One of the best spicy ramen I've tasted. Came here for lunch with my classmates and there was no wait time at all. There was lots of indoor seating and outdoor seating. The outdoor seating is covered so we weren't getting slightly rained on and they also have outdoor heating if necessary. I got their spicy ramen and it was just the perfect amount of spiciness to it. Enough to get me sweatin but not enough to burn my tongue and make me stop eatin. At first I was skeptical about this ramen joint in Tucson but you know what, their food definitely changed my mind! If I'm ever in the area again I would definitely hit up this place to try out their other ramen. read more

Raijin Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

We finally had the opportunity to try this place. We live too far to come here. Definitely busy and had great ambiance to the place. The bathrooms were super clean so that's a great start! Alright so upon entering we saw a party waiting for seating so we figured there was wait. Guess what? Nope! Table for two open. We both got the red spicy chili Tonkotsu. I love and I mean loooove spicy stuff. So don't let people's reviews fool you that this is spicy. It's definitely not mild. I would rate the spiciness 2/5....so that was perfect for my significant other. I thought it was a great base...I always try it and sip it and appreciate before adding extra spice. So it was definitely delicious! The pork slice was a healthy serving and the flavors blending so harmoniously. I was definitely happy and satisfied. The best Ramen I've had in Tucson so far. Down side :-(. Only reason I'm giving it 4 stars as opposed to 5. SERVICE! Slow and never got a refill on our drinks or was even offered a refill. Definitely recommend trying it for the experience and better ramen place in Tucson. read more

Raijin Ramen - Red spicy chili Tonkotsu. Delicious ! Definitely worth the try! - Ramen Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The vegetarian ramen is the best but you can't go wrong with any of them. My favorite Ramen in Tucson

A very disappointing experience at a new spot I'd been longing to try for quite a while. The ramen is slightly above average, the menu is well done, but the service is truthfully the worst I've ever experienced anywhere in Tucson, bar-none. When we first arrived, we noted the line outside to get in, which we thought was an indication of how great this place is. Oddly, as others have noted, you really are waiting in line to get your name on the list and then despite your name being on the list, you still wait in line to get your seats. It's the most bizarre system I've ever seen. We witnessed several groups of people confusedly try to walk inside just to be shooed out and told to wait in line. Several parties came up to us in line and asked us how the process works and we saw at least two groups just leave out of confusion and frustration. They have a sign on their door (written quite unprofessionally, might I add) that directly addresses the complaints about this absurd system here on Yelp. They insist that their way of doing things enables them to serve their customers better. In reality, it just confuses people. If you are going to do a list, then let people put their name on the list and wait around outside until their name is called. This is how most restaurants do business. Unfortunately, this trend of "we know better than our customers" is a constant thread throughout this place. From the menu, which has a cheeky but slightly condascending tone that describes how to "properly" eat ramen, to the host who honestly (not jokingly) asked us if our water bottle was actually vodka, to the owner, who tried to force my friend to pay for the most bland bowl of chicken broth I've ever tasted because "that's what chicken tastes like". Which brings me to the food. I really like the variety on their menu. It's just big enough to provide a nice selection without being overwhelming. They have a great variety of Japanese beverages, both alcoholic and non, which are priced reasonably at about $7-$8 average for the spirits. The ramen is more expensive than most places and the quality, in my opinion, does not justify the higher price. I went with their best-seller, the Tonkotsu. The pork-based broth had a decent garlic flavor and the noodles were perfectly tender. That said, however, it didn't blow me away like I expected for the price. The karaage we ordered was also quite a disappointment. It was, as others have noted, extremely dry and didn't have that perfect crispiness and bit of heat that you'd expect from good karaage. Finally, my friend ordered the chicken ramen and after his first bite and immediate reach for condiments, I knew he didn't like it. I tasted it and boy was bland an understatement. It tasted as if a chicken breast had been boiled in water and then poured into a bowl with nothing added. When he complained, he was told by the host that since he'd already tasted it, he'd have to pay for it regardless. After I mentioned how absurd that was, he proceeded to explain how chicken tastes like this (bland). We asked to speak to the owner and after much of the same absurdity, she finally agreed to have it switched out for Tonkotsu. After this experience, I can't say I recommend Raijin Ramen. You'll wait in line for a very long time just to put your name onto a list that ultimately serves no purpose. You'll pay a bit more than most for ramen that is just average and if you make the mistake of ordering the chicken ramen, you might end up having to pay for a bowl of bland broth that you didnt enjoy simply because you tasted it. Kelly, our server, was the only saving grace. She was friendly, attentive, and frankly, far too talented for this establishment. I don't imagine this business lasting long if they continue to outwardly ignore customer feedback. 2 stars. read more

