Tadamasa

Nice Little restaurant. The service is very nice, all the waiters are very attentive! The food was great and came out soon! I had the black garlic oil ramen, it is rich creamy pork broth with half egg, pork slides, it was delish and flavorful! It's definitely cheaper than most ramen places in the area.

Tadamasa is one of the best ramen spots that I've found in the East Bay. All of their dishes are packed with flavor, you really cannot go wrong with anything you order here. Although the coconut milk broth is not my favorite, unlike so many other patrons, I still have my favorite dish here: Tonkotsu Ramen, kara (spicy). It's the only thing I'll order, but it's also the one I think is best in every way. It comes with an egg and the noodles are always fresh. You can see them cook the noodles in batches, always fresh and made to order. The restaurant is small, so be ready to wait on weekends and chilly nights.

This is hands down the best Ramen places in the bay area, even the west coast for that matter ( only thing that ever came close was a popup ramen food cart in LA's haymarket ). They are the friendliest people, and they make some unforgettable Ramen. The place is small and quaint but that adds to the appeal. There's always some sweet jazz or classical to really bring the whole place together. Truly something special.

I had an incredible dining experience at Tadamasa! The ramen was absolutely amazing — the broth was rich and full of depth, and the noodles were cooked to perfection. Every bite was comforting and packed with flavor. The appetizers were equally impressive. The fried calamari was crispy and tender, with just the right amount of seasoning, and the edamame was perfectly seasoned, making for a delightful start to the meal.What truly made the experience stand out, though, was the hospitality. The owners were so welcoming and kind, making us feel like we were part of their family. It’s clear they put a lot of love and care into their restaurant, and it really shows in the food and service.If you’re craving delicious ramen and fantastic appetizers with warm, welcoming service, Tadamasa is the place to go. I can’t wait to return!

My first time here. I had the Shumia and the Gyu Don. Both were tasty and the service was very friendly. I went around 8 pm and the food came relatively quickly. I will go back to try something else.

One of the tastiest ramen I have had in my life! 5 year update: I am a vegetarian, and I still maintain my original rating. There are only two vegetarian selections, but it's enough. It's quality over quantity, which matters. I am a regular here, I go there once a week, of I can manage it.

Small little restaurant that is good for their ramen! I love their black garlic oil ramen! And they are pretty consistent and make delicious food. Its generally crowded in the peak hours so time yourself when you go!

My favorite ramen place in Union City. Their black oil garlic ramen is the best and my goal to whenever I stop in to visit. I also always order the calamari appetizer with extra jalapeños. Best kept secret in Union City!!

I’ve been coming here since 2011. Anyone local can tell you no other ramen shop has been around- even half as long. Joanne and rest of the small staff give a genuine ramen experience. You will not meet another person as welcoming and professional as Joanne. Her service alone would be reason enough for coming. Oh and you would never guess with the soft atmosphere that the quiet older chef is 100% listening to metal in those earphones. 😎 Ask for Joanne, you won’t be let down!

Authentic food provided by a hardworking family. Their hours don't always sync up w/ our schedule, but this is where we'd go for ramen if we had the opportunity. Have not ever had a bad meal here, but you need to focus on the ramen. Sides are offered, but I repeat - focus on the ramen. Great service and really nice people

Still the best ramen spot in the area. Place was updated so has more modern feel now, but for me i missed the counter where you can see where the broth is being cooked from where you are sitting, gives the authentic experience.

I've been here twice now and I have always had a great eating experience here. This is a small restaurant but packs a savory punch. The waiting area leaves much to be desired ( separated on either side of the front of the restaurant by two room dividers), the food is what you come here for. The seating in the back is the best because you also get to see the cooks at work! They have vegetarian ramen is one of my favorites ! the broth is one of the best things I have tried! go !!!

Best and most underrated ramen in the Bay! The broth is so flavorful, the texture of the noodles is perfect, and the pork belly is so crispy. Good portions for the price and the owners/service are great. My personal fav is the TanTan! Can be a little salty so request less salt :)

Tried Tadamasa's tonkotsu ramen and loved every ingredient including the chewy bamboo shoots, perfectly-cooked noodles, and flavorful egg. The menu also extends to items such as the coconut miso ramen and black garlic oil ramen. Interior feels warm, casual, and clean, and the owner is super chill. If you're in the area, do give this place a try!

Best Ramen in Bay Area hands down 🍜 It’s a small location, with a cozy atmosphere. The curry ramen is rich and of a good portion size. The rest of the food here is also top notch. Staff is attentive and the wait for food to come out, wasn’t long.

