. It's a subtle but confident attitude - one that says I understand you like things a certain way, but trust us. For any diners willing to accept those terms, they will be greatly rewarded.

    Helen H.

    There was a small wait during lunch on a Sunday. I was able to use the machine outside to add myself on the waitlist. There are a couple of benches outside. Paid parking was not too hard to find- $1 per hour. There are two individual restrooms and one room has a baby changing station. The ramen broth was very thick and not enough broth for the amount of noodles they give. The noodles are thin noodles instead of the nice thick noodles. The soft boiled egg and meat was good as it wasn't all fat. My waiter never checked in and did not refill the water.

    Ricky L.

    For ramen lovers, this is a great spot. Although we came specifically for their tsukemen, which is an excellent option during the spring and summer months. The broth is thick and packed with flavor and umami. The real star for me, however, was the noodles -- fresh, springy, and the perfect complement to the rich dipping broth. They balance the whole dish beautifully. The chashu and the rest of the toppings were good, though not particularly outstanding. The real surprise, though, was the aburasoba. My wife ordered it and, honestly, it felt like a better version of a carbonara. The same fantastic noodles are mixed with egg yolk, bamboo shoots, green onions, and chashu. Once you mix everything together and add a bit of their vinegar, it turns into a bomb of flavors and textures. Overall, it's a great place if you're craving high-quality noodles and bold flavors -- and the aburasoba alone is worth coming back for.

    Spicy Ramen
    Rony Q.

    My group came on a rainy day and nothing beats hot soup on a day like that! I ordered the spicy ramen and it was really good. My friends and I noticed that the soup was quite thick and full of collagen, and the portion size was really good too. Good amount of noodles and good amount of toppings and pork as well. The spice level was very manageable. Warning to eat the ramen before it cools down because the soup gets thicker as it does. We also shared the sandstorm calamari as an appetizer and it was honestly the highlight of the meal. It was crispy and the sauce was so delicious, we didn't even need the ranch. Definitely want to come back for the tsukemen!

    Yuzu Shio Ramen (vegetable)
    Rhona G.

    Review is based on online order/takeout. Online ordering is easy and once ordered gives you an estimate time for pick up. Parking for pick up can vary depending on the day. Weekdays does require paying for parking. There are 20 min parking spots specific for pick up but if full, you have to circle around or park in the structure. There are benches outside and covered to wait to be seated indoor or wait for pick up. Service is friendly and the takeout is placed on a shelf next to the front door but you will need to request the server or host to get it for you. The karaage is delicious, not too greasy that has just the right crisp. The yuzo ship ramen had a great mix between seaweed, green onions and tofu. The broth is delicious.

    SAND STORM CALAMARI
    Sabrina H.

    One of our go-to's! I've been going for years and it's always a comforting hit spot for tsukemen and ramen. The service is always very nice and the restaurant is always bustling and lively (in a good way!). The sandstorm calamari is always a banger. The large pieces paired with the crispy garlic and spicy panko just work so well together. The calamari is always cooked perfectly too. My favorite is the Tokusei Tsukemen. The dipping broth always comes out very hot (in a good way) and is so flavorful and umami that stay sleek on the noodles perfectly. There's bamboo shoots and green onion in the broth are always delicious! I always add the chili/pepper powder in my dipping broth to add a kick. (Would recommend if you love a little bit of spice) They recently released a limited time/seasonal item which is a Kamo Shoyu Tsukemen (duck!). It was actually better than I expected! I expected the fattiness of the duck to be a bit overpowering, but the broth being shoyu and with a little slice of lime paired it perfectly. The dish was light and balanced, and is definitely a re-order for our next visit. A must visit if you haven't been!

    Tokusei Ramen
    Sophia B.

