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    Taishoken - San Mateo

    4.3 (2.2k reviews)
    ModerateRamen, Noodles, Soup
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    TAISHOKEN - SAN MATEO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
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    Classy

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    Reviews With Photos - Taishoken - San Mateo

    Niku Spicy Ramen
    Jevanka S.

    My family and I decided to try this ramen place for the first time since my mom was visiting us from Malaysia. When we walked in and saw the menu seeing it being one page, we were nervous. Since we were not sure how it will turn out, and our cousin mentioned the dipping ramen. We ordered some appetizers and the ramen. The waitress who helped us was super understanding and gave us the run down of the menu since we mentioned it was our first time. We loved the appetizers when they first came out. We ordered the cucumber with chili oil, the calamari and the edamame. We loved the calamari a lot, and the cucumber was super delicious too. It made us super excited for the ramen. The ramen came out and it was all good. I like how the dipping ramen was a little chewy even though my husband did not like it. But he loved the Niku spicy ramen that he finished it to the bottom. We had a great first visit here, and would love to come visit again!

    David L.

    In the mood for dipping ramen as I have not had it in a long time, and my partner suggested going to Taishoken as she felt it was as good or even better than Japan when she went. We were headed toward San Mateo and were able to check in when we were closer, it looked like there were about 7 parties ahead of us so we walked around. About 20 minutes later, we got the message to be seated and walked on back. The place is nice, very intimate, you have the tables right in front of you when you walk and the chefs on the right side behind the counter making the food. No Tv's but I was able to catch FIFA on my phone! We both had the Tsukemen dipping ramen with pork, and damn, was it yummy! Broth was great, the meat was tender, the egg was perfectly cooked, and things mixed extremely well with each bite! I'm also a sucker for Karaage chicken, and the Karaage here did not disappoint, perfectly crisp, tender inside, and the sauce was delightful, washing it down with a cold Sapporo was great after a long day! I'll definitely be coming back to try the other items on their menu, like the duck!

    Spicy Tsukemen
    Allie H.

    First dipping ramen experience and it was definitely solid! Had the spicy tsukemen and it was packed with flavor. Noodles taste fresh and are delicious. I loved the spice level and it's a good amount of food. The real star for me though was the chashu don. Omg I could have eaten this as my meal. Also had the takoyaki- would probably skip this next time. Personally too much sauce but the flavors were good.

    Signature Tsukemen Soup
    Michael A.

    By far one of my favorite restaurants in San Mateo, CA. This place doesn't do reservations, so it's on a first come first served basis. Regular broth ramen is the traditional route to go at most places, but Taishoken has a signature Tsukemen soup that's super delicious and popular. Essentially they place the carbs, protein, and other items in the main bowl. They then provide you with a thicker dipping sauce that sort of resembles gravy, but less thick. If you want to try something different outside of regular ramen, I highly recommend Taishoken! The ambience is a good vibe, and it's always busy with customers and conversations.

    Tokusei Ramen
    Gina K.

    I've been here a couple of times now and I usually have a positive experience. I usually order the Tokusei Ramen, which comes with a light pork broth that's packed with flavor but not too salty. The noodles have a great chewy texture. I've also tried the tuna tartare once and it was fresh and fun but it doesn't really complement the ramen so I'll skip it next time.

    Kama (duck) sipping broth cold ramen
    Erika C.

    I think their calamari, takoyaki, abura soba, and regular ramen are pretty solid go-tos. The fish powder of the mazesoba is a bit strong for me but if I get that in the side, that's a good dish too. While known for their tsukemen, it's not my fave. I had their kama dipping ramen special recently. The duck and bamboo shoots weren't seasoned at all. The dipping broth was a too salty and didn't have much flavor. It was better after they added the dashi at the end, at least it had some smokiness and bonito flavor. So I'd skip that next time. Great service and comfortable seats. Also like the Yelp waitlist option bc they get busy.

    Nessa H.

    First timer here, party of 2. Put our names on the list and it was about a 40 min or so wait. I loved that was able to see live update state for our spot on waitlist with Yelp! Got seated after our wait. Ordered the deep fried gyoza & Takoyaki as appetizers. Not a huge fan of the takoyaki. I feel like it had way too much of the sauce: tartar sauce? Would not order again. Gyozas were great. Fried with a good crunch. Nice soy sauce on the side. for dishes we ordered the tokusei tsukemen and tokusei ramen. Both were amazing. Love the dipping noodles broth is yummy. I asked with no pork. egg on the side in the noodles was a great touch. Busy spot and service was great. Friendly staff.

