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Had this place on my list after getting influenced by influencers claiming this place serves the best Vegan ramen. I was in SF one afternoon and decided to kill an hour by waiting in their line. I showed up at 3.10 PM and there was no line, I stood anyway and later the line built up behind me. Place is not the safest, I saw some folks trying to open the parked cars on that street hoping to find one that was unlocked . Not all folks who made it before their 4 PM opening managed to get a table in the first round. The place only seats around 20 people or so and they have a mandatory requirement that each person has to order a bowl of ramen. We got the following *enoki chips: 3/5: salty, limp, greasy to the point of floating in a pool of oil. *vegan tantanmen-2.5/5- disappointed by this one. Had better vegan ramen at several other establishments. The version here has two dominant flavors- extremely smoky and bitter. The kale didn't help as well. The enoki chashu was interesting though, had the texture of meat. *classic toripaitan-4.5/5- this was good and I can see why it got the awards. Had a rich and deep taste of chicken. All the elements helped elevate the bowl. *spicy lamb miso cumin-4/5- the flavors of cumin and lamb just shone through here. If you enjoy the flavor of lamb get this. The fried eggplant was epic in this dish. Overall, not worth the wait, the vegan ramen can be avoided unless you are a vegan. Get the classic toripaitan as that was the best.
Was it worth the line? It depends. Are you catching up with friends? Were you already in the area? If so, sure. We waited an hour for a group of 4, which is somewhat normal in the Bay Area if you want good ramen. Their broths are very creamy. The bowl I got (GKO) was indeed very garlicky. Garlic lovers would love it. The spicy wasn't that spicy even though we did get extra spicy. I did like garnishes they have in the ramen - it's different than the other places.
This place was incredible from start to finish. We kicked things off with the A5 Wagyu nigiri, which was good and very tender, though it didn't quite have that melt-in-your-mouth texture I typically associate with Wagyu. One of the standout appetizers was the spicy enoki chips. They were packed with flavor while still feeling light and crispy. Fair warning--they definitely bring some heat! I love spicy food, and while the spice didn't linger much on my tongue, it definitely had my nose running a bit. My husband ordered the GKO ramen bowl, and it was absolutely loaded with flavor. The garlic-forward broth was rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying. It does get a little heavy toward the end, and you'll probably leave with garlic breath--but it's 100% worth it. I ordered the Spicy Signature Toripaitan ramen, and we were both glad I did. Despite the name, it's not particularly spicy, which was perfectly fine with me. The broth was creamy, flavorful, and comforting without being as rich as the GKO. The duck chashu was incredibly tender, and the oyster mushrooms added a wonderful chewy texture that balanced the bowl beautifully. Add the enoki chips to the broth, you won't regret it! Service was great. We were checked in on frequently and always had a refill when needed which was definitely needed when we ate the enoki chips. At least for my husband anyway. Overall, we absolutely loved the ramen here. Every dish was flavorful, filling, and thoughtfully prepared. We left happy, full, and already looking forward to our next visit.
I saw many were able to park right outside of the restaurant and it is walkable from Union Square. If you are walking and first time SF, the area may feel a little sketchy especially after sundown. I was by myself and wanted to have a quick eat. This place has unique ramen so I decided to come again (also SF/bay area only in the US). Since I was alone, I got to skip the line and only waited 15 minutes. The ramen was great. I would love to come again and try new one. Their duck chashu is SO GOOD. A little salty but works great as a whole. I respect the kitchen and servers because it's so busy and they are very efficient.
My sister and I decided to stop here after watching a show at the Golden Theatre, and it's only really a 10 minute walk, which was nice. Be ready to wait in line if you're not early, the line stretched to the next blocks, but did move pretty fast. The store itself is pretty small but the tables are really close together so a lot of people come in and out, and the workers are super nice and work fast! Random note, the spoons are really big lol so you'll be able to sip a lot of soup at once or pile on the noodles in one bite. The ramen itself was super good, I got the Tori Paitan which I believe is the most popular, and it deserves that recognition! The broth is super rich and heavy, so if you like a lighter broth or clear broth I would not recommend this one, but I personally loved it! Would visit again if I was in the area
I arrived first out of a party of 4 on a Friday night for dinner at Mensho. Other party members arrived between 20-30 minutes after me. When I first got in line, there were 6 patrons ahead of me. Other parties in groups of just two each before and after me got seated first, which was fine, as I was not in a rush while waiting for everyone to arrive, especially after I learned that once my group was seated, regardless if the entire party was present or not, we only had 1 hour to order and finish our meal, so it was better for everyone to be present. Upon entering, we were seated at a large table with a plastic divider between us and the party seated next to us. After only a few minutes, a waitress came by to take our orders, and the food arrived shortly thereafter. It was clear to me they had the ramen assembly line perfected to churn out perfect bowls on-demand. I ordered the spicy vegan tantanmen for something a lil off-script. I really liked the flavor of the broth but thought the protein could be incorporated better, as I really had to dig down to the bottom of the bowl to find additional mushroom, soy bits, and nuts. Overall pretty impressive for a spicy bowl of vegan ramen. Can't say it's the best I ever had, but I wouldn't hesitate to come back and try more of the menu, maybe the dry ramen next time.
