Yatai Ramen

247

630

1936

7 years ago

I always cannot say no to ramen and rice bowl combo but this time I only got Tokyo Shoyu ramen. Next time is for the rice bowl. I sat at the outdoor table in front of the restaurant. It felt like we were having a street food. The food came out fast. Although it seem like a small bowl but it was full for noodle/broth/other toppings. The pork is juicy and well marinated. The pink pickled ginger made some kicks in each bite. Nice small restaurant but might be a challenge to find the parking if this place is getting more popular. read more

Yatai Ramen - Tokyo Shoyu Ramen and strawberry Ramune - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Erica S.

217

114

5 years ago

I loved this place! I got the Tokyo ramen- spicy and my boyfriend got the Yatai ramen. Both broths were very good but I do think the Yatai broth was superior. It was a nice refreshing meal that did not make me feel heavy at all and was freshly made. The owner is very polite and had nice service. read more

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T K.

2 years ago

Best authentic ramen and atmosphere I've experienced in phoenix at an affordable price. read more

Yatai Ramen - Sitting area - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Yatai Ramen - Yatai Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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John Aldwin C.

3 years ago

Love their service! The staff were nice. And the food is really good! Saw the reviews here on Yelp and it did not disappoint. Perfect for the chilly weather right now here in AZ. read more

Yatai Ramen - Yatai Ramen and Tokyo Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Jaci O.

3 years ago

I stopped by here for lunch while I was in town for a conference and really enjoyed it. It is a small place but decent amount of seating inside and out. The food was good and came out in a good time. The staff was friendly and answered all my questions. read more

Yatai Ramen - Sign in the restaurant. - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Yatai Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Charissa L.

169

4 years ago

This place was lovely! I ordered the Yatai Ramen combo with curry and enjoyed both dishes. You get a generous bowl of Ramen with a delicious broth (not too heavy and not too salty). The curry was also generous with crispy pork katsu. The owner was so kind and welcoming as well! Definitely recommend! read more

Yatai Ramen - Ramen combo (curry) - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Choi Y.

3 years ago

Their ramen is the best in town! I have tried many different places in town, but Yatai is truly the best one. Their Yatai ramen is very tasty and decent. I did togo this go because they close at 7:00 for dining-in. But they are packaging togo very well! They separate the noodle/topping from the broth, so they don't get mushy. Try Yatai ramen if you want to taste a good Japanese ramen in town! read more

Yatai Ramen - two bowls of ramen noodles - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Tom N.

226

2 years ago

Solid tiny ramen joint. Price point is great. Broth is excellent - particularly the shoyu version. A couple of notes - there is essentially no parking around the small restaurant and the chasu pork is not quite what you would expect for ramen... Basically, it is rolled pork. Also the egg was overcooked (not runny like what should be expected) read more

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Brent J.

231

4 years ago

Not sure about the hype that this place gets. Asked for no black fungus in my bowl after I was told I could get the dish without it. The pork in the potstickers were bright pink. Looked like pink slime. Not coming back read more

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David R.

107

2 years ago

It was good! Pricing and food! I wish I had taken the photo but as soon as I was served, I devoured it. 5 our of 5! read more

Yatai Ramen - Sorry, I wish I had taken the picture below, but damn. It was good and prices were also amazing! - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Nhi T.

6 years ago

Walking into this shop, I was amazed by how small and cute it is with all the posters on the walls. Besides the cute aesthetic, the shop itself is very clean and neat. Onto the food, I was definitely mind-blown by how good the soup tasted. Everything in the bowl tastes really good and fresh, not to mention, you get a great amount of food for just 8.95 a bowl. This place surely felt warm and authentic compared to other shops in AZ. read more

Yatai Ramen - Yatai ramen and pork katsu bowl - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Vinh B.

2 years ago

Great vibes, Excellent service! I liked the self serve station with the sauces. I enjoyed the whole anime theme of the restaurant

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Czyjinx ..

3 years ago

I love this place for ramen, I got the combo and went during lunch. Make sure if choose to go during the lunch rush you have spare time to enjoy your food and get back to work. Gluten free noodles and the curry katsu was cooked with perfection. The customer service was excellent. read more

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40 W.

201

2 years ago

Been on the road for a while and wanted some traditional Japanese. I was in the mind set I'm in Arizona, so don't expect much. I stopped by this place and out of everywhere in Arizona I stepped into the restaurant of a first generation Japanese that knows how to cook the perfect tonkatsu, crispy and moist full of flavor with the perfect match of curry. I was definitely surprised. read more

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Joe 9.

3 years ago

Everything I have ordered here has been good until I tried the fried rice. It wasn't bad, but for$6.50 I expected to get more egg, corn, peas, and chicken, scallion in my order. It was 95% rice! I was hard pressed to find anything but rice after eating the few morsels of egg, corn, peas, and chicken, scallion that were on top. Feeling very disappointed and ripped off! $6.50 for what was mostly a few cents worth of rice. SMH. I'll stick with the ramen & gyoza. read more

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Gabriel C.

