My cousin suggested we eat here, since he used to come here regularly when living in the neighborhood. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a simple storefront in a strip mall, with a narrow menu focused on ramen dishes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The restaurant describes their dishes as "Sapporo Style," meaning that they could suffice as a main dish and are cooked in a wok, seasoned with roasted garlic and onion. Both of our dishes were from the Specials Menu: his the Miso Tan-Tan Men (with sesame paste, hot sesame oil, bok choy, scallion, ground pork) and mine the Hot & Sour Ramen (with sliced pork, egg drop, tofu, assorted veg and sesame oil). The bowls were entrée size and beautifully prepared. The ramens didn't seem fresh cut noodles, like you may find elsewhere, but the delicious full-bodied soups more than made up for that. Some might find the prices high for considering what you get, especially for me compared to NYC similar hole-in-the-walls, yet when in the area I'd recommend Ren's Ramen. It was totally enjoyable and I'd go back excited to also explore other items on their menu. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Enjoyed the decoration and the different types of specials available.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was good, with the waiter checking on us as needed. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Decided to visit at around 5 and the restaurant was almost empty so my table got all the attention.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The pork belly bun ($5) was very good. Small but really enjoyed it. Also, the home made gyoza ($7.50) was tasty too! Piping hot! Decided to go for the Sapporo style miso ramen ($17) and loved the broth and noodles. I would say the broth is a bit salty but I enjoyed it. [[HIGHLIGHT]]During my time there one person came for pick up and when I left, the restaurant remained empty. It was a weekday so I hope it gets busier then.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The only con is the parking. Very limited with only a few spots for all the shops. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]A cute hole in the wall spot for ramen in silver spring/Wheaton area.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It's in a tiny strip mall so limited parking but there is street parking. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The location is tiny with a tiny staff but they get the job done.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was fast and friendly. They make Sapporo style ramen with a few other styles as specials, the menu is as expected focused on ramen which is nice. You come here for ramen, they have a couple appetizers but don't expect too many options other than ramen. The ramen here was solid, very rich flavorful broth that definitely has the right combo of chewy noodles and toppings. Toppings fresh and the pork well seasoned. Prices seemed reasonable for the portions you get. This place definitely satisfied my ramen craving so will definitely be back and would recommend. read more

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I had the pleasure of lunching here with my son recently. His treat! This is another neighborhood restaurant within walking distance. A colleague told me about this place and how it was a favorite go-to restaurant for her and her son for many years. We both enjoyed the appetizer, homemade Gyoza - savory pork dumplings. It was difficult to decide what to order, everything looked delicious, so we started at the top of the ramen menu (because this place WILL be re-visited many more times!), and devoured our Chanpon Ramen bowls(pictured). There was a side of steamed rice, as well (also not pictured). [[HIGHLIGHT]]Going on a Sunday around 1pm worked out. It wasn't crowded when we arrived, but the tables were full by the time we left.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Definitely going back! read more

Ren's Ramen - Chanpon Ramen! A seafood delight! - Ramen Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

There are too many vegetables; the taste is a bit bitter, which actually detracts from the aroma of the soup. read more

Ren's Ramen - There are too many vegetables; the taste is a bit bitter, which actually detracts from the aroma of the soup. - Ramen Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

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We were visiting our friends in the area and they recommended Ren's Ramen to us. We arrived around 6pm on a Friday and luckily was able to get a table. My friend told me that sometimes they get so busy that they have to turn off online ordering, so I think we just got incredibly lucky. There's very limited parking in front, so if you can, carpool. We did, and still ended up having to find street parking cause the lot was full. I had the curry ramen and added an egg. X had the miso ramen and also added an egg. The egg was phenomenal. The ramen was also quite good. It's a huge, huge portion size. Service was friendly and attentive. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]I have to say I was taken aback when we walked in and there were lots of tables on a Sunday at 2 o'clock and the waiter said please sit at a two top.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I told him I'd like to order a lot of things and need more space and then wanted to experience the soup as I was told. It was very good. Our other waiter was very pleasant provided suggestions we ended up getting a Ramen soup, edamame, pork dumplings, and beansprouts salad. Everything was delicious. large portion sizes. I decided to order the pork ribs for seven dollars and have to say they were very disappointing. No meat on the bone at all . [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decor in the restaurant is sparse tables and chairs.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The ramen is good. read more

