My mother & I were craving ramen and we happened to stumble upon Kajiken after doing a quick search on local ramen spots in the Elk Grove area. They open at 5'o clock for dinner & we arrived early to avoid standing in line on the advice of other Yelpers. I highly recommend arriving at least 15-30 mins before they open so you can ensure to get in quickly as the place was completely full by 5:20! The restaurant is clean & cozy. The friendly server provided us with helpful recommendations after we shared that this was our first time visiting. For an appetizer, we ordered the Original Karaage. The chicken was tender, crispy, & perfectly seasoned and served with wasabi mayo dipping sauce. I ordered the Original Aburasoba & my mother ordered the Mushroom Aburasoba. While broth- less, the noodles were tender & still full of flavor. The noodles had the perfect amount of sauce. The toppings were fresh & plentiful. The food was served with an excellent green tea that was complimentary. We will definitely be returning to try some of the other food items. read more

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Got here at 5:55 on a Friday night and we were seated and got our appetizer at 6:19. Considering that there was a line when we got here that's not too bad. They gave us menus and took our order while we were still in line which was very efficient. The food was so yummy!!! We ordered a number 1 and a number 3 and they were both so flavorful. I preferred the roast beef more and my bf preferred the number 1. All we did was add sesame seeds and the fried garlic that was at the table. The chicken karaage was good and juicy but the noodles was more than enough to fill me. The service was really good!!! They bussed our tables as soon as we were all done eating and helped us with whatever we needed. Vibe inside felt like Japan. They had the chopsticks box at the table the same way as in Japan. 10/10 would recommend. read more

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If I were to describe this place in one word, it'd be addicting. I went here three times in one week, another friend went 4 times and another went 3 times as well. Once you try it once, you can't stop craving the noodles and the flavors from this place. Out of the three things I've tried here, I would have to say the Nikumori is my favorite. It had so much flavor, super creamy, and had a lot of meat. The curry one is also good, but I'd like it placer so I would add the chili powder and chili oil to it. This option has a strong Japanese curry flavor. Highly recommended for those who like Japanese curry. The first option is also good, but it didn't steal my heart like the Nikumori. This one was very flavorful, you'll feel the spice, and it has a mix of everything. Highly recommended if you don't know what you want. read more

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Wait: I got in line around 12pm, it was only me waiting, my cousin was at costco doing some grocery shopping and my other cousin was at home. The line took approximately 40 minutes. During that time, I was offered a cup of water (thank goodness) and then menu. It was extremely hot waiting outside for more than half an hour with little shade. I wasn't aware of this, but you preorder while you're in line so they can prep your food quickly. Food: we ordered 2 homuras and a roast beef for some in then 1 homura togo. The homura has a nice spicy kick to it, I can handle a fair amount of spicy and this was perfect. For people who can't really handle spicy, this is not the meal for you LOL. My cousin can't eat spicy, and was curious if they could do homura without spice, but the meat is actually pre marinated with spice (heads up). I can't speak to the roast beef one (#3) since that was my cousin's dish. the homura to go was for my parents to share and try, they both really enjoyed it! I'm sure they'll be returning sometime. Ambiance: many of the tables are connected to other people's tables or you get a counter seat! Service was good, employees are very nice. Prices of food are very reasonable and I'm glad there's takeout. I waited an hour for the San Mateo location when they first opened and they didn't allow takeout, so I was surprised it was available here. Parking in this plaza is easy and quick, so that's nice! Overall, I would come back if there is no wait. Maybe it's because it was a super hot day and I had to wait in the heat, but it didn't hit the same as the one in San Mateo (my opinion) read more

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Saw this place got Michelin stars for their food so wanted to check it out. They have an unagi winter special for $23.99 so I decided to try it. I added some extra spice to it. It was filling and the food came out quick. The fried calamari was also nice a crispy. Prices were reasonable and the service was good. read more

