Karai Ramen Bistro
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Came in right as they opened on a Thursday and the place packed out quickly. Just happened to be off Sanpablo rd and hadn't been here in a few years. I remember thinking they had the best ramen in town. They still have the best ramen in town!!! If only I lived closer. The depth of flavor was perfect along with the soft fatty pork that melts in your mouth. Just a perfect dish, kakukara ramen, in every way, especially if you love spice.
It's been a few years since I last came here. This place is a lot further from my house and also my usual ramen spots. But I wanted to try a different place today. It was lunch hour so it was semi-busy. I came by myself and sat at the counter. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen. The service was very quick. The broth was just okay, I still prefer the tonkotsu broth from another ramen place. I am open to trying other ramen here if I'm ever back in this area.
Karai is easily in my top 2 favorite Ramen spots in Jax. From the outside you wouldn't think the inside is the vibe that it is and I love that. The service was friendly. I normally go to a different place and decided to give Karai a try because my spot wasn't opening until later in the evening and I'm so glad things happened that way. I'm definitely going back whenever I'm close by.
This small restaurant is a popular spot for ramen and Japanese-inspired appetizers.The service is remarkably fast and friendly from the moment you arrive. Note that they do not have physical menus, so be prepared to use their barcode to access the menu. The Peanut Brisket Tantanmen is always my top pick.
I dined in for lunch on a Wednesday afternoon and they were busy! Inside is small and most tables were full. Despite them being busy, the service was great! We had 3 in our party and we were seated, ordered, and ate all in under an hour. I think that's great for a weekday lunch if you have to consider getting back to work. We took a while looking over the menu so the total time spent definitely could have been shorter. For the important part...the ramen! It was amazing! We ordered the KakuKara Ramen, To-Sho Ramen, and Ramen broth. They were all so good and full of flavor and hearty toppings. It's also worth noting one person in our party wanted broth only and it was very fairly priced (as are all their menu items), a healthy serving amount, and also very tasty. This was my first time here and it will not be my last.
Perfect little Ramen shop with a desert shop next door both owned by same person. Nice Japanese ambience with music. Servers are always attentive and Ramen is amazing best Ramen place I've been to other than Umami Curry Ramen. He actually got advice from Karai owner when he opened. Noodles are authentic broth is spicy but amazing. Its a good sweat when your putting down a bowl.
Good and spicy Ramen was exactly what I needed to help speed up my healing. I ordered take out so I my customer service and ambience experience was limited. I placed my order on a kiosk near a door, a gentleman helped me order and then asked me to wait at their sister restaurant next door to pick up my order. Everything came out in a timely manner.
It has a Japanese ambiance. Ramen was delicious they had plenty of ramen choices. The desert was also delicious. The place is small so it can't accomodate a big group. There's plenty of parking since it's located in a plaza.
This was a toss up between two choices and we landed here. We made the right choice for sure. We had ramen, gyoza and katsu chicken tenders and it was outstanding. I think second to the amazing food the staff was phenomenal and really made it the best of the best. Best ramen in town habds down.
I came here craving comfort food and authentic ramen and left completely satisfied. I ordered the Karai Ramen, which hit all the right spots. This restaurant may be tucked in the corner but between the freshly made noodles and kick from the beef in the savory broth.... I highly recommend! The noodles had a great bite, and the toppings were fresh and balanced. The gyoza was perfectly crispy and the ambience of Karai is relaxing , welcoming and good for a friend date or a regular date night .
Small space so go at an off-hour and with a small group! Such fast and friendly service and every table was full on a weekday at 1pm. Lots of takeout orders as well. Food is piping hot and the katsu is fried fresh and very hot so don't bite too soon! The tonkatsu ramen level 2 spice is the perfect amount of flavor and zest with a super tender piece of meat and savory broth. The chicken katsu curry has amazing flavor and is a great portion. Must dip the katsu with the sweet chili sauce
Probably the best ramen spot in Jax! Such good and full flavors. Even the kid's option is delicious.
It was pretty quiet when my friend and I arrived here for a late lunch (but it soon after got busy!). He ordered the katsu chicken tenders as an appetizer (not pictured). I ordered the Tonkotsu Shoyu ramen which was very tasty. I was deciding between that and the regular Tonkotsu ramen, and if I'm not mistaken, the one I went with is the more creamy one. I didn't finish it all and the staff packaged it for me to go. I would definitely come back!
