Hajime Ramen

From the moment I stepped into this restaurant and heard the music playing, I knew right away this was an authentic Japanese ramen shop. I ordered the Kiwami Tonkotsu Ramen, and it was hands down one of the best ramen I’ve had on the West Coast. The broth was rich and deeply flavorful, the noodles were perfectly firm and springy, and the chashu and other toppings were incredibly fresh and delicious. The first sip of soup instantly transported me to Japan. Throughout my meal, I heard songs by two of my favorite Japanese artists，Gen Hoshino and Fujii Kaze as well as theme songs from anime I’ve watched. It made the whole dining experience feel personal and nostalgic. The staff were kind, polite, and welcoming, and the atmosphere in the restaurant was cozy and inviting. I’ll definitely be coming back often. This place is a true gem.

I’ve now tried all of their main soups and they are all quite delicious and complex. They are very savory and you have a broad range of feelings to choose from: a delicate shoyu, a comforting tonkotsu, and a spicy exciting miso. I recently, however, got to try their Haru Ramen limited special which really embodies the feeling of Spring. It is a seafood-focused broth and executes it masterfully. The seafood flavor is present, but not overpowering. The pork flavor from the chashu cuts through, and overall the bowl is extremely refreshing. I believe this refreshing and complex flavor is exactly what chefs intend to achieve with similar seafood dishes. I will be going back to try and get it once more before it goes out of stock! The atmosphere of the restaurant is what I imagine ramen shops in Japan are like: extremely focused & dedicated to the food and a hustling pace for the customer. I think this may be off putting to some shop goers, but if you come for the ramen you will be met with the ramen.

This might be the best ramen I've had in the bay. The tonkotsu broth is incredibly rich and creamy, bursting with deep pork flavor. The spicy tonkotsu was similarly flavorful, but the pork flavor gets masked a little bit. The thin noodles were just the right texture as well, being a perfect vehicle for the delicious broth. To top it all off, service was great and the wait was only 15 min on a Saturday afternoon. Even with options like Hironori and Ramen Nagi nearby, Hajime might still be your best bet if you want simple and authentic Tonkotsu Ramen executed perfectly.

Its a nice clean restaurant once you get in. You need to enter your name and phone on the ipad and add to the list. They will text but better to wait outside, before closing they go fast. Ordering is easy and smoothly done at the table. Its a great place for kids. The ramen broths are very good and they have a simple size (Tonkotsu (Pork Soup Ramen)) and fully loaded (Kiwami Tonkotsu) ramen both with same excellent broth. Fully loaded is more ramen as well so you can adjust depending on how hungry you are. I've had them both and for the regular you walk away feeling like you got a good deal. Eat the fully loaded ramen to feel full. The pork ramen has thin egg noodles and the Soy Sauce based dried bonito soup (contains pork & chicken protein) with thick wavy egg noodles. You can have either noodle with either broth just ask, but these are the defaults. I always get the Kiwami Tonkotsu with spicy extra and that is my favorite but my wife loves the shoyu. This time we had chicken carage and I had the spicy tonkotsu and my daughter had the very spicy miso. Service is nice and polite. People that work there are happy.

Erin Joo

apparently this is one of the best ramen places in california, so i had to see what’s up. karaage, fresh and crispy and juicy, & good with or without the sauce. kiwami spicy miso, with thick noodles, generous toppings, & a rich flavorful broth that exemplifies a good bowl of miso ramen. the chashu is much thinner than what i’m used to but still tasty. the egg was cooked perfectly with the yolk still runny. the menu says the kiwami ramen is *very spicy* but it wasn’t too bad for a spice lover. they have lots of special limited menu items on their wall and i’d love to come back to try one. the waitlist can be very long so come as early as possible- i arrived before opening time & there were already several groups in front of me.