204

2 years ago

The owner is an extremely kind man who makes fantastic meals. The ramen is delicious while being very affordable. Very cute interior, looks like someone's dad decorated (which i love). Will be back. read more

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John A.

3 years ago

This place is the most under rated place I have ever been to. The ramen was hands down was one of the best I have had. The service was great from such a small place too, I loved it! read more

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Jacob H.

119

3 years ago

Service was great but ramen lacks a lot. I've been to a lot of ramen places. You can even say i'm a ramen connoisseur if you will lol. But flavor lacks, pork belly is bland and eggs was slightly over cooked. Sorry but need a revamp bad. If your looking a good spot. Origami ramen bar is legit. It compete with L.A lilt tule Tokyo ramen. read more

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Vincent B.

Elite 21

150

7 years ago

Amongst the many ramen shops around the area, this doesn't necessarily stick out as far as location and decor goes. Finding the place is easy, but you might find trouble with the street parking or limited slots behind the building. Walking in, it is a pretty small space with a couple of chairs and tables. The menu is very simplified with combos and appetizers, which I appreciate because I like to keep it straightforward. You have three types to choose from, with or without rice combos, and the appetizers as well. You pay first at the register after you order. I ordered the Yatai ramen with curry katsu combo. For its price, the portion was huge and could easily feed two people. The ramen itself was very smooth and flavorful. You can also tell them to adjust the spice level. The noodles could have been better with the texture, but it was fine to begin with. I just prefer wider and firm noodles. 4 pork belly slices was also a great surprise too. Our server checked on us frequently as needed as well. In all, come here for some good ramen for a decent price, and get a combo with it too read more

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Mayo B.

214

308

4 years ago

I second what some one said regarding the food. Overtly salty broth and too much rice in the combo. However the price point is good as well as the service read more

Yatai Ramen - Menu and inside - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Si M.

7 years ago

Been following Yatai Ramen truck for a few months already on FB. So glad to find out that they have a physical location nearby in Tempe. Their signature ramen(Yatai) was really yummy, full of flavors. It would be even better when the weather is a lot of cooler. My partner got a bowl of miso ramen and a rice bowl combo. They were super good too. Service was great too. There're only 2 ppl working in the kitchen, just the chef and server. They were very friendly and attentive. We will definitely come back for more bowls of awesomeness. read more

Yatai Ramen - Salad and chicken egg over rice. - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Yatai Ramen - Miso Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Brad N.

557

343

7 years ago

If rating solely on ramen I would rate it at two stars. Come back to this. If rating overall experience, atmosphere, service, and gyoza I concluded 3 stars. For the ramen being my first time ordered the tonkatsu ramen as is. Knowing what comes in the bowl after tasting I would recommend ordering without the ginger. It made impact making it hard to taste the original broth, but this is just my opinion. Be sure to try w/out next time. The broth otherwise seem a bit watered down as typically tonkatsu is a thick sooty base and I felt lacked flavor punch. Again ginger didn't help. As for other toppings and egg where good and I'm a fan of the thin noodles. The atmosphere has the feel of a small Japanese ramen shop and fun Japanese a art. Love the JPop playing. Service was friendly as they bring your meal to you with a smile. The gyoza is an excellent side dish and had good flavor in comb with the ponzu dipping sauce. I will look to return and hopefully revise my review next time in town. read more

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Tristan M.

2 years ago

Absolutely amazing food, you can't make a wrong choice. The atmosphere is great and customer service is awesome. Food comes out fast too!

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Silbia S.

3 years ago

Great quick service. Ramen was delicious, very flavorful and served hot. Parking was easy right around the back of the building. I'd recommend. read more

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Jennifer O.

410

3051

600

5 years ago

Yatai has some seriously tasty ramen...their restaurant is small but the ramen is mighty! The chashu pork was delish and the egg was perfect, even though I took it to go. The gyoza were also tasty. This is one of the better ramen options in Tempe. read more

Business owner information

Son M.

Jennifer, thanks for stopping we're so glad you loved the food. The…

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Bananakin S.

5 years ago

Wow! What a delicious meal! I got the Spicy Yatai and it was absolutely delicious! And for only $10 it's the most affordable near ASU! Definitely go to Yatai Ramen if you are craving Yatai Ramen! It is very tasty! read more

Yatai Ramen - Spicy Yatai Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Damariel C.

651

103

7 years ago

Great service James and the cook were great and recommend the special the flow was perfect and it taste great I recommend this to anyone that loves ramen definitely coming back felt welcomed for the service. read more

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Emily L.

3 years ago

Food was extremely bland. Ramen didn't have any meat in it and the dumplings looked like it was stuffed with hotdogs. I definitely wouldn't eat here again especially after spending $35 for low quality food. read more

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Tamara S.

5 years ago

We've been looking for a good ramen place in the area for about two years now. This was the best I've found! I've told all of my fellow ramen enthusiasts about it. Highly recommend, very flavorful and authentic. It was so good I got two bowls to go. I will be back! read more

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Jamie J.

