Bio: Vegetarian, who loves different cuisines and want to have a good gastronomical experience. Only one vegetarian option. But I still went ahead and gave it a try. Slightly disappointed. I was expecting a more flavorful one, but instead it was too salty(Ramen is generally salty but this one went overboard) and loaded with curry(now one can argue- it is a curry based Ramen but again it went a bit too much on the curry..and this is coming from me, an Indian guy). Ups: very responsive to cross contamination request; replacement for egg noodles with kale noodles was a nice touch; nice environment Downs: too many. I wouldn't go back there again unless they bring more vegetarian options or improve on the existing one. read more

Ramen Kazama - Salty and heavily loaded curry. A bit too much to handle. Requires the team to improve a lot here. - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

This is my favorite ramen spot in the Twin Cities. I always get their tonkatsu, and the broth is savory and rich. The toppings are always delicious. I wish they were open for lunch during the week. read more

Finally had the opportunity to take my boo here and eat as a patron. I had the chicken ramen and boo thang got the tokutsu ramen. I loved both of them! The chicken is battered and fried before being set in the broth and has a lot of flavor. I also tried the veggie curry don. The veggie don is pretty good. They put carrots and peas with a healthy helping of curry. Beau really liked his ramen and went back to try the shoyu ramen. They both have pork but the ton lotus has the narrow which gives it a cloudy color and is super rich. Both are good but if you're looking for a fuller feeling go with the bone marrow. Ramen Kazama doesn't have as many toppings as other ramen spots I've been to but I like their setup and they clearly are experts at crafting pork based ramen dishes. If you really like pork this will definitely be your spot. read more

Came here again on multiple occasions to give this place another shot. I just can't say I'm a hugest fan of this place. First of all, I love the ambiance of this place - there's an open kitchen which allows you to see all the goodness that goes on behind the kitchen. But truly, I just can't say I love the food. I got the tonkotsu ramen this time. The noodles are great and so are the bamboo shoots & mushrooms. But the soup lacks in flavor and near the end of the bowl, it just tastes so salty and overbearing. Also, the meat is so tough and lacks flavor. Also tried the Gomadare Gyu and the flavors of the sauces weren't impressive. It seemed like a mix of nutty and salty and was an overall, odd taste. Also, it's tough to want to eat hot soup in the heat of Minnesota summers, but they also don't have AC which makes it even tougher. read more

Ramen Kazama - Tonkotsu ramen - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

See all

My go to spot for Tonkotsu ramen! The savory broth and delicious toppings taste amazing. Comes with pork belly and egg, but I always order an extra egg! Highly recommend regardless of the season. read more

Ramen Kazama - Tonkotsu "South Side" - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Ramen Kazama, I've frequented your establishment a few times already (but not enough for how much I crave your amazing dishes). I also took an out of town guest here recently and she loved it too (thanks for making me look good). First, off, your Tonkotsu "South side" ramen dish is crazy good. The bone marrow broth is so rich and flavorful- and full of delicious noodles, bamboo, and mushroom. And pro tip, try not to inhale you ramen in around 10 minutes like I did last time I was there. Try to control yourself if you can! On my last venture, I tried a rice dish #6- the Chashu Nitamgo Don, and this will be on my list of go-tos! For a small at only $4.50 this is a steal of a deal, as this delightful rice bowl is filled with everything you've ever wanted: pork belly, pickled ginger, carrot, egg, and dried seaweed. I ordered too much food and had some of this for leftovers (and I will definitely be doing that again, let me tell you!) RK, I really really like you, your delicious food, and great service. Overall a win in my book! read more

I found myself in the area due to a trip. I consider myself somewhat of a ramen aficionado so I was excited to try what I'm told is one of the best ramen places in MN. The place has a nice atmosphere. Very clean. The staff was friendly and very willing to answer questions - the man at the front (I forget his name) was really nice and super helpful. I ended up ordering two bowls of ramen (one chicken and one pork) both were filled with flavor and just so delightful. The place was definitely good enough to be in my top 3 places. I'd highly recommend them. read more

Ramen Kazama - chicken ramen - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

