Ramen Dojo Restaurant Review, San Mateo

Reviewer: Foodnut.com

Ramen Dojo

805 South B Street

San Mateo, CA 94401

650-401-6568

Ramen Dojo opened in San Mateo at legendary Santa Ramen’s original location back in 2010, no doubt hoping to capture some of its good karma. In fact it’s owned by chef-owner Kazunori Kobayashi. They focus on spicy ramen, specifically Sutamina Ramen (aka Spicy Stamina Ramen) that is served in a couple restaurants in the SF Bay Area. They de-emphasised Spicy ramen and now even serve regular ramen. Our last visit was in October of 2017.

  • Santa Ramen is the original, now in larger dig, better for parties 4+
  • Ramen Dojo is focuses on spicy ramen, perhaps a little better broth, toppings. Tiny location
  • Ramen Parlor has more starters and variety on their menu

Ramen Dojo San Mateo interior decor

Decor, Vibe – Ramen Dojo upgraded the Santa ramen decor with some dark woods but the layout remains the same with a couple tables and some counter seating. Lines start forming here before it opens. Because the restaurant is so small, the wait can get long, so come early. The place was mostly Asians as expected.

Ramen Dojo Menu

Ramen Dojo San Mateo menu

Ramen Dojo Menu has Three basic soup stocks with spiciness options. No vegetarian options. They added a starter menu with a couple forgettable appetizers. Prices jumped from $8.95 in 2010 to $12.95 in 2017.

Full image set

Ramen Dojo Food Picks:
All 3 Ramen types come with two pieces of thick roasted pork, fried whole garlic, Kikurage mushrooms, fresh green chives, Quail Egg, and chicken gravy (cooked ground chicken) They used to have chopped ginger, dried shrimp, sesame chili oil, and shredded red pepper.

Ramen Dojo San Mateo spicy soy sauce flavor Ramen noodles

Soy sauce flavor Ramen ($12.75) was extremely spicy even at the mild spicy level. Their pork is thicker than Santa Ramen’s but not quite as flavorful. Broth is fairly orderly but flavorful. Noodles are thicker here and almost al dente.  The chunky chicken gravy really clouds up the broth.  Have to say that we prefer this over Santa Ramen’s.

Soy Bean Flavor ($12.75) is a more mild broth, somewhere between the other two.

Ramen Dojo San Mateo spicy bitter pork flavor Ramen noodles

Garlic Pork was a bitter pork flavor Ramen ($12.75) it has tonkotsu (referred to here as “bitter pork”) and a thick and strongly flavored meaty broth. Not too much garlic flavor actually. Otherwise had the similar characteristics as the other Ramen.

OK:
None

Pans:
Potstickers ($2.50) were small, cold, and forgettable.

Ramen Dojo had decent service with the servers ready to turn you over and kick you out fast! A very good ramen place, along with nearby Santa Ramen or Ramen Santouka.

Ramen Dojo on Urbanspoon

Restaurant Map:


Ramen Dojo Overall Rating: (Good 2)

Come Back?

Food Rating: (Excellent)
Service Rating: (Good)
Atmosphere Rating: (Good)
Value Rating: (Very Good)

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:None
Attire:Casual
Hours:Wed - Mon 11:30am - 2pm, 5:30 - 9pm, Closed Tu
Parking:Street
Reservations:Yes
Prices:$12.95

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2 Comments

  • Santa Ramen, San Mateo | Foodnut.com
    October 7, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    […] Ramen runs the spicy ramen joint Ramen Dojo in their old location. An other arguably better option is Ramen Halu in San Jose. If you are a […]

  • Ramen Parlor, San Mateo | Foodnut.com
    February 15, 2012 at 12:01 am

    […] one block from the original Santa Ramen, which now houses the very popular spicy ramen oriented Ramen Dojo. This restaurant uses the same noodles as Santa Ramen but adds some lobster oil as well as […]

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