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We came to Raijin on a Sunday night for dinner to celebrate a good friend's promotion. Parking was limited and most patrons had to find parallel spots on the street. Our party had to wait outside in line but were called in within 15 minutes to wait on the inside benches. We were seated shortly after that in a comfortable booth that accommodated 4 easily, but anymore would have been a stretch. We were started with waters and deliciously fruity chu hi drinks (Japanese soju highballs with surprisingly high alcoholic content). After browsing other Yelp reviews, I knew I wanted to try many of their appetizers so I ordered takoyaki, karaage, fried octopus, and gyoza to share. Everything came out very quickly and piping hot. The fried dishes were perfectly crunchy and golden. The gyozas was bathed in dumpling sauce but was somehow still crispy. Entrees also arrived quickly and were very hot. I ordered the black garlic tonkotsu. Presentation was gorgeous and the serving was generous. It came with bamboo, half of a soft boiled egg, and a thick slice of pork, all topped with black edamame seeds. The garlic in the broth was not overpowering and all flavors were excellent complements. I would dare say the food was Los Angeles-caliber good. Service was fast and friendly. The price was very reasonable. Four appetizers and four ramen entrees came out to about $110. Overall, this is hands down the best ramen in Tucson and I highly recommend bookmarking Raijin Ramen! read more

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Thought I reviewed already! A very nice stop! Super friendly hostess and a wonderful memory. Very welcoming! A nice treat. Busy! Be prepared to wait a bit. We waiting about 10 minutes. Ordered calamari and soup (Tonkotsu). Both delicious. Calamari was light and fresh. A nice dipping sauce. Just real good. The soup was deep in flavor. I did not want to stop eating. Very nice. Egg nice piece of pork, pickled ginger, etc. there is a pre mixed salt and pepper you can add as well as assorted dried pepper. Clean! Busy! Community tables and some more private tables. However no table is really private. It just means there are 12" between them. Poor parking. read more

Really good ramen at Raijin Ramen and the service is quick and capable. The 3 star rating is for two reasons 1) Pricing. I feel like the price is a little too high. Ramen selections run between $11 and $12 and I'd be happier with prices $3-$4 cheaper. 2) They do NOT make any of their noodles. I had the Spicy Tonkotsu - beautiful dish with fresh ingredients and a medium spice. The piece of pork in the dish is delicious, I just wish there was a little bit more of it. My guy had the Black Roasted Garlic Tonkotsu. I will say that he was a good sport because this is SO not his thing. But he enjoyed his ramen and ate every bit of it. We enjoyed an order of gyoza. Very, very good. Perhaps my ramen vision is skewed a little. I've had the freshest, best (and extremely reasonably priced) ramen ever in Honolulu and watched as the noodles were made right in front of me. I guess I expected a similar experience at Raijin. read more

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came for a quick lunch break on a time crunch & i had a delicious lunch with perfect timing!

All food here are delicious, my daughter's favourite is the charsiu pork bowl, and my son's is the miso ramen. Service are good, the problem is just the parking and the place is small. read more

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Amazing food and quick friendly service. This is wonderful west side place for a great bowl of ramen!