See all

When I want ramen in Minneapolis, this is the only spot I'll go. I get the Karamiso and it is out of this world. I also really love the Karrage. WOW some of the best fried chicken I've had. You order at the counter and then take a seat. I've been there when the line is out the door and they still get you through fairly quick with a wait of about 20 mins for food. During my last visit the Karrage that we ordered as an appetizer came after we got our ramen. We were just stoked on the food and happy to be there. To our surprise the manager came over and deeply apologized for the wait and gave it to us complimentary. At a place this busy it would be easy to overlook those details. That kind of service puts this place over the top. read more

Ramen Kazama - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I dream about these bowls of ramen! The group of us came for an early Sunday dinner to beat the rush ad we had no problem finding seats. I also love that ramen kazama also has a parking lot. Ok now on to the food...I saw a sign for Tsukemen and accidentally let out an audible squeal of excitement! The last time I had these special "Japanese dipping" noodles was in LA. I was beyond bummed when they said they only served Tsukemen during Weds and Sunday lunch :( I ordered the Karamiso instead and it was Bomb! The noodles were perfection in that nice thick spicy broth. This bowl was very filling and is perfect for a cold MN day. So for an entire week after having my first Ramen Kazama bowl, I day dreamt about those noodles and counted down the days until I could return to try the Tsukemen. Sunday rolled around and I dragged my husband out of bed for the bowl. It was soooooo worth it! Just look at the picture!The noodles were so thick and chewy. Please know that the noodles are served cold while the broth is hot. Kind of weird but the chill of the noodles and the lemon lime gave it a very refreshing taste! Ramen Kazama should just permanently reserve a table for me every Sunday around noon, just sayin'. read more

Ramen Kazama - Tsukemen "Japanese Dipping Noodles" this is what dreams are made of! - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

See all

Delicious tonkatsu ramen and karaage chicken! It taste exactly like the ramen I had in Japan when I was in the military. Perfect for cold winter days! read more

Did not have a really good experience here... Me and friends went on a Friday night so it was packed. We waited around 10mins to order, and 20mins(!!!) for the food! The appetizers were super salty! Calamari was like packed with salt, the cucumber salad was salty too! The rice ball was okay, but nothing special! The ramen too was salty, my friend who was a ramen love would usually drank all the soup, but he this time he just ate the noodles and meat and left the soup behind. The flavor was okay, but not really impressive... Overall, quite a disappointing experience... read more

See all

I came here tonight for my birthday dinner and am so glad I came in! I brought my boyfriend's parents, who never try anything new, and they even loved their ramen. My boyfriend and I shared the Shoyu (Pork and Chicken Broth) "Old School" and the Tonkotsu (Pork Bone Marrow Broth) "South Side". I loved both but preferred the Old School. Their menu is small but you can tell that they've perfected what they have to offer. The broth in both bowls was delicious, I didn't want to waste an ounce. read more

They have now added the ability to order more drinks at the table instead of standing in line again they have also added two desserts, I've had my sugar quotient for the day so I'll have to check those out at another time. read more

Kids wanted ramen tonight, so here we are. First off, you order and then find an empty table. We didn't have any issue finding a table for 5 on a Tuesday night. Our fave ramen turned out to be the torishio (chicken broth). The broth was flavorful almost buttery. It comes with 2 pieces of fried chicken which was also very good, but a bit greasy. Our 2nd favorite ramen was the tonkotsu. Our least favorite was the shoyu. Hubby wasn't a fan of the char siu here and the broth was just ok. It didn't have the depth of the other broths. They also ran out of sesame seeds. Overall, it was very good but not the best we've had. read more

See all

We came here about 2 weeks ago, had the chicken karrage. This dish was much improved as compared to when this place was newly open. The chicken was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, not over fried. The slightly spicy mayo dipping sauce pairs really well with the dish. Definitely recommend it. I had the toroshio ramen - which was ok. Broth was alright, not severely tasty. Only came with 2 pieces of chicken karrage - but definitely not as good as the dish as the friend chicken is soaked in the soup - so it becomes a little soggy. I also asked for additional cha shu - ya, don't bother. It's just a miserable slice of meat that doesn't add much to the dish. The rest of the bowl was just noodles... Kent had the special that is a dipping ramen. Gosh, it was good !! The dipping ramen sauce was a little salty but very tasty. I wished I ordered that. Will come back to try other ramen dishes at this place. read more

