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I'm not a huge ramen person, but being from Japan, I know what good ramen is supposed to be. This place is one of the few spots on the island I genuinely enjoy. I don't mess with places that can't even serve ramen hot enough to burn your tongue and make you blow the steam away ;) This was my third visit, and I'm impressed with how consistent they are. Service was fast and attentive, and the restaurant was very clean with hand sanitizer available. Pretty sure I'll be back again and again. And don't forget to mention you're Kamaʻaina if you are -- it helps.
Small interior like bar type seating. No actual tables which is different but roomy for us. There is a small TV that shoes how they make their ramen, how cute! The ramen looks so tasty watching the video as we wait to eat our ramen. It was next to our hotel and we were famished after a long flight. Came around 1pm, no line though I saw reviews the waitlist was long! We tried: Hakata Tonkatsu ramen: broth is so light and tasty. Different than tonkatsu ramen in terms of the broth is lighter but still has that distinct pork taste. It isn't overly salty- just right so the broth is sippable and I enjoyed the ramen. Gyoza: definitely homemade here and filled with cabbage and pork.
Small place with very limited seating maybe 20ppl on a Main Street but the ramen was really good. Authentic tasting ramen. They are known for their oxtail ramen but stick with the traditional ramen. Fried rice was really good.
Very limited seating, waited about 15 minutes? It's a cozy ramen spot, you sit facing people across the table. Got spicy tonkatsu ramen, it was so flavorful.
Long wait since it's a super tight space. You'll be seated around the service bar. The bowls of ramen were good, definitely a little bit too salty for my liking but checks all the boxes of a good ramen.
Authentic Ramen House! First time back in ten years and happy to say they now have a vegetarian menu. We visited on Easter for dinner and got in without wait. The restaurant is small and counter seating is set up in a u-shape with the server in the middle. Be prepared to be seated next to strangers. It is a fun, social and casual vibe. We ordered the Miso Ramen and veggie dumplings. The noodles were the perfectly firm and the broth was seasoned on point. The dumplings were tasty. Service was quick and efficient. Turn over was fast. Prices were reasonable. If you're craving ramen, this is a solid spot.
7/27/26 Buyer beware. Ordered the mini shoyu ramen combo. The guy was real nice.. I wasn't offered a receipt but overlooked it since he rushed away... I had ordered as a walk-in to take out. By the time we grabbed the food and walked away I realized I was charged $28?!! I was going to dispute it but I didn't know if maybe he misunderstood,... I also didn't want to make a big deal since we were visiting inter*island as guests,. and I didn't want to go back... but, yup. Was the mini ramen combo only! $28. I tried to call and he had me on hold and never answered,.. I hung up. Is this how they run their business?? I literally want a full refund. Buyer beware !
Sometimes, the best meals happen without a plan, allowing for, authentic, local, dining experiences. We stumbled upon this hidden gem while walking down Main Street Waikiki. And we're so glad we did! Ramen Nakamura is a popular, small ramen restaurant in Honolulu's Waikiki area, known for its authentic Japanese ramen with rich broths like tonkatsu, shoyu, and oxtail. We ordered the shio ramen, spicy ramen with oxtail and a side of fried rice. The broths were deeply flavorful and rich in spices. And the oxtail was super tender and hearty. The fried rice was well balanced and packed with flavor! Despite the restaurant being small and intimate, service was extremely efficient! Our total wait time was less than 15 minutes- that's pretty good considering there's usually a line of people waiting outside. And our food was served in a timely manner. Not to mention, our waiter made some great recommendations! We will definitely be back!
We got lucky coming here for dinner there was no line, which was honestly surprising because this place is usually packed. The ramen was flavorful, comforting, and exactly what you want after a long day out in Waikiki. Everything tasted fresh and well-balanced, and you can tell why this spot is so popular.
The restaurant is small but it is very nice and cute. The wait is not bad at all, don't be scared when you see many people outside the door. The Cantonese speaking waitress is very nice and very efficient. The food is delicious and tasty. We will be back for more. Highly recommended.