I want everyone to know about this place but at the same time the more people who know the longer I'll have to wait to get a table lol. I crave the gyoza and I mean I CRAVE it. My husband and I have both spent a lot of time in Japan and this is the only comparable ramen place I've been to in pretty much the whole south west. They do such a great job with flavors and not making it too heavy. I would go here every night if I could. I've brought all my friends and family here and they all have gotten addicted to it too!! Staff is extremely friendly, great location. Much like the other reviewers said, the restaurant is extremely small so you'll likely have to wait but not for long. Hopefully they make enough to add other locations or get a new building close by. Hands down my favorite restaurant in Tucson. read more

Raijin Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I love everything about this place. The service, the food and when I come in with my whole family and messy/loud children they are very patient and accommodating. read more

Rajin Ramen has some legit ramen. I would definitely recommend Rajin Ramen to family and friends. I've tried Rajin twice and now that I have figured out some of their strange policies I would return. My first time in here I didn't realize that YOU HAVE TO SPECIFY WHAT KIND OF NOODLES YOU WANT. Not a big deal if you know about it but if you don't you'll end up with a big bowl of soba noodles and disappointment. Other than the weird soba noodle thing the ramen was great. The broth was on point and was bursting with flavor and the protein included was a good cut as well. Very happy with all that. Something else I noticed is they won't do any carry-out orders unless you're physically present which is wildly inconvenient especially when coupled with the fact that they won't separate the noodles from the broth. So either dine in or enjoy soggy noodles. I must say even with some of their strange policies, the ramen is definitely worth it. I will definitely return. I really just wanted to make clear that this ramen is awesome and to talk about some of their policies. They definitely impacted my experience but I do believe by spreading awareness that hopefully others can have less issues and just enjoy! read more

Raijin Ramen - Spicy Tonkatsu w/out seaweed and onion - Ramen Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

best ramen in the city by like 5-600 yards, rich flavorful broth (all tonkotsu's especially), excellent noodles boiled to perfect consistency and good chashu and other variety of add ons. resonate with the noodle refill option as well as soothing staff. good vibes, great for a hangover with a little asahi and go to spicy tonkostu. gold standard, makes me feel good inside. read more

Took my wife on a date here, she had the seafood ramen and I had the spicy pork ramen and the pot stickers and it was great. Service was excellent read more

Amazing! Our group had the umami ramen, mapo spicy ramen (limited time flavor), and pork yakisoba. Everything was delicious! The umami broth was rich and flavorful. The pork was well cooked and sweet. The yakisoba had a unique almost cinnamon flavor. The waiters were super welcoming and helpful in making our selections. Thank you! read more

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I love the spicy creamy pork ramen here. I always get it with double meat and some fried chicken on the side. The broth is really good. It's all about the broth. read more

Dinner with my former students and their family. We are all stuffed. Only complaint I have? Hot sake. Not the hot sake I prefer. Other than that, this place is worth it. read more

Raijin has the best ramen in town! Prices are reasonable especially for serving sizes, and services is always great.

My boyfriend and I were in Tucson for the holidays. We started craving a hot bowl of ramen because of the cold weather outside. Decided on this place and was shocked to see how many people were inside for a holiday weekend. Tried the Red Tonkotsu with a side of cucumbers. The broth wasn't too spicy and I like that the level of spice did not take over the whole bowl. Enjoyed eating all the toppings too. And what I love the most, is the menu displays instructions on how to correctly eat Ramen. Worth checking out if you are ever in Tucson. read more

Raijin Ramen - Menu - Ramen Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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The food is good with a nice portion of ramen and the toppings/such BUT if you have a nut/seed allergy.. the only thing you can basically order is the veggie ramen.. because 99% of their menu is mixed with sesame oil... and they didn't seem like they didn't want to help substitute with other options.. the waiters were nice and polite. No major complaint about them.. I just wish they were a wee bit more attentive but they were great otherwise! We definitely enjoyed the food and our time read more

Raijin Ramen - Kiddo friendly chop stick helper - Ramen Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Because we used to live in New Jersey we know good Ramen, and also we went to Japan and experienced it first hand there, so let me just say that Raiijin Ramen is the closest thing to being back in Tokyo slurping your traditional Ramen in a little joint near the train station (in Tokyo) The wait can be quite long, this is just to prove how good they are, pick a time before or after peak hours and you should be fine. Their food is worth the wait anyway!!!! read more

