Amazing food. Why do people still go to Underbelly for ramen? If you live in this area you have to go here instead. Underbelly is like the McDonald's of ramen and Nozaru is the In-n-Out. We just had Underbelly a couple weeks ago. Their chicken kaarage was dry and the ramens were too oily and bland. I was nervous to try another ramen place in the same part of SD. Here I ordered the chicken katsu curry and it was fire. Best Japanese style curry I've had since Cocos. My partner got the Tokyo chicken ramen and she loved it. I had a sip of the broth and it was much better than Underbelly's. I want to go back there specifically for ramen next time. Service was okay. [[HIGHLIGHT]]But the place is super cute.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] (Her words, not mine.) read more

Had dinner with a friend here on a Wednesday night, and the place wasn't packed, we were able to get seated very easily. There's no parking lot, only street parking which can be difficult especially at night. We had the gyoza dumplings which were average, and I had the black heights ramen, both of which were just ok. The bacon was an interesting part of the ramen, giving it some smoky flavor, but to be honest takes a lot away from the authenticity of traditional Japanese ramen. The pork belly was decent though, soft, a little fatty, and not dry. The black garlic added some extra flavor, and the corn added some crunch as well. Overall not my go-to ramen place, but it's worth giving a try after a night out for drinks. read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Black Heights - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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Just always a good experience here. It doesn't matter if it's dine in or takeout. The food is always great service friendly and let's face it soup = happiness. I get the spicy heights every time my husband does the tonkotsu heights. We switch up appetizers and sushi on occasion and have never been dissatisfied. In fact writing this updated review makes me believe we should go there this weekend. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant itself is a bit small but it's so cute.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] And they are fast with takeout orders. read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Nozaru - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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NOZARU RAMEN BAR @ NORMAL HEIGHTS Parking is street-only, but honestly, it wasn't too bad. I was able to find a spot within a couple of minutes. I did come on a weekday, which definitely made it easier, and the parking was free. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I absolutely loved the inside of this place. I wish I had taken more photos, but they have beautiful pink lanterns hanging from the ceiling that make the space feel so warm and inviting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, but it's very cozy, cute, and has such a great vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff were super friendly, and the service was attentive throughout our visit. My friends and I all ordered ramen bowls. I got the classic Tonkotsu Ramen, which was around $16, pretty standard pricing for ramen. Overall, I really enjoyed it. The noodles were cooked perfectly, the pork was flavorful, and the bok choy was delicious. The only reason I'm knocking off a star is because it leaned a bit on the saltier side. I wish there were a low-sodium option (unless there is one and I just wasn't aware), and I also would've loved a few more slices of pork. That said, the ramen was still really good, and I would definitely recommend stopping by, especially for the atmosphere. I'd come back again for the environment and to give it another try, hopefully with a low-sodium option next time! read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Quaint and casual place that not only serves great ramen, but also sushi.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Since the place is small, the wait can be a bit long. Ramen is flavorful and right amount of spice. We wanted a bit of everything, so we shared the ramen and 2 sushi rolls, and it was the perfect portion for the both of us. read more

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FOOD: Black heights (4.5/5) Tonkatsu (4.5/5) Broth is very flavor and the pork belly just melts in your mouth. Back then, my go-to was Tajima when they only had 2 restaurants. Ever since they expanded, the quality of their ramen went down. Nozaru is one of my favorite ramen places. I wish they had more HH options like half a roll for 1/2 the price or something close to that. SERVICE: The staff is always friendly. If you mention that you live nearby, then you get a neighborhood discount. AMBIANCE: [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is small and cozy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I don't recommend going when it's busy. But come after lunch or dinner and you will not be disappointed[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. PARKING: Street parking only. read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

I absolutely love this ramen spot. I go here way too often and I'm constantly craving it because it's just that yummy. Staff is attentive and very kind. read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Cute decor - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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I visited Nozaru Ramen on a Saturday evening. I was surprised that it was not busy. I was warmly greeted by Yesenia. I informed her that I had never had ramen. I asked her opinion. She suggested I go with the Tokyo chicken or Tonkotsu Heights. I went with her suggestion, which was the latter. I also ordered the pork gyoza. Deep fried at Yesenia's suggestion. Both came out very quickly and at the same time. The gyoza came with a spicy mayo which was a great complement. I enjoyed it a lot. The Tonkotsu Heights was a hefty portion. The ramen was nicely cooked. I just wish it was a bit warmer. I could imagine eating this when you are sick or are nursing a killer hangover. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Inside the restaurant seats approximately thirty people among seven tables. Outside there is a tiny patio that can seat six.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The seats could be a little more comfortable especially for people with larger hips. I did appreciate that there was a back to the seat.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] As the night lapses, I was also helped by Kelsey. Sheree tag teamed with Yesenia. They made a good team. Excellent service. Both waitresses checked in on me. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There was great classic rock music playing. It wasn't too loud but high enough that you jive with it. Police, the Byrds, Phil Collins, Tom Petty.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I will definitely be returning. read more

