The ramen was really good. We had two Spicy bowls at level 3 spiciness. One person had the miso ramen. She liked it, but once she tried the spicy she said it was better. The pork was really flavorful. We also had edamame and a shrimp tempura roll. Good value on both. They were both good, but the spicy ramen stole the show. Service was attentive and friendly. We would definitely come back. read more

Quick update. Karrage curry was not memorable. Had the Chicken Katsu again and either the piece of chicken this time is smaller or they over fried it a bit but I still loved the curry, rice, and potatoes. Reminded to myself to try the Beef Curry next time if I find myself back here. read more

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Their chicken is amazing, mamas ramen is good too! The ambiance was super cute and they were extremely friendly.

Not sure how this place gets such good ratings. The tonkotsu broth was very thin -- the flavor was pretty much wiped out by the bamboo shoots and the lowest level spice. The pork was plentiful but not tender. One of the servers was holding a loud running monologue with the other staff -- their voice was louder than all the patrons' and we couldn't even focus on our own conversation. read more

Kao will always be my favorite ramen spot. Their broth is so flavorful and they use great ingredients that tie everything together. I miss when they used to put shiitakes in the ramen here but I guess times have changed. The interior is small but they have quite a bit of seating. I love the cozy feel and the mural painting. The staff are always kind and accommodating. We ordered karrage and two different ramens. Everything came out timely and piping hot. I love that I can modify my ramen and that they offer kale ramen noodles and coconut broth. So many places to check out downtown after eating. Definitely give this spot a try :) read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Mama's Ramen (kale ramen noodles and pork). Delicious!!! The broth is sooo flavorful :) - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

Lovely friendly atmosphere and amazing ramen!! Savory and coconut based.. absolutely delicious, every time we come to Ventura, it's a must have. read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - MaMa Style Ramen (Tom Kha Coconut Broth) - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

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Love this little spot on main st in Ventura! Got the katsu curry and it was delicious and hit the spot!! Definitely coming back for it again! Service was quick and friendly as well read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Chicken Katsu Curry - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

This was our first time trying Kao Ramen. It was delicious! The lady who was serving the whole restaurant was very friendly and attentive. We had ordered the Kao ramen with chicken and the Mama style ramen. Because of the egg shortage, they would ask if you would like an egg as they do not want to waste. It was a nice ambiance right next to main st. (Which is closed for cars passing through) read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

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Prices keep going up and up! Used to be 12-14$ for a bowl, now we are reaching the 18-22$ range. Would be acceptable if the food wasn't Sysco. +1 star : Service is wonderful as usual Read my previous review for more detail. read more

This is a nice little restaurant located in downtown Ventura. We came here to eat before a show at the Ventura Theater. I have loved ramen since my daughter introduced it to me several years ago, and I've been to a lot of different ramen places, mostly in Orange County. We are always on the lookout for a good ramen place closer to home. The ramen here was good, not great, but good and enjoyable. I ordered the Miso ramen. You could choose your protein, and I chose the ground pork. The little pork meatballs were a nice addition to my ramen. The broth was tasty but not spectacular. I got level 2 heat and I feel I could go up to level 3 because it wasn't too spicy. The noodles were not too thick and had a little bite to them. My soup came out very warm, but not hot. My daughter ordered the Kao Ramen. She enjoyed it, but again, she said it was just okay. We both felt like it was lacking something and not full of flavor. The service was wonderful. They were attentive and helpful. The restaurant was clean. It is small inside. I'm open to trying again another day when we happen to get downtown again. read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Kao Ramen. - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

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When looking for a place to eat lunch, my daughter said the best ramen she'd ever had was at in downtown Ventura. After a few quick taps in my phone, I asked "was it Kao Ramen?" Yes it was! Parked around the corner on a Saturday afternoon and arrived around 12:45 and were immediately seated. Overall, they provided friendly service, fun decor and delicious, fresh food. Many options to make the ramen or rice bowl to your liking, like heat level. We ordered a couple Mama Ramen bowls, a pork chashu bowl and a Go Green ramen bowl. We all loved our food and I'd definitely come back. read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

We used to love the ramen here, we just went two weeks ago and the ramen isn't the same they changed the bases of the broth, and pork chasu . The pork chasu was so hard to chew on this time around. Hopefully they go back to making ramen how they used to. read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

I stop by a couple weeks ago. The food was so good, the girl who took my order was nice and attentive. I liked the ambient of the place, I remember they were playing a good Naruto episode. read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowl - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