One of my favorite ramen places around. Staff is always kind and service is great. Have not been disappointed in anything I have had on the menu. Highly recommended! Update from 2025: I'm glad this place has endured. Still one of our favorite date spots 6 years later. I miss the bar in the back where we used to always sit and watch them cook but I know in a post covid world its for their safety. Love the shoyu Ramen and their over rice bowls are still great and the pan fried gyoza still gives me nostalgia.

Been coming here for years- super nice owners & great comfort food. We like miso ramen & black garlic oil ramen best but also have enjoyed curry dishes & appetizers

Every bite here is just packed with flavor. Fantastic ramen, really the best I've had anywhere. They have indoor now! Today's visit, dining in: Really glad I drove out there today, especially since I could sit inside for the first time. The whole place smells amazing, has a really calming atmosphere. The Thai sweet chili ramen I got was possibly the best bowl of soup I've ever had. The broth is creamy with a bit of a citrus tang, and the prawns and seared pork belly that come in it are beautiful. I can't describe enough about it, just try it. The miso coconut ramen my boyfriend got was also just as delicious! Also we got the panko fried oysters to start. If you love oysters and fried seafood like I do, these are killer. They have a great tangy dipping sauce. Mid-pandemic visit for takeout: I came here for the first time a year or 2 ago for my birthday, when things seemed bleak because of the virus and I couldn't really have the get-together I wanted to to celebrate, I decided to try this place out to make my very small celebration more special. I got ramen togo here and I swear it's the best takeout I've ever had. They give you the noodles and broth separately, and all of it stayed in perfect condition for my ~25 minute drive home, and when I put every together it tasted incredible. Very full of flavor with very fresh tasting ingredients.

I’ve had a lot of ramen all over the west coast and this restaurant easily is the best ramen I’ve ever had. Simple, delicious, and heart-warming. Every ingredient is cooked perfectly with care. The chashu made me want to cry tears of joy. I cannot wait to return for more!

The most tasty ramen I ever tried. Better only in Japan. The place is small and seems family owned. No fancy decorations or something. Everything is very simple. So you need to order Tan Tan ramen, extra crispy ( it is very important 🤣) and you will get the best ramen in whole Bay Area! * Clean, cozy place * Menu is not ready wide but everything tastes good as home made. * It is not a fast-food. You might need to wait 10-15 minutes. P.S. Before write a review a check other reviews on Yelp....You know what? Everyone who give them 1star for service....you need to go and eat some sh.... Ramen is so good here!

What appears to be a hole in the wall ramen shop is anything but. Sure it is a hole in the wall compared to the shopping center next to it but don't let the appearance fool you. It's some seriously good eats. In my one sitting I sampled there coconut miso ramen and their black oil garlic ramen. Both are delicious and their attention to detail is top noch. The next time I'm in town I'll be sure to stop on by!

Great tasting ramen. Only 1 vegan/veggie option. The spicy veggie broth is really nice. A mild hint of miso and a nice spicy finish as you gulp down the broth. A must visit if in this area.

My fellow lovers of all that is ramen! let me tell you this, I've had my fair share of ramen throughout the Bay Area and that's and not to say that I've had it all but, Tadamasa will knock your socks off! With that being said I can honestly say Tadamasa has the best ramen I have ever had, their Curry over Chicken Katsu Ramen is legit to die for. It's a 40 minute drive for me and I gladly make that decision to make that trip every time, to have a delicious bowl without hesitation! Most times I get a side of the potato croquettes and it just hits the spot. Don't believe me? I highly recommend you see for yourself.

Co Co

Best and most underrated ramen in the Bay! The broth is so flavorful, the texture of the noodles is perfect, and the pork belly is so crispy. Good portions for the price and the owners/service are great. My personal fav is the TanTan! Can be a little salty so request less salt :)

aq xin

Tried Tadamasa's tonkotsu ramen and loved every ingredient including the chewy bamboo shoots, perfectly-cooked noodles, and flavorful egg. The menu also extends to items such as the coconut miso ramen and black garlic oil ramen. Interior feels warm, casual, and clean, and the owner is super chill. If you're in the area, do give this place a try!

J

Best Ramen in Bay Area hands down 🍜 It’s a small location, with a cozy atmosphere. The curry ramen is rich and of a good portion size. The rest of the food here is also top notch. Staff is attentive and the wait for food to come out, wasn’t long.

