The Top Seven Bowls of Ramen in San Francisco
Ken Ken Ramen [Photo: downtownshop]
Although Bay Area Japanese noodle connoisseurs have long insisted you need to go to the South Bay for great ramen, the popular comfort food is beginning to develop a legion of followers here in San Francisco. Identified by a rich broth—milky with emulsified fat—and long, springy alkaline noodles, there are textbook bowls of ramen to be found from the Marina to the Outer Sunset. Here's where to go when the craving hits.
1) Nombe, (2491 Mission St.)
This two-year-old Mission izakaya recently brought in a ramen master as executive chef. Bucking the trend in pork-based broth, Nori Sugie uses beef bones and less fat than is customary, creating a remarkably light, yet flavorful broth. Each bowl's meaty flavor is cut with briny pillows of emulsified uni. We order falling-from-the-bone oxtail or velvety beef tongue and always add a willowy soy-steeped egg.
2) Izakaya Sozai (1500 Irving St.)
Some say the pork-based tonkotsu ramen here is the city's best. Done in the traditional style, the creamy rich broth hides a half egg, a slab of pork belly and a few sheets of seaweed. There are no frills, but the addictively umami-laced soup continues to be a must-order.
3) Chotto (3317 Steiner St.)
Another addition to the fancy ramen camp, Chotto's chef Armando Justo gets his own proprietary noodles made with a touch of egg in San Jose. The broth is a tonkotsu-miso blend, which gains interest from two slices of house-marinated chasu (pork loin), nuggets of ground pork, chives, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots and sheets of nori.
4) Ken Ken (3378 18th St.)
One of the most vegetarian and vegan friendly ramen options in town, former pop-up shop gone permanent, Ken Ken offers miso, soy, salt or vegan broths with bok choy and baby corn in every bowl. It's all served in a bare-bones Mission room with a live-edge reclaimed wood bar and Boba Guys artisan sippers.
5) Saiwaii (2240 Irving @ 23rd)
The tonkotsu ramen with spicy garlic and stewed pork belly is what keeps aficionados coming to the Outer Sunset to Saiwaii—not to mention the gloomier chill to 23rd and Irving Streets, which always sets the tone for a warming noodle bowl.
6) Kirimachi, (450 Broadway @ Kearny)
This two-month-old North Beach pop-up is already being compared to Saiwaii, although the general consensus is that the broth here is a bit on the lighter side. Owner Leonardi Gondoputro offers tonkotsu, chicken miso and plain miso broths with custom-made noodles and quality meats from Marin Sun Farms.
7) Katana-ya (430 Geary St. @ Mason)
This Union Square outpost comes with all the masochism people expect from a cult-followed hole-in-the-wall. Brave long lines and surly service to be rewarded with staggering ramen permutations: specify density (rich or light), flavor (soy, miso or salt), and spiciness before diving into all the possible toppings. Steer clear of the seductive deep fried chicken ramen and stick with the standard BBQ pork. Hot tip: the tourists have caught on to this one, so it's best to go before the lunch rush, or for late night noodles until 1 a.m.
Where's your favorite bowl of ramen? Tell us in the comments.
Like it or don't like it, but there is NO WAY you could describe Nombe's ramen as light. It's probably the richest, heaviest ramen in town, and it's more than a little off-putting.
By on February 28, 2012
Keep an eye out for up and coming Soup Junkie's ramen. Just the image is making me drool BIG time. http://www.soupjunkiesf.com/
Friday can't come soon enough!
By on February 16, 2012
Should we post?
By on February 13, 2012
Should we post!
By on February 13, 2012
YUM!
By on February 13, 2012
The fried chicken (chicken karaage) ramen at Katanaya is A MUST! Do NOT steer clear of it!
By on February 08, 2012
The fried chicken (chicken karaage) ramen at Katanaya is a must! Do NOT steer clear of it!
By on February 08, 2012
Ramen Dojo in San Mateo is the yard stick upon which other ramens are judged! I will trek all the way to San Mateo, wait outside for a table...in cold rain for an hour, just to get a bowl of the garlic/pork flavored delight, in fact I have and will do so again.
By on February 07, 2012
Hapa Ramen!!!
Roger MSG isn't bad for you, get over it.
By on February 07, 2012
Hapa Ramen EASILY displaces Katana Ya on this list. Easily my favorite.
By on February 07, 2012
Ramen Dojo in San Mateo and Orenchi Ramen in Santa Clara!
Nombe sounds sooo delicious and I think I'm going to have to make a trip over there. Sawaii is my city favorite. Not sure why Katanaya made the list (or any list at that) it's not that great. Well of course that's my own personal opinion ;)
By on February 07, 2012
These are number 1 and 2 on my list:
1. The ramen chain from Japan whose name I don't know at Mistuwa Grocery in San Jose.
2. Ramen Dojo in San Mateo
By on February 07, 2012
Ramen Dojo in San Mateo is the BEST in the Bay Area...Hands down!
By on February 07, 2012
No Hapa Ramen shout out? Other than that, this is a really comprehensive list. Yum town!
By on February 07, 2012
Anxiously awaiting the brick and mortar Hapa Ramen...
By on February 07, 2012
Agreed with Kevin, go out of the City for some better ramen. I thought Sozai's ramen was extremely overrated. Ken Ken was OK but the bowl was small and noodles weren't super al dente when I ate there. Sawaii?? I think that's just a silly pick; the noodles were mushy and the broth was thin. Katana-ya is relatively solid for the City but has gone downhill over the years. I think I'll roll the dice with Nombe next though.
For out of the City, we just tried Ramen Parlor in San Mateo and that was quite good (get the stewed rib meat) although I might somewhat be more partial to Himawari. Dojo is also good though the BF didn't like it and don't even mention Santa to me (blech).
But overall? Santouka still wins my vote.
By on February 07, 2012
Really enjoyed Nombe's Ramen. Thick miso broth with beef cheeks as a nice change of pace. They have oxtail as an option. My top bowl in town if I'm too lazy to drive down to San Mateo. Plus, you can order some chicken livers and chicken hearts on the side (robatayaki).
By on February 07, 2012
Halu, yo.
By on February 07, 2012
I've still yet to try Sozai - interesting it's rated the best tonkotsu bowl in the city.
But, honestly, San Francisco has miles upon miles of catching up to do to even compare to the Peninsula or South Bay's ramen offerings. At least 4 other shops around the bay are all exponentially worth the trip out of the city to visit.
By on February 06, 2012
I agree that Sozai's ramen is good, but Suzu?! Come on, there is no authenticity there whatsoever.
By on February 06, 2012
How can you be in the top 7 if you have MSG in your soup and can't offer ramen without it?
By on February 06, 2012
Izakaya Sozai's ramen is pretty good; Chotto and Katana-Ya leave quite a bit to be desired in a good bowl of ramen.
I'm surprised to see that Suzu Noodle House isn't on this list. While I haven't tried all seven on the list, I would safely state that Suzu has a better ramen than Sozai, Chotto or Katana-Ya! To get a better bowl than that, I'd have to head to the Peninsula.
By on February 06, 2012
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