Had the tan tan taken and it was more spice than flavor. Kind of watery too. Ground beef also dry. Nothing special here. If you're looking for bomb tan tan ramen, I'd recommend Marufuku in Cupertino.
Amita M.
Tasty Ramen. The spicy one is yummy! And service is excellent. Be prepared to wait since the place is small.
E C.
Fantastic food with quick and friendly service. Not much more you can really ask for. Small cozy place with a limited amount of tables and a counter. I was one of the first customers of the day and by the time I left there was a line out the door. Had their tantan ramen with extra noodles. Spicy, flavorful, filling. Definitely recommend that. Will be back!
Ringo M.
Ramen was superb, the Gyudon and Takoyaki were sooo good as well. One of a kind in Japantown San Jose. Don't miss it. Great service from the team- Wesley, Bianca, Nanette and their leader Miko.
Dan B.
You know Nick, yeah? He's Kumako Ramen Den's ultra insightful and accommodating server whose name keeps popping up when reading reviews of this place . . . and deservedly so. Ordered the tonkotsu with extra noodles. Nick served the extra noodles in a separate bowl and in a reduced sodium broth. It was a great option and I really appreciated being able to try out both. Surprisingly, they were rich and flavorful, but I thought the regular broth was a better compliment to the dish. Noodles were firm and had the right amount of bite, I like a little thicker cut of fatty chashu but it was still tasty, and the egg had that semi-soft yoke I look for. Tonkatsu bowl was also a very good dish. It was evenly breaded and crispy outside, tender and juicy inside, and the tonkatsu sauce was savory with just a hint of sweet. Overall, the place is comfortable, service is friendly and inviting, and food is delicious. Next time I find myself near Valley Fair, I'll have to come back for more dishes to try. Oh, if you do happen to see Nick, would you please do me a favor and call him by his nickname: Mr. Pogi (pronounced poe-gee). He'll be more than happy to explain why everyone calls him that.
Sally P.
We recently just got back from a trip to Tokyo & Kyoto, and was missing the flavors of Japan when we remembered Kumako Den. It came highly recommended by my bf's Japanese coworker who frequents this place. We've been there twice now, in a span of one week. On our 2nd visit, we went there on a busy Friday evening, but got seated immediately. We ordered the tonkatsu ramen, a bowl of katsudon, and a big bottle of Asahi beer (because we now have a penchant for japanese beer haha). Before we got our food, we were served with some chicken karaage on the house - thanks to Nick for the warm welcome! The chicken karaage is amazing - nice and crispy on the outside but tender and juicy on the inside. The tonkatsu ramen has a really flavorful umami broth, and the tonkatsu cutlet was nice and crispy as well, complemented nicely with the okonomi sauce. The portions here are super generous and the service is great - really quick and very friendly and hospitable, like you are family. Yes, the interior of the resto may be simple, but clean, reminiscent of neighborhood restos in Japan whose focus is on food rather than decors. Kudos to this little Japanese gem on Saratoga Ave. We highly recommend!
Vasudevan K.
I got their duck ramen (extra spicy). It was delicious. Amazing staff. My daughter got the katsu curry ramen. She loved it as well.
Jfn S.
Well, this another one of those places that needs a six star option on Yelp! The food is amazing, even the simple daikon salad is full of flavor, and we're not even talking about the ramen yet! The broths are to die for, you want to sit in it while you eat. I have tried different kinds of ramen here and even a rice dish, everything left me satisfied and wanting to come back. The takoyaki is one of the best I had and I love to watch the bonito flakes dance! It's a smallish place, but if you're flexible, the wait isn't usually too long. The service is outstanding and Nick connects with his customers, if you're here the first time or if you're a repeat offender. I should come here more often!
Lori Y.
Excellent food and service! We have been dining at Kumako since discovering their first restaurant in Japantown. Their shio ramen, gyoza, and kimchi are delicious and consistent each time. The owners are so friendly and make you feel welcome, and we always leave feeling very satisfied.
Max Z.
Great service - good quality ramen, workers are very nice! Will come back for the Karaage
Great food, great customer service! Everyone was friendly and helpful when I had no idea what to order! They came in clutch and I am Definitely coming back!
Anthony S.
Food was delicious and service was great definitely coming back highly recommend to anyone who loves ramen
Allison G.
Amazing food and an amazing owner! The spice level of their chili sauce is out of this world. I had the miso broth for my first try. Perfectly rich and my wife enjoyed the curry ramen! They are just so friendly and quick service too! Will be back
Annabel F.
Such a great environment and amazing food great service and ambiance. One of the best ramen places traveled from SF just to try great time
Francesca D.