Crystal Cauley

One of my favorite ramen places around. Staff is always kind and service is great. Have not been disappointed in anything I have had on the menu. Highly recommended! Update from 2025: I'm glad this place has endured. Still one of our favorite date spots 6 years later. I miss the bar in the back where we used to always sit and watch them cook but I know in a post covid world its for their safety. Love the shoyu Ramen and their over rice bowls are still great and the pan fried gyoza still gives me nostalgia.

Helen Hsu, Psy.D.

Been coming here for years- super nice owners & great comfort food. We like miso ramen & black garlic oil ramen best but also have enjoyed curry dishes & appetizers

Aerospace Student

Every bite here is just packed with flavor. Fantastic ramen, really the best I've had anywhere. They have indoor now! Today's visit, dining in: Really glad I drove out there today, especially since I could sit inside for the first time. The whole place smells amazing, has a really calming atmosphere. The Thai sweet chili ramen I got was possibly the best bowl of soup I've ever had. The broth is creamy with a bit of a citrus tang, and the prawns and seared pork belly that come in it are beautiful. I can't describe enough about it, just try it. The miso coconut ramen my boyfriend got was also just as delicious! Also we got the panko fried oysters to start. If you love oysters and fried seafood like I do, these are killer. They have a great tangy dipping sauce. Mid-pandemic visit for takeout: I came here for the first time a year or 2 ago for my birthday, when things seemed bleak because of the virus and I couldn't really have the get-together I wanted to to celebrate, I decided to try this place out to make my very small celebration more special. I got ramen togo here and I swear it's the best takeout I've ever had. They give you the noodles and broth separately, and all of it stayed in perfect condition for my ~25 minute drive home, and when I put every together it tasted incredible. Very full of flavor with very fresh tasting ingredients.

Andrea

I’ve had a lot of ramen all over the west coast and this restaurant easily is the best ramen I’ve ever had. Simple, delicious, and heart-warming. Every ingredient is cooked perfectly with care. The chashu made me want to cry tears of joy. I cannot wait to return for more!

Eugene Roman

The most tasty ramen I ever tried. Better only in Japan. The place is small and seems family owned. No fancy decorations or something. Everything is very simple. So you need to order Tan Tan ramen, extra crispy ( it is very important 🤣) and you will get the best ramen in whole Bay Area! * Clean, cozy place * Menu is not ready wide but everything tastes good as home made. * It is not a fast-food. You might need to wait 10-15 minutes. P.S. Before write a review a check other reviews on Yelp....You know what? Everyone who give them 1star for service....you need to go and eat some sh.... Ramen is so good here!

James Mccorn

What appears to be a hole in the wall ramen shop is anything but. Sure it is a hole in the wall compared to the shopping center next to it but don't let the appearance fool you. It's some seriously good eats. In my one sitting I sampled there coconut miso ramen and their black oil garlic ramen. Both are delicious and their attention to detail is top noch. The next time I'm in town I'll be sure to stop on by!

Suhas Yelluru

Great tasting ramen. Only 1 vegan/veggie option. The spicy veggie broth is really nice. A mild hint of miso and a nice spicy finish as you gulp down the broth. A must visit if in this area.

First time here and I went relatively cheap and simple with oyakodon. There was a good amount of red meat chicken for the price, lightly cooked and done shoyu/teriyaki style, only slightly sweet. Some fresh cilantro on top made for a nice contrast. Service was friendly and quick in this very small place, with jazzy music (including Sadé) playing quite softly. Service charge noted elsewhere is baloney, there is none. What is shown is only a suggested tip, otherwise the service charge would appear in the itemized total. My bill showed a range of percentage tip amounts at bottom. You do you. Pro tip for ramen: Don't drink the broth after finishing noodles, etc. Some is okay, but there's normally a fair amount of salt/sodium in it. It is permitted to leave the remaining broth. Small menu here, which I always feel is good in sticking to what works and always having fresh ingredients. I will be back for sure!

Al Ka

First time here and I went relatively cheap and simple with oyakodon. There was a good amount of red meat chicken for the price, lightly cooked and done shoyu/teriyaki style, only slightly sweet. Some fresh cilantro on top made for a nice contrast. Service was friendly and quick in this very small place, with jazzy music (including Sadé) playing quite softly. Service charge noted elsewhere is baloney, there is none. What is shown is only a suggested tip, otherwise the service charge would appear in the itemized total. My bill showed a range of percentage tip amounts at bottom. You do you. Pro tip for ramen: Don't drink the broth after finishing noodles, etc. Some is okay, but there's normally a fair amount of salt/sodium in it. It is permitted to leave the remaining broth. Small menu here, which I always feel is good in sticking to what works and always having fresh ingredients. I will be back for sure!

