Solid casual Japanese spot in University City. We ordered the karaage chicken curry rice platter and the signature Terakawa tonkotsu ramen. The Japanese curry was rich and thick. The karaage fried chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy inside. It came with a small side ginger‑dressed salad, which helped balance the heavy curry sauce. Portion was plenty big, very filling. Their signature tonkotsu ramen had a nice pork‑bone depth. The chashu pork was tender, paired with bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms and a soft‑boiled seasoned egg. Noodles had good firm texture. Just be aware the overall seasoning runs a little on the salty side, which is pretty common for local ramen shops. Service was quick. The atmosphere is plain and functional‑‑don't expect fancy decor, this is comfort food. If you are in the area and craving ramen or Japanese curry, this place is definitely worth a visit. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Had dinner tonight after scouting out places within a short walk of my Vrbo. When I saw the reviews for this place, I knew that this would be it. The service was excellent, with all of the staff, being friendly, prompt, and helpful. I ordered the gyoza and Terakawa ramen - both were delicious. The pork bone broth is quite satisfying, and I will say that the pork and egg were just perfect. The noodles are slightly smaller than ramen I've had elsewhere, but they had a nice texture to them and were definitely not over or undercooked. (That's the -1 star for me - I really love alkaline noodles and wish they used them here...) The decor is very utilitarian, but representative of the type of establishment they are going for (small neighborhood ramen shop). Overall, a pleasing experience and reasonable value. I would definitely recommend checking this place out! Oishii desu!! read more

Place has a ton of reviews in both locations. Looked promising. And it did deliver! Clean flavor, smokey profile. Great chasu. Good service. Cute small place. Would 100% come back when I'm back in town read more

Terakawa Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

food is really good and staff is really nice :) would recommend 100%. the ambiance is nice. will come back again for sure. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Charshu Don - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Nice and friendly servers. They have lots of choices of ramen and other Japanese food. I kept it simple and went with their signature ramen which had a pork belly and an egg. Broth was rich and the ramen noodles came out just perfect - not over cooked, just the Japanese version of Al dente. Bench like wooden tables so may not be the most comfortable but with the service being so quick, it's okay. If it were a longer meal, not the most comfortable. Inside is bright and clean. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Terakawa signature ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I was really impressed with the wavy egg noodle topped with roast pork (charshu), kimchee, kikurage mushroom, bean sprout, scallion, and seasoned boiled egg. The egg was delicious and the kimchee was such a welcome crunch in the warm broth. The ramen came out in 5 minutes (I went at 4:30 pm). Sitting at the small bar was great. read more

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Great portions and amazing flavor. The tonkatsu broth was rich and creamy, and the toppings were all great quality. The service was really quick and good, our drinks stayed full throughout the visit. It was nice inside, though a bit packed. The place stays full, especially around lunch time. read more

It's a great second location in university city. Business is doing really well, probably because of the relatively affordable prices for great ramen. I got the garlic tonkotsku ramen for 14.5. The Pork tasted pretty decent. It wasn't dry but also didn't melt in my mouth. It had a good overall soy taste and was consistent. The noodles were good - had bite and cooked well. The broth was delicious hot and hearty, and garlic oil notes were complementary and not overpowering. Egg was really good jammy and had marinade flavor. The menma and kikurage came with and were not extra which was great. The only thing off IMO was the pickled ginger. The taste was super sharp and pieces just a tad too big. Overall Fast and good price. I'd come again for sure read more

Terakawa Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Some of the best ramen I've had, ever. The pork bone broth was so buttery and smooth. Staff is very friendly and attentive as well. If you're craving good ramen, I promise you this place won't disappoint. read more

