I had the special tonkotsu ramen for dinner and went with the medium spice, which was just right for me. The noodles had a great texture with exactly the right amount of bite. The standout, though, was the egg. It was easily one of the best-cooked ramen eggs I've had outside of Japan--perfect texture and absolutely nailed. My only minor criticism would be the broth. It had some really nice garlic notes, but compared with how well everything else came together, it tasted just a little flat. Maybe a touch more tare, seasoning, or depth would have brought it up to the same level as the rest of the bowl. Overall, a really enjoyable bowl of ramen with excellent noodles and an exceptional egg. I'd definitely come back. read more

8/15/2026 Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen 152 Castro St Mountain View, CA 94041 I went there on a nice August Saturday afternoon for a solo late ramen lunch. The city parking structure behind the place was partly full and there was parking on the 3rd and 4th levels. I've been here before for the Tonkatsu Curry, which was very good. Today I tried the Special Tonkatsu Ramen spicy. There were tables available but I chose the counter with another diner there. After ordering, my noodles were brought to me in about 10 minutes. Service was very good and attentive throughout. My ramen consisted of two thin Teriyaki flavor chashu pork slices, soft boiled egg, creamy spicy tonkotsu broth, bean sprouts, thin chewy noodles, topped with green onion and a nori square. Service was outstanding. A very good ramen among many very good ramen places. Very repeatable. read more

See all

Honestly, I was pretty disappointed with Yugen Ramen. The ramen was just okay and didn't really have the depth of flavor I was hoping for. The broth felt underwhelming, and the overall quality didn't match the price. The portions were nothing special either. The service was fine, but the food itself wasn't memorable. There are plenty of other ramen spots around Mountain View that I'd choose before coming back here. Unfortunately, this will probably be a one-time visit for me. read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

See all

The ramen was super flavourful. The add on items (mushrooms, bean sprouts, etc.) were reasonably priced too if you want to add some extra substance. The chicken of the ramen was pretty bland though, tasted like simple boiled chicken. The service was fast and nice, though they forgot to give us our take out boxes even after asking for it twice. Overall good ramen for a good price. read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Chicken Paitan Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

Came in alone for dinner on a Monday night and was seated immediately. You can also check into the waitlist ahead of time here on Yelp to let the team know that you're coming. Cute little spot, with some of their booths covered by curtains for privacy. The staff call out a friendly welcome as you are being seated. A handful of different staff members came by to help me; whether that was to take my order, deliver my food, or pour me some extra water. I wasn't exactly sure who my server was, but each of them were friendly and helpful. I ordered the mini beef don (beef rice bowl) and the tonkatsu deluxe, which included both the kakuni and the chashu. The chashu is sliced thin and flavorful, without tasting gamey. The Kakuni is very tender and rich, with more meat than fat. I also really enjoyed the broth and seeing the pork fat cooked in & well integrated into the overall dish. Noodles were the perfect texture too! I will definitely be back for another ramen soon! read more

See all

The best veggie ramen u can ever have!! Much better veggie ramen than other places in bay area! Their tofu is marinated which gives good taste read more

Not sure why this place has such a long wait. The ramen was decent, but with so many excellent ramen restaurants in the Bay Area, it didn't really stand out. We ordered the special tonkotsu ramen and chose the spicy version. As someone who loves spicy food, be aware that it was very spicy. The broth, however, was quite bland and lacked the rich, creamy texture I expect from tonkotsu ramen. On the positive side, the chashu was tender and flavorful, and the soft-boiled egg was perfectly cooked. The chicken karaage was crispy and delicious, the mini curry rice wasn't impressive. Arrived at Friday 9pm, the restaurant was still packed, we had to wait for 30 minutes. The service didn't match the crowd. We had to remind the staff to bring us water and extra bowls Overall, the food was okay, but I don't think it worth the long wait. There are plenty ramen restaurants in the Bay Area that I would choose before coming back here. read more