Tonight was our second time at Ramen Kazama. Both times were good, as in okay yum, that wasn't bad, not like "OMG how did they DO that?" good, but good. We started with the Gyoza (pot stickers) which were tasty but had my husband thinking about the ones he likes in NYC. I also had the Wakame Kyuri (Seaweed cucumber salad), which was both vinegary and earthy, probably my favorite part of the meal. For entrees we had the Shoyu (Old School) and the Karamiso "Magma". The Shoyu did have a solid umami flavor. The pork belly and egg were particularly tasty. I was wishing I had more than the 2 small bites of pork belly. The noodles were not too done, which was nice. I had just a bite of the Magma, and it had a nice spice; I thought it could use a little acid/vinegar, or maybe salt. All in all a comfy spot to enjoy a comfy noodle bowl! read more

Ramen Kazama - Shoyu (old school) - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

See all

It was Okay. Had the karamiso and fried chicken. I didn't like the fried chicken at all. It was deep fried dark chicken meat. It was a bit slimy on the inside. I liked the crispy texture on the outside. I would describe the flavor as salty. I had the karamiso. It wasn't anything special. I was expecting bold flavor but mostly just creamy and salty. Could use more spice. read more

My friend took me here when she was in town because it's one of her favorite spots- and it was soooooooo good! Me and another friend got Tonkotsu: it was delicious. It was flavorful and creamy. I especially loved the wild mushrooms and pork belly. Yum! Another friend god Karamiso, which I tried a spoonful of. The karamiso is spicy and has a kind of ground up pork that was also delicious. The atmosphere is great, I really love that the menu has illustrations, it made ordering less intimidating for a first-time Ramen-eater! There is also a small patio that we ate on (no great views, but the yummy ramen and good company made up for that) read more

Ramen Kazama - Our ramen! The red one is Karamiso and the green/tan ones are Tonkatsu - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I still thoroughly enjoy this place. They are definitely in my top two of ramen houses in Minnesota. There are a few yet that I've still got to try, but they're definitely up there. I had just had Tori Ramen earlier that day. They were fine, but they didn't hit the spot...and especially after waiting a half hour. I mean, fine whatever...it was cold, but my expectations were up there after waiting in the cold. Then I followed up with having dinner at Ramen Kazama to then cure the craving. And like always, they delivered. I mean, it wasn't my most favorite (I got the shoyu), but it was still very good. My favorite is actually the tonkotsu (I heart it), but I felt I should try something new. I also really like the spicy one. Oh, I also got kara-age (because they make it very well)...dark meat, moist deliciousness. Don't forget to squeeze the lemon and the accompanying sauce...pretty damn good. They also now serve kombucha (it's good for the digestion...and stuff). They're space is also expanded. Yay! You order at the counter, then sit down...and they bring the ramen to you. TLDR: get yourself over there for some delicious ramen! read more

I like the format of this restaurant - café style. You order and pay upfront and they will bring it to you. I got the spick pork ramen and it was decent but not fabulous. I think the ramen broth was a little too oily, there was a thick layer of chili oil laying on top of the broth. I think their Japanese drinks there were a great addition to your meal, I got the canned royal milk tea last time and it was delicious. read more

Ramen Kazama - Karamiso "Magma" - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Dang, that was tasty! Ramen soups, walk up ordering and delivery to table service. Not opulent at all, but well apportioned and flavors you'll love. The #2 (Tonkotsu, the "South Side") killed, and the gyoza were nice. Kimchi with a kick but not overpowering. We'll certainly be back! read more

I had my hopes set pretty high for this place, but was slightly disappointed. The best thing about the ramen was the broth. VERY flavorful. Also, the dishes were not made in mass quantity, they prepared each and every meal individually which made it very fresh and worth the wait. This may not seem like a big deal, but the egg was hard boiled, when it should only be soft boiled so the flavorful yolk can be mixed in with the broth. It's an easy thing to fix and would make a big difference IMO. I am also pretty picky about ramen. If anyone is ever in Denver, Colorado you MUST check out a place called UNCLE. The best ramen on the planet. On a final note, this was pretty pricey. For a small glass of wine and their traditional pork belly ramen, it was over $20. That is a bit excessive. The service was really good and the place was cute and located in a great area. I will give this place another try, perhaps order the spicy ramen next time. read more

