Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » RakiRaki – San Diego
RakiRaki - San Diego
Photo from RakiRaki
RakiRaki at a glance
San Diego Banker’s Hill
- 🍜 Ramen Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 19 of the guests
#528 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#8 Ramen Restaurant out of 11 in San Diego
Good
6.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
332
Reviews
61.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious ramen
- Japanese decor
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Service issues
- Food quality
The restaurant RakiRaki, a popular Ramen Restaurant in San Diego’s vibrant Banker’s Hill neighborhood, invites you to experience its casual yet trendy atmosphere. You’ll find a perfect spot whether you’re seeking a quick bite, healthy options, or a relaxed dinner.
This spot is well-known for its authentic ramen and tsukemen, offering a delightful culinary journey in a welcoming setting.
Overview: Introducting RakiRaki
RakiRaki offers a distinctive dining experience, often praised for its flavorful ramen and overall food quality. Guests frequently appreciate the authentic decor and relaxed vibe, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere for a casual meal or even a date night.
However, some patrons have noted concerns regarding the perceived price point, occasionally finding it a bit steep. While many commend the service for being friendly and attentive, there are instances where it has been described as inconsistent or rushed.
Good
6.6
out of 10
332
Reviews
61.4%
Satisfaction
102
negative
26
neutral
204
positive
RakiRaki holds an overall Restaurant Score of 6.6, placing it squarely in the average category, reflecting a generally acceptable but not outstanding experience. Customer Satisfaction stands at 61.4%, indicating a mixed reception among diners.
These figures are drawn from 332 customer observations, comprising 204 positive remarks and 102 negative ones. Delving deeper, the Food (7.0) and Ambience (7.2) topics are well-regarded, suggesting these are strong suits.
However, Service (5.3) and Value (5.1) scores indicate areas where RakiRaki could improve, as these aspects have garnered more lukewarm feedback from guests.
What people like
- Delicious ramen broth
- Authentic Japanese decor
- Friendly, attentive staff
What people don't like
- Perceived high prices
- Inconsistent service
- Occasional food quality issues
For those seeking a satisfying bowl of ramen in a well-designed setting, RakiRaki presents a viable option. Its strengths in culinary offerings and atmosphere are notable, making it a place worth considering if these are your priorities.
However, be mindful of the mixed feedback on pricing and service consistency. With a Recommendation Score of 6.9, it suggests that while many find it a good choice, it might not universally impress every visitor, so manage your expectations accordingly.
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Verdict: Our expert take on RakiRaki
Food (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
Based on 202 opinions, the food here generally hits the mark with a 7 score, though customer satisfaction is a bit mixed at 67.3%. Many rave about the delicious ramen, especially the rich broth and perfect noodles. Dishes like the spicy crab roll, authentic sushi, and flavorful chicken karaage also earn high praise, with unique vegan options adding to the appeal.
However, with 136 positive remarks versus 49 negative ones, some diners found issues with food quality, citing old-tasting chicken or bland pork meat. There were also complaints about clumpy or undercooked noodles, small portions, and a lack of authenticity in certain dishes. A few mentioned a greasy mess or watered-down teriyaki, suggesting inconsistency in preparation.
Food
202
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
49
negative
17
neutral
136
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious ramen broth
- Perfect noodles
- Unique vegan options
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Small portions
- Bland or old meat
Often praised
- ramenMy experience at this restaurant was great! I found it to be a fun place to grab some ramen. They offer many unique options that I haven't encountered elsewhere.
- foodabsolutely loved and enjoyed the food
- brothThe broth was absolutely delicious and very thick
- noodlesthe noodles was a big bowl of pure deliciousness
- chickenit had chunks of chicken and other ingredients in it
- garlic edamameHad garlic edamame, a crab roll and the tonkotsu pork ramen and it was delicious.
- gyozaThe gyoza I also had was pretty good
- porkThe pork in it was quite tender
- portion sizevery good and HUGE—two people could split it
- sushiThe soft boiled marinated eggs were surprisingly good. We also tried the garlic edamame and some sushi. However, the restaurant is definitely overpriced, which is a common issue these days.
Frequently criticized
- ramenAll of the food network awards, Zagat, and whatever other phoney awards plastered everywhere just come off as corny and desperate. I would recommend heading elsewhere for ramen and sticking to Italian if you are in this area.
- chickenI went with a gift certificate from their company, but they wouldn't accept it. To make matters worse, the chicken tasted old on their short rib dish. The service was bad, and I question why they even offer gift cards if they won't honor them.