Possibly my favorite ramen in SF!? The broth is so rich and flavorful. I love all the toppings on the signature toripaitan ramen, especially the eggs! Seriously perfectly cooked and marinated. There's almost always a line, but it's definitely worth the wait. The place is also super small and location wise it's close to the Tenderloin, but trust me it's worth a visit!
DEFINITELY the BEST ramen I've ever had! I got the vegan GKO ramen and spicy corn ribs/wings. It came out SUPER fast! (Like less than 10 min, so I was in and out in less than 30min total) Now the wait ... I'm just not someone who waits in long lines for food, but I was in the area with my sister and while she was off doing her thing, I had time to kill. I came on a Saturday night around 8:15pm. I waited about 40 minutes before a lady came and asked everyone for their party size. About 5 min later, she came back to let me in since I was only one person. (I can imagine those in front of me probably waited another 20-30 min.) Overall, I'd come back, maybe during the week to enjoy it. I will not wait in line that long ever again, lol.
Pretty expensive ramen but also really good ramen. I came with a friend on a slightly rainy day right at opening. There was a line out the door but we made it into maybe the third round. Seats are really jammed packed and kinda hard to walk around. We got a seat at the very back facing the kitchen. Really good ramen and I love the toppings on it but for this price , it might have to be a splurge place vs a got-to ramen shop.
Dip in quality? I've been here a number of times over the past three years and have always remembered it as an amazing ramen spot. Unfortunately, this most recent visit felt different and left me slightly disappointed compared to my previous experiences Food: - Signature Toripaitan Ramen: Used to be my favorite ramen, but this time it didn't hit the mark. Broth was saltier than I remembered, the pork belly chashu didn't have much flavor, and the noodles were overcooked and soggy instead of having the ideal chewy texture - Enoki chips: Still tasted incredibly crispy and light Service / Ambiance: - Still as popular as always! Be prepared to wait at least an hour, unless you happen to get the first seating at 4pm or 5pm, depending on the day I'll stick with the LA location with its safer surrounding area and shorter wait times
If you're coming to Mensho Tokyo, come for the ramen -- not necessarily the neighborhood. The area itself isn't the nicest part of the city, but once you step inside, the focus shifts completely to the food. We tried the Toripaitan and the GKO ramen, and both were seriously impressive. The Toripaitan had a rich, creamy broth that was super comforting without feeling too heavy. The noodles had the perfect chew, and every bite felt really balanced. The GKO ramen was just as memorable (bold, savory, and packed with flavor). You can tell they put a lot of thought into every component of the bowl. One tip: go early. This place is popular and the line builds up fast. Getting there earlier saves you from a long wait and makes the whole experience way more enjoyable. If you're willing to overlook the surroundings, the ramen here is absolutely worth it.
First time trying this spot and OMG, it's delicious! I know this has been a popular spot for a while, so I'm glad it didn't disappoint. The enoki mushroom chips were fun and flavorful, the A5 Wagyu sushi was delish (how could you go wrong with A5 Wagyu) and the ramen I got was bursting with flavor and simply delicious! I'm coming back to try different bowls, and I wouldn't mind the 45 minute wait again (it goes by fast when you got a friend to catch-up with).
YUMMMM. I don't have ramen often but after coming here I've been craving more ramen. We waited in the long line for about 30-40 minutes. It was worth it! Once we got closer to the front, the host came by to hand us menus so we knew what to order as soon as we were seated. The restaurant is pretty small so the dining experience feels a little hectic. If you're looking for a calm, relaxing place to eat, I wouldn't say this is the place. It's sort of an "in and out" situation. I ordered the spicy G.K.O. So so delicious. The flavors really jump out at you. The broth is so cozy and smooth. The portion was decent and the ingredients felt proportional. My boyfriend ordered the vegan Miso. He's not a huge fan of ramen and he actually finished his bowl. He gave it a big thumbs up.