    Even years after opening, there's still a wait to get a table. On weekends, a table for two has taken 30-40 minutes' wait for me on average. I expect wait would be longer for large groups 5+. You can join the waitlist early on Yelp before you're physically there to cut down on part of that wait. The wait list moves a little faster than expected precisely because there are parties that aren't even present when called and they move on to the next group. On one of my visits we went from 8th in line to table ready because no one else was there. The interior has an urban ramen stand vibe, with low to medium lighting. It's casual and clean. I've seen at least one high chair, so they do accommodate families with small children. Service is quick and courteous, and the ramen bowls come out very fast. This is currently my favorite ramen and tsukemen joint in the Peninsula. I've had the niku spicy ramen and the tokusei ramen. Taishoken easily has the best broth of any ramen place I've tried in the Bay Area--it's rich, creamy, dense and flavorful, that can only come from long hours of simmering a generous amount of quality ingredients. The tokusei ramen was SO good, the flavor was pure perfection. A bowl this good can't be made at home without serious time commitment and ingredients budget. The egg had a perfectly jammy yolk and the sous vide pork went so well with the noodles. The niku spicy ramen is a medium spicy umami flavor bomb, and was a hit with my husband. It packs some heat that'll have you reaching for your drink repeatedly without necessarily burning your mouth. My friend always goes for the tokusei tsukemen when she comes in--and she's usually a picky eater. Everything I've tried here has been mastered to perfection. Definitely look forward to bringing out of town visitors and trying out the other dishes!

    Spicy Tsukemen
    Vincent W.

    Came on a Saturday night just before 6. Needed to wait about 20 mins before we got seated even though the waitlist on Yelp said it would probably be about 5 mins. After being seated the waitlist staff came to take our order and was pretty efficient as the food came out 5-10 minutes later even though all tables were full. Got the spicy tsukumen and the special ramen soup. Flavors are decent. Not sure about the broth but they use some sort of peppers and maybe a citrus in the dipping sauce. Once you are finished dipping you can ask for some bonito broth to sip the dipping sauce. The noodles for the dipping ramen were pretty thick, tasted good but might be better slightly thinner. Staff was friendly and everything went efficiently. Overall decent spot if it's a short wait. I wouldn't go out of my to come if there was a long wait though.

    TORI CHINTAN RAMEN (limited dine-in only)

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    Page 1 of 54

    Taishoken - San Mateo Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Taishoken - San Mateo

    Is MSG used in any of the soups or sauces?

    Hi, while there might not be granulated MSG in any of the the foods, many ramen recipes use seaweed, mushrooms and dry fish. Those ingredients are all high in natural MSG, and when used in combination have a synergistic effect on what we call umami… Read more

    Are you still doing outdoor seating?

    Nope. They totally took down all the structure and everything

    Is there any gluten free options?

    Unfortunately, we don't have any gluten-free options. Thank you for your understanding.

    Do you need to be vaccinated to eat indoors?

    Every time I've eaten here the past year (probably about 6+ times), no one has asked me for my vaccination status to eat indoors!

    Does the Niku Spicy Ramen come with egg, spicy pork miso and chili oil? Or do we have to order them as add ons?

    Hello, Niku spicy Ramen comes with special spacy pork miso, pork chashu, green onion, kikurage… Read more

    Will you still have outdoor dining on May 1?

    No they will not. (Was just there this weekend)

    What vegan options do you have?

    Hello, We do have some appetizers and vegetable ramen. Please check our website to see the menu.… Read more

    Is the noodle used in the vegetable ramen contain egg?

    Hello Elaine, All noodles(Tsukemen, Ramen and Soupless Ramen) do not use eggs. Thank you. Yuji… Read more

    If we have 10 people, can we all sit together?

    If you're going during a busy time it might be hard to get all the seats together. The booths fit 6 but the little tables inside and outside can be banded together for a large group depending on availability. Best to coordinate with wait staff

    Is this place relatively kids friendly?

    Yes

    Do you take reservations or is it first come first serve during lunchtime?

    Hello, Unfortunately, we don't take any reservations. Thank you for your understanding.… Read more

    Is outdoor seating still available?

    Yes! It's well organized too!

    Do you serve Sapporo on draft?

    Hi Ying, yes! We are going to start serving Sapporo on draft very soon. It has been difficult… Read more

    Do you sell gift cards and in what amounts. Do you have e cards?

    Hi Don, we have both physical and digital gift cards. Minimum is $5 and up to maximum $100. You can purchase them at the restaurant.

    Is their ramen gluten free?? And the soup?

    Hi Hailey, unfortunately, we do not have any gluten free options at the moment but it is something we are working on.

    Do they accommodate egg allergy?

    Not

    Do they have kelp noodles or something keto friendly?

    No. All their noodles are made from flour of some sort.

    Are you open on Christmas Eve?

    Hi Sandra, Taishoken will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You can also check on our website www.taishokenusa.com. Thank you.

    What time should a party of 2 arrive if we want to be seated before they close on a Saturday for lunch?

    Hi Patrick, we usually close the waitlist between 12 to 12:30pm, depending on amount of parties on the waitlist. I'd recommend adding your name to the waitlist via Yelp App before that time. Thank you.

    How's the wait for weekday lunch service?

    We were there on a Friday and it took about 45 minutes. We got there about 1145 and put our name down for 3. Hope this helps 😋

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    Kajiken - Homura Aburasoba

    Kajiken

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Kajiken hits the spot between comfort and pure gluttony! I typically do not love noodle places, but…read morethis is on another level. I have been to Kajiken twice now, and it has been absolutely delicious each time. It is located in downtown San Mateo, so it does not have its own dedicated parking lot. If you come on the weekend, it can be harder to find parking, and the likelihood of a wait is high. When it gets busy, there is a section outside for you to line up. The servers typically come out to the folks closest to the front of the line and hand them menus so they can decide what they want before being seated. When it is not as busy, you can walk in directly and request a table. The shop itself actually has a lot of seating, but there is always an influx of people, so it fills up quickly. The interior gives off a nice modern Japanese chic vibe. :) They also offer outdoor patio seating, which is great if you are trying to enjoy a nice day outside. I have tried both their Wagyu Roast Beef Aburasoba and their Soboro Aburasoba. The roast beef is tender and adds a nice chew against the silky noodles, while the soboro chicken is juicy and coats your mouth with a savory soy flavor. Additionally, I've had their karaage on both occasions I visited, and it was succulent! I love how the juice from the chicken balances with the generous amount of grated ginger and green onion. This place is definitely worth a try! If you can go on a weekday before the dinner rush from people getting off their 9-5 jobs, that would probably be the optimal time frame. I came here on a Wednesday around 6:15 PM, and it was not too bad until around 7 PM when it started getting busy.

    I was in San Mateo, and I was hungry. I checked Yelp and Google, and there were so many places to…read morechoose from, I didn't know what to pick. I checked Michelin, and it help me narrow it down to Kajiken. As I walked to Kajiken, I knew I was getting close because it was the only place that had a line-up outside. There were probably 12-14 people waiting, and I wondering if I should find another place because I didn't want to wait. Fortunately, as a single diner, they sat me right away. I ended up ordering the Original Aburasoba and it came in about 5 minutes. It was good. Great texture, good flavours, and a reasonable serving size. Service was fine but minimal. Dining area is typical of modern ramen places. Overall, a nice quick meal. Maybe closer to a 3.5 or 3.75 as it was good, but I was also very hungry. I would consider returning.

    Photos
    Kajiken - Inside

    Inside

    Kajiken - Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)

    Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)

    Kajiken - Complimentary Accoutrements ($0) Vinegar, Chili Oil, Dried Garlic, Sesame seeds, & Chili Powder

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    Complimentary Accoutrements ($0) Vinegar, Chili Oil, Dried Garlic, Sesame seeds, & Chili Powder

    Ramen Parlor

    Ramen Parlor

    3.8(2.1k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Been going to this place for years. Always a solid place for ramen even among the explosion of…read moreother 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

    Ramen Parlor's parking lot is a bit limited but there's plenty of street parking. Their service was…read morequick 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.

    Photos
    Ramen Parlor - Entrance table with drink options and menu

    Entrance table with drink options and menu

    Ramen Parlor - Chicken Karaage

    Chicken Karaage

    Ramen Parlor - Takayaki balls

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    Takayaki balls

    Hanabi Ramen & Japanese Curry

    Hanabi Ramen & Japanese Curry

    4.2(1k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    We've been to Hanabi many times, when they were a fledging ramen place we'd go there because…read moregrowing son (now in mid 20s) just loved the slurp and after baseball was the perfect meal. Fast forward, it's Mom's Day, kids having meals on their own as parents, our celebration is to go somewhere good to have a meal, no lines (didn't make a res), kinda spontaneous. Hanabi fits the bill. Ordered the pork belly ramen ( looked really good at a neighboring table) and the Mayu-ramen, spicy, with kfc chicken (not what you think, means something else), both with a miso base. Wait was reasonable, time to get a table was 30 seconds tops. Other nights it's been jammed but not Mom's Day, just quiet, enjoyable. Both meals were spectacularly reasonable, serving what you'd want, with enough of everything to want to dive in because you were pretty assured you were going to be satisfied. Not fru-fru or bougie, ingredients that make the dish memorable yet feel you are knowledgeable and appreciated. Pork belly was soft, fatty yet lean, cooked well enough to be tender, yet with a little chew (not disintegrating like some bellies), lots of noodles al dente so you appreciate the noodle was not a mushy mass in the bowl like some places. The Mayu came with 3 drumsticks burning hot from the fryer but oh so good because it's served in a separate dish so it doesn't get soggy. The spicy is good enough to keep things interesting with losing its identity (unlike a lot of places). And they give plenty of ramen because it's that good. We keep coming back because they serve no-frills, you-can-bank-on-it ramen that is satisfying, consistent; staff is friendly without being overbearing. It's not a big place, tables and a counter, but they know how to keep diners happy and coming back for more. What more can you ask for? Thanks, Hanabi, will definitely be back!

    The lunch sets are are the bomb! Our family has been here several times and we always leave stuffed…read moreand satisfied. I normally order the lunch set with miso ramen. The miso here is like no other I have had anywhere else, deeply rich and flavorful. Very family friendly as well, with mini dons available for the little ones.

    Photos
    Hanabi Ramen & Japanese Curry - Restaurant interior, counter pictured

    Restaurant interior, counter pictured

    Hanabi Ramen & Japanese Curry - Spicy Short Rib Ramen

    Spicy Short Rib Ramen

    Hanabi Ramen & Japanese Curry - Pork miso Ramen

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    Pork miso Ramen

    Rin-Tei - Sizzling Wagyu Loin

    Rin-Tei

    4.8(1.1k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Takes reservations

    Every time I visit this restaurant, the service from the staff is consistently excellent. I always…read moreorder the same Vietnamese beef pho. The noodles are delicious, the broth is rich yet not greasy, and the beef slices are incredibly tender and smooth. It is almost impossible to find any flaws. If I had to point out one area that could be improved, it would probably be the choice of beef chunks. They are still very tender, but the texture feels just a little dry at times. Even so, this small issue does not take away from the overall experience. Overall, I highly recommend this modern pho restaurant. They also offer many other dishes with great value for the price. Strongly recommended to everyone. 每次去拜訪這家餐廳,服務員的服務都非常得好,我始終點一樣的越南牛肉粉,好吃的麵條,濃郁的湯頭也不油膩,加上超滑嫩的牛肉片,無可挑剔。硬要說一個能改進的地方,唯一美中不足的部分應該就是牛肉塊的部位挑選,感覺也是非常嫩,但是口感始終有一點柴。但是瑕不掩瑜,整體來講,我非常推薦這一家好吃的現代河粉店,裡面還有非常多性價比非常不錯的餐點,強力推薦給各位。

    This is such a cute and unique place! Came here on a Friday at 7pm for 4 people and waited like 20…read moreminutes. It's a smaller dining space that's why. The outside has a cute little garden walkway. We got the soy milk pho - such an interesting dish that I was dying to try! It was actually really good since the broth was light. The pho was a little sweet from the soy milk. The original pho broth flavor is subtle. The noodles were cooked perfectly chewy and I lovedddd!!! The wagyu skillet was tender and juicy! My friend and I both thought the meat tasted like al pastor for some reason lol. Not a bad thing.

    Photos
    Rin-Tei - Tomorokoshi Tempra (Fried Corn)

    Tomorokoshi Tempra (Fried Corn)

    Rin-Tei - Creamy Soy Milk Pho with Poached Yuzu Chicken and Greens

    Creamy Soy Milk Pho with Poached Yuzu Chicken and Greens

    Rin-Tei - Asian Style Wagyu Steak

    See all

    Asian Style Wagyu Steak

    Taishoken - San Mateo - ramen - Updated May 2026

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