Solid chicken paitan ramen! Noodles were thin and the broth was well-seasoned. You also can't go wrong with the geso (squid) karaage, but keep in mind there's only 6 pieces for $12.50. Portions seem to run smaller here in general though, as the ramen was pretty small compared to other places. I liked pairing the ramen toppings and karaage with the chili crisps from the jar on the table. Ambiance here is Japanese-izakaya style and cozy. One star off for service due to our interaction with the host. My husband and I are fairly quick diners, so we finished everything + paying the bill in ~20 minutes. After I stepped away to use the restroom, we sat for no more than a couple of minutes before the hostess came over and rushed us to leave, saying she needed the table. I'd normally be more understanding in a busy restaurant, but there were two empty tables next to us from parties who had just left and had been seated much longer than we were. We were just taking a moment to collect ourselves before heading out; had we been lingering for 5+ minutes, I'd understand--but this definitely rubbed us the wrong way. read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - geso karaage - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

See all

My son wanted to try Ramen and yelp recommended this place It was Tuesday night and we reached around 8pm and this place was full as if it's a Friday night. We were seated right away and as we were walking in all the servers sang in Japanese " welcome to the restaurant " that was very warm and got smile to faces. Our server was amazing she explained the menu and we ordered food. We had Gyoza - 10/10 very very delicious Tantán chicken ramen- 10/10 out of the world (medium spicy) Flavors were amazing, everything tasted great!! I am sure we are going again!! read more

See all

If you're looking for a comforting bowl of ramen, look no further--Yugen Ramen is the place to be. Located in downtown Mountain View, it has a lively, cozy vibe that instantly makes you feel welcome. The ambience is modern yet casual, making it perfect for a relaxed meet-up with friends or even a casual date night. It can get a bit noisy during peak hours, but once the food arrives, you honestly don't mind. We tried their Tantan Ramen, a spicy ramen with creamy chicken paitan broth. It was truly a hug in a bowl--rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced with just the right amount of heat. We also ordered the chicken karaage, which unfortunately didn't impress as much. It wasn't as crispy as I've had at other places and felt slightly under-seasoned. It wasn't bad, but definitely not the highlight. Parking can be a little tricky on weekends since it's in downtown, so plan accordingly. Overall, I would absolutely go back--especially for that ramen. When it comes to a comforting, satisfying bowl, Yugen Ramen really delivers. read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Tantan Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

See all

Went for dinner. Had to wait almost 20-25 minutes for table of 4. Wait was worth it as the veggie ramen that we ordered was satiatingly delicious. It was hot, flavorful, comforting and also customizable. Even the edamame with salt was perfectly made. Order came fast and servers were very nice. Only reason I gave 4 star is because of lack of vegetarian options here. There is just one ramen to order from and one appetizer option for vegetarians. A couple more options in menu would have been great. Overall, worth the wait kind of food. read more

See all

Great f8nd among many options on Castro St! Outdoor seating optional along the pedestrian strip. I ordered vegetable ramen with added gluten free option. Lovely swift service, authentically Japanese. Exquisite flavors and bountiful herbs, protein, veggies included in my bowl. Prices comparable to neighboring cafes. Selection of drinks - try the Yuzu sparkling bottled drink served with glass of ice. read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Vegetable Ramen, Yuzu sparkling drink. - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

This ramen restaurant is spacious! A very warm welcome coming in. My partner and both got the special tonkotsu ramen and it comes with pork. The pork was thinly cut and not too thick like some ramen spots have it. The soup was perfectly hot and they gave alot of noodles which I liked! They were not greedy with portions but I wish it had alittle more pork slices in it but overall super good and special place id recommend to others. Lastly, the chicken karage was kinda big and the inside of it was chewy not my favorite but the ramen made up for it that's why I give it a 4. read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Tonkotsu Special Tonkotsu Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

My son was craving ramen. My first time here. Super chill place definitely look the part of a nice Japanese ramen shop. The staff were super friendly and got our drinks and order right away. We ordered the delicious squid appetizer. Before we finished the appetizer the ramen already came. The tonkotsu broth was rich and delicious. The eggs were cooked perfectly, you can taste the delicious marinade in the yolk. The chasu was good, but the pork belly was amazing. Highly recommend this place. read more

See all

The lychee and peach sodas were good and not too sweet. The tonkatsu ramen broth was disappointing, not flavorful enough. The chicken paitan was good and flavorful. The noodles for the tonkatsu were thicker and the paitan are thin noodles. The geso karaage was crispy. The chicken leg came later than the noodles on a nice sizzling plate. The sauce was too salty. The egg was a good texture. The ambiance and decor was nice with a Japanese style. They almost told me they didn't have the chicken leg but went to the kitchen and confirmed they had it. Keep in mind, this was right at opening and they almost didn't have a popular menu item and the menu isn't very large. read more