Sue Donymous

There is a waitlist system to be seated, you enter the building and use a tablet at the front to add yourself to the list. You can then access a website which shows your status in line, and you will get a text when you are close to the front. Then a staffer will call your name to seat you. I arrived as a solo diner shortly after 5 PM on a Wednesday, and there were 8 people ahead of me. Most of these people were also parties of one, so the line moved fast. It only took about 10 minutes. I would recommend checking the menu online while you wait. The ramen is good, as expected. I got the Kiwami Tonkotsu, and was able to request it without an egg. The broth has good flavor and the noodles have good texture, but the standout was the pork belly topping, which pairs unexpectedly well with the provided lime. I wouldn't consider it mind-blowing, but part of that is California being spoiled for choice of good ramen restaurants. The restaurant itself has a charming atmosphere. There are handmade drawings on the line markers outside, and figurines and stuffed animals as decoration inside. The people seated next to me seem to have been regulars or friends of the chef; they were happy to see each other and had a lively conversation in Japanese. The restaurant does have a bathroom inside, which is single occupant gender neutral. Overall, I would hesitate to recommend this place to people with a large group, or dining at peak hours when there is a long wait, but if you're in the area hoping to drop in for a quick bite on a flexible schedule you should give it a go.

Alan Wu

I arrived at 11:05 and waited for about 15 minutes. The waitress was polite and spoke softly. My ramen was prepared in approximately 10 minutes and was cooked to perfection. The restaurant has a simple interior, but the atmosphere is enjoyable. The ramen is authentic and delicious.

Yuya Fujimoto

High quality ramen, great variety, and super friendly staff, but still surprisingly affordable. The broth is rich, noodles are perfect, and the chashu is legit tender. One of the best value ramen spots in the South Bay.

Chelle T

I am finally a fan of ramen soup. Great texture and good tasting broth. Service is nice and efficient. Also ordered chicken karaage, crispy and tasty. The spicy edamame was fun as well. You need to arrive as they first open or it could be a wait to be seated.

aq xin

Ramen Hajime is a great choice for consistent quality ramen with plenty of options (including vegetarian). Expect very high wait times during peak hours, so come early to put down your name (Yelp waitlist). I love their Kiwami Tonkotsu as it comes with a smoky black sauce + limes, both which offer a unique twist to the already-deep-flavored broth. Sometimes they have limited-time selections on their menu (many past items featured on their wall decor). Service is quick and friendly, and prices are standard.

Francisco Garcia

Rated top 3 IN CA !! Should be #1!! I've tried #1 In LA , a little Bay Area biased but this should be #1!! P.S if you're going for dinner arrive 20 mins before opening to check in and the place gets packed !!

Melody Z

From the moment I stepped into this restaurant and heard the music playing, I knew right away this was an authentic Japanese ramen shop. I ordered the Kiwami Tonkotsu Ramen, and it was hands down one of the best ramen I’ve had on the West Coast. The broth was rich and deeply flavorful, the noodles were perfectly firm and springy, and the chashu and other toppings were incredibly fresh and delicious. The first sip of soup instantly transported me to Japan. Throughout my meal, I heard songs by two of my favorite Japanese artists，Gen Hoshino and Fujii Kaze as well as theme songs from anime I’ve watched. It made the whole dining experience feel personal and nostalgic. The staff were kind, polite, and welcoming, and the atmosphere in the restaurant was cozy and inviting. I’ll definitely be coming back often. This place is a true gem.

Joseph Stein

Small shop, but big quality. I’ve gone a couple of times and loved it. The servings are plentiful, the food is tasty. I like how the staff are attentive but not overbearing. The atmosphere is also pretty relaxed inside. The ONLY thing I’d warn of is the wait list. But it usually goes pretty quick.

Christopher Choquette

My favourite ramen in the bay area. This place has me excited to come back for seconds, thirds, fourths, etc. would give this place more stars if I could. As a first time, I got the meat meat meat and I recommend you do too so you can try all the meats. Definitely a bit expensive but well worth it, you do get lots. They do their meat on the thin side and I really enjoyed it. It was so tender and flavourful. What's more is all the meats had distinct flavours and I enjoyed them all! Normally the egg is my favorite topping but the meats here knocked it out of the park (don't get me wrong, egg was excellent still). Lots of toppings, super yummy. Also oh la la the shio broth. So rich and creamy like a tonkotsu (my broth of choice) without being heavy. I also was hesitant about the lime but it really is just the lightest hint. I enjoyed it. Lastly, I loved their thin style noodles. Just the right level of firm. Only complaints: wish it came with a full egg; tad (just a tad) pricey, but well worth it

Ian Aguinaldo

Ramen Hajime never fails to disappoint, their broths are superb. The noodles are cooked to perfection (al dente) just how we like our ramen noodles. Took the family here so we can. Order everything on your menu 😆😉. My parents and nephews love every single bit of it down to the last drop of broth.

