Ushi Taro Ramen

Beautiful cosy restaurant with top class food and service. We are visiting from the UK and we were looking for a ramen restaurant near our hotel on Mission. This restaurant didn't disappoint. We had the Gyoza + Traditional & Shoyu Ramen. All dishes were served with care and full of flavour. Highly recommended! Thanks for looking after us.

So happy this place opened in soma! This is their second location - first is in sunset! The bf said it might be the best ramen in SF… I personally don’t like the noodles that much - prefer the white thinner one. But the beef broth and the meat make up for it. Also love the mushrooms and truffle paste! So much umami. The beef marrow was too fatty, wouldn’t get it next time. Agedashi tofu and mushroom tempura were both good too! Would recommend the paitan broth over the shio, as the latter was too beef-y 😅😅

I ate here late Saturday without a reservation and got seated pretty quickly although the restaurant is small and there aren't many seats available. I wanted to try beef ramen cuz I've never had it before. We ordered the beef karaage and the beef ramen and my friend got the spicy beef with the bone marrow. Everything tasted excellent, the beef was very tender and cooked very well. The beef karaage was surprisingly good, I would order it again for sure. The service was a little slow at times cuz the waitresses are very busy despite the small space so you'll have to flag them down yourself. The price was pretty good, affordable for sf, and I would definitely come back! Beef ramen is super unique.

Bay Area Reviews

Stopped by for some dinner time ramen. They offer just beef ramen and one veggie/tofu ramen dishes. The ramen noodles are great, beef is nice and tender. I also splurged and got the beef bone marrow with my ramen. The marrow adds some nice flavor. I wish we had some more water refills during our meal but I survived. If you want some good tasting ramen, make sure to check this place out.

Raymond

I just moved back to the city not too long ago and the vivid memory of having bone marrow ramen popped up in my head. Before I went to the location over in the Sunset district. When I went to Google the spot, found out there was on SOMA. Went over there on my lunch break and it was just as amazing as before. I didn't grab the bone marrow add-on this time. Huge regret. However, still delicious. This is one of the ramen spots I'd recommend to friends to go to. Now that I know the SOMA location is a choice, I will stop by every so often to get my fix.

Wolf Fivousix

Small joint that blew me away! The broth is packed with flavor, the meat nicely cut and the eggs perfectly cooked. But the best thing was their tempura mushrooms! OMG! And I'm not a big fan of fried food. Super recommend, give it a try!

Iryna Khoroshavina Munoz

My husband found this place because we were nearby. He read good reviews so we decided to try eating there. The place was full of visitors, so we needed to wait a bit. The waitress was serious, but maybe because she was busy. Anyway, we appreciate when people smile, that gives us a feeling of welcoming. She was attentive, don’t get me wrong, but just serious. The food we ordered was great, I really liked their gyoza with salty soy sauce. Ramens were delicious, and keep it in mind that Traditional and spicy one gave the same broth, just spicy has spice. And yea, the bone barrow was salty and tasty too. The portions were huge. I think it’s possible to share between 2 people, especially if you don’t eat much. But if you are a big eater you will love this portion. The atmosphere was friendly, young people, couples, friends, and us as a family. The music wasn’t so loud, thank God. I don’t like places with loud music that you can’t even hear each other. So that was a big + for me. It was warm inside, and cosy. So I would defiantly recommend visiting this place and have your own experience in there! Thank you 🌸

Phil C

Likely one of the best bowls of Ramen that I've had stateside. This was one of the first restaurants that I saw near my new spot in SOMA and I had to try it as a destination on my journey to find a great bowl of ramen in SF. Beef ramen is something that I was not very familiar with, but seeing the photos of the ramen with the big bone marrow in it piqued my interest immediately. When you walk in, it's a very small restaurant, the capacity is maybe 30 people with the 10 bar seats, and 4 tables. It's intimate, but not claustrophobic. The decorations are fantastic and gives a bit of that Japanese small ramen shop feel. One or two chefs, and a very friendly waiter. We started with the Crispy Mushroom and Beef Karage for the appetizer. The Crispy Mushroom is amazing, light and crispy slightly salty batter around a tender and moist shimeji mushrooms; this might be one of the best appetizers I've had anywhere. The Beef Karage was also delicious, but I felt myself craving more of the mushroom, which I have gotten every time I've returned here to eat and will continue doing so. For my ramen, I ordered the Traditional Paitan Ramen with black garlic oil on top per the waiter's recommendation. The bowl came quickly in under 10 minutes and was immediately appetizing. The bowl was elegantly stacked with ingredients and the broth looked rich and appetizing. Upon first taste, I knew it was a quality and perfectly balanced broth. Rich but not too heavy as some bowls I've had in the past from other ramen spots. The noodles were perfectly cooked and the other toppings were simply excellent and paired well. I happily slurped up the noodles and drank every last drop of the soup and left completely satisfied and excited to return. This place is a true gem!

