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Tonkotsu ramen and fried chicken

A kitchen that masters both tonkotsu ramen and fried chicken, instead of doing one well and the other poorly.

Based on 813 Opinions
+810
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Updated May 2026
01
Dashiwa Ramen image 1
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Ramen restaurant

Spacious seating with warm wooden décor creates a cozy and relaxed atmosphere where anime and J-Pop play softly in the background. The space feels clean and peaceful, inviting for both quick lunches and casual dinners. Regulars enjoy the comfortable chairs and a vibe that blends modern touches with a homey feel.

Broth stays rich and thick without feeling greasy, especially in the Black Garlic Tonkotsu with its black garlic oil. Noodles have a nice chew, and toppings like chashu, wood ear, and pickled ginger add depth.

Crispy outside and juicy inside, the fried chicken stays crunchy even when cooled. The Japanese-style karaage is fried just right, not greasy or dry, with a size that feels huge for a small portion.

People are saying

"The ramen portions here are surprisingly large for the price."

"The Tonkotsu Ramen broth is rich, flavorful, and has a nice chew."

"The Japanese Fried Chicken is crispy outside and juicy inside."

Good to know

1

Happy hour deals are available with discounted drinks and appetizers.

2

Lunch specials run Monday to Friday, offering great value.

3

Parking is plentiful right in front of the restaurant.

02
Mennoya Noodle House image 1
Japanese restaurant

Small space with One Piece anime theme and kawaii decor creates a cozy, fun atmosphere. Anime music plays, giving an engaging vibe that appeals to fans but can feel energetic for a noodle spot. Seating is comfortable with many windows, and the place fills up in the evening.

Broth stands out as flavorful and rich, paired with bouncy noodles that add great texture. Tonkotsu ramen offers a satisfying and tasty experience.

Crispy outside and tender inside, the fried chicken stays juicy. It comes with spicy mayo that adds a sharp kick.

People are saying

"I had the best ramen I've ever had."

"I found the Tonkotsu Ramen flavorful and delicious."

"The fried chicken here is so juicy and tender."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited; additional parking is available in the back.

2

Expect longer wait times in the evening as it gets crowded.

3

The restaurant offers a QR code for minimal contact ordering.

03
HiroNori Craft Ramen image 1

Minimalist space with an industrial vibe and polished concrete floors sets a modern tone. Loud EDM music creates a high-energy atmosphere that contrasts with the slow-paced service. Known for exceptional ramen, the place draws busy crowds, especially on Friday nights.

Rich, creamy broth defines the tonkotsu ramen here, delivering deep flavor in every bowl. The combo option pairs it with complementary sides, making for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Fried chicken stands out as a must-order with a consistently high rating. It pairs well with dishes like spicy cold noodles and pork buns, making it a key highlight on the menu.

People are saying

"I thought the ramen here was really good."

"I found the Tonkotsu Ramen to be some of the best I've ever tried."

"I found the ramen here to be truly the best I have had."

Good to know

1

HiroNori Craft Ramen charges $18 for a bowl of ramen.

2

Expect long wait times during busy hours, especially on Fridays.

3

There are hidden costs, including a pre-charge on the bill.

04
TONCHIN LA image 1
Ramen restaurant

Modern ramen shop combines stylish decor with traditional Japanese elements and offers live music alongside handmade noodles and a curated sake list. Atmosphere balances relaxed comfort with upscale energy, featuring terrace, bar, and table seating. Crowd enjoys a mix of ramen, cocktails, and Japanese nibbles in a space that feels like a modern izakaya.

Rich and creamy broth defines the Classic Tokyo Tonkotsu Ramen, offering a velvety texture with balanced depth. This version stands out as the more favorable and comforting choice among options.

Wings come with a spicy powder seasoning that adds a strong flavor kick. Karaage fried chicken features a shatteringly crisp exterior and stays juicy and tender inside.

People are saying

"The ramen broth was rich, pork-forward, and simply amazing."

"The Tokyo Tonkotsu Ramen broth is rich and velvety."