I am a chubby Asian man. And thanks to a year and a half of consuming Matthew Kazama's sexy, steaming, and savory ramen (in 2014 and half of 2015) every Wednesday at Fuji-Ya Minneapolis, my pants fit sort-of-tight. (Evidence of my first bowl: http://bit.ly/1SjMWyY.) Or really, I'm just sort of lazy. Let's be honest - and I know a grip-load of Asian-American transplants would concur - the TC prior to Kazama couldn't hold it down like the ramen sanctuaries of Seattle, SF, SD, Chi-Town, Honolulu or NYC. (All cities I've eaten awesome ramen in.) Then I learned about Matthew's - thanks to homies Calvin Son and DJ Espada - and it was like learning that Glenn, from The Walking Dead, was actually alive aka PURE. AWESOMENESS. BIZNATCHESS. So if you're reading this review and you're like "what the f*** is this chubby Asian dude trying to get at?" let me be clear: Ramen Kazama serves the best bowl of ramen in the Twin Cities, and it's not even debatable. For that alone, it gets all the stars. (Insert praying hands emoji.) ***** I. FOOD & DRINK Ramen, snacks, and beer - all you need, really. What you need to know: A) RAMEN Five basic ramens exist, and each can be slightly altered with the addition or subtraction of various sides. Don't know what to get? My suggestions: -Want fatty and savory? Go with their Tonkotsu. -Want slightly salty with a bit more umami? Get their Shoyu. -Want spicy? Duh, get their Spicy Miso. Regarding their Tonkotsu (my favorite), here's why I think the bowl tastes so great: *Broth: Matthew slow cooks the be-jesus out of the pork bones to get that marrow. And in order to get the beautiful fat shimmer on the top, it takes at least five plus hours of cookin'. That's a lot of love that he's willing to put in that other restaurants don't. *Noodles: Slightly al dente and with a nice bounce (which indicates freshness). I watched the kitchen and saw Matthew make sure all the noodles were cooked for the same duration of time. He also shakes the noodles hard to make sure that all the water is out. *Egg: Runny. Not poached, like how I it should be, but better than most places that overcook it. *Bamboo shoots: Solid. *Chasu: Pork belly is succulent and sexy. Oink oink, me likes. *Scallions: What great soup doesn't have scallions? Seriously. All these ingredients together to get a great bowl of ramen. B) SNACKS Karaage: Perfectly fried and it comes with a Sriracha mayo sauce. I think that the batter could've had some lemon grass in there, but it's still awesome. Edamame: Nice amount of salt, soft, and not overcooked. Thank you. C) DRINKS They have Saparro, Ichiban, and Surly Hell on tap. YASYASYASYASYAS. II. SERVICE They have some kinks to work out, but they just opened so be nice, y'all. The people that work there are cool, too, so don't expect any pretentiousness there. III. ATMOSPHERE/ DÉCOR It's laid back. I would totally go there after a stressful day of work to decompress. Seating is tight, but they're making due with what they have. (Look for a possible expansion in the future.) Lines form around peak hours, so if you want to make a visit, consider going on a weekday around 9pm. Don't worry, broth should still be available for you. IV. PRICES Ramens range from $9 to $14 and practically all snacks fall under $7. Beers are pretty affordable, ranging from $4 to 16 for a pint or pitcher, respectively. Did I mention that they serve the best ramen in the TC? And did you know that their prices are the same, if not cheaper than their competition? Yeah. This is more than affordable. V. OVERALL Again, it's the best ramen in the Twin Cities. read more

See all

Ramen Kazama is a satisfying and affordable way to treat yo'self. I just packed and unloaded a bunch of boxes for a big event - that deserves some ramen. I just ran so many errands in the freezing cold - ramen time. I didn't drive someone off the road during rush hour - extra ramen!! The team at RK concoct the best ramen I've ever had, which is why I find it so rewarding and soul-soothing. I've had both the Karamiso and Tonkotsu, and I get conflicted with not being able to fit both into my stomach in the same sitting. They are both rich, flavorful, savory, meaty, and hearty as hell. The Karamiso has a little heat to make your mouth water, but not too much. The creaminess of the miso balances it as well. The Tonkotsu is out of this world and is what I would recommend everyone try during their first visit to really hook them hard. The broth alone is so deep, rich, and satisfying that I think I make disgusting nsfw noises when I'm eating it. And regardless of which bowl you order, you will receive perfectly chewy but not starchy noodles. I had no idea they could be this good! And the gyoza, karaage, and wakame are superb sides! The few times I've been since they've been opened, there's been a line awaiting their 5 o'clock opening. But that line dies down once the first rush is cleared after 5:30pm. I might have lucked out the few times I've been, but regardless, it is worth any wait. All of the crew are attentive, friendly, and people I wish I was friends with. Oh, and they play rad music. A++ read more