Service was amazing! The food was also phenomenal- great portions. I got the Gyudon plate and it was so flavorful
Had the tan tan taken and it was more spice than flavor. Kind of watery too. Ground beef also dry. Nothing special here. If you're looking for bomb tan tan ramen, I'd recommend Marufuku in Cupertino.
Tasty Ramen. The spicy one is yummy! And service is excellent. Be prepared to wait since the place is small.
Fantastic food with quick and friendly service. Not much more you can really ask for. Small cozy place with a limited amount of tables and a counter. I was one of the first customers of the day and by the time I left there was a line out the door. Had their tantan ramen with extra noodles. Spicy, flavorful, filling. Definitely recommend that. Will be back!
Ramen was superb, the Gyudon and Takoyaki were sooo good as well. One of a kind in Japantown San Jose. Don't miss it. Great service from the team- Wesley, Bianca, Nanette and their leader Miko.
You know Nick, yeah? He's Kumako Ramen Den's ultra insightful and accommodating server whose name keeps popping up when reading reviews of this place . . . and deservedly so. Ordered the tonkotsu with extra noodles. Nick served the extra noodles in a separate bowl and in a reduced sodium broth. It was a great option and I really appreciated being able to try out both. Surprisingly, they were rich and flavorful, but I thought the regular broth was a better compliment to the dish. Noodles were firm and had the right amount of bite, I like a little thicker cut of fatty chashu but it was still tasty, and the egg had that semi-soft yoke I look for. Tonkatsu bowl was also a very good dish. It was evenly breaded and crispy outside, tender and juicy inside, and the tonkatsu sauce was savory with just a hint of sweet. Overall, the place is comfortable, service is friendly and inviting, and food is delicious. Next time I find myself near Valley Fair, I'll have to come back for more dishes to try. Oh, if you do happen to see Nick, would you please do me a favor and call him by his nickname: Mr. Pogi (pronounced poe-gee). He'll be more than happy to explain why everyone calls him that.
We recently just got back from a trip to Tokyo & Kyoto, and was missing the flavors of Japan when we remembered Kumako Den. It came highly recommended by my bf's Japanese coworker who frequents this place. We've been there twice now, in a span of one week. On our 2nd visit, we went there on a busy Friday evening, but got seated immediately. We ordered the tonkatsu ramen, a bowl of katsudon, and a big bottle of Asahi beer (because we now have a penchant for japanese beer haha). Before we got our food, we were served with some chicken karaage on the house - thanks to Nick for the warm welcome! The chicken karaage is amazing - nice and crispy on the outside but tender and juicy on the inside. The tonkatsu ramen has a really flavorful umami broth, and the tonkatsu cutlet was nice and crispy as well, complemented nicely with the okonomi sauce. The portions here are super generous and the service is great - really quick and very friendly and hospitable, like you are family. Yes, the interior of the resto may be simple, but clean, reminiscent of neighborhood restos in Japan whose focus is on food rather than decors. Kudos to this little Japanese gem on Saratoga Ave. We highly recommend!
I got their duck ramen (extra spicy). It was delicious. Amazing staff. My daughter got the katsu curry ramen. She loved it as well.
Well, this another one of those places that needs a six star option on Yelp! The food is amazing, even the simple daikon salad is full of flavor, and we're not even talking about the ramen yet! The broths are to die for, you want to sit in it while you eat. I have tried different kinds of ramen here and even a rice dish, everything left me satisfied and wanting to come back. The takoyaki is one of the best I had and I love to watch the bonito flakes dance! It's a smallish place, but if you're flexible, the wait isn't usually too long. The service is outstanding and Nick connects with his customers, if you're here the first time or if you're a repeat offender. I should come here more often!
Excellent food and service! We have been dining at Kumako since discovering their first restaurant in Japantown. Their shio ramen, gyoza, and kimchi are delicious and consistent each time. The owners are so friendly and make you feel welcome, and we always leave feeling very satisfied.
Great service - good quality ramen, workers are very nice! Will come back for the Karaage
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food, great customer service! Everyone was friendly and helpful when I had no idea what to order! They came in clutch and I am Definitely coming back!
Food was delicious and service was great definitely coming back highly recommend to anyone who loves ramen
Amazing food and an amazing owner! The spice level of their chili sauce is out of this world. I had the miso broth for my first try. Perfectly rich and my wife enjoyed the curry ramen! They are just so friendly and quick service too! Will be back
Such a great environment and amazing food great service and ambiance. One of the best ramen places traveled from SF just to try great time
Service was amazing! The food was also phenomenal- great portions. I got the Gyudon plate and it was so flavorful