Scott Bogue

My first time here. I had the Shumia and the Gyu Don. Both were tasty and the service was very friendly. I went around 8 pm and the food came relatively quickly. I will go back to try something else.

Good ramen, fast service, will come again. As an improvement suggestion they may place chairs or benches outside for customers, who are waiting in line so they don't stand by the door

Not bad when you ate craving ramen in the area. Super fresh and clean. Friendly staff.

We checked out this place with a friend who was visiting a while ago. Service was solid, food came out quick and was hot and full of flavor. Ambiance: 4/5 Food: 4.5/5 Service: 4/5 Price: 5/5 Overall: 4.4/5

Place is TINY and they stopped doing bar seating due to COVID. It's unfortunate, but understandable. Service is good, fast and friendly. They remember their regulars and will always ask how you have been. Ramen and other foods are good too! Talking about it makes me want to go back - today. Also, because inside is small, waiting, means waiting outside - bring a coat!

Cute little restaurant. Environment is good. Thought to go an ramen restaurant in this raining day. And this place came to yelp. Ordered 5 ramens and they all tasted good. The main reason I gave a 4 star is the payment. We asked them to split the whole check into 2 and they were little reluctant. They put 18% tip on my receipt and it’s hand written. It’s like someone made a decision for you already. Didn’t like it..... Nice for a raining day

Who knew there was a great ramen spot near home. Excited to come back and try the other bowls. Great portions. Small restaurant, be prepared to wait if you show up anytime after they open. Definitely coming back.

Great place for Ramen, period. Great service! We went in the last hour before closing but were seated down and not rushed. The person who took care of us was concerned about my daughter getting burnt by hot noodles and gave her a small cup without us asking. When it came it to the food, calamari was little different but in a good way with a crunch. Tan Tan Ramen was good spicy but can have it again and again. Curry chicken was really flavorful. Ramen quantity was really fulling. Additional toppings made more sense here. Overall a good ramen place 👌

Food is perfect and on point for both the noodles , chashu and broth only complaint is they make you wait outside with a barrier blocking the door and automatically pay 18% service fee (as stated on menu) but still that is high

Eden Y

Food is perfect and on point for both the noodles , chashu and broth only complaint is they make you wait outside with a barrier blocking the door and automatically pay 18% service fee (as stated on menu) but still that is high

Bunny M

Cute little restaurant. Environment is good. Thought to go an ramen restaurant in this raining day. And this place came to yelp. Ordered 5 ramens and they all tasted good. The main reason I gave a 4 star is the payment. We asked them to split the whole check into 2 and they were little reluctant. They put 18% tip on my receipt and it’s hand written. It’s like someone made a decision for you already. Didn’t like it..... Nice for a raining day

arcy sanvictores

Who knew there was a great ramen spot near home. Excited to come back and try the other bowls. Great portions. Small restaurant, be prepared to wait if you show up anytime after they open. Definitely coming back.

Simon JC

Great place for Ramen, period. Great service! We went in the last hour before closing but were seated down and not rushed. The person who took care of us was concerned about my daughter getting burnt by hot noodles and gave her a small cup without us asking. When it came it to the food, calamari was little different but in a good way with a crunch. Tan Tan Ramen was good spicy but can have it again and again. Curry chicken was really flavorful. Ramen quantity was really fulling. Additional toppings made more sense here. Overall a good ramen place 👌