This place is an institution. I've been to the Chinatown location many, many times over the years, and it has always been a reliable place for great ramen in Philly. I would typically get their signature Terakawa Ramen, sometimes with wavy noodles. I've since tried other items on the menu and would say that my other go-to dishes are the Karaage Chicken Curry (or simply just the Karaage Chicken appetizer), especially at this University City location. The service is okay - it's a pretty casual spot. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Karaage Chicken - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Service can be a little slow when crowded but really great food, especially the miso ramen. It's a BYOB. We brought our own bottle opener, not sure if they had one. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Miso Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This place has amazing comfort food. I've been here regularly every week or so and the quality of the food has always been consistently high. The curry katsu is really delicious and warming, and the taste is very authentic. My favorite from the menu is the Kyushu Danji Ramen. The braised pork is so tender, and the broth is extremely delicious! Service is attentive and goes the extra mile. Only thing is that the ambience is a little bright for a Japanese restaurant and I think it would be better suited with a more cozy and laid back atmosphere. Still, the food is solid and it keeps me coming back. Highly recommend for anyone in the area! read more

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Terakawa Ramen is the best ramen spot I've tried so far in Philly! I got their Kyushu Danji ($20.50) which is a bigger version of their Terakawa signature combined with the mayu oil (dark roasted leek with garlic oil) from their Mayu ramen and slightly thicker noodles and more toppings. Their specialty ramen comes with 3 pieces of char shu and half a seasoned boiled egg whereas the Kyushu Danji comes with 5 pieces of char shu and 2 halves of seasoned egg. The char shu was tough to bite through but that's my only critique. The eggs were cooked to perfection with a jammy and gooey center. The mayu oil adds a nice garlicky fragrance to the noodles! Other toppings that the Kyushu Danji had includes bamboo shoot, kikurage mushroom, cabbage, bean sprout, red ginger, and scallion. I would say that the size of the Kyushu Danji would be enough to share for 2 adults that are not too hungry. The broth of this Kyushu Danji is a rich creamy made from Natural Heritage Berkshire Pork-bone, which is basically Tonkotsu. If you enjoy rich creamy Tonkotsu ramen, then this will definitely hit the spot for you. They also have other types of ramen on their menu such as shoyu, miso, or tan tan. They even have a specialty ramen section! We came in around 8:30pm and there was no wait at all. The waitresses were all very kind and attentive to any questions we had about the menu. They brought out a piping hot bowl of ramen noodles without much of a wait. They have normal seating where you can sit with your friends as well as ramen bar seating facing an open kitchen where you can watch the chef do their magic. The interior is modern and clean. Overall, this is a great place to go to satisfy your ramen cravings and since their noodles come out piping hot, it'll definitely warm you up on a cold day. They have an expansive menu offering that isn't just limited to ramen.i will definitely be back to try other items from their menu! read more

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Best ramen in the city! Always crowded but service is quick and food comes quickly. Tip: the spicy ramen is fish broth, you can order any other ramen with spice (spicy miso ramen is my personal favorite). Also a BYOB which you can never go wrong with! read more

Terakawa Ramen - Miso ramen with extra spice - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The food was absolutely delicious for both myself and my girlfriend who is vegetarian. They took extra care to ask her clarification questions about her order when she ordered a vegetarian dish, so she was able to get a dish that suited her diet appropriately! We came on a Thursday around dinnertime and to my surprise it wasn't too crowded! This place should have every seat full at all times given how good it is, but my love and I didn't mind enjoying a quiet meal together. I ordered the Kyushu Danji and it was perfect and classic! read more

Terakawa Ramen - Kyushu Danji - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

'Spicy Ramen', an item on the menu, is outstanding!!! Complex--multiple flavors, textures, and temperatures. Mmmm! read more

Probably the best ramen that you'll find in Philadelphia. (TBH there are not many ramen options in Philadelphia - much less good ones - but at least we have Terakawa so thank goodness) Service is quick! There isn't as long of a wait as the Chinatown location (at least when we went) and parking is better here. read more