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Im from Japan and ive eaten at a lot of ramen places in Japan, this place has very good original miso-ramen. This place could compete with any ramen place in Japan sellin miso-ramen. [[HIGHLIGHT]]When you walk in the place its a very simple place, they dont have fancy construction and inside doesnt feel like a club like some other ramen places...[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] they know their ramen is very good so they compete with their ramen, unlike other ramen places. Their gyoza is also homemade, not ordered through a distributor, warmed up and thrown on your plate like other ramen places. read more

My family has been coming to Ren's Ramen for almost as long as my memories extend -- even since before they were at this location in Wheaton. It's been so long that I've evolved from the light broth of the shoyu ramen all the way to the deeply rich miso ramen. This place is a real gem and it's set my bar for ramen sky-high. The squiggly noodles are imported from Japan and they're so chewy. It's different from the straighter Kyushu noodles and some people might find they like these even more. Their gyoza is also excellent and sometimes they might even have fried rice available! Dunno if it's a "secret menu" item nowadays haha. My whole family spends a year salivating about it (which might actually be even better than their ramen) and then hoping and praying that our near-hourlong trip is not for naught. There's a couple of spots in the lot (don't stray too far to the left to avoid getting towed, though) and plentiful street parking that's free on Sundays and metered otherwise. read more

Ren's Ramen - The Sapporo style Miso Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

I've been to Japan many times. Yet something about Ren's makes it the best I've had. Parking is a bit tricky though!

A little gem hole in the wall Sapporo style ramen joint. Lots to love in the food. The broth is so so tasty; had the Stamina Ramen which blends 2 different broths. I added extra tofu and bamboo. Also tried a vinegary bean sprout salad and an alcohol free Amazake, a sweet rice 'sake'. Ramen was amazing. However, I added extra noodles. It does not come with a lot of other ingredients so I feel like you will want to add in stuff to be full. On the downside, parking can be problematic and if the lot is full you have to find street parking. Also the ambience is pretty basic and charmless. But hey, you're here for the ramen. A meal for 2 cost around $50 plus tip. read more

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Best ramen I have had outside of Japan. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Small, unassuming place - just as it should be.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It's all about the ramen. read more

The delicious authentic original spot is still the BEST!!!! Hands down best noodles by far. It's been a year or so since my last visit, and was excited to see a few new versions, credit cards accepted and Apple Pay! Thank you REN!! read more

Even in Japan this is a rare style. We are so lucky to have Ren's here in Wheaton. Other reviews address parking, occasional quirky interactions with owner, and limited seating. This place is a gem for genuine traditional Japanese ramen. read more

Food- 3 Service- 3 Ambience- 3 My son and I love Ramen, so we were excited to have this place nearby. We left vowing not to come back again. A little further drive would give us much better Ramen. The broth was meh. Noodle was cooked perfectly. However, included were only one thin slice of pork, very little bamboo shoot, and no eggs. We paid extra for eggs, and ordered 2 extra sides of bamboo shoot. The waiter didn't seem to care that we were there. LOL- he wasn't rude. Just... uninterested & moving very slowly. read more

No frills. Good service. Just amazing Sapporo style ramen, chanpon, tan men, and tsukemen. After many a bowl here my favorites are the hot & sour ramen (a must) and the garlic men. I'll give the curry ramen a shout out as well but the hot & sour ramen rents space inside my head for free. read more

I got their Misp Tan Tan (spicy sesame oil is the not-so secret ingredient in this one). I usually can't finish ramen and have to take the rest to-go, but this one was so delicious I really couldn't stop!! I haven't had ramen with such a strong sesame taste before and it was 10/10, I can't recommend it enough. Service was also super friendly and SO FAST!! We super appreciated that. Very casual eatery and great food. read more

Ren's Ramen - Miso Tan Tan - Ramen Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Stepping into Ren's is like stepping into a classic Japanese noodle shop.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It serves delicious ramen in a number of varieties. Each broth is well crafted --some bold, some subtle. The noodles are imported from Japan and a combination of spongy and durable. They hold up from beginning of the bowl to the end. Each dish is served piping hot. Ren's delivers a unique and high quality standard that ramen lovers throughout the DMV can appreciate. read more

I stopped by for an easy, breezy lunch, and I thought everything was great. Ren definitely is a place that I more than likely will visit again. While my ramen (I forgot which one I ordered) was absolutely delicious, I thought the amount of broth was a bit on the low side. Although the service was a bit cold, it was efficient. Since this was my first visit to Ren's Ramen, I did not consider that it might be one of those in and out spots. While the food is delicious, the ambiance of the restaurant has a no frills vibe, which is perfectly fine. Fortunately, I did not drive to the restaurant because the parking lot (which is shared by two other Asian restaurants) is really small. However, I am not 100% sure if there is additional parking outside the main parking lot. read more