See all

OMG, I think MSP finally has a legit ramen place! Let's break this down to the essentials and essence of ramen: broth and noodle. Broth - YES. Layers and layers and freaking distinct layers of umami punch. The tonkatsu, staple of pork loving ramen lovers, is rich, creamy, mushroom-y, and just the right amount of salty. The spicy miso has just the right amount of spicy (hot enough to feel but not enough to sweat), miso-salty, and strong mirin. Noodle - YES. The noodle is imported from Japan (from what I've read) and there are various noodle styles to fit the broth. Chef's choices were exactly as I'd expect. My spicy miso came with thick and wavy noodles, and they were super bouncy, chew-but-not-chewy, fresh tasting, and carbalicious. Also, kaedama (extra noodle if you have lots of left over broth in your bowl)! Take note: the place is not big, the menu is small, and the prices are a bit high (12.50 per bowl), but all this makes the quality phenomenal. Kazama is setting a new standard, and it's a mouthwatering one. read more

See all

Food was good and hot. Service was terrible the waitress Janice was very short with me about my order and treated me like I was stupid I never been here before and I'm never coming back. If you want a toxico environment and then to spend over 100$ this is the place. If I was the owner I would be embarrassed to say the least at how this establishment is ran and how they treat customers. VERY Unimpressed. read more

Ramen Kazama - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

It was a chilly rainy day in September around dinner time and I thought - ramen. I've heard all the hype around Ramen Kazama and had to check it out for myself. The set up is a fast casual type of restraurant. You order up front, a nice lady will help show you where to sit and then they bring your food out to you. I had no idea what to get and I was extremely hangry, so I asked the cashier what to get and he said #1. It was the "Old School" with pork and chicken broth. It was amazing. I typically don't like broth very much but this both that the best flavor to it I drank it all. I can't wait to come back and try the gyoza and the karrage. read more

Ramen Kazama - Pork and chicken broth - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Out of the three states I've resided in and the countless ramen shops I've visited, this is my favorite. The ramen is especially flavorful and I didn't feel like the environment of the resteraunt or trendy drinks were the main draw like some ramen shops today. I was impressed to look into the kitchen and see the owner taking part in the process of building each bowl with care. At Ramen Kazama, it's evident from the get-go that the ramen is meant to shine and it clearly does. read more

Ramen Kazama - Shoyu "Old School" - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Yaaas to Ramen Kazama!!! I'm so pumped to have a place to call my go-to ramen joint in the Twin Cities. It feels like I've waited an eternity for Ramen Kazama to open and it did not disappoint during my first visit. I went here with Dawn G. and her family and we got there about 15 minutes before it opened and there was already a line forming. The staff were kind enough to let us in a little early to wait inside cause it was cold as hail outside--they were so cute taking selfies with the crowd, you could tell they were super excited to have ramen fanatics in the house. The menu mounted on the wall has crazy small font so I suggest taking a look at the menu online prior to your visit if you can. When you order, you go up to the front counter and they'll give you a number. The dining area is cozy, cute, and clean. It doesn't take too long for the ramen to come out and the staff bring it to your table. Here's a breakdown of what we had: Karage chicken: BOMB.com, flavorful, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Five stars for this fried chicken. Kimchi: not spicy, kind of random, but tastes like what you would expect out of kimchi. Rice roll: I am blanking on the name on this but I feel like there was salted plum rolled into this -- it was crazy sour/tart/too much for me, but if you're into that kind of thing, you might like it. Tonkotsu Ramen: SUPER flavorful. I had a really bad cold when I tried this so it really hit the spot. The only thing I would do differently about my order is get extra pork belly because there are only a few pieces that come with the ramen automatically. Their pork belly is GOOD. Overall, I would recommend this place to any eastcoast/westcoast people who are used to 24/7 access to good ramen...and also ramen noobs who want to start their ramen journey out right. Parking seems to be plentiful but get there early cause they line never stopped the entire time we were there. read more