Aimee Huang

there is always a long line but it's worth the wait. ramen taste like homemade with fresh ingredients.

For someone who has a lot of food allergies eating out is an adventure and sometimes hazardous. I love this ramen restaurant. The menu was very clear of the ingredients the restaurant uses. Ordering was so easy; server went to the kitchen to check with the chef if what I wanted to order had sesame. They will accommodate. I was able to enjoyed a basic shoyu ramen with a couple of add ons. Prices are very reasonable. Service, I would give more than five stars!!!

This is an authic Japanese ramen shop. Owner takes his time with every bowl of noodle so it tastes the same every time. Our typical orders include kiwami tonkstsu and vegan. Tonkatsu soup is complex in flavor with rich pork bone and some kind of seafood stock. Temperature was perfect, when mixed with lime and garlic oil. The flavor is rich with strong umami, beautifully presented. Noodle is cooked perfectly with a good chew. Vegan is curry flavored but not over powering, lots of vegetables and is perfectly balanced. We sometimes order the chicken karage which is juicy and crispy, ketch up mayo is also a good touch. Togo order is also great as it is presented beautifully in the two layered container. Ask for uncooked noodles when ordering togo. Reasonably pricedat $15 a bowl. Highly recommended!

Neil Tantingco

First time visiting after recommendation. Now I see why it's popular since a long line already formed at 5:30p. I took my time enjoying their Kiwami Shoyu while both my daughters ordered the Tonkotsu (again they said). I'm planning to revisit to try out the other Ramen dishes and appetizers.

David Lu

This is an authic Japanese ramen shop. Owner takes his time with every bowl of noodle so it tastes the same every time. Our typical orders include kiwami tonkstsu and vegan. Tonkatsu soup is complex in flavor with rich pork bone and some kind of seafood stock. Temperature was perfect, when mixed with lime and garlic oil. The flavor is rich with strong umami, beautifully presented. Noodle is cooked perfectly with a good chew. Vegan is curry flavored but not over powering, lots of vegetables and is perfectly balanced. We sometimes order the chicken karage which is juicy and crispy, ketch up mayo is also a good touch. Togo order is also great as it is presented beautifully in the two layered container. Ask for uncooked noodles when ordering togo. Reasonably pricedat $15 a bowl. Highly recommended!

Nijika Grinham

I’m Japanese, and I come from Kyushu, where tonkotsu ramen was born, so my standards for ramen are very high. Ramen Hajime truly impressed me. their ramen is incredibly authentic! I was especially surprised that each soup is paired with a different type of noodle, which makes every bowl taste even more delicious. I’ve recommended Ramen Hajime to my Japanese friends, and they all agreed it’s the most authentic Japanese ramen they’ve had here. I highly recommend this place!

Pretty good ramen overall, I don't think it's better then a lot of places I've been to. Got the triple meat and while it was nice a unique compared to other restaurants, it's just fine. Pricing is quite fair though, probably a few bucks cheaper at least then most other ramen restaurants around town. Would recommend to try.

Dan Kim

Pretty good ramen overall, I don't think it's better then a lot of places I've been to. Got the triple meat and while it was nice a unique compared to other restaurants, it's just fine. Pricing is quite fair though, probably a few bucks cheaper at least then most other ramen restaurants around town. Would recommend to try.

