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    HINODEYA Ramen Japantown

    4.2 (2.3k reviews)
    ModerateRamen
    Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

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    Reviews With Photos - HINODEYA Ramen Japantown

    Planted inside by the cherry blossom
    Juan V.

    The search for good ramen in San Francisco has always got me going to one particular part of the city. Japantown has many places with good ramen and it's sometimes depends on which flavors you are seeking. Some like their ramen salty like some in SF. There is a dependable place in San Francisco which has been making good flavored ramen in the home of the rising sun Japan since 1885. This location is the first US location and it's been on Buchanan street in San Francisco for a decade and it's called Hinodeya. On a Japantown stroll I landed at Hinodeya. This location has indoor and outside seating. Hinodeya does not offer any sushi, poke, or sashimi and it's strictly focused on ramen. I chose to have my ramen inside just in case some birdies drop something on my ramen from the sky. The menu has lots of ramen choices like their classic Dashi ramen and also their Tokyo Duck ramen. I decided to stick my regular order of the Umami Tonkatsu Dashi ramen with a pork cutlet , shittake, egg, and corn. The noodles were soft and had a descent pull to them and they were slurpable. The broth was tasty and not too salty like some in SF. Overall a consistent place serving you traditional ramen that started in 1885 from the land of the rising sun. There is many items to choose from at Hinodeya you be doing some menu "reading" a good place for a "social meeting "good for indoor and outdoor "seating" Hinodeya is the place in Japantown for drinking and "eating" At Hinodeya some are doing some noodle "slurping "some show their appreciation for their meal like some on my social media by "burping "because all the Ramen flavors blended together are some how" working "people are outside hanging out yapping and birdies in SF are "chirping "

    Creamy Ramen (Vegan)
    Michelle Z.

    Cozy space inside -- lots of seating indoor and outdoor. Good spot for bigger groups too. The menu here is more limited than the hinodeya on Chestnut, but I tried the vegan creamy ramen today and it was so good! It's a soy milk based broth but the flavor is very rich and I loved the kale & sweet tofu skins. The ramen is also made of spinach and has a thicker consistency/lots of chew. The portions are always huge and service is very quick and efficient. It does get pretty loud inside when packed but the vibe is lively and bright.

    Hamaguri ramen
    Karina S.

    My go to ramen spot in Japantown, I appreciate how they have plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating and minimal wait times every time I've been so far. Located right across from the Japan Center on a street with a number of other restaurants. I love their Hamaguri ramen (and adding the chili powder at the table to it), the serving of clams is always so satisfying and I love how it goes with the light dashi broth of the dish.

    Matcha beer
    Curtis T.

    This ramen restaurant is located in Japantown and has indoor and outdoor seating. The broth was freshly made and paired well with the matcha beet and other items on the menu. Service was courteous and friendly. This place can get busy so it's a good idea to come early for dinner.

    Khanh N.

    UPDATE: The owner reached out to us shortly after our visit and handled the situation very professionally. They not only refunded the ramen with the issue but generously refunded the entire meal for our party. I truly appreciate the follow-up, accountability, and care--it made a big difference. I came to Hinodeya Ramen today with my partner, and this visit was really disappointing, especially considering I've been coming here for years. On a positive note, my Tokyo Duck ramen was actually very good, great portion and rich, flavorful broth. We also had gyoza and hot sake, which were enjoyable. Ambiance was a bit noisy. However, my partner ordered the beef sukiyaki ramen, and when it came out, there was a thick, short, wavy hair in the bowl, clearly not something that should ever be in food. This is a serious contamination issue. We tried to get our server's attention, and I understand it was busy, but being busy is not an excuse when it comes to food safety. Eventually, another server came over. We showed him the issue, expecting at least a proper apology or some explanation of what happened. Instead, he just took the bowl away and said a quick "I'm sorry" no explanation, no reassurance, nothing. They brought out a new bowl of ramen, but at that point, the experience was already ruined. It's hard to continue eating normally after something like that, it honestly just stays in your mind. What makes this more frustrating is that I've been here many times before with friends, family, and coworkers, and when everything goes right, it's great. But when something goes wrong, the response is just a simple "sorry" with no accountability or communication. Even on my last visit a few months ago, the broth was bland and the response was the same just "I'm sorry." At a minimum, for an issue this serious, there should be clear communication, reassurance about food safety, and a more professional response. Because of both past and current experiences, I don't think I'll be coming back. I really hope they improve their service and train staff to handle serious situations like this more appropriately.