See all

We came, we sat, we conquered ...a delicious bowl of ramen. Before I get technical about our ramen, let's start with our app. The karaage was fresh, lightly-coated chicken, and fried to crisp perfection. It was served with a spicy Japanese mayo dipping sauce with some foliage on the side. It was juicy and made-to-order so we could not complain about a single thing other than we wanted more. Who doesn't want more meat? Now to the ramen. I opted for their shoyu ramen whereas my BF got their tonkotsu ramen. My broth was light and traditional but my issue with that was I could really taste that "process noodles" taste (that slight soapy taste you get from packaged ramen noodles, ammonia maybe?), and that bothered me quite a bit but needless to say I still finished my food with joy because the broth was good but it did not mask anything coming off from the noodles. The noodles texture was chewy and al dente and I wouldn't expect anything less from them so I can't really complain about that beyond that slight odd taste. My BF broth, on the other hand, was delicious and flavorful and was worth every penny when it comes to ramen in MN (even though, 12.50 is pretty steep). I gladly traded bowls with him to sample his dish, and could barely taste anything coming off the noodles beyond delicious pork broth! Oh, did I mention that perfect soft boil egg with its gooey center? Delicious!!! Cook to perfection, where many places are not able to accomplish here in MN. Overall, we were happy with the quality of our ramen and would be returning. I probably won't get the shoyu again but I'm interesting in trying their spicy miso ramen. Until next time Ramen Kazama. read more

See all

This wasn't supposed to happen. Raman Kazama wasn't supposed to be open (officially opens Nov 1) and I wasn't supposed to be in Minneapolis. Today the stars aligned and I enjoyed one of the best bowls of ramen in Minnesota without any lines. There is an upcoming Yelp event here that will put this place on the map for authentic ramen. This is Chicago and New York-level good. Their menu is simple, heavily emphasizing their ramen selection - that already was a great sign. My go-to ramen is and always will be tonkotsu. Kazama makes a simple but excellent tonkotsu broth that is rich, creamy, and sticks to your lips. The ramen noodles themselves were cooked well but otherwise typical. The soul of ramen is the broth and Kazama nailed it. Service was reasonably fast, especially considering they haven't even truly opened yet. You order, you take your letter, and they serve you. Remember to take your utensils before you sit as they aren't brought out with the food. On that note, one suggestion I have is to upgrade the disposable chopsticks because the ones used have a tendency to splinter and aren't very comfortable to use. Pricing is comparable to other ramen in town. While small, the space fits around 40 people or so and more if you're willing to stand. I love open kitchens designs because it allows you to appreciate the entire process - Kazama is designed in this fashion. Parking is street level only on Nicolette so plan ahead during dinner rush hour. read more

Ramen Kazama - Tonkotsu ramen with extra chashu. - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

See all

One of my favorite ramen places in the Twin Cities! I ordered the Karamiso Ramen but I definitely want to go back and try their other bowls. Here, you order first at the front of the restaurant and then go towards the back where a host seats you, if there are spots open. The restaurant is quite small so I wouldn't recommend going in a large group. It also gets quite busy as the night goes on. We got there at opening and there was already a line forming out the door. Other than that, I would say It was a good experience! The atmosphere was chill, the wooden decor was awesome, and the ramen was delicious. read more

Ramen Kazama - Karamiso, Tonkotsu, Shoyu - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Very very very pleased with our second experience at Ramen Kazama! Great service from our waitress and even some bonus Japanese chatter between my girlfriend and her. We ordered way too much food which is our usual method of dining out and everything was exceptional. Pictures to follow. The only thing we would probably not order again was the Kimchi but other than that delectable! Ramen(s) - 8/10 Friend chicken - 8/10 Kimchi - 4/10 Will definitely go back during the winter months! read more

See all

This place rocked! I had the bone marrow ramen and it did not disappoint! It can be intimidating because of the line at the door, but it seemed to move pretty quickly. Grabbed a beer as we ordered and sipped on that and chatted until a table was ready for us. Its a little crowded at the tables by the windows, but that's really just a credit to how good the food is and how many people want to be in there eating all the time. The one piece of advice I can give is that it may not be the best place for a first date (see photo). But hey, maybe if you do try it for a first date and end up getting a second date, you may have a keeper! Great addition to the neighborhood! read more