5 months ago
Karai Ramen Bistro is a full on experience and one of the best restaurants! The restaurant is dark, intimate, and tucked away in a way that makes you feel like you've discovered a hidden gem. The vibe is fantastic and the staff matches it perfectly, friendly, warm, and attentive. We went twice in the late afternoon and never waited for a table, which is a huge bonus for a spot this good. The small plates alone are worth the visit. The Katsu Sando Sliders feature crispy chicken katsu on soft potato bread with fresh cabbage, katsu sauce, Japanese mayo, red onion, and sweet pickle peppers, every element working in perfect harmony. The Potato Korokke was equally incredible, perfectly crispy on the outside and filled with katsu fried potato and vegetables paired with katsu sauce and Japanese mayo. The Gyoza were perfectly crispy Japanese fried chicken dumplings, and the Harumaki was a great addition too. Everything fried here is done with real skill, the crunch is always there and never overdone. If you love spice, the KakuKara Ramen is an absolute must. A rich, creamy sesame broth made from chicken and pork stock with Japanese hot sauce and red miso, it is spicy, deeply flavorful, and completely addictive. Loaded with pork belly kakuni, homemade pickled peppers, cabbage, cilantro, green onions, and sesame seeds on those perfect curly noodles, it is everything you hope ramen will be. If you prefer something milder, the Katsu Shio Ramen is a beautiful classic, a delicate Japanese sea salt and dashi seasoned chicken broth with shiitake mushrooms, katsu chicken, red and green onions, and the most wonderful onsen tamago custard egg that takes the whole bowl to another level! read more
I've ordered take out from here a couple of times. The first time I got the katsu chicken rice bowl and second time I got a Tonkotsu Ramen. Both of them were pretty good and were done quickly. My one thing is that they are pretty small portions in my opinion. I wish there was more in the bowls. The spot is cute though and the lady behind the counter was sweet. They have a restaurant to pick up from and then a couple doors over is the restaurant you can sit down and eat. Would love to sit down and eat here soon to see what that experience is like. read more
This restaurant haunts my dreams, in the best possible way. My only wish is that I could give them 10 gold stars up in big lights!!! This is by far the best ramen I've ever eaten! The ramen is masterfully concocted by a genius, it's absolutely perfect! Everything we've tried is delicious from the katsu curry to fried octopus, it's all fantastic. I ordered the Akai katsu ramen and modified it by adding the suggested pork belly and spicy beef and was blown away at the balance of spice and flavor and I honestly have no idea what they do to the jammy egg in the ramen but it's crazy creamy and flavorful, like no egg I've ever eaten, the dish is magical. I ordered online and it was all packaged so nice and secure, fyi togo is 2 doors down. It's seriously the only restaurant I want to go anymore it's so amazing! And they're so nice and happy when I go and it's a neat little vibe. I highly recommend this amazing restaurant read more
Came in right as they opened on a Thursday and the place packed out quickly. Just happened to be off Sanpablo rd and hadn't been here in a few years. I remember thinking they had the best ramen in town. They still have the best ramen in town!!! If only I lived closer. The depth of flavor was perfect along with the soft fatty pork that melts in your mouth. Just a perfect dish, kakukara ramen, in every way, especially if you love spice. read more
It's been a few years since I last came here. This place is a lot further from my house and also my usual ramen spots. But I wanted to try a different place today. It was lunch hour so it was semi-busy. I came by myself and sat at the counter. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen. The service was very quick. The broth was just okay, I still prefer the tonkotsu broth from another ramen place. I am open to trying other ramen here if I'm ever back in this area. read more
Karai is easily in my top 2 favorite Ramen spots in Jax. From the outside you wouldn't think the inside is the vibe that it is and I love that. The service was friendly. I normally go to a different place and decided to give Karai a try because my spot wasn't opening until later in the evening and I'm so glad things happened that way. I'm definitely going back whenever I'm close by. read more
This small restaurant is a popular spot for ramen and Japanese-inspired appetizers.The service is remarkably fast and friendly from the moment you arrive. Note that they do not have physical menus, so be prepared to use their barcode to access the menu. The Peanut Brisket Tantanmen is always my top pick. read more
8 months ago
I dined in for lunch on a Wednesday afternoon and they were busy! Inside is small and most tables were full. Despite them being busy, the service was great! We had 3 in our party and we were seated, ordered, and ate all in under an hour. I think that's great for a weekday lunch if you have to consider getting back to work. We took a while looking over the menu so the total time spent definitely could have been shorter. For the important part...the ramen! It was amazing! We ordered the KakuKara Ramen, To-Sho Ramen, and Ramen broth. They were all so good and full of flavor and hearty toppings. It's also worth noting one person in our party wanted broth only and it was very fairly priced (as are all their menu items), a healthy serving amount, and also very tasty. This was my first time here and it will not be my last. read more