3 years ago

The ambiance is that of a wet sock, but in a comforting way. It's a bit loud outside being on a stroad, but the service is always with a smile, and the food, oh the food. The way the egg is cold in the middle contrasts with the hot broth, creating a taste experience akin to a chilled spring morning. The beef, chicken, whatever you get is incredible. The only consistent employee is the man behind the counter, the man who had a food truck in Japan, he is the only one who touches your food, and thank god. The college student who brings your food to the table complimented my hoodie once, thanks guy. I love Yatai ramen, and visit every time i'm in Phoenix. read more

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Kenny O.

6 years ago

Great cute ramen spot in Tempe! The noodles were cooked perfectly and had just the right amount of taste, most shops have way too much sodium! The katsu curry was delicious as well read more

Yatai Ramen - Tokyo Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Yatai Ramen - House Katsu Curry Rice - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Business owner information

Son M.

Thank you for coming in. We're so glad you enjoyed our ramen and food!

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Claudeth P.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

6 years ago

This place looks like a legit ramen shop when you go to Japan, the service is good, the ramen broth was so rich, the noodles was slapping, & the egg was perfectly cooked! I think we found our favorite ramen shop now in Arizona! read more

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Anna K.

4 years ago

BEST RAMEN IVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. DEF go here!! It's amazing. Also reasonable prices. This is officially my favorite dining restaurant for ramen! read more

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Joe W.

466

4 years ago

Came here after reading reviews and the webpage. Saw the owner was from Osaka and oaks has great food so I decided to give it a try. The tonkotsu ramen honestly tasted like shio and had the right noodles for shio. The young lady was really nice. There was a steady stream of customers. I only got the Yatai ramen and oyakodon and my little friend got miso ramen. Our brotha looked very similar except the hue was changed with miso paste. She really enjoyed her food. As I said I thought the ramen was ok but it really wasn't tonkotsu. The oyakodon was good though. If they labeled it as shio ramen I might have gone up a star. read more

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Ella H.

Elite 21

6 years ago

Yatai Ramen is my favorite ramen spot in Tempe! The owner is so nice and makes your food fresh and quick. He's the only one working right now, but he never misses when it comes to preparing quality food every time! I go here every week and enjoy my experience consistently, especially since the ramen he prepares is authentic Japanese cuisine. Support this small business, you won't regret it!(: read more

Yatai Ramen - Top: Yatai Ramen Bottom: Miso Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Brian W.

3 years ago

Always enjoy a great bowl of Ramen! Always very nice and always delicious! I also had the Katsu which was also very good. I have not had a bad dish yet! read more

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Jackson P.

3 years ago

Best food ever I would die for this food just to reincarnate to taste it again. My first born child will be forgotten and replaced by pork Katsu. I would've included a picture but the food here gets evaporated in front of me. It is that good. Included is a picture of my moms leftovers. read more

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Lisa R.

183

5 years ago

Kind of hot inside on a 111 degree day, but I'd sit through that just to have the chicken Katsu curry and shrimp Yakisoba !!! This is a mom and pop business, it's no nonsense and unassuming. The gyoza was homemade and so good! Everything was out pretty quick and the Chef owner is a sweetheart and checked with us to make sure that we liked our dishes. We will be back when it's cooler for Ramen I highly recommend that you try this hidden gem. read more

Yatai Ramen - Gyoza - Ramen Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Business owner information

Son M.

Thanks Lisa for your review you selected some great choices on our…

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Chandler D.

108

3 years ago

Best ramen in Phoenix! My favorite ever so far was a small shop in Oahu but this is a very close second, especially for Phoenix!! I also LOVE that they offer rice noodles as a gluten free option - so good! Highly recommend the spicy yatai ramen (with an extra egg!) read more

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Pimnapa R.

6 years ago

My first time here and I will be back for sure. Authentic ramen with The Best noodle ever! read more

Business owner information

Son M.

Thanks for coming in! We're happy you enjoyed the food.

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Back

Page 2 of 5

1101 W University Dr
Tempe, AZ 85281
Directions
(480) 967-7409
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://www.yatairamenaz.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Yatai Ramen open?

Yatai Ramen opens at 11:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

What time does Yatai Ramen close?

Yatai Ramen closes at 7:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Yatai Ramen is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Fri 11:30 AM - 7:00 PMSat-Sun Closed

Payment methods

Does Yatai Ramen take Bitcoin?

No, Yatai Ramen does not take Bitcoin.

Does Yatai Ramen take credit cards?

Yes, Yatai Ramen takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Yatai Ramen have a drive thru?

No, Yatai Ramen does not have a drive thru.

Does Yatai Ramen have a happy hour?

No, Yatai Ramen does not have a happy hour.

Does Yatai Ramen serve alcohol?

Yes, Yatai Ramen serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does Yatai Ramen allow dogs?

Yes, Yatai Ramen allows dogs.

Does Yatai Ramen have TVs?

No, Yatai Ramen does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Yatai Ramen have bike parking?

Yes, Yatai Ramen has bike parking.

Does Yatai Ramen have outdoor seating?

