One of the best tonkotsu ramen I've had in NYC, authentic and delicious especially the ramen egg 🍜😋

Delicious vegan options! My boyfriend and I came to Ramen Danbo after a raving recommendation from a close friend. We had to put our name on a waitlist on a Wednesday night which I took as a good sign. It was only about 10 minutes before we were seated but if you’re going on a weekend I can imagine it might be longer. Luckily their waitlist is through yelp so on days where they might be busier you it may be better to put your name on the list before arrival. We ordered two vegan choices, the classic rekka and the classic atsuage. I love that you get to make customizations to the ramen such as spice level and noodle firmness like you can in Japan. We both added soft boiled eggs and kikurage. We also ordered vegan gyoza and a side of white rice and refreshing Sapporo beer. I have never been able to try the famous tonkotsu broth because I’m vegetarian but my boyfriend has and he said that the classic tastes very close in flavor and richness which I was excited about. Personally I love eating the rice soaked in some of the broth in place of ordering kaedama. The atsuage was thick and had a good texture and flavor to it. The service was a little slow which is to be expected on a busy night. We were able to read the menu before being seated so we were ready to order right away but we waited quite a while before being approached by any of the servers. Someone who happened to sit down at an empty bar seat and bypass the waitlist by accident was attended to and received their food and beer before we were able to place an order. Other than that experience the servers seemed swamped and luckily we’re patient people. The servers we also very polite and helpful answering questions about the menu. Overall I gave 5 stars because I left feeling pleased with my experience and I can’t wait to return and try more of their food. Also warning if you want to pay cash they don’t accept $100 or $50 bills. The bustling atmosphere added to our excitement. This place is great for a date night or groups as we saw both enjoying their time.

I’ve had my eye on this Ramen spot for the past year awaiting the opportunity, and at last! I came lol.. I had the lunch special which is a set of Tonkotsu ramen that you can kind of build with an egg, extra cost for chansu meat. I also added some spiciness. The set came with 3 gyoza and a drink. This ramen was so delicious, literally one of my favorite ramen spots now, the service was good. Not enough seating in my opinion so you may have to wait on a busy day, but I would come again.

KUANG is such a fantastic employee. Kuang is sharp with accordance to detail, positive energy and makes sure to provide customer service at its best!! Pleasant experience to dine in every time he’s there!

Really nice ramen chain. Big portion with lots of flavor. Had the miso tonkotsu ramen and gyoza. Soo good. Definitely going back. Staff was really nice. Long lines at night.

went with a friend and had a great time! the employees were super nice and the food was excellent. will definitely be visiting again. they have both indoor and outdoor dining. i recommend making a reservation before going they do get pretty packed but it’s because the food is so good!

Best Ramen I’ve ever tried and now I can’t stop coming to this place! Delicious food, great atmosphere and wonderful staff. Highly recommend!

I had the shio ramen and it was perfect. I often find ramen broths can get very heavy and salty, but this one was light yet still rich and homey. My boyfriend had the miso rekka which was also very light compared to miso ramen from other restaurants yet very flavorful. The definition of comfort food. We also ordered gyoza which were good but nothing too special. The place was not very crowded on a weekend night at 6-7 pm and service was quick.

My favorite ramen spot in the city. I always have the classic ramen which is great. The have a good vegetarian miso ramen as well. Make sure to be added to the line online at least 20 mins before you arrive so that you don’t have to wait for a table.

I have tried many ramen restaurants and the taste from Ramen Dando is really good. The ramen is not too soft or too hard. I ordered the Negi-goma ramen (with many sesame on the top) and it smells good. No wonder this restaurant is very busy even on weekday noon time.

Amazing authentic ramen spot where you can pop in and out for a quick bite. The service was great. The broth was delicious and flavorful, I could probably drink it by itself. The noodles were cooked just right. The pork chashu was very tender, literally melts in your mouth. Overall great experience.

Had the miso ramen on an early evening, so didn’t have to wait. It started to get crowded after 7pm. Ordered the rekka miso ramen and it was good! Came with 2 slices of pork char siew. Had the fried gyoza on the side and tasted pretty standard..my friend had the veggie ramen and that came with tofu slices. Service was alright tho could be better.

The food is amazing!! It was the perfect dish for the cold weather. Every dish was delicious. There is a waitlist but we weren’t waiting for long. Clean bathrooms.

+3

A regular when craving some good ramen. Ramen dambo never disappoints. They have vegan options. Their ramen tastes delicious. The curry ramen reminds me of Maggie from india!! Their miso ramen taste delicious as well.