Waited in line for about an hour. Went by relatively quickly. Ordered a few appetizers. Got the enoki mushroom chips and wagyu sushi. My absolute favorite was the enoki mushroom chips they were perfectly salty and crunchy. The wagyu sushi was okay but not my favorite. Tried a variety of ramens. I got the miso corn butter ramen which was delicious, next time I think adding spice would be better as it was lacking a bit of kick. The lamb miso ramen was delicious I loved the spice added and the broth was unique with the cumin flavor. The shoyu ramen was a classic and very good flavor. Would definitely come by again if you're willing to wait a bit in line. read more
Got the GKO and spicy signature with extra pork chasu. First time here and was expecting to be wowed but both ramen were ok. GKO broth was ok, a little salty maybe because of the other elements on it. Spicy signature broth was a little better. Both meat and egg were tender and good. Also got the enoki chips, salty and was ok. Had a similar taste to salty chipotle tortilla chips. Got here by 3:20pm and had two people ahead of us. Line got long super quick. Staff were attentive and quick with the work flow. Place has limited seating. Bathroom was clean. read more
28 days ago
First of all , I am glad we were to tick this off our bucket list. The line was huge , we went in there around 6:15 and had to wait Atleast for an hr before we were seated. The restaurant mandates you to have atleast 1 bowl of ramen per person. Coming to the ramen, the vegan GKO and the miso ramen , both of them were very good. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it. However the GKO has overload of garlic ( the ingredients already mentions that there are 5 types of garlic). The ambience was nice and the food service was very quick. I would definelty recommend ppl to try this restaurant read more
1 month ago
Had this place on my list after getting influenced by influencers claiming this place serves the best Vegan ramen. I was in SF one afternoon and decided to kill an hour by waiting in their line. I showed up at 3.10 PM and there was no line, I stood anyway and later the line built up behind me. Place is not the safest, I saw some folks trying to open the parked cars on that street hoping to find one that was unlocked . Not all folks who made it before their 4 PM opening managed to get a table in the first round. The place only seats around 20 people or so and they have a mandatory requirement that each person has to order a bowl of ramen. We got the following *enoki chips: 3/5: salty, limp, greasy to the point of floating in a pool of oil. *vegan tantanmen-2.5/5- disappointed by this one. Had better vegan ramen at several other establishments. The version here has two dominant flavors- extremely smoky and bitter. The kale didn't help as well. The enoki chashu was interesting though, had the texture of meat. *classic toripaitan-4.5/5- this was good and I can see why it got the awards. Had a rich and deep taste of chicken. All the elements helped elevate the bowl. *spicy lamb miso cumin-4/5- the flavors of cumin and lamb just shone through here. If you enjoy the flavor of lamb get this. The fried eggplant was epic in this dish. Overall, not worth the wait, the vegan ramen can be avoided unless you are a vegan. Get the classic toripaitan as that was the best. read more
Was it worth the line? It depends. Are you catching up with friends? Were you already in the area? If so, sure. We waited an hour for a group of 4, which is somewhat normal in the Bay Area if you want good ramen. Their broths are very creamy. The bowl I got (GKO) was indeed very garlicky. Garlic lovers would love it. The spicy wasn't that spicy even though we did get extra spicy. I did like garnishes they have in the ramen - it's different than the other places. read more
This place was incredible from start to finish. We kicked things off with the A5 Wagyu nigiri, which was good and very tender, though it didn't quite have that melt-in-your-mouth texture I typically associate with Wagyu. One of the standout appetizers was the spicy enoki chips. They were packed with flavor while still feeling light and crispy. Fair warning--they definitely bring some heat! I love spicy food, and while the spice didn't linger much on my tongue, it definitely had my nose running a bit. My husband ordered the GKO ramen bowl, and it was absolutely loaded with flavor. The garlic-forward broth was rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying. It does get a little heavy toward the end, and you'll probably leave with garlic breath--but it's 100% worth it. I ordered the Spicy Signature Toripaitan ramen, and we were both glad I did. Despite the name, it's not particularly spicy, which was perfectly fine with me. The broth was creamy, flavorful, and comforting without being as rich as the GKO. The duck chashu was incredibly tender, and the oyster mushrooms added a wonderful chewy texture that balanced the bowl beautifully. Add the enoki chips to the broth, you won't regret it! Service was great. We were checked in on frequently and always had a refill when needed which was definitely needed when we ate the enoki chips. At least for my husband anyway. Overall, we absolutely loved the ramen here. Every dish was flavorful, filling, and thoughtfully prepared. We left happy, full, and already looking forward to our next visit. read more