    Hinodeya Ramen (House Ramen) Spicy Miso Ramen
    Chris R.

    Honestly the highlight food spot of our trip to SF. Cute little spot in Japantown with super friendly and attentive service. All the food we tried from the appetizers to every bowl of ramen was very good. The noodles had great flavor! This is a must try if you're in the area

    Looking out the window.
    Lisa H.

    I haven't been to ramen in this area in a long time. This spot is across from a spot I used to frequent and though this place was familiar in name- I wasn't sure with whether this place has been acquired by someone other than it's historical legacy(which is common these days and then the quality immediately suffers with "saving money " =lower quality food. Such a bummer-so I wasn't sure & nervous. The combinations were kind of limited too. I tend to be a miso or tantan ramen person. The TanTan (cover picture)had a bunch of stuff I didn't want- spicy ground pork and something else..the miso ramen only came in spicy or spicy with corn. I was torn- but it was a cold rainy day and I needed to warm up. So I just went with the regular spicy Miso Ramen. (They said it's not too spicy)-with corn is + $2 So it came- and was so delicious! I think I get in my head of making my own ramen and those costs- what you forget is a well built broth! (Which this was.) On the table is this jar of Crunchy fried garlic and something-so delicious-I kept adding it. Was super happy and satisfied! The lady checking me out- with the bill was from Osaka to which we were both surprised-I am from nearby. So a good laugh- but i didn't ask if it's still Japanese owned. When I entered it was pretty empty to where one can't tell if it a local busy spot like my last place I used to go. But in my wait time and eating- the place was Full! They beat the drum each time people enter. I sat near the front door so my view was the front door and a window to the outside. Inside seemed cozier. I recommend that- the cold air keeps hitting you where I sat. They only offered me the front little table or I had to sit at the counter-which doesn't suit me. But-It was totally delicious- the on table toppings adds an extra 1/2 to full star for me.

    Georgina S.

    Great food. Glad I ate here when visiting Japantown Th location was great and fast service.

    Chongwei C.

    HINODEYA Ramen has been one of the more popular ramen spots in San Francisco's Japantown for a while, and a lot of people recommend it whenever ramen in the area comes up, so I finally decided to give it a try. Overall, I thought it was good and definitely worth trying, but not necessarily mind-blowing or unforgettable. It's the kind of place that delivers a solid bowl of ramen, though the high expectations probably made it feel a little less impressive than I anticipated. The restaurant itself has a nice modern Japanese atmosphere, and it was pretty busy when we went. There was already a line outside, so it definitely seems like one of the more popular spots in Japantown. Service and table turnover were both fairly efficient, so the overall experience felt smooth despite the crowd. Besides their signature ramen, I also tried the asari ramen, which honestly ended up being the bowl that stood out more to me. They were generous with the clams, and the broth had a light seafood sweetness that made it feel very comforting and refreshing compared to heavier tonkotsu-style ramen. Especially on a colder day, the clam-based broth felt warm and satisfying without being overly rich. The noodles had a good texture, and overall the flavors worked well together. That said, while everything tasted good and the quality was clearly there, I never really had that "wow, this is amazing" moment. Maybe it's because San Francisco has so many strong ramen spots now, or maybe because I had heard so many recommendations beforehand, but after finishing the meal, it felt more like a very solid and reliable ramen shop rather than one that completely blew me away. I do think people who prefer lighter dashi-style broths will probably enjoy this place more than those who mainly like very thick, rich tonkotsu ramen. As a stop during a day in Japantown, it's still a great choice, and I can absolutely understand why it stays so popular. For me personally though, it was more "consistently good" than truly unforgettable.

    Julie N.

    Not a bad place for ramen. Located near japantown. You get an option to sit outside or inside. I got the spicy miso ramen which is their popular ramen. It wasn't that spicy unless you request to be more spicy. Broth has tasty. Comes with two pork, half an egg, some bamboo, and green onion. I do like the texture of their noodle. Food came out reasonable time. Price is anywhere from 18 to 21ish or more depending on what ramen you get. Also got the takoiyai, come in 4 pieces for $8 or $9.

    Hinodeya Ramen (House Ramen)
    Vania B.

    Always love the ramen here! It's so rich with flavor. The chashu was a nice, thick cut of pork and noodles were perfect. Unfortunately, I felt my soup was slightly too salty that day. Otherwise, they're usually consistent with their ramen. Got lucky with no wait time for Sunday lunch. Quick, friendly service.

