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    Kumako Ramen Den

    4.7 (1.3k reviews)
    ModerateRamen
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Kumako Ramen Den Photos

    Business Info

    KUMAKO RAMEN DEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Kumako Ramen Den

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    Katsu
    Katie R.

    Ramen and katsu lovers rejoice! This spot may be small, but their portions and flavor are not! We got an order of gyoza and Takoyaki to start, then the curry katsu and Tonkatsu ramen, all of it for two of us to share. We would absolutely get any and all of this again, though with so many other ramens on the menu (duck ramen, I'm looking at you), I'll probably try something else next time. The katsu was perfectly crispy, without being dry, and we loved that there were pieces of pork in the curry sauce. Service was very friendly and the food came out quick! Excited to come back!

    Cecelia C.

    Saw a good review on line and gave it a try. Food & service are good. Highly recommended. Saw a good review on line and gave it a try. Food & service are good. Highly recommended.

    Joyce L.

    Service was great but I am puzzled by its high ratings. Some of the noodles were clumped together and this would never happen in Japan. The broth was 3.5/5 because I didn't need to drink a gallon of water afterwards. However, the clam ramen could use some vegetables. There was none there and made the ramen pretty boring (just clams and noodles). Overall, I didn't think it was worth the wait.

    Duck Ramen
    Benny W.

    Super friendly staff and easy parking outside! The food was a mixed bag, though. The chicken karaage was fresh, hot, and packed with flavor, and the duck ramen was great--awesome broth and good quality meat. Sadly, the gyoza filling tasted sour and spoiled, and the clam ramen was super bland and didn't even come with toppings.

    Tan tan (too spicy for me)
    Danelle S.

    Service is excellent. [[HIGHLIGHT]]No A/C so it was crazy hot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Originally ordered the tan tan but it was too spicy for me and there's a weird flavor. He brought a kids tonkutsu and I took it to go. It's more of a pho broth consistency with ramen flavor. Different. Not bad but different. Let's talk about the fried rice appetizer. That was the saving grace!!! It was AMAZING!!! I'd come back just for the fried rice! Also the eggs were perfectly jammy! I got an extra one. No dishes were taken from our table but there was only 1 guy working.

    Tonkatsu
    Julie S.

    I got to try Kumako Ramen Den initially through a Yelp Event, and knew we'd have to go back after the event ended. Kumako is located in a shopping complex off of Saratoga with a bunch of other spots. There was plenty of parking because it's a big lot. The decor is very cute, and really has a "Japanese ramen spot" ambiance. They have some seating inside and outside tables as well. At this visit, we sat outside. I had ordered the curry ramen last time with tonkatsu, and this time I tried the regular curry ramen. It was full of pork slices and pork on the bottom too! The curry broth is really delicious and unique. We also ordered the gyoza which the friendly waiter told us were handmade, and they were really exceptional! My companion got the mapo tofu curry with rice and loved it. The service was so great. Our waiter was happy to see us back after our previous visits and he kept bringing out free sides for us! This is a very welcoming spot. I really appreciate how Yelp brings attention to small businesses like Kumako Ramen Den.

    Monica N.

    I swear every time I come the ramen gets better! and the gyozas are so good! 1000/10 Everyone is so nice and it's so clean! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Love the vibe and everything is genuinely delicious.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Inside - Cozy, just like the location in San Jose's Japantown
    Brian B.

    Kumako Ramen has a new location! This is great ramen. The focus is on quality ramen dishes that never fail rather than a huge menu. Excellent service. Nick is amazing Coming out of San Jose's Japantown, Kumako Ramen had expanded its location of heavenly noodles and succulent broth with all the traditional tasty additions. The word 'Den' is a good description of this restaurant. The inside is small and the seating is packed, but that is a sign that people really like the food here. It is not the type of place to linger after your meal. I love ramen, especially in the winter. A bowl here will heat you up. It's so good.

    Menu (5/15/26)
    Leslie C.

    Kumako Ramen Den is a well known ramen spot. I usually frequent the Japantown location for lunch. Parking here is easy to find since a large lot is connected to the plaza. Service was friendly and cheerful. The oolong ice tea came with a chilled cup with made it refreshingly cold. The ramen is always good, but I opted for the gyudon combo this time. The beef is thinly sliced and has a light soy sauce flavor. The plate itself is huge and took up half the table! Wait times can be extremely long during peak hours since the shop is small. Took me about 45 minutes to be seated.

    Front entrance as we left... lots of people waiting
    Gerald L.