The best ramen in Philadelphia! They have 2 locations in the city - you can visit any location and they are all good! I love their ramen soup and their signature is bone broth ramen which is delicious! Delve into the world of exceptional ramen soup, where every spoonful is a burst of flavor and texture. The perfect bowl begins with a rich, savory broth - whether it's tonkotsu, miso, or shoyu, each offers a harmonious blend of flavors. Accompanying the broth are perfectly cooked noodles, providing a chewy and satisfying base for the dish. Toppings such as tender chashu pork, marinated bamboo shoots, and soft-boiled eggs add depth and complexity to every bite. Enhancing the experience are condiments like pickled ginger and spicy chili oil, allowing for personalization. Beyond the bowl, the atmosphere of the restaurant adds to the enjoyment. The best ramen soup stands out for its comforting allure and unforgettable taste experience- and that's what you get there! In winter time it's my place to go if I have ramen soup craving! All locations are very busy and always full - it always the sign- good spot! There are a lot of dishes to choose from- whatever you are craving you'll not be disappointed! read more

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A nice restaurant in the midst of downtown Philadelphia in the University area. Frequented by many of the university students from UPenn and also others. Food was really great, and I like the fact that they have the less set option which was perfect for me. Many of the other Ramen places have food that tastes too salty for my preference. Staff was also courteous and patient as I took quite some time to decide since it was my first time visiting the restaurant. Overall a great experience. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Mayu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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best ramen in philly hands down!! i always get the Miso Ramen and it hits the spot everytime

This place is awesome. Small and cute, when we visited on a Saturday night at about 7pm there was a wait and a line. There's a paper list to put your name down but no host or instructions so don't miss the paper! Service was fast and the food was excellent! Nice deep, rich broth in the miso ramen and the curry had little chopped up pieces of ginger for a hint of spice and dimension. We will absolutely be back!! read more

Terakawa Ramen - Goyza dumplings - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Went here for noodles being made from scratch. Not sure if all their noodles were made from scratch or two types. The waitress wasn't able to understand me when I asked about if all their noodles were from scratch. They were out of a few other things I asked about but maybe because the place gets so popular on a Friday night. The ramen I had did taste like noodles were from scratch. Noodles from scratch is particularly important to me since I can make regular ramen with some/all the "extras/weird stuff" to some people like frozen fish cakes myself but just not as pretty looking as the restaurants. Please don't ask me to eat at a ramen place that doesn't make from scratch. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Bibim Noodle - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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we were hungry after landing in philly and just wanted to find something that seemed good & open late but this was pretty mid. i got the mayu ramen with medium cut noodles and the broth flavor was a bit lacking. adding chili helped but that shouldn't be necessary in good ramen!!! it smelled really good when we walked in though. the egg was not very gooey, and was actually kind of hard. our server actually seemed to rush us a bit in ordering as well, but maybe it's because it was late? we did end up being the last group in the restaurant but they closed 30 mins after read more