Stopped in on a chilly evening for a warm bowl of ramen and walked right in to a seat! That's always the beauty of a ramen spot you typically never have to wait which is awesome! We walked in were greeted by friendly staff and seated right away. The decor was amazing and the ode to the anime characters was awesome. The menu was simple with plenty of options for everyone to choose from. I went with the classic Kao ramen, the bowl was massive and filling with a perfect blend of flavors. Half way through I added some Szechuan spice to kick it up and it warmed the soul!! All in all delicious quick simple food!! read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Kao Raman (Tonkotsu Broth) - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

Food has msg but yummy. There are roaches in the restroom. I hope they don't in the kitchen which is behind the restroom wall/connecting door read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

There was so much flavor in the food. From their dry dishes to their soup, everything was delicious! The staff were so sweet to us as we celebrated an intimate family bday dinner. Perfect location downtown Ventura; a cute lil spot where there's plenty going on. We will def come back! Thank you so much! read more

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After living in Ventura for over a year now, I'm a little mad at myself for not eating here any sooner lol. Conveniently located on Main Street, it's in a area that's so cute with so much to do. Finally stopped by this afternoon and was so impressed! I have been a fan of Rice by Mama and heard they also owned this spot and I will say this spot is another great spot. They have a good menu with great variety. After debating for some time, I went with the Miso Ramen with a spicy level 2. I decided to go with ground pork and no spanich and added bamboo. It was so good! Good bold flavor and the spicy ness was good but I probably could have gone with spicy level number 3. So if you love and enjoy spicy food, defiantly go 3 or higher. The noodles were the best part, very good quality. My girlfriend had the mama style and she loved it as well. Our server was kind and friendly and the service overall was very good. Nothing but good things to say about this place. If your in the mood for a hot bowl of soup/ ramen, please keep them in mind. Why not support a great local buisness such at this one. Thank you for the great food Kao ramen! read more

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Great ramen. Would absolutely recommend this place everything is great but try the mamas style ramen first. Great service as well.

It's a comfortable and chill restaurant server was very kind and respectfully bowed which made it feel very welcoming! Food was delicious! read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Karrage - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

I took my lunch break here during my 4th of July all-day shift. It was in an easy-to-find spot on Main Street and was not crowded. It was a small restaurant, but my family and I had plenty of space. Although we dined in, the restaurant's vibe seemed more like a quick bite. We ordered the Salmon Teriyaki Rice Bowl, the Kao Ramen (Tonkotsu Broth), and the Gyudon Bowl. The service was excellent and fast, perfect for a one-hour lunch break. The food was also delicious with a decent portion size. read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

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Such a great spot in dt Ventura! If you want more of a low key, calm place to enjoy lunch or dinner downtown Ventura this is it. The menu is not huge but the options available are great. From ramen to different kinds of rice bowls and appettizers we really loved it. Not great for big groups unless you find a spot outside. There seemed to be only one person serving tables, he did really good and stayed on top of all orders. The food was tasty and really flavorful. Really enjoyed it and will be back to try other ramen styles. read more

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This is still best place for ramen in Ventura, the service is always quick. The prices have gone up but that's inflation for you. I still feel you get great value for the price. The place is perfect for families with kids, especially in the patio area. Sensory level here would be a 6 inside and 8 outside read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Kids Chicken Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

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I really wanted to like this place--the waitstaff were super friendly and attentive, so no complaints there. Unfortunately, the food just wasn't it for me. I ordered the signature Kao Ramen and the Spicy Karaage Chicken Bowl. I'll go easy on the ramen because I realize coconut milk in ramen just isn't my personal preference--it makes the broth heavier and sweeter than I usually enjoy. But the karaage chicken was a real miss: it was doused in anise oil, and the flavor completely overpowered everything else in the bowl. Maybe I just ordered the wrong things, but overall, the food didn't work for me. Service was great though, so I hope they keep improving the menu. read more

Today my son & i stopped to eat at Kao Ramen. Our food was delicious! I had the Mama Ramen. The coconut broth was so good. The edamame was not cooked fully and didn't have any chili flavoring! Overall a great experience! read more

Came in on a Saturday night (7pm) and downtown was busy. We started with Takoyaki (5 pieces) each piece had 1 small morsel of octopus inside I expected 2-3 chunks. For my entree, I had the Mama Style Ramen (coconut broth) which was a Thai inspired dish with Tom yum broth. If you enjoy Tom Yum you'll like this one, it's tangy and savory. I was so intrigued with the coconut broth, but unfortunately didn't like my bowl upon the first sip. I realized it was Tom Yum based and it was too sour for me to enjoy. Despite that the chashu portion was generous, good meat to fat ratio. The noodles were wriggly and had good texture. The Kao Ramen was a muchh better fit for me, it's savory and garlicky, a classic tonkotsu dish! I also sampled the Japanese Style Curry Bowl adding chicken katsu(extra $$) curry was good but nothing special. Unfortunately the chicken katsu was dry. read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - MaMa Style Ramen (Coconut Broth) has sour Tom yum soup broth as well - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