Ren's Ramen - Great ramen, but I wish there was a bit more broth. - Ramen Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

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I've been eating here since they opened way back in the day but no longer can and I advise everyone else to do the same. I was accused and accosted by, whom I assume is the owner, for smoking weed and bringing the smell into the restaurant and he did this in front of all the other customers dining at the time. Just to clarify, it is perfectly legal to smoke in the State of Maryland, medically and recreationally. To also clarify, I did not smoke prior to going there to eat. So to be accused of doing so then told I'm never allowed to come back really threw me off. So if you don't want to be yelled at in front of a restaurant full of eating patrons of doing something you didn't do(even though it's legal), I'd avoid eating here. read more

As several friends recommended this place, I came here with several friends on Saturday for lunch. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is small, but it wasn't that crowded.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was pretty efficient and friendly. They specifically feature "Sapporo" style ramen, which is usually made with rich pork bone broth and miso. The portion of the ramen is pretty big, so people with big appetites would be satisfied without adding extra noodles. The noodle was medium thick and a bit wavy with decent chewiness. One thing I soon noticed in my tsuke-men (dipping noodle) was that noodle was pretty short (like 4-5 inches), so it was hard to pick it up, dip, and slurp noodles as a Japanese. The miso dipping soup was warm, flavorful, and tasty. The topping was average as it only came with one slice of pork, some veggie, and no egg. Gyoza was pretty small and decent but extremely hot so be careful. Overall, this place offers very authentic ramen, unlike upscale/growing ramen chain restaurants. Parking lot is pretty small, but plenty of street parking around. read more

Ren's Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

This is the most legit ramen place in the dmv. [[HIGHLIGHT]]No bs. No bougie distractions like in north Bethesda... don't come here for gimmicks.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] You come here and you are going to eat well, eat legit food that expats go to for comfort. The pricing is fair, too. Would love if there were beer too, but still 5/5 and I keep coming back. read more

Still pretty good. Have been coming here for over 20 years and the hell shoyu is still the spiciest ramen you can get. Service can be a bit curt, but efficient. Their menu has expanded and the variations of dishes are good. Becareful with the parking. You can only park on their lot or the street metered parking. read more

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Authentic Miso ramen restaurant that blows the doors off your taste buds. The service was great, and the staff was friendly and helpful. read more

(Place was closed from mid-June to July 14. I revisited yesterday, July 20, and am editing the below review to reflect that.) I usually go for the Bakudan Ramen with the very spicy broth, though they often have an even spicier special available. The lightly soy poached eggs, the pork belly, the bamboo shoots, and everything always makes a deeply flavorful dish. The Stamina Ramen is also excellent, though I often ask for Japanese red pepper flakes (Shichimi Togarashi). Yesterday I tried the Hot and Sour Ramen for the first time (I think it's a relatively new item). Very tasty, very much like a good Chinese hot and sour soup but with ramen noodles, some grilled pork, and a richer broth. The Stamina Ramen is also very good. I still want to try the Chanpon-Men Ramen with all its ingredients. Note that parking is scarce and you'll probably park on the street at a meter. DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF ANY OF THE ADJOINING BUSINESSES. With the exception of Ruan Thai next door, parking in front of one of the other businesses will get you towed. Yesterday, a Friday at about 2 p.m., I was able to snag the parking space right in front, probably in part because there were no other customers at that time. Bring cash! No cards taken here. And it's small. I go generally for a late weekday lunch, 1-2 p.m. when there's almost always room. Note they close at 3 p.m. and reopen at 5 p.m. If they are full, people must wait outside, which can be dreadful depending on the weather. read more

