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Totoro Ramen

4.3 (613 reviews)
ModerateRamen
Open 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Updated 3 months ago

Order Totoro Ramen Takeout or Delivery

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TOTORO RAMEN ATMOSPHERE

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Trendy
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Totoro Ramen

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Chicken Katsu Don
Lisa R.

Ordered the chicken katsu don for lunch and it did not disappoint! Chicken was well seasoned and not greasy- great portion for the price in my opinion I'll definitely order from here again

Paolo B.

Came here on a Tuesday night, and there was only a 5 minute wait before we got seated on a cold, chilly, perfect ramen weather night! First thing I want to mention was how great the staff was here. Super attentive and friendly. Food came out quick and hot, not much more you can you ask for in that department. For the meal, we started off with their spicy edamame, which was one of the better edamame appetizers I've had in awhile. They had a new curry katsu ramen, so I ended up going with that. I wasn't a huge fan of the broth though, thought it could be a little thicker, and not much depth of flavor. The noodles and katsu were really good though. My girlfriend got the tonkotsu ramen, and I thought that was better. We ordered everything from the tablet at the table. Once we sent in our order, the food came out in less than 10 minutes. They bring a physical bill, which I prefer over paying on tablet. This ramen spot is located in a shopping center, so plenty of parking was available. Overall, a solid spot for ramen in the Burlingame area, would come back to try more menu items!

tonkotsu ramen $18
Jeff H.

Totoro Ramen is very good for San Mateo standards. It is a good attempt from a non-Japanese ownership. I can tell because I've been going to Japan since the 1990's. We had their chicken karaage $10, black garlic ramen $18 and a tonkotsu ramen $18. The chicken karaage was good because of the light batter, crunchiness and with the two aioli sauces, which made it more delicious. We would order this again in a heartbeat. Although they did give us the oldest wedge of lemon ever with no juice inside. The broth for the ramen were rich and creamy with a lot of depth. The broth flavor was very good for the black garlic ramen and not so much for the tonkotsu ramen. The tonkotsu broth seemed weaker and not well balanced. It was the opposite for the black garlic ramen where two cloves of garlic were on top and tasted divine. As for the noodles themselves, this fell short. It was missing that kansui consistency that I love. Service is as expected for a fast pace ramen restaurant. In terms of ambiance, this might not be the best place to have a conversation. It was loud at dinner time. Not the fault of the restaurant, but the tables are right next to one another. These annoying tech older bros were talking very loud about defunct technologies as if they were still relevant.

Takoyaki
Mike L.

The first time I ever heard about Totoro Ramen, I thought/feared it was a themed ramen restaurant. Potentially a good thing, as My Neighbor Totoro is quite a beloved movie, but potentially a bad thing if it ended up being more of a gimmick than good (if my experiences at theme park dining were any indication). Thankfully, the food ended up being a whole lot closer to the former than the latter! Located in a relatively small shopping complex, Totoro Ramen uses its namesake more as an inspiration and in spirit than an actual theme (save for the plushies that sit on a counter). The vibe is casual and relaxed, with some modern touches (you order on a tableside iPad), and more of a comfort food menu. However, while their offerings may be more straightforward, the food is no less interesting. Along with staples like Edamame, Chicken Karaage, and Miso Ramen, they also have some more unique offerings like Curry Croquettes, Niku Ramen with Spicy Pork, and Maje (soupless) Ramen. Plus, they also have an option to add a mini-donburi to your bowl of ramen for just $3 more! -- TAKOYAKI - Wheat Battered Shaped Balls Filled with Octopus and Topped with Japanese Mayo, Takoyaki Sauce, and Bonito Flakes Not amazing, but not bad either. On the plus side, the takoyaki was crisp with a soft interior. However, the amount of octopus felt light relative to the amount of dough and the sauces felt a little too sweet. -- CHICKEN KARAAGE - Marinated Japanese Fried Chicken made with Sake, Soy Sauce, Ginger, and Garlic Served with Spicy Aioli Probably some of the biggest pieces of Chicken Karaage I've ever had (not that I minded!). More importantly, though, these were pretty tasty - the batter was a touch thick, but it had a nice crunch and the chicken was juicy and flavorful -- NIKU RAMEN - Spicy Chili Miso Ramen with Pork Broth, Spicy Pork, Green Onion, Bean Sprouts, Chashu, Bamboo Shoots, Kikurage Mushrooms, Soft Boiled Egg, and Roasted Seaweed This was pretty good! The spicy pork is like the Korean BBQ version, which I love, and added more kick to the broth, which already had some spice. As for the rest of the bowl, the noodles had a nice bite, the chashu was really tender, and the egg yolk was perfect. -- AGEDASHI TOFU - Fried Silken (Kinugoshi) Firm Tofu Topped with Green Onions and Bonito Flakes Nothing fancy, but this was still great! The batter on the tofu was thin and slightly crispy while the tofu had a silky texture to it. The portion size was pretty generous, too, but I wish the bonito flakes hadn't been shaved down so much. -- KING CHICKEN KATSU CURRY - Chicken Katsu with Japanese Curry on Rice with Cabbage, Corn, and Pickles Easy to see how this earned the "King" in its name - this was a massive plate of food! Both pieces of chicken katsu were huge (albeit flattened really thin) and there was a whole lot of rice, too. That said, this didn't have much curry, by comparison, and it felt light on veggies. Along with how just about everything I've tried has been pretty good, the other thing I like about Totoro Ramen is the staff. From greeting us when we first walked in to checking on us during our meal, all of the workers have been so friendly each time I've been here. One thing to note is that there's typically a line on weekends, so don't be surprised if you see folks standing out front. However, between the food, how steadily they get folks in and out, and how much easier it is to come here (and to park) than over by 3rd Ave, the wait is well worth it!

Chashu Bowl
Alan L.

The newly introduced curry ramen is their best ramen yet. The curry flavours were very fragrant, and it goes very well with the chicken katsu. The portion sizes are very generous, and the toppings varied and colourful. Though the curry broth was on the saltier side when on its own, it goes really well with the katsu. The garlic broth ramen was a bit disappointing on the other hand. There wasn't too much garlic flavour, and we felt that the broth was less rich and more watered down than other ramen restaurants. If you decide to get a bowl, I would also recommend adding on a chashu bowl as well! Not only does the rice contrast the rich ramen broth, the chashu is very well made, fatty, and flavourful! Perfectly complementing the ramen dish. This definitely moved the needle to make this a 5 star experience!

Lita B.

Felt like ramen today. Back to my favorite spot in San Mateo. My go to Black Garlic Ramen never fails. We also ordered the Tonkatsu Ramen and the Chicken Curry with rice. Curry was ok, could be a little stronger. We also got the fried potstickers and the Seaweed salad which were both savory. Totoro is the next best thing to ramen in Japan!

Garlic Edamame
Laila K.

Totoro is a nice, small ramen spot in a casual plaza in a neighborhood in San Mateo. It was easy to get to, good parking, clean, and had efficient ordering (on iPads at the tables) with friendly, attentive servers. The food was just okay for me. The garlic edamame was well flavored, but the edamame was overcooked which made it hard to eat, and there was more sauce than I'd like. I got the veggie ramen, which had great noodles and toppings, but the "mild" spice was spicier than I anticipated and the broth was fairly bland. I did enjoy it overall, but it wasn't my favorite veggie ramen I have had. Overall it was a good experience for a quick bite in the area.

Magda G.

It is located in a shopping center, so you'll be able to find parking easily. It was a bit chilly out so we decided to go with Ramen. Found a spot on yelp and decided to give it a try. It was pretty busy for a Friday night as there was a short line outside. It is a small spot with a few tables. I checked in and there were two other parties ahead of us. We waited in a car for about 15 minutes before we were called up by text. Waters are brought to our table and we were invited to order on the tablet on the table. I love that idea because you're not rushed and you get to see photos with all the menu items. We went with three different types of Ramen soups. Miso, black Garlic and Tokonsu. My favorite was the Tokonsu but all were good! The kid portions were great as well. For appetizers, you must order the garlic, edamame and the chicken Karaage. Both amazing. The service was great. They were prompt. If we needed anything, we would just tap it on the app and they would bring it out right away. Once we're finished, we went to the front and pay. So easy and convenient experience with food that hit the spot.

Black Garlic Ramen
Evelynne L.

The black garlic ramen was flavorful and came with many toppings! The ramen noodles were perfectly chewy. The broth was not too salty and had that smoky flavor. I loved that it came with two pork pieces! Most ramen places only give one, and this one was so soft it melted in your mouth.

Agedashi Tofu
Jennifer P.

One of the best service. I had a stroller with me and they were kind, respectful and accommodating to make it work. The food quality is also excellent. I love how the agadashi tofu was very crispy and stacked so you get to try both dry and semi soaked in broth. I love when the crispiness is still there instead of soggy tofu. The tonkotsu udon was really good too. Great in flavor, nice char on the pork, good marinated soft boiled egg. Forgot to take a photo of the udon as we were busy digging into the food. Very easy to use iPad like menu where you can see the photos of the menu selection. It was very easy to use and visually attractive. I definitely would come here again!

Curry mini don
Sharon W.

Love their food! I always order their black garlic ramen but love the other dishes we have tried over the years. They do use a table side tablet to place orders, super efficient, but also not impersonal because the servers are so nice and hospitable. It's a cute restaurant with a little bit of Totoro/cat themed decorations. We like this restaurant because there are no peanuts or tree nuts on the menu.

Lisa L.

The food was good and the service was amazing. We come here whenever we want to eat ramen.

Black Garlic Ramen

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5 months ago

The soup was well seasoned. Not salty! The ordering was easily done using ipads. Pricing was reasonable. Great lunch spot. .

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Totoro Ramen Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Totoro Ramen

Can the curry be made vegetarian and without onion or garlic?

How much is extra bowl of broth for take out?

Extra bowl of broth is $4.50. Thank you.

Gluten free options?

I know these three places have gluten-free ramen. Does anybody know of any others? Would love to find a place along the peninsula.… Read more

Is there vegetarian ramen? The menu says that the "veggie ramen" uses a bonito (fish?) broth.

I called and they confirmed that they changed the broth so it no longer contains bonito.

Is there any MSG in the ramen broth?

No! Isn't great? My hubby has a really bad reactions to MSG and He is perfectly fine when we eat at Totoro so we are pretty sure there is not any MSG.

Does this place allow takeout for ramen?

Yes

Are any of the ramen options gluten-free?

Not now as of August 1, 2018. The currently-available kale noodles do contain wheat. Totoro Ramen is looking into a gluten-free option for the ramen noodles.

Any plans to open for lunch?

Yes grand opening today

View All 14 Questions

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Kajiken

4.4(1.4k reviews)
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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.

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Ramen Parlor

Ramen Parlor

3.8(2.1k reviews)
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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.

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Hanabi Ramen & Japanese Curry

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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.

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4.7(1.1k reviews)
1.1 mi
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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。

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Totoro Ramen - ramen - Updated May 2026

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