Ramen Kazama - Maybe I don't know how to eat ramen, but I sure did like it! - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Ramen Kazama opened up the same week I moved into the neighborhood, so I'm surprised it took me about 2 months to finally go for dinner. The constant line intrigued me, but also scared me away. The line was inside the door when we visited, but it still took quite awhile to get our food (about 45 minutes from when we ordered to when we got our gyoza and ramen). The ramen was flavorful and perfect for a cold winter night, I really enjoyed the Torishio (chicken ramen). I'll be back again, but will expect the long wait next time. read more

See all

3-stars, but if I could, I'd give it 3.75 for several reasons. + awesome space, well decorated, love the seating and the overall feel - I don't think the ordering system works very well...I understand what they're trying to do - in Japan, when you order ramen, you typically go up to a machine that has all of the options, choose what you want, pay for it, then pass the ticket to the restaurant staff and sit down. They're going for that same effect, but instead of a machine, there's a person at the register. However, given how popular Ramen Kazama is right now, I don't know if that's the best way of going about it, especially since there aren't really any free seats and there's not much space to stand either + lots of street parking + the shoyu ramen is really good. My friend ordered it, I got to try it...will definitely be ordering it next time I go. +/- the tonkotsu ramen was good, but lacked...something. Depth? Truthfully however, that specific broth (pork bone marrow) is a tricky one to get right, and I have yet to really eaten any tonkotsu ramen in this city that's been truly *great*. Scale of 1-10, I'd give it a respectable 7. + the chashu pork, shoyu tamago, and other condiments in the ramen were excellent! Very tender chasu, the shoyu tamago was perfectly cooked...no issue there whatsoever. + good sake selection! well priced too! - service was....meh. When we finally got seated, we did not have any napkins, spoons, or chopsticks. We had to ask our server a couple times for each of those things since he only brought one at a time. Then he forgot about us for a bit just after we got our ramen, so that was kind of a bummer...no chopsticks, no eating. - No shichimi togarashi?? Blasphemous! Or maybe it was just our server who was clueless. So yeah, 3.75 is a fair score to give. I will DEFINITELY be back. read more

Ramen Kazama - Tonkotsu ramen - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Ramen Kazama is by far the best place to get ramen in the twin cities. After coming back from Asia i had been craving some authentic Japanese food, which, as we all know, is almost impossible to find in Minnesota. My friend, who had been working there at the time introduced me to Kazama-san and he was a very nice guy! From the moment i saw the pictures on the menu i knew it was by far the most authentic place i had found yet. Judging by taste alone, this is by far the best ramen I've had since moving back home. I go to get ramen almost twice a week now. Recommendations: Tonkotsu ramen (most authentic taste on the whole menu), karaage (fried chicken) read more

My husband and I came here couple weeks ago, it was a last minute decision and didn't disappoint one bit. First time trying Ramen, glad we did can't wait to come back. read more

Ramen Kazama - Tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

See all

SO excited to find a ramen place in my hood! So... I'm really sad to write a less than stellar review...but it is what it is... the restaurant was way too packed...I mean it was packed to the nines... and really, really busy...with the servers running around with the ramen...and people lined up pass the door into the store and then waiting for seats around the counter....we were felt really rushed to eat and it was not comfortable at all, let alone eat. Oh then the food ... the ramen broth was really, really salty and very oily... it was awful. ,,,was REALLY disappointed.... read more

Ramen Kazama was a very pleasant experience! I ordered the number 1 with an extra side of noodles. The broth is very rich and flavorful--definitely the highlight of this meal. The pork was flavorful and very fatty. Egg was cooked perfect. My friend who went with me felt that the number 1 was lacking in salt and was "good, but a bit bland." I would say number 1 would be good for people who like very simple ramens. It is on the pricey side for the amount of food you get, but every bite was pretty satisfying. I wanted to get the spicy pork miso for the spice, but was more curious about the pork/chicken broth with the number 1. The customer service was good. Food arrived in a timely manner. Note: you order your food and then sit down to eat. It's a ramen place--don't expect the same service as at a steakhouse. Giving 4 stars simply because it didn't blow my socks off. My expectations may be unreasonably high. All you should take away is that I would recommend this place. read more

Ramen Kazama - Shoyu "old school" - Ramen Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota