Top 10 Must-Try Ramen Shops In San Francisco, California
Now that the ramen trend in San Francisco has gone mainstream, the taste profile of the ideal bowl of ramen has become increasingly innovative and cross-cultural. Here are the top ramen shops in the Californian city.
1. Ramen Underground
Restaurant, Ramen
2. Genki Ramen
Restaurant, Japanese, Ramen
3. Chotto
Restaurant, Ramen, Japanese
4. Ken Ken Ramen
Restaurant, Ramen
5. The Ramen Bar
Restaurant, Ramen
Kirimachi Ramen
Prepared in-house with an imported noodle press from Japan, this ramen joint in the touristy Embarcadero District is off-the-chain authentic. It provides the most texture per noodle. These bowls have rich and fatty broths that pair seamlessly with the thick, chewy, homemade noodles, fresh herbs, and vegetables like arugula, kikurage, corn, and the gooiest soft-boiled eggs imaginable. Whether they’re eating the shoyu, tonkotsu, miso, or vegetable miso, customers are always visible slurping away at Kirimachi Ramen.
Kirimachi Ramen, 3 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA, USA +1 415 872 9171
Katana-Ya
On any given day, a long line of locals waits at this divey noodle shop in the heart of the Tenderloin District. Inside the store, most of the customers wait eagerly for savory bowls of chicken fried ramen and evenly cooked noodles laden with potatoes, egg, corn, and fried chicken in a choice of soy-, miso-, or shio- (salt) based broth. Katana-Ya makes it easy for ramen foodies to customize their own bowl by providing additional meat and vegetable toppings that far exceed options at other ramen joints. Pork pot stickers, wontons, fried chicken, kimchi, seaweed, and tofu are just some of their beloved added specialty toppings.
Katana-Ya, 430 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA, USA +1 415 771 1280
Tanpopo
Tanpopo is the epitome of kitsch, packed with a bunch of little tables, dingy lighting, and a TV airing Japanese shows. Despite the strange setting, some of the ramen dishes like Shoyu Chashu are insanely mouthwatering. A substantial, soy-based broth with perfectly cooked pork accompanies a generous helping of fish cake, seaweed, some scallions, and half an egg. The combination brings about feelings of euphoria no matter what kind of day you might be having.
Tanpopo, 1740 Buchanan Street, San Francisco, CA, USA +1 415 346 7132
6. Izakaya Sozai
Restaurant, Ramen, Tapas, Japanese
7. Men Oh
Restaurant, Ramen
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