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Ren's Ramen is more than a family-owned eatery--it's a living time capsule of culinary passion and heritage. Introduced to me by Saruul, whose lifelong bond with Ren stretches back to the days when they'd watch the human centipede together before sixth grade, this ramen shop carries the legacy of generations. Instilled in them is a reverence for tradition and a fierce commitment to excellence. Ren, the charismatic frontman, is the soul of the establishment, embodying the spirit of a true innovator who honors his roots while forging his own path. With a passion for basketball and an infectious drive, Ren channels his father's journey--who once left America only to return from Japan after learning from the masters--to preserve Japan's finest culinary traditions. In Ren's Ramen, every bowl tells a story: a blend of authentic Japanese techniques, familial love, and a modern twist that transforms simple ingredients into masterpieces. Here, the kitchen is the sacred laboratory where genius is born. The real magic happens behind the counter, where recipes are honed with precision and heart. It's a place where nostalgia meets innovation, where every steaming bowl of ramen serves not only food for thought but also a hearty reminder that legacy is best preserved through love, laughter, and, of course, phenomenal flavor. Ren's Ramen stands as the birthplace of your next culinary awakening--an invitation to taste history, savor passion, and be nourished by a tradition that refuses to be forgotten. read more

My husband and I went for dinner at Ren's on a Friday night. There were a good amount of people, but it wasn't really busy so we got seats right away. We got gyoza as an app, Bakudan Miso ramen and Miso Tan-Tan. The ramens don't really come with much, you have to add toppings which all cost extra. The Bakudan was just not good - it tasted like instant ramen, had one piece of pork, and wasn't spicy even though it's advertised as such. The Miso Tan-Tan also tasted like instant noodles and the broth was too thick. We both ended up not finishing our food and picking up something else to eat afterwards - never a good sign. read more

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Updated review - added the fifth star because: - still the best ramen in the DMV despite a lot of new ramen shops opening - they take credit cards now - they added a few menu items that are great, including spicy gyoza and an amazing strawberry daifuku, as well as natural fruit flavored Japanese sodas - added chilled and dry ramen options and the classic Japanese take on dan dan noodles Note: Tan Tan Mien is a hearty broth with sesame paste and oil. It's *intended* to have a thicker viscosity of broth that's almost creamy. Also, the toppings on Ren's ramen are typical of the amount what we would get in Japan - and there are photos on the menu and the wall. We drive 45-60 minutes to Ren's because if you're craving ramen, why settle? read more

Went on a Sunday evening and it wasn't too busy! I was seated right away and given 2 menus. One was for specials and the other was the main menu. It was easy and straight to the point to order. All of the ramen comes with standard toppings. I ordered meat and egg at an additional cost, but it didn't add much to the total price. I also ordered the dumplings, which were juicy, hot, and freshly made! My ramen came out soon after and was flavorful, delicious, and not too salty. WILL COME BACK AGAIN! read more

I ordered takeout ramen and it was magnificent!! I crave it regularly and am so happy I live only a mile away! My go-to is the Sapporo style miso and I always get an order of the gyoza, too. Highly recommend! read more

We got the shoyu style ramen which I really liked. It's light but still bright enough to taste the broth. The hot (and sour?) was much lighter broth but the egg and bok choy was great. I would try again. The noodles tasted fresh. read more

Ren's Ramen - Hot and sour? - Ramen Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

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Great ramen. I love the vegetarian options. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very small place but the ramen is great.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Many creative option.

Yo, this is my spot. Their ramen is mad good. So far I've tried the hot and sour, stamina, "the sapporo" style miso, and the miso tan-tan men ramen. While I enjoyed them all, I think my fav so far is "The Sapporo" Style Miso. I almost always start with a pork belly bun and yes. Deliciousness. The bun is nice and soft. The pork belly is flavorful. The cabbage,, carrot and scallion on top add a nice lil crunch. Ya girl likes her food spicy so I spread the spicy mustard on top. Mhmmmmm. It's a cute shop with limited seating. They usually have good music playing. They have different specials so make sure to check them out. The customer service is excellent. All in all, this is a quality spot. read more

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Not a huge ramen person so the rating is based on the average of the group plus someone who enjoys ramen and I think his rating made me bump up the rating since he is more of a ramen connoisseur than me :) Parking is limited. You can park on the street and I don't think it's that difficult to find parking. Located next to Ruan Thai. I've heard so many good things about this place but never cared to check it out. I am very surprised at the low rating. Sorry a lot of the ramen spelling is prob wrong. I noticed I spelled it wrong in the picture too.. Anyway, Tsukemen is a dipping ramen and I do think the flavor of it is good but I do like my ramen broth hot and it was like warm. Flavors are good and when you add all the extra stuff it makes it a lot pricier but the add ins are usually worth it. My friends added pork belly, corn, and egg Bakudan is supposed to be spicy but it was not spicy. I wanted at least some kind of spice but I felt like there was no kick to it. Anyway, the flavor was good. I added the fatty pork because the waitress said that was better and I did enjoy it. I also added the egg but it was too salty for me. I also prefer just soft boiled egg that's not flavored but most like the egg like this. I got the miso version of this Sapporo salt one was okay. My friend didn't like hers as much and preferred the flavor of mine. She added pork and egg to hers. Service was great but ramen was okay. I do think that if I were to go again I would get the tsukemen even though the broth isn't as hot as I'd like. My friend would give this 5 stars because he loves and knows his ramen more than I do. I prefer korean shin ramyun or something cheaper like that lol :) read more

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Only okay. This hole in the wall advertises their aged, imported noodles-- but as any ramen fanatic knows, ramen is mostly about the broth. And good broth is hard, really hard, a time-consuming labor of love. The broth here was just...bland. No hot sauce on offer to perk it up. The toppings? Okay, but not as plentiful, flavorful, varied (or instagram friendly) as other shops. The chaschu pork wasn't as fatty or delicious as what I usually have, and there was 1/2 to 1/3 as much as I'd expect. Also tried the gyoza. They were pan-fried (kudos) but the filling was bland, and the sauce was non-descript. Echos of Trader Joe's, but not as good. Note: Cash only, limited parking. If you live around the corner, definitely consider stopping in. If you seek out delicious Japanese food? This isn't worth the trip. read more

Ren's Ramen - Gyoza - Ramen Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

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Super nice small ramen restaurant tucked away in the corner of Wheaton. There were tons of options and specials to choose from which I liked, such as spicy and non spicy options. You could choose from a variety of options to add onto your ramen. I got a ramen that wasn't on the menu but it was a special that was written on their chalk board. It was some sort of garlic and park ramen fish that was very flavorful and delicious. My only complaint was that it was just a tad salty to my liking. Nonetheless, not a bad dish at all and I would love to come back to try other options. Service: 5/5 Food: 4/5 Interior: 4/5 read more

Ren's Ramen - Garlic Pork Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

I stopped in for ramen after seeing that I bookmarked this place a while ago. I ordered the tonshio and the shoyu ramens for takeout. I waited for about 20 minutes and they brought my food out to me. When I first took it off the container, and poured the broth on, I was impressed. The broth had rich flavor and the noodles were chewy. However as I kept eating, the broth got much saltier. It was still tasty but I couldn't quite finish it. This was the same for both ramens I ordered. It also felt like there were not enough toppings. An egg would have been a great addition. If I was in the area again, I'll order from them again. read more

I'd take a big pass on this place if I were you. I think the 3-star review is deadly accurate because Ren's just falls short on many levels. I'm not sure why anyone would give 5 stars and rave about its authenticity. It's not good, simple as that. People who think it's the best ramen shop obviously haven't been to a warm welcoming restaurant where there's an open kitchen with Japanese phrases being shouted. I'll admit it, I'm a ramen snob and I don't want to delve into all the other ramen joints I've been to--it's a lot, all around the world. I get that Ren's Ramen is in a lower socioeconomic neighborhood so their business practices reflects that, but if the actual product isn't that good, then what's the point? Ren's Ramen is a cash-only, customers-only-restroom, lots of signs for giving tip, small soup eatery. It sort of feels like you're in a strict religious classroom in the 80's with all the signs telling you what you can't do. You can tell they just want to maximize their profit. Also, when my wife was asking the server about the menu, the only thing she kept saying was that the Miso Ramen was the most popular (no depth of knowledge about the actual broth, which should be complex). Again, and most importantly, it's all about the product, and the broth is too salty with noodles that aren't that tasty. So, you're not missing out if you don't come here. Get a respectable bowl at a different spot in D.C. read more

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The noodles were perfect texture and consistency. However, the soup was not good at all. Bakudan Ramen was supposed to be spicy but it was not spicy and very watered down. The stamina ramen was very very salty leaving my mouth dry as a desert. We waited 30+ minutes for our ramen. Limited cramped parking and towing signs everywhere. There was 1 hr street parking if you're lucky to find a spot. The place was pretty small but they did have good service. Overall, cons just outweigh the pros. Would not recommend and would never come again. read more

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The food is consistently good in this unassuming Wheaton spot that is just nice enough to not qualify as a "hole in the wall". I say 4 stars as the service can be a little... let's say "short" and i know several people that won't eat here because they found the staff rude. I don't think it's that bad, but at least one staff member is very short, not interested in making any sort of accommodation and seems generally slightly stressed/annoyed all the time. Go for the food, not the service. read more