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oChef » Nozaru – San Diego
Nozaru - San Diego
Photo from Nozaru
Nozaru at a glance
San Diego Normal Heights
- 🍜 Ramen Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 69 of the guests
#303 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#3 Ramen Restaurant out of 11 in San Diego
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
430
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Ramen broth
- Happy hour
- Good service
Frequently criticized
- Hard parking
- Loud dining
- Service issues
The restaurant Nozaru, a popular Ramen Restaurant in San Diego’s Normal Heights neighborhood, invites you to experience its cozy atmosphere. You’ll find a welcoming spot perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner.
This ramen bar is known for its authentic flavors and a menu that caters to various tastes, including healthy options. Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch or an evening out, Nozaru offers a delightful dining experience.
Overview: Introducting Nozaru
Nozaru offers a vibrant dining experience, often praised for its inviting `atmosphere` and the dedication of its `friendly staff`. Many guests appreciate the creative menu items and the overall positive energy of the place, making it a popular spot for a casual meal.
However, some visitors have noted inconsistencies with certain dishes, suggesting that while some items shine, others might not hit the mark. Additionally, finding `parking` can sometimes be a challenge, and the dining area can feel quite busy, impacting the overall tranquility of the visit.
Good
7.6
out of 10
430
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
79
negative
20
neutral
331
positive
Nozaru earns a solid overall score of 7.6, reflecting a generally positive reception from its patrons. This is further supported by a good customer satisfaction rate of 77%, indicating that most diners leave content with their experience.
Delving deeper, the Food (7.7) is a strong point, frequently mentioned in the 430 customer remarks, with 331 positive and 79 negative comments. Value (7.9) also stands out, offering good deals, while the Ambience (7.7) creates a pleasant setting.
Service (7.3) is generally well-regarded, though it occasionally receives mixed feedback.
What people like
- Delicious ramen broth
- Great happy hour
- Attentive service
What people don't like
- Challenging parking
- Crowded dining room
- Inconsistent service
With a Recommendation Score of 7.9, Nozaru is certainly worth considering, especially if you appreciate a lively setting and good value. It’s a place that often delivers on its promise of a satisfying meal, particularly for those seeking a vibrant atmosphere.
If you prioritize consistent food quality across all dishes and a quiet dining environment, you might find some aspects less appealing. However, for a generally enjoyable experience with attentive service and appealing prices, Nozaru makes a strong case.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Nozaru
Food (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
This place really shines when it comes to the food, boasting a solid score of 7.7 and a good customer satisfaction of 77.4%. With 216 positive comments out of 279, many rave about the delicious ramen, amazing sushi, and unique ramen burritos. The pork belly and gluten-free options also get high praise!
On the flip side, 47 comments point to areas for improvement. Some found the broth to be overly oily or too salty, while others noted a lack of flavor or blandness in certain dishes. A few also wished for more generous portion sizes, particularly for the chashu.
Food
279
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
47
negative
16
neutral
216
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious ramen
- Amazing ramen burrito
- Great gluten-free options
What people don't like
- Oily broth
- Too salty
- Small portions
Often praised
- foodI was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the food here. It's a small, unassuming spot on Adams Ave with a cozy interior and decent prices.
- ramenI am a person with high blood pressure, which often makes me unable to appreciate my favorite food, ramen. At this wonderful place, the excellent staff did everything they could to ensure I could enjoy a good ramen without risking my health. God bless them immensely, thank you very much.
- brothMost importantly, the ramen itself is incredibly good! It features complex layers of flavor in a delicious broth, all brought together by perfectly cooked noodles. I highly recommend checking this place out soon; you won't be disappointed!
- FoodFood:5
- gyozaShe had been sick for nearly two weeks and hadn't been feeling well enough to eat much. I decided to pick up dinner from Nozaru Ramen Bar, and they had everything ready on time: spicy ramen, edamame, and gyoza. This was the first time I'd seen her eat a full meal since she got sick.
- pork bellyThe wait staff was super friendly and attentive, and I appreciated the Pride mask. ❤️ The ramen itself met my high standards: melt-in-your-mouth pork belly, a perfectly seasoned soft-boiled egg, and a delicious broth generously drizzled with black garlic oil. 🤤 While I could nit-pick about the thinness of the gluten-free noodles, it's a minor point.