    Hojicha lemonade
    Cat N.

    If you're wanting something different from the usual ramen - this location offers Aburasoba and Tsukemen. The Tsukemen comes dry but the difference is you dip the noodles in a thick broth from another bowl. This review is mainly for the Aburasoba since the only thing I remember is that it stands out more in flavor and punch. The Aburasoba is very creamy and thick in flavor. You get a side of vinegar that you can add so you can break through the creaminess. I do recommend mixing everything up first and slowly adding it instead of adding all the vinegar at once. I remember they use to have it with chopped pork but now it's one slice. The hojicha lemonade was good - a nice twist on the usual Arnold Palmer. It's been busy everytime I've gone and they have a check-in at the front door and bench seating. Parking can also be a challenge but there's a parking lot a few blocks away.

    gyoza - 3 for $4 (happy hour price)
    Debbie W.

    As everyone said in their reviews - this place is known for their tsukemen or dipping noodles. We came here because their dipping noodles is one of the family favorites and it was enjoyed. We also ordered a bowl of pork over rice which was shared by everyone in our party of 6 and enjoyed. They have a happy hour where several appetizers are discounted a few bucks so we ordered the gyoza (potsickers 3 for $4). The key to eating here for dinner without waiting is to get there before the crowd which is before 6pm. After that there's most likely a wait outside the restaurant. There are plenty of shops for you to window shop while you wait. Note they do charge 20% automatically with 6 or more in your group.

    Matt V.

    had heard a lot of hype about this place, so I came in pretty excited to try it. The concept of cold dipping noodles in a hot broth is definitely unique and something I was looking forward to experiencing. First off, the price is very reasonable, especially considering how popular and packed this place usually is. Expect a wait, but it's not the worst since there are plenty of bakeries and shops nearby to check out while you wait. The tsukemen itself was solid, but not mind blowing. The broth was okay, nothing too rich or memorable. What stood out the most were the noodles. They had that chewy, slightly dense texture, almost like buckwheat or something similar, and honestly reminded me of jajangmyeon noodles, which I liked. One downside was the meat portion. It either lacked variety or just felt too minimal for the bowl. I found myself wanting more protein to balance everything out. The standout was the spicy ramen. Great tasting, good meat portions, super flavorful broth but a bit too thick. Overall, it's a good experience and worth trying at least once for the style alone.

    Mazesoba
    Mai Y.

    Been here many many times and each time I've enjoyed the Mazesoba. I've tried the soup ramen and the dipping ramen which are exceptional too, but nothing beats the Mazesoba. Taishoken does this dish so well, even better than other restaurants where Mazesoba is their specialty. This dish really does not get the attention it deserves here. Today in addition to the Mazesoba we also ordered their fried squid, and wow it delivered! Worth ordering everytime in our future visits! They usually are very busy, but they have online waiting list you can set a time you think you'll arrive and they are very good and efficient with seating and waiting times. Can't say the same for a few other ramen places also in San Mateo. The service here is very consistently excellent too. Parking is hit and miss on the street but around the corner are the garages and that is very reliable. This is a great go to when in San Mateo.

    Tuna Taretare
    Skyler T.

    I have been here 4 times this week, and each and every time has been absolutely amazing. The food is fresh and comes out super quick & the staff have all been lovely. It's a cute restaurant and a decent size, where you don't feel bunched up together while dining. 5 stars!

    Duck Tsukemen
    Pamela D.

    Taishoken has been a long time favorite since pre-pandemic. I'm obsessed with the yuzu shio ramen. Veggie ramen oftentimes leaves me wanting, but this one doesn't lack any of the flavor or richness that I enjoy with typical pork based soup. Add egg and chasu and you can't tell the difference. Highly recommended Cucumber with miso chilli topping is refreshing. A nice light starter. Today they offered a special duck tsukemen and it was delicious. A slightly lighter broth than the typical tsukemen, a nice alternative if you're not feeling like having hot broth steaming into your face on a hot day. Service is always friendly, fast and attentive. Inside is lively and casual.

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    Page 1 of 55

    Taishoken - San Mateo Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Taishoken - San Mateo

    Is MSG used in any of the soups or sauces?

    Hi, while there might not be granulated MSG in any of the the foods, many ramen recipes use seaweed, mushrooms and dry fish. Those ingredients are all high in natural MSG, and when used in combination have a synergistic effect on what we call umami… 

    Are you still doing outdoor seating?

