Ramen Restaurants near El Cerrito, CA

“Food is competitive to other spots in the area, but what I do like about katana-ya is that it has wonderful variety of Japanese food. It may not have superior sushi or ramen but i go here for dishes that I can’t get anywhere else in this area.“

“The Black Garlic ramen is my favorite. The broth, pork slices, roasted garlic and soft egg are melt in your mouth fantastic ! Even the bamboo shoots have a beautiful texture and flavor. The place is plain but very clean inside. Owners seem very nice.“

“Came on a Sunday around 5pm and there was a bit of a line - if you're a party of one, you're more likely to expedite your wait time - waited about 20 mins and was sat...ordered about 5 mins after that. The seating is all mostly communal tables, but have privacy barriers. Got the A5 Wagyu Ramen (meat was def super fatty and tender and has a wow factor since it's draped raw across the bowl) and the Signature Tori Paitan (spicy). Both were good and had rich broth, but I would say I prefer the signature ramen for its mix of pork and duck chashu. Noodles are very chewy because of the mochi/wheat mix, maybe a little too chewy for my taste but overall nice spot to try ramen in the city.“

“Masa Ramen BistroStopped off at Masa Ramen Bistro for an early Saturday dinner. Street parking, but it wasn't an issue. Only a handful of people in the restaurant.These are the dishes we ordered in descending order of my preference.Diamond Head - this ramen bowl is legit. Soup is rich and creamy. Noodles have a good chew to them. The flavor is great and you get a nice whole soft boiled egg.Broke the Mouth - we ordered a 3 out of 5 which was spicy but not knock me over spicy. It was kind of interesting with a mountain of shredded parmesan in there. Despite it being tasty, I think my preference would be a straight black garlic version (Kuni).POG - pretty sweet and tropicalDa Kine Chicken - the chicken was well fried and marinated. I don't think there was much seasoning on the breading though. Also thought the pairing with the ponzu sauce was a bit odd.Bruddah Brussels - these were brussel sprout halves, coated with panko and parmesan and fried. Hot and tender in the middle. Just wasn't working for our family and it largely went uneaten. Normally when we're getting fried brussel sprouts, they're crispy, greasy, well-seasoned, and gone faster than the Flash.All in all, I'm always ecstatic when I find a good bowl of ramen in the East Bay. They are just so few and far between. Definitely will come back for that and maybe try out some of the other appetizers.“

“What a little gem tucked in the heart of the city! After seeing two Japanese artists exhibits, we wanted to wrap up the day with some yakitori and thankfully we found this place. Really good selection of yakitori but my favorite was the pork belly one. The hubs liked the chicken. I would go back for the crème brûlée any day ?Would love to go here again to try their ramen which are promising based on the reviews as well.“

“Great sushi, friendly staff, fun environment.“

“I ordered chicken broth. It was so delicious that it ranked first and second at the ramen restaurants I ate at in America! I was surprised that it cost over $20, but it was so delicious that I would want to come back again. I arrived after 17:00 and was able to enter the store without lining up.“

“Absolutely amazing ramen. I feel like I had a spiritual experience every time I went. Pork so tender, broth so rich, perfect egg. I have since moved out of SF, but I think about this place often. When I visit SF again, I will go to Marufuku. Eating here will elevate your quality of life. If I had to pick one last meal before I'd probably choose the hakata tonkotsu deluxe from Marufuku Ramen.“

“Great flavor Pork belly was to die for“

“outstanding little local find! excellent quality everything from sushi to ramen tempura all fabulous. please note the location is small with just four tables and a sushi bar but if you can get in you are in for a treat! very fairly priced for the quality of food and a city location.“

“Awesome place to drop in and get a great bowl of ramen. Very tasty, reasonably priced and very gracious and efficient service. Although there are many options in the area, I will likely come back to Marufuku anytime I'm in the vicinity.“

“I always come here since they've opened!! The food is always super fresh and tasty!! Lots of flavor made with lots of love!!:) Today I ordered from doordash & we all know doordash can be a bit goofy when it comes to modifying orders... Not an issue when you have awesome people working at this restaurant:) I called to tell them the issue I was having on the app.. I wanted to add-extra macaroni to my order (who doesn't love the macaroni!! I mean come-on it's the best!) the nice lady who I was speaking on the phone with told me not to worry about it; fixed my order and gave me extra macaroni - no extra charge! It's the little things that make me happy and us customers happy! Now I'm happy and full :D“

“Excellent selections and tastes. Not too expensive and high quality dishes. We tried a number of dishes and surprisingly everything was wonderful. Really! Atmosphere is jovial and a bit noisy, but in a good way. Definitely worth a visit, even if you are not a Japanese food fan.“