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Seriously most incompetent and rude staff I've ever encountered. They might actually be racist too. The hosts did not greet or even acknowledge me when I came up to the counter. When I finally got ahold of somebody, the guy gave me the most insane attitude ever, wrote me down as takeout even though I asked to sit inside. I wasn't offered water once while sitting down, meanwhile everybody else sitting had! Food comes out, its the smallest bowl of ramen you've ever seen, with a slice of pork the size of my ear. The chicken karage was burnt and simply awful too. I get that it's a busy weekend rush, but that's never a good reason to treat somebody with such a lack of respect. Save your energy and $40 on somewhere with better service and food, because this place isn't it. read more

It's a must visit! The vegan ramen is delicious!!! Been here twice and love it every time! My bf was a little disappointed at the ramen burrito, he said it was a bit dry and lacked flavor and he's just going to stick to the ramen which is always delicious. The servers are always really nice. read more

This was my first time ever trying ramen at a restaurant because I've never been able to find Gluten Free options until now! Most of the dishes could be gluten free with a noddle substitute. I tried the Tokyo Chicken ramen which had bok choy, corn, green onion, chicken, and egg. The broth was flavorful and warming. I was so excited to be able to eat here. I can't wait to come back and try more flavors. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was super cute with indoor and outdoor seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Tokyo Ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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No tree nuts on site! Safely enjoyed the teriyaki chicken and rice, kids ramen, Tokyo chicken ramen, vegan heights ramen, and takoyaki. Flavor was amazing on all dishes, quick service, and very accommodating when I asked a million questions. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Environment was also a 10/10.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

This is a good local ramen spot in Normal Heights. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Cute decor and cozy place to visit, especially on a cold evening.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I came here recently with a friend around 5pm for dinner on a Saturday evening and it wasn't crowded.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They do happy hour specials from 4-6pm everyday, so I got a draft beer for 5.50 while waiting to order. I tried their Black Heights with chicken breast chashu, which was so good. This is their ramen with black garlic oil which is my favorite for any ramen dish! Loved the broth and the texture of the noodles. The chicken was very tender as well. Aside from ramen, they offer a good selection of appetizers, and sushi too. This place isn't my number one pick for a ramen spot in San Diego, but for convenience and wanting a more fusion-like atmosphere and food, Nozaru does the job. Service was very friendly and fast. Parking can be tricky in the area - I recommend walking if you live nearby, or taking public transit as the 11 stops very close to it. read more

One of my favorite places on the Avenue!! Such great food and the people are so down to earth. We usually get edamame to start, Black Heights if it's ramen night, or Spicy Reese/Chronic Town combo if it's sushi night. Love it all but those have become our standard orders :) read more

the poke here is SOO GOOD!!! granted ive only been to 2 other places but i always crave this place again! [[HIGHLIGHT]]i love the atmospheres.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] when i was drunk [[HIGHLIGHT]]the posters in the bathroom made me laugh so thats a plus.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] no parking area / street parking but this place is amazeballs i love u nozaru read more

The ramen burrito was extremely delicious. This was definitely comfort food and filled me up! Service was quick and friendly. A very well rounded experience. read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Ramen burrito - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

SUPER cute place with great decor. It's small, intimate, yet cozy. I was instantly excited to try the ramen but they had so many other great options it was hard to choose! I thought I knew what I wanted, but the more I looked at the menu and the photos, my mind kept changing. I asked the server their favorite dish and it was the Chicken Ramen and a spicy bomb on the side, for a small upcharge. First off - the spice bomb is SOO spicy! I really only needed a little bit, which was great because I took the rest home and have used it my cooking or other take out dishes. The chicken ramen was full of corn and greens and a perfectly soft boiled egg. This dish was SO good. Deep flavors in the dish and it was a perfect size. We also ordered some of their house fries which were perfectly crisp and covered in delicious toppings. I love this place and I'll definitely be back. read more