Yes, Yatai Ramen has outdoor seating options.

Does Yatai Ramen have parking?

Yes, Yatai Ramen has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Yatai Ramen wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Yatai Ramen is wheelchair accessible.

Does Yatai Ramen have free WiFi?

No, Yatai Ramen does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Our specialty is Yatai ramen with a special tonkotsu base which is slow-cooked for over 20 hours. We also have special rice dishes like house katsu curry and oyako don that will delight your tastebuds!

History

Established in 2015.

Chef and owner Mark started his culinary career in 1975 at Benihana's original location in New York. He has helped other Japanese concepts and in 2015 opened his first ramen truck. With a big following and support from the community Yatai's standing location opened in 2019. We hope you experience authentic taste and want to bring the Japanese yatai shop experience to you. Come try "the best little ramen shop in the west!"

Meet the Manager: Yatai R.

Hello Yelpers, The Yatai team here would like to invite you to dine-in or get takeout. We hope to give you a warm and satisfying meal and the best customer service!

More Info

Health Score

Ask the Community - Yatai Ramen

Are they open for dine in?

Hello, we are open for dine-in now M-Fri 11:30-6. We have some outdoor seating available and bar seating inside.. We are also available for delivery!

View question details

Are there gluten/dairy free options?

gluten free rice noodle Tokyo ramen available

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Are there vegan or vegetarian options available?

They have a vegan miso broth (just ask) and can make a vegetarian curry bowl.

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Zu Izakaya

4.5(1.9k reviews)

2.7 mi

Locally owned & operated

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My friend and I came by here last Friday after an event kinda nearby. My friend was looking for a…read morenoodle dish and I just wanted to try something different- Yelp to the rescue! So many things looked so good on the menu. I also let the server know that I was hungry too lol! They were quick bringing out the food. I belive Dhillon was our server and he was great too. He helped us narrow down our choices. My friend and I shared the coconut chicken curry pot which was flavorful and had a great balance of meat, noodles, etc. Dhillon suggested sharing it as it was a good size and I'm glad we did. We also shared the tofu salad which was nice and flavorful and also the sweet potato rolls and green tea cheese cake. The only suggestion I would make is maybe putting a small bit of vanilla ice cream with the cheesecake instead of whip cream. My friend and I both thought that combo would hit the spot. Oh they also have a happy hour that starts at 9pm too. I think one of out items might have been off thr happy hour. Overall price was reasonable too. I will definitely be back!

The food was actually very good, which makes the experience even more disappointing because the…read moreservice was absolutely horrible. We were a party of 12 visiting on vacation, and none of us are from the area. We ordered spam musubi and a chicken skewer as appetizers. Both appetizers arrived well after our entrees had already been served and we had essentially finished eating. Each time we asked about them, we were repeatedly told, "They're coming." Mind you, these are simple appetizers that should not take anywhere near that long to prepare. When we asked for the third time, we finally asked that the appetizers be cancelled since we had already finished our meal. At that point, the gentleman working the front area , tall, with red hair, loudly yelled from across the restaurant, in an extremely rude and confrontational tone, "It's already on the grill!" There was absolutely no reason to speak to paying customers that way. His response was unprofessional, unnecessary, and honestly created a very hostile and uncomfortable feeling during what should have been an enjoyable dinner, especially while our group was on vacation and simply trying to enjoy a meal together. When the appetizers eventually came out, we left them sitting there because we were already done eating and ended up taking them to go. He eventually told us they would be removed from the bill, which we appreciated, but that did not excuse the way the situation was handled. Again, the food was good, but good food does not make up for poor service and especially not for an employee speaking to customers in an aggressive and disrespectful manner. Management should seriously address how customers are treated, because the interaction with this particular employee overshadowed what could have otherwise been a good dining experience for our party of 12.

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4.4(112 reviews)

4.7 mi

The new katsu sandwich was amazing! Definitely recommend trying it. The serving size was perfect…read moreand service was really fast. I've also had their katsu #1 meal which was also delicious. Highly recommend trying their food.