Doug King

Good ramen spot. I’m torn writing this review because the ramen was just okay to me, but judging from the crowd, others really like it. It was my first visit and I tried the Kiwami Tonkotsu ramen. I prefer a more hearty and flavorful broth, so I’ll try the Kiwami Shoyu ramen next time, and maybe I’ll like it better. I know others like a more mild broth (like Orenchi used to be) so maybe my taste/expectation is off. I also like more meat, so I’ll try the “Meat Meat Meat” at some point. I

I really wanted to like this place, but it just didn’t live up to the hype. The food wasn’t bad—it was fine—but nothing memorable. I had the spicy miso ramen, and while it had a bit of heat, the broth lacked depth and richness. My partner had the tonkotsu, which was better, but still didn’t wow us. I was very sad about the pork slices. It was the standard portion, but the pieces were so thin—thinner than shabu cuts. You barely get any protein, which was pretty disappointing. Also, the seating situation was odd. There were multiple empty tables inside while a long line of people waited outside. Not sure if it was a staffing issue, but it definitely made the experience feel disorganized. All in all, not terrible, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to come back.

Noji Oji Oji

I really wanted to like this place, but it just didn’t live up to the hype. The food wasn’t bad—it was fine—but nothing memorable. I had the spicy miso ramen, and while it had a bit of heat, the broth lacked depth and richness. My partner had the tonkotsu, which was better, but still didn’t wow us. I was very sad about the pork slices. It was the standard portion, but the pieces were so thin—thinner than shabu cuts. You barely get any protein, which was pretty disappointing. Also, the seating situation was odd. There were multiple empty tables inside while a long line of people waited outside. Not sure if it was a staffing issue, but it definitely made the experience feel disorganized. All in all, not terrible, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to come back.

Ramen Hajime has a lot of potential, but my experience wasn’t exactly what I hoped for. Vegetarian Ramen: The Vegetarian Ramen didn’t hit the mark for me. The fake meat didn’t taste good, and it felt out of place in the dish. I also wasn’t a fan of the garlic flavor—it was just too strong and overwhelmed the other flavors. While the ramen itself was flavorful, the overall combination was a bit too much for my taste, making it hard to enjoy. Service: The service was good overall. The staff were friendly and efficient, and I didn’t have any issues in that regard. However, I didn’t appreciate that they wouldn’t let me replace certain toppings, as I was hoping for a little more flexibility with customizing my order. Ambience: The ambience was good, with a nice, comfortable vibe. It’s a cozy space, perfect for a casual meal. That said, the wait time can be pretty long, which could be a downside if you’re on a tight schedule or if you’re not prepared to wait for a table. Overall, Ramen Hajime has a great atmosphere and decent service, but the food didn’t quite live up to expectations, and the long wait time can be a hassle. It’s worth checking out if you’re in the area, but it wasn’t exactly my favorite ramen experience.

Vignesh Muralidharan

Ramen Hajime has a lot of potential, but my experience wasn’t exactly what I hoped for. Vegetarian Ramen: The Vegetarian Ramen didn’t hit the mark for me. The fake meat didn’t taste good, and it felt out of place in the dish. I also wasn’t a fan of the garlic flavor—it was just too strong and overwhelmed the other flavors. While the ramen itself was flavorful, the overall combination was a bit too much for my taste, making it hard to enjoy. Service: The service was good overall. The staff were friendly and efficient, and I didn’t have any issues in that regard. However, I didn’t appreciate that they wouldn’t let me replace certain toppings, as I was hoping for a little more flexibility with customizing my order. Ambience: The ambience was good, with a nice, comfortable vibe. It’s a cozy space, perfect for a casual meal. That said, the wait time can be pretty long, which could be a downside if you’re on a tight schedule or if you’re not prepared to wait for a table. Overall, Ramen Hajime has a great atmosphere and decent service, but the food didn’t quite live up to expectations, and the long wait time can be a hassle. It’s worth checking out if you’re in the area, but it wasn’t exactly my favorite ramen experience.

Ordered threw Uber eats and went with the spicy tonkotsu. Arrived on time but the portion of the meat was very light. Not worth the $19

Nacho Garcia

Ordered threw Uber eats and went with the spicy tonkotsu. Arrived on time but the portion of the meat was very light. Not worth the $19