Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Karami Ramen – San Diego
Karami Ramen - San Diego
Photo from Karami Ramen
Karami Ramen at a glance
San Diego Serra Mesa
- 🍜 Ramen Restaurant
€€
Price per Person 21 – 30 €
mentioned by 65 of the guests
#289 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#2 Ramen Restaurant out of 11 in San Diego
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
508
Reviews
78.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic Ramen
- Friendly Service
- Japanese Vibe
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent Food
- Limited Seating
- Value Concerns
The restaurant Karami Ramen is a popular Ramen Restaurant located in San Diego’s vibrant Serra Mesa neighborhood. You will discover a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner.
This spot is known for its authentic ramen offerings, providing a delightful culinary experience for you and your companions.
Overview: Introducting Karami Ramen
Karami Ramen offers a taste of Japan with its ramen, often praised for its authentic taste and flavorful broth. Many appreciate the friendly staff and the distinct Japan vibe of the dining space.
However, some visitors find the overall value to be a point of contention, with opinions split on whether the portions justify the cost. While the food generally receives positive remarks, there are occasional notes about inconsistency in certain dishes.
Good
7.7
out of 10
508
Reviews
78.3%
Satisfaction
71
negative
39
neutral
398
positive
Karami Ramen earns a solid 7.7 overall, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. Customer satisfaction stands at 78.3%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
This assessment is drawn from over 500 customer remarks, with a strong lean towards positive feedback, tallying 398 positive comments against 71 negative ones. The Service shines brightest with an impressive (8.8), consistently described as quick and friendly.
Ambience also scores well (7.9), creating an authentic Japanese atmosphere. While Food (7.5) is a key draw, praised for its authentic flavors, Value (6.8) presents a more mixed picture, with some finding it a bit expensive for the portion sizes.
What people like
- Authentic ramen flavors
- Friendly, quick service
- Genuine Japanese ambiance
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Limited space, parking
- Value concerns
If you’re seeking a ramen spot with a truly authentic taste and welcoming service, Karami Ramen is worth considering. The strong Japan vibe and generally well-regarded food make it a pleasant experience, especially if you appreciate a genuine atmosphere.
With a 7.9 recommendation score, it suggests a positive overall experience for many. However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in food quality and the occasional concern about value.
It’s a solid choice for a casual ramen outing, particularly if you catch their lunch specials.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Karami Ramen
Food (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.5 and a good customer satisfaction rate of 75.6%, many diners rave about the authentic ramen flavors, especially the rich, flavorful broth and quality ingredients. Out of 348 comments, a whopping 263 were positive, highlighting delicious karage, gyoza, and generous portion sizes.
However, not every dish is a winner. Some of the 57 negative remarks pointed to issues like bland or thin broth, oily fried items, and occasionally low-quality ingredients. A few also felt the noodles could be better or that specific items, like chashu or eggs, were disappointingly small.
Food
348
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
57
negative
28
neutral
263
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic ramen flavors
- Rich flavorful broth
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Broth sometimes bland
- Oily fried items
- Small chashu portions
Often praised
- ramenMy experience at this restaurant was pretty darn good. The ramen was reminiscent of Japan <3<3, and the karaage was also pretty good. It's a great spot for those seeking an authentic taste.
- foodthe food is so freaking good and so much flavor
- brothMy first visit to Karami Ramen was an absolute perfection. The rich, flavorful broth, tender chashu, and perfectly balanced toppings made every bite unforgettable. It was a delicious and satisfying meal that hit every craving just right.
- RamenMy experience at this restaurant was hands down the best Ramen I've had in San Diego. The atmosphere was very authentic, the service was friendly, and the food was inexpensive and delicious.
- noodlesMy experience at this restaurant was absolutely delicious! After having Ramen in Japan, I was craving authentic Ramen, and this place delivered with yummy noodles and a flavorful broth that was flavorful, not salty. The hospitality was welcoming, and the timing was efficient.
- spicy ramenI got the aka oni, and I'm so glad to have found a place that makes spicy ramen actually spicy. It was a great takeout experience.
- gyozait had that crunchy outside texture on one side and soft on the other like it should be. The filling was great
- Karami RamenI really like their specialty 'Karami Ramen'
- curryThe curry was some of the best I have had
- fried riceIt had flavor and authenticity; I thought I was back in Japan. We had the fried rice, the chicken, and the chicken ramen soup. A must-try!
Frequently criticized
- brothas soon as I burped the broth frothed from my gullet and haunted my throat with a firey passion
- ramenthe ramen definitely isn’t worth a return visit
- foodthe food definitely isn’t worth a return visit.
- food qualitymore than half of what they have is bad, insipid
- fried chickenfried chicken... too oily and also taste was not good
- noodlesdidn't like the noodles at all 💔 mine were stick together
- 1 pepper from KoreaKinda on the bland side
- Foodthe Food quality was a 1
- Habanero RamenThe Habanero Ramen and the Karage chicken were a big mistake.
- Karage chickenThe Habanero Ramen and the Karage chicken were a big mistake.
If you're craving authentic ramen with rich broth and generous portions, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some fried items might be a bit oily, and a few specific components could be hit or miss.
Service (8.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot really shines! With a fantastic score of 8.8 and an impressive customer satisfaction rate of 97.1%, it's clear guests are consistently delighted. Out of 69 total customer remarks, a whopping 67 were positive, praising the friendly staff, quick service, and attentive team, often noting there were no wait lines at all.
While the service is overwhelmingly positive, there was one minor point raised among the 69 comments. A single remark mentioned waiting, suggesting that on rare occasions, you might encounter a brief delay, but this seems to be an exception rather than the rule.
Service
69
Reviews
97%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
67
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick service
- No wait lines
What people don't like
- Potential waiting
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The place itself was charmingly authentic looking, and the service was decent. However, the food quality was low, with ingredients that felt like plastic and were undercooked.
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was delightful! We enjoyed the yummy appetizers and the super friendly staff. The decor was very cute, and we especially liked the diagonally hanging pictures.
- ServiceService is quick and friendly
- customer serviceas well as the customer service
- waithad no wait to get dinner
- waitresswaitress is actually japanese and greets you like they would in Japan
- RigoRigo did a great job today greeting and serving me my food
- come back againWould definitely come back again
- friendly staffSo friendly!
- hospitalityThe hospitality was welcoming
Frequently criticized
- waitingif you don't want to wait
If youre looking for a place where youll feel genuinely welcomed and served with a smile, this restaurant is definitely worth trying. The service is a standout, ensuring a smooth and pleasant dining experience from start to finish.
Ambience (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 45% of the guests
The restaurants ambience truly shines, with a 7.9 score indicating a good overall experience. Customers are largely satisfied, with 79.7% expressing positive feelings. Many of the 51 positive comments praise the cozy atmosphere and authentic Japanese experience, noting the charming decor and Japan vibe that makes it feel like a hidden gem.
However, its not without its quirks. While the overall vibe is great, a few of the 7 negative remarks point to practical challenges. Parking can be a bit tight, and the place itself is described as small with limited indoor seating, which might be a drawback during busy times.
Ambience
64
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
7
negative
6
neutral
51
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Japanese vibe
- Cozy atmosphere
- Charming decor
What people don't like
- Limited parking
- Small seating area
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere actually felt like we were back in Japan.
- decorThe decor was simple and felt like a ramen shop.
- hidden gemdefinitely a hidden gem
- AtmosphereAtmosphere a 4
- DecorDecor is uniquely Japanese
- Japan vibewe get a Japan vibe which is really nice
- Japanese ramen counterMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had amazing ramen at an authentic hole-in-the-wall Japanese ramen counter. I highly recommend it if you're in the area.
- aesthetic interiorAlso great aesthetic interior
- ambiancegood ambiance
- ambienceThe vibe is exquisite too
Frequently criticized
- parkingParking is a little tight
- indoor seatingNot very much inside seating
- placeThe place is very small
- seatsMy experience at this restaurant was surprisingly great, especially considering it offers the best chicken broth based ramen in San Diego. The store itself was not easy to be seen, and the seats were pretty limited, which could be a minor drawback. I ordered the Kuro Truffle, a tonkotsu ramen with black truffle.
- store visibilityMy experience at this restaurant was surprisingly great, especially considering it offers the best chicken broth based ramen in San Diego. The store itself was not easy to be seen, and the seats were pretty limited, which could be a minor drawback. I ordered the Kuro Truffle, a tonkotsu ramen with black truffle.
If youre seeking an authentic, cozy Japanese ramen experience with a great vibe, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared for potentially tight parking and limited seating, especially if youre going during peak hours.
Value (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot has a lot going for it, scoring a 6.8, which is pretty good! While customer satisfaction is a bit mixed at 63%, many rave about the inexpensive food and reasonable prices. With 17 positive remarks, especially concerning happy hour and lunch special deals, youll find good portions for your money.
However, its not all sunshine and savings. Some folks, based on 6 negative remarks, found the overall menu to be expensive, with certain items being pricey. A few also felt the portion size didnt quite match the cost, suggesting theres room for improvement in some areas.
Value
27
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
6
negative
4
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Inexpensive food
- Great lunch specials
- Good portions
What people don't like
- Overall menu expensive
- Some items pricey
- Portion size small
Often praised
- priceprice was lower than I expected
- lunch specialwonderful lunch special, where you get a choice
- pricesMy husband and I absolutely love the vegan ramen! It's a great, quaint little place where the prices weren't outrageous. This place is seriously our favorite ramen place in all of San Diego – we love it even more than that vegan ramen place down the road!
- foodthe food is inexpensive
- food for money90, you get to choose from 4 different small ramen bowls and 3 appetizers. It's a lot of very good food for not much money. We particularly enjoyed the chicken fried rice appetizer, where you could really taste the just-out-of-the-wok rice and green onion flavor.
- happy hourthey have happy hour between 5:30-6:30pm
- lunch combo dealstheir lunch combo deals are pretty good
- lunch special comboMy experience at this restaurant involved trying the $15 lunch special combo, which included a small karami ramen and a fried chicken cutlet. The noodles and egg in the ramen were excellent, while the broth and chasu were average.
- price per personprice per person was between $10–20
Frequently criticized
- foodFood was also pricey
- menuOverall menu is expensive for what it is.
- portion sizeA little pricy for the size though
- priceNever go to the buffet next to Karami. It costs dollars, has very little variety, and more than half of what they have is bad, tasteless, with few stew options.
- priceyMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I didn't like the Ramen; it was too flavorful and very pricey. For a similar selection and style, I would rather go elsewhere.
- truffle powder flavoring20 bucks for the truffle powder flavoring
If you're looking for a great deal, especially during happy hour or for their lunch specials, this place is definitely worth checking out for its inexpensive food and good portions. However, be mindful that the regular menu might feel a bit pricey for some. Choose wisely to get the best bang for your buck.
How are the prices at Karami Ramen?
You’re looking at roughly 21 per person – reported by 65 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.
Looking at the broader market, while many ramen spots are in the 11-20 € range, this restaurant sits just above that, firmly in the next popular bracket without venturing into premium territory.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 65 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Considering the typical pricing for ramen, we think 21 per person is a fair ask. It positions the restaurant as a quality mid-range option, offering good value without being the absolute cheapest.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Karami Ramen
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
1
Disappointing Ramen Experience
I went to this restaurant with high hopes of trying some good ramen, but my experience was the opposite. I ordered the Karami spicy ramen, expecting a flavorful kick, but was met with a surprise: it wasn't spicy at all. It tasted like I was just drinking water with noodles.
It was a really bad experience, and I will never be going back there again.
- Karami spicy ramen1
- spice1
- food1
Price per Person
- 21 - 30 €
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Amazing Ramen & Hidden Gem!
My husband and I absolutely love this place. If you’re looking for amazing ramen and bites, it’s definitely it! We always go out of our way to stop here when we can.
FYI, it is a smaller hidden gem, with a small staff, and all waitresses have been so kind and helpful and usually fast. My husband says it’s very authentic tasting, but we love that they have a chicken base since we don’t eat pork. Don’t sleep on the fried rice, it slaps!
- amazing ramen10
- hidden gem9
- kind and helpful10
Price per Person
- 21 - 30 €
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
4
Charming but disappointing food
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The place itself was charmingly authentic looking, and the service was decent. However, the food quality was low, with ingredients that felt like plastic and were undercooked.
I also found the truffle powder flavoring to be quite expensive at $20. Next!
- authentic looking8
- service7
- food quality2
- undercooked2
- truffle powder flavoring3
Price per Person
- 21 - 30 €
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Excellent Ramen and Curry!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the Karami Signature Ramen, which was excellent with a flavorful broth and quality ingredients. The ramen had traditionally perfect flavors.
I also tried the curry, which was some of the best I've had. I highly recommend this place, especially for the ramen and curry.
- Karami Signature Ramen9
- flavorful broth9
- quality ingredients9
Price per Person
- 11 - 20 €
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing Vegan Food and Great Service!
My experience at this cute spot was fantastic! I had the vegan special and it was amazing. My friends tried the Karami Special and gave it a solid 9/10.
The food was a perfect 5/5, and the service was equally impressive at 5/5. The atmosphere also scored a 5/5. It's definitely worth checking out!
- vegan special10
- Karami Special9
- food10
What Karami Ramen offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- 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
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What accessibility features does Karami Ramen offer?
Karami Ramen ensures a comfortable visit for everyone. You will find a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restrooms available. This commitment to accessibility makes it easy for all guests to enjoy their dining experience in Serra Mesa.
What kind of food and drink options are available at Karami Ramen?
Karami Ramen specializes in delicious ramen, and also offers a selection of alcoholic beverages, including beer, to complement your meal. If you have dietary preferences, you will appreciate their thoughtful vegetarian options. It’s a great spot for a quick, satisfying bite.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Karami Ramen?
Karami Ramen generally receives good feedback, with an overall score of 7.7 and customer satisfaction at 78.3%. Service (8.8) and Ambience (7.9) are highly rated, while Food (7.5) is good, and Value (6.8) is seen as acceptable but with some mixed opinions.
Do customers find the food at Karami Ramen authentic?
Many customers praise the food for its authentic taste, with ramen often described as reminiscent of Japan, featuring flavorful broth and yummy noodles. Some specifically enjoy the spicy ramen and gyoza.
Are there any common drawbacks mentioned by diners?
Some diners have noted inconsistencies in food quality, with certain dishes being described as bland or oily. Additionally, limited seating and parking, along with concerns about the overall value for money, are occasionally mentioned.