- ramen burritoMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic, especially the food. I absolutely loved the ramen burrito and highly recommend getting an extra ramen egg inside – it's spectacular! The korroke (croquettes) were also delicious.
- sushiTheir gluten free ramen and sushi was fantastic!
- noodlesthe noodles were delicious
- eggthe egg was cooked to perfection
Frequently criticized
- eggThe spicy tonkatsu ramen flavor was definitely on point, delivering a satisfying taste. However, the portion size of the chashu and egg was surprisingly small, with only one piece of chashu and half an egg. I requested extra chashu, and received two pieces, which is still less than I'm accustomed to from ramen in Japan.
- foodI would rather make my food at home. This place used to be excellent with great service, but now they're just a bunch of money-grubbing Asians that don't even pay attention to you.
- ramenSo, we were happy when we decided to try again on a weeknight and we got a table. The only bummer is the ramen was not nearly as good as it used to be. The shishito peppers were fantastic.
- Tonkotsu brothTonkotsu broth didn't have a lot of flavor
- chashuit only comes with 1 piece of chashu
- chicken karaagechicken karaage was steamed in the container, which made it soft
- Black Heights ramen brothHowever, the food was unfortunately below average. I found the Tonkotsu ramen to be bland, and the Black Heights ramen broth lacked complexity of flavor. The noodle quality was mid, though the egg and pork belly were pretty good.
- Donkey Kong ramenmy wife’s Donkey Kong ramen was very salty.
- Ramen noodlesRamen noodles clumped together at the bottom of the container
- Tonkatsuthe surface was quite oily. It was also lacking the rich savory base
If youre looking for a spot with generally delicious ramen and sushi, especially their unique ramen burrito, its definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some find the broth a bit oily or salty, and portions can sometimes feel a little small.
Service (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 61% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.3 and a customer satisfaction rate of 70.7%, its clear most diners have a good experience. Out of 82 comments, 58 rave about the friendly and helpful staff, quick service, and attentive servers who often provide great recommendations, making you feel well-cared for.
However, its not always smooth sailing. About 22 comments point to some bumps, mentioning occasional issues with staff rudeness, confusing check-in processes, and frustrating wait times. A few experiences describe service as slow or inattentive, with some communication hiccups between the team, suggesting there's room for improvement in consistency.
Service
82
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
22
negative
2
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Fast, quick service
- Attentive servers
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Long wait times
- Inconsistent service
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The food was absolutely delicious, and our server, Diego, provided excellent care with great recommendations and service. We will definitely be back and hope to have Diego as our server again.
- ServiceService was top-notch
- staffThe karaage chicken was tasty, and the rolls were pretty good. I also enjoyed the great atmosphere and the friendly staff.
- serverThe server was also really friendly and attentive
- waiterI could only eat half. The friendly waiter brought my bill and pointed out a discount, which turned out to be a local discount as I live nearby. I'll probably go back but will definitely be avoiding the ramen.
- EveryoneEveryone was nice & very helpful.
- RyanAll credit goes to Ryan who works at the front counter.
- dine inwhen we were there for dine in the other week, the food was amazing
- excellent staffI am a person with high blood pressure, which often makes me unable to appreciate my favorite food, ramen. At this wonderful place, the excellent staff did everything they could to ensure I could enjoy a good ramen without risking my health. God bless them immensely, thank you very much.
- food came outfood came out quickly
Frequently criticized
- servicemoney grubbing Asians that don't even pay attention to you
- takeoutthe takeout I had last Friday was below okay
- wait timeI was told by one staff member that there would a 30-40 minute wait
- better communicationthere needs to be better communication between staff
- check-in counterthe check-in counter is located at the back of the restaurant
- customer serviceI'm not sure who the young man with long black hair is, but as one stoner in the industry to another, not at work, dude. It was obvious as heck due to your inability to provide customer service efficiently. We won't be back as everything was subpar.
- dine-indon't take orders for sitting after 8:30
- foodthe food came out separately because they were behind.
- kitchenkitchen was closed
- mealForgot to make my son's meal
Overall, if youre looking for a place with generally good service, youll likely find it here, with many praising the friendly and efficient staff. However, be prepared for the possibility of occasional inconsistencies or longer wait times, especially during busy periods. It's worth a try, but manage your expectations for peak hours.
Ambience (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 41% of the guests
The restaurants ambience generally hits the mark, earning a good score of 7.7 and a good customer satisfaction of 80.8%. Many guests rave about the "atmosphere, " "vibe, " and "decor, " often noting the "cozy interior" and "Japanese vibes. " With 42 positive remarks, it seems like a charming spot where the music level is just right and cleanliness is appreciated.
However, its not without its quirks, as 9 comments point out. Parking can be a real headache, and some found the music occasionally too loud. A few also mentioned the layout or the tiny place feeling crowded, especially with delivery services milling about, which could impact the overall dining experience.
Ambience
52
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
9
negative
1
neutral
42
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Cozy interior
- Cute decor
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Loud music
- Crowded space
Often praised
- atmosphereThe ramen burrito was a unique concept but lacked significant flavor. While we were excited by the pictures and the atmosphere is cool, the ramen, regrettably, fell short of my standards. My wife, who is less particular about ramen, agreed.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere was top-notch
- decorThe decor and food were great
- locationdam they know their location well, business district, school
- placethe place are crowded, nearly don't have place to seat
- seatingI was very happy with the food, and the happy hour had bomb options with great prices. It’s such a cute place with both inside and outside seating.
- AC unitthe best AC unit in San Diego
- Japanese vibescaptures Japanese vibes very well
- Parking spacePlenty of parking
- ambianceThe ambiance is great
Frequently criticized
- Parking optionsParking is unavailable
- Parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- dining experiencekilled my dining-in vibe
- dining roomPeople from delivery services were constantly coming, going, and milling about in the dining room
- layoutthe layout / process of the restaurant detracted from the dining experience
- musicthe music playing is incredibly loud
- parkingParking is a little hard to find
- tiny placetiny place and on Sunday it was packed
- virus phobiaIf you have virus phobia this maybe not a good idea
If youre looking for a spot with a great "vibe" and "cozy interior, " this place delivers, but be prepared for potential "parking" challenges. Its worth trying for the atmosphere, just manage your expectations regarding space and parking, especially during busy times.
Value (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines, with many guests raving about their Happy Hour specials and decent prices. Its clear most feel theyre getting a good deal, reflected in a solid score of 7.9 and a high customer satisfaction of 88.2%. Out of 17 comments, a whopping 15 were positive, highlighting how much people appreciate the bang for their buck.
However, not everyone is entirely convinced. There was one dissenting voice among the 17 comments, specifically mentioning price as a concern. This customer felt the cost was too high given their experience, suggesting a perception of diminished value compared to past visits or alternatives.
Value
17
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Happy Hour specials
- Decent prices
- Good value
What people don't like
- Price concerns
Often praised
- priceso reasonably priced
- pricesThe prices were reasonable
- Happy Hour specialsCome for Happy Hour specials on appetizers and drinks.
- cold and hot saki dealamazing cold and hot saki deal that can't be beat
- decent pricefor a decent price
- decent pricesI was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the food here. It's a small, unassuming spot on Adams Ave with a cozy interior and decent prices. I enjoyed some soul-warming ramen and a surprisingly delicious ramen burrito.
- evening dealsMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be a lovely ramen spot with great happy hour or evening deals. The ramen and the rolls were delicious, offering many options to choose from.
- good dealwhich I found to be a good deal
- happy hourMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be a lovely ramen spot with great happy hour or evening deals. The ramen and the rolls were delicious, offering many options to choose from.
- happy hour pricesThe service was amazing, quick and friendly. I was very happy with the food, and the happy hour had bomb options with great prices. It’s such a cute place with both inside and outside seating.
Frequently criticized
- priceThis place used to be excellent with great service, but now they're just a bunch of money-grubbing Asians that don't even pay attention to you. Please come to my place; I'll make you a hell of a lot better dinner for nothing at that price and nothing at that rudeness.
