If you're wandering through Downtown Riverside at 3am you might find yourself drawn to the warm, inviting glow of Saku Ramen. It's a place where the promise of warm ramen bowls brings comfort to the chilliest evenings. We dove straight into the Niku Ramen and were not disappointed. The creamy pork broth, seasoned ground beef, and wood ear mushrooms make for a flavorful combination that's enhanced with a perfectly soft-boiled egg. It's a dish that feels both crafted and comforting, precisely what you want in a ramen bowl. Their Tsukemen, or dipping ramen, was another highlight. Unlike traditional Tsukemen, Saku serves their noodles hot, which are perfect for dipping into the thick, flavorful broth enriched with Japanese Wagyu. Pro tip: Pour the broth over if you prefer a more integrated flavor experience. However, not every dish hit the high mark. The Miso Ramen, while savory, lacked the depth usually expected from miso-infused broths. The Tonkotsu had a similar fate; described as creamy, it was thicker but fell short of the velvety richness that characterizes the best Tonkotsu broths. Service can be hit or miss here. The staff is friendly when you order, and if you get their attention after sitting, but don't expect to get that bar drink quickly. Patience is key, as there can be a wait from ordering to receiving your food especially during peak hours or downtown events. The ambiance of Saku Ramen fits perfectly with its culinary offerings. It's fun with a buzz of energy, attributed to both the decor and the patrons' excited chatter. Ideal for a casual dinner or a late-night ramen craving as they're open 24/7. Despite some inconsistencies, Saku Ramen offers a robust ramen experience that's worth exploring. For the best experience, visit during off-peak hours and always say yes to adding an egg to your ramen! Whether you're a ramen aficionado or just in the mood to try something new, Saku Ramen warrants a visit. Just remember to manage your expectations during busy times and savor the dishes that are done right. Happy eating Yelpers! read more

Saku Ramen is a hidden gem that deserves all the praise! From the moment I stepped inside, I was enveloped in a warm and inviting atmosphere that felt both cozy and vibrant. The decor strikes a perfect balance between modern aesthetics and traditional Japanese touches, creating a delightful dining environment. The menu is a treasure trove for ramen lovers, showcasing a diverse selection of broths and toppings. I opted for the Tonkotsu ramen, and it was nothing short of spectacular! The rich, creamy broth was a symphony of flavors, perfectly complemented by tender noodles and an array of fresh ingredients. Each spoonful was an adventure, and it left me craving more. What truly sets Saku Ramen apart is the attention to detail. The staff was incredibly friendly and passionate about the food, eager to share their favorites and answer any questions. Their recommendations truly enhanced the experience, making me feel like a valued guest rather than just another customer. I also indulged in their delicious gyoza, which were crispy on the outside and bursting with flavor on the inside. A must-try side dish! To finish off the meal, I couldn't resist the matcha dessert, which was a delightful end to a fantastic dining experience. Overall, Saku Ramen exceeded my expectations in every way. Whether you're a ramen aficionado or a first-time visitor, this restaurant is a must-visit in Riverside. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu! read more

I've seen this ramen place around for quite some time and I was excited to try it out. I've always been a big fan of ramen, but I haven't found any good local ramen spots here in Riverside and I hoped that Sakuramen was going to change it. Ultimately, I was disappointed. My boyfriend and I came in on a rainy afternoon. We found out that you order at the front and then find your seat afterwards and they will send you a text when it is ready. The seats are composed of tall cold metal benches and limited seating (many other customers were standing waiting for a seat). When we finally got our ramen, the noodles were hard and chewy ( undercooked) and the soup lacked flavor. I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen with pork with naruto and ramen on the side and my boyfriend got the Tori chicken ramen (med spicy). Honestly for the price that we paid, the quality was mediocre at best. When we got home after a few hours, we both started experiencing upset stomachs. Most of the night we were in and out of the bathroom. We didn't share bowls or tried anything from each other's bowls, but I'm positive it was something in the ramen that made us feel sick. I will not be coming back to this place and I hope that others reconsider from eating from here if you do not want to potentially get sick. read more

Best Ramen in Riverside/ San Bernardino area where I believe it is the first Ramen house in the area to be run 24 hours. My Wife and I were too tired to cook a home meal, but did not want to compromise going processed fast food. This was the perfect hearty meal for us and what we were exactly looking for. We could taste the freshness in the broth and all is made cook to order. I ordered the Tori with extra yellow noodles and went all the way with the fixings adding egg, spinach, bean sprouts, Naruto (fish cakes), and even threw my gyoza appetizer in the mix! As expected was delicious especially for a late night meal after 1 AM. Seems like being the only place in Riverside that was open at the time that was not a bar that seating was limited, so we enjoyed this meal at home in order to have our shoulder space and be a bit more cautious with Covid awareness. We did wait over 10 minutes to put our order through but as you can see their must be a reason why they have a lengthy lines. Was worth the wait! From the time we ordered took less than 10 minutes and food was still piping hot by the time we got home. read more

This place has a very beautiful aesthetic to it. The food is honestly really good. I like getting their chicken broth and their vegan broth. Both spicy and yellow noodles. No doubt the flavor is delicious. The reason I'm giving this place a 3 star rating is simply because I can never eat my food COMFORTABLY. The seating inside is so bad. You can't sit comfortable at all. If they change this whole seating layout this place would easily earn a 5 star rating from me. It's difficult to enjoy food outside because it's summer time and it's HOT. Eating ramen outside is not fun during the summer. People want to enjoy food comfortably indoors where it's not uncomfortable due to the high temperatures and humidity but we can't because the seating arrangements inside are not comfortable at all. Any who, I definitely love the food and that itself gets 5 stars from me. Definitely worth a try. As for the seats.. that's a 1 star. read more

