I was so impressed by the quality of food, service, and ambience at Herb & Wood. The vibe of the restaurant around dinner time is modern, sleek, and adventurous. Service was quick and friendly while providing great recommendations. Highly recommend the pork entree as well as the branzino paired with the carrots, corn, and potatoes. Superb cocktails as well. This is THE spot for date night, any special occasions, or a group dinner!

Another amazing gluten free dinner, safe for someone with celiac disease! I came with 5 girl friends for a holiday dinner. They initially sat us in a very quiet spot but when we asked our server if there was a possibility of another table he had us reseated immediately! He was wonderful all night. Our table stared with drinks of course! Then on to apps and veggies and most were able to be made safe for me (I’m also, egg, legume and dairy free so they left sauces and cheese on the side). Everyone was so happy from drinks to dessert!

Wow, the food here is absolutely next-level! Honestly, we’ve been to Michelin-star restaurants, and this place really holds its own—every bite is full of flavor and just perfectly executed. The dishes have fun twists that make the flavors pop, but nothing feels overdone—it all comes together beautifully. Service was fantastic too; the staff were attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience even more enjoyable. The vibe is welcoming but elevated, making it a great spot for a special night out or just treating yourself to something amazing. From start to finish, everything felt thoughtfully prepared and delicious. If you love food that surprises your taste buds and is beautifully presented, this is definitely a place to check out. I’ll be coming back for sure—it’s one of those meals that sticks with you long after you leave.

Gina Solomon

First time there and it was a great experience! Loved our server Angela, she was quick and made us feel at home and made everything smooth for us especially since we needed to be in and out of there quick! Wished parking could have been better, but the food and our server-Angela made up for it!!

Gustavo Osorio

Tried the Jubilee Special and it was incredible! A drink, edamame, small starter, half roll, and ramen or curry. By far the best bang for your buck and you get to try so many different foods. 10/10 would recommend!

Vinod Shenoy

Dedicated vegan menu , lot of vegetarian options and very lively ambiance. The portions were huge and the flavors were amazing. I had the curry based ramen which was very flavorful. This place does get busy so reservations are recommended and parking is painful but worth it. They didn't have a kids menu but given the large portions it wasn't too hard to feed the two kids in our party. Highly recommend!

Mark Anthony Carrillo

Food is always fresh and delicious. Flavors coming off the Jalapeño poppers are amazing. Arrive early to ensure you have parking. It is a paid parking environment. 9 dollars for 3 hours.

Sha'Tonna Walker

I live in North Carolina and this was my second time coming to RakiRaki Ramen. It is by far the best ramen I've ever had. You will not be disappointed I promise. Be prepared to wait (but not long) it's worth it! I highly recommend 12/10.

TM

We went for restaurant week, and this place was incredible. Super fast service, great waiters, no wait on a line (although it got very busy after we got there), food was 10/10 and would definitely go again.

Ben Killpack

I’ve never had ramen up until my friend brought me to this place and I’ve been hooked ever since. This place seems to always be packed but that’s for a good reason and all the staff are very attentive! The red edition ramen is out of this world and our waitress, Logan, really went above and beyond!

Anna Belous

Always a favorite in Convoy. If you're looking for the best vegetarian ramen it's here!! Chef Junya spends so much time on his recipes and makes a veggie ramen that's full of flavor and intensity. The triple tomato is BOMBBBB. He also makes a splendid chicken ramen! One of the only chicken ramen in SD with chicken broth. They recently added some new items to the menu- okonomiyaki, baby back corn ribs, etc. love how they keep it fresh!

+3

Sugondese

This is my go to spot for getting ramen. I always order the “Red Edition” ramen. The spice is tolerable and the broth is flavorful. I recommend coming at opening, it’s easy to find parking and isn’t crowded yet. I also recommend ordering the “Raki Raki Karaage fries”, for personal preference I like asking them for extra sauces on the side because I like this dish with a lot of sauce. Overall, good place to eat, try it if you haven’t already.