For my son's 20th birthday, he always gets to pick some place to go eat. Typically, he chooses a ramen restaurant. I like to take him to places that he's never been and on this occasion we decided to go for a local ramen shop. Classics being a bit farther out on a weekday after traffic hours, I thought this would be a good option because if you really liked it could be a go-to place that would be easy to access. The shop is located in Union City in the corner of a small strip mall shopping area. When we arrived we walked up to the door which was barricaded below the waist and on looking inside. That was some one sitting by the register in the back reading a paper. The lights were off and no neon signs were on so I called out to the fellow to see if they were open. At first he looked up and a. Surprised but he came over and removed the barriers and let us in and seated us. This space is very small. I'd find it hard to believe that they can see more than 20 or so patrons at a time at the most and it is not a refined environment. In terms of visual presentation. That's fine by me, but isn't something I typically see for ramen shops. I think the presentation of a ramen shop is part of what creates the experience for the ramen experience in general. For myself I ordered the spiciest item I could find on the menu, as I typically do in any ramen shop. In this case it was a pork broth with the typical trimmings of egg, pork slices, ramen broth, etc. I also asked them to kick the spice up to their highest level because I like my lips to tingle and am a fire eater. If you are a fire eater as well, I don't think this level of heat that they're able to provide will be satisfying enough for you. My taste buds said to me that the broth was on the salty side. And as a result, I was unable to finish drinking all the soup. This is uncommon for me as I tend to not leave anything behind when I eat out. This only really happens when there is either too much volume or there is something that doesn't work for me in the flavor. In this case it was the latter. Now, I don't want this to infer that this place isn't good, but my particular experience wasn't one that is going to bring me quickly back. I don't think I'd avoid coming here but I would return with a cautious intent to try another menu item. My wife agreed with me on the salty nature of the soup, but my kids who ordered the same item as I did seemed to be satisfied with the flavor, but indicated that ordering extra noodles made it too much volume. Noting that a small line of patrons had formed outside waiting to get a table, this tends to be a good sign that a place is well liked or loved, but as mentioned previously in this review, this could also be the result of there not being many ramen options in the area, and/or a result of there just not being many tables available to seat more patrons all at once. Now, but I recommend the spot if you're craving ramen? I do think it will work out even though my experience was not as good as I hoped it would be, but I think this may be a result of my ramen palate and I wouldn't use it to pass any negative judgment on this establishment. At the same time I do think there are better ramen experiences out there and I will continue to experiment with other local ramen experiences to see if I can't find a go-to that works better for me.

I had high hopes for this ramen spot, but it was a huge letdown. The ramen and udon were way too salty—almost inedible. It felt like they just dumped a ton of salt in the broth without any real depth of flavor. The tempura? Not even close to authentic. It was overly hard, greasy, and tasted like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for too long. Definitely not the light, crispy texture you’d expect from real tempura. Honestly, I’m questioning all these glowing reviews. Are we even eating at the same place? Either people have never had decent ramen before, or something shady is going on. Save your money and go somewhere that actually knows how to make Japanese food properly.

The appetizers dishes were not bad like fried chicken and fried takoyaki. However, the tan tan spicy ramen which I ordered was not good at all! It was salty and the slide pork were the bacon kind and had an old oil taste. The broth was not even spicy as the name stated!

In general Ramen was 6/10, the noodles seemed not made fresh and had more of prepackaged noodle taste and texture to it. Broth lacked flavor and the chicken could have been better. The content on the ramen were limited to 2-3 ingredients, and had to get most of the things extra example corn and bambo. Restaurant is very small if you have a big party I would suggest you call ahead.

Food was fine. If I wasn’t expecting Japanese Ramen I probably would not have been disappointed. The chashu wasn’t chashu, it was thick cut bacon that was crispy. I ate everything and the taste was alright but if you’re looking for authentic Japanese Ramen this is not it. Also the napkins were interesting. See photo.

Nathan Denni

Food was fine. If I wasn’t expecting Japanese Ramen I probably would not have been disappointed. The chashu wasn’t chashu, it was thick cut bacon that was crispy. I ate everything and the taste was alright but if you’re looking for authentic Japanese Ramen this is not it. Also the napkins were interesting. See photo.

dhiraj jadhav

In general Ramen was 6/10, the noodles seemed not made fresh and had more of prepackaged noodle taste and texture to it. Broth lacked flavor and the chicken could have been better. The content on the ramen were limited to 2-3 ingredients, and had to get most of the things extra example corn and bambo. Restaurant is very small if you have a big party I would suggest you call ahead.

Ramen is just the usual noodles, it has distinct bitter taste. The soup is salty, overpriced for the taste and quality and too taxing to the kidney.. friendly staff though...coming back, nope.

Nes Angeles

Ramen is just the usual noodles, it has distinct bitter taste. The soup is salty, overpriced for the taste and quality and too taxing to the kidney.. friendly staff though...coming back, nope.

Who’s rating this place 5 star?? Very plain taste for ramen. And it costs $20 dollars total. Only 2 people during peak hour. Music is fine and peaceful. But food is terrible.

Jake

Who’s rating this place 5 star?? Very plain taste for ramen. And it costs $20 dollars total. Only 2 people during peak hour. Music is fine and peaceful. But food is terrible.

The restaurant appears to be open, but I drove an hour to come and eat and I realize it's closed. That's really bad.