I read about this nice little restaurant on the visit Tucson website. On a cold night last Thursday, my husband and I decided to try this restaurant when we found out they have a chicken broth, sea food broth and veggie broth options (pork broth happens to be the base for most ramen dishes). I was aware of the fact that the line is always out the door but I didn't expect it on a week night too. We stood in line. Basically, everyone stands in line outside. Someone from the restaurant comes out every once in a while and takes down people's names. We were in line for about 10 minutes before we were asked for our details to add us to the wait list. Once they were about ready to seat us, our name was called and we entered and sat in the wait area at by the restaurant entrance. We then sat down. We had waited for about 20-30 min before we were seated, not too bad. The main menu options looked really good with the veggie broth options on the main part of the menu. The chicken and seafood options however were on the side of the menu, and when I asked what the difference was, the waiter informed us that those were the less popular items. My husband ordered the veggie ramen and I ordered the seafood. The menu explains the "rules" of eating ramen which I thought sounded pretty funny! The food came out pretty quick and it was piping hot. I added some soy sauce to my dish, I felt it needed salt. The seafood ramen was pretty good. The squid was over cooked so it was rubbery but everything else tasted pretty good. My husband enjoyed his ramen too. His broth tasted like mushroom broth and the veggies were cooked nicely. This was the perfect meal on such a cold night. The prices are average, not too expensive. Service is very good and quick. Place is clean and organized although pretty small. It's a very popular place at the moment so if you don't mind standing in line for 20-30 min, it's a good place to try! read more

Raijin Ramen - Seafood ramen - Ramen Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I have been anticipating the opening of this restaurant ever since I saw the sign go up on Speedway last year. The ramen is decent. They say it's all in the broth, and the broth is, well, okay. For my taste, it was really too salty. I did try both the plain white Tonkotsu and the spicy Tonkotsu. They serve thinner straight noodles in the Tonkotsu, but I asked to sub for the curly thicker noodles. They did this with no issues. The toppings were a bit meager, with just a single thin slice of pork, half a soft boiled egg, a few tender bamboo slices, and some onions and seaweed. It's neat that you can buy extra dry noodles for a few bucks to supplement your leftover broth. The service was friendly, and they were fairly organized considering it was the opening week. I was confused about the line out the door. It seemed like a first-come-first serve line, but it's actually the line you wait in after you go up to the host and write your party size/name down. So not really a line. The wait on Saturday dinner was about 35 minutes, so not that bad. I think I will be back once the hype (and line) dies down. The ramen was good, but it will be more of a place where I get my ramen quick fix rather than I place I find myself craving. A solid 3 star place, but giving an extra star since it is brand new and I'm sure, still working out the kinks. read more

Raijin Ramen - Spicy tonkatsu - Ramen Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I have visited at least 4 ramen restaurants in Tucson, and Raijen Ramen is hands down superior to all others. The flavors are rich and delicious. They are very consistent too. My go-to is the spicy red tonkatsu, which is not for the faint of heart. If you love spicy, I highly recommend it. I have had other types of ramen there, and all are delicious. I always have enough for another meal, which makes it a good value. read more

Too small, over crowded, parking lot way too small. A little dirty inside. Waitress was a little rude and liked to ignore her tables, she wasn't very friendly. All they had was pork ramen and one chicken ramen would like to see more choices of ramen . Their hot oolong tea was just Lipton tea . To sum it up food was good but service, atmosphere sucked read more

I'm part-Japanese and I grew up on ramen so you best believe I know my noodles. In terms of authenticity, Rajin does not disappoint. I have tried their chicken karaage, takoyaki, and their Spicy Tonkotsu ramen. All were very delicious with my absolute favorite being the takoyaki! These are small battered squid balls that are very, very popular in Osaka. If the idea scares you I say just go for it. Rajin's takoyaki isn't overly fishy and it is perfectly cooked. Even if you don't love seafood I think you'll still enjoy their takoyaki. Prices here are reasonable for what you get and the restaurant is sparkling clean. Perfect place for a lunch or dinner date. read more

