Ramen Nagi
| Cuisine | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ (16-30) |
| Rating | 8/10 |
| Last Visit | Oct. 25, 2019 |
| Location | SFBA: Peninsula |
General Notes
The food at Ramen Nagi is incredible. I didn't have any knowledge of Ramen Nagi before coming, and I kind of just decided to randomly drop by right before a job interview. Clearly there's a ton of hype over this place - locations have been spreading like wildfire, in Asia and the Bay Area. Each individual component is prepared perfectly and with precision. Additionally, you have the option to customize the ramen to your liking - thin/thick noodles, firmness, spiciness, etc. Ramen Nagi is super popular so the wait can be quite long, but it's absolutely worth the wait and I'd recommend giving this place a try.
Positives
> The broth is an absolute umami bomb. It's so incredibly good.
> Each item is prepared with precision. There is literally no aspect of the food itself that I would critique.
> The interior decor is nice and pleasant - sleek, bright colors/tables with columns reminiscent of Japanese room dividers.
> Although the line is long, the wait isn't too bad - it's fairly well organized. Additionally, they provide umbrellas inside so that you can shield yourself from the sun. The waiters explain the system and you can construct your order while you're in line. If you get there early and you're in the wave when the restaurant just opens, the line moves pretty quickly.
Negatives
> As expected of a place with so much hype, Ramen Nagi has very long lines. I came here for lunch right before they opened (around 10:55am) on a Friday, but even then I still had to wait in line before getting a seat. Thankfully, I was able to get seated in the first wave. I'm sure that dinner lines are substantially worse, though.
> No reservations and no putting your name on a waitlist - you more or less just have to wait in line, which can be quite long. There's also no shade in the outdoors line, so if you come during lunch (or dinner during the summertime), make sure to put on some sunscreen.
Dishes Tasted
- ★★★★ Red King Ramen -- My ramen consisted of: red king broth, normal salt/oil, light garlic, green onion, pork belly, firm thick noodles, soft boiled egg, and level 2 spiciness. The broth is an absolute umami bomb and I love the customization options. The thick, firm noodles, juicy & tender pork belly, flavorful Miso-infused minced pork, and intensely savory chili/oil combination create an incredible dish.
- ★★★★ Chicken Karaage -- Pretty different from your typical chicken karaage. Very well fried - super crispy but the breading is also fairly thin, so the focus is on the chicken, which I like. The flavor is reminiscent of teriyaki, which is super tasty (and goes really well with a light squeeze of lemon and the mayonnaise sauce). Also pretty reasonably priced - just $6.50!
Red King Ramen