"The fried chicken here is juicy with a shatteringly crisp exterior."

Good to know

1

Jazz Night occurs every Wednesday at 8pm with no cover charge.

2

Reservations are recommended to secure a table, especially on busy nights.

3

Street parking is available, but it can be challenging to find a spot.

05
Susuru Ramen Bar image 1
Ramen restaurant

Small, intimate space with cozy mom-and-pop atmosphere and anime décor creates a friendly, vibrant vibe. The place feels like a hole-in-the-wall spot with authentic Japanese ramen and izakaya-style dishes. Seating is limited, making it best for quick, casual meals rather than groups.

Broth stands out with its creamy, silky texture and rich, savory flavor. Spicy tonkotsu offers a tasty kick that many find worth ordering again.

Fried chicken thighs stand out with a crispy texture and juicy inside. The dish pairs well with Tonkotsu Ramen for a hearty meal.

People are saying

"The ramen broth here is bursting with flavor."

"The Tonkotsu Ramen broth is so rich and flavorful."

"The fried chicken here is tender and crisp."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited in the area, so arrive early.

2

There aren’t many seats available, expect a wait during peak hours.

3

Reservations are not accepted, so plan accordingly.

06
MYMEN RAMEN image 1
Ramen restaurant

Small space filled with Japanese manga decor and paper lanterns creates a cozy, casual vibe. Atmosphere stays calm and relaxing with quiet J-pop or EDM music playing softly. Tables fill steadily, attracting those who appreciate authentic ramen and rich, creamy broth.

Broth stays creamy without being too salty or spicy. Tonkotsu ramen offers a satisfying and filling meal with balanced flavors.

Karaage offers a classic Japanese fried chicken experience with a crispy exterior. It pairs well with other Washoku dishes like shrimp wontons.

People are saying

"I found the ramen here to be the best in the area."

"I found their karage to be really juicy and made of actual chunks of chicken."

"I highly recommend the tonkotsu ramen; it had great taste."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is open until midnight, making it a great spot after a night out.

2

Expect the restaurant to be crowded due to its small size.

3

There are only 7 meal options available, including three ramen and three rice options.

07
Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - San Diego (Kearny Mesa) image 1

Ramen restaurant offers traditional sushi bar seating and a clean, peaceful atmosphere with authentic Japanese vibes. The place draws a steady crowd with no wait times and ample parking. It stands out for highly customizable ramen options and a quiet, welcoming environment.

Broth stands out with its rich and creamy texture and a notable salt flavor. Seasonal Tonkotsu Ramen offers a different taste profile compared to typical Los Angeles versions.

Juicy fried chicken features a lightly battered coating with great crispness and moist, flavorful meat. Portions come generous and the Karaage style stands out as a highlight.

People are saying

"The ramen broth here is so rich and flavorful."

"Their fried chicken is juicy, moist, and has a great crispness."

"The Tonkotsu Ramen's chashu is so soft, delicious, and flavorful."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers a summer special for cold ramen, ending on 08/31.

2

Toppings are extra, costing at least $2 each.

3

Parking is easy and plentiful.

08
Menya Ultra image 1
Ramen restaurant

Small, cramped space with authentic Japanese style and checklist order forms on tables. Atmosphere includes loud ambient music and noticeable cigar smoke odor from nearby businesses. Busy environment that fills quickly, requiring early arrival or reservation.

Broth comes creamy and not too porky, paired with thin noodles and toppings like cha siu and egg. Soup tastes authentic and feels freshly made, capturing a genuine tonkotsu ramen experience.

Nagoya style fried chicken stands out with its moist texture and full flavor. Other options offer a crispy outside and juicy inside, making fried chicken a notable choice here.

People are saying

"The ramen broth here is so rich and savory."

"The Nagoya fried chicken is crunchy and well-seasoned."

"The Tonkotsu Ramen's broth is rich, savory, and intensely flavorful."

Good to know

1

Reservations are highly recommended to avoid long wait times.

2

The restaurant closes from 2 to 5 PM, so plan accordingly.

3

Expect a long wait, especially if you arrive after 2 PM.

09
Ramen Wakusei image 1
Ramen restaurant

Small ramen restaurant with a trendy galaxy theme and minimalist decor featuring a marvelous moon model and planet-named dishes. Atmosphere feels cozy and inviting, with a warm, modern setting that suits a relaxing meal. Space fills with locals enjoying generous portions and a family-friendly vibe.

Juicy and tender pieces of fried chicken karaage come with a nice seasoning. Small bites often arrive with mayonnaise as a gift, offering a different take on Japanese fried chicken.

People are saying

"The ramen here is so delicious and flavorful without being salty."

"The fried chicken is tender and juicy, never dry."

"The Tonkotsu Ramen broth is so rich and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Parking can be tough during peak hours, especially on weekends.

2

Reservations are not required, and wait times are usually minimal.

3

The menu features unique ramen bowls named after planets.

10
WADAYA - Costa Mesa image 1
Ramen restaurant

Small space with a cozy, laid-back vibe and limited seating creates an intimate setting. Atmosphere stays relaxed and cool, attracting a mix of young people and families. Known for excellent vegan options and a unique touch of serving rice to soak up leftover sauce after noodles.

Broth has a clean pork taste but can be very salty, which sometimes masks the flavor. The tonkotsu ramen pairs well with other dishes like tokyo mazemen.

The fried chicken stands out with its mogu chicken that tastes just like Korean yangnyeom-style fried chicken. The karaage chicken, however, tastes similar to frozen fried chicken from Costco.

People are saying

"I thought the ramen here might be the best I've ever had."

"The Tonkotsu Ramen here has a very clean pork taste."

"The mogu chicken tastes just like Korean yangnyeom fried chicken."

Good to know

1

The place is small, so arrive early to avoid a wait.

2

Expect to wait during peak hours; a clipboard is available for the waiting list.

3

Arrive by 5:30 PM for the best chance of no wait.

11
Menya Ultra UTC La Jolla image 1
Ramen restaurant

Ramen restaurant offers a small, clean space with traditional Japanese decor and smooth music creating a welcoming atmosphere. Seating includes an outdoor patio option that adds variety. The vibe is calm and organized, with quick service and no wait times typical.

Broth has a rich tonkotsu flavor but the pork is limited, usually just one slice. Upgrading to the Tonkotsu Chashu Ramen adds more pork for a fuller experience.

Juicy fried chicken comes with perfect temperature and tasty dipping soy sauce. Nagoya fried chicken and karaage don stand out as favorites among the appetizers.

People are saying

"The ramen broth here is rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced."

"The vegetarian ramen's creamy, vegetable-loaded broth is so tasty."

"The Tonkotsu Ramen broth was too white and overly frothy."

Good to know

1

Expect a fast-moving line, making wait times shorter than other locations.

2

Payment is required before receiving food, typical of a counter service setup.

3

Prices are around $15-$17 for a bowl, which some find expensive.

12
Tsujita Artisan Noodle San Jose image 1

Small Japanese noodle shop with cozy, clean interior and limited seating including bar and tables. Atmosphere feels authentic to Japan with simple decor and no background music. Space is cramped and narrow, suited for small groups and quick dining rather than lingering.

Thin noodles swim in a creamy broth that defines the dish. Generous toppings add depth, and a splash of garlic boosts flavor for a small extra charge.

Crispy fried chicken comes with a hint of garlic that adds a subtle kick. It pairs well with dipping noodles for a satisfying combo.

People are saying

"I thought the tsukemen here was good."

"The Tonkotsu Ramen broth was rich and creamy, not too salty."

"The fried chicken here is rich, flavorful, and has just the right amount of heat."

Good to know

1

The restaurant only seats 30, so the wait might be long depending on the time of day.

2

They do not take reservations, so it is first come first serve.

3

Parking can be very difficult; allow at least 5 minutes to find a spot.

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