Anthony Miranda

After a relaxing massage at Yu Spa, Anton was craving ramen — so we brought him to RakiRaki, one of our go-to spots! 🍜 As always, the place was packed (a good sign!), but the service didn’t disappoint. Logan took care of us with a friendly smile and great attention. 🙌 The ramen hit the spot — rich broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and full of flavor. Logan, you’re a five-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ server — thank you for making Anton’s birthday meal extra special!

Craig Carter

Was freaking out when they said let’s go to RakiRaki! Convoy and Parking!! Oh no! Calmed down and just went. So happy to find parking! Was feeling a bit nostalgic of my living in Japan and Korea days! Best Ramen I ever had was Sasebo Japan! However when it’s freezing in Seoul and you’re hungry nothing hits the spot better! This place impressed! Ordered the Fried Chicken and Gyozo but will be back for the rest because it’s so chill and casual with fast service and hot food! Very nice size portions.

_Loganbishop

Love coming to this place. Everything on the menu is delicious and will keep coming back. Ramens broth is perfect but wish the pork was a little more tender. Other than that the sides were really good. Tried all of my friends food and didnt disappoint. Service was good and the place was really clean! Super friendly and would recommend to anyone thats craving good ramen!

+2

Nice place - good atmosphere and not too loud. My daughter is vegetarian, so we got a bunch of veggie things. We started with the focaccia and we’re kind of disappointed because they were out of green blueberries, that we were excited to try. The roasted carrots with pistachio butter were freaking amazing - best thing we had. The crispy broccoli was also remarkable. I thought they were priced a little high, but then when they delivered it to our table, there was about twice as much as I was expecting. My wife got the seared tuna salad, which she thought was lovely. My daughter got the eggplant entrée, which was good but needed more sauce. I got the chorizo pizza, which was pretty good except I wasn’t expecting slices of chorizo like pepperoni. Also, my daughter got the Mezcal and mango cocktail, which was really banging.

We had an absolutely splendid time at Herb & Wood! Everyone working here is so delightful! The babaganoush is a MUST TRY and the pita they serve with it is divine! You can tell it’s truly made with love. Don’t sleep on the broccoli either. Very flavorful with a nice spice. The happy hour is steal! Maybe one of the best secrets in Little Italy! Many delicious wines by the glass for less than $9 and real French champagne for $13! You can get a “happy meal” for $20 with a drink, fries, oysters, and burger! Can’t wait to return.

The food was excellent — fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared and well balanced. The drinks were just as good, crafted with care and paired perfectly with the menu. The space itself is beautiful — stylish, modern, and clearly designed with intention. It’s a place that makes a great first impression. The only downside was the noise level. The acoustics make it very echoey, and it was genuinely difficult to hear the people across the table. I don’t have any hearing issues, and everyone at our table struggled to keep up with the conversation. When it’s a full house, especially during conferences, it gets quite loud. That said, overall I’d absolutely recommend it. I’d definitely come back — ideally at a time when it’s a bit less crowded to fully enjoy both the food and the atmosphere.

Wanted to have a special early wedding anniversary dinner while on vacation so HERB AND WOOD was our clear choice since we love Food Network's Brian Malarkeyand Carlos Anthony - atmosphere was chic, drinks were tasty, dinner was pretty good. Not sure if we ordered wrong or our palettes weren't sophisticated enough for the elevated meal options. Experience overall was decent but not sure we would return if local.

foodventurewithliz

Rakiraki Ramen in Convoy is a solid spot for ramen. The broth is rich and flavorful, noodles are cooked well, and the toppings are fresh and satisfying. Service is friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere is comfortable. While it can get a bit busy at times, it’s still a great option if you’re craving good ramen in the Convoy area. 🍜

+1

Yuri Castillo

We tried RakiRaki Ramen and absolutely loved it. The flavor of the ramen was incredible honestly one of the best ramens we’ve ever had. The broth was rich and well balanced and you could tell a lot of care went into the food. The service could use some improvement. Our server wasn’t very helpful and when we asked questions we were told to look at the menu which came across as a bit rude. That being said the ramen itself was outstanding and more than made up for it. We really enjoyed our meal and would definitely come back hoping for a better service experience next time.