My oh Maisen Katsu!…read more It's been a while since I ate at the H-Mart market eatery food hall, and not for lack of trying. I've been to H-Mart a couple times recently and wanted to eat there but it was closed, I went too late. Today I went for lunch-- And I'm glad I did, it was SO delicious. The food hall was busy on Thursday around noon, however still plenty of open seating available for me. Sometimes on the weekend you might be waiting for people to finish before finding a spot. Today was easy, peasy. My food was quick, took around 10 minutes. The orders were flying out of the katsu kitchen!! They call it out and you can see on a small monitor when your number is ready. I walked around the food stalls before deciding I wanted katsu. I'm very happy with my choice. The person in front of me was picking up their order and it looked really good. So I copied them-- #8 cheese katsu!! The woman taking orders was very friendly and helpful. I told her I would eat there but wouldn't finish it due to big portions so I tried to order it to go, she advised I get it regular and then box up the leftovers. She was so right! The presentation alone is fun like fajitas and she said it's all packaged separately when ordered for take out. Great tip from her. She could have just let me do that but she understood what I had told her. I chose the pork katsu, you can get chicken also. The #8 dish is served with katsu sauce/gravy, and mozzarella cheese sizzling on a skillet. On the side is rice and cabbage, and a clear broth. It was absolute heaven. This is a very decadent dish with all the cheese and sauce. And it changes the texture of the katsu, I could tell it was crispy but it also was covered in cheesy goodness so less crispy than the other katsu options. On the bottom of the skillet is the most crunchy cheese bits that you can scrape off to get that fried cheese goodness. And the portion was big, 2 pieces of meat! Enough that I had half of it to take home. This is definitely enough to share. Next time I'll try the katsu & udon combo or the katsu sando so that I get more of the crispy katsu texture. The cheese version is more smothered and covered, but very yummy though! On the menu they also have noodle dishes with soba, ramen, and udon. I can't speak on those since I didn't try them. There are lots of other noodle options in the food hall though, so I would definitely recommend getting the katsu, and if you also want noodles, the combo option. I'll definitely come back to this food stall when craving some katsu.

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Shimogamo - Chandler

4.3(933 reviews)

So happy I stumbled on this gem during my visit…read more It looks very unassuming from the outside but I was truly amazed at how sleek the interior looked and, most of all, the food. The sushi is definitely on the pricy side but justified since most of it is flown in from Japan and the quality reflects that as well. I tried the: - Kyoto Pear Cocktail: whisky based cocktail - Salmon Sake Sashimi - Ocean Trout Nigiri - Shimogamo Shooter - Truffle Kanpachi - Hojicha Pannacotta Service was incredible! The staff were very kind and attentive, I was seated near the bar & the bartender had great energy & recommendations for food! Parking was easy & there can definitely be a wait. I got lucky and snagged a spot at the bar.

Took my wife here for her birthday. We reserved a table, but…read morethey sat us in bar area. I think this is more for people into nigiri/sashimi. Sushi rolls are mid at best. Server felt like she was in a rush the whole time. Overall experience not worth the price.

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One of the best sit downs. I enjoyed my dinner and the sushi was immaculate. Fresh. Flown in every…read moreWednesday very attentive staff and very friendly will. Be coming back 4-5 stars

Omatase, oh-mah-goodness! Mega Katsu Curry. Perfection. I make Katsu at home and I thought my katsu…read morewas really good. I have to admit. This katsu might be better. The crisp texture. The crunchy bite. No grease. Perfect flakiness. Excellent moisture. Perfect chicken to panko ratio. Seriously, I have done my homework on katsu and you have outdone yourself with this katsu! A+ I am studying this katsu to replicate at home, so definitely will come again. :) Service again is warm and friendly. They remembered me and asked about my family who didn't come this time. I brought my friends. Ambiance is good.

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Toh Zan Nagasaki Grill

4.3(335 reviews)

14.7 mi

When we got there we were immediately greeted by an older gentleman who I think owns the…read morerestaurant. He was extremely kind throughout our entire visit and told us we could sit anywhere we wanted. No one else was in there at the time so right away he came over to ask us what we would like to drink. We were also ready to order so I got the pork tonkotsu ramen with pork chashu for $14 and my mom got the teriyaki chicken for $12. Both of those come with 2 gyozas and a chicken skewer. The food came out extremely fast but don't let that fool you because the speed did not compromise the quality or taste! The ramen was so delicious and huge, the broth was flavorful, the noodles were the perfect texture with a flawless egg on top. My mom loved her teriyaki chicken and especially the gyozas! The portion sizes are great too we both were able to leave with leftovers for later. No one else came while we were there so it was super quiet and peaceful inside. This place feels like a hidden gem that we'll definitely be coming back to!

Great spot. I believe this was my first time having soba, and I couldn't get enough. This was a…read morecold dish, and came with a chicken yakitori skewer, veggie and shrimp tempura, and chicken gyoza. The noodles were great texture, the broth was super flavorful, and the sides were quite nice. I've been thinking about this meal every day since. It is a small spot, almost looks closed from the outside. There was just one server who appears to be the owner, and he was very nice and attentive. He checked in to make sure we knew how to eat the noodles properly and gently let us know when the kitchen and restaurant were closing. The croquettes were very nice, and I normally am not a huge fan of takoyaki but the octopus texture in these was nice and soft. There was not too much octopus in them though, so if that's important to you... :( Would definitely come back and probably order the exact same thing...

Restaurant

Gyoza

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Takoyaki

Tampopo Ramen

3.9(970 reviews)

3.3 mi

Food was great, Tristian service was good. , good music,…read morenice place to hang out and eat with friends.

Decent ramen spot. Service is quick and the seating is communal in the middle of place. Would come…read moreagain because of the variety of ramen flavors they offer.