Terakawa Ramen - Mayu - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Nothing like a warm bowl of ramen especially now that the weather is lowering in Philly. They tend to get busy so just fyi you may have to wait a little or you can get it to go. I tried the Mayu ramen which was the pork-bone broth based with mayu oil which has a nice garlic taste to it. The pork was so tender and tasty and I also loved how firm the noodles came out. You can tell they care about the broth, which is always my way of telling how good the ramen will be. I added spicy to mine which I recommend if you like your soup to be a little more spicy. Next on my list is the katsu plates which looked so good as well. Definitely recommend if you are near campus and are craving yummy ramen. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Mayu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I tried Terakawa a year ago, and their ramen was so good that I want it everytime I come to Philly. Came back to it with some friends last month. I thought their signature ramen was already awesome, but we tried their tan tan noodle, and it was unreal! It has the most amazing flavorful broth! I got their spicy ramen this time, and asked for extra spicy. It was not as great as tan tan but the spicy level was super satisfying. Even though the shop is not big, I love coming here with group. Service is always great here, and dietary restrictions usually can be accommodated here. One of our friends is vegan and he was able to find something he enjoys. Many of their broths and/or noodles have both pork and chicken/veggie options, which open up many more options if you don't eat pork. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Spicy Ramen (extra spicy) - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I've been on a search for a good ramen spot ever since I moved to the area. I was excited to try out this place but came out feeling really disappointed. Got there around 2:30 pm on a Sunday and the place was still extremely busy. It was just me so I was hoping it wouldn't take too long to get a seat. They had a wait list up front so I put down my info. However, it seemed like they weren't using the wait list. I waited outside for 30+ min waiting for a text. I came in periodically to check but the waitresses were way too busy and did not pay any attention to me. I finally went it and just stood at the front and they asked me what I needed. I told them I've been waiting for a seat and so then they just gave me a seat. Pro tip for those coming in -- make sure you talk to one of the waitresses first to ask about the waiting time and how to get a table. That was so confusing and frustrating. Anyway, I was excited to finally order and try out the ramen. I got the Mayu ramen. It looked really good but man it was so disappointing. The pork was really good but everything else was sooooo bland. Also, the service continued to be subpar. I had to get the attention of one of the waitresses to just get water. Definitely not worth the wait. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Mayu ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Food: 4.5 Out of 5 Ordered the Terakawa ramen, karaage chicken, and hot green tea. Ramen's broth was rich and nicely balanced with shreds to ginger to give your palate a refreshing break. Hard boil egg with the ramen was prepared properly and cooked to perfection. Karaage chicken was on point. I knew it was battered and cooked in house. Batter nice and light and not soggy like frozen and flash fried chicken as with some other places. Lastly green tea prepared properly with actual tea leaves and the brush to mix with hot water as they do traditionally, not a bag of processed bottom of the barrel tea. Service: Normal for a Japanese restaurant, enough to get the customer what they needed. No extra frills. Environment: COVID 2021 precautions were taken. Social distancing signs and staff with masks on. Questionnaire provided to each client, but who knows who actually takes these seriously in May 2021. Neat and simple decor as the Japanese like it. Overall: 4.5 Out of 5 Quality food. I'd say this place can compete with amazing restaurants of the same caliber in NYC, SF, and friend's home cooking. Not too busy on a Tuesday at 8pm. Prices are reflected of where the restaurant is situated, University City. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Love this place- go-to for ramen near University City for sure. Went to get the Mayu Ramen as well as the Tempura Shumai! The shumai was perfectly moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. Wish there was more shrimp than dough, but otherwise, the bean paste sauce was sweet/salty/tangy and fit super well. For the ramen, the broth was not too salty and was very rich- great Tonkotsu in general. The garlic oil wasn't strong enough for my preference. I thought the pork cashu was tender, wish the noodles were more snappy, and also wish they were more generous on the other toppings/serving size for the price. Otherwise, the service was swift and friendly! Given its popularity, Terakawa definitely satisfies the ramen craving. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Mayu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Solid ramen spot. I tried the namesake Terakawa Ramen and Spicy Ramen. Nothing bad but nothing to write home about. Good casual ramen joint to grab a bite and hang out with friends. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Terakawa Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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They finally opened for dine in! 5/5 service. The workers here are always so friendly and attentive. 4.5/5 food. Not the best but the top 5 japanese ramen places in philly! I think they are pretty good for the price and not too salty, unlike some places. 4/5 ambiance. Just a casual, japanese ramen place you can come with friends or just last minute when you are craving some japanese ramen! It is bright inside with much more seating than the one in Chinatown. The lights kept going on and off when we were there so I did have to take a point off but other than that, it is a very clean and well decorated for casual dining! read more

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This place has amazing food. Customer service is amazing as well. Very polite and try to help you if they can. The food always tastes great every time I've ordered. Perfect every time. Some times I order of grub hub and I love the way they separate things and carefully pack it.( doesn't go for the driver tho. Grub hub drivers don't care how the handle food. But all in all. Food is always great. flavors are perfection. read more

Terakawa Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I was in Philly and looked into some local food recommendations. Came across Terakawa, and was initially a bit skeptical honestly because I've had my fair share of disappointing ramen. I was under the impression that other than Ichiran and Ippudo, good ramen was near impossible to find. Terakawa definitely blew me away and exceeded my expectations!! I ordered the Terakawa and there is not a single thing about it that I disliked--the noodles were the perfect texture, the broth was flavorful, the egg and toppings were delicious, there was no weird aftertaste, and I could go on. It was so good, it really was. Worth every dollar of mine. I wasn't in the city long enough to go again, but I definitely would have if I had had the time. I'm sad too because there's no Terakawa where I live. I would definitely make it a priority to go again if I'm ever in town! read more

Terakawa Ramen - Terakawa and Mayu - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Food is just okay. They add an automatic gratuity of 18% to your bill which is based off the subtotal, not the pre-tax total like it should be. I didn't even intend on tipping 18% because they never refilled my water, crappy service. Tables are way too close together. read more

Amazing ramen as well as amazing service! Definitely recommend coming here! Would go back

One of my favorite spots on Penn's campus, after Ramen Bar closed down :( The wait time usually isn't bad even during peak dining hours. I have came here 10+ times and the most I have waited was 10 minutes. I have tried most of the items on their menu and my favorites are the chicken donburi and the dan dan ramen. The dan dan ramen is slightly spicy and really good to warm you up on a cold day. read more

Terakawa Ramen - dan dan ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Over four years of college, there's always a place that becomes THAT joint. The place you look back after 5 years and say damn remember how we always went there? The place you might go to once your visiting for a college reunion with your pals to relive moments. Terakawa is that place. With a decent selection of ramen and rice bowls and the consistency and quality of most of the Marvel movies prior to Endgame, Terakawa stands as an institution of University City. While it's not going to be the cream of the crop, it certainly fulfills the ramen craving anyone may have. read more

Atmosphere: Terakawa is a ramen restaurant on Penn's campus with limited seating and a friendly atmosphere. Our group of 4 was seated at the bar, which was clean but made it a bit difficult to have conversations. Service: The service we received was on the slower side in terms of ordering and receiving our food. Food: We both ordered the Terakawa (Signature) Ramen. The broth was good and had a rich, meaty flavor. The noodles were light and fresh, which paired well with the broth, and the soft boiled egg was cooked well. They were quite generous with the chashu, though it was a bit chewy and dry. All in all, the Terakawa was a solid bowl of ramen that was great to have on a chilly day. Overall: We enjoyed Terakawa's ramen. Though their chashu was on the tougher side, Terakawa's nice, convenient location and decent prices made it a worthwhile visit! read more

Terakawa Ramen - Terakawa (Signature) Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Terakawa in University City has improved significantly since it first opened. Maybe it's because winter is here and the demand for good soup is high, but there's no need to venture to Philadelphia's Chinatown when you have great ramen sitting here in your backyard! Now that Ramen Bar is closed, Terakawa is truly the only ramen place in the area. My favorite is the Tan Tan ramen with ground pork (you can choose between pork and chicken). Beware that it's spicy - even though you tough guys probably think it's doable, after drinking a whole bowl of that spicy broth your throat may start to burn a little. I recently ventured off the ramen section and decided to try their udon which was silky smooth. Fish broth with pork complemented each other quite well surprisingly so give it a shot if you're looking for a calmer, less salty broth compared to shoyu or miso. IMO, Terakawa's miso broth is more flavorful than their shoyu. All reasonably priced and their service is very quick. Coming on your 1 hour lunch break is definitely doable on the weekdays. Also note that I came on a Sunday around 1-2 pm and the place was packed so don't count the weekends out. read more

I was staying at UPenn and wanted ramen. Terakawa fit the bill. 3 people started off with takoyaki, gyoza, and pork buns. The pork buns and takoyaki were the best, but I was wondering why the buns were on the menu. They could've had more pork and I'm pretty sure they're not Japanese. I ordered the Terakawa ramen which was pretty good, the broth and the egg were probably my favorite parts. It wasn't too salty and had good flavor. It fills up and overall it's pretty cozy. You could wait to get a table or squeeze in to fit. read more

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Fantastic ramen. The service is fast if you're by yourself and the menu is to the point. The curry is also very good here but you're really coming here for the ramen. The egg is this fine jammy half done and well seasoned. The pork falls apart in your mouth. The broth is rich, flavorful, and creamy in all the right ways. It's a bowl that's perfect for a cold day and I will certainly come back! Not too many vegetables but enough to make it still interesting. Highly reccomend giving this place a shot! read more

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