Princess Swan

The wait wasn't too bad; it was decent. The food was okay, and I finished my drink, wanting more, but our server never returned to our table. It's not a bad place—I would consider it an okay option to visit.

+2

israel gold

Despite the wonderful service and incredible happy hour deals (possibly one of the best happy hours in convoy), the meal was less than its usual 5-star caliber. Despite asking if my ramen would be coming with all toppings, the dish fell short - and both myself and my partner found the pork to be undercooked. As I say time and time again though, everyone has an off day, and I still think Raki Raki ramen ROCKS!!!

Daniella Holland

The staff was friendly. The Stuffed Jalapeno Tempura was great! So was the Takoyaki. The tofu broth ramen was really good. Recommend!

My husband and I went here for a date night. I will start by saying the hamachi appetizer was fantastic, but the portion size... The pappardelle (pasta dish) saved the night. We ordered this and the Australian wagyu NY to share. The wagyu tasted bland and like they used sous vide to cook it. No smokey or wood fired flavor at all. It Needed flavor. For the price point, it was very disappointing. The pasta was better and tasted like a lasagna. The dim lights were nice, but it was really loud inside. We felt rushed with the server, asking if we were ready to order every few minutes. For the price, we don't think it was worth it and probably wouldn't go back. Disappointed over all.

Tejas Joshi

I’m a big ramen fan and have tried ramen spots across the U.S., so I went in with high expectations. RakiRaki Ramen is definitely a bit hyped, but it’s not bad at all. One thing that really stood out is that they have a separate vegan menu, which is thoughtful and makes ordering much easier for vegans. The ambiance was nice and lively. We went on a Saturday and waited about 20 minutes, which felt reasonable given the crowd. What we ordered: Appetizers • Vegan Stuffed Jalapeño Tempura – 4/5: Crispy, flavorful, and one of the better starters. • Vegan Garlic Edamame – 3.5/5: Tasty but fairly standard. • Vegan Karaage – 3.5/5: Good texture, though not something I’d reorder. Ramen • Triple Tomato – 7.5/10: Rich and unique, with a strong tomato-forward profile. Worth trying if you want something different. • Tantanmen – 7/10: Creamy and comforting, but didn’t quite stand out compared to top-tier ramen spots. Final thoughts: Good vibes, decent ramen, and a big plus for clearly marked vegan options. Worth trying once, just manage expectations given the hype.

Eleana May

After five years, I finally came back to visit and try again one of the famous ramen places in San Diego! It was actually my husband’s first time trying it, even though we were rushing for brunch. I called ahead to ask if it was possible to order in advance so we could get our food easily when we arrived, and the person said yes. I placed our order and gave my name, though I forgot to ask for his. When we arrived at Raki Raki in Convoy, no one seemed to know who I spoke with, which was disappointing. We ordered again, and I told the server I wanted the Original Hakata Tonkatsu Ramen with corn. He asked again to confirm, repeating about the corn, and I thought he understood. My husband ordered the Spicy Miso Tonkatsu Ramen, and thankfully, the food came out quickly. Sadly, my ramen didn’t have the corn I asked for, which was really disappointing. The food was, delicious, but better with corn, and the place is beautiful, but the service, I really don’t want to give a bad review but made me just sad, thank you for the memories.

Jesse Shelton

The California roll, the gyoza, and the broth of all our ramen was good and the service was great. Unfortunately, the toppings inside the ramen were just really mediocre. The chicken was very dry and the chasiu was bland and rubbery. For around 20 dollars a bowl I expected much better.

