Top Places in San Jose to Grab Bowls of Ramen and Chase Away the Chill

order up a bowl of ramen and get to slurping at these favorite spots in San Jose!

Regardless of your broth preference, there is nothing that comforts the soul like a hot bowl of ramen. While this delicacy is mostly associated with Japan – where diners queue up in long lunch lines for the popular dish – there are still some great spots in the States to order some ramen and enjoy the cool breeze of the city.

From vegetarian options to triple pork bowls, here are the best spots in San Jose where you can enjoy bowls of ramen.

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HiroNori Craft Ramen

2222 Michelson Dr #234, Irvine, CA 92612 hironori.com

Lofty Japanese spot serving classic noodle soups with plenty of toppings in a low-key setting!

The right flavors, the right vibes, the right atmosphere, everything is awesome at Hironori ramen. The inside is small and cozy with a comfortable seating area. It has been described as The Best Ramen Experience you will find in California and even multiple awards for the same.

With multiple locations all over the state, Hironori prepares their broth like no other with only the freshest and authentic ingredients in the area. Go ahead and enjoy options such as Tonkotsu ramen served with pork chashu, spinach, seaweed, green onion, bean sprouts, and half egg, the Vegan ramen that comes with sesame miso broth, tofu, corn, soy meat, and baby kale, and of course the spicy cold dipping noodle.

They also serve rice bowls with pork, spicy tuna, chicken, or salmon poke. Don’t forget to grab a side, dessert, and some toppings to accompany your meal.

Kumako Ramen

211 Jackson St, San Jose, CA 95112 kumako-ramen.com

Compact Japanese noodle shop dishing out different ramen dishes including pork broth and spicy & vegetarian options!

Kumako Ramen has many accolades including being voted “The Best of the Silicon Valley” by Metro Magazine for 8 consecutive years, being featured on San Jose Mercury News, and more. It’s popular for a modern interpretation of traditional dishes using only high quality and fresh ingredients. This family-owned restaurant serves a delicious trinity made of the best broth, noodles, and plenty of toppings.

Traditional ramen is the main draw here with delicious options such as Tonkotsu Shoyu – a rich pork bone broth topped with kaiware and nori, or Miso – a soybean flavored broth, topped with wakame and diced with fresh tofu. If you want yours spicy, go ahead and order the Katsu Curry – deep-fried breaded pork cutlet, scallions, pickled radish on top of the curry ramen.

They also serve chilled ramen which is a summertime special and other ramen favorites such as vegetables, charsu, stir fry, duck, and more. Order a rice dish as an accompaniment and don’t forget to order their appetizers and a drink.

Santouka

675 Saratoga Avenue #103, San Jose, CA 95129 santouka.co.jp/en

Enjoy regional-specific ramen noodle bowls at this traditional-themed restaurant!

Santouka has a traditional feel to it and, due to its incredibly delicious ramen bowls, it makes a favorite spot to visit for a chit chat with friends or even a special occasion with colleagues and family. The soup here is made from scratch with close attention to the ingredients and preparation method.

The donburi ramen bowl was specifically ordered by the founder. And since they have a thickness that often prevents the soup from cooling, the aroma and delicious flavor remain intact until you lift a spoonful of soup. It’s among the favorites here and customers seem to not get enough of it.

Their specialty includes shio ramen, a white tonkatsu soup that can be slurped until the last drop. The red pickled plum on top adds a feminine touch to the ramen with a delicious taste, aroma, and gentle flavor that makes this bowl stand out from the rest. For the Misto ramen, they blend akamiso into tonkotsu soup which could become a habit if you try it once. Other options such as spicy miso ramen, shoyu, char siu, and tokusen toroniku ramen are also great choices to try.

Don’t forget to order a side to enjoy along with your bowl of soup.

Ramen Taka

2219 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA 95050 facebook.com

Casual dining spot for classic Asian noodles, potstickers, and thin-noodle ramen bowls!