See all

Honestly, I didn't expect much from this ramen place -- but the curry tonkatsu completely blew my mind. It was honestly better than many dedicated tonkatsu spots I've been to. The tonkatsu was perfectly crispy and juicy, and the curry was delicate, rich, and full of flavor without being overpowering. My boyfriend ordered the spicy ramen, and that was really good too -- flavorful with a nice kick. Overall, this place turned out to be such a hidden gem. I'll definitely be coming back, especially for the tonkatsu curry. So glad we gave this place a try! read more

See all

Izakaya Yu-Gen has become one of my go-to ramen spots in Mountain View, and going back recently just confirmed it. This time we tried the ika karaage (fried squid), which was okay but a little over-fried -- to be fair, it was toward the end of the night so I wouldn't be shocked if the oil was getting tired. The takoyaki was solid with a huge pile of bonito flakes on top so it looked like it was dancing, which I always love. The real star here is still the ramen. I got the chicken again and the slices were cooked perfectly, with a really flavorful broth and great noodles. Service is consistently kind and efficient, and while parking can be a bit annoying, there's usually something if you circle the nearby streets. Next time I'd probably skip the appetizers and just focus on the ramen, since we ended up super full and the sides didn't hit as hard as the main. read more

See all

Went on a Saturday evening. Parking was easy to find There was a waitlist but got the table within 10 min Ambience is legit! They greeted us when we entered in Japanese. That was a nice touch. We got the chicken Karage, takoyaki to share I got the special tonkatsu ramen any cousin got the chicken paitan. Both were flavorful. There I spice and chilli crunch on the table that you can add read more

See all

A very enjoyable ramen experience. It was quite busy on a Wednesday evening, but we were seated immediately. The interior is decorated beautifully, with plenty of wood furniture. There was also a good amount of outdoor seating. The service was a bit slow - I had to ask a couple times for refills on water. However, the employees were all very friendly. I tried the Special Tonkotsu Ramen, which is one of their most popular dishes. It was a solid bowl of ramen! Nothing about it was super outstanding - it was a classic, delicious bowl of noodles. The broth was savory and rich. The noodles had a nice texture. There was a soft boiled egg that was packed with flavor. In general, I enjoyed this bowl of ramen, and it was a reasonable price. I'm not sure if I will remember this ramen, but I had a nice experience. If you're looking for simple, classic ramen, this is the place to visit! read more

See all

Decent spot but not sure if I'd recommend it as a ramen go-to. The pork in mine was more dried up and tough than it usually is in chasu, definitely not what I would call tender. The egg was delivered in whole egg style and was only partially jammy (the jammy egg is the ultimate ramen perfection). Broth had some decent flavor but I definitely wished for more fixings like corn or bamboo shoots. If you are going to go, make sure you check if you can join the waitlist in advance as there is usually a wait. read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - You can see the chasu pork doesn't look very tender - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

This place is a gem! Wait time wasn't long and the ambiance was nice. They use the Yelp platform for their waitlist which is nice and convenient. Service was excellent - I really appreciate how quick everything came out and how good the quality of the food is. I had the gyoza and it was very tasty. I ordered what was considered a "side" of chashu which came with rice and an egg (as shown in my photo). It was only $9 and so yummy! It came in a small bowl but it was super filling. Definitely coming back. read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

Came here for dinner on Sunday night and there was a short waitlist. I got the special tonkotsu ramen, mild spicy. It was a solid bowl of ramen, but it didn't wow me. Soup had a deep and rich flavor. Noodle was springy and chewy. Just a very comforting bowl of ramen. Also got the chicken karaage appetizer to share and was honestly a little disappointed. The batter lacked flavor and the chicken was a little dry :( Service was quick and server was attentive read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