Perfect little Ramen shop with a desert shop next door both owned by same person. Nice Japanese ambience with music. Servers are always attentive and Ramen is amazing best Ramen place I've been to other than Umami Curry Ramen. He actually got advice from Karai owner when he opened. Noodles are authentic broth is spicy but amazing. Its a good sweat when your putting down a bowl. read more
Good and spicy Ramen was exactly what I needed to help speed up my healing. I ordered take out so I my customer service and ambience experience was limited. I placed my order on a kiosk near a door, a gentleman helped me order and then asked me to wait at their sister restaurant next door to pick up my order. Everything came out in a timely manner. read more
1 year ago
It has a Japanese ambiance. Ramen was delicious they had plenty of ramen choices. The desert was also delicious. The place is small so it can't accomodate a big group. There's plenty of parking since it's located in a plaza. read more
1 year ago
This was a toss up between two choices and we landed here. We made the right choice for sure. We had ramen, gyoza and katsu chicken tenders and it was outstanding. I think second to the amazing food the staff was phenomenal and really made it the best of the best. Best ramen in town habds down. read more
I came here craving comfort food and authentic ramen and left completely satisfied. I ordered the Karai Ramen, which hit all the right spots. This restaurant may be tucked in the corner but between the freshly made noodles and kick from the beef in the savory broth.... I highly recommend! The noodles had a great bite, and the toppings were fresh and balanced. The gyoza was perfectly crispy and the ambience of Karai is relaxing , welcoming and good for a friend date or a regular date night . read more
2 months ago
3 months ago
1 year ago
Small space so go at an off-hour and with a small group! Such fast and friendly service and every table was full on a weekday at 1pm. Lots of takeout orders as well. Food is piping hot and the katsu is fried fresh and very hot so don't bite too soon! The tonkatsu ramen level 2 spice is the perfect amount of flavor and zest with a super tender piece of meat and savory broth. The chicken katsu curry has amazing flavor and is a great portion. Must dip the katsu with the sweet chili sauce read more
6 months ago
Probably the best ramen spot in Jax! Such good and full flavors. Even the kid's option is delicious. read more
It was pretty quiet when my friend and I arrived here for a late lunch (but it soon after got busy!). He ordered the katsu chicken tenders as an appetizer (not pictured). I ordered the Tonkotsu Shoyu ramen which was very tasty. I was deciding between that and the regular Tonkotsu ramen, and if I'm not mistaken, the one I went with is the more creamy one. I didn't finish it all and the staff packaged it for me to go. I would definitely come back! read more
amazing flavors in the broth; so so rich and flavorful and amazing! my all time favorite ramen broth! the egg was perfect and the meat was tender and delicious!!! potato croquettes were perfectly crispy and delicious! The atmosphere here is very nice and service was wonderful! read more
Karai is so good, I've been coming here for years. It's always fun to take a newb here who has never dined at Karai before, & turn them into regulars as well. The broth has such a rich flavor no matter which ramen you decide to order, they are all scrumptious. I really like to check out the specials before ordering my go to ramen selections. Every special I've ordered ends up being so tasty. (You can find their specials on their website, and/or their instagram page. I always check both) End of last week I was here, and ordered their Tonkotsu Shoyu ramen. I added a little more protein to it from one of their suggested toppings (Japanese sausage). It was amazing! If you ever want to make your ramen a little spicy, you can always ask for a side of their chili oil and add in as much or as little as you'd like. The staff is always friendly, the food comes out pretty quick, and you always leave as one happy, satisfied customer. Karai also has a decent amount of drink selections too ~ beer, sake, various hot teas. Recently I saw they have started to add more desserts. While visiting last week, I also tried their ube cheesecake. Super light and fluffy, fresh, not too sweet. It was a really good light dessert to add to an entree. I highly recommend trying one of their featured desserts. read more
11 months ago
The ramen here is A1. The customer service was also great. I've also had their Katsu Curry which was delicious as well. I would highly recommend trying this place out if you're into Ramen. read more
2 years ago
This is the place we always go to when in the beach blvd area. Best idea on this cold weather in Florida. We always enjoy the tasty ramen and fast service. The noodles are not soggy and has good bite to it. The tonkatsu ramen is very flavorful and tasty. The Karai ramen has a little spice to it but definitely adds to the flavor of the soup. Love this place. read more
2 years ago
My first time here and the food was hot and delicious! Good music playing over the sound system and the ambiance was nice and laid back. The service was quick and efficient which is always appreciated. I'll definitely be back! read more
Bottom line up front....it's a good thing I'm not a local our I would spend way too much time and $ here if I was. My wife, Son and I all throughly enjoyed our lunches. This is so going to become a Road-Trip Bookmark and will be one of my must visits every time I'm in town visiting my parents. The service and food were both exceptional... Total Friends and Family recommendation. Hell, I'd even recommend this spot to my enemies...it was that good. read more