Aemar Kenji

Amazing place for good food. Broth was very tasty and delicious. Love the curry too! My favorite spot when San Francisco fog rolls in :)

Christina Z

I ate here late Saturday without a reservation and got seated pretty quickly although the restaurant is small and there aren't many seats available. I wanted to try beef ramen cuz I've never had it before. We ordered the beef karaage and the beef ramen and my friend got the spicy beef with the bone marrow. Everything tasted excellent, the beef was very tender and cooked very well. The beef karaage was surprisingly good, I would order it again for sure. The service was a little slow at times cuz the waitresses are very busy despite the small space so you'll have to flag them down yourself. The price was pretty good, affordable for sf, and I would definitely come back! Beef ramen is super unique.

Elli Piggy

Ushitaro, a new ramen spot conveniently located near the Bart in San Francisco, is a delightful addition to the city's culinary scene. Despite its small menu, Ushitaro embraces authenticity, mirroring the traditional ramen shops in Japan that focus on perfecting their specialties. During my visit, I started with two appetizers: crispy mushrooms and beef nuggets (karaage). Both exceeded my expectations. The crispy mushrooms were seasoned to perfection, offering a delightful crunch. The beef nuggets were incredibly tender and juicy, which surprised me. For the noodle, I opted for two of their four ramen offerings: the traditional white beef broth and the clear beef broth. The noodles were cooked just right - firm and chewy, which I personally prefer. The beef broth was rich and flavorful; the clear beef broth had a pronounced beef taste, while the traditional white beef broth reminded me of a classic pork broth, but without the pork flavor, which I find appealing. For those seeking a bit more kick, there are soy sauce and spicy broth options as well. They have very different toppings than other ramen restaurants but I love the truffle flavor and generous toppings which complement the noodles. highly highly recommended!!! They also boasts a small but nice selection of Japanese liquor. I tried both the white and dark beers, as well as the yuzu sake. The white beer had more floral notes, while the dark beer was a bit more bitter, but I enjoyed both. The yuzu sake was on the tart side, which I liked a lot, as it wasn't too sweet and added a refreshing citrus note to the meal. The service at Ushitaro is commendable, with only one server handling the entire restaurant. Despite the challenges, she provided attentive and friendly service, contributing to a pleasant dining experience. The environment is cozy and inviting, really clean with a minimalist design that highlights the focus on the food. The decor features warm wooden elements and simple, clean lines, creating an atmosphere that is both modern and comfortable. The setting makes it perfect for a casual meal with friends or family, as well as a quick lunch by yourself. Overall, Ushitaro is a must-visit for ramen enthusiasts and anyone looking to experience authentic Japanese flavors. The quality of the food make it a standout choice in San Francisco.

Zuzanna Aleman

Wow, what a beautiful experience! The beef bone broth ramen was outstanding, with a unique take on the broth that I’ve never tasted before. They then added perfectly prepared bone marrow and their signature garlic paste—so good!

Matt Mike

Ushi Taro is a top contender for world’s best ramen. Yes, you read that correctly. We came here 3 weeks after they opened and explored almost the entire menu. Every dish was a blend of simplicity and magic. But let’s talk about the ramen… What makes Ushi Taro unique is that they use beef bone broth as their base, not the usual pork bone broth (tonkatsu) that you often find. That and slices of beef for their protein rather than the usual slices of pork (chashu). As simple a change as all that may sound, it’s very uncommon, even in Japan. Well, these folks have cracked the code. This ramen is decadent, while at the same time simple. Minimal, carefully selected ingredients, all cooked to perfection, and served in humble yet homey and upbeat digs. The “icing on top” is the bone marrow addition, served with the actual bone to be spooned into the bowl, contributing style and engagement to the overall experience. Fun and unique. Order anything on the menu. You literally cannot go wrong. I don’t live in SF, but I can’t not come back here next time I visit and every time after. Already looking forward to it.

Mama B

This is one of the best ramen I have ever had! The portion size is perfect, the broth is rich without being too heavy, and the added garlic oil enhances the flavor.

Chris White

Beautiful cosy restaurant with top class food and service. We are visiting from the UK and we were looking for a ramen restaurant near our hotel on Mission. This restaurant didn't disappoint. We had the Gyoza + Traditional & Shoyu Ramen. All dishes were served with care and full of flavour. Highly recommended! Thanks for looking after us.

Ingrid

So happy this place opened in soma! This is their second location - first is in sunset! The bf said it might be the best ramen in SF… I personally don’t like the noodles that much - prefer the white thinner one. But the beef broth and the meat make up for it. Also love the mushrooms and truffle paste! So much umami. The beef marrow was too fatty, wouldn’t get it next time. Agedashi tofu and mushroom tempura were both good too! Would recommend the paitan broth over the shio, as the latter was too beef-y 😅😅

M L

I got karaage and shio ramen. The base of the broth is similar to seolleongtang but a bit lighter. Noodle is perfectly cooked, the truffle and green onion add plenty of complexity to the flavor, and the mushroom and beef have a nice texture. Karaage is fluffy on the outside and tender inside. Overall, very good ramen, and I can’t wait to go back to try their paitan as well.

mengxi deng

Beef bone broth base, every dish is delicious. The fried mushrooms with perfectly balanced salt and pepper flavor, the tender and juicy fried beef, the richly flavored pan-fried dumplings, and the beef bone broth are rich and not greasy.