- meatTheir meat including the chicken look and tasted cheap
- noodlesnoodles were undercooked and raw inside
- porkThe pork was disappointing
- 3pc karageit wasn’t also that good
- CHICKEN TERIYAKIputting teriyaki sauce on the CHICKEN TERIYAKI 🤦🏼♀️
- Japanese foodJapanese food from a rural airport's food court would probably be better
- Japanese ramenJapanese ramen should not be this way
- Tonkatsu Curryit has a bland taste and the meat seems like old since it has a smell on it
If youre looking for a spot with generally good ramen and some unique options, its worth a try. Just be aware that while many find the food delicious, there's a chance of encountering some inconsistencies in quality or portion size.
Service (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
When it comes to service, many guests have had some really pleasant experiences! Out of 70 customer comments, 31 highlighted things like friendly service, attentive workers, and quick seating. People loved the staffs passion and helpfulness, often mentioning how quickly they were seated and served.
However, the service isnt always a home run, with 34 negative comments pointing to areas for improvement. The overall score for service is 5.3, which is average, and customer satisfaction sits at a 44.3% mixed bag. Some folks faced poor service, long waiting times, and even messed up orders, with a few noting the restaurant seemed understaffed.
Service
70
Reviews
44%
Satisfaction
34
negative
5
neutral
31
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick seating/service
What people don't like
- Poor, slow service
- Long wait times
- Messed up orders
Often praised
- serviceservice was right away and beyond friendly, helpful
- staffThe staff is friendly
- waitressour waitress was nice and helpful with the menu
- Friendly serviceFriendly service
- ServerServer was very attentive
- customer serviceCustomer service on point
- customer servicesthe customer services is amazing
- customers serviceAmazing customers service
- employeesAll employees were really friendly
- lovely peoplemost of all, the lovely people working here
Frequently criticized
- serviceThis portion size was unacceptable. Furthermore, the service was not good at all. I am really disappointed and won’t come back again.
- waiting timeMy experience at this restaurant was marked by really poor service. Despite the restaurant not being busy at 5: 30 PM, we were ignored for ages until we had to approach someone to place our order. When I received my ramen, the noodles were clumpy.
- ordersmessed up our 2 of our 4 orders
- Google scheduleWe drove all the way on a rainy day, only to be told that the restaurant closes at 10 pm. It would be helpful if you could fix your Google schedule, as it currently states you are open until 12 am.
- closed for eventthem to be closed for a private event
- deliverywill not deliver next-door
- friendlinessno longer friendly in anyway
- gift certificateMy experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. I went with a gift certificate from their company, but they wouldn't accept it. To make matters worse, the chicken tasted old on their short rib dish.
- mugsthey are out of mugs
- new hoursnew hours say they are open from 11am-3pm
So, whats the verdict on service? Its a bit of a gamble. While many praise the friendly and quick staff, theres a noticeable number of experiences with slow or poor service.
If youre feeling lucky and not in a rush, you might get a great experience, but be prepared for potential hiccups.
Ambience (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the mark, scoring a good 7.2 with a good customer satisfaction of 70.5%. Many of the 31 positive comments rave about the great atmosphere, decor, and overall vibe, making it a fantastic spot for a date night or casual dining. Guests often appreciate the quaint and intimate feel, along with the cleanliness and convenient location.
However, it's not all perfect. Out of 44 total comments, 10 negative remarks point to some areas for improvement. Some found the place a little loud or felt it was a small and congested space.
There were also mentions of limited seating and a few less-than-ideal experiences related to the Little Italy location.
Ambience
44
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
10
negative
3
neutral
31
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Quaint, intimate vibe
- Very clean space
What people don't like
- Can be loud
- Small, congested space
- Limited seating
Often praised
- atmosphereService was very friendly and great atmosphere.
- locationconveniently located in Little Italy
- placeit’s a must try place if you are in the area
- decorThe decor and style is Very Japanese
- vibehas a relaxed vibe
- Convoy locationone of my all time faves
- ambienceExcellent ambience
- casual diningThe ambience was excellent, and I was impressed by the availability of both a full vegan menu and a full non-vegan menu. The customers service was amazing, and its convenient location in Little Italy makes it a great choice for a date night or casual dining.
- cleanlinessThe facility as a whole is very clean
- date nightGreat for date night
Frequently criticized
- Little Italy locationmost definitely not
- childrenNo me parece un lugar muy adecuado para niños
- cross contamination and cleanlinessconversation between management and staff ... about cross contamination and cleanliness
- food network awardsfood network awards plastered everywhere just come off as corny
- kidThe tsukiyaki was amazing and it melts in your mouth. The staff is friendly, but I didn't appreciate one customer whose kid kept staring at me the whole time I was trying to eat my meal. It made it awkward, and I tried not to make a scene by just ignoring the kid.
- loudit is a little loud
- nameremove from name, it's misleading
- pretentious peopleloathing for pretentious-kombucha loving-douche bag-dingbats
- seatingSo good! While this location has a much lower wait time than the other one off Convoy, it does have significantly less seating. I highly recommend it for its amazing food!
