Ramen Hajime

The soup is creamy and flavorful, and I’m glad it’s not too salty, so no need to drink too much water in this case! The noodle is thin noodle, similar to Yangchun noodle (阳春面) which I prefer. Karaage is a normal juicy Japanese Karaage, as I expect. Service is welcome and friendly.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.