I saw many were able to park right outside of the restaurant and it is walkable from Union Square. If you are walking and first time SF, the area may feel a little sketchy especially after sundown. I was by myself and wanted to have a quick eat. This place has unique ramen so I decided to come again (also SF/bay area only in the US). Since I was alone, I got to skip the line and only waited 15 minutes. The ramen was great. I would love to come again and try new one. Their duck chashu is SO GOOD. A little salty but works great as a whole. I respect the kitchen and servers because it's so busy and they are very efficient. read more
My sister and I decided to stop here after watching a show at the Golden Theatre, and it's only really a 10 minute walk, which was nice. Be ready to wait in line if you're not early, the line stretched to the next blocks, but did move pretty fast. The store itself is pretty small but the tables are really close together so a lot of people come in and out, and the workers are super nice and work fast! Random note, the spoons are really big lol so you'll be able to sip a lot of soup at once or pile on the noodles in one bite. The ramen itself was super good, I got the Tori Paitan which I believe is the most popular, and it deserves that recognition! The broth is super rich and heavy, so if you like a lighter broth or clear broth I would not recommend this one, but I personally loved it! Would visit again if I was in the area read more
I arrived first out of a party of 4 on a Friday night for dinner at Mensho. Other party members arrived between 20-30 minutes after me. When I first got in line, there were 6 patrons ahead of me. Other parties in groups of just two each before and after me got seated first, which was fine, as I was not in a rush while waiting for everyone to arrive, especially after I learned that once my group was seated, regardless if the entire party was present or not, we only had 1 hour to order and finish our meal, so it was better for everyone to be present. Upon entering, we were seated at a large table with a plastic divider between us and the party seated next to us. After only a few minutes, a waitress came by to take our orders, and the food arrived shortly thereafter. It was clear to me they had the ramen assembly line perfected to churn out perfect bowls on-demand. I ordered the spicy vegan tantanmen for something a lil off-script. I really liked the flavor of the broth but thought the protein could be incorporated better, as I really had to dig down to the bottom of the bowl to find additional mushroom, soy bits, and nuts. Overall pretty impressive for a spicy bowl of vegan ramen. Can't say it's the best I ever had, but I wouldn't hesitate to come back and try more of the menu, maybe the dry ramen next time. read more
Possibly my favorite ramen in SF!? The broth is so rich and flavorful. I love all the toppings on the signature toripaitan ramen, especially the eggs! Seriously perfectly cooked and marinated. There's almost always a line, but it's definitely worth the wait. The place is also super small and location wise it's close to the Tenderloin, but trust me it's worth a visit! read more
DEFINITELY the BEST ramen I've ever had! I got the vegan GKO ramen and spicy corn ribs/wings. It came out SUPER fast! (Like less than 10 min, so I was in and out in less than 30min total) Now the wait ... I'm just not someone who waits in long lines for food, but I was in the area with my sister and while she was off doing her thing, I had time to kill. I came on a Saturday night around 8:15pm. I waited about 40 minutes before a lady came and asked everyone for their party size. About 5 min later, she came back to let me in since I was only one person. (I can imagine those in front of me probably waited another 20-30 min.) Overall, I'd come back, maybe during the week to enjoy it. I will not wait in line that long ever again, lol. read more
Pretty expensive ramen but also really good ramen. I came with a friend on a slightly rainy day right at opening. There was a line out the door but we made it into maybe the third round. Seats are really jammed packed and kinda hard to walk around. We got a seat at the very back facing the kitchen. Really good ramen and I love the toppings on it but for this price , it might have to be a splurge place vs a got-to ramen shop. read more
Dip in quality? I've been here a number of times over the past three years and have always remembered it as an amazing ramen spot. Unfortunately, this most recent visit felt different and left me slightly disappointed compared to my previous experiences Food: - Signature Toripaitan Ramen: Used to be my favorite ramen, but this time it didn't hit the mark. Broth was saltier than I remembered, the pork belly chashu didn't have much flavor, and the noodles were overcooked and soggy instead of having the ideal chewy texture - Enoki chips: Still tasted incredibly crispy and light Service / Ambiance: - Still as popular as always! Be prepared to wait at least an hour, unless you happen to get the first seating at 4pm or 5pm, depending on the day I'll stick with the LA location with its safer surrounding area and shorter wait times read more