There were queues when we got there around 5. I tried vegan ramen and it was soooo good! I was totally blown away. I'd never imagined ramen would be so good. Vegan ramen is as delicious as non vegan menus are. Vegan kyojas were so good too. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone craving warm noodles.

Worth the 30 min wait! Walked in with a group of 4, ordered the classic chashu ramen with medium spice and the “thicker” noodles — SO good. Loved the intense, hearty flavor and perfectly al dente ramen. Would definitely go back.

I stumbled upon this place after a trip in April 2023, and now I try to go anytime I come to NYC. The ramen is absolutely delicious, both the regular and vegan options. $20-$30 generally spent.

I was skeptical about reading other reviews stating that this place had, “THE BEST RAMEN”!? Well, my skepticism was proven wrong! The ramen is spectacular, the flavor, the noodles, I can’t seem to find the right words to describe how amazing the food is! And the Chashu Pork Donburi, it literally made me short circuit, packed full of favor! Wow!! The Best Ramen I have ever tasted! Come try it for yourself!

An amazing Ramen place that would live up to your Ramen craving!! Really enjoyed the veg and pork Ramen and great spice levels available. Have good options for ice cream and sides as well ! Must try if I'm the area you'll visit again !

+4

I ordered the Miso Ramen (chashu-men). It was quite tasty. I like that this restaurant allows customers to customize their ramen. Specifically, they give you the option to have thick noodles, which I prefer over the more common thin noodles in most NYC ramen shops. The toppings like the nori (seaweed) and kikurage that I normally come to expect as standards are add-ons for extra $ here. But still a solid place for ramen and I would come back again.

Top 3 ramen spots I’ve tried in NYC. Perfect level of spice and flavor. Perfectly cooked egg. Relaxed ambiance. Quick service, good prices. It’s a yes.

Delicious cozy little place, there is usually a wait if you come for dinner. If you go by yourself, they usually have space for you! The table set up has customers facing each other up on bar seats. There are a few regular tables as well. When ordering, you can customize your ramen accordingly. The waiters use a few Japanese words. The taste and the setting reminds me of the ramen places I went to in Japan. I would definitely recommend for a delicious ramen 🍜 💜 experience.

First timer, and would love to come back. Highly recommend, amazing value/price. Service was quick and staff gave great suggestions. Came on a Saturday at noon with 5 people total (without a reservation) and was seated right away.

+3

Hands down the best ramen I’ve had in NYC!! I got the Classic Chasu-men ramen. It was so so so delicious. From the pork to the miso, I ate every bit of it. They also had a Sapporo and gyoza combo deal. It was the perfect thing to have even in the summer.

They do one thing (tonkutsu broth ramen), and they do it exceedingly well. Highly recommend!

One of the best ramen spots in Brooklyn! Friendly staff and food comes out fast. Both of the ramen dishes that we got were really good. The broth, the noodles and the char-siu were very well prepared and the flavors were amazing. Will definitely come back!

Perfect place to go on a cold winter night! But note that avg wait time to dine in here is at least 20mins but food is worth the wait. Menu is customizable and many vegetarian options available. First timers will need some help from the waiter to pick/customise their meal, anything as is good too.

Such a cute modern ramen bar with additional tables if you have a large group. The lunch special is a really good value where you can mix and match two add ons to the ramen. Highly recommend you get the donburi and gyoza! The ramen is delicious and very flavorful with customization options. Service is very fast and polite. Would definitely recommend this place for a good bowl of Fukuoka ramen.

This place is always packed, but the Ramen is good and the service is fast.

I always have a great experience at thanks to Kaung! They are ALWAYS so friendly, attentive, and make the whole meal feel extra special. You can tell they really care about their customers and take pride in their work. The food was amazing, but Kaung's service honestly makes it even better.

Best vegan ramen 😮‍💨🍜 very nice staff

Went around 330pm on a Tuesday. Ordered the classic Chaschu Ramen with soft boiled eggs. There is a lunch special with an order of 3 dumplings. The soup was perfect. Just the right amount of heat and the noodles were perfectly tender. Not too hard or too soft. The pork was flavorful and tender. I sat at the little bar. It got crowded quickly. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The tea was good as well. Would definitely recommend and will return. New favorite local ramen spot. Just a couple of blocks from Flatbush of 7th ave!