- small and congested placevery small and congested place
Overall, if youre looking for a spot with a great vibe and a clean, intimate setting, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that it can get a bit loud and might feel a little cramped, especially if you prefer more spacious dining. Its a solid choice for a date night or casual meal.
Value (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
When it comes to value, there are some bright spots to consider. Many guests appreciate the happy hour for drinks as a great deal, and some even found the cheapest non seafood item to be a good option. The portions for the price often hit the mark, with several folks mentioning the overall prices reasonable or even great, based on 6 positive remarks out of 16 total comments.
However, the overall sentiment leans towards needing improvement, with a customer satisfaction of just 37.5% and an average score of 5.1. A significant number of diners, 9 to be exact, felt the restaurant was overpriced, especially considering the price point for items like ramen. Issues with finding a parking space and even a bill rung up incorrectly also contributed to a less-than-stellar experience.
Value
16
Reviews
37%
Satisfaction
9
negative
1
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great happy hour
- Good portion sizes
- Reasonable prices
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- Difficult parking
- Bill errors
Often praised
- pricesThe prices were great
- cheapest non seafood itemfound the cheapest non seafood item
- happy hour for drinkshappy hour for drinks was a great deal
- parking lotParking options:Free parking lot
- portions for the priceGreat portions for the price.
Frequently criticized
- priceThe service felt a bit rushed and pressured by the waitress, possibly due to arriving 30 minutes before their afternoon break. The establishment feels like a pricey version of a chain restaurant. Overall, this place is OK, but not somewhere I'd become a frequent visitor.
- overpricedIt’s definitely over priced
- billrung up on the bill incorrectly too
- overpriced ramen placean overpriced ramen place
- parking spaceParking space:Somewhat difficult to find parking
- price pointMy experience at this restaurant was not good, especially considering the price point. All of the food network awards, Zagat, and whatever other phoney awards plastered everywhere just come off as corny and desperate.
If you're looking for a great happy hour or specific non-seafood items, you might find some decent value here. However, be prepared that many feel the regular menu is overpriced, and parking can be a hassle, making it a bit of a gamble.
How are the prices at RakiRaki?
You’re looking at roughly 30 per person – reported by 19 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 what people actually spend, most prices cluster right around this $21–$30 sweet spot, though we do see some diners opting for slightly cheaper or more premium bowls.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 19 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, for a Ramen Restaurant in San Diego, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It hits that sweet spot for a good meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about RakiRaki
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
2
Disappointing Tonkatsu Curry and Karage
I ordered for takeout and was really excited to try their food, but I ended up being disappointed. I got the Tonkatsu Curry, which had a bland taste and the meat seemed old, as it had a smell on it. I also tried their 3pc Karage, but it wasn’t good either.
I'm so disappointed with my order here. Hopefully, they will check the qualities of their food and make the necessary improvements.
- Tonkatsu Curry2
- bland taste2
- meat1
Price per Person
- $61–$70
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
2
Serious Concerns About Food Safety
Here's the thing: before you all open today, a conversation between management and staff, particularly your chefs, NEEDS to be had about cross contamination and cleanliness. There are too many reviews (and I have SCREEN SHOTS) of people complaining about food poisoning after eating here. Raw food should be handled properly, gloves switched out appropriately, CHICKEN FOOD FULLY COOKED, and hands washed thoroughly before and after preparing different meals.
I'm not sure if you all know the amount of children that eat food here when parents come to pick up dinner, but a child (or anyone) shouldn't have to go through the graphics I will not discuss of what happens when someone's been food poisoned. Let's be mindful and try to make the most delicious food, but as safely as possible. And for the love of GOD, don't forget to do something as simple as putting teriyaki sauce on the CHICKEN TERIYAKI 🤦🏼♀️.
Be mindful that people are spending their hard-earned dollars here. Chefs, we appreciate everything you do, and don't ever feel as though your work isn't appreciated – it is. We the people come here because of YOU.
But please, consider what was mentioned above. Sincerely, Someone who is tired of being food poisoned.
- cross contamination and cleanliness1
- food poisoning1
- CHICKEN TERIYAKI3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Romantic Date
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Ramen, Perfect for Dates!
Everything was super delicious! The place is perfect for going on a date and with friends. My favorite is the Ramen Red Edition, super deli 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻.
It's the best place for ramen in San Diego. I don't think it's a very suitable place for children. Parking is in a free parking lot, but it can be somewhat difficult to find parking.
The price per person is $20–30. The atmosphere was rated 5/5 and the food was rated 5/5, while the service was rated 4/5.
- food10
- Ramen Red Edition10
- place9
- children3
- parking space4
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Romantic Date
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Excellent Vegan and Non-Vegