A neon lit ramen bar that brings a tokyo street vibe straight to your dining experience. It is well known for its hearty ramen bowls and delicious bao buns. A trendy, high vibe spot perfect for casual dinner or drinks with friends. read more

Underbelly is definitely one of the most unique and coolest restaurants I've been to all year. I highly recommend going at night so you can get the full vibe of the neon lights and the whole atmosphere. I probably took around 30 pictures just trying to capture how cool the place looked. Just a heads up, it is a seat yourself kind of place, so when it gets crowded in the evening, you definitely want to keep an eye out for open seats. The ramen was absolutely wonderful, and the whole place is seriously Instagram ready at night. We loved sitting outside at the bar area, and it made the experience even better. The service was okay, but honestly, the food, setting, and atmosphere made it such a memorable stop. If you are in the Little Italy area, I definitely recommend checking out Underbelly. read more

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Came here for a late dinner to try some place new. You order and pay at the cashier then find a seat. We chose to sit upstairs. There's about 4 tables upstairs in a loft style seating. It did get a bit warm because there was no breeze despite the windows downstairs being open. It was a nice night and we should've chose to sit outside. It's very dark upstairs so made it difficult to see the food. We ordered a variety of foods and each had our own ramen. The ramen wasn't the best ramen. The noodles didn't taste like they were fully cooked. The sides were delicious. We got 2 types of bao buns which were delicious. The wings we ordered with sweet and spicy flavoring and that was also delicious. We tried it, don't know that I would return unless I was craving the wings or bao buns and I would definitely sit outside if I did. read more

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Who the hell said that this is a legit ramen. Far from it, this is a sad and below average ramen. Come on! The broth is underwhelming, the noodles, as my wife pointed out, were soggy. I read reviews in some online publications and other reputable read, but this is a below average ramen. We ordered their pork belly bun, gyoza, my wife ordered the "Underbelly" and I ordered the "beast" that came with some dumplings and other add ons. But, this ranks among lower end of ramens that we tried along with a ramen place in Bologna this last winter. I had better ramen in Baja California. Yes, I had ramen all over the world from Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Sapporo, LA, NY, Seoul, Bangkok, and this ranks not the worst definitely but in lower end. I could expect such ramen in Bologna and in middle of Arkansas for instance but not in SoCal. Please work on it. read more

Me and my friend came here after skating for 7 hours and we were HUNGRY. We both got ramen and nothing else. My friend really enjoyed her ramen. We both devoured it. I literally ate my ramen in like 5 bites. Not a big fan of the Charsiu pork cus I really don't like the big chunk of fat but I just ate it for protein. I got the underbelly ramen with spicy miso which I think was recommended by our host. We just needed a quick bite but I'd come back to try something other than ramen. The vibes inside was giving Tokyo after dark. It's kinda small inside but they have outdoor seating and I thought it was hilarious that they exited out the window to serve the food LOL read more

Underbelly - Underbelly ramen - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Some restaurants become part of your travel memories & Underbelly is absolutely one of those places for us. When we visited San Diego back in 2016, we ate at Underbelly twice because it was just that good. Returning this trip felt a little like revisiting an old friend. And I'm happy to report... it was every bit as awesome as we remembered! The best part? The staff affectionately called us "O.G.'s" when they heard we had been longtime fans, which immediately made us feel welcome & set the tone for a fun dining experience. We started with the kimchi because some traditions simply should not be broken. Tangy, punchy, spicy & full of flavor, it was the perfect opening act before the ramen arrived. I opted for the Tonkotsu Ramen: rich tonkotsu broth, soft boiled egg & chashu pork. The broth was deeply savory & comforting, the pork tender & flavorful, that perfectly soft egg tied everything together beautifully. It was exactly what ramen dreams are made of. Hubby went with the Underbelly Ramen, extra spicy: tonkotsu broth, soft boiled egg, chashu belly & adobo pulled pork. The extra spice brought serious heat & he was thrilled with every fiery bite! There is something incredibly satisfying about returning to a restaurant years later & finding that the magic is still there. Underbelly delivered the same bold flavors, cozy ramen comfort & cool Little Italy energy that made us fall in love with it the first time around. Not every restaurant earns a repeat visit nearly a decade later & even fewer live up to the memory. Underbelly absolutely did. We will be O.G.'s forever! NOM NOM NOM #YUM read more

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I loved the creativity of the dishes! For instance, I've never had a adobo in my ramen before. It was fun to try, and while I liked the savory-ness of it, I think perhaps it was a bit too heavy for me. The vibe of the restaurant is interesting, but in a good way! For instance, the bathroom gives Dave bar with graffiti, but also has nice amenities like a bad day, and a hand dryer attached directly to the faucet. It seems like a fun night time vibe! Service was nice and seemed pretty chill. read more

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This is the BEST ramen spot to stop by, especially after a long flight. 8 minutes away from the airport! There are no parking lots, so please plan accordingly. You will be driving in San Diego downtown near Little Italy, where parking is limited, and parking meters are available. The underbelly ramen was $14 that consists of tonkotsu broth, soft-boiled egg, chashu belly, & adobo pulled pork + corn add-on. The drinks I tried were the $11 whisky highball made from toki, sparkling water, & lemon essence + the $12 calpikachu made from peach nectar, calpico, lemon, & vodka. 10/10 on the food. 10/10 on the drinks. Once you walk in, you order at the cash register & they will give you a # & ask where you prefer to sit. There are seats inside the restaurant, but if it's fully booked, there are available seats outside. Since San Diego has the best weather, sitting outside was lovely even during dinner hours. I would definitely come back anytime I visit this city. read more

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This place is located in midtown. We had ramen late at night which is open late. . The ambiance in here is small. There is upstairs and downstairs and outdoor seating too. First time we got to sit downstairs bar. During day we got to sit upstairs. . Ramen - we had the pork tonkutsu ramen and it was rich in pork broth. The ramen noodles was chewy. It was a good bowl of umami ramen. We liked it and would go back to try other items. . Service was great and quick with ordering and serving too. Hope this helps and thanks for reading. Have a yelptastic day. read more

Ramen was average compare to what else is available in sd. Inside is very nicely decorated but super small, felt super claustrophobic in there especially sitting up stairs. The food came out super fast tho and service was quick. The Bao buns there were also average. Staff were super friendly. read more

Underbelly - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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The restaurant was cleverly designed with a spiral staircase, neon lights, and hanging alcohol racks. However the ramen itself was a bit lackluster in flavor and the service was okay. The waitress felt more like an elementary teacher that wanted to hand out detention for not ordering at the right place. Good spot to look around but not extraordinary. read more

Quick and friendly service. Casual izakaya type spot with cool retro futurist decor. The shoyu ramen was good and affordable. My only complaint was the meat was just pure fat, certainly flavorful but not my taste. The beer was ok, a bit flat though. read more

Underbelly - Outside - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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As soon as I stepped inside, the lights brought me back to Tokyo. Cute ambiance. Small setting, esp upstairs. Food was good. I had ordered the Tonkatsu ramen, & the crispy chicken Bao bun as an app. Great flavors!! Although I wouldn't say it's authentic, but still yummy. Service was good too. She was friendly. read more

Underbelly - Close up of the Tonkatsu ramen & the crispy chicken Bao Bun. - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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We went with the ramen but probably should have gone with the bento box. The ramen felt fresh and simple which is probably perfect for some people. I tend to lean towards the ramens that are richer and more complex but I can see why people would like it. The bento box on the other hand had a good variety of items that were each pretty good. The eggplant covered tofu in particular was marinated well. The seating was pretty much only for two people at a time so it was a bit akward to fit 3+ in but there might have been bigger spots upstairs that would have worked. The bar columns were cool since they are mechanical so the entire shelf moves down when they need it to. Overall I can see the appeal but I would probably get something else if I go back read more

Overview: Affordable ramen, difficult parking, cool atmosphere and decor, friendly staff ---- Belly of the Beast Ramen $15 - comes with tonkatsu broth, soft boiled egg, oxtail dumplings, and hoisin glazed short rib - the dumplings were very mushy and I couldn't distinguish that they were supposed to oxtail - the short rib was great and so was the flavor of the broth Meat Eaters Bento Box $15 - flavors were good but not that much meat for being a "meat eaters" bento box - comes with chashu pork belly over rice, 3 beef gyoza, kimchi, and cucumber salad ---- Notes: - parking is pretty difficult, expect to pay for parking and then walking a few blocks - flavor of food was mostly good (the only thing that was a miss for my was the oxtail dumplings) - prices are pretty affordable and good enough portions - service was friendly, seemed to be short staffed tho, only one waitress handling the entire restaurant on a Saturday afternoon - the neon lights and the decor was really cool and I think would look even better at night ---- Overall: the food was pretty good for the price, I'm deterred to be coming back again because of it being located in Little Italy parking can be stressful and competitive, really cool atmosphere tho read more

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Wings were awesome. We sit outside smell of urine. The staff servers great. Would probably visit again

Stopped by this place with a friend after Comic-Con. Place has a very nice neon Blade Runner vibe with an outdoor dining option. May or may not have pretended to be Decker while eating. Would encourage eating here at night for the lights. T he staff is very friendly and quick. You order at the counter and then get seated. Had the Belly of Beast which had a hearty tonkotsu broth, soft boiled egg, & delicious dumplings and ribs. Also had a Nashville Bao which had the right amount of spice. Price wise, it's at the middle range. Its price is above a bowl from Tokyo Central but below more boujee places. read more

Underbelly - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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This was always one of my favorite Ramen spots, so we decided to bring some family here when they were visiting. I did notice the menu changed a bit, as they did not offer some of the add-ins that they used to like some of the mushrooms i like. I ordered the underbelly Ramen which is my go-to. It doesn't come with much other than the noodles meet a few scallions, an egg, and bean sprouts. I noticed the flavor did not seem to be as good as previous times that I have ordered, I am not sure if this was a one-off, or just how things are now. I do wish it came with more in it as far as vegetables, without having to add them as an extra. The portions are very large, which is nice. We all definitely had leftovers to take home. One issue you will definitely have is parking, but anyone who frequents this area already knows that. We went during one of the farmers market weekends and made sure to come very early to shop the market, and kill enough time until the restaurant opened. I'm not sure I'd still call this my favorite Ramen place, but still it's pretty good. The ramen does not have much of a kick to it, but you can ask for different sauces to give it more heat. read more

Underbelly - Underbelly ramen - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Underbelly will always be one of my favorite ramen spots in SD! From the ambiance, to the food and service, this place is great. The underbelly ramen with a side of beef gyoza is always my go to. The flavor is so rich and it's a pretty large serving as well. The gyozas are always crispy and juicy. I love the ambiance as well. You have the choice to eat inside or outside and it's just steps away from the little Italy farmers market. Not to mentions their choice of music is always great too! I really love this place and will always recommend it for some fast and delicious ramen. read more

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If you're looking for a ramen spot, you probably wouldn't think to look in little Italy, but this place is legit! Side note...Parking In the area is insane so good luck finding street parking. Try a garage or paid parking lot. Alright so the place is not your typical ramen spot. You come to the counter and order your food and they have bar seating as well as super cool tables outside. The menu is unique to say the least. I tried the chicken ramen which was really good. Had a spicy miso broth and shredded chicken confit. Super flavorful and lots of toppings. My wife tried the pork belly and shredded pork ramen which was fire! The meat had a birria feel to it but was super salty(in a good way). Not too spicy and the prices were pretty good for the unique menu they had. Overall super cool vibes. If you're in the area check it out!!! read more

Underbelly - Underbelly Ramen - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

The vibe at this place is so cool! Its very Japanese and somewhat futuristic. When you arrive you will find menus on the counter, once you are ready to order you go to the cashier. She will give you your drinks and a number placard for your table. If there is enough space she will give you different options of where to sit. The food was fantastic. One of the best ramen I have ever had. The wings where so crunchy and yummy and the edamame was as expected, yummers! My whiskey drink was strong but I love heavy pours. I did ask the cashier if they had soju since I saw ramune in their menu and unfortunately they dont sell that. Overall the place is excellent...its perfect for a date night or even an evening with friends. read more

Underbelly - Whiskey drink - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I came to Underbelly on a Saturday afternoon. It was difficult to find parking, but that was to be expected since it's located in Little Italy. We ordered the Belly of the Beast ramen and Meat Lover's Bento box. The bento box came with pork belly and rice, gyoza, kimchi, and cucumber salad. The cucumber salad was soo good, and so was the pork and rice. The gyoza tasted like the frozen ones you can buy at the store, and the kimchi was bland. The ramen was also on the blander side, but the oxtail dumplings were a nice touch. read more

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I've eaten here several times. I've never been disappointed. I've had several of the ramen bowls and the fried chicken. All have been good. I've had drinks at the bar. The cocktails are amazing and the bartenders are attentive. I like the outdoor seating and the decor. I know I'll be back again! read more

Great spot for a satisfying meal in Little Italy with really decent prices. You order at the front and then find a seat. They have an open concept, so you can either choose to get some fresh air or head upstairs for more seating. The decor gives off really cool vibes too. We got the belly of the beast and the chicken confit ramen. The belly of the beast has some hearty short rib slices, but that oxtail dumpling is the star with the melt in the mouth umami. The chicken confit almost reminded me of a tantan noodle, so it's perfect for those who are looking for a kick. Usually they're consistent, but the noodles were a bit too soft this time. It can get pretty busy during peak dinner time so expect to stand in line for a bit before ordering. Also parking is street so plan accordingly. read more

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Loved everything about this place. The vibe felt very different from other ramen spots I have visited, and in a really enjoyable way. There is limited seating and a long line to place your order, but I did not mind because the food comes out very quickly. I ordered the underbelly ramen and the Nashville hot chicken bao bun. Both dishes were packed with flavor, offered a good quantity, and were very reasonably priced. Loved it! Definitely worth a visit! read more

This place was super cool and laid back, very cool atmosphere and great lounge areas, we sat upstairs which over looked the whole restaurant. The food was good, beef gyoza was a hit especially with the sauce. The Belly of the Beast ramen was alright, the oxtail was really made the dish, just felt the broth didn't have a lot of flavor unfortunately. The drink was great, nice whiskey fizz kind of vibe! Overall was a nice quick stop in for a quick meal, will be back if ever craving ramen again! read more

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Great spot for a cool May Grey evening in Little Italy! Tasty hot ramen served fast at this super cool corner spot. The seamless design and indoor/outdoor concept is really cool. read more

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Cold day in SD so we tried new ramen spot in Italy town. Order at the counter and they bring it out to you. There is limited seating inside then nice outdoor seating at bar and some table setup viewing the streets. The place gets packed at lunch time so come early. We went for the full ramen fix and it didn't disappoint. Broth was yummy and meat was tender and noodle were good but prefer it to be a little less cook. But that's just me. If I was going to critique I would say more soup please as only came with one ladle of it that I had to order extra broth. Should be filled to the rim. Reason I know it only one scoop is that i sat next to kitchen prep so was cool to watch. read more

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Place is great I would rate it a 4, but my impression on it changed to 1 star when I got Ramen to-go. Apparently the option of tipping is an illusion when the worker slipped a unauthorized $9.26 tip into my order. Make sure to check your receipts. I was a fool as I didn't catch it at the time, definitely won't happen again. Hopefully this is a helpful review to other customers. read more

Underbelly - Receipt of my order with the unauthorized $9.26 tip included for to-go t order. - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I was recommended by my coworkers to try their ramen cuz I love Japan everything, but Underbelly is overrated imo. I ordered the Belly of the Beast Ramen (which I call Belly full of Grease) and a Spicy JFC. First off the soup. It is too greasy, and the ingredients made the bowl even more greasy. Some of my coworkers ordered the tonkotsu raman and they said their bowls were a bit greasy too. The noodles, they're either overcooked or too much flour/starch, they're stuck together like noodles cakes. The ingredients, which were soft-boiled egg, oxtail dumplings and short ribs, were all disappointments. The egg was overcooked for a "soft-boiled egg", the oxtail dumplings tasted like pure beef fat, and the short ribs were solid and tasted plain. The Jfc, which is a spicy Japanese fried chicken, is just too much sauce. The sauce is tasty and spicy but it is too dense and gritty. read more

Great place withnicest people, nicest atmosphere of all the Ramen bars in downtown San Diego read more

Underbelly - Under Belly - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Great little spot just a block or so from Little Italy. You order and pay at the bar and they bring everything out to you fresh and hot. Service was really fast too. Got the Belly of the Beast Ramen and the Tonkatsu. We also got the Crispy Wings and Gyoza. All were really flavorful. Noodles were nice and springy. The cherry on top was the perfect jammy egg in the bowl. If I get back to San Diego will definitely revisit. read more

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Every time I go to San Diego underbelly is a must! Always good service and great ramen! read more

Underbelly - Underbelly ramen with pulled pork and pork belly - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

This is a must stop location in San Diego for me! The ramen is next level and so are the cucumber salad and kimchi. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I'm usually there around 3 or so in the afternoon so it isn't really a busy time but that gives it a cool and tranquil environment. read more

Underbelly - Ramen broth and bean sprouts and green onion - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Food was decent, service was friendly. The creativity in design was perhaps my favorite part! Overall good for a quick affordable meal, just don't expect anything insane. -- The Under Belly ramen was good - flavor was lacking a bit but noodles, egg, chasu belly, and adobo pork were all well cooked! That's the empty bowl. The Beast of the Belly sounded good in theory but the meat was overcooked and dry :( The dumpling was good though! Good prices too! $14 and $15 for a filling and tasty bowl. Our server was friendly and let us sit wherever :) The design was the most memorable part! A very fun neon light vibe and I loved how they used the open windows as tables - genius! -- Final verdict - I'd probably come here a lot as a local. As a tourist, only coming in if I'm sharing a bowl / for a quick snack. read more

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So good every food item was a hit especially the ube colada this place has been on my radar for a while and finally got a chance to try it such a cute vibe and pretty views of downtown staff was super chill and helpful food came out in less than 5 minutes and was really good and not to mention very well priced for such good food especially in little Italy definitely will be coming back and recommending it to friends and family read more

Got off Disney Cruise and stayed at hotel across the street. Wanted something warm and familiar, so of course ramen. Since moving out of San Diego, I hadn't eaten at Underbelly in years. I remember when they first opened and I ate at this establishment with friends. Called and placed a take out order. It was ready within 15-20min. Took longer to find parking, but it was fine. Pick up was easy--brought back to hotel and had a feast. Happy bellies before passing out. Lol It was just as good as I remembered. I'm glad it's still around after all these years. read more

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The service was great during lunch hour! You wait outside and order before being seated. We chose to sit in the upstairs section of the restaurant. The place was so moody and has great decor. The chicken confit ramen was so rich and perfectly salted. Portions are massive and well worth it. read more

Underbelly - Interior - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Parking in the area is tuff, but there is a parking area one block from this restaurant. It did cost us $20 for 2 hours. This restaurant works a little differently than other places. You order first at the counter then they find you a spot to eat. I would consider this dining outside seating, they have a small area upstairs for inside seating. We had great service from Shreya , we sat at the bar. She recommended the chicken wings and they were really good. Loved the ube drink i would compare it close to a pin-a colada but with ube. Will definitely be back. Also line to order moved fast read more

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Very cool spot! Food was good. Loved the ambiance. Sitting at the window, eating on a window was weird but very cool. I will come back to this spot for sure, and recommend it. We got the bento box meat eaters version, and added the chicken teriyaki bowl and pork buns. All delish. Cheaper than Momofuku, pricier than some. read more

Underbelly - Late... lunch - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California