+4

Mmmm delicious and authentic ramen! Love the restaurant and bar style seating. Came right in between rush hour so was seated quickly in an empty space. Their vegan menu is a blessing and I ended up trying their special seasonal menu item: Vegan Curry. I got a regular egg but next time curious to try the vegan egg. Also wanting to try the noodles very soft as these are a bit chewy. I got the medium rekka and atsuage options. A plus for all the freshness in a bowl! It started to get packed and busy within minutes and the wait time was still quick for our food. I love their skinny chopsticks here. The condiments of sesame oil and soy sauce is great, it’s just everything you need :)

+1

This was perhaps the most delicious ramen I’ve ever had in my entire life 💯 and that says something as I normally don’t like any soup based foods. Pricing was amazing! If you see this review come to this restaurant you won’t be disappointed! 🥇🏆 Also to the people that are complaining about being “rushed out” I don’t think you would like the alternative of waiting an hour to be seated and then waiting another hour for food. I come to a restaurant to eat not wait! They have a good business model with fast service and everyone wins in the end, and I think all restaurants should follow suit!

We are vegan and ordered from that menu the Classic Ramen and Negi-goma Ramen, Pan-fried Vegan Yaki Gyoza, and One Cup Sake. Everything was delicious and flavorful. The Nero-goma had an amazing sesame seed flavor the was unmatched. The sake taste good once it cooled down and the flavors popped more. We’ve been looking for vegan ramen similar to JinYa’s vegan ramen and this has met our expectations!

Ramen Danbo is a must try if you’re in BK. The broth and noodles are sooooo delicious. Plus their gzoya is awesome too. It is a truly filling and delicious bowl that feels like a hug! I’ve taken my friends here and they love it too. Neighborhood gem

Really delicious ramen, smaller menu but plenty of customization. FYI, only pork and vegan broth, no chicken. Would definitely come again. Only a few tables, lots of bar style seating. Can be a longer wait

Staff is really efficient and nice both times I've here so far! Another Japanese ramen chain, it reminded me of Ichi-ran however this is more affordable and there are more options for what to order. This includes rice bowls and gyoza. Moreover, the ramen and rice bowls all have vegan variations! Lastly the space is a bit on the smaller side and will get crowded easily depending on the day of the week and time of day.

Julia W

The curry ramen is to die for - so tasty!! I only wish the portion was a bit bigger. Came here on a weekday evening for 2 and had to wait ~10-15 mins to get seated. Was very busy and I don’t think they take reservations.

Bharti Teotia

Great experience authentic taste. But even mild spicy was good spice level for me.

Maribel Sanchez

This was my first time having ramen, and I’m so glad I got to try it here! The flavors were amazing, and it’s definitely won over a happy customer. Ordering was easy and waiter was very kind. I’ll be coming back more often, especially with the cold season here perfect comfort food!

The top three ramen restaurants in my mind ！ i like the noodles which are so thin and the sesame soup is so good 👌

Great ramen option for vegans/vegetarians! They have a whole vegan menu and it’s amazing- super rare for authentic ramen places. 11/10 would recommend! You order by selecting your choice on a piece of paper which is how they do it in Tokyo.

Myriam Lien Ngo

Ramen Danbo is a must-try Japanese Noodle experience if you’re in New York. The shop is small, so you might have to wait in line for a table, but it’s worth it. I love the Tomato Ramen here: their homemade noodles are excellent, the broth is rich, the toppings are top-notch, and the soft-boiled egg is perfect. I can’t wait to come back for more.

Real_Lexus

Classic Chashu-Pork Tonkotsu is so good !!! 10/10 Waiting for food around 15 Mins , a bit long but acceptable! Recommend , and will come again to try other dish for sure.

Jazz Chomboon

Used to always stop here for lunch when I was working in Park Slope. I love the Tonkotsu here; they serve it with a very flavorful broth, and the fact that we can customize our bowls (like Ichiran style) is the best part because I prefer ramen with Al dente noodles (shiko shiko). Plus, I like my ramen a little spicy. The vibe was chill during dinner, yet cozy, and we were seated right away at 7 p.m. on Sunday, and that was impressive because they are always busy on the weekend. The service is good enough for a busy spot.

+1

Hands down this is my favorite ramen spot in all of NYC. The broth is unmatched and I always get excited to come here when visiting Park Slope. Be sure to ask for Moe as your server! She is incredible with her service.

Danh PhanLe

The ramen is so good I ordered second serving. Didn't know what I expect, when I first enter. It's all bar seating surrounded by small tables. First place I've tried that you can specify noodle girth and chewiness. Everything is ala cart and made to order you can specify the ramen to your liking. The Chasu thinly sliced with a bit of chew and it's phenomenal.

Searching for the perfect bowl in Brooklyn? 🍜✨ Ramen DANBO in Park Slope hits the spot every single time. Originating from Fukuoka, Japan, their Tonkotsu is as authentic as it gets. The best part? You can customize everything—from the firmness of your noodles to the intensity of the broth. 🖊️🔥 Pro-tip: Get the Negi-goma Tonkotsu for that extra kick of toasted sesame aroma, and don’t skip the soft-boiled egg. It’s a game changer. 🥚🧡 Whether you’re a meat lover or looking for one of the best vegan ramens in NYC, this cozy spot has you covered.

+6

Ever since marufuku in east village shut down I have been searching for a Tonkotsu Ramen that was similar to theirs. And I have found it. I also love how you can customize your Ramen bowl and add what you want. The staff was very friendly and polite. The food was ready so fast. The quality was amazing. You guys have found yourselves a new regular customer. And this is so close to my house. Love this place 🙌❤️

Swathi Chandrasekaran

We loved the ramen here! Plenty of vegan options - I had the classic vegan which came with a rich broth and tofu - the curry flavor was great! Spiciness was on point too - level 4 was ideal for me. There was a bit of a wait, but the staff are nice and the service was great!

AlbatrossOfLife

Loved this place!! The service is fantastic, and very friendly. The ramen selection is very straightforward and gives you a lot of customizable options. The food comes out fast and was very delicious! Had to finish the night with some mochi ice-cream! I would 100% come back again! They also have a great vegan selection!

Clarence Ragland

Ramen DANBO Park Slope offers an authentic and satisfying ramen experience with rich, flavorful broths and perfectly cooked noodles. The menu allows for customization, making it easy to tailor each bowl to your taste. The cozy atmosphere, quick service, and consistent quality make it a favorite spot for comforting, delicious ramen.

Really good ramen at good prices. Staff is friendly, place itself a bit cold in terms of the ambient. Especially liked the gyoza. The pork itself in the ramen didn’t blow my mind. Overall, nice place but if you’re looking for not just very food but THE BEST ramen in NYC, I recommend Ippudo.

+1

I was pleasantly surprised by @ramendanbo_usa! I was able to customize everything from the thickness of the broth to the softness of the noodles. Just like I would in Japan🥹 The seasonal special tomato ramen was pretty yummy, and the tonkotsu broth was thick and flavorful as well! It would just be better if it can come out steamy hot!

Third time coming here again and the broth never fails to match my taste in ramen. Also shoutout to moe for the suggestion. Car parking space is not good but taste and service is good.

Overall pretty good. It is delicious but definitely not the best in the city. I like the option for choosing noodle firmness, soup richness. Because not many ramen restaurants in the city do that. One down side is the soft boiled egg is not standard but optional. Otherwise, it will be five star.

The ramen was really good. Mushrooms gave it a nice crunch. I love the customizable options. Only down side is that they only had pork & tofu and I didn’t know until I came and unfortunately I brought someone who doesn’t eat either but he was still able to get a meal with just eggs

This is one of those review where food was very very good but service is very very bad. These guys have master the system of making consistent ramen over and over again. However, don’t expect anyone to refill your water and waiter will take forever to grab your check. I would go for the classic or salt. I didn’t like the miso as much but it was still very good. Food wise? Amazing.

Let’s start with the good: Portions were great, especially for the price point. You have the option to get a whopping SIX slices in your bowl. I’ve paid the same in other ramen places and gotten a measly single piece. If you’re not feeling that hungry, you can pay less for two pieces - which is still generous. Along with that, the pan-fried dumplings were a nice snack on the side providing a blend of chewy and crispy bites to enjoy. Unfortunately, the service was a bit disappointing - they would come over quickly to see if we were ready to order, and then hurry off and disappear for a while. It didn’t feel like there were very many opportunities to ask questions. On top of that, they neglected to come around afterwards to check on us or refill our waters. I know the place gets extremely crowded, but we weren’t there for too long anyways. All in all, come for the quick bite of good value, but don’t expect to get too comfortable here.

Personally, I really liked the ramen and the service was fast. We tried the classic ramen with a few additions and a rice that was spicy but very flavorful. I ordered the iced tea genmaicha but it was plain and had an unpleasant taste, in the end I mixed it with ginger ale and it greatly improved the flavor and texture. The space is very small, just to go eat something specific and leave. It wasn't a bad experience but there are places where I can enjoy the menu and its options more.

I love their ramen, no doubt the best I’ve had in Brooklyn. But the service is a mess and the new paper system has made it worse. It’s a revolving door of servers and it’s often understaffed. I love this place but even the service for me is making it difficult to go these days. I miss seeing familiar servers each time we’d go. And I’m not faulting the servers themselves. I understand retaining servers isn’t easy but it makes me wonder who’s managing this place. It’s incredibly frustrating. I hope they can get it together.

Danbo Ramen of Park Slope was a great experience. Most important, the ramen was delicious and the mochi was satisfying. It is a small place with limited seating, but the wooden bench in the corner was fine. Additionally, there was nice music playing throughout my time in the restaurant. Would come again for ramen.

The ramen is real, not just in looks consistent with the Japanese chain from Fukuoka, but in taste. Don't miss the gyoza on the menu (friend dumplings), They don't shine away from ginger than makes the whole difference. The only reason I don't give a five-star is the letter-grade B as of October'23. Park Slope deserves Ramen DANBO and deserves a healthy ramen shop, and please work on restaurant hygiene. Tip: There's no reservation but you can waitlist.

Arnold Bisram

I heard about this ramen spot from a friend and decided to stop by for an early lunch. The restaurant is cozy, with a few tables along the wall and two long bars, perfect for a casual meal for two. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen along with gyoza. There were plenty of customization options for the ramen, and I chose the spiciest version available, it did not disappoint. The bowl was beautifully presented, one of the most picturesque bowls of ramen I’ve seen, and the flavors were rich, balanced, and deeply satisfying. The gyoza, while decent, felt a bit underwhelming compared to the standout ramen. Overall, I really enjoyed my visit. I’d definitely return to try some of their other ramen options.

jaeman yu

While the ramen here is arguably the best in Brooklyn, the service is a weak point. The staff of two or three seems overstretched during peak hours, which leads to a lack of hospitality. Adding a couple more team members would likely improve the service quality significantly. I suspect the current staff might have a different opinion, but more help is definitely needed

Zakary Hori

Broth was good, thought the noodles were just okay though. Nice area with bar for people dining solo. Lots of vegan options on the back as of October 2025.

Panhathai Pongtong

Ramen Danbo in Park Slope is a fantastic choice, especially if you're looking for delicious vegan options. Their vegan miso ramen is rich, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying, making it a standout dish. It's great to have a go-to spot that caters so well to different dietary preferences without compromising on taste.

Dana

I’ve always wanted to try this place because I heard it was good. They’re always packed and often with a line waiting outside. I went around 5:00pm on a weekend and only had to wait about 10 minutes. I tried the classic ramen and I like that there were options on broth thickness and noodle thickness. I also liked that you could add a spice level - though this cost $1 more. After adding an egg which is $3 and another serving of pork $3 the ramen went from $15 to $22. If you want to add other items there’s an extra charge. I found the ramen to be very tasty but needed a bit more broth which they would not provide. They can provide more noodles for an extra charge. I did not know about the C rating until after I ate there which was a little concerning. I definitely want to come back but might have to wait until that changes.

Little restaurant with inattentive staff. They kind of put the food everywhere on your table… However, the ramen were delicious with small portion. If you are very hungry this is not the place.

Ramen is good, but honestly it's not the best I've eaten before and doesn't worth the wait, we were waiting for at least 30 minutes, and please if you going to pay in cash just bring the exact amount otherwise they'll tell you that they don't have change but in the moment when you are about to pay, not before, so if you have a $100 bill and the check is less, you have to know your total dinner will be $100. So, it's upset.

2021.09 4 flavors, each has 3 types (normal 2 chasu, spicy 2 chasu, and ramen 6 chasu); they hv vegan too. Same opt. Donburi rice is better. To me the ramen is a bit disappointed. Soup and ramen are ok. The chasu is the issue, mine has the refrigerator taste on it. That means it is overnight. It is not a big deal. But I expect more on branded ramen. Although you hv choice of thin and thick. They look no big difference. Soup is great, not too salty.

+4

This is the worst chasu pork I’ve ever had — it’s too fatty, greasy, and completely flavorless. Other than the chasu pork，noodles and the soup is excellent.

Pretty decent. Pre-2024, this place used to be amazing and my favorite spot. Ever since, the quality has gone down- it’s considerably more expensive with less food given, the staff aren’t as friendly, and the C health rating from the city for sure isn’t fun. Still tasty!