First time takoyaki = last time takoyaki. As far as I'm concerned, DeAngelo Vickers can juggle these ball to his heart's content

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Ika geso karaage ($8.50)

Tokyo Stop

3.9(207 reviews)

0.3 mi

•$

This place is amazing, owners are extremely friendly. If I could give them a 10 star review I wouldread more

We got this to go on Friday for lunch. After taking a few bites, which were delicious btw, I saw a…read morethick black hair in my food, which instantly grossed me out and lost my appetite

Chicken Katsu

Half chicken teriyaki half chicken curry

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JT's Curry Wagon

4.6(17 reviews)

7.0 mi

Had the opportunity to get a meal from their pop up at the Tempe Moon Festival. Sorry about not…read morehaving photos but it just couldn't happen! We had sampled the Cowboy Curry and immediately fell in love! So ordered a bowl and it was so delicious! Served with chicken and rice and a variety of veggies including sweet potatoe, carrots, onion and the sauce! Just the right blend of savory, curry, and salt...I want more! JT and his team were so friendly and fun to chat with. We will be seeking you again!

Back when I visited Phoenix, I had the pleasure of eating at JT's curry wagon. Circled the uptown…read morefarmers market a couple times to scope out what we had and I knew I had to come back and hit this one and boy, am I glad I did. I went with the black belt curry which is a 50/50 split of the japanese vegetable curry and the braised pork belly dish they have. Found myself a seat under a nearby tent- there are plenty of options since people are constantly rotating in and out of the tables. It was a warm day - be sure to try and secure a shady spot. On to the food, the portion was massive. My wife and I picked on a few other things before here, but we both have healthy appetites. The black belt curry was rich, hearty and absolutely delicious. I still remember the potatoes in that Japanese curry - they were slightly chewy, creamy and I couldn't get enough of them. The braised pork belly was tender, rich, and very flavorful, not too fatty which is something you often have to worry about with pork belly curry dishes. All around fantastic spot and I would highly recommend. The Japanese curry screams "comfort" while the braised pork belly screams "rich" if that helps you decide, or just get both like I did with the black blet!

This is the best curry and Thai tea I've ever had.

The 50/50

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Lemonade

Nishikawa Ramen

3.9(951 reviews)

6.0 mi

Vegan ramen - tasty, but pricy…read more Tried the vegan ramen here and it was genuinely delicious -- full of flavor and clearly made with care. My main hesitation is the price; it felt a bit steep for what you get. Also, this isn't really a dish that holds up well as leftovers, so keep in mind you'll want to eat it fresh and finish it in one sitting rather than planning on a second meal out of it. Overall, tasty option if you're craving vegan ramen, just budget accordingly and plan to enjoy it all in one go.

Used to be good. Every time we've ordered recently, the order is missing items that completely ruin…read morethe meal. If the owner was smart, he/she would reach out to ask why we requested a refund and offer to make it right. Instead, we just get radio silence. Get it together.

Inside

Chicken curry bowl

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Nishikawa Black

Sushi Sen

4.1(494 reviews)

8.3 mi

Family-owned & operated

Locally owned & operated

This was the most authentic and delicious japanese restaurant that I have been to in years (yes,…read moreYEARS!) anywhere in the united states . It's a small restaurant run by Nihon-jin and staffed with culinary wizards. The waitstaff was attentive and helpful in making our food choices. We had three different waitresses constantly bringing our food and filling our glasses throughout the. There were six of us. The surrounding tables were all filled with Nihon-jin - a very good sign! We had gyoza appetizers that were the BEST i've had since leaving japan! It was cooked properly, which is PAN seared on the bottom. And the rest steamed with soft, chewy dumpling skin and tasty filling. Another appetizer was a plate of little sausages that came with a side of shaved cabbage. I heard they were good, but didn't try any myself. When I looked at the menu, there were so many various types of sushi! It was written in both japanese and english. They had a picture menu as well as a separate. Sushi menu. I had the kanpyo maki and also a futo maki roll. The other people at our table had katsudon, (one made with chicken and the other with pork), a plate of sashimi, a nigiri sushi combo, and several types of rolls. I chose Hiyashi Chuka, (cold ramen) - a chilled noodle dish popular in summertime. The toppings were sliced pieces of tender pork, surimi, wakame, carrot and cucumber slices. The dressing for Hiyashi Chuka is a sweet-and-sour soy sauce dressing (or tare). In fact, I usually take pictures of all my food and I was so excited i didn't take any pictures of the food or menu! I told my sister we have to go back there today so that I can take some! I highly recommend this restaurant. If you are looking for authentic Japanese food made by Japanese people. There is such a wide variety of food that you would only get in Japan & never heard of before in a stateside restaurant. This is my new favorite Japanese restaurant! It will be yours too!

I found out about Sushi Sen via IG ads back in 2021. Upon my first visit, I immediately regretted…read more waiting months to go and try it and then moving away shortly after This place offers great value for money and the food is so authentic the menu is written in English AND Japanese. Most if not all staff are Japanese. I've been coming here for years now and my parents who reside full time in CA love coming here. We actually make the drive from Peoria to Scottsdale just to eat here whenever they are in town. My mom loves to bring friends and family who are visiting from out of state to Sushi Sen. Lots of Asians & other Japanese ppl who eat here so it passes the vibe check. 100/10 recommend

Chicken katsu curry

My other fave: yellowtail

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Wagyu Beef Roll

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Thaddeus T.

