HiroNori Craft Ramen (San Diego)

Hironori is, if nothing else, quick; and not always for the best. The outside has a QR code to get on the waitlist, and before I'm finished scanning a server is able to seat me right away. The server described the water being infused with something, but between the volume of the music and her quick voice I was unable to make out what was said. This ramen spot specializes in Tonkotsu and Shoyu Ramens but has a vegan miso option as well. They also have a variety of rice bowls to choose from if you prefer: pork, chicken, spicy tuna, and salmon. They have usual japanese themed appetizers like edamame, gyoza, and karaage. You also have the option of creating a "combo" of a spring mix salad and a rice bowl option. While I'm looking over the menu trying to decide, the server has approached a couple times to ask what I want within a couple minutes of each approach. I settled on the Tonkotsu Ramen with the combo and the pork rice bowl. The food was ready in about 6 minutes (I had started the nyt crossword puzzle and noted the timer), VERY fast. The one downside was (and that most sitdown places suffer from) not pacing the meal. The salad, rice bowl, and ramen all came out at once. By the time I could even get to my ramen, it was not longer hot, the jammy egg had cooked further, and the noodles had softened. Timing aside, the pork in both the ramen and rice bowl were fantastic. The noodles would have been perfectly cooked, had they paced the food properly. And the rice had a great texture. The server throughout the meal seemed anxious for me to be done as she popped her head next to me a few times and then hurried away. She may have asked if I needed anything but again, quick words and didn't wait for an answer before walking away. A solo customer next to me went to the restroom and returned to find that her matcha tea had been taken before she was finished. When I was done, the server put the check down and said that there was a %16 service charge that was optional. She didn't explain more, so I assumed when I gave her my card I could make the option to keep it, take it off, or change it. None of that was on the receipt and the server never explained how it worked. So I was left with paying the service charge and not the 20-22% I usually put down. When she asked if I was finished with my bowls, she didn't wait until I finished speaking before reaching for everything. This led to an awkward hitting of hands as I tried to motion things to take.

Summary: Hironori Ramen has 3 ramen choices, 4 rice bowl options and several appetizers. Their ramen is good not great (especially for one of the higher rated ramen spots in San Diego), but their rice bowls are better. The biggest let down was the too fast, too pushy service. Overall it felt like people were nothing more than a ticking table that needed to be cleared, rather than a customer wanting to enjoy some ramen.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Pork Rice Bowl

I checked in with my 12 mo old baby in my hands and a friend for a waitlist. My friend went to repark her car right when it was our turn to get seated, which was around 15 mins later. The waiter said ‘we expected three of you, but I only see two, so you have to check-in again’. I wish there was a special place in hell for those like the check-in staff. Seriously, this is absolutely disgraceful towards moms with babies. You show absolute disrespect towards your clients.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

This place have an amazing meat and real tender taste.
You can't reserve the table so you probably will wait in lane, as this place have really a small size inside, not a lot of seats. Not my cup of tea but main corse was worth it!
Our service was quick but other than that not on spot for so many little things. We wanted to have a little tiny to go chilli oil, just a side. Where our server came back to us and said "We are sorry ,we need to charge you for this 0.25$" we were laughing at first and we were thinking it's a joke. But no. It was a manager decision. So not coming back ,I don't care what rules you guys in your business having ,but WE ARE CUSTOMERS and I think you should care more about us then charging people ridiculous things.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Shoyu Ramen

Best ramen in town

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best in Ramen in town! All I'm gonna say!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Authentic, quality food.

First time at HiroNori on a cold and rainy night. The Tonkatsu ramen was delicious - super flavorful. Alternatively the pork rice bowl was lacking flavor but thankfully the hot sauce spiced things up. We had a group of 6 and waited about an hour to be seated on a Friday night. The wait time in the rain was not ideal but we are glad we stuck it out. We will make sure to come with a smaller group and at a less busy time going forward.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent ramen, but mandatory tip that you have to request removal of is a business practice that I don't want to see become widespread so I wouldn't repeat as long as that practice is in place.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 3

HiroNori is hands down one of the best ramen spots in Hillcrest. There’s usually a wait, but it’s absolutely worth it. I got the tonkotsu ramen with karama (extra noodles), and my husband got the same but as a combo, which comes with a salad and pork chashu bowl. The broth is rich, packed with flavor, and the homemade spicy sauce takes it to another level.

On top of the amazing food, the service was just as great. Celeste checked us out, but she was on top of the entire restaurant. She was super attentive, making sure every table was taken care of, and had the biggest smile on her face the whole time. Even when the place was slammed, she kept everything running smoothly and was great with the other employees too.

Can’t wait to be back again!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Love this place, great ramen one of the best of San Diego.
Algo the staff it's really friendly they provide great service.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Garlic, Tonkotsu Ramen with Thick Noodles, Shoyu Ramen

Terribly rude service. Went there with a friend and we each got an appetizer, ramen, beers, and split a bottle of sake. We ordered another beer and less than 10 min later our server told us our time limit was up and we had to go… RIGHT after ordering our drinks. We dropped well over $100 and didn’t know about the time limit. Why would you let us order more if you know we won’t have time to enjoy it? We weren’t eating slow or being unruly. It was a Tuesday night. This restaurant apparently has forgotten that people spend their hard earned money and want to enjoy a night out. I won’t be going back and will tell my friends not to go either.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 1

Excellent vegan ramen. Vegetables are cooked perfectly.

Food: 5

Recommended dishes: Vegan Ramen

Wow! Not much to say, must be one of the top spots in San Diego. Great concept, clearly passionate about what they do. Only a few tables to keep it cozy and intimate. Friendly folks, fresh food, fun experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The best 👌

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

DO NOT ORDER ANY RAMEN OR FOOD VIA UBER EATS OR TO GO. It is put in poor cardboard to go containers that dissolve and spill. I've ordered UberEats from this place as it's my favorite Tonakatsu Ramen, however the ramen never arrives, the soup is ALWAYS in the plastic bag and the toppings are inedible due to the soup spilling. I have ordered from here 8 times (again their RAMEN IS SO GOOD) and 7 of those times the food spilled out or didn't hold in their to go containers.
This place is great to eat when you are there but NOT TO GO. I get that it's hard when it's ramen or sushi to go but they can do better when they charge $4.00 extra for an egg (without HPAI around)