Are you craving some delicious ramen in San Jose? You should head down to Ramen Taka located next to Santa Clara University. They serve up Hakata-style ramen with an Asian touch. In a sleek, cozy setting this joint screams sophistication where you can enjoy great food and lots of other delicious options.

When you visit Ramen Take, makes sure you try regular Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen that includes thick noddle, pork bone broth, chicken, pork chashu, eggs, bamboo shoots, green onion, and seaweed, or Miso ramen that is thick noodle, served with a carefully selected blend of miso flavors, pork chashu, cabbage, bean sprouts, and ground pork.

They also have plenty of salads, appetizers, rice dishes, and drinks to pair with your bowl of ramen.

Kokoro Ramen

263 W Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035 facebook.com

Enjoy varieties of ramen and other Japanese small plates in this relaxed spot with rustic interiors!

If you’re searching for an ideal place that serves Japanese small plates and delicious ramen bowls, then you should try going to Kokoro Ramen. This place looks incredible thanks to its Japanese-style decorations and rustic interior.

That being said, we think you should try out the Black Garlic Pork Ramen that is flavored ramen, pork broth, fresh green onion, bamboo shoots, black garlic oil, half-cut soft boiled egg, kikurage mushroom, and more. Also, come check out shio ramen, miso ramen, and also veggie shoyu ramen for vegetarians.

We also recommend taking a look at the donburi which is a bowl of chashu don and spicy pork don. Don’t forget to enjoy appetizers and drinks with your meal!

Ramen Nagi

2855 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050 ramennagiusa.com

Neighborhood ramen offering various broths and toppings in airy, modern space and other classics!

If you’re looking for a Japanese spot that is unlike other restaurants in San Jose, then make sure you try Ramen Nagi. Known for their perfect and authentic, flavors of the broth, this restaurant has also launched a new “Limited King” ramen variety to highlight their creativity and push the delicious boundaries. Go ahead and experiment with different flavors and ensure you add your own personal touch, or leave it up to our master ramen chef to prepare your bowl.

When you visit, make sure you order the award-winning tonkotsu port-broth that is prepared in the traditional method, and served with special handcrafted noodles and classic Nagi pork chashu. You can also try the red king with the ultimate savory spiciness and a striking blend of garlic, chili oil, and cayenne pepper in a velvety broth. Vegetarians will have a good time enjoying the vegetarian modern classic with savory Japanese soup stock blended with cauliflower puree, potato chashu, and accented with shiitake mushrooms and spinach.

Why don’t you try picking a ramen base from the original, black, red, and green king and make your order, or let the master chef customize your option with different flavors available on the menu? It will be worth it!

Dan Izakaya Restaurant

1306 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129 danizakayasanjose.com

Casual Japanese spot serving classic sushi, rice dishes, stir-fries, mini hot pots, and small plates!

If you’re looking for a place that not only serves sushi, but also offers stir-fries, ramen, and rice dishes? Consider going to Dan Izakaya Restaurant. Since 2010, when it opened its door to the public, Dan Izakaya has been serving loyal customers dine-in and take-out options for a decade now. It’s a perfect place where families and friends can gather to have a great time.

Curious about what’s on the menu? Well, there is a lot. They have chirashis especially the mini bara chirashi that are stuffed with assorted sashimi, rolled omelette pieces over sushi rice topped with shredded dried seaweed. They also serve Donburi with options such as garlic steak don, new stamina, and Yakiniku don.

Fried dishes are also available and you can order one with a portion of salad and appetizers which are served raw or undercooked to give them that fresh taste. Don’t forget to order a drink to end the day on a high note.

Ramen is a delicious Japanese fare that many folks love thanks to its unique customization, and also because it’s just plain awesome to enjoy. Whether you’re craving ramen, sushi, or noodles, we’ve got some favorite spots in San Jose to get exactly that. The best part is that you can choose your flavor and whatever toppings you want. So, which is your favorite spot to get bowls of ramen in San Jose? Let us know in the comments!

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Trae Bodge

Trae Bodge is the shopping expert here at GiftYa. Trae helps people find the best deals and ideas on popular new items to purchase.

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