2 years ago

This Japanese restaurant is a hidden gem. My partner and I tried the Yatai Ramen and the Curry Ramen, both of which were bursting with flavor, and the noodles had a perfect, satisfying texture. We also sampled the gyoza and veggie gyoza, and they were outstanding--crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked inside. Despite being short-staffed, with only the owner present due to another employee being out sick, we received our food promptly. After our meal, I had the pleasure of speaking with the owner, Mark. His passion for his craft and his desire to share his culture with his customers were evident. Please note that Mark will be visiting his family in Japan, so the restaurant will be closed throughout August and September. I'll definitely be dining here again before then! read more

Jessica G.

3 years ago

This place has potential, but there are a few areas that could be improved. The broth tends to be overly salty, which could use some adjustment. Additionally, it would be great if they could provide more suitable takeout containers for soup to avoid spillage during transport. Despite these issues, I believe this place has the potential to become fantastic with more experience and time. It's convenient to have it nearby! read more

Vinny N.

Elite 24

245

134

789

2 years ago

This ramen shop is a hidden gem in Tempe! I was in town for work, and my coworkers and I stopped by for dinner. I got the special yatai ramen, which was perfectly balanced and flavorful. They seemed short-staffed, but the cook brought out our ramen, making the experience feel even more special. Be patient--it's worth it for the quality of the food. Highly recommend for a comforting bowl of ramen! read more

Jaylen N.

3 years ago

This was the best place I've been to for really good food I'll be coming here at least once every 2 weeks in the atmosphere and the staff are so welcoming. read more

Ellen S.

7 years ago

The owner is super sweet and cares about the customers and the food is super delicious!

Yatai Ramen - ramen - Updated October 2026

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Kungfu Ramen

The soup is crowned with generous, thick-cut chunks of beef shank. Braised to absolute tenderness,…read morethe meat effortlessly pulls apart with chopsticks, boasting a rich flavor that perfectly complements the spicy soup. A bright, fresh contrast of chopped cilantro, scallions, and a handful of crisp bok choy cuts through the richness beautifully.

Hand-pulled noodles just hit different Kungfu Ramen is a low-key spot serving fresh, made-on-site…read morenoodles with a variety of styles: thin, thick, wide, knife-sliced... you name it. Everything is prepared fresh, and you can really taste the quality and tradition in every bite. We went all in and shared: Popcorn chicken Hot chili dumplings Pork pot stickers Stir-fried noodles with chicken House special noodle soup (beef, brisket, meatball, tendon) Matcha milk tea Flavor-packed, comforting, and perfect for noodle lovers.

Meat in Bun. Accurate description, haha!

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Origami Ramen Bar

SOOOO YUMMY, excellent portions and excellent service! Everyone was friendly and attentive at all…read moretimes. The atmosphere is pleasant and family friendly. I would definitely be coming back. Spicy ramen 10000/10

I have heard about Origami Ramen for a while now and have been meaning to try to out but it kept…read moreslipping my mind. We went on a random weekday for lunch and were able to get seated right away. You just order through the ipad at the table. Super convenient because you can look through each item individually and assemble your cart. You do checkout and pay right away, which can be done through the ipad if paying by card/cashless. The food came out fairly quickly. I got the origami classic with pork belly. It also comes with vegetables and a soft boiled egg. Other than ramen, they also have a variety of appetizers, onigiri, udon, curry, donburi (rice bowl), and many drink options. I really enjoyed my ramen! The broth was really nice and the pork belly was delicious. I would love to come back!

Spicy 鶏白湯スパイシー + extra egg

Interior

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Dr Pepper

Maisen Katsu

Chicken katsu n cold soda. $20

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Pork Katsu combo with Udon Soup

Strings Ramen

We came because of the TikTok & stayed for the Noodles!!!…read more From the moment we walked in we were greeted by the staff which was extremely friendly. Also the atmosphere was super vibey and felt like I was walking into Tokyo from the cute bright decor. Once seated, we were talked to immediately and asked for what we wanted to drink while we looked over menu. Once we placed our food, dumplings, beef & rice & 2 ramen soups, tonkutso pork loin & premium. Both rooms came heavy with toppings and protein. The beef in the premium melted in your mouth. So much flavor, not overly salty, just right! The noodles you can tell were fresh and did not make us bloated/feel heavy. The older man working is super sweet and so is everyone we touched base with while being served. 100% will be back and referring all our friends/family members back.

The place looks like it's owned by a mama/papa who did great with the aesthetics, and they were the…read moreonly ones working the front and are extremely nice, but could definitely hire additional staffs for efficiency; However, they did great, and glad they are here on South mountain where Asian food is sooooo limited. I had their tonkotsu broth with black garlic which added additional umami flavor which I would recommend adding. The broth was great, but the texture of the ramen was where I wanted a little more elevated vs. these traditional noodles, but that's a personal preference. As for the charsu, the slice of pork was very fatty, just wish it had some meat on it. Overall 8/10 Would definitely come back for the convenience exception ramen

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Ichiro

5.0

(8 reviews)

2.9 mi

yummy very tasty will be back agin soon count on that yes…read moreprops to the owner very nice person

Best chicken katsu curry dish. Plus it's open late so it's super convenient and delicious for those…read morelate night eats.

Side Karaage(fried chicken)

Shrimp spring roll

Caterpillar roll

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Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle

4.6

(24 reviews)

4.9 mi

Pro-tip: Very Chinese friendly. There's a discount if you make a free membership or pay cash…read more Highlights: Overall, I thought the food was good. I really enjoyed the broth and noodle texture. The ingredients are fun and it's good for people who like variety. Some of the menu options are better priced than others, but it's a decent value. Lowlights: I feel like they are trying to appeal to Instagram with all the small dishes for the 10 second noodles, but I would rather them just throw everything in for me. The restaurant is kind of small because it used to be a dessert place, so I can imagine there being a wait if it gets busy.

I have been to Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle in other locations so excited that it is in AZ now! I…read morelove the concept where you can just put in any ingredients you want. They give 10 small side dishes. The original cross bridge is my favorite! For the price and the amount of food you get, it is so worth it! The soup comes out boiling hot and it stays warm throughout your dining experience. The tomato based soup was good, but I thought the original bone broth is best. Sign up for their rewards program to get a deal! Very friendly staff and attentive. I will definitely be returning again soon!

10 seconds Yunan Rice Noodles

Lobby

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Smile Thai Cuisine

The Tom Kha soup was flavorful and the medium spice was perfect. The Thai Basil medium spice hit…read morethe spot and satisfied the Thai Basil craving. Would definitely order both dishes again!

Omg!!! 5/5 the service was amazing the gentleman was very attentive, they start you with waters…read morewhich I love. The food was so good I love spicy and they had lots of options for spicy food! The drinks were amazing too good Thai authentic tea is hard to find but they have it!!

Beef salad - great summer meal!

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Thai Singha beer

Harmony Kitchen

Food is amazing. This is my go-to spot for fish trays and Chongqing chicken (highly recommended). I…read moreusually get the fish fillets, but they also offer the whole fish style. There are also add-ons for the fish tray. We usually get beef, fried potatoes, and noodles, and depending on how many people we go with, we might add more. There are about 5-6 different flavors to choose from and different spice levels as well. We usually get mild with their house special flavor. It is so good!! Service can be a little tricky. The couple who usually works there are really good, but once in a while I see some subs helping out, and they can be slower and require a little more patience. Still, it definitely doesn't stop us from coming back for more fish and chicken. I would highly recommend coming here with friends and family. The portions are decent, the price is great, and it usually costs about $20-30 per person to get completely stuffed.

The food is acceptable, the service not so much…read more We came on a Sunday evening and were seated quickly. Food: (3/5) Pig intestines: (4/5) The spicy pig intestines had lots of spicy flavor and oil. They had a slight crisp and were pretty chewy and fatty. It also came with celery, jalapenos and onions. Portions were ok. Fish: (2.5/5) The fish was served in a large tray with bean sprouts and lotus root. It was a very chewy on the outside because of the fried edges and also chewy on the inside (for fish). The fish was also pretty dry despite being in sauce. It didn't really have a distinct flavor, and I'm thinking it was previously frozen. Served on a large metal tray with a gel flame underneath. Bok choy and mushrooms: (2.5/5) These were flavorless and tasted mostly like the vegetable. Lacked any real texture. Service: (1/5) Our server seated us and never looked back. We had to ask for water refills, rice refills, and the bill. Ambiance: (3/5) Standard Chinese restaurant with minimal decor. Bathrooms mostly clean. Overall a mediocre dining experience. Prices ok, Free WiFi included.

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Paik's Noodle

Ordered the sweet and sour pork. Pork was crispy and was perfect with the rice. The sauce had too…read moremuch cornstarch as it was too thick to pour over the crispy pork. I opted to dip the pork j to the sauce instead. Very tasty

A well-known global chain for Korean-Chinese food, though overall our meal felt fairly average…read morecompared to other authentic spots in the Valley. The jajang rice was a bit bland, carrying only mild sweet and savory notes, though the egg was well-cooked with shrimp folded inside. It also came with a small bowl of jjamppong soup on the side. (I've had their jajang noodles before and found them equally bland.) The jjamppong was definitely the highlight--a massive portion loaded with generous amounts of pork and seafood. The broth was comfortably mild rather than overly spicy, and the noodles were bouncy with a satisfyingly chewy bite. Lastly, the sweet and sour pork came out as an absolute mountain: perfectly crispy and paired with warm sauce on the side.

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Tokyo Stop

This place is amazing, owners are extremely friendly. If I could give them a 10 star review I wouldread more

We got this to go on Friday for lunch. After taking a few bites, which were delicious btw, I saw a…read morethick black hair in my food, which instantly grossed me out and lost my appetite