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The BEST ramen! Definitely get the coconut broth. Super cute spot on Main Street with fantastic service. read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - MaMa Style Ramen (Coconut Broth) No Vegen - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

It's been a minute since i've tried a new restaurant. After a nice hike in the Ventura area, a nice warm bowl of ramen crossed my mind. I've been to Asiatique before on main street, so I decided to give Kao Ramen By Mama a go. It was a very mid dine in experience. I don't regret trying something new, but I will not be dining here again. Let me get into it: Food: I had ordered the Japanese Chicken Katsu Curry, a Miso Ramen and for dessert the Pineapple Sorbet served in a pineapple. Taste: The Japanese Chicken Katsu Curry was the highlight of my experience, the curry was warm with chunks of potato and carrots. The chicken katsu had nice crispy breading. It was on the thinner side, but my bf likes it that way. It comes with a miso soup and keep it mind it does not taste like the miso soup you're used to. The miso soup is actually on the sweeter side. The miso ramen had nice flavor, it's nothing special though. It does have some nice chunks of pork chashu on top, i'll give it that. The pineapple sorbet is a never ever try, don't even think about it. I was expecting a nice freshly cut pineapple with fresh pineapple sorbet on top. It is farrrrr from it. I was served a frozen pineapple with two bites of sorbet in it which was spongey in texture. From my assumption, it was like they prepared the sorbet, placed it in the pineapple and stored it in the freezer for weeks to a month making the water in the sorbet evaporate. Price: I understand this restaurant is in Ventura on main street, but you can get more for your buck elsewhere. The pineapple sorbet was $14.. from what I was served it's more like $4. They charged me $4 for pink ginger when I asked for a side of ginger for the curry. I knew there would be an extra charge, but it's not worth $4. Red pickled ginger is what is served with curry in Japanese curry restaurants. It's not even what I asked for. Ambiance: I definitely appreciate the art and vibes inside the restaurant. Take a look at your water cups, bowls, plates, utensils and togo containers before you eat. It's not clean. My water cup had black smudges on the outside, my bf had black smudges on the inside. He didn't care enough to say anything. The togo container for the curry had a hair in it, but I just cleaned it off before pouring it in. It's hott in the restaurant maybe they don't have air conditioning, but I was sweating in there and it was much cooler outside. Service: the service was alright. I didn't see a smile from the two servers working there. I feel like they could have made a little more of an effort to be more friendly and attentive. Overall: I'd come get the Japanese Chicken Katsu Curry again, but to go that's about it. read more

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I ordered the miso ramen with kale noodle and soft tofu and the teriyaki tofu rice bowl for takeout and was pleasantly surprised by the quality and flavors. The ramen had a rich savory nuanced broth where you could taste the depth of the miso and the kale noodles were bouncy and soaked up the flavors beautifully. The teriyaki tofu bowl had a tangy sweet teriyaki sauce and beautifully cooked bright green broccoli. We ordered both vegetarian style and I was so impressed by the flavors and quality. Also a shoutout to Kiki who was exceptionally friendly, helped me navigate the menu options with ease, and entertained my baby while we waited for our order. Can't wait to try more! read more

Picked some ramen the other night from Kao Ramen. It was delicious and full of flavor. Not only that but they allow you to customize the spice level of your ramen. I went with the tonkatsu ramen with pork belly and I'd definitely go back for more. This probably one of the best spots for ramen in Ventura! read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Kao Raman (Tonkotsu Broth) - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

Surprisingly good ramen and Japanese food! Our family of 6 ordered Kao Tonkotsu ramen, miso ramen, chicken Katsu don and chicken Katsu curry and everyone raved about their food! The kids enjoyed Ramune sodas and the adults got Thai iced tea--yum! I am Japanese American and we are from the San Gabriel Valley, so we are used to getting good Japanese food. As I said, Kao did not disappoint! The ramen was flavorful, and the meat and vegetables were perfectly cooked. I got a level 2 spicy level, and it was the perfect little kick. Prices were higher than we're used to, but we noticed that in general the prices seem higher here than where we are from. It is right on the Main Street in Downtown Ventura. Plenty of seating inside and outside. read more

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Dinner time and twas getting chilly. We needed something to warm our souls. Nothing like a good bowl of ramen and soju! AMBIANCE Parking: Street parking and lot parking all vary in regards to cost. Seating: Inside seating is mainly for groups. It can probably fit a total of 40 people. Feels: It's on the touristy strip of Ventura so there are lot of eateries, entertainment, thrift stores, and a walk from the beach. The spot itself is pleasant - clean, well lit, and decor to Japanese culture. I dig the Maroon 5 playlist playing in the background and the people chatter. Great for a family dinner, date night, or solo food adventure. FOOD: Mama Style Ramen (Recommend) For a different Ramen flavor this is your dish! Rather than your Japanese broth, the coconut milk and lemon grass provides a fused flavor to it. An umami kick from the kikurage mushroom, spinach, scallion, fried onions and egg. For additional cost, I got the kale noodles (no major flavor difference but good) and a soft savory/sweet pork belly. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Great! Kind people and quick service. TL; DR OVERALL: 4.5 Stars! Lovely, lovely, lovely. I enjoyed the mixture of Japanese and Thai soups, pretty clever. Great selections and at a reasonable price. For something heart warming for your body and soul, check this spot out! Tips: *Random Fact: the logo 9 is special because in Thai, it's good luck/fortune *5 levels of spice! read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Mama style ramen - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

BEST STAFF EVER! I went with friends visiting from out of town and the staff were so friendly. They offered food suggestions and then when we left our card at the table, they ran after us to give us our card back!! Food is amazing- love the veggie ramen! Shishito peppers are 10/10. New favorite Ventura restaurant!! read more

I order a noodle and a rice dish that were both so tasty. Reheated them for lunch and they were even better the second day. Yum yum yummy

Had lunch twice here and the menu is here is amazing! Last week I ordered a Chicken Katsu, and the katsu sauce was so hearty and flavorful, Yesterday, our group ordered a variety of dishes, like the spicy ramen while two of us ordered the Bento box. Every dish was spectacular. The garrage chicken was perfectly fried and prepared, and the miso soup was so soothing. The service level here deserves a Michelin star and the owner, Pammie, is warm, engaging and so innovative. THANK YOU for the incredible lunches and we look forward to coming back! read more

Stopped in for lunch midweek. Was greeted promptly and sat at a 2 top out front. I looked over the menu and decided on the spicy salmon appetizer and the mama style ramen. Both were excellent! I highly recommend them both. The Spicy Salmon was garnished with cucumber slices and seaweed salad that was the perfect amount of freshness and crunch with the salmon. The ramen broth had a deep flavor that hit the spot. read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - MaMa Style Ramen with Chashu pork - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

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Literally the best ramen I've had. I always get the miso ramen with chicken spice level 1 because I like to add my own spice. It's amazing. The service is always amazing, the lady is always so nice. It's comforting and welcoming when you walk in. I usually eat in but today I ordered out. Definitely a must try, if you're looking for an amazing ramen place read more

I have been to this restaurant several times with my sister, we have always ordered a full meal and been happy that they provided both a gluten free and a vegan option for us. However, the atmosphere and the undercurrent of unfriendliness and dare I say it? Racism? Is so strong that every time we have left we have felt A little bit sickened by how we felt from the woman who owns or runs the place and her staff. Additionally whatever additives and oils that are used in the food always have us leaving feeling slightly sick to our stomachs, and we have bloated and distended stomach areas after eating here. The food is so so, not nearly as nice as it was when we first stopped in, the presentation is very variable and not reliable at all. The flavors are also variable, and once when our order was placed incorrectly, the unpleasantness of asking for it to be replaced with what we had ordered was such that we never wanted to go through that experience again. Ordinarily I would love to leave a positive review for a place that offers gluten-free and vegan options particularly when run by a woman, unfortunately in this case I cannot recommend it at all. Oh one more thing: the last time we stopped in was during a street fair which was so loud outside that we asked to have the door closed, which they agreed to until after we placed our order and then they explained that they had to leave it somewhere open because the door was so hard to open people couldn't get inside if they wanted to. That was after we had ordered a $50 meal. You decide. read more

Passing by from OC to Santa Barbara. After I've read all the reviews here. I've decided to give it a try... I was skeptical about Mama coconut Ramen... oh my! It was sooo creamy with a kick of spice .... This is so yummy!! And service is great! They were nice and very funny too. My friend had a spicy karagge bowl. (She wasn't in to ramen so much) she said it was right amount of heat and chicken is crispy! I definitely come back next time read more

Yuzu Cheese Cake - quarter for scale. Really. $7.95 for this. The ramen is tasty, best I've found in the area, but oh my god don't get the dessert, you have to be kidding me. read more

Kao Ramen By Mama - Yuzu Cheese Cake - quarter for scale. Really. $7.95 for this. - Ramen Near Me - Ventura, California

This place is my favorite ramen in town hands down! I usually get the Kao Ramen which is so creamy and full of umami flavor. Can't wait to go back! Service is always amazing and it was really cute for the holidays. read more