Raijin Ramen - Menu - Ramen Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I've been to Raijin multiple times now mainly because this place is my go-to Ramen restaurant in Tucson. Their food quality has been consistent ever since their opening, their staff are fairly friendly and make sure to check-up on you frequently, and I love that they change up their menu by adding in 'seasonal ramen'. So far, they've had Winter and Summer ramen options, feel free to comment if there were other seasons covered. I think the prices are fair for what you get. I know that whenever I finish a bowl, I feel plenty full and warmed up on the inside. My personal favorites on the menu are the tonkotsu ramens (all types) and their takoyaki. The broth is more savory than that of the miso broth-based ones, which are more on the lighter and slightly saltier side. The amount of toppings included are enough to provide a diversity of flavors in addition to the noodles. For anyone in Tuscon looking to get their fix of ramen, I definitely recommend Raijin. Especially since we're experiencing colder temperatures now, you could never go wrong with a nice, hot bowl of ramen. P.s. I dont recommend getting the green milk tea bottle as a drink. It tastes like the white rabbit candy matcha flavored liquified (aka it's really sweet). read more

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I've heard the term "Umami Bomb" used quite frequently on Top Chef, so obviously, it's with my professional expertise that I use that term to describe the flavor in this ramen. I am a newb to Raijin Ramen, but I've visited probably 4 or 5 times since my first visit...all within like a month lol. I've stuck with the Tonkatsu each time because why fix what ain't broken. Eventually I will branch out as I'm positive it'll be just as delicious. Again - the broth flavor is insane, and the noodles are delicious. Very hearty flavors without the feeling of heaviness. Rich and distinguished pork flavors. We've also had the Gyoza and the fried calamari - both so delicious. As stated previously there's usually a wait if you don't get there before they open. Anticipate 45 + min wait time, but also, it's worth it! read more

Raijin Ramen - Tonkatsu - Ramen Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I've been here numerous of times and I can honestly say it's one of the best ramen places that I've tried in Tucson. The wait to be seated can be long, but it's really worth it. The prices are very reasonable and the food comes out pretty quickly after you order as well. I have tried the Black Roasted Garlic Tonkotsu and the White Tonkotsu! The White Tonkotsu is definitely my favorite if you want something on the lighter side, and you could always add extra toppings. read more

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We visited Raijin Ramen, 2995 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson AZ 85716 in Dec. 2019. A host greeted us, but everyone in our party was not there. They stated that we all had to be present in order to be seated. Our last friend arrived and we were seated right away. Food: I had never been there before and my friend recommended, and I ordered, the MISO with pork broth, noodles and veggies. The broth was delicious and the veggies were fresh. It did not look like a lot of food, but I could not finish the bowl, and I was hungry. The portion is quite filling. I would recommend the MISO. Service: The service was very good and prompt with a smile. They served the food quickly and worked to turn the table around. Do not go at dinner time to have a lengthy meal. There is usually a line out the door, which always represents a good restaurant. But definitely go if you want fast service and delicious food. The layout of the restaurant is mostly long tables and chairs and some booths at the back. Not a big restaurant. The place was very clean. Even though the place was full, it was not loud. Parking: There is a small parking lot next to the restaurant, but additional street parking that had plenty of spaces available. The atmosphere was very family friendly. The cost was very reasonable I would highly recommend going and I will return. read more

Raijin Ramen - Raijin Ramen MISO with pork broth - Ramen Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Best ramen in town! Love this place! So great to be able to get ramen through a drive thru! So convenient and always delicious

It's always very busy, but it moves fairly quickly. I got the black roasted garlic tonkotsu. The broth was rich, but I felt like it lost its flavor as I continued to sip it. This is a divisive comment, but I think it needs even more garlic lol. Also, I would prefer thicker egg noodles to really bring everything closer to perfection. The husband got the seafood ramen special, with shrimp wonton, which was decent and filling. Side note - the double ramen is good value if you can eat that much! Service was excellent :) read more

When I noticed Raijin Ramen on Yelp, I got super excited that now in Tucson there is a restaurant just for ramen! On my first visit I went during lunch time and the line wasn't quite long. I had ordered the spicy Tonkotsu along with the Chasu don. The Tonkotsu soup has a nice strong kick of spice on that initial slurp but then it gives the ramen an overall great heat to it. The chasu was cooked nicely and had a delicious flavor with the fat in it . For me I can pack a lot of food in my stomach and the chasu don helped filled up that empty void. Even though the don is just a small bowl of rice and whichever topping you choose, it is a small bowl of flavor in which you'll appreciate. The day after I came back with some friends for dinner, and there was a line that ran along the length of the shop! They have a sign on the door that ask you to just get in line and an employee will come out to take down your name. I find it efficient and the line does move fast! So on this visit I again ordered the Chasu don but with the Spicy Miso. The spicy miso has a thicker noodle compared to the Tonkotsu, my other friend ordered the black garlic tonkotsu. All of the ramen so far had left us happy and full, they're all delicious! I would definitely be back here to try every single item on their menu ! A must try! read more

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After hearing about this place from a fellow Yelp Elite, my SO and I decided to try this place! We were warned of possible waiting times so came here on a Saturday around 10:45, and a line was already forming! For apps, we ordered the takoyaki and fried octopus. The takoyaki are delicious-an order comes with 5 balls that were perfectly cooked and topped with sauces. Takoyaki are little circular doughs with squid in the middle, topped with sauces and squid flakes (?). I definitely recommend this app. As for the fried octopus, it was just fried without sauces on top and came with mayo on the side, but it didn't come with enough mayo to dip the octopus in. For ramen, I got the red spicy tonkotsu ramen and my SO got the black garlic tonkotsu ramen. For both ramen, the thin noodles were mushy/overcooked and just didn't quite fit with the ramen. That was the flaw with the dishes, and it tasted like the noodles were overcooked in a pot of flour-y water so it wasn't as clean (which explains the mushy feeling). They should use more bouncy noodles for this. Now let's talk about the broth. The broth is flavorful, but the red chili broth was a bit too spicy for me and covered up the depth of the broth. I prefer the black garlic tonkotsu broth for that reason. Overall, delicious food and pricing is reasonable. The decor is very nice as well, but screaming kids that were running around didn't make our meal pleasant. read more

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My only complaint is the wait/busyness. The food is excellent. Great location as well.

I am so happy to add this place to my top ten Tucson restaurant list! I read some of the negative Yelp reviews but I must digress -- this is an excellent place to taste an authentic Japanese ramen. The broth was quite tasty & the noodles were surprisingly fresh. While I used to live in Tokyo for three years, I did not eat ramen that much but now, I frequent ramen places every time I go back to my Manhattan home on a monthly basis. The ramen in Raijin tastes as good as the ones in Manhattan, I must say. As a FYI, here is my top ten restaurants in Tucson so far ( in no particular order of preference): 1. Kimchi Time ( Korean) 2. The Quesadillas ( Mexican) 3. Renee's Organic Oven( American/Italian) 4. Jimmy's Pizza ( pizza) 5. Blue Willows ( brunch/ American) 6. Fleming's Steakhouse ( American) 7. Cafe A la Carte( lunch) 8. Noodleholics ( Chinese noodle ) 9. Original Cuisine( Chinese) 10. Raijin Ramen( Japanese ramen) & an honorable mention ... Downtown Kitchen( American). read more

It was a pleasant surprise! I really enjoyed our lunch here. I still want to try the thicker noodles and the gyoza was pretty good too! I highly recommend them for your ramen mix! read more

This place has great service and good food. But, my daughter and I are gluten free and they had very few options for us. We ended up having to order two sides each plus two edamame and we were still hungry when we left after spending a LOT more than we had hoped to spend. The Yelp information is inaccurate because it says that there are gluten free options, but there aren't. I hope this review will convince you to go someplace else if you're a gluten free person. read more

It lives up to the hype! We purposely went on an off day because I have seen a line out the door in the past. I got the spicy tonkatsu and my dining partner got the black garlic tonkatsu. Both were equally good, but we are suckers for garlic and that one was more unique. Service was great and fast, but we felted slightly rushed because of people waiting inside the small space. Not an issue for us, but this isn't a great place to stay a while or drink or anything. I'd love to see them open a larger location or even a nice patio! read more