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Came in with the kiddos. It's a small little place, with a few tables & bar heights ones as well. It was small, but not packed. We were given menus& a few mins. I ordered the Adam's Fries, 2 Cali Rolls, Tonkatsu Heights (w/ chicken& mostly plain for my picky eater), &the Donkey Kong. Everything was good. The broth in both ramens were rich&savory. I think they could've used a lot more spice for the Donkey Kong though. There was a little "spice bomb" but it was literally little. So if you like spicy, I was ask them to amp it up a bit. The fries weren't really anything I could remember, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't mind blowing. read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Chicken Tonkotsu Heights without garnish - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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We were attending a concert in the area and wanted to grab a bite to eat. The place is small and very cozy. Our server acknowledged us when we walked in and helped clear a table for us to sit. Service was great, fast response and the food came out fast. The ramen was so good, i got it medium spice level which was good next time I will be going a level up! The appetizers were 10/10..the fries were my favorite. They have a really good happy hour too i am coming back for sure to try more items! read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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Got the crunchy roll It was ok. Nothing great. Average. Not the best place but far from the worst sushi place I've been. Service was good. read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Crunchy roll - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

When you can't decide between ramen or sushi, Nozaru offers it all! Menu is concise offering a variety of choices for those who are indecisive (aka me). Their Monday special is what really sold us - deals on all special rolls & crunchy roll. We got the spicy garlic edamame, crunchy roll, chronic town roll & tonkatsu heights ramen. All satisfied the ramen/sushi craving I had. However, disappointed that the ramen only comes with one piece of pork belly. Really skimped out on that! Otherwise, quick friendly service. I look forward to going back! read more

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The service here was super quick & my water was never empty, so you know they were on it! [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a small space but they turn tables pretty fast so if there's ever a wait, I wouldn't worry too much.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was so good, would definitely come back. read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

Yum! Ordered the chicken Tokyo ramen and it was great. The broth was really flavorful, plenty of toppings, and the noodles were perfectly chewy (even through delivery). Would order again! read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Seaweed Salad - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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I tried the Black Heights ramen and enjoyed how flavorful the Broth was. The pork belly was cooked perfectly and the portion size was great for the price. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere was filled with fun decorations to create a whimsical vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I don't live in this area but would come back just to try another dish. read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Menu - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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Let's start with our waiter, who was working the front by himself. He was super attentive, friendly and his customer service was beyond amazing. He was extremely knowledgeable when it came to the entire menu and suggested items based on dietary restrictions. Once we received our food it became pretty busy and he still had a great attitude towards everything. We found this place through a Yelp search, cute small restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. We opted for the lunch special (1 simple ramen, chicken karaage and gyoza) which was around $18, a sushi roll, Adam's fries and their popular spicy ramen (I added corn and bok choy), 2 drinks total was around $90. The price was definitely reasonable considering how much we ordered and the portion size. read more

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Came back again and still so yummy! Came in at 6 pm and was seated right away. Ordered the tonkatsu heights and karaage and still delicious. Generous portions as well :) service was very fast and was in and out in ~45 minutes. I recommend coming early for parking especially bc there's so many little pop up flea markets and other things going on in the area. read more

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Tucked away in university heights, this is a yummy neighborhood spot for ramen, rice bowls and even sushi! There's about 10 tables and 1 community table! It's pretty quick turnaround so don't be discouraged if you have to wait for a table. I especially enjoyed the chicken karaage with the lemon ranch and spicy mayo! read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Tonkatsu - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

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Amazing service, quick and friendly. The food was good and happy hour has bomb options and great prices. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's such a cute place with both inside and outside seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Adams Fries - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

First parking is terrible. Once you get in though, it's a cute shop with very Japanese food displays outside to show you what you're going to be getting. We tried: Pork gyoza Garlic edamame Chicken katsu curry Tonkotsu heights ramen with pork belly Tokyo chicken with chicken The standout by far for me was the tonkotsu ramen. I saw people raving about the chicken broth with chicken, and while the broth was nice and light, the chicken was dry. The tonkotsu on the other hand was rich, creamy, and the pork belly was the perfect amount of melt in your mouth! I just wish they gave you more! The soft egg was delicious too! The gyoza was just ok, my mom makes better. The garlic edamame was very garlicky so beware. My dad would love it. The katsu curry wasn't anything to write home about but solid. Staff was really nice, decor is cute, service is fast. We enjoyed our meal! read more

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Ordered this ramen via Grubhub, & it was still piping hot by the time it got to me! Hands down one of the quickest deliveries I've had through Grubhub. I ordered the Donkey Kong ramen & it was absolutely delicious. The broth itself was on the oiler side, but that's to be expected when you have so many different types of meat. The sliced thick cut pork could have had more meat, it was about 50/50 in comparison for the meat to fat ratio. When it came to the brisket? Cooked to absolute perfection. There was enough to finish it all In one setting. Next time I'll be sure to order extra noddles because I had quite a bit of broth to drink afterwards! I'll have to also try them out in person. If the delivery was this good I can only IMAGINE how much better it is in person! read more

