Best Bowls Of Ramen In San Francisco
There are plenty of delicious Ramen options in San Francisco, and we've created a diner's guide to the best of the best. Who's hungry?
To many San Francisco residents, ramen is their version of comfort food. San Francisco's ramen scene is a wide collection of flavors and styles, from the classic, beloved tonkotsu (rich and creamy) to regional varieties that blend traditional elements with unexpected ingredients. There's a ramen style to satisfy every palette in San Francisco!
Hinodeya Ramen Bar
With locations in Japantown and the Financial District, Hinodeya is known for flavorful, lighter dashi broths, a welcome change-up from heavier pork-based options. Craving something more adventurous? Explore their creative bowls like black garlic ramen or a seafood variation.
Ippudo SF
Ippudo SF in Yerba Buena serves up ramen with a global reputation. The restaurant was originally started in Fukuoka, Japan, and their Akamaru Modern ramen is a known crowd-pleaser, featuring a rich pork tonkotsu broth simmered for hours, and Umami paste for an extra flavor punch. You can choose between pork belly chashu or a lighter chicken option for your base. Beyond ramen, they have a great menu of Japanese small plates as well as upmarket sake.
Izakaya Sozai
This place is all about the pork: never overly fatty and always full of flavor. It's the Ritsu Tonkotsu ramen that you'll want to order here. However, it doesn't stop with ramen, as they have an extensive menu of Japanese tapas, too.
Noodle in a Haystack
While it's difficult to secure a seat at this coveted ramen outpost, it certainly provides a delicious and memorable experience. This intimate Inner Richmond gem serves a constantly evolving tasting menu, showcasing Chef Clint Tan's innovative take on ramen. Expect playful dish presentation and unexpected ingredients alongside lovingly made broths and perfectly cooked noodles. The restaurant's accolades include Michelin recognition and "Best New Restaurant" honors. Reservations are released monthly and fill up fast, so make sure to plan ahead.
Mensho Ramen
Mensho is the ramen darling of San Francisco. Because this is the first American outpost of the Tokyo favorite, you can expect three things: a deceivingly long line (it moves fast), someone complaining about the line on Yelp, and an insanely delicious bowl of ramen. Plus, the bowls all come with kale. How much more San Francisco can you get? Sit at one of the 28 communal seats and tuck into their flavorful tori-paitan ramen, or their creamy duck chashu, sitting in an umami-rich broth.
Marafuku Ramen
Craving Hakata-style ramen? Head to Marufuku Ramen in Japan Center. Their signature tonkotsu broth, simmered for 20+ hours, is rich and milky, cradling ultra-thin noodles and melt-in-your-mouth chashu pork. This contemporary spot also offers creamy white paitan ramen and tasty izakaya bites.
Sawaii Ramen
You put spicy garlic miso ramen on the menu and our heart is yours. Plus Sawaii is located in the Outer Sunset and there's nothing better than ramen to fight off the chill when Karl the Fog rolls in.
Waraku
Conveniently located across the street from Japan Center Mall, Waraku is a great place to stop for a meal before shopping or seeing a movie at the Kabuki. They have a variety of solid and affordable ramen bowls, including a popular spicy tantanmen and black garlic tonkatstu ramen.
Taishoken San Francisco
Taishoken on Valencia Street brings a taste of Tokyo to San Francisco. Renowned for its Nagano tsukemen style—where fresh, cold noodles are dipped in a rich, flavorful broth—Taishoken offers a unique ramen experience. They also offer a variety of creamy paitan ramens, along with a vegan option.
Ushi Taro
If you're a meat lover, Ushi Taro will certainly curb your cravings. Unlike most of the establishments on this list, Ushi Taro specializes in cooking ramen with a flavorful beef broth, instead of the typical chicken or pork based bowls. If you're feeling especially indulgent, you can even add a side of bone marrow to your ramen. Try their decadent oxtail starter, or Agedashi tofu to go with your meal.
Kaiju Eats
This fun, funky spot in the Richmond, owned by married duo Judy and Kevin Chen, takes a quirkier approach to ramen dishes. Indulge in an order of their Kimchi Kabocha ramen, or try their coconut shoyu bowl, which is garnished with crunchy lotus chips. Their starters are also fun and wonderful, including Cajun wings and "gyozilla," which is essentially a giant bowl of garnished dumplings.
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