PLEASE DONT GO HERE. I am a 90lb women and got pushed and thrown into the ground by NICK the security for trying to use the restroom. Mind you I was waiting in line to make a purchase and more then half of my party was still standing in line saving my spot. I have been a loyal customer here for YEARS and to be treated like this is absolutely unacceptable. When my boyfriend defended me we both got pepper sprayed. The security man was smiling and posing proud to have abused a 23 year old PETITE WOMAN!!! Riverside police officers were called T. Stanfield and Vazquez and didn't do absolutely anything.... This place hates women and will find any excuse to through them flying in the air for absolutely nothing. Please do not go here. read more

I wanted to share my feedback regarding my recent visit to your establishment. It was my first time here, and I must say that I was rather disappointed with the dining area for customers. Specifically, the high silver metal high-bench seating was not conducive to a comfortable dining experience. As a tall individual standing at 6 feet, I found that there was no footrest available, which resulted in my feet dangling uncomfortably and hindered proper blood circulation. Consequently, I experienced discomfort and pain in my legs during my time spent at your dining area. I believe that addressing this issue can significantly enhance the overall dining experience for your customers. Thank you for considering my feedback. read more

I would like to express my concern regarding my recent experience at your establishment. As someone with over a decade of experience in the service industry, I understand the significant impact that customer service can have on a business's reputation. Unfortunately, during my visit, I experienced some interactions at the takeout area that were disappointing. Specifically, a staff member named J Victorinna displayed unprofessional behavior, including rolling her eyes when questions were asked. Such conduct reflects poorly on the overall customer experience. I believe that addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining high standards of service. Thank you for your attention to this matter. read more

I had a really disappointing experience at this noodle restaurant. The food looked decent at first, but not long after eating, I started feeling sick. Within a few hours, I had a bad stomachache that lasted the rest of the day, which makes me seriously question the freshness and handling of their ingredients. On top of that, the noodles themselves were underwhelming--overcooked and lacking flavor--and the broth tasted greasy and off. The restaurant didn't seem particularly clean either, which only adds to my concern about food safety. Overall, I wouldn't recommend eating here. Getting sick after a meal is unacceptable, and there are plenty of better places to go if you want good, safe food. read more

Saku Ramen was unfortunately a miss for me. The broth was a bit too salty, overpowering rather than complementing the rest of the bowl. To make the ramen enjoyable, it felt necessary to pay for multiple add ons, which quickly drove up the cost without improving the base flavor enough to justify it. The karaage was especially disappointing, it lacked the juiciness and seasoning you expect from authentic Japanese fried chicken, resembling more of a generic popcorn chicken than true karaage. Overall, it's hard to recommend when there are other ramen shops nearby offering better quality without the extra charges. read more

Me and my bestfriend came here the other night at 8:25 p.m. and as soon as we walked in a nice young lady asked for how many and I said two. Before she could finished saying " You can sit..." another girl walked out shouting "we're closed!! I mean we're only accepting to go orders". The other young lady got quite and as for us we decided to take our money else where. We would have gotten to go ramen if she had a better attitude, but that made us feel so uncomfortable. Unfortunately we will not be back. We often come here in the afternoon and never experienced this type of treatment. read more

Definitely hope they can improve the service. It was definitely not there. Restroom looks like it been through WW2. The Ramen isn't hot. Comes out like warm. All noodle soup dishes should come out piping hot otherwise it destroys the experience and the taste. I would give this place a lower rating but like I said before in many of my reviews. I like to leave criticism without hurting the business overall. Hopefully they can change. Would like to see this place grow. read more

Visited Saku Ramen on the first day of the Festival of Lights, so the long line was unsurprising. Thankfully, it moved quickly, making the wait manageable. The ramen itself was fantastic! We were lucky to snag a table immediately, but it's clear they could use a few more inside. Despite the limited seating, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and will definitely be back to explore their other ramen options. Highly recommend! read more

Saku Ramen is a 24/7 gem that lives up to the hype! The long line at 11:30 pm speaks volumes. The Niku Ramen is a flavor explosion with the EXTRA SPICY, always hitting the spot. Surprisingly short wait, and the outdoor seating with live music adds a delightful touch. The well-lit ambiance ensures a cozy, non-scary late-night ramen experience. Perfect spot for those midnight cravings! read more

The ramen was seriously good! The broth was rich and flavorful, the pork was tender, and the boiled egg was perfectly cooked. The kimchi added a great spicy kick that tied everything together. Overall, a super satisfying bowl. Only downside: it's a bit on the expensive side for what you get. Still, definitely worth trying if you're craving high-quality ramen. read more

After what I saw tonight. Don't recommend. disorganized restaurant. This place encourages violence & food quality is mediocre. Wont come back. Security is a joke. Nick "private security" tossed a woman across the restaurant. Whoever condones this behavior. Should be ashamed. Best believe there's witnesses read more

the security guard with a beard and curly hair LOVES to follow younger women into the bathroom and keep an eye on where they're going. very creepy and weird vibes because the manager kicked us out defending the weirdo and threatened to fight us over the ordeal. will not be coming back. read more

Security guard is disgusting, If you're a woman make sure you have a man with you that can defend you or he will try to touch you inappropriately. He will go as far as laying his hands on you. Seeing what he did to that young woman is sickening! Safe to say we will not be returning. read more

The food was amazing and so was the service. They put broth and noodles in sealed separate containers so they don't spill and I thought that was very convenient. We only waited about 10-15 minutes. Also Best ramen i've ever had. 10/10 read more