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Delicious ramen, nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Ordered the spicy ramen and since we were there on a Thursday got to chose an extra topping for free, I chose bok Choi and it was great. Definitely down as a spot I'll frequent for ramen. read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Spicy ramen - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

Came in starving after walking around all day at comic con and it hit the spot! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was small but had a fun Japanese vibe, luckily we beat the dinner rush so we were able to get seated right away.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff was welcoming and friendly and food came out pretty quickly. I ordered a roll that had seared salmon on top, delicious! My boyfriend tried the Japanese curry with chicken katsu. Chicken was perfectly crispy and tender, so much flavor! Def will be back to try the ramen! read more

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Average all the way around. Tonkatsu was more salty than flavorful. Pork belly was actually quite good but you get only one slice.

If you're looking for an authentic ramen experience, this ain't it. If you want a spot for fusion ramen, poke bowls, burritos, etc - this could be your spot. Love that they've got a special on most weekdays. Gives the sense of community for sure. Personally, not a spot I'd be rushing to go to for ramen again. However, if I were already in the area (conveniently parked) and wanted a fun spot for an appetizer/beer, I might stop by again. read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

Novaru Ramen Bar was an experience. Mostly the bowl of ramen I ordered. Sunday at around 1400, empty but slowly people trickled in. I believe this place deserves more recognition. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Staff Service /Cleaniness: 5/5 The host was very attentive and ready to assist. And my Ramen order came to my table under 5 minutes. The tables were very clean, the A/C or fan was nice and cool, and the art on the walls were fun and new.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Ramen: I ordered the Black Heights with extra soft boiled egg and extra noodles. Presentation: 5/5 the bowl as a whole looked complete and hardy. The ramen noodles when I ordered extra were in the bowl and not on the side. Every time the noodles are on the side and I try to add them in the flavor is lacking. They did not skip out on the amount. The noodles reached the toppings and I devoured them all. The broth was hardy, robust, and in your face. The toppings; eggs very creamy and nice saviory taste (cold when on top but I understand to keep them fresh, I just dunked them into the broth) Ear wood mushroom had a perfect chewiness to them but also kept its crunch. Noodles kept the hardy broth flavor. The fat on the double pork belly melted away and using the chopsticks on the pork belly the meat broke apart (amazingly tender). And last the bacon bits, the American in me loved the additional hardiness of this. As a whole it made sense to me. Every bite was continued observation of something different, trying to recognize familiarity of other ramen shops, but holding its own uniqueness. I definitely want to come back and check in the other options. read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Black Heights Ramen with extra soft boiled egg and noodles. - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

The food is always amazing! It's always a banger after banger when I order, I've tried almost all the menu items. They are all delicious, favorite currently are the- Black Heights ramen bowl, the Chicken Katsu rice bowl, the Curry is amazing! I have a lot of favorites from here. The staff are very nice, they get your order down and let you know what light or heavy if you have preference for your current mood. The decor in the place is mellow and warm. The wall art is cute and vibrant, very atmospheric. As a local this is always my go-to place when walking Adams St. in the weekend nights when I want to go a lone night out. Give this place some love when you are looking for a place to both have a drink and get some grub. read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Chicken Chiken Katsu Bowl - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

The chicken was very poor in quality and extremely bland--almost reminiscent of a plant-based substitute rather than real chicken. The fries tasted like generic frozen fries. The sushi was lukewarm....The edamame was decent, but overall the experience was disappointing. This restaurant is inconsistent and, considering the price point, does not deliver the level of quality expected. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's frustrating to see trendy establishments prioritize aesthetics over food quality.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Nozaru Ramen Bar - Karage - Ramen Near Me - San Diego, California

Heard a lot about Nozaru Ramen and being a huge ramen fan, had to try it out for myself. It's a very small shop, only a few tables so it does feel pretty crowded at times. We managed to get lucky and snag a table, service was very fast and efficient. They have weekday specials which are really fun as well as a ramen burrito. The ramen I found tasty but nothing super special. The noodle texture wasn't to my liking but still yummy overall. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]The food and atmosphere here is very good.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I love that they have ramen and sushi as well as some other good options for apps and small plates. Great staff. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great vibe![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Love it. read more

My favorite ramen spot in San Diego. Their broth is soooo good and homemade. Miso is amazing, tonoksu heights, and angry ape are all delicious. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Cozy, close knit, and great for dates.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Always super helpful when placing take-out orders. read more