Decided to stop in here for lunch after stumbling across it and was so glad I did. Really delightful find. Amazing ramen, charming atmosphere, and really friendly staff. Flavors are nuanced and complex. Noodles are appropriately firm. Only negative is the location. Police activity (standard for this area in soma) kinda ruins the ambiance a bit.

One of my favorite ramen places in SF, Ushi Taro is different because they specialize in beef ramen. I usually get the spicy ramen + black garlic oil + bone marrow 😋. Their crispy shimeji mushrooms are also really yummy. Highly recommend this cozy neighborhood ramen spot!

Definitely one of the best ramen restaurants in the Bayarea! I've been coming here consistently whenever I'm around the city. I love the fact that they include the bone marrow which adds richness and umami in their ramen! Traditional Paitan (the beef) and crispy mushrooms are my go to. They have a less extensive menu, but they specialize in what they make/offer!

Foodie Bayarea

Definitely one of the best ramen restaurants in the Bayarea! I've been coming here consistently whenever I'm around the city. I love the fact that they include the bone marrow which adds richness and umami in their ramen! Traditional Paitan (the beef) and crispy mushrooms are my go to. They have a less extensive menu, but they specialize in what they make/offer!

Tbh not my cup of ramen (despite all the positive reviews). It’s quite average. The broth is too peppery for my liking and the beef bone broth itself is not as flavorful/creamy as chains like Ippudo or ramen Nagi but it’s also not as sweet/clear as Hakata style. I liked how tender the beef was and the egg! But again, it didn’t have that wow factor in the broth or topping. Maybe next time I’ll try to add the bone marrow (extra $10). It’s a 3.5/5 for me.

The food was very delicious, though a bit salty for my taste. It went really well with beer. The portion size was just right. The tables were a bit close together, which was slightly uncomfortable, but understandable since it’s a small place. I liked that you can add sides to every menu item.

Cai

Tbh not my cup of ramen (despite all the positive reviews). It’s quite average. The broth is too peppery for my liking and the beef bone broth itself is not as flavorful/creamy as chains like Ippudo or ramen Nagi but it’s also not as sweet/clear as Hakata style. I liked how tender the beef was and the egg! But again, it didn’t have that wow factor in the broth or topping. Maybe next time I’ll try to add the bone marrow (extra $10). It’s a 3.5/5 for me.

박밍또

The food was very delicious, though a bit salty for my taste. It went really well with beer. The portion size was just right. The tables were a bit close together, which was slightly uncomfortable, but understandable since it’s a small place. I liked that you can add sides to every menu item.

Azolan Clarke

The atmosphere of the place was very nice and it was a nice spot to relax and have lunch. Both my friend and I got the Shoyu Ramen. Unfortunately, while it was decent, both of us agreed that it felt like a bowl that we could get pretty much anywhere. However, reading some of the reviews, I am very interested in coming back to try one that includes bone broth, and may change my review later on.

Ramen is a bit lack luster with really aldente noodles and mushroom slices without much flavor. It kind of makes it seem like you need the added extras to make the ramen memorable, the bone marrow is delicious, but another $10 added on! The tempura mushrooms are wayyyy too heavy with batter and too salty. The mushrooms they chose also hold none of their own flavor.

Sorely disappointing despite high ratings We came here because the restaurant has 4.7-star reviews, but the experience did not come close to matching that rating. The vegan miso ramen had an oily and watery broth with barely any miso flavor, and within an hour of eating it I developed diarrhea that lasted for two days. The noodles were also very poor quality — the texture was comparable to grocery-store packaged ramen made at home. The spicy ramen was also disappointing — not spicy at all and overwhelmingly salty, with very little depth of flavor. For excellent ramen, Mensho is a far better option — their vegan miso ramen has real depth of flavor, rich umami, house-made noodles, and is actually worth the one hour + wait. This place is not one we would return to.

mary reviewa

Sorely disappointing despite high ratings We came here because the restaurant has 4.7-star reviews, but the experience did not come close to matching that rating. The vegan miso ramen had an oily and watery broth with barely any miso flavor, and within an hour of eating it I developed diarrhea that lasted for two days. The noodles were also very poor quality — the texture was comparable to grocery-store packaged ramen made at home. The spicy ramen was also disappointing — not spicy at all and overwhelmingly salty, with very little depth of flavor. For excellent ramen, Mensho is a far better option — their vegan miso ramen has real depth of flavor, rich umami, house-made noodles, and is actually worth the one hour + wait. This place is not one we would return to.