+1

My birthday was January 17th. My boyfriend made reservations over a week ago and mentioned it was my birthday. Our reservation was for 8 PM which we arrived promptly and we noticed immediately the restaurant was extremely dark to the point where it was awkward. The noise level was unbelievably loud definitely more of a girls night out kind of vibe then dinner. The food was Decent, but not over the top great and unfortunately because it was so dark in the restaurant you couldn’t even appreciate the aesthetics of the food. 50% for me is tasting with the eyes Plus they sat us at a table that was more appropriate as a belly table at a party than for an actual dinner with appetizers drinks, etc. It was way too small for the amount of food And drinks we asked for the dessert to go and I asked how they were packaging it and would it be OK to take home? We were 10 minutes away, but he told us that he doesn’t have another container for the ice cream. When we got it, I thought to myself why not just use a second container? We’re paying $250 for a dinner and we can’t get a second container?? Strange The photo below is showing you just how dark this restaurant was and just how much I could not see the food I was about to eat. Oh, I failed to mention. I also ordered the fish and because it was so dark I couldn’t see that there were a few bones in it. The second picture is when I brought the little mini flame votive closest to the plate.

I was so excited to try this place in Little Italy because there are a lot of hidden gems here but I can honestly say. Herb and Wood is not one of them. Very over priced for what you get and the service is not Aligning with the priced and atmosphere.. We walked in and went to the host counter where np one was standing. After two minutes the host came up and asked for out names. She said they would call us when our table was ready. We were on time for our reservation and we waited for about 10 minutes. A group that arrived after us was seated before us. Once we were seated there was lots of crumbs on the booth side of the table we sat on and the host saw me trying to clear off the seat before I sat down. She offered me a new napkins which I accepted and then she cleaned off the rest of the booth Soni could sit. I think when they say your table is ready, it should be cleaned too.. Once we were seated our waitress spoke with the table next to us but then she disappeared for about 10 minutes before we saw her. When she finally came to out table she asked what we wanted to drink and we wanted to be polite so we asked for her name because she did not introduce herself.. my friend ordered a drink but I had water. The table was small the water glasses were even smaller, thankfully she brought a bottle lf water for us to fill ourself. When she finally came back to take out order, we had to ask if there were any specials. She said yes then informed us of them. I thought this was odd that we had to ask about the specials. We quickly tried to discuss if we were interested in the special and she walked away!! We were stunned honestly.. I thought it was completely unacceptable behavior.. We ended up ordering the Parker House Rolls, which are a special and not on the menu, and the Gem Lettuce. The Parker House Rolls were very good quality bread but the butter had so much herbs in it and it kind of ruined the bread. It was a bit too herby for me but this place is called herb and wood so I guess they use a lot of herbs. The Gem Lettuce had a very sharp and plant like flavor from the purple lettuce that almost tested like maybe we shouldn't be eating it.. there was also so much herbs on the lettuce. The seasoning and dressing was good but the lettuce wasn't the best tasting.. Once we finished our appetizers we were ready to order our entrees. We waited about 22 minutes before we gave up on waiting and waved down a different server. We explained we haven't ordered entrees yet and she gladly took our order. For dinner we ordered the Lamb Lollipops and the Prime Fillet Mignon with a side of Japanese Sweet Potatoes. The Japanese Sweet Potstoes had good flavor and were cooked nicely but stuck to our teeth as we ate them. The Lamb Lollipops were cooked nicely with a lovely crispy while also being medium rare butter was on a bed of sauce that wasn't really needed, and again had lots of herbs that wasn't necessary. The Prime Fillet Mignon came served sliced on a bed of au jus that would have been much better drizzled on top instead of a pool of it on the plate. The au jus on the steak made the steak taste like a pulled pork sandwich and completely ruined that beautiful steak. We were ready to leave at this point and again we could not find our server. When she finally showed you and handed us a dessert menu. We picked the Sweet Potato Souffle which a random server bought to our table and threw together in front of us which was a bit off putting. It had strong taste of nutmeg whichever gave off a Christmas vibe feel but not in a good way. It was just not what we were looking for. While the server carelessly threw our dessert together, we asked him if he could call our server. He said yes then said "actually you'd have to ask the manager" so I guess he was refusing to help us..? Overall, I say this to be honest, a very unpleasant and disappointing restaurant that made me regret wasting my money here.. 4% surcharge for service we hardly got.. I do not recommend herb and wood.