    Vegetarian ramen
    Kim D.

    I went with a group of about 10 people at around 8pm and they were so nice and accomodating of our large group. The menu is not large, but we still had trouble deciding what we wanted because everything looked do good! I got the vegetarian ramen and the broth is really what makes it. It was excellent, and the whole table was very happy with what we ordered. Thank you for a great experience!

    Creamy Ramen (Vegan)
    Jazlene T.

    Great service, we were able to dine in with a large party of 7 under no reservation. The table was ready within a couple of minutes. The ambiance isn't anything special but it's in the cute plaza across the mall in Japantown. I enjoyed my vegan ramen with spinach noodles and I'm a kale lover, it had loads of Kale + seaweed, inari tofu, and calabaza. Shishito peppers were a nice shareable bite. Overall, I liked my experience but I prefer Marufuku! Just a preference hehe. Big difference is a shorter wait time, at least this location.

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    Page 1 of 59

    HINODEYA Ramen Japantown Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - HINODEYA Ramen Japantown

    Does Hinodeya still offer kelp noodles as a substitute?

    I see that there are GF noodles available, but is there an option for the broth and other ingredients to be GF? As in, safe for those with allergies?

    I think all ingredients gf, ask the staff to confirm

    Vaccination card required?

    Not required any more.

    Are there any gluten free options?

    Yes you can ask for gluten free noodles

    Are dogs allowed?

    At their outdoor seating area, yes

    Is there vegan options for the Ramen?

    Yes! Their creamy ramen is vegan and was so delicious (I am non vegan)

    When ordering take out, are the noodles separated from the broth to prevent sogginess? I would think that it is but thought I'd confirm. I tried calling but no one picked up and photos don't depict this.

    Yes, everything comes separate and it is amazing. You have to try the vegan creamy ramen, it's the best I have come across....

    Any way to contact them besides phone? They never pick up.

    Nope. They don't answer! I ended up walking in and ordering. Waited about 15 mins.

    How long is the wait if arrive around 5:30 weekday?

    I would say about 40 minutes... Great place

    Are u open on Labor Day. Sept 3 3018?

    Website says open holidays but closed Tuesdays.

    Is the Food here MSG free?

    Did you know, msg naturally occurring, and is found in many foods you eat everyday.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    (623 reviews)
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    Happy hour specials
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    Earlier today my husband and I came for dinner. About 30 minutes in, while we were enjoying the…read moredelicious food, he had what I thought was a seizure. He was unconscious, shaking, thrashing, sweating and groaning. The staff immediately came to my side (as well as customers) to help me. They called 911 at my request, and once the EMTs arrived they were helpful and truly concerned. Not just trying to get us out of the way. Shaking, I tried to hand over my credit card while the EMTs took my husband on a stretcher. The manager said "No, no.. it's fine, it's fine," with the kindest look in his eye. This would have been our third visit because the food is sooooo good. But now I'm basically going to be their cheerleader to anyone who will listen. I could not be more grateful for their grace and aid while I was in near hysteria. Kindness still exists. And so does genuinely good food. PS: it turned out to be dehydration, but it was scary AF, kids. Drink. Your. Water.

    I've tried a different location before (San Mateo) for their well known dipping ramen but this time…read moreI wanted to give their normal ramen a try. The ambiance is extremely loud in there and the tables are very close together. So if you're looking for a quiet, less crammed space, this isn't it. The actual restaurant looks very nice, but not sure why the bar seats face a storage area with clear windows. As for the food, the calamari was delicious, they give you whole pieces of little squid. The ramen broth is very hearty and bold. When I was halfway through, it became a little too much. I do wish you're able to pick the thickness of noodles. I didn't like the thin noodles with the ramen. It actually reminded me of instant ramen. But to each their own with noodle thickness. I just wish there were options. I almost wish there was something else in the ramen to balance out the flavor besides more bold flavors from the pork and egg. It does the job but wasn't a huge wow factor. As for the service, they are pretty attentive. I didn't like how one of the servers kept hovering around the entire time grabbing anything they could off the table. The second we took off the wrappers of the chopsticks, they grabbed it. Usually I like the table cleared out to make space but it was the constant hovering that was awkward.