We came to Honolulu and saw the line outside Ramen Nakamura, so we figured it had to be worth trying. Overall, the ramen was very good, but I want to share an important tip about their waiting system so others don't get caught off guard. When your name gets close to the top of the list, do NOT wander away. They will call your name three times, and if you're not standing there, they'll cross your name off immediately. What surprised me was that they start calling names before the current customers have even finished eating or paid their bill. I had made eye contact with the host, pointed to my name and party size, and he acknowledged me. There were still people sitting at the counter eating, and it looked like it would be another 10-15 minutes before seats opened up. I stepped away briefly and came back, only to find my name had already been crossed off the list. The party that was supposedly leaving hadn't even paid yet and was still sitting in their seats. When I explained the situation, the host simply said, "Sorry, your time passed already. I called your name three times." Their sign says they will wait 3 minutes, but in our case it felt more like they called the name three times in quick succession and then removed it. Thankfully, after some discussion, he agreed to seat us anyway. So my advice: once your name is within a couple spots of being called, stay close and pay attention. As for the food, we ordered the Oxtail Ramen (spicy) and the Cashew Pork Ramen. The ramen itself was excellent. The oxtail was tender, although it didn't have a lot of flavor on its own in the soup. They provide a separate bowl with ginger and what appeared to be a ponzu-based sauce, and the intended way to eat it is to remove the oxtail from the soup and dip it into the sauce. That definitely enhanced the flavor. The restaurant is set up with bar-style seating in a half-oval arrangement. Your party will be seated shoulder-to-shoulder, and guests will be sitting directly across from you on the other side of the counter. I'd estimate there are about 25 seats total. Service is efficient, food comes out quickly, and most customers finish and leave fairly fast. For reference, we arrived at 8:38 PM on a Tuesday with 17 people ahead of us. We were seated around 9:15 PM, our food arrived by about 9:30 PM, and we left around 10:00 PM. Overall, this would have been a 5-star experience if not for the confusion with the waiting list. The ramen is absolutely worth trying, but understanding how their queue system works will save you from a potentially frustrating experience.
I was pretty disappointed about this spot after hearing people rave about it. I came for a late dinner and luckily there were open seats. It's a cool seating concept and you are meant to eat and go. I ordered the standard tonkotsu ramen and it came out in 10-15 minutes. When I first tried the broth it tasted heavily of sink/tap water which was very off putting. I was expecting a rich flavorful pork broth... They gave a good amount of noodles that had a nice chewy texture, but overall the entire bowl was simply disappointing. I guess for these spots that get a lot of hype, you either love it or not.
I've been coming here since high school. More than twenty years now. Back then, there were only a few ramen shops around. Today, the competition is everywhere. This place is still standing. That says something. I ordered the oxtail ramen. The broth is deep and steady, built from time and patience. Rich, but not careless. You taste the beef first, then the quiet sweetness that follows. The oxtail is tender, soft enough to fall apart, doing its job without showing off. This bowl hasn't changed much over the years. And it doesn't need to. I also ordered the fried rice. I always do. It's familiar and dependable. Each grain stays separate, lightly coated, carrying that wok aroma you remember long after the plate is empty. Simple, satisfying, and still one of the best companions to a bowl of ramen. Ramen Nakamura doesn't chase trends. It doesn't need to. It holds its ground by doing the same things well, year after year. I've grown older. The ramen hasn't. And I keep coming back.
4 years ago
4 years ago
Party of 4. Waited only 20 mins on a Sunday night around 7pm. Soooo good. Can't wait to come back! Oxtail was delicious read more
4 years ago
Worth the wait. We all opted for the mini with gyoza and fried rice so we could have a little of everything. The broth is so flavorful! If you go at night, expect a longer wait. read more
Visited this spot while on vacation based on the good reviews but it did not live up to my expectations. Also, pretty long wait outside but the line was moving fast so I can't complain about that. The inside was a little crammed and the seating style was sort of set up like a bar so that you can watch the stranger across from you eat. The servers were very attentive and helpful. We all ordered the ox tail ramen, as it was the most popular dish on their menu and definitely stood out to me because it sounded unique. Most Japanese ramen broths are pork-based, which my boyfriend and I don't eat so another reason why the ox tail ramen also appealed to us. They only served one size, which was a pretty large bowl. $23 was way too high of a price point in my opinion and I honestly thought it wasn't all that special for how pricey it was. $15 at most was what I thought it should've been. I wish the broth had a little more flavor and they offered more sauces. The ox tail was a little annoying to chew and eat. But other than that, pork substitutions were non-existent and I probably wouldn't come back here again because of their prices. But then again, it's in the most touristy area on the island so it makes sense. I definitely prefer to eat at the more lowkey local spots instead. Still would recommend anyone to at least try it out though. read more
Ramen Nakamura is a no-frills ramen spot, typical of what you find in Japan. One thing I found that differentiated it from ones I've had in Japan was the broth - which is seemingly less concentrated than most of had. When ordering the tonkatsu brother I was a little disappointed to find that it was a lot lighter than expected. Typically for pork broth it's expected to be of the hakata style which is super dense and full bodied in flavor. However this was more of a lighter pork broth, something I can't say I've had in any other place. In the end my palate was disappointed but I was also grateful I wasn't walking in the Waikiki heat and humidity while filled up on hakata style ramen. One thing I will say I was very pleasantly surprised by is the gyoza and shrimp fried rice. Both were extremely satisfying. The rice was your typical short grained style Japanese fried rice but the wok flavor really shone through it well. The gyoza was pan fried to a golden brown bliss on the bottom while being tender on the top and filled with juicy, perfectly seasoned filling. All in all, came for the ramen but will be back for the fried rice and gyoza. read more
3 years ago
I don't understand why many people giving 5 star to this small ramen place with service like go in, eat, and go out. I had a party of two in this ramen place, it wasn't really a busy night but still there was barely any service. All they did was order ramen and have our dishes ready. This is what they are supposed to do as servers. When I go check out, the lady highlighted 18% service fee and told me to tip her something around that. I hate to be watched while tipping. Im okay with the tipping culture here in US but if there is no service and people are poorly treated, why are we as customers supposed to be watched and force to tip so much?!!!???? Plus, the food is just average and even below (for people who have been to very local ramen place, this restaurant is not very stand out). I understand as a vacation place the ramen price is around 24~26 a combo, but the taste is only okay and eatable, I won't give 18% tip for their "service". I gave her 10% tip and what the lady told me was "this is not good for you" something like this..after all, greedy old lady, don't come read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Personally I think the Miso Ramen was a tiny bit too salty for me, but I really recommend the shoyu ramen! The broth tasted pretty creamy, although there is an inconvenience of minimum 16 dollars per person and you can only eat there for a limited amount of time, but I believe it's cuz there's not too many seats, so they try to clear it out so others can eat. Other than that, the service was really quick and the workers were nice read more
First time we came here was back in 2016. We remember how good it was so on this visit to Honolulu we couldn't miss the opportunity to go back. And the ramen was delicious and the same as it tasted before. We got the oxtail ramen with gyoza and spicy ramen. We should have ordered 1 bowl and shared it. Portions are large and the prices are very fair. Our bill was $45 with tip Beware they don't accept credit or debit cards. Cash only. They accept US dollars or Japanese Yen. So come prepared. Not table style seating. Seated at a ramen bar. Not fancy very casual. read more
4 years ago
Definitely a good ramen place. The way they are organized and services, remind me if my experience in Japan. The ramen combo with the side of fried rice was very filling. The broth was rich with flavor. read more
4 years ago
2 years ago
I went to this restaurant by myself for dinner around 8:15pm.The ramen it tasted normal not things special, fired rice tasted great. After I just finished my meal put chopsticks down, The lady took my plate immediately and asked me get ready to pay, I was shocked that the severs were so rude. Theirs no people waiting in line, I don't understand why they were rushing. Feeling like they could just rob your money but instead they provide some meal to you and rob your money. I don't recommend this restaurant to anyone. read more
Ramen nakamura does not disappoint! Their spicy ramen is flavorful and filling, and not so spicy that it takes away from the other flavors. They do a ground pork (compared to other ramen shops that have sliced chashu) which is different and tasty. It's a smaller place so sometimes there's a wait at peak times, but the service is quick and it's worth a short wait if you have time. read more
5 years ago
Waited an hour for the ramen. But it was worth the wait. We placed our name down for a group of 4 and came in when our numbered was called. Service was quick and friendly. We got the ox tail and Shoyu ramen. Both were delicious. The oxtail meat was tender which I enjoyed. 5/5 for service 5/5 for the tasty ramen Will definitely be back for more when visiting Hawaii again. Highly recommended! read more
3 years ago
Got the Spicy Ramen Oxtail. Thought the broth was good. Not too salty; light and refreshing. The quality of the oxtail was ok but the overall Ramen is a B+. I wouldn't wait more than an hour for this. My main issue was with the service. Came with a big party and they treated us poorly. They seem to prefer guess with smaller party of 3 or less. It also left a bad taste in my mouth that the lady told me that I had to spend at least $14 a seat which includes my 2 year old daughter. I get it that the place is small but that's not my fault. We were not going to tip them but they already added a 18% service charge. I just felt like they were greedy. If you have kids, I do not recommend this place. If you was going out with a party of 3 or less and their all adults then I would recommend but if you have a party of 5 or more OR have children(s) then I wouldn't. The ramen is good but the greed taste worst. read more
3 stars mainly towards the food I got a shoyu oxtail ramen while hubby got the ramen set (tonkatsu ramen with fried rice and gyoza) They were both around $20 each per meal so $43 something with tax total. Although for the oxtail it was perfectly cooked and deserves all praise the ramen and soup themselves was just an ok. Nothing too special and lack depth in flavor. For $20 I guess your paying for the oxtail but I think the broth could have been better. The fried rice was also an okay same as the gyoza. The place is pretty small with limited seating, so we ended up just getting take out. We ate everything within 10 mins which shouldn't affect the quality too much. (It was like 8-10 mins walk from hale koa hotel) No idea too where you can park as street parking didn't seem like an option. Overall meal was average and not worth it comparing it to other restaurants that I'd be happy to spend $20 on or even cheaper for better flavor. Personally, I wouldn't come back although my husband said he wanted to give it another chance for the spicy ramen. read more
Ramen was absolutely delicious! My husband and I came here for lunch. The staff was very friendly and were following all COVID precautions. You must try the spicy ramen and it was reasonably priced. For 2 ramen we paid $30. Everywhere else was too expensive and commercialized for lunch . It was nice to support family owned business. Must try!! read more
3 years ago
Some of the best Vegetarian Ramen I have had in a while. The broth was rich and creamy, noodles were the right chewiness, and the vegetables were seasoned well. There was a 15 min wait for a party of 6 and they took our order while we were waiting and it was served as soon as we sat down. Great efficient service. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
Really don't understand what the hype is about. It was good ramen but definitely not the best. Service was quick but I did feel rushed to leave straight away so this is not the spot to be mingling and having drinks, you are in and out. Service was good but again felt rushed. The ramen noodles were the best part but the broth was very basic. Ambiance was busy and they seat you next to random people to fit more people in. Probably wouldn't come again. read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
Absolutely love the ox tail ramen and homemade gyoza! Service is quick! There generally is a line during dinner hours, but not too bad of a wait...just be patient, food is worth it! read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
Surprisingly there wasn't a line out the door for this little ramen shop so the 3 of us made our way in. They had waters ready for us and menus out. It's a very small place but felt cozy and comfortable. Something I took notice of right away was that it's very clean. We were seated in the corner next to some shelving with some decor, a speaker and other things and there wasn't a speck of dust. My husband and sister ordered the Oxtail ramen with an egg and fried rice. I ordered the half spicy ramen set with gyoza. The gyoza didn't make it for a picture, it was so good! The half portion of spicy ramen was delicious and just spicy enough to make my nose run a little but not enough to burn my lips. Even though I was full I wish I had gotten the full size just so I could have enjoyed it longer. Next time! The oxtail ramen had a delicious flavor profile and the oxtail was tender as can be. The fried rice was also delicious and cooked perfectly. read more
5 years ago
Yooo, one of the most overrated restaurants by far. It was NOT worth the 1.5 hours wait. The ramen was so blend... even after I added the chilli oil and gyoza sauce. If you have ever had ramen or oxtaul, you might like the experience. But, it's NOT worth the wait and money, seriously. The worst part is the broth, which is the most important part of the ramen. Plus, it's over priced for sure. We had the ox tail, and it was the smallest ox tails I've ever had. The best part is the their gyoza (thus two stars). I would definitely come back (for a reasonable wait, not 1.5 hours) just for the gyoza. The inside was just perfect. Other than the gyoza, just keep moving along and pass by. The line can be decided, but you have been warned! You're not missing out on anything, seriously. read more
4 years ago
It's a standard ramen. I didn't see the mesmerizing flavors blasting out from my "noodles soup". I have ordered option C- "Tokio" ramen, garlic fried rice and gyoza. All of the above are decent no questions. I was little bit confused with Tokio ramen meat option. It was just one piece. Noodles were tasty and base wasn't heavy. Garlic fried rice wasn't anything special and gyozas again your typical Trader Joe flavor. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
One of my favorite place to eat when I'm here on the island. The customer service here is exceptional. A couple of things to note: you put yourself on the waiting list, if your party is not all there when they call your name they move on to the next person on the list. I like this system though. Also, there is no restroom so you should use the restroom before hand. read more
4 years ago
Whenever we come to Hawaii, we have to get our ramen (and udon) fix. Took a nice walk down to Ramen Nakamura. Wait was about 40 min but there are some shops in the area to visit while you wait. All of the ramen is great, but would recommend the ox tail - as this is their special/different item. Also, recommend getting the rice side/combo - delish! read more
4 years ago
I saw people waiting in a line to eat at this place. It's a small place with a wrap-around bar set-up. Seats about 18. Being that it's a tight space it was noisy with all the conversations happening at once. The service was quick and the servers were friendly. It was clear that turning your seat was a priority, as there is a time limit on your meal. Not a place to go if you're looking to stay a while. I ordered gyozas, fried rice and a bowl of the oxtail soup noodles. The gyozas, fried rice, soup base and noodles were good. The oxtail was fatty and had a gamey taste. I was so looking forward to it, but left a bit disappointed. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
I wish I can find a ramen place near where I live that has Oxtail Ramen. But for now, I have to save my oxtail craving when I go to Ramen Nakamura. The service is always great and their ramen bowls are filled with fresh veggies, delicious broth and lots of meat. I'm looking forward to going again. read more
4 years ago
More info about Ramen Nakamura
2141 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
Waikiki
Directions
(808) 922-7960
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https://ramen-nakamura.com
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Ask the Community - Ramen Nakamura
Is it still bring your own beer and wine? A few years back they did not have liquor license though they do sell soft drinks. Mahalo.
nope, they are alcohol free. better to drink at home pregaming safely, or get a drink from a bar. i'd recommend Camado ramen if you'd like to buy alcoholic drinks, but they don't do bybw or bring your own beer; and wine.
What type of meat are the broths made with?
Most of their broths is usually beef, and pork. They have vegetarian type broths, but you'd still probably get some meat like broth without the meat.
Can we place to-go orders? I
Yes, they do take out. Very busy though, so still a wait.
Are reservations required?
No. First come first served. At peak hours, the line takes about 45min-60 min. Best time to eat without line probably around 2-4pm.
Hello, do you have allergen list to share? My son is allergic to egg, dairy and shellfish. We are trying to find out his options to dine in at your store. Thank you.?
I haven't seen any of their dishes offered with egg, dairy and/or seafood. You should be good to go there.
Do they use MSG in their broth I hate to ask at the restaurant because Might spit in my soup?
I would call them under a different name and ask. Tell them you are super sensitive to additives and then when they say yes or no, decide if you want to go. If you do use your name. Not sure if they are going to understand what a MSG is since the…
Are there any vegetarian options?
No there are no vegan/vegetarian options. All broths are meat based
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74 reviews that are not currently recommended
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