Had early dinner at kajiken on a Friday night around 530pm. There was no wait but a line started to form as soon as we got seated. I got the homura and it was good - noodles tasted fresh with good chew. I would say this dry ramen has similarities to Taiwanese minced pork noodles. On the table are condiments (garlic, chili oil, vinegar, sesame oil, sesame seed) for you to adjust to your taste. I think i prefer regular ramen with broth; i was missing the super rich soup that comes to mind when i think "ramen". Having said that, it was a good dish if you're in the mood for it.
Joyce K.
Took my friend here for Tuesday dinner around 6:15 pm and was able to get seated immediately as they still had countertop seats available. There was already a line forming outside with bigger parties, but since we were a party of two, we got to slip in. This was my third time returning and their first time trying this place, and we both got the top 1-- the Homura Aburasoba. First bite in and he said, "I can see the hype" while nodding with approval. Despite the different ramen styles/types and places in San Mateo, this place stands out. The noodles are very chewy and the sauce coats each noodle strand to accompany each bite. The richness in the sauce provides a full flavor profile a bowl of ramen would, without the heaviness of a broth. I highly suggest adding vinegar and mix with the noodles. It loosens up the sauce and really opens it up. The difference between with and without vinegar is very astonishing. For a place that has been open for over a year and still has a line early in the dinner service on a Tuesday night says alot. Compared to the bowl of Homura Aburasoba I got in February of 2023, the quality and portion of the food has gotten better and more consistent. Definitely worth a try and worth returning to.
Nikhil M.
This place is amazing and definitely worth the wait. The line is always super long but once you're inside, service is fast. The food is amazing especially the Homura Aburasoba and the ponzu karage. It does feel a little cramped inside but once your food comes, you won't even notice!
ha ngan le
We got the top 1 and top 2 arubasoba to share ? IT WAS CRAZY GOOD?!? never had something similar before and the sauce was so yummyy i LOVE the noodles
Priyanka M.
Got lucky with a 5 min wait time. Even with a longer wait time, the food is worth it! We got the Nikumori Aburasoba and Keema curry Aburasoba with chicken karage. The noodles had the right amount of firmness, creaminess from the egg and texture that I love. I'd skip the karage next time and double down on the Nikumori Aburasoba instead!
Tee Ponsukcharoen
Don't be discouraged by a long line. If you show a bit later in the night, most likely you will get a seat. I love how clean and modern this shop is. Yet the food is reasonably priced and tasty! I get the Number 1 dry ramen and it is amazing. I love how chewy the noodle and crunchy the bamboo shoots are. The taste is on the mark as well (with extra vinegar and chili paste to your liking). Definitely will be back again to try other variations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Minced Pork Aburasoba
Arizza L.
Food: 10/10 bomb dot com. Got mine with poached egg which coats the noodles very nicely! The portions are good for only one meal tbh! Would return & would recommend this over the "recommended for first time" one. Only gripe was that the minced pork got lost in the sauce and I wish there was more meat! Service: 10/10 loved the efficiency. There was quite a wait when we got there and it just opened but it goes by quickly! The workers give you a menu in line and take your order in line. Ambiance: clean, friendly, efficient
Will T.
Pretty good. I wouldn't think of it as ramen since the broth is such a pivotal part of ramen. But I would consider it its own noodle dish using ramen noodles. Had the Homura, the Nikumori, and the roast beef rice bowl. Homura was the best; having the variety like bamboo shoots makes all the difference. The Nikumori was second, pork slices very tender. The roast beef rice bowl was passable. Way more rice than anything else and the flavors just weren't there. Service was decent but a pet peeve of mine is when waitress hovers over you as you enter the tip on the machine.
Jason V
Food was very good, some of the best noodles in the bay. Will be a long wait though.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gioni R.
Be prepared to stand in line. They take your orders while in line, your foods arrive when you sit down. I love broth less ramen, all the ingredients are in harmony with each other. There's no broth to hide behind. When you mix that egg yolk & everything together, every bite is velvety. The gyoza was tasty, could've been a little more crispy. Overall, I will definitely come back. I'm already craving it. Friendly & efficient service.
I lovvveee this place. My favorite is the number 2. Their portion is quite large, and they give a good amount of protein. The service is great and fast. I've only been here during the weekday and usually didn't have to wait too long. The ambiance is pretty casual, chill. Highly recommend. I always leave this place with a happy belly.
Jannine G.
My friends and I have eaten here twice now and it's fair to say it's a great pick if you love noodles. Instead of broth, the noodles are served with a mix of umami sauces and bold flavors you combine. I've tried the original and nikumori (spicy pork) arusoba and both are delicious. We also really enjoyed their takoyaki and different chicken karaages (my favorite is the oroshi ponzu). All in all would definitely recommend, especially if you wanted to try something new! There may be a line if you go but we never waited too long as people come and go frequently.
Yannick
Would rather have had instant
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
M K
One of my new favorite places. The food is amazing! Noodles are perfectly chewy, sauce us perfect, and the chicken karaage goes so well with their wasabi mayo. My only reservation is that I'm always so sad when I'm done eating. I wish I could order another half bowl or extra noodles or something. I feel like the servings are bordering on too small.
Had early dinner at kajiken on a Friday night around 530pm. There was no wait but a line started to form as soon as we got seated. I got the homura and it was good - noodles tasted fresh with good chew. I would say this dry ramen has similarities to Taiwanese minced pork noodles. On the table are condiments (garlic, chili oil, vinegar, sesame oil, sesame seed) for you to adjust to your taste. I think i prefer regular ramen with broth; i was missing the super rich soup that comes to mind when i think "ramen". Having said that, it was a good dish if you're in the mood for it.
Took my friend here for Tuesday dinner around 6:15 pm and was able to get seated immediately as they still had countertop seats available. There was already a line forming outside with bigger parties, but since we were a party of two, we got to slip in. This was my third time returning and their first time trying this place, and we both got the top 1-- the Homura Aburasoba. First bite in and he said, "I can see the hype" while nodding with approval. Despite the different ramen styles/types and places in San Mateo, this place stands out. The noodles are very chewy and the sauce coats each noodle strand to accompany each bite. The richness in the sauce provides a full flavor profile a bowl of ramen would, without the heaviness of a broth. I highly suggest adding vinegar and mix with the noodles. It loosens up the sauce and really opens it up. The difference between with and without vinegar is very astonishing. For a place that has been open for over a year and still has a line early in the dinner service on a Tuesday night says alot. Compared to the bowl of Homura Aburasoba I got in February of 2023, the quality and portion of the food has gotten better and more consistent. Definitely worth a try and worth returning to.
This place is amazing and definitely worth the wait. The line is always super long but once you're inside, service is fast. The food is amazing especially the Homura Aburasoba and the ponzu karage. It does feel a little cramped inside but once your food comes, you won't even notice!
We got the top 1 and top 2 arubasoba to share ? IT WAS CRAZY GOOD?!? never had something similar before and the sauce was so yummyy i LOVE the noodles
Got lucky with a 5 min wait time. Even with a longer wait time, the food is worth it! We got the Nikumori Aburasoba and Keema curry Aburasoba with chicken karage. The noodles had the right amount of firmness, creaminess from the egg and texture that I love. I'd skip the karage next time and double down on the Nikumori Aburasoba instead!
Don't be discouraged by a long line. If you show a bit later in the night, most likely you will get a seat. I love how clean and modern this shop is. Yet the food is reasonably priced and tasty! I get the Number 1 dry ramen and it is amazing. I love how chewy the noodle and crunchy the bamboo shoots are. The taste is on the mark as well (with extra vinegar and chili paste to your liking). Definitely will be back again to try other variations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Minced Pork Aburasoba
Food: 10/10 bomb dot com. Got mine with poached egg which coats the noodles very nicely! The portions are good for only one meal tbh! Would return & would recommend this over the "recommended for first time" one. Only gripe was that the minced pork got lost in the sauce and I wish there was more meat! Service: 10/10 loved the efficiency. There was quite a wait when we got there and it just opened but it goes by quickly! The workers give you a menu in line and take your order in line. Ambiance: clean, friendly, efficient
Pretty good. I wouldn't think of it as ramen since the broth is such a pivotal part of ramen. But I would consider it its own noodle dish using ramen noodles. Had the Homura, the Nikumori, and the roast beef rice bowl. Homura was the best; having the variety like bamboo shoots makes all the difference. The Nikumori was second, pork slices very tender. The roast beef rice bowl was passable. Way more rice than anything else and the flavors just weren't there. Service was decent but a pet peeve of mine is when waitress hovers over you as you enter the tip on the machine.
Food was very good, some of the best noodles in the bay. Will be a long wait though.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Be prepared to stand in line. They take your orders while in line, your foods arrive when you sit down. I love broth less ramen, all the ingredients are in harmony with each other. There's no broth to hide behind. When you mix that egg yolk & everything together, every bite is velvety. The gyoza was tasty, could've been a little more crispy. Overall, I will definitely come back. I'm already craving it. Friendly & efficient service.
Restaurantji Recommends
It’s so good, I’ve taken my friends here 4 times!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I lovvveee this place. My favorite is the number 2. Their portion is quite large, and they give a good amount of protein. The service is great and fast. I've only been here during the weekday and usually didn't have to wait too long. The ambiance is pretty casual, chill. Highly recommend. I always leave this place with a happy belly.
My friends and I have eaten here twice now and it's fair to say it's a great pick if you love noodles. Instead of broth, the noodles are served with a mix of umami sauces and bold flavors you combine. I've tried the original and nikumori (spicy pork) arusoba and both are delicious. We also really enjoyed their takoyaki and different chicken karaages (my favorite is the oroshi ponzu). All in all would definitely recommend, especially if you wanted to try something new! There may be a line if you go but we never waited too long as people come and go frequently.
Would rather have had instant
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
One of my new favorite places. The food is amazing! Noodles are perfectly chewy, sauce us perfect, and the chicken karaage goes so well with their wasabi mayo. My only reservation is that I'm always so sad when I'm done eating. I wish I could order another half bowl or extra noodles or something. I feel like the servings are bordering on too small.
Food: 5
Service: 5