Busy spot but we were able to get seats quickly. Service was attentive and the loft-like ambiance gave it a cozy vibe I really liked. Pricing is on the higher end but still reasonable. We ordered the Takoyaki and these were eaten up in seconds. Super good. For my main dish, I had the Chicken Paitan Deluxe Ramen. The broth was excellent and medium spicy was just the right level of heat, though the roasted chicken wasn't for me since the aroma was a bit too strong (probably intentional, just not my taste). I also tried the glowing lychee drink, which was cold and refreshing. My coworkers enjoyed their dishes as well, though they might have regretted choosing the spiciest option! Overall, I enjoyed my experience and would definitely come back. read more

See all

Solid ramen spot in downtown! There aren't too many good ramen places in Mountain View, but I'd say this one's probably the best in the area. I came here once a couple years ago and sat outside, but on my second visit, we dined inside and I was surprised by how spacious it actually is. There's a good amount of seating, the vibe is chill, and the service was great. I got the Special Tonkotsu Ramen w/ medium spice and it was spot on. Noodles were nice and firm, just how I like them, and the soft boiled egg was cooked perfectly. For drinks, I tried the peach soda with chuhai. It came in a ziplock bag with RGB lights, which was super cool but I barely tasted the alcohol. It was more like a fun soda than a cocktail. read more

See all

My brothers brought me here claiming this to be the best ramen they've had & they were right because now it has become the best ramen that I have ever had! Our server was Billy, he was very attentive & helpful. We ordered Takoyaki to start, so warm & crispy! Then I ordered the Special Tonkatsu Ramen. The meat was cooked & seasoned so well it melted in my mouth. The broth was flavorful & the noodles were perfectly al dente. We sat outside, it was a bit chilly but our server brought over a heater that kept us warm. Our orders were brought out very quickly after we had ordered which was really nice. Now I will have to bring others here to try this amazing ramen as well! read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Indoor - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

See all

What an adorable place in Mountain View for ramen! I was really craving ramen and takoyaki, and this place had both. Parking was a bit of a pain, as it usually is in the area. We had to wander a bit to find a spot, but it was certainly worth it! We were seated quickly in the back even though the place was hopping on a weekday night. The servers were busy, but they checked in on us. The ramen was great - similar to Ramen Nagi. I ended up getting the karaage and ramen, and both were great. The vegetarian ramen was not as great as other places we've tried, but it was decent. Prices were also reasonable for the area. Definitely recommend checking this place out if you're craving ramen or Japanese snacks! read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Ramen time! - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

3.5 stars rounding to 4 Nestled downtown Mountain View with closed off roads to walk down the street of many different restaurants and dessert places. There's nearby street parking, public parking and structured parking lot. There was the option to dine outside with heating lamps set up or inside. We opted to eat inside. I enjoyed the setup with privacy curtains. Our server was friendly and service was quick. I ordered the Special Tonkotsu Ramen. The overall broth flavor was good and not salty. I find most ramen establishments to be on the salty side. The portion was good and I finished the whole bowl. My main complaint was that the meat was dry and chewy. read more

See all

We got dinner at 8pm, just last dinner rush time. We walked in and joined the waitlist which had a 10 minute wait, but when we told the host we can sit at the bar we got seated immediately. Service was quick- to order and to get our food. We got the chicken Paitan ramen (mild) and chicken curry (hot) and both meals were delicious. Portions were pretty big. Great location right in downtown Mountain View! We loved walking around after dinner! Parking in downtown Mountain View is generally easy as there are a lot of lots nearby. read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Chicken Paitan Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

See all

This is one of my go-to spots for yummy ramen! I like how fast the service is and the servers are always very nice. I prefer sitting in the booths but the other tables are fine too. It can be a bit loud if it's crowded so keep that in mind. I usually order the Special Tonkatsu ramen with extra bean sprouts and extra char siu and have it extra spicy. Very yummy and love how quick they are to get your food out. read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Special Tonkotsu Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

Visited Ramen Izakaya this evening considering I usually go to other spots for the chicken options and I was happy to see they offer the same as my staple spots. The service was very attentive and our bowls came out within 10 minutes. For a Tuesday night, the restaurant was busier than expected. But it was perfect for the rainy weather. The noodles were on the thin side but in the best way. The egg was flavorful & the broth was creamy, yet not heavy. I really enjoyed the chicken paitan and would definitely get it again. I do think this a solid spot to get your ramen fix in Mountain View. read more