“Best chicken I've ever tasted must get the fried chicken and gyoza appetizer that comes yum yum sauce?? I had a beef short rib and teriyaki salmon bento box. The other two got the millionaire tonkotsu and the miso soup. The only reason I took one star out for the atmosphere was because the music was too loud where we were sitting.“

“This is a must visit for anyone in Jack London Square“

“Great option for ramen on the outskirts of Chinatown located along the cable car line. I came here with a friend and their friend on a rainy night. It was pretty full but we were seated quickly. I love the flowers inside! We shared the Crab Wonton to start and things started on a high note. I liked my tonkotsu ramen and my friend said they'd get the spicy miso ramen again. The broth flavor was rich and thick, and I liked the creaminess of the egg and all the toppings.“

“I came here on a Saturday night (~8PM) with a party of 5 and was able to be seated immediately. The restaurant has a cozy feel and can a little packed at times. Everything was ordered on our phones and our food came out shortly after. Tan-tan Spicy Miso ($19.50)- 4/5 One thing I love about Nojo is the broth! This broth was rich and packed with flavor! There is also extra chili oil on top you can mix in for an extra kick as well. The noodles were chewy and had plenty of cilantro on top. For the price, however, I would have expected more toppings on this ramen. Overall, a solid spot for ramen and would come back to try their signature chicken leg ramen.“

“It was one of the best ramen I’ve ever tried…“

“My friend and I wanted ramen and this place has excellent vegetarian ramen. It's as good as Marufuku, without the lines and the noise. One portion is big enough to share, but since a serving has one egg, it's easier to get two portions and take home what you can't eat.“

“It was one of the best ramen I’ve ever tried…“

“I actually don't care for their tonkotsu ramen...way too greasy. The chicken broth is much better. That said, despite "ramen" in their name, the yakitori is what steals the show. Love them all! The waitress takes her job seriously and goes above and beyond. Tip her extra!“

“Incredible ramen! I have had many ramen parlors. The pork broth is rich and not salty. The vegetarian ramen is equally rush and tasty. 5 star ramen. Highly recommend it. Bon appetit!“

“Besides the great Ramen Tan tan, make sure you get the fried chicken, Karage, only in japan i had it so good, the best in SF, a real japanese restaurant!!!“

“New recipes with the most amazing, home-made, wide noodles made our first inside visit in over a year a culinary celebration. And, as always, the staff is top-notch. Highly recommended!“

“Really enjoyed this dinner. The deep fried tofu appetizer was delicious and so delicately breaded. The scrumptious teriyaki salmon was generous with two good sized pieces and very nicely preceded by delicious miso soup and accompanied by tasty white rice. The ambience isn't ideal for dine in since the space is rather cramped, crowded, and impinged by pick up orders flowing in and out. I say give it a try.“

“An excellent place to eat Japanese food in Union Square, it also has other branches nearby in the financial area and China town near Kearny.The delicious ramen, there is a variety, the last one I tried was the tofu one, very delicious. Variety of accompaniments. Very attentive staff. But it fills up and sometimes you have to wait outside and in the cold that it is in San Francisco. Highly recommended ramen.“

“Waraku: A Hidden Gem for Authentic Japanese Cuisine As a couple who appreciates genuine Japanese food, my wife and I were delighted to discover Waraku. From the moment we stepped inside, the ambiance transported us to a cozy corner of Japan. Here's why we were totally impressed: Authenticity: Waraku doesn't compromise on authenticity. The flavors, presentation, and attention to detail in each dish reflect true Japanese culinary traditions. Whether it's sushi, ramen, or tempura, you can trust that it's prepared with care. Great Ambiance: The restaurant's interior is a harmonious blend of modern aesthetics and traditional elements. Soft lighting, wooden accents, and comfortable seating create an inviting atmosphere. It's the kind of place where you can unwind and savor your meal. Exceptional Service: Our server, Scott, deserves special mention. His knowledge of the menu, friendly demeanor, and prompt service elevated our dining experience. He went above and beyond to ensure we felt welcome and well taken care of. In summary, Waraku is more than just a restaurant--it's a culinary journey to Japan. If you're seeking real Japanese flavors and a warm ambiance, this hidden gem is worth a visit.“

“Excellent foods, friendly staffs! We really love to have dinner here~ Absolutely, I will visit again when I come back to Berkeley!“

“Twice in one week in a business trip to SF - happened upon ilppudo and came back a few days later. Friendly staff, great Raman and nice interior.“

“Well I can only tell you these fried SHRIMP baby are sooooo freaking good okay ! Now make sure when you order them, you eat them IMMEDIATELY , because the breading will get a little soft from the steam, or you can just open the container lol. Now I'm a pescatarian , so the chicken was for my husband . He ate them all in sitting ; 8 pieces . I think it was 6 but who knows . But yes the shrimp as has a hint of salt and they taste so good ! The shrimp are always fresh . Sooo good ! Now I ordered this on Sunday , now I think it's time for another order . The place is always clean and the owner, I don't know her name is always so sweet . When ever I had an issue she replaced the food immediately with no issues , no questions asked ! Thanks girl“

“Bansho is a very special place. The extraordinary combination of delicate mindfulness in service and decor, and meticulous attention to the balance and quality of ingredients creates magic. You will leave feeling better than when you arrived. Highly recommend.“

“Delicious & beautiful food! Excellent value. The staff is friendly & informative about the menu.“

“So good! The food was fresh and tasty.“

“Noodles are perfectly chewy and loved all the toppings on my extra spicy chicken ramen (with a hint of sichuan numbing spice). The menu was a little different than what I had seen on Yelp so it probably rotates. Taking a star off since it was expensive for a bowl but regardless, great for an occasional treat.“

“I've wanted to come in ever since seeing the original "JR Rail" sign years ago on the freeway! We finally had the chance on the way to grocery shopping. I wasn't disappointed!The owners do a good job of making this a unique experience. The shop is clean and streamlined, as you can expect from one themed on Japanese transportation! They play sounds of the JR Rail stop announcements overhead, and also steam NHK TV (a Japanese cultural channel) in the back. As others have also mentioned, there are also a few vending machines throughout the store which offer Japanese snacks and drinks (but are quite pricey at like $5 per ramune bottle). Orders come out of the wall with your receipt number displayed above the counter and loudly announced on the intercom. It's a fully contactless experience! (Btw, the code for the restroom is on your receipt!)There are only a handful of seats throughout the store, but they're single stalls à la Ichiran (IYKYK!). There's also a few standing spots open in the back (high table only). Other communal seating can be found outside, with a view of the moored ships in the estuary.We got the deluxe tonkatsu ramen with all the pre-recommended standard components. I found the ramen itself simple and not too heavy nor salty. The flavor wasn't anything to write home about, but the textures of everything were all on point. The noodles had the perfect chew, and the chashu and egg were perfect. Additionally, the portion size of the meat and noodles was quite sizeable and there was no way I could've finished off all my broth at the end without exploding. For $15, this wasn't a bad value. I also like that they include a wet wipe so you can have clean hands before/after your meal.Unfortunately, the iPad on the left (one of only 2) for taking orders was malfunctioning at this time, but you wouldn't know it until you got to the checkout screen and was ready to pay. There isn't any sign or anything, so either they don't know it's broken or it only broke recently. Hopefully this review compels them to fix it!“

“Super nice staff, great food and wonderful atmosphere.“

“Service was great. Food was good.“

“I’ve ordered Tonkutsu Ramen (mild), its good but too spicy for me. I asked for hot water to reduce d saltiness n spiciness. Flavor still great!“

“We shared 3 dishes for under $30 ea. Including tax and tip. No drinks. Good options with varying levels of "heat". I get bad reflux and lean mild had no problem with any of the 3 we ordered marked with 1 pepper ?️ Pad Thai in coconut curry with chicken was my favorite. We also shared 1 with shrimp both were vegetarian with added protein options.We will probably visit again soon.Kid-friendliness: NOT kid friendly, unless familiar with Thai cuisine/ culture“

“Thai and Japanese restaurant, although I would say the menu leans more to Thai, with ramen being the Japanese highlight.Plenty of seating, we visited on a Sunday evening and it was not overly busy.Food:We ordered the Lunar wings, crispy chicken wings with a spicy sauce. I could definitely taste the fish sauce in this dish. Was a tad salty for me, could definitely eat it with some rice on the side. Wings were all flats, which honestly was a bonus for me.Then, as recommended by the reviews we ordered the pa lo stew which is braised pork belly and it comes with a braised garbled hardboiled egg and rice on the side. The pork belly was tender and fatty, the sauce brought notes of clove/cinnamon. Definitely a salty rice-chaser dish, again, a bit salty for me.Lastly was the pad see you, thick stir fried noodles, you can choose your protein but we ordered ours with beef. I liked that it came with a decent amount of greens too. Deliciously flavored, the texture of the noodles is quite good. Solid dish.Prices are fair. Service is a bit lacking, seemed like there were only 1.5 servers for 6+ tables.Still I would return and recommend, a great place for Asian food in this area. There are lots of other dishes I’m interested in trying like the curry and the ramen.Seating:Plenty of seating to accommodate big parties and small ones.Dietary restrictions: They're flexible on ingredients but probably still not nut safeParking: Parking on the street, mostly paid parking in the area.Kid-friendliness: Lots of room in this restaurant, venue and food are kid friendly I would sayWheelchair accessibility: The restaurant is on the second floor, you have to go up a flight of stairs, however right in front there is a wheelchair elevator.“

“The food is fabulous, the staff is fabulous. It was a wonderful experience. If I lived here I would go back.“

“Bento boxes were great, so many options to chose from. Would definitely go back.“