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    Fried Cauliflower   Saikyo miso glaze with mala chili sauce.
    Fried Cauliflower Saikyo miso glaze with mala chili sauce.
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    Ushi Taro Ramen

    Ushi Taro Ramen

    4.4
    (149 reviews)
    1.4 mi
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    Locally owned & operated
    LGBTQ friendly

    Me and my bf found this spot when we were doing a day trip to SF from LA. It was pretty cold gloomy…read moreday so we decided to have lunch here with something warm and our favorite which is Ramen. It was our first time and we definitely chose the right spot for lunch. The inside is very cozy and warm. We were seated by the corner facing the street which kind of adds to the vibe and seeing the cloudy weather was a perfect day to eat ramen. Their ramen is so good, I believe they put truffles on it, and I love me some truffles. Even my bf who loves ramen and usually has high standards for it loved it. We both rated this spot a 9/10 from our opinion. Oh and their mushroom appetizer was good. I forgot the name but we were picking on that and finished it within minutes.

    Came here on a Friday night. It's a small shop with limited seating so as a party of 4 it took some…read moretime to get seated. It's also only one person serving and hostess-ing and we could tell she was trying her best. We were sitting at the outside facing bar seats at first and appreciate the hostess for re-seating us at a table where we could actually talk to each other. It was my first time and I decided to try the hiyashi chuka as ramen is usually a bit too heavy and salty for me. The classic hiyashi chuka sauce is refreshing and sesame based. I thought it would be the classic sauce, but whatever they had tasted basically like soy sauce and water. I was not a fan, and wish they called it something else so I would not have confused it with the classic hiyashi chuka flavor. We also got the mushroom tempura to share. These were super good!! Stick to the classics! Hope to be back to try their better stuff.

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    3.8
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    I dropped in here for lunch right before I had a flight to catch, and to be honest, I've already…read moredecided I'm coming back. Because I was in a rush, speed was everything, and they absolutely delivered - my ramen was hot and ready on the table within 5 minutes of ordering! The service was incredibly fast, and the staff was amazing throughout. Beyond the efficiency, the food itself tasted wonderful. The restaurant's location is excellent, and the interior is beautifully planned and decorated, giving it a really nice vibe. As a huge plus, they have multiple vegetarian options on the menu. This makes it an ideal spot for groups where some people want vegetarian dishes and others want non-veg options. If you need a delicious, top-tier bowl of ramen - even on a tight schedule - this is the place to go.

    Came here about 45 minutes before closing and was seated within 5 minutes. I ordered a beer, the…read moreAkamaru Modern, and a side of corn. The beer was cold and crisp, and the corn was super tasty--I loved the Japanese-style seasoning on it. I don't know if it was just the long day of traveling, but the ramen really slapped. The broth was rich without being too heavy, and the meat was tender and delicious. Some ramen bowls can feel a little too rich for me, but I finished this entire bowl in 10 minutes. Loved this chain, solid location, and I'd definitely come again.

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    Inside. Dining room. Busy on a Sunday early afternoon.
    Inside. Dining room. Busy on a Sunday early afternoon.
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    Taniku Izakaya

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    4.7
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    $$

    Decided to try the Happy hour at this Japanese place and was blown away…read more Its a small place, maybe 8 tables tops squeezed into this narrow space but it was fantastic. Gretted when we entered, we slid into one the few open tables. The decor was charming, and we were quickly gretted by our server with menus and water. My sister and I split some appetizer items so we could try various items, and every single dish was a taste sensation. The gyoza was crisp on the outside while packed with a savory meat, drizzled with sauce. The Karaage was tender chicken encased in a light fried pankostyle casing, also drizzled with a sauce, and the flavor, each bite was satisfying without being too filling. The Kabocha Kor, were panko fried pumpkin patties with a tonkatsu style sauce that brought the taste buds to a more earthier place . The Tokoyaki, were tender fried octopus balls in a sauce that I would have been happy to hunker down with a large bowl of and just crush, easily my favorite bite, which is saying something as no bute was bad . We closed with an order of Hotate, which was a grilled scallop skewer. Somewhere between sea and bay scallops in size, they were an awesome cap to the dining experience. With a this, I washed it down with a peach-weizen beer which was the perfect accompaniment to the meal. Every dish was fantastic in flavor, sauces, and texture. On top of all this, the service was excellent, and the happy hour prices very much in reason.

    Taniku Izakaya might be one of the best Japanese spots I've tried in the US. Full stop. My friend…read morewas in town and had heard about this place so naturally we go check them out. They allegedly have a few limited reservation slots but a majority of their service is first come first serve. You stand in line and wait. I would not recommend coming in large groups. In fact, I'd go as far as to say groups larger than 4 are basically contraindicated. The space inside is quite tight, think narrow, barstool-height seating and tiny tables. When my friend and I were seated after about a 40 min wait, we had spent so much time perusing the menu that we basically knew what we were going to get. Service was really kind and quick. My thoughts on the food below: Kabocha croquet: these were freshly fried and served PIPING hot. The perfectly crisp exterior and soft, non mushy interior were just the perfect textures contrasted against each other. The sweetness of the pumpkin meant that the vinegar heavy house dipping sauce was a requirement not a suggestion. The side salad also provided some freshness with each bite, not that the croquets were too greasy at all! They were well drained so just the crunch remained without the oil. Tori Tsukune: these Japanese chicken meatball skewers were HUGE and DELICIOUS. Perfectly grilled with a charred taste, relentlessly tender inside. Dipped in the accompanying soy sauce and egg yolk mixture it was simply heavenly. The yolk added a mild richness to each bite. Hotate carpaccio: this was the most unique take on scallops I've had in a while. The flavors seem strange at first glance (and first taste, if I'm being totally honest), but it took no more than two chews for me to change my tune. First off, the scallops are plump, crisply sweet, and buttery soft in the way that high quality scallops are. Next, the onion and yuzu provide a sharp yet floral aroma to each bite. The floral taste was initially jarring but became addictive. The drizzle of cream sauce on top tempered the sharpness and gave the dish a smooth finish. Truly a memorable scallop dish!! Midori udon: a scallop and pesto stir fry udon dish. This was unexpected combo when I read the menu, but it was so good! The briny and sweet little scallops were cooked to a perfect tender texture and they paired well with the mild, herbaceous pesto. The udon provided the perfect slurp. While I'm more of a soup noodle girl myself, this was an addictive and unique Japanese-Italian fusion! Niku Ramen: Taniku has a lot of inventive ramen offerings but the niku ramen stood out to me. I've had and enjoyed niku udon before, though I usually find the broth to be too sweet. This dish took all the best parts of niku udon - the mountains of tender, marinated beef, the soft boiled egg, the tender onions - and put them into a richer, heartier broth with thin ramen noodles and the outcome was fantastic. One of the most memorable bowls of ramen I've had in a while. The broth was seriously delicious. I'm such a big soup person so I keep coming back to that. It wasn't too sweet or too salty in the way that a lot of noodle soup broths are, but still managed to impart a ton of flavor. The meaty, fishy flavor was so drinkable. For the quality and quantity of food vs the price you pay, I was incredibly impressed by Taniku Izakaya!!!! Just banger after banger after banger. I saw that they have some good happy hour deals as well so I will definitely be coming back for more of their delightful apps and skewers. I cannot recommend this spot enough, there's a reason people queue for it.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !
    Scallop corn chowder - FIRE !
    Calamari

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    Calamari
    HINODEYA Ramen Union Square

    HINODEYA Ramen Union Square

    4.1
    (570 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Came for a quick dinner before a block party nearby. It was a weekend day and was seated right…read moreaway. As usual, most ramen spots bring the food really fast. Hinodeya (5/5); Comes with two pieces of chashu. Very solid and delicious

    I hopped on the BART and got off at Powell Street. I stopped by Hinodeya Ramen for a Vegan ramen…read morecalled Creamy. It was made so well, with a very flavorful broth. The veggies were endless, making each last sip enjoyable. The place was bustling with workers, but the host seemed a bit brusque. She might need a little training in good manners. Instead of welcoming us, she opened the door for herself without holding it for us, which made us hold our own door. She just left our menu without saying anything and disappeared. She could have asked the next person, who happened to be sitting side by side at a two-person table, if they were free to share. They were already done watching a video together. We had to squeeze in and awkwardly say, "Excuse me," while getting an eye roll. The host could have avoided that awkward situation by letting us know we were using the table next to them. Also, be ready to pay an automatic 5%. Tips start at 20% and go up, so at least 25% is expected. The service was okay, but the food was fantastic. The workers seemed a bit lazy and avoided us until it was time to pay. That's when they suddenly became incredibly helpful. It's surprising how tipping changes their mood so quickly. I can tell because she watches me as I select my tip, and her eyes change.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Crispy Chicken Karaage
    Crispy Chicken Karaage
    Warm or cold sake at Hinodeya

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    Warm or cold sake at Hinodeya

    HINODEYA Ramen Japantown - ramen - Updated July 2026

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