    Nope. They totally took down all the structure and everything

    Is there any gluten free options?

    Unfortunately, we don't have any gluten-free options. Thank you for your understanding.

    Do you need to be vaccinated to eat indoors?

    Every time I've eaten here the past year (probably about 6+ times), no one has asked me for my vaccination status to eat indoors!

    Does the Niku Spicy Ramen come with egg, spicy pork miso and chili oil? Or do we have to order them as add ons?

    Hello, Niku spicy Ramen comes with special spacy pork miso, pork chashu, green onion, kikurage… 

    Will you still have outdoor dining on May 1?

    No they will not. (Was just there this weekend)

    What vegan options do you have?

    Hello, We do have some appetizers and vegetable ramen. Please check our website to see the menu.… 

    Is the noodle used in the vegetable ramen contain egg?

    Hello Elaine, All noodles(Tsukemen, Ramen and Soupless Ramen) do not use eggs. Thank you. Yuji… 

    If we have 10 people, can we all sit together?

    If you're going during a busy time it might be hard to get all the seats together. The booths fit 6 but the little tables inside and outside can be banded together for a large group depending on availability. Best to coordinate with wait staff

    Is this place relatively kids friendly?

    Yes

    Do you take reservations or is it first come first serve during lunchtime?

    Hello, Unfortunately, we don't take any reservations. Thank you for your understanding.… 

    Is outdoor seating still available?

    Yes! It's well organized too!

    Do you serve Sapporo on draft?

    Hi Ying, yes! We are going to start serving Sapporo on draft very soon. It has been difficult… 

    Do you sell gift cards and in what amounts. Do you have e cards?

    Hi Don, we have both physical and digital gift cards. Minimum is $5 and up to maximum $100. You can purchase them at the restaurant.

    Is their ramen gluten free?? And the soup?

    Hi Hailey, unfortunately, we do not have any gluten free options at the moment but it is something we are working on.

    Do they accommodate egg allergy?

    Not

    Do they have kelp noodles or something keto friendly?

    No. All their noodles are made from flour of some sort.

    Are you open on Christmas Eve?

    Hi Sandra, Taishoken will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You can also check on our website www.taishokenusa.com. Thank you.

    What time should a party of 2 arrive if we want to be seated before they close on a Saturday for lunch?

    Hi Patrick, we usually close the waitlist between 12 to 12:30pm, depending on amount of parties on the waitlist. I'd recommend adding your name to the waitlist via Yelp App before that time. Thank you.

    How's the wait for weekday lunch service?

    We were there on a Friday and it took about 45 minutes. We got there about 1145 and put our name down for 3. Hope this helps 😋

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    Kajiken

    Kajiken

    4.4
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Kajiken was the perfect Michelin-recommended lunch stop before my flight out of SFO! There was a…read moreshort line when I arrived, but the staff turned tables quickly and kept everything moving efficiently, so the wait wasn't long at all. I ordered their #1 recommendation, the Homura Aburasoba, and immediately scarfed it down. Popping the perfectly runny egg yolk into the noodles was incredibly satisfying, and every bite was packed with rich, savory umami. The noodles themselves were thick, chewy, and had a great bite that held up well to the sauce. I also tried the Wagyu dish, but it arrived more cooked than it appeared in the photos, which made the texture and overall experience a bit underwhelming. The sauce also leaned on the creamier side, which isn't my favorite pairing with Wagyu, so I'd probably skip that one next time. That said, the Homura Aburasoba alone is worth coming back for and easily earns Kajiken a well-deserved 5/5.

    This was our first time coming here so we weren't familiar with the menu. I went to the restroom…read moreand came back and was immediately asked if i knew what i wanted to order. We had just arrived so we said no. My parner said that while i was in the bathroom he too was asked about 4 times if he was ready to order. Overall the food was okay, interesting noodle dish that I would try again, but the service was not it... We felt very rushed and pushed to place our orders, which didn't make sense as the restaurant wasnt very busy at that time. And they had plenty of staff just standing around the back so it wasn't like they were short staffed trying to stay afloat on orders or something. I also don't recommend ordering your appetizer and main dish together, as they all came at the same time and made it hard to eat our main dish as it gets cold quick which it also says on the instructions on how to eat these noodles. After all the rushing to place our orders we never even received one of our appetizers yet we were being charged for it.... -Long story short, food was okay -Dont order your apps and meal together unless you want it all at the same time - Service needs work... stop rushing your customers...