UPDATE: Ramen quality doesn't seem the same as it originally was when they first opened. With new ramen spots opening up around town, it makes Danbo feel like they've fallen behind. The noodles feel basic. Also when ordering take out, they tend to forget toppings and sauces like for the Negi Goma Ramen, forget to add the spice and seed toppings. Leaving my original post from 5yrs ago below which serves now as my hope for them return back to. FANTASTIC ramen! Finally a legitmate ramen restaurant from Japan, in town. Only their 2nd restaurant in the US! Their Tonkotsu broth is so flavorful and each ramen has its own distinct flavor. You can customize your noodle type, spice level, toppings, broth thickness, noodle amount and so on. Was only able to try only a couple appetizers, but they are worth it as well. The common gyōza is a step up here with a thin wrap that has a nice crispiness to it. The rice pork donburi is rich in flavor. However the ramen is truly the standout. Get the white sesame oil and sesame seed ramen - might be the best one imo. Can't wait to go back very soon and tell everyone! 100% better than the old ramen place that used to be in the same spot. Hope Danbo stays a very long time here. Welcome to Brooklyn!!

Took the subway to this ramen shop for an hour, a little disappointed, the ramen is very average, chashu is not delicious. If the store is a little far away from you, there's no need to try it. If the shop is near you, you can eat sometime, but don't add chashu. My friends and I we love eat ramen with chashu ，but both don't like chashu here.

Alisha Finlay

I met my friend for lunch as she recommended this place. As I'm waiting for her I notice the "C"rating 😐 I said okay, she recommended it so I'll still try it. Noodles were ok and the flavor was good but the sauce wasn't as hot (temp wise when it was first served) as I'll like for Ramen. The eggs were served cold. Hopefully things improve but it makes sense that the line isn't as long anymore. As a person that had my food license.....something pertaining to cleaning or food safety usually brings the score down to a C.

I’ve ordered pick-up from here many times and usually enjoy the food, but they’ve missed my order twice now. Today, they even forgot the chashu pork in both of my ramen orders. Make sure to double-check your order before you leave. A bit disappointed this time.

This is for my non-meat eaters, religious or otherwise. Its unfortunate but I can't come back bc they served me pork dumplings when I ordered vegan dumplings...the damage was done before I realized now I'm jacked up internally and mentally. They have a couple vegan options then EVERYTHING else is primarily/literally pork or pork based, no chicken, no beef, no fish; only pork. So, take the risk if you like; I will never again. That wasn't the first time I went there, but never again. Oh and the noodles tastes like they were processed frozen or old, defly not house made. I'm a ramen/noodle fiend so I know the difference.

A word of advice: Do not order for delivery! My food came and it was so upsetting to see essentially a kids' meal. The portion I received was literally half the size of what I received when dining in here. There wasn't even enough broth to fill up 1.5 cups, and of course I paid full price.

+1

Ramen to me was very OK. The space is a bit cramped and crowded and not much when it came to service.

I love the food here but for the first time saw that they have a C rating for cleanliness! That is disturbing. I looked it up and thought maybe it was just a one-time bad grade, but its been that way for a while. Keeping food temps too low and mouse poop near food.... I REALLY want to go back here, so please get your act together!

This used to be my favorite ramen restaurant, I've even visited the original location in Japan. However, I can't get over that it's been over a year of getting their 'C' grade rating for improperly stored food and evidence of mice in the restaurant. It's incredibly disappointing that they have not been able to make the appropriate changes in the past year to mitigate these issues and get a higher letter grade. I will be so happy to come back once they improve their hygiene, but until then I'll be eating elsewhere.

I previously reviewed Ramen Danbo as my favorite spot for authentic ramen in NYC. However, I went back recently for lunch and, to my and my husband's shock and disappointment, we saw that they now have a “C” health rating. That was hard to believe, especially since they had always maintained an “A.” We had already spent time looking for parking, and since my husband was on his lunch break, we decided to take the risk and go in anyway. Thankfully, we didn’t get sick afterward. Still, we don’t plan on returning until their rating improves...if it ever does. One lucky experience doesn’t mean it’s safe. We looked up their inspection report and saw the violation points. I’ll post screenshots for reference. The ramen was still tasty, and we were fine after eating, but some noticeable changes have happened. First, there are no more physical menus. You have to scan a QR code at the bar or table, which I personally really dislike. Second, the tonkotsu pork belly portion has been reduced. It used to be a full circular cut, and during our visit in July 2025, it was just half a slice. That felt like a cheap move by the restaurant. If they’re trying to cut costs because of lost business from the health downgrade, shrinking portions won’t help bring customers back. Ramen Danbo needs to do better. We’re genuinely disappointed and hope they return to proper health standards and full ingredient portions. Also came across a recent review by 'A Z' ranting about how the "vegan" ramen is actually vegetarian and how it's apparently a moral, medical, and financial catastrophe. Laughed out loud reading that review because be so for real. Yes, they should know the distinction between vegan and vegetarian, but it's worth nothing that they're trying to cater to the neighborhood by even offering options outside of the traditional recipe. Authentic, traditional Japanese Ramen is NOT vegan. Underpaid or not, expecting the staff to fully empathize, rewrite the menu, or take notes to pass along to corporate over the vegetarian-not-vegan issue is dramatic, to say the least. No one is trying to sabotage your lifestyle. They’re just out here making regular ramen. They wrapped it up by saying, "I guess this neighborhood is just not the place for a good ramen restaurant.” Just because the vegan option wasn’t what you expected doesn’t mean the whole place is bad. Ramen Danbo is staying true to traditional Japanese ramen, and offering even a vegetarian option is already more than most authentic ramen spots would do. Fix your expectations about what a real ramen spot is supposed to be. I’ll say it louder — ramen is not vegan. It never was. So maybe don’t roll up to a tonkotsu shop and act scandalized when your noodles come with egg and broth that didn’t sprout from the earth.

Review is simply on the service I received while waiting for a table. The person working there confused us for another group and has us sit down and take our jackets off before asking us to get up because he made a mistake. Then asked us to wait outside also. Did not give them my business, he didn’t apologize or act sympathetic at all.

I hate writing bad reviews, but I feel obligated to do so when restaurants grossly under deliver. Came to Ramen Danbo on a cold, rainy Thursday night anticipating a warm environment and a hearty, nourishing bowl of ramen. God, was I wrong. Before arrival, we had already put our names down for table for 4, the waiting time was projected to be 30 minutes, of which we obliged. After waiting in their outdoor seating booths (which were NOT heated or enclosed), for around twenty minutes, my party noticed that the table we were waiting for had long finished their meal and paid. Noticing that they had finished paying for their meal, I went inside to inquire about our wait time. I spoke to Rafeena, who had responded that we still had 10 more minutes and advised to wait outside until our table was ready. I briefly mentioned the table that had paid and requested that she remind them that there were other customers waiting. Rafeena flippantly responded "we don't kick our customers out, you wouldn't want that done to you, would you?" Her response felt very passive-aggressive and uncalled for, but I decided to overlook her verbal attack on me. After waiting outside for 10 minutes, we saw that the table started getting ready to leave. Excited to escape the rain and harsh weather, we relocated to the warmer waiting area of the restaurant in hopes of being seated. To our dismay, Ethan, our waiter, told us that we would have wait outside until our table was ready--we would have to wait another 2-3 minutes in the cold. And thus, we waited again, outside, in the cold, December rain, for our table. Finally we got seated and waited to order our food. We waited quite a bit because we managed to finish all of our water before even ordering. We had to ask multiple times for someone to refill our water. I was not happy with the lack of service and attention that our table received. After 2 rounds of water, we finally ordered. We got 4 bowls of ramen, 2 orders of gyoza, and 2 draft beers. The chashu wasn’t good, as the fat was not rendered and the meat was tough. The ramen broth was extremely disappointing, it lacked flavor and richness, all I could taste was scallions and salt. The gyozas were okay, but they were very greasy and came with scrapings from the bottom of the pan. I'm not sure if they did this to be snarky on purpose, but my friends and I agreed that we felt as if something was off with their waitstaff. At the end of the meal, Sam, another waiter, quickly presented our bill. What happened to not rushing your customers out the door? I almost wanted to ask for Rafeena, but I already knew that arguing with this staff would have been a waste of time, effort, and patience that I was quickly running out of (especially after waiting in the cold rain, waiting for water, waiting to order--after a full night of waiting). After a night of being frustrated, neglected, and abused, we collectively decided that this restaurant did not deserve a tip. Tipping is meant to be a gesture that reflects upon the quality of the service that was offered to the customer and we decided that a tip was not something that Ramen Danbo earned that night because of the disrespectful way that staff (mis)treated us. After paying and skipping to tip, our waiter, Ethan, aggressively proclaimed "thanks!" and to that I responded "you're welcome." He continued to ignore us when we left and even glared at us through the window once we left. The reason why my friends and I will not be returning to Ramen Danbo is not because the food is underwhelming, but because the service is absolutely unacceptable. Ramen Danbo is an establishment that serves average food, but employs indifferent, condescending, uncaring staff. I have never felt so ignored, unimportant, and disrespected at a restaurant in my life. To think that we paid for a meal where we were continuously told to wait outside in the rain and were repeatedly overlooked, is baffling. Save yourself the nuisance and go to a different ramen spot, steer clear from Ramen Danbo in Brooklyn and their toxic staff.

Angela H

⭐ Disappointing Experience and Lack of Hospitality I visited this ramen restaurant with a friend on a very cold afternoon, hoping for a warm meal and a comfortable dining experience. Unfortunately, the service fell short from the moment we walked in. We were initially greeted by a staff member behind the bar who directed us to a two-person table. My friend, who is 5’10”, chose to sit beside me on the bench near the four-person table, as the small seat across from the two-person table was not comfortable for her. The staff member promptly insisted that she could not sit there. We then asked if we could move to a nearby table where a party of two was preparing to leave, and were told that was fine. However, as my friend sat down, the staff member repeatedly told her not to sit yet, stating she needed to wipe the table. My friend politely explained that she could wipe it down while she was seated, but the interaction already felt unnecessarily tense. At that point, I went to retrieve my shopping bag, and the same staff member proceeded to handle my bag without permission. I asked her not to touch my belongings, which should have been respected from the start. The energy from the staff member quickly became uncomfortable and unwelcoming, and it felt as if we were more of an inconvenience than guests. I reviewed the menu and noticed that the plant-based and vegetarian options were extremely limited, so we ultimately decided to dine elsewhere. When we asked to speak with a manager regarding our experience, we were told none was available. For a first outing in a long time, especially as a parent navigating postpartum recovery, I was truly looking forward to an enjoyable meal and a kind interaction. Unfortunately, this establishment did not provide either. Based on the service and overall treatment, I do not plan to return and would not feel comfortable recommending this restaurant to others. We ended up visiting a sushi restaurant nearby on 7th Avenue instead and had a wonderful experience from start to finish — a strong contrast to what we encountered here. Highly disappointing and not reflective of basic hospitality standards.

Julia Powers

I went I’m person to order takeout. The server was incredibly rude, I asked to order a green tea while I waited and he informed me “they don’t do that, I asked for water and he just walked away”. I ordered one spicy vegan ramen and one non-spicy pork ramen. Upon getting home I added the vegan toppings to the spicy broth only to discover that the broth was not vegan. The server switched the broth orders and made my spicy negi goma ramen into a spicy classic ramen. I ordered 2 orders of nori, only received one. I ordered 6 pieces of tofu, only received 4. I used to love this place but this experience was horrible. I called 3 times to request a refund and no one answered. I would appreciate a refund for this order. $56 for food I could not eat.

Pooja Hanagandi

It honestly pains me to update this review because this place used to be amazing. My boyfriend & I were loyal regulars for years — Not just because the food was great, but because the staff made us feel welcome, cared for, and taken care of every time we visited. Unfortunately, something has clearly changed I recently found a piece of metal in my ramen while eating, and it actually made my back tooth ache. I had to throw the whole bowl away. What’s worse is that this wasn’t the first issue I’ve had lately — I also received moldy noodles a few months ago (which I let go at the time), and overall the quality & service have both gone downhill. The staff is never the same anymore, the vibe feels off, & the food no longer feels safe Between the metal in my food, the B health rating, & the overall inconsistency, I’m no longer confident that the kitchen is being properly maintained or cleaned. It genuinely worries me that something like this is making it into dishes — & I’m just lucky I was chewing carefully If you do eat here, PLEASE chew thoroughly — I would never want someone to get hurt like I almost did. Really hope the management addresses this because I know how special this place used to be.

A Z

I was excited to try this restaurant as they have vegan options, not only ramen, but also “vegan egg” and “vegan chasu donburi” which is rather rare. I was careful enough to double check with the waiter if the egg was indeed vegan. No surprise, it’s not. I think if you run a restaurant, you should at least know the difference between the two words “vegan” and “vegetarian”. Even worse, when I reflect to the waiter that they want to make an edit to the menu, they were pretty blasé about it. Probably underpaid. If someone who’s vegan ordered this, it’s a waste of food and money and while being an unpleasant experience. If someone is vegan for a religious reason, they’re gonna be so upset. If someone is allergic to egg, they’re doomed, and the restaurant is gonna pay big price for that medical bill, but whatever, yea let’s try our luck. -Food wise, the taste of the ramen itself is ok. Food safety is horrible. -Environment though, pretty bland deco. The a/c is running on the minimal, so you do get sweaty eating a bowl of ramen. -Price is good though, so if you want some budget ok ramen, you can try. Personally, I would not visit again. I guess this neighborhood is just not the place for a good ramen restaurant.