    Kumako Ramen Den is a cozy spot that performs way above its weight class. It's a smaller place, but thanks to both indoor and outdoor seating, they handle a pretty decent-sized crowd. We rolled in at 5:30 PM on a Friday and beat the rush, but by the time we left, there were a lot of people waiting. The vibe is moderate to high-energy, mostly thanks to the host and waiter that is incredibly friendly and hard-working. He was the only waiter during our visit, but efficiently ran around to make sure everyone was taken care of. We kicked things off with edamame served nice and warm with just the right amount of salt. They were soft enough that the beans practically popped themselves out. Chicken karaage, which was the major highlight for me. It was very crispy and came with a delicious signature sauce and japanese mayo. Our two entrees were fried rice and tonkatsu ramen: Honestly, the rice was really good. And it came out piping hot so we knew it was freshly made. The ramen noodles were soft and satisfying. The broth was unique, not quite like any other tonkotsu I've tried, but still very tasty and hit the spot. The egg I added was also perfect. I love them gooey with ramen. Here's an interesting tidbit: They won "Gold" for best ramen in the Metro Best of Silicon Valley awards. And I heard that the owner is so dedicated to the craft that he even wrote a Kumako Den Cookbook so fans can try to recreate that magic at home. Overall, it was a fantastic dinner. If you want to skip the line, definitely arrive early!

    Gyoza
    Amanda V.

    I have driven past Kumako Den, but I finally got to try it today! Food is superb; it is freshly made with the right amount of "kick". Textures are on point and food came out with just the right amount of steam on it. I would definitely come back for both the gyoza and Japanese chicken nuggets (especially the latter). While flavorful, both tastes pretty healthy and not too salty or greasy. I'll be back for sure! Service was also stellar and friendly :)

    Trina H.

    Really enjoyed our lunch date here. Restaurant is small but food was on point. I got the miso ramen and my fiance got the spicy tonkatsu. I love that the broth didn't taste super heavy or oily like most ramen spot that would put me to sleep right after. The portions were generous. We also got chicken kaarage - the perfect crispiness and not too much batter. I would so come back here.

    Tan tan ramen- okay
    Janey L.

    First time here. We were very excited about the 4.7 rating and the restaurant was busy. They were closing soon so we were very lucky to have a table outside. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was nice outside because inside was a bit too stuffy for me.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was friendly. However, the ramen was just okay...we got the tonkotsu ramen and tan tan ramen (spicy). Noodle was al dente which was good for me but some noodles were clumped together. I wish the broth was tastier. The meat was not cooked well. I'd probably give the food 2 stars if not for the friendly service.

    inside

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    Kumako Ramen Den Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kumako Ramen Den

    Hi- dairy allergy here. Does the katsu curry have any dairy like butter or cream or anything?

    No, except you can add butter as a topping addition.

    Do they do takeout?

    Yes they do offer take out.

    Do they accept google pay?

    Yes!

    Do they offer gift cards?

    No, they dont offer gift cards. 100% sure. Called them last week

    Are they affiliated with Kumako at Japantown, San Jose? Franchise?

    Yes, Kumako is a family-owned business. I have been to both restaurants. The old Chefs of Kumako now works at the Den!! Everything in their menu is the same. The menu maybe the same, but it tastes different. I like the Den better.

    View All 7 Questions

    Hinodeya - San Jose

    Hinodeya - San Jose

    4.1
    (199 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$

    Went here after coming back from a flight. We arrived around 10pm and it was packed, but we were…read moreseated immediately. The owner was so sweet, I wish I got his name. He kept the room lively in a subtle matter with the gong, not too loud. Inside was nice too, well lit and clean. Service: 10/10, no complaints, where one server lacked another picked up the back end. They all helped each other out to keep a good flow Shishito peppers: 10/10, good flavor and cook, not too spicy, great enjoyable appetizer! Spicy butter corn miso ramen: 10/10, loved that they didn't overdue the butter, very tasty. The wheat noodles have the perfect chew. The broth was nice and rich and the corn, bamboo shots and ramen egg blended everything well. Will definitely be coming back next time I'm in the area! ^_^ My compliments to the chef and the whole team, excellent experience.

    We were out and about and it was late evening Saturday. No meat Saturday. Searching for something…read moredifferent, yelp showed this place. We came into downtown San Jose, beat the parking scene and found something close and free. There could be a line to enter but again we were lucky and got admitted right away. We ordered the veggie (forget which one) with the 4th spicy option. it was not spicy at all. we could have tried the most spiciest but then didn't want to mess the next day up. They have some quirks like banging a drum etc but it's a lively and buzzing place. the ramen broth is also vegetarian and it was awesome. creamy and delicious. definitely going there again.

    Photos
    Bar seating
    Bar seating
    TON of clams!!!
    TON of clams!!!
    Yummy apricot lychee sake...

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    Yummy apricot lychee sake...
    Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

    Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

    4.0
    (3.4k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    this place is super delicious and i can see why a lot of people love to come here, especially if…read moreyou're craving some good ramen after doing a bunch of grocery shopping. it's located inside the mitsuwa marketplace! the lady in the front that takes the orders is so sweet and kind. i've come here a few times already and she's super accommodating and helped me out when i had questions about the food. the ramen itself is super yummy! fyi, the broth is pork based incase that might be significant to you. the broth is also a bit more saltier than my liking, but overall i think the entire bowl complements each other so it's really not a bother to me & i end up finishing all of it hehe. my favorite part of the entire bowl is definitely the slices of meat, i'm not sure how they cook it but it's really really good!! also, once you're done with your meal, please put your dishes on the black push cart next to the garbage can!

    Honestly, I don't get the hype. I ordered the spicy miso ramen. I could've sworn the menu said it…read morecame with 6 pieces of pork, but mine only had 2. Maybe I'm mixing it up with another ramen on the menu. This was my second time here, the first was years ago, and today I was still underwhelmed. The noodles were fresh, chewy, and cooked perfectly, but the broth didn't have enough flavor and topping size were too little. The service was quick for how busy it was though. It's in a food court so for about $17, I expected a little more. Maybe I'm just not a ramen person, but this one didn't do it for me. Next time, I'll try something else on the menu.

    Photos
    Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
    Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
    Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

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    Hinodeya Ramen Bar

    Hinodeya Ramen Bar

    4.4
    (1k reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    Oh! I am delightfully full! The rich umami broth really sets this place apart from others. What I…read morereally like about this place is that one may customize the menu depending on dietary concerns (vegan, lactose-free, shellfish allergens etc.), but however one customizes, the quality is fort-rate. Our party consisted of family and friends who had differing dietary concerns, but we were each able to eat delicious ramen without any worries. We started out with some appetizers - the Karaage Chicken and the Umami cucumber. The chicken had a nice crunch, yet the meat was juicy and tender! Nice! I appreciate the matcha salt that came with the chicken, as it added a little extra flavor to the chicken. And the umami cucumbers were joyfully crisp, with a slightly sweet soy sauce base, the sesame seeds and the bonito flakes on top adding to the umami. I ordered the Sukiyaki Beef Ramen - something unique, and it is not listed on the colorful poster on the door, nor was it listed on the menu card on the table. It caught my eye, though, when I ordered using the QR code. I felt like this was something on a secret menu or something . . . I was in heaven! The sukiyaki beef was tender and flavorful with that sukiyaki sweetness, and it perfectly balanced the saltiness of the broth. Oh, darn! I forgot to take a photo of the bowl of ramen!! Oops! Well, as I mentioned at the start of this review, I was delightfully full at the end, especially since I just could not leave perfectly delicious broth in the bowl. Good enough to drink as a soup! I must say, however, that when this place first opened, I was not impressed. And when I ate here two years ago, I was equally unimpressed. Today, however, I am blown away! Whatever they changed really is for the better. They have found their footing and Hinodeya Ramen Bar has matured into a wonderful place for ramen.

    First time coming here, I love a good ramen…read more Prices are typical for Bay Area ramen shops. A nice selection of different options, though I didn't see anything really exotic like black garlic that you see at speciality ramen places. We ordered the umami Brussel sprouts and shishito peppers as appetizers. I really enjoyed both - they were well flavored and I kept wanting to eat more. Some of the shishitos were a little odd colored though - we wondered what was up with that! They could have been grilled/roasted a little longer in some cases to get that edge-of-burnt touch, but we still very much enjoyed them. As far as the ramen itself, it was fine. As an overall meal, it was pleasing enough. Compared to all the ramen places I've been to, it was mid-tier - not disappointing, but lacked the depth of flavor and umami that makes you want to drink all the broth when you know you definitely shouldn't health-wise. The spiciness was pretty mild, I got the low sodium version, so it wasn't salty. I sampled my daughter's regular sodium (same dish) version, and it may have been a touch saltier, but the lack of flavor depth/layers wasn't just salt thing. It's like the best ramen chefs know how to create an amazing broth to die for, and most places just kind of have a typical flavor that seems to lack the magic of the best broths. So overall, a good experience, but not my go-to ramen place based on my first dining experience here.

    Photos
    Has outdoor seating
    Has outdoor seating
    TAKOYAKI
    TAKOYAKI
    Shisito Peppers

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    Shisito Peppers

    Kumako Ramen Den - ramen - Updated August 2026

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