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)
    Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)
    Complimentary Accoutrements ($0) Vinegar, Chili Oil, Dried Garlic, Sesame seeds, & Chili Powder

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    Complimentary Accoutrements ($0) Vinegar, Chili Oil, Dried Garlic, Sesame seeds, & Chili Powder
    Ramen Parlor

    Ramen Parlor

    3.8
    (2.1k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Rich, flavorful ramen with great variety…read more Had the classic ramen, soft shell crab ramen, and karaage at Ramen Parlor in San Mateo. The classic ramen was comforting and well-balanced, with a rich broth and noodles that had a nice chewy texture. It's a solid, no-frills bowl that delivers on flavor and warmth. The soft shell crab ramen stood out the most. The crab was crispy on the outside and tender inside, adding a unique texture and flavor that paired really well with the broth. It felt more elevated and interesting compared to a standard ramen bowl. The karaage was also crispy, juicy, and well-seasoned, making it a great side to share alongside the ramen. Service was friendly and efficient, and the staff kept things moving even when it got busy. The vibe is casual and lively, with a popular local ramen shop feel. It's the kind of place that's great for a comforting meal without being too formal. Overall, a great spot for ramen lovers, especially if you want both classic and more creative options in one visit. I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu.

    Been going to this place for years. Always a solid place for ramen even among the explosion of…read moreother ramen spots in the Bay Area. Staff is the same and always super nice and food was out quickly. Got the lobster garlic pork ramen and the broth was rich and flavorful. Noodles had a nice bounce and chew. Quail eggs are a nice change. Chicken karaage was nice and crunchy but lacked flavor even with the sauce. However, good portion size with six large pieces. Overall: 3.9/5

    Photos
    Entrance table with drink options and menu
    Entrance table with drink options and menu
    Yummy curry vegetable ramen
    Yummy curry vegetable ramen
    Chicken Karaage

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    Chicken Karaage
    Shugetsu

    Shugetsu

    3.9
    (378 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    Shugetsu is my go-to place for tsukemen - Taishoken is also pretty popular, but Shugetsu is my…read morepreference because I like the texture and taste of their noodles more. I used to get one Shugetsu Tsukemen Special on my own, but it's been harder and harder for me to finish one by myself. Now, I order a Shugetsu Tsukemen Special with the mega size, get side orders of the chashu pork and marinated egg, and split with my boyfriend (since the Special already comes with pork and egg for one person, the a la carte orders are enough for a second). The broth is super flavorful, smoky, and roasty. Keep in mind the broth does err on the more oily side for the more health-conscious folks, and I wouldn't wear white, as the broth might splash back as you eat! The restaurant doesn't have a flashy storefront and is rather more hidden in the marketplace it's in. Be cautious about leaving valuables in your car. The inside itself is also not too big, so that on top of its popularity is why there might be a wait. I would also recommend coming earlier than typical meal times. While the hype has definitely died down ever since they opened during Covid, it's still pretty popular so I would be prepared to wait. I highly recommend trying out Shugetsu, and definitely recommend coming hungry because the portions are huge! They recently opened another location in Fremont, so East Bay folks get to try this one out there too.

    We came about an hour before lunch hours ended. It was still quite busy, and folks were still…read morefunneling in! We had a bar seat, which was neat to watch how things were prepared. We ordered a Shugetsu Tsukemen special and a Shugetsu Ramen. They let you add more noodles at no extra charge. We saw the pork slices getting charcoal(?) grilled in the back! For the tsukemen, I opted for hot noodles. They're a bit clingier when hot, but have a great bite to them. The soup is a little on the sour side, but it was delicious. There's little bits of pork and menma in it, and it clung to the noodles well. Definitely recommend the extra egg and pork! The ramen was equally amazing. The broth was light yet hearty. These noodles also had a satisfying chew to them.

    Photos
    Abura Soba
    Abura Soba
    Tsukemen
    Tsukemen
    Green Onion Ramen Special

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    Green Onion Ramen Special
    Marufuku Ramen - Redwood City

    Marufuku Ramen - Redwood City

    4.4
    (1k reviews)
    7.5 mi
    $$
    Kid friendly
    Locally owned & operated

    The Hakata Tonkotsu was absolutely incredible. The ramen tasted savory. The pork was sooo soft and…read moreyummy. All the other ingredients were perfectly balanced. The broth was very tasty, it was a rich flavor but It also was very creamy. The Karaage Chicken was so tender and juicy when you dipped it in the sauce, it tasted so flavorful. Last but not least for my drink I had a peach soda it was sooo bubbly,cool and refreshing. It came in a pouch with a bendy straw it also came with a little glow up cube to give it some glam (it activates in liquid). I will always think of this place as an option it was delicious!!!