If you're coming to Mensho Tokyo, come for the ramen -- not necessarily the neighborhood. The area itself isn't the nicest part of the city, but once you step inside, the focus shifts completely to the food. We tried the Toripaitan and the GKO ramen, and both were seriously impressive. The Toripaitan had a rich, creamy broth that was super comforting without feeling too heavy. The noodles had the perfect chew, and every bite felt really balanced. The GKO ramen was just as memorable (bold, savory, and packed with flavor). You can tell they put a lot of thought into every component of the bowl. One tip: go early. This place is popular and the line builds up fast. Getting there earlier saves you from a long wait and makes the whole experience way more enjoyable. If you're willing to overlook the surroundings, the ramen here is absolutely worth it. read more
First time trying this spot and OMG, it's delicious! I know this has been a popular spot for a while, so I'm glad it didn't disappoint. The enoki mushroom chips were fun and flavorful, the A5 Wagyu sushi was delish (how could you go wrong with A5 Wagyu) and the ramen I got was bursting with flavor and simply delicious! I'm coming back to try different bowls, and I wouldn't mind the 45 minute wait again (it goes by fast when you got a friend to catch-up with). read more
2 months ago
YUMMMM. I don't have ramen often but after coming here I've been craving more ramen. We waited in the long line for about 30-40 minutes. It was worth it! Once we got closer to the front, the host came by to hand us menus so we knew what to order as soon as we were seated. The restaurant is pretty small so the dining experience feels a little hectic. If you're looking for a calm, relaxing place to eat, I wouldn't say this is the place. It's sort of an "in and out" situation. I ordered the spicy G.K.O. So so delicious. The flavors really jump out at you. The broth is so cozy and smooth. The portion was decent and the ingredients felt proportional. My boyfriend ordered the vegan Miso. He's not a huge fan of ramen and he actually finished his bowl. He gave it a big thumbs up. read more
This was probably the most flavorful ramen and broth I've ever had. It was a truly a garlic knockout which just how much garlic, oil, and other seasoning that was mixed in. Personally, I really enjoyed the flavor - traditional Japanese ramen broths are more bland, so this was a nice change for the experience. I do think the ramen is a little bit too heavy; slightly less garlic and oil would create for a better experience imo (if I go back, I'd ask for slightly less of each if I could). The dish is also somewhat lacking in meat and lacking in noodles; for $28, I would've liked probably one more piece of chashu and definitely 25%+ more noodles. For the appetizers, the edamame was pretty mediocre, it was just regular edamame and lacked salt. The enoki mushrooms chips were fire though, they have a unique taste for a "fried chip" that I can't really describe but I highly recommend trying it. We waited a little over an hour on a Sunday night; I'd say it was worth it for the first time but I probably wouldn't wait so long again. There is no online waitlist, so everybody is in line. Inside, service is reasonably fast. 4.9/5 read more
5 months ago
My boyfriend and I stopped by Mensho Tokyo after a work event and surprisingly got seated right away. We did have to share a four-top with another couple, but we made it fun and introduced ourselves. By the time we were waiting for our food, a line had formed again, even after 8:15pm at night, so I guess we got lucky with timing. I usually get the G.K.O., which is still my favorite, but it's pretty rich. This time I went with the Spicy Signature Toripaitan Ramen. It had great flavor, just not as much heat as I prefer. I ordered an extra spicy sauce add-on, though it leaned more saucy than fiery. My boyfriend ordered the Chashu Mazemen and really enjoyed it. I thought it was super flavorful. It felt lighter without the broth but still very satisfying. It was very lively in there. Left full and happy. read more
6 months ago
The amount of times I walked past Mensho and there was a line going down the block is almost too much to count. But on a Monday afternoon I was able to beat the rush and finally get to try this place out! And i totally get the hype, this place is amazing. I got a classic ramen, and the broth was so creamy and comforting that I wanted to bottle it up. My friend got the duck matcha and it was so beautiful, if you're a matcha lover you have to try it at least once. The space is small but very reminiscent of spots in Japan, and the service was quick and attentive without breathing down your neck. We also got the enoki chips, a staple and perfect light app before your ramen. I'll for sure be coming back here whenever i see the line isn't insane, but it's worth the wait! read more
I'm still sore about paying $40 for a bowl of ramen, but I think about this place every time I get a craving now. The service is prompt and no-frills, and they have a great beer selection and creative dishes. I make less than $100k/year so I probably won't be back very soon, but every ramen fan in SF should visit Mensho at least once. read more
This is my favourite ramen place in the city (tied with Nojo). I have tried the signature and classic toripaitan as well as the GKO ramen. All their broths are really rich and full of umami so if you prefer lighter broths, this may not be the place for you. I love the collection of ingredients in each ramen and never felt like I need any add ons. I'd also recommend the Enoki! It's really crispy and delicious albeit a bit salty and oily. The only thing I don't like about this place is the seating. It's so cramped in there, they really need a bigger space. A lot of ramen spots in the city are not justified in the cost imo but this one is. If you want a short wait, get there at opening. read more
Nice bowl of ramen, I really enjoyed the hearty broth, fresh noodles, tender duck, soft egg, and crispy topping. There was a small line outside but we only waited maybe 20 minutes and once inside ordering and getting our food was quick. read more
Tried Mensho today, the hypest ramen spot in SF (Michelin recognized). I got there right at 5pm when they opened and there was already a line, so yeah... super popular. I ordered the spicy vegan tantanmen and enoki chips. The ramen honestly wasn't bad at first. They tried to make the vegan broth creamy like a regular meat one, and it actually worked. It had a nutty flavor, rich and tasty in the beginning. But after a few slurps it just got way too heavy for me. Like, overly rich to the point I couldn't eat it anymore. The enoki chashu was supposed to be the highlight I think, but same issue. Too greasy. Lowkey gave me a headache halfway through eating. The enoki chips were also super oily so it didn't really balance anything out. I hate wasting food but I legit couldn't finish it, just too much oil and fat going on. I had to stop after a few bites. Conclusion: Would I go back? Maybe. I'd probably try a meat ramen next time and see if it hits different, but this visit wasn't it for me. read more
Came here on a Saturday night and waited about 1 hour and 15 minutes in a very slow-moving queue. The space is quite small, which likely contributes to the long wait. We had heard a lot about Mensho, so we decided to stick it out. This review is only for the vegan ramen. Once inside, we were seated and greeted by our server. The operation seemed lean--two people taking orders and one helper serving the ramen. We ordered sake, the vegan tantanmen, and the spicy vegan garlic knockout (GKO) with egg. There was a mix-up initially when the helper brought out the signature GKO (non-veg) ramen, but we called our server over and it was corrected promptly. Visually, the ramen looked appetizing. The first few spoonfuls tasted good, likely helped by how hungry we were after the long wait. However, things went downhill after that. The spicy vegan GKO definitely lives up to the "garlic" part of its name. The garlic is done well, but it completely dominates the dish. After a few bites, it became one-note--just intense garlic with noodles and broth. I really wished there were more vegetables to balance the flavors. The corn ribs didn't add much. The ramen also felt quite heavy, and despite the name, it wasn't particularly spicy. The vegan tantanmen was better in comparison, but even that became monotonous after a while. Although it's supposed to have a Sichuan profile, it tasted more like a BBQ-style flavor than the numbing, complex spice I expected. Overall, we did not enjoy the vegan ramen, and for us, it was not worth the long wait. read more
The wait is worth it! It's one of the spots in SF where you'll find a line no matter the time of day and you can expect to wait anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour usually. They have great vegetarian options, with three vegetarian ramens to choose from. The most popular and my favorite is the gko which stands for garlic knockout. For the starters I the really like the spicy corn and fried enoki. Other things to know - require everyone to order at least one ramen each, and they are pretty strict on time spent in the restaurant (because of the lines). Overall a great spot that's definitely worth the wait! read more
Great ramen spot. We started lining up at 3:40pm and were the third group in line, and got seated immediately once they opened. The space inside is pretty small and crowded. Luckily our seats were in the corner with a divider between us and the seats next to us, but you might have to sit next to or across from a stranger. The signature toripaitan ramen was great! I loved the rich and creamy chicken soup and the fresh noodles. The A5 wagyu tantanmen was good as well if you like the tantanmen flavor, and the huge sheet of wagyu melted in your mouth. I also really liked the crunchy enoki chips. I'd skip the Japanese A5 wagyu sushi - I could barely taste the wagyu since the flavor of the sushi rice was too strong. Service was fast and friendly. There was only one bathroom. I think it's definitely worth trying once, but I wouldn't line up 45mins+ for it. read more
TLDR : Creamiest ramen but comes with long wait times! Mensho Tokyo is an amazing option for ramen but be prepared for the wait. The best idea would be to grab a spot around 3.45 just before it opens up. Walking in its an amazing cozy interiors with the smell of hot creamy ramen in the air. Tried the GKO extra spicy and loved it- the creaminess and the garlic kick was absolutely amazing- wasn't too spicy and could've gone a notch higher. The Tori Paitan is just as creamy and delicious. Great experience and wonderful ramen read more
4 months ago
Waited an hour to get seated and I would do it all over again. I love their ramen so much because the flavor is unique, broth is so rich and creamy, eggs were cooked to perfection, topping added a little crunch to the bowl. This place tasted different from your traditional ramen that you can't have anywhere else. Place is very small so expect to be waiting in line. Would come again and again. Thank you. read more
Definitely an authentic ramen spot, all their noodles are freshly made with imported ingredients. This is a tiny space with limited dine in seating, you are going to have to wait a while (we waited around 1.5-2 hours on a Sat evening and we went pretty early). The portion sizes are huuuuge and for my veggie people, they do have three veggie options that you can make spicy as well. I got the spicy tantamen. However the mushrooms were just not hitting and very chewy, but the flavors were great. read more
This is a michelin guide ramen restaurant and I definitely see why! It was so delicious and creamy and this has to be one of my favorite ramens yet. There is very limited seating inside and the wait wasn't too badd when we went!! The garlic edamame was just okay tho but highly recommend the signature Toripaitan & G.K.O with ajima egg!! love love love read more
Came here for dinner. Line wasn't too bad maybe 15 mins. Inside pretty basic seating. Tried the lamb cumin and signature chicken broth ramen. Ramen is the priciest I had ever in the world at $25 for my bowl is no topping addition just spicy. Taste was good, this is a very thick broth with creamy quality so you have to be into that. Noodles are medium thickness. Lamb cumin had a unique flavor I haven't tried before in ramen. Prefer that ovrr signature one. Overall very tasty and good portion. Tried the fried mushroom app which come in bowl full of tiny fried mushrooms, not bad although hard to eat without falling everywhere. Spice was decent on it as well but concentrated at the top where the powder is. Overall good meal minus the price. read more
I've been a fan of Mensho Tokyo in SF for several years now. I've made it a point to always stop by at least once when in the city, either right after arriving at SFO or before heading there to fly out. This year, I finally had the opportunity to visit the original Mensho in Tokyo (photo included) and fulfill the goal of being able to compare the two. I'm happy to report that both experiences are unique, delicious, and truly enjoyable. The menu in Tokyo is designed for the local's palates, daring and fresh with local ingredients. The excitement of being there is an extra ingredient which definitely made everything taste even better. But this review is about San Francisco, and I will admit that I prefer the San Francisco menu and flavor over the one in Tokyo. The Signature Toripaitan Ramen is simply the best Ramen bowl I've had in the USA, and I've had amazing Ramen in New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, etc. The broth is pure perfection, the noodles are the perfect consistency and portion, the aromatics, the textures, the aftertaste, it doesn't get better than this. Do whatever you can to visit and check it out for yourself. Don't be intimidated by the line outside the store, it moves fast and the staff is courteous and moves quick. From a Ramen aficionado to another: you'll be glad you stopped by to eat the best Ramen Bowl in America. read more
1 month ago
During a recent visit to San Francisco my niece suggested this place. We both love ramen. Was the best ramen I've had. Don't let the line discourage you. It's worth the wait! read more
Great ramen spot! The location isn't the easiest to get to, in the middle of the Tenderloin, but once you're in line it's not so bad. The line itself didn't take too long for us, probably 15 minutes or so. For context, we went on a Tuesday around 7pm in October. Both ramens were delicious! I really enjoyed the creamy broth and all the toppings. The meat was so tender, I felt like it was almost melt in your mouth. Big fan of the enoki mushrooms. I love a good crunch, and it was just a pile of crunch. It's nice inside. Tables are a little tight. Sometimes you have to share with other groups, but there is a divider between the groups. There's a seating time limit, but I can see why given how popular they are. read more
10 months ago
This ramen might be one of my favorites. I just love the wagyu beef here! Arrive before they open if you don't want to wait in line. We did just that and made the first seating. Like most ramen restaurants, it's about getting you in and out. You also both have to order a ramen to sit. They also have sake too! The ambiance is very casual bar top height seating with flimsy dividers. It works though. My wagyu ramen was so memorable and satisfying. Nothing else around me mattered as I indulged. The fresh red meat was tasty and the broth was perfect and not super thick or oily like many ramens. It's also packed with noodles and other perfect ingredients. You should also get the wagyu nigiri also. The beef here is just soooo good! They're only open for dinner, unfortunately, but it's worth the journey to downtown. My friend and I ordered the same thing. We left super happy and with a lasting memory! I will absolutely be back! read more
Mensho Tokyo's got that fast-paced ramen shop vibe down -- tight little spot, maybe 20-25 seats total, everyone packed in shoulder to shoulder. It's kinda cool in that sense; reminds me of the ramen joints you find tucked away in Tokyo. But that's kinda where the excitement ends for me. My partner and I ordered the Spicy Signature and the Spicy Miso Butter Corn ramen. The Signature was alright -- good umami broth, chashu, maybe 2 duck slices, bamboo, an Ajitama Tamago, and a bunch of crispy bits..? -- but nothing that blew me away. The Miso Butter Corn, though... yeah, that one missed the mark. It tasted more like a spicy Szechuan noodle dish than ramen. The peppercorn completely overpowered the broth, and that ribbed corn was also an odd choice. I'll give them props for being quick -- we got our bowls within five minutes of ordering -- but $25 for a bowl that's just meh doesn't sit right. Plus, it's right in the outskirts of Tenderloin, so waiting in line outside can get kind of sketchy. Overall, it's a one-and-done for me. We debated on trying this spot and Marufuku, and I think Marufuku does a much better job at a more affordable rate. read more
2 months ago
Probably my favorite ramen place in sf. The broth (even though it's miso) was very rich and buttery. Kinda similar to what you'd get in Japan. Corn was great along with all other toppings. They could add more protein to it, but I'm definitely a fan and will be coming back more. Service was also good and very fast. I like the kitchen counter where you get to see the chefs working it up :) read more
5 months ago
Mensho definitely lives up to the hype! We came here as a party of 5 for Tuesday dinner and had to wait for about 30 minutes. Honestly, the line moves faster than I thought and the service was friendly but super efficient. The restaurant isn't super spacious and you may have to share a tabletop with others though there's a divider in between. The food is definitely worth it however. I was very impressed with the matcha duck ramen. The duck was cooked to perfection and was very tender. The matcha broth started off good but it got a bit off putting towards the end as it was a bit heavier. The fake karaage was also a dish I was super impressed with as someone who doesn't like mushrooms. The texture was pretty decent for what it was and not friend too heavy. Mensho is definitely a must visit in SF if you are a ramen lover, there's very unique flavors and I will for sure be back! read more
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More info about Mensho Tokyo
672 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Lower Nob Hill
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(415) 800-8345
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https://mensho.tokyo
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Ask the Community - Mensho Tokyo
Does the Ramen have MSG?
I think it is unlikely because they get all the glutamatic acid they need from the Kombu and Katsuboshi in the Dashi stock. But I don't know definitively.
Is there a vegetarian option at this place?
Absolutely ! They have various side dishes, such as the egg plant, as well as many of their ramens.
Can they do table for one or is the minimum two people?
Yep they can do 1! I've been there plenty of times solo.
Am I understanding correctly that this place accepts Apple Pay?
I am not completely sure about Apple Pay but you can use tap in any card. High probability for acceptance
Do the vegetarian/vegan ramen contain any MSG?
I do not know, and I do not see anything on the menu
I believe I accidentally left something at the restaurant. Nobody is answering the phone. What's the best way to see if the item is there?
Regrettably, this Ramen shop is currently experiencing a high volume of customers. The most effective method for retrieving your lost item would be to visit the store in person. Ideally, you should do so during their opening hours.
Do you have gluten free and dairy free options?
We do not have gluten free options, but we do have dairy free options.
Is the enoki chips vegan?
Yes, the Enoki Chips are 100% vegan. We have two fryers in the kitchen, one fryer is dedicated exclusively to vegetables.
Does your vegan ramen broth contain mushrooms? i am allergic to mushrooms
Yes, there are shiitake mushrooms in the soup. Very sorry
Can you make any of your ramen not spicy, say the GKO ramen?
No as the broth is made in large pots already.
Aré you still closed every Monday. Updated hours say you're open?
We are now open seven days a week. Thanks!
Are you open on thanksgiving 11/24?
No, we are not open on Thanksgiving this year. This year we will be closed on 11/24, 12/25 and 1/1. Otherwise open every day. Thank you
Do u offer takeout now?
No, we do not offer take-out at 672 Geary Street. If you want take-out, you can order from our 2nd location: Jikasei MENSHO at 1355 Market Street. Thank you
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Mensho Tokyo - ramen - Updated August 2026
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