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food: this was truly a pleasant experience. I came here at the recommendation of one of my colleagues. As I usually do, I order several appetizers and thankfully I came with a friend, so I was able to try two entrées without feeling too disgusted with myself. For appetizers, we split the Oroshi Ponzu Karaage, tofu, and the Takoyaki. For entrees, my friend had the roast beef and I had the Nikumori Aburasoba, and they delivered. Of the three appetizers, my least favorite was the takoyaki, but it was delicious. The shaved radish on the Karaage was exquisite. The tofu was super refreshing. Our only complaint regarding the entrées was that the meat could have been better seasoned. We felt the meat in both entrées was OK at best. However, the noodles were the perfect combination of soft and chewy. Are the sauces and spices that were mixed into the entrées were absolutely delicious. At your table, you can add chili, chili oil, vinegar, and garlic salt to your entrée as desired. I edited these to my entrée, one by one, and watched my dish, become this, super savory, yet spicy delight. Service: we came to the front, but we were seated by the window. Service was pretty quick. Ambiance: the place is very cozy. There aren't too many seats, which explains the long lines typically. I've never been to Japan, but I felt like this place has the vibe of a high quality fast casual noodle joint where the service is quick and friendly and the food is super good. read more

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I hope kajiken fixes their wait times. I don't mind waiting but standing in the hot 100 degree sun for 30 minutes is brutal. I hope they buy umbrellas or opt to do Yelp waitlist. Karaage 6/10. The appetizer was luke warm. It was not crispy nor it was soggy. Potstickers 7/10. Tasted good but not worth price. Takoyaki 9/10. The only appetizer that tasted good for the price. I had the no.1 and it was good. It had a strong umami taste and all of the add ins complimented each other. It reminds me of a dipping ramen place in LA that I really liked. Overall, will come back if they fix their waiting situation. My parents who are 60+ would burn in this heat without any coverage. read more

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LOVEDDDD this place so much! I loved the dry noodle concept as it was a very unique twist that i have not seen in the sac area. The noodles were very flavorful and i loved the original aburasoba!! I added a poached egg and the yogurt sauce and it was a game changer because it made it so much creamier!! All the food came out super fast and the waiter was sipped attentive to us. It felt like i was in japan again. I would definitely come back again read more

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First timer at this restaurant and with aburasoba/brothless ramen. Waited about 30 minutes for a table during a busy day. One of the most unique bowls of noodles I've ever had yet. Enjoyed every single bite though I would say the roast beef bowl could use just a little bit more noodles. I was cautious about the yogurt sauce in the roast beef bowl because it sounded weird but it helped combine the flavors of the other oils and sauces together and made it easier for that mixture of goodness to coat the noodles. I knew I'd enjoy the food before I had my first bite but didn't expect I'd start to rethink my love for regular broth based ramen. I have been craving aburasoba every day since tasting it for the first time. read more

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Kajiken has been on my list of places to try since they opened their first Bay location in San Mateo. When I saw they opened a location in Elk Grove, I decided to give it a try. First things first, expect a line. I arrived around 11:50 and waited about 15-20 minutes. They do not take names for a waitlist at this time and use a line instead. It was HOT, but an employee was handing out menus and offering water! Service was great and quick! They were all very kind. Food was delicious! Aburasoba was a new experience for me, and I enjoyed it lots. The noodles had a great texture and with all the ingredients mixed together, it made for a great, savory bowl of noodles. I ordered the homura and my partner ordered the roast beef. We enjoyed both and couldn't decide which was our favorite LOL The Oroshi Ponzu Karaage was also good, but the noodles were definitely the highlight. Kajiken was definitely a memorable meal! We're already thinking about what we're going to order next! read more

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Came here with some friends after getting recommendations on social media and Yelp. The noodles were really chewy and held the sauce well. The line looked long but went by pretty quickly, and they take your order in line so the wait isn't as long as it looks. Good service and good food read more

Kajiken - Ramen Near Me - Elk Grove, California

We're glad that this opened here, especially since we always wanted to try it in San Mateo. We love their noodles; they're very flavorful. We definitely will come back to try it, but not sitting outside. The staff was friendly. The restaurant is a little small. We're seated outside, but the table is quite dusty because it's an open place. They might need to think of a way to keep things clean. Also, they probably need more high chairs, especially Elk Grove, which is more family-based. read more

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The new kid on the block! i ordered their roast beef noodle bowl and it was so good. it comes with raw egg, they do ask you first if it is ok to add it. the servers will then tell you that you need to mix the bowl for at least 20 seconds before eating. there was a little wait during lunch. i'm sure because their san mateo restaurant got a michelin start for 2023. so excited that elk grove has a restaurant that is close to a michelin star. you also need to order their ponzu karaage appetizer, it was excellent. i think i'll order this next time as my main dish with a side of rice. the restaurant has cute decor, it can get loud, but not loud where you can't carry a conversation. they do play japanese pop music. read more

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Went to the Kajiken in San Mateo last year. Exciting that their newest location is in EG! We got here at 4:55 on Monday night and there were already about 20 people in line. They open at exactly 5 o'clock and luckily we were able to get some of the patio seating outside. The service is friendly, and the food prep is very efficient - kind of like Ramen Nagi , with minimal wait time. We got the #1 : homura aburasoba and #2: nikumoru aburasoba. The #2 has sliced pork instead of just ground pork. The extra elements of seaweed, bamboo shoots, and the green onions also add a nice texture element to the dish. They also have chili oil/paste, vinegar, sesame seeds toppings to add. The karrage was well seasoned with juicy meat-but the portion was a bit small for $10, so I'd pass on that next time. Otherwise I'm eager to come back and try the rest of the menu! read more

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Finally got to try this today! We went right when it opened around 11am, on a Monday! We're lucky we came at that time because within 15 mins, there were a line, on a Monday! We ordered 3 things ans our overall experience is so-so: 1. Original abura ramen 4/5 - Pretty good flavor, perfectly cooked noodle, portion is kind of small 2. Nikumori Abura Ramen 4/5 - Good size, decent portion, noodle's perfectly cooked but it's a bit on the salty side 3. Ponzu Karaage 1/5 - This dish was served barely lukewarm, the chicken doesnt taste like they had just fried it, it's almost stale. Made us wonder if they fried it in batches in the morning or just served us old chicken karaage. 4. Roasted beef rice bowl - 3/5 Like the flavor of this a lot, the sour cream is a nice touch. Portion is small for what it is and the beef could have been better. Overall, a 3/5 because of the very disappointing appetizers and the failure of the Aburasoba to WOW us. I think the temperature on all the food is on the cold side, very disappointing for Japanese cuisine, it should've been served hot. read more

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First timer to this restaurant and I'm impressed! Dropped in on the second day of their opening and there was a line tailing before they opened. Ordered the Homura Aburasoba and it's a brothless bowl of ramen noodles topped with minced pork, pork slices, raw egg, a ton of green onions & bamboo. The pork was well seasoned and is ultimately the flavor base to the noodles! Watch out because it's spicy, at least for me! As instructed, we gave our noodles a good mix for about 20 seconds before we chowed down. The noodles had a nice chewy texture. Def delicious and comforting bowl of noodles! Not used to eating noodles without a liquid broth, but I enjoyed it! Service was great! Our waiter was very attentive. The restaurant was a lot smaller than I expected. Will def be back! :) read more

Kajiken - Ramen Near Me - Elk Grove, California

Kajiken has just opened in Elk Grove, I know Kajiken has been a hit in the Bay Area, and I'm thrilled to see Elk Grove and Sacramento finally catching up! Their specialty, aburasoba, a noodle dish with no broth and instead uses a flavorful blend of oils and sauces, creating a unique and satisfying experience. They offer about nine different types of aburasoba, along with a selection of Japanese appetizers and rice bowls. Three standouts on the menu are the Homura (spicy minced pork, bamboo shoots, and fish powder), Nikumori (spicy minced pork, pork slices, and green onions), and the Roast Beef (crispy onions, chaliapin sauce, and yogurt sauce), all served over noodles and topped with a raw egg yolk. We tried the Homura and Roast Beef, and they both delivered an explosion of flavor with a gooey rich noodle coating. I'd rate both an 8/10. The takoyaki, on the other hand, wasn't particularly memorable and could be skipped, but the karaage was a solid 7/10. It didn't blow me away, but I'd happily order it again on my next visit. If you're looking for a unique twist on your usual noodle routine, Kajiken is definitely worth a try! read more

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I'm glad this place came to Elk Grove. The place is not big at all, I would say it's more suited for solo eating or smaller groups. But anyways, the set up they have once you sit down is awesome. You already have water available, all the sauces, utensils, etc. They have directions posted on how to properly eat the Aburasoba. I also love that just like other ramen places, you can add additional toppings or even poach your egg if you don't want a raw egg yolk. I found that my dish didn't even need extra sauces because it was flavorful on its own. Great place, would recommend. read more

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Amazing food and outstanding service! The staff is very polite and attentive. I'm definitely recommending this spot to all my friends and will absolutely be returning for a second time soon. read more

Super yummy, portions were a bit small for the roast beef one. My friend got the original and her portion was huge though. I knocked it a star because it made my tummy hurt so much, I don't know if it's the yogurt they used. I would risk it again though and come back. Shout out to our server Derek, he was super nice and friendly. read more

Kajiken - Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Elk Grove, California

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Definitely want to come back and try their food in person! I don't think I'd recommend it to-go at least. We got it to go and it was just dry and ended up being a huge chunk of noodles when we got it home to eat. We got the original but I think another option might be better to get more toppings! read more

I really enjoyed the dry ramen. The space is a little tight inside, with tables fairly close together, so it can feel cramped during busy times. That said, the food makes up for it! Overall, it's a great spot if you're focused on taste and don't mind a more compact dining area. read more

One of our favorite places. And service is always great. Friendly & good customer service. Never had a bad experience. Loved the extra garlic sprinkles!!! read more

Kajiken - 2 Roast Beef Aburasoba!! One raw egg & one poached!!! - Ramen Near Me - Elk Grove, California

Honestly I came in thinking this was a ramen place and pleasantly surprised to try something new! They DO have ramen but they have these other dry noodle dishes they specialize in. It was like Dan Dan noodles. The one I ordered was spicier than I could handle lol but still good. Service was quick. Ambiance reminded me of Japan. It was clean and well kept . read more

Kajiken - Ramen Near Me - Elk Grove, California

This review for kajiken is long overdue as I went on opening day when everything was literally 50% off and rated it a solid 3/5! They're definitely only going to improve with time Here's what we ordered - * 1. Homura Aburasoba ($16.95) - this is a solid 3.4/5. The pork and tare had a good flavor but I don't think the flavor was strong enough compared to the Roast Beef aburasoba * Karamen Aburasoba ($15.95) - 2/5. I thought maybe they gave us extra noodles when we didn't ask, but I've spoken to other people and they felt the same. Seems like this bowl comes with a lotttt of noodles and there's not enough tare to completely cover them. The bowl tasted like nothing but red chili powder * 3. Roast Beef Aburasoba ($17.95) - 5/5 this is so so so good! I was afraid the yogurt might be off putting at first but it really helped add some tart flavor and creaminess to the bowl. Would def recommend this one * Chashu Rice ($7) - 2/5 kind of misleading because it seems like it's a deep bowl of rice/pork it's only chashu on one side of the top layer. The other side of the top layer is green onions and the rest 4/5 of the bowl is rice * Oroshi Ponzu Karaage ($10) - 4/5 the pieces are large and I loved the slight tang! Very juicy * Takoyaki ($8.50) - 4/5 pretty standard read more

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The business reached out to correct the incorrect charge during my visit. Excellent customer service! read more

Kajiken - Homura Aburasoba - Ramen Near Me - Elk Grove, California

The ramen is good, but I wouldn't wait over 20 minutes for it, especially when Tsujita finally arrived from Los Angeles (in Strawberry Plaza!) Also, they sat us at the 'bar' with the stools and those are the most painful stools to sit on. Seriously, would it kill them to change it out to cushioned stools?? Regardless, service was good. read more

Soup less ramen. I had this in Hawaii it was delicious. Now I found a place closer that serves this dish. I tired with unagi and beef. Both were good. What I liked the most was karage , chicken was moist and tasty. Service was great. Place was compact so severs were always around to get you tea. I've been there twice! read more

Kajiken - Ramen Near Me - Elk Grove, California

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We've had mazesoba in the branch in San Mateo as well as a couple places in orange county and in Tokyo before, so we were pleasantly surprised to see it come to Elk Grove. The service was quick and reliable. The food was quite solid! I don't think mazesoba is my favorite genre within ramen, but the dishes were all well executed and tasted great. The takoyaki tasted deep fried which differs from traditional preparation, but it still tasted great. Definitely the most acceptable Japanese fast casual place we could find around! read more

Kajiken - Takoyaki - Ramen Near Me - Elk Grove, California

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Only if you like dry ramen!! Very different and was delicious. However, can get a bit overwhelming. Unsure if it's the options we chose which were their top rated options. It has their house cream mixture and with the pouched egg it makes it extra creamy and almost gewey. Noodles are cooked and sized perfectly I love me a chewy texture. Workers are pleasant and inviting. All the workers great you as you enter the restaurant so that's always nice and feels welcoming. Restaurant is super cute like any ramen spot. A bit tiny. They have shared table seating options along the windows to sit side by side or regular tables in the middle areas of the restaurant. Not a spot for huge parties or to bring your children's strollers and car seats in. Doesn't have much space as you can tell from one of my photos. During my dine in, saw a few large groups and families leaving bc it couldn't be accommodated unless they split up. That day was too windy to be seated outside. They do togos and it's packaged in the cutest bowls. read more

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We were greeted warmly when we walked and sat immediately. All the food was good. Service efficient. I have zero complaints. I enjoyed it all immensely. I would go back again. We sat facing the window outside at the counter. Good vibes. Good food! read more

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I had a lunch date with my son here recently and did enjoy my noodles. We shared the yuzu chicken karaage which was crunchy with lots of chicken. My son had the original aburasoba which was okay- he prefers the regular soupy ramen. I had the wagyu roast beef with the raw egg yolk. The texture of the egg with the creamy yogurt sauce coated the noodles beautifully and gave it a rich savory taste. The meat itself was thin and tough so did not care for it at all. read more

Kajiken - Tofu - Ramen Near Me - Elk Grove, California

I will go to this place again and again! After my trip to Japan, I was missing the food there. I was looking up noodle spots and remembered my friend recommended this place before. Came and fell in love w their roast beef aburasoba, it's a dry mix noodle, (I take out the yogurt and add in corn) with so much flavor once mixed and there are condiments on the side for you to adjust the taste to your liking. I never finish a meal here and have to hand it off to my boyfriend. But, I can finish the whole bowl here and often have to guard it from him! There are no reservations, it's first come first serve. The seats inside I think max out around 6-8. We sat outside the second time we came. Tip: come when they first open, if you have a larger party to reduce wait time. Location: next to somi somi and across from Amazon fresh! read more

Have been wanting to Kajiken for a while! Made a quick stop after my chiropractor visit right at 11am when they opened! I already knew what I wanted and the extra sides to top it off. It did not disappoint, I wanted more!!!!! I just won't overdue it with the chili paste next time! read more

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I frequent the San Mateo Kajiken often and was excited to see one in this area. Service here is so friendly and attentive even when it's busy. I was really impressed. Props to them! Keep it up! The food is amazing as always. Can't go wrong with the Top 1, Homura or the Top 2, Nikumori. Definitely worth checking out especially if you haven't had aburasoba before. If you're coming with the large party, anticipate sitting outside. read more

I really wanted to save this spot to dine in but I had a celebration that cause for really yummy food. I ordered for pick up and no regrets! Only thing is when you order online there isn't an options for condiments so you'll have to purchase separately when you pick up. I ordered the Tan Tan and the # 1 Homura and got all the condiments. I opted for poached eggs since I had a drive home, added seasoned eggs, roe and chashu (super thin!!) Love the chew of the noodle. Perfect size. Definitely on my list of favorites now. It's right across from the new Amazon Fresh grocery store. read more

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I messed up and on my 1st visit I got their wet ramen (which had just launched) instead of their signature dishes . The ramen was just ok and now I feel like I missed out on their dry ramen . I'll have to go back and update my review but for now the "wet" ramen is not on my top 5 . read more

Kajiken is a nice fast casual spot in the same complex as Costco in Elk Grove. They feature ramen style noodle dishes without the soup. On this first visit I tried the Original Aburasoba, which reminds me of traditional tonkatsu tsukemen without the broth on the side. The noodles are thick and chewy and the chasu very tender. The staff will tell you to mix your bowl right away because at the bottom are the sauces. On each table you can also add more dried garlic, chili paste, and vinegar for more umami. We also ordered the takoyaki and ponzu karage; both are good but not standout. Service is friendly and efficient; we went on a weekday so no line. I'd imagine on busier days this is the type of restaurant that has high turn over to ensure as many patrons can enjoy. read more

Kajiken - Original Aburasoba - Ramen Near Me - Elk Grove, California

Great food, great service, and ambiance was great with indoor and outdoor seatings. We were first timers so we asked our server Crystal for recommendations. She did a great job because both dishes we got were amazing. I wanted something on the lighter side and had the original aburasoba and my boyfriend got the nikumori. The noodles were so bouncy and delicious and it was a nice change from regular noodles with soup. I also heard the beef bowl is good so I will have to go back! Definitely recommend if you haven't been here already. read more

Kajiken - Ramen Near Me - Elk Grove, California

Came here with a friend, probably like 15 minutes after 11 and they were already packed. We were the first in line and an employee placed our ordered ahead of time so we didn't have to wait after getting seated. The employees handed out umbrellas to avoid the sun which was nice (they also set up a stand to add more shade). I'm a soup girlie but I loved the flavors of the dry ramen. I'll probably come again just to try the other stuff on their menu. read more

Kajiken - #1 - Ramen Near Me - Elk Grove, California