This is some of the best Ramen that I've had and I've never really had Ramen with ground chicken, but this was freaking delicious! I don't eat pork so it's often very hard to find Ramen that doesn't have a bunch of pork or pork broth. The service was really good and attentive. There's refills on the hot tea. I like the sides that I was able to add into the Ramen and that the waiter was flexible with my requests. It was spicy and good but not too spicy. It was super flavorful creamy and delicious. This place is pretty bomb and they even have a Ramen where you can get giant pieces of like grilled chicken legs/chicken meat. I appreciate the creative menu and innovation. The meat is really good in this. This is probably one of my favorite ramen places but I wish I lived closer; although San Jose isn't too far, but it's not like a 10-15 minute distance when you really want to eat Ramen close to home. This is definitely on a favorites list though! 5 stars flavor and quality! read more

See all

Wasn't expecting much but ended up with the best veggie ramen I've had. The broth was a veggie broth that had a good rich salty flavor. It comes with thin straight spinach noodles that worked great with the mixed green, tomatoes, tofu, and other vegetables. Onsen egg was nice and yolky. I got the medium spicy and it had me sweating a little which is just how I like it. Staff was friendly and service was quick. Decor was proper ramen vibes. I sat at the counter since I was by myself. I had my food in under 5 minutes and I was out in under 30 read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Vegetable Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

I've been here about 3-4 times over the years and I've always had good experiences. I think where this place shines is the customer service for sure. Our waitress was amazing and explained the menu pretty well. The ramen was really good and had a nice kick to it without being too spicy. The only 2 knocks I have on this place are the fact that they skimp you on the chicken when you pay for the chicken ramen (I only got about 2 slices) and the drinks weren't anything amazing. Highly recommend read more

Visited on Juneteenth and had a brief wait since they required our full party to be present before seating us. Parking in downtown Mountain View was a bit of a hassle, especially during the lunch rush. For 5, we ordered: - Takoyaki: 4/5 - geso karaage: 4/5 - special tonkatsu ramen: 3.5/5 - chicken paitan ramen: 3/5 - chicken cutlet curry: 4/5 - pork cutlet curry: 4/5 - beef curry: 3/5 We chose to sit outside since the weather was nice, but the sun eventually beat down on a couple of us who weren't under the umbrella. Food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. Overall, the dishes were good, but nothing particularly memorable. read more

See all

Not fresh and overly salty. This is much worse than Marufuku Ramen. Would not recommend.

I had a great dining experience here. Although they seemed busy, they work well to get you in as quick as possible. My favorite is the tan tan ramen! I'm glad they have non pork options since I try to minimize my pork intake for my own health reasons. It's a pretty intimate place so it's good for date nights or even family dinners. Overall, a good spot to eat at on this street! read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Tantan Ramen (chicken) - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

I went on Wednesday evening and the restaurant already packed. Very nice atmosphere and the servers were attentive. I got spicy tan tan ramen and I already love the broth! Not overly salty just right amount of umami flavor. A bit spicy for me but not overpowering. Takoyaki was a must here too! read more

Ramen Izakaya Yu-Gen - Izakaya Near Me - Mountain View, California

See all

The Ramen was decent! The service was good, nothing was super outstanding, but everything was just up to standard. Very spacious restaurant, with a lot of seating inside. read more

See all

My husband took this place to go,their ramen and their pork potstickers and got food poisoning from it :( that was unfortunate. Within hours of eating felt stomach pain and upset and it progressed. Disappointed to write this review as we were excited to try this spot as the ramen looked good. read more

Such a weird experience from start to finish. Even before we were seated, the host kept saying, "I'll seat your party, but they all need to be here," and then added, "This is the only time I'll do this for you." It already felt oddly hostile for no reason. Funny enough, this will probably also be the only time we come back. We ordered fried squid, but they brought the wrong dish. Our waiter who was genuinely lovely the entire time told us not to worry and said we could just keep it. Our kids started eating it, and then a few minutes later he came back looking embarrassed because the manager told him he had to take it back. After the kids had already eaten some of it. Super awkward and honestly not the waiter's fault at all. Then later the same manager came over to tell us we couldn't drink an outside beverage at the table. Totally understand restaurants having policies, but the way everything was handled just felt cold and uncomfortable. The food itself was decent, and the waiter did his best, but overall the experience was bizarre because of the management. With so many other great spots around with better hospitality, I don't think we'd come back. read more