3 years ago
Wow! I am wondering why I have not visited sooner. Ramen is a great go to hard day comfort food! I was not disappointed. In a strip shopping center on Beach Blvd and San Pablo you are hidden deliciousness! Staff is professional and knowledgeable. Can't wait to go back! read more
3 years ago
I really wanted to like this place. It seems to be run by the same family that runs the curry and sandwich place down the strip mall. My friends rave about this place, but I wanted to be honest, so I'll start with the good. I came on a Friday afternoon (5pm) and if you come early it's not super crowded. But when it gets to 6pm, more and more people start tumbling in. The decor is cute and quaint. You can tell the owners are very familiar with Japan if not actually being Japanese. The music they play are some of the most popular ones trending rn across the pond. Also I can't help but say that their little lantern lights are super cute. Service was very nice. They were attentive and fast. The kitchen is open concept so you can see everything, but it can get a little hot in the summer. There are ceiling fans, but I think the AC isn't cranked up very high, so prepare to sweat when slurping your ramen. Unfortunately, their broth was too salty. I've been here more than once and they're at least consistent. I just can't drink the broth at all. It has such a wonderful deep flavor, and I want to drink it to the extent I pour my glass of drinking water into the bowl to make an attempt, but I can't. If they added less salt and had salt on the side, it would be ideal. Or maybe they could offer a tsukemen option with the broth on the side and dip the noodles separately. I just couldn't take the broth. I also ordered an appetizer, the squid. It was piping hot when it came out, and very chewy and crunchy. May be an acquired texture preference here though. But there wasn't much flavor other than salty though. Tl;Dr Service: 4.5 Ambience: 4.5 Food: 2 But to each their own. It just didn't suit my palette, but it could suit yours. read more
1 year ago
The Shoyu ramen is SO GOOD. First, I have to admit that I am not a "real" ramen person, as I don't like miso. The shoyu is soy flavored and has so much flavor. The brisket was very tender and just pulled apart. My friend (who IS a ramen expert) had the karai ramen and said it's the best ramen he's ever had. (Didn't get a pic of his.) The service is perfect. They boxed up my leftovers and added more broth for me to take home. I'll be back. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
10 months ago
11 months ago
My boyfriend recently introduced me to this place when I was visiting from California and it did not disappoint! I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen and it had the perfect balance of rich and savory broth with the tender pork. The noodles were cooked perfectly and the toppings were a great portion. We asked for spice on the side and it tasted even better. Will definitely come back again! read more
3 years ago
Super rich broth! I know I'm going to crave this place again. Ramen, service, atmosphere was excellent. I love great food... I love it even more when I get great service alongside great food. I rarely go out by myself, I usually am paying for 2-5 of us, so when I go out, that bill is not small. I absolutely love when on my way home my only afterthought ... is figuring out when I'm going back. We got tonkotsu (all the way) added spicy oil on side. I will say, not keen on a runny egg (I prefer soft or hard boiled egg), but it didn't go to waste... gave it to my oldest. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
This place knows how to make ramen point blank. If you are looking for great flavor and a damn good broth then you're at the right place the service is great and the staff is very helpful to suggest items and attentive. I also suggest the delicious gyoza for the appetizer I didn't get a picture because they were gone as soon as they hit the table! Great place and great ramen! read more
4 years ago
The ambiance was bistro style. (Side Note: We had to clean our own table ) The server had a poor attitude. He came off as a jerk for first time guests. We didn't want to leave a tip, but Grace made us leave one. 2 Different Views on the food: Brian - Karai Ramen The spice level was ok. Tj - Pork Belly Shoyu You are not allowed to change the ramen bowls. I asked for my egg to be on the harder side. My request was abruptly denied . The bowl was amazing as is. Suggestion to 1st timers let your noodles and egg sit in the bowl for 2-3 minutes upon arrival of the bowl. It will help to cook the noodle and the egg read more
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More info about Karai Ramen Bistro
14286 Beach Blvd
Ste 29
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Southside
Directions
(904) 329-4073
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https://www.karairamenbistro.com
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Ask the Community - Karai Ramen Bistro
Is there halo halo?
No. It is a Japanese Ramen Restaurant, not Pilipino Restaurant.
Is there a fish broth option?
All of our Ramen is made with dashi which contains fish but none of our Ramen has only fish as the protein cooked in the soup.
Do you have vegetarian broth based ramen?
No, all of our Ramen contains some type of meet
Is this place accommodating for vegetarians and vegans?
No, most of our food contains some type of meat with the exception of a couple of appetizers.