    My boyfriend and I were looking for a special place to celebrate him passing a big exam, and since…read morehe loves ramen, he picked this spot he'd always wanted to try. We went on a Friday evening, and finding parking was a nightmare. We ended up parking pretty far away. I thought I'd made a reservation the day before, but it turns out I just put us on a waitlist, which you can only do on the day you plan to visit. That was a bit frustrating, as we still had to add ourselves to the waitlist when we arrived, and our wait was over 20 minutes. We put our names down around 6:20 pm and didn't get seated until 7:00 pm. The silver lining was that we could explore downtown a bit while we waited, enjoying some live music and even grabbing popsicles. Unfortunately, we had to toss them before going in since outside food isn't allowed, which is common for ramen places. At least this spot let us put our names down, unlike Ramen Nagi where you just wait in line. Once we were seated, the space felt a bit compact, which isn't my personal preference, as I like more room. However, the ramen itself was absolutely delicious! I had a fruit passion soda that was really festive with a color-changing light. The Hakata Tokatsu DX, with its perfectly soft-boiled egg and flavorful, fatty pork, was incredible. The broth was creamy and rich. Honestly, one of the best ramen bowls I've had. We customized our spice levels, and everything was spot on. We also tried an Marufuku bites, which made for a very filling meal. The servers were attentive with water refills, though they were busy and we had to remind them for the check. The meal was on the pricier side, costing around $80 for two bowls, two drinks, and an appetizer. While the food was great, I'm not a fan of long waits, and since my friends are even more impatient, I probably won't be back, even though the experience itself was good.

    Photos
    Indoor Dining
    Indoor Dining
    "Hakata Tonkotsu DX"
    "Hakata Tonkotsu DX"
    Indoor Dining

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    Indoor Dining
    Rin-Tei

    Rin-Tei

    4.7
    (1.1k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Takes reservations

    Rin-Tei is a delicious Japanese-Thai fusion restaurant that I'd highly recommend! I came here a few…read moreweeks ago with some friends on a Sunday whim, and we all thoroughly enjoyed our experience here. When we arrived, we were easily able to get seated without a reservation (perhaps because it was a Sunday). The service was wonderful from the get-go - they were extremely friendly and attentive the entire time, and made us feel very welcomed. And though we arrived on the slightly later side, they never made us feel rushed. The interior of Rin-Tei is minimalist and cozy, and had a very familial feel, as virtually all the tables are connected by a long bench along the wall. It contributes to the inviting, inclusive atmosphere of the restaurant, making it a great spot to meet up with friends. We ordered a variety of dishes which we all split, including: the garlic shrimp, the Vietnamese papaya salad, cold sesame TanTan pho, keema curry, calamari, sizzling wagyu loin, and a couple drinks. And everything we had was excellent! My personal favorites were the sizzling wagyu loin, which was perfectly cooked and abundantly juicy and flavorful, and the warm, tasty keema curry. I'd also never had cold pho before, but I ended up being very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I don't think you can go wrong with anything here. I loved my experience at Rin-Tei, and will no doubt be back soon!

    I've been wanting to try Rin-Tei for the longest time! Their dishes seem really unique and I was…read morealways fascinated by how they're able to create fusion dishes from so many different types of Asian cuisine. I'd probably give them a 3.5/5 but rounding up! I ordered (and was most excited to try) their popular Soy Milk Pho, and got the mentai version. The broth was smooth and sweet which was nice, but IMO after a few bites in it started to taste more one-dimensional and plain. It lacked that level of depth that I typically get from pho. I tried the green curry too and felt the same way about that dish. I was also disappointed because they ended up not having their poached chicken appetizer in stock. :( Service was great on the other hand - I think only con was that our meals all came out at different, staggering times so we kept having to wait for one dish after the other.

    Photos
    Cold Sesame TanTan Pho
    Cold Sesame TanTan Pho
    Creamy Soy Milk Pho with Poached Yuzu Chicken and Greens
    Creamy Soy Milk Pho with Poached Yuzu Chicken and Greens
    Azuki Mochi Ice

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    Azuki Mochi Ice

    Taishoken - San Mateo - ramen - Updated August 2026

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