My go-to spot when I'm craving ramen. I like the niku spicy when I want soup and the Tokyo classic aburasoba when I want soupless. (I want no soup 95% of the time.) I've tried the tsukemen, and it's not for me. The broth has a fishy flavor that I do not enjoy. For apps, we have consistently ordered the karaage and calamari. On occasion, the calamari can be a bit tough, but it comes with a lot of seasonings/toppings that take it over the top. Really kid friendly - they have boosters for booth seats AND high chairs, plus special utensils for kids and just started serving water also in special plastic cups. read more

Came here for lunch on a Wednesday. Party of 5. Given a table in the back. Service was good except they didn't give my toddler any water - she did get a bowl and toddle utensils. We all got the same Taishoken Ramen and chicken karrage. The ramen broth was really oily. The chicken was good. Unisex bathroom - spacious and clean read more

As everyone said in their reviews - this place is known for their tsukemen or dipping noodles. We came here because their dipping noodles is one of the family favorites and it was enjoyed. We also ordered a bowl of pork over rice which was shared by everyone in our party of 6 and enjoyed. They have a happy hour where several appetizers are discounted a few bucks so we ordered the gyoza (potsickers 3 for $4). The key to eating here for dinner without waiting is to get there before the crowd which is before 6pm. After that there's most likely a wait outside the restaurant. There are plenty of shops for you to window shop while you wait. Note they do charge 20% automatically with 6 or more in your group. read more

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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. read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Kama (duck) sipping broth cold ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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. read more

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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. read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Hojicha lemonade - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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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 read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Tokusei Ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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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! read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Tokusei Tsukemen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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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. read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Limited offering (no takeout): Kamo Shoyu Tsukemen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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. read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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. read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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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! read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Spicy Ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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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. read more

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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! read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Spicy Tsukemen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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We put ourselves on the waitlist on a Sunday (party of 2) for a late lunch around 2:40p. We walked over (about 15 min walk) and were sat immediately when we got there. The staff was amazing! We ordered based on the recommendations from our waitress and it did not disappoint! I ordered the TORI CHINTAN RAMEN which was dine-in only. It was delicious! Rich broth and boneless chicken- it was a comfort meal (still feeling healthy) on a chilly winter day. I WISH I could have the recipe. (The ramen egg was perfect, btw). My wife ordered the TOKUSEI TSUKEMEN dipping noodles. The fishiness was a bit unexpected but pleasant as it came from dried anchovy and bonito flakes. We tried the noodles first (without the broth) and they were tasty! And cold! The hot sake wasn't my favorite and it came with a small Sapporo the way we ordered it. The table seasoning was also very good read more

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Came hungry around 2pm on the way to a short weekend trip. Not typically a fan of takoyaki but wanted to try out as it looked good on the photos. Very soft and flavorful especially with that yellow yorky-mayi sauce, which we loved it. I wish I could have beer with it if I wasn't pregnant. Spicy Tsukemen was their special menu and we had the spicy sauce on the side so we can adjust how much to add. I like that it was not just pork and chicken flavors but also anchovies based umami taste that makes the dish more flavorful and interesting. Yuzu ramen to balance out the heaviness of the other dishes was a good choice. Make sure you put yourself on the waiting list before you head there! read more

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Came in on a weekday at 8:30 and got seated right away. The server we had was so kind, attentive, and the cooks were also amazing. duck was cooked beautifully for the ramen, presentation was stunning and plates were clean. for appetizers, the cold tofu had a nice silky texture and was complimented by a very spicy crunch! the potato salad had impressive height to the presentation and was topped with a perfect egg. the miso cucumber had a nice taste. it sat in a pool of sesame oil, they could add less. the kyoto white yuzu beer 5% was presented in the glass with a wine glass which gave it an elegant touch. noodles in the ramen were cooked to perfection. when i crave ramen, this restaurant will definitely be the only place to satisfy my cravings in the bay area. super content! read more

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- Came for lunch luckily not too busy on a Friday - Street parking outside - Inside ambiance is medium volume - Staff was attentive and always refilled our water - Ramen was full flavor and thiqqqq - Takoyaki was soft and light - Would come back! read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Takoyaki - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I've been going to Taishoken for years now and I would say that it is one of my favorite ramen shops in Peninsula. If you come for dinner or a weekend, expect to have a 30-ish minute line before getting seated, but I promise you the wait is worth it. Starting with the appetizers, we got the chicken karaage, which came with very large and meaty pieces of chicken. The gyoza was very crispy and went well with its dipping sauce. And the spicy miso cucumbers were my favorite appetizer though I wished the cucumbers had a little less water in them but at least I knew they were fresh. I usually order the regular Tsukemen or Tokusei Ramen which think are they're most popular items, but today they offered the Tori Chintan and Spicy Tsukemen so we had to try those. For those who don't know what Tsukemen, it's a type of dipping noodles where they give you a large bowl of thick noodles and a smaller bowl of dipping sauce/soup and you eat them together. I would highly recommend coming to try this rare dish! For flavor, I loved the Spicy Tsukemen and it tasted just like the regular Tsukemen hit a hint of spice. And the broth for the Tori Chintan felt sooo light and healing, I would highly recommend if you want to enjoy a nice clear broth! Overall, Taishoken is always great everytime I come here and I would highly recommend you give it a shot if you're in the area! read more

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The food was good, but my main reason for not giving five stars is the limited number of vegetarian dishes. There were only two vegetarian options: yuzu shio ramen and Impossible dandan men (spicy but soupless). I ordered the yuzu shio ramen. The hot soup was soothing on the throat, and I loved the green onions. I did wish it had more spice, so I added some myself. If I could add a vegetarian ramen, I'd like a creamier and spicier broth. I'm sure the chicken and other meat options are fantastic, but the limited vegetarian choices were not ideal. That said, the ambiance was very nice, and the staff were friendly. read more

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These noodles were soo good. We got the Tokusei Tskuemen and the Tskuemen. Both came with the same base (noodles, chashu, memma, seaweed) but the tokusei came with a marinated egg and a 2 different kinds of pork. It's definitely worth it to get the egg!! It really elevated the whole dish. The noodles were the perfect texture and the broth has such a deep flavor. The portion was slightly larger than I could finish since it's pretty heavy so I would recommend getting the tsukemen and a ramen/appetizer and splitting! Ratings Tokusei Tsukemen: 5/5 Tsukemen: 4.5/5 read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Tokusei Tsukemen, Tsukemen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

Stopped by for Aburasoba and Tsukemen. Parking is usually available in one of the multiple garages in the area. It's a small walk from there to the restaurant. There wasn't a line when we went, but it is usually busy! Tokyo Classic Aburasoba was great as usual. Not too salty and vinegar on the side. For a different taste, I always add the vinegar near the end. Noodles are on the firmer side with a great texture. The meat is also super tender and flavorful! Definitely my favorite from Taishoken in general. Spicy Tsukemen wasn't really too spicy for my friend, but that was easily fixed with extra shichimi. Lemons were available upon request for the broth. The noodles stuck together more than they liked, but I think it's up to personal preference. The complimentary tea is always appreciated and loved. It was an especially cold day, so it really helped! またすぐに戻ってきます！ read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Tokyo Classic Aburasoba and Spicy Tsukemen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

A friend was in town, and since she was craving ramen, ramen it is. Nice atmosphere, and warm and inviting inside. Pretty standard menu choices. Service was nice, but a bit of a longer-than-average wait time for our order. It can get busy too, especially on cooler evenings. Ramen was very good; flavorful broth with nice depth, noodles were cooked well to a good texture, and ingredients were and complemented the dish perfectly. Good location in the heart of downtown San Mateo, however, parking can be tricky. Definitely a good choice for ramen, even with other options in the area. read more

Nicely decorated restaurant in downtown San Mateo. We got the Tokusei ramen and Tokusei tsukemen. The tsukemen was a pretty hearty portion and I loved the chewy noodle texture! The broth was on fishier side. The Tokusei ramen was also pretty good and had a creamy pork broth. Would recommend both but my preference was the tsukemen! read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Tokusei Ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

I enjoyed the tokusei tsukemen, but I'm not picky when it comes to noodles. The tokusei has more toppings than the regular one, so I would opt for that one if given the choice. I enjoyed the flavor of the tsukemen broth, as well as the tender chashu and egg that came with the noodles in the tokusei order. I felt it was a bit pricey at $21 (looks like the price has gone up pretty significantly over the years), but it was a good portion size and I was full after consuming the full dish. I didn't get any appetizers, but would opt to try a few next time. The overall menu was not too large, just a couple of selections in each category -- so if tsukemen or ramen don't really speak to you, this might not be the place for you. I came in between regular meal times so there wasn't a wait, and I was able to be seated right away. Staff was very friendly and food came out quick. Parking in downtown San Mateo is either street parking or in the public lots, but should be available within a few blocks. I'd come back if I was in the area! read more

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We came for dinner on a Wednesday night. We made a reservation ahead of time, just in case based on prior experiences coming on a weekend, but the restaurant still had plenty of seating when we arrived! We were welcomed in and seated quickly! Though by the time we left the restaurant was decently packed and bustling, but also not too loud. Deep Fried Gyoza - 4/5 - They were fried well! Hot and crispy without being too oily! They picked up the soy sauce very nicely too! The one downside is that the filling could be a little more flavorful, but nonetheless if I'm stopping in and in the mood for gyoza, I would order these again! Spicy Tsukemen - 4/5 - This was a new item on the menu! We decided to try it since my go to is usually their Tsukemen. The spice powder mixed in well with the thick and rich soup! That being said, the spice overwhelmed the original flavor of the soup (which is the part that has me keep cooking back for another bite!) If I'm feeling for spicy next time we come in, I'll probably ask for a little less spice next time! Tokyo Classic Aburasoba - 5/5 - We really like their aburasoba! The deep savory flavor from the sauce that keeps evolving in the dish as you ebb and flow between eating and adding vinegar is the main star of the dish for sure! Even though tsukemen is their signature here, we highly recommend getting their aburasoba (too)! read more

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When baby girl is home from college, she gets whatever she wants to eat. And she missed taishoken. We were super excited to experience it with her. She lights up talking about the ramen and lychee ice cream . She had the regular ramen, classic. Delish I had the spicy Niku. It was rich, flavorful, not too spicy. Satisfying on such a ca ca ca cold evening My husband had the dipping noodles. We had tried to get dipping noodles on Sawtelle last month but he chef went home early so we were super bummed. Glad we were able to try it here. Noodles are served cold and you have to be quick or they start to stick. It was yummy and flavorful, but not tonkatsu like if that's what you are expecting The ice cream, I can see why shave craves it. It's light and refreshing. Not sweet with a nice consistency. Most important it doesn't have an artificial flavor. They also had the gyoza which nicely fried and significantly larger, more Like a potsticker Happy full bellies on a cold evening. Would def come back read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Spicy niku ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

Went for lunch and got the Tokusei Ramen and it was delicious! I really loved the savory broth and the two different kinda of pork. Our server was lovely and the food came out pretty fast. I liked the sake decorations and the wooden furniture. Will definitely be back again soon to try the tsukemen! read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Tokusei Ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Everyone comes here for the Tsukemen (Dipping Ramen), but I always come here for their Mazesoba and Aburasoba. Taishoken was one of the first location in the Bay Area that introduced "dry ramen" on the menu when they opened. A few years ago, they had an Aburasoba with 4x Chashu, unfortunately, that has been discontinuted, but their regular one is still so good! The egg yolk and flavors mix together so well, and there's also an option to add vinegar to your liking depending how you like the taste of it. Since I eat with my daughter who has egg and dairy allergies, I appreciate them for informing me what contains her allergens, and how accommodating they are with putting eggs on the side for me to share some food with her before I mix the egg in, which not a lot of restaurants accommodate. I know there's Kajiken now for Aburasoba, but Taishoken will always be my number one when I'm craving for dry ramen. read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Aburasoba - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

IAATB! It's All About The Broth, of course! Today, I hosted a work lunch for eight mostly out-of-town managers. I chose Taishoken as a place with good food, quick and friendly service, and convenience since it's in the middle of the vibrant San Mateo restaurant scene. The stylish decor is also a plus. Of course, I also chose it because it's my absolute favorite of the many, many noodle spots in San Mateo. Again, it's all about the broth and I expect if you try Taishoken you will agree. Five stars! (Hint: There's usually a waiting list in the evenings but you are likely to be seated immediately at lunch) read more

Known for their tsukemen or dipping ramen, but they also have a good range of other delicious options and a very delicious vegetarian Dan Dan noodles. Surprised by the tasty calamari where they bring out the whole squid and is covered in seasoning. They serve a complementary buckwheat tea and the service is amazing attentive! Recommend putting your name down on the Yelp wait-list ahead of time as it can get crowded on weekends! read more

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Been here since they opened, even rode out the pandemic with their meal kits. You honestly can't go wrong--whether you're craving rich, light, or somewhere in between, they've got you covered. - App musts: Takoyaki + potato salad. - First timers: Signature tsukemen. - Brothy kick: Spicy ramen. - Bright & light: Yuzu shio ramen. - Ultimate comfort: Tori chitan ramen (best chicken noodle soup that will comfort any cold). - No soup mood: Tokyo abura soba (rich) or mazesoba (lighter richness with bonito punch). Roomy ramen house feel, friendly service, always consistent. My go-to spot for years. read more

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Got the Tokusei Tsukemen and it was pretty underwhelming. The soup was warm and the flavor was, for the lack of a better word, just bland. Noodles were not chewy, the egg was overcooked, and the chashu was salty and rubbery. Nothing really came together. Service was also incredibly mediocre. It took over 5 minutes to even get water and no one explained how to eat tsukemen or mentioned what the soup wari was at all. I came here years ago when it first opened around covid and it honestly feels like nothing has changed since then. Not worth the wait and I would not come back. read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Tokusei Tsukemen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

Was craving for ramen and decided to check out Taishoken. Food was good. The Ramen and Tsukemen broth were flavorful to my liking. Service was attentive. read more

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I haven't been here since they opened and decided to give it a try since Shugetsu closed on San Mateo. We ordered the takoyaki to share, I got the Mazesoba, and my partner got the Tokubei Tsukemen. The takoyaki was okay, lots of filling, not bonito shavings, and not much octopus. The mazesoba was also just okay, the noodles after mixed with the toppings still have a gummy/starchy taste. The pork was very tender though. My partner thought the tsukemen was alright too, the soup got cold kind of fast and the noodles were solid. Service was nice and there were a lot of families go on the weekend, so seems family-friendly. I don't think it's worth the wait, but they do utilize the yelp waitlist so you can join on the drive there. Nothing really left us wow'd, so probably be back any time soon. read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Max - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Tzukemen 4/5 - the dipping broth is super flavorful and full of umami. It feels like it's a seafood base, but it's not too heavy. I just wish there was a way to keep the broth or the noodles hotter since once it starts to cool, it can get a bit icky. Yuzu shio ramen 3/5 - couldn't really taste any yuzu at all, but still solid ramen Overall ambiance is nice and service is nice too! read more

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I've had this place on my list for a while and decided to try it on a weekday night. We got seated right away and the place had tables open but it was steady throughout our meal. The server was nice and the place had a casual ambiance. We ordered their takoyaki, dipping ramen and spicy ramen. The dipping ramen was flavorful and the umami broth really shined through. The spicy ramen was okay, the flavors wasn't anything to rave about and it was thicker than other ramen broths I've had. It was lukewarm/cold and I wasn't sure if it was suppose to come out that way. They were nice to remake it and it was decent but still not hot both. read more

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Visiting San Mateo for work. I made a spa appointment nearby and decided to give this place a try before the spa. This is hands down the BEST Ramen I've had outside of Japan!!! The broth has so much flavor! Every part of this bowl was amazingly delicious!!! The place itself is very cute, cozy, and the staff is great! Please RUN, don't walk to try this place !!! read more

Taishoken - San Mateo - Niku Spicy Ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Mateo, California