If youre looking for a spot with generally good value, especially during happy hour, this place is definitely worth checking out. While one customer felt the price' was too high for their experience, the overwhelming majority find it to be a great deal.
How are the prices at Nozaru?
You’re looking at roughly $25 per person – reported by 69 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Ramen Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most diners spend between $11–$30, with a good number landing in the $11–$20 bracket. This shows prices cluster nicely around the average, rather than being spread widely between super cheap and super premium options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 69 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Ramen Restaurant, offering good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Nozaru
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Ramen and Wings, Great Art!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the Nagoya wings and the tonkotsu ramen with pork belly, both of which were delicious. The restaurant is a nice small spot with loved the art on the walls.
Overall, a great dining experience.
- Nagoya wings9
- tonkotsu ramen9
- pork belly9
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Food and Excellent Service!
We were looking for a place to eat on Adams Avenue and this place smelled good from the street. We were greeted immediately by the two people working in the front. We ordered the chicken wings, a chronic town sushi roll, and the tonkotsu heights ramen.
The wings had a great flavor, the roll was delicious, and the ramen had a great broth with noodles that had a great chew. The restaurant was super clean, and the music wasn't blaring, allowing us to hear each other. The service was excellent!
- chicken wings9
- chronic town sushi roll9
- tonkotsu heights ramen9
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
New Favorite Ramen Spot!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The ramen was incredibly delicious, making it my new favorite spot. I highly recommend the volcano spice level if you enjoy a good kick of heat.
The service and atmosphere were also top-notch, both receiving a perfect score.
- ramen10
- volcano spice level9
- Service10
Service Intent
- Delivery
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Best Ramen for Recovery!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My experience at Nozaru Ramen Bar was fantastic, especially considering my wife's recent illness. She had been sick for nearly two weeks and hadn't been feeling well enough to eat much. I decided to pick up dinner from Nozaru Ramen Bar, and they had everything ready on time: spicy ramen, edamame, and gyoza.
This was the first time I'd seen her eat a full meal since she got sick. We shared everything, and she mentioned it was probably the best 'post-sick' meal she'd had in a long time. The broth was rich and comforting, the spice level was perfect, and all the sides were spot on.
Not only was the food delicious, but it genuinely helped her feel better. We'll definitely be coming back.
- broth10
- spice level9
- sides9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Wonderful Ramen Experience for Health Concerns
My personal experience was wonderful. I am a person with high blood pressure, which often makes me unable to appreciate my favorite food, ramen. At this wonderful place, the excellent staff did everything they could to ensure I could enjoy a good ramen without risking my health.
God bless them immensely, thank you very much.
- ramen10
- excellent staff10
- health10
What Nozaru offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining options and services does Nozaru Ramen Bar provide?
Nozaru Ramen Bar offers a variety of convenient services, including no-contact delivery, takeout, and traditional dine-in. You can enjoy your meal with outdoor seating or opt for table service. They are open for lunch and dinner, and you can even grab a dessert.
Is Nozaru Ramen Bar accessible and suitable for families with children?
Yes, Nozaru Ramen Bar is fully wheelchair accessible, featuring an accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. It’s also a great spot for kids, providing high chairs to ensure a comfortable dining experience for your little ones.
What is Nozaru's overall rating and customer satisfaction?
Nozaru holds a good overall score of 7.6 out of 10, with a customer satisfaction rate of 77%. The Food (7.7), Value (7.9), Ambience (7.7), and Service (7.3) all contribute positively to this rating.
What can I expect from the food at Nozaru?
Many guests praise the delicious ramen broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and melt-in-your-mouth pork belly. The ramen burrito and gyoza also receive positive mentions, though some opinions suggest occasional inconsistencies in ramen flavor or portion sizes.
How is the dining experience and service at Nozaru?
Nozaru is noted for its top-notch atmosphere, decor, and Japanese vibes, often described as a cute place with both indoor and outdoor seating. Service is generally friendly and attentive, with staff often providing excellent care. However, parking can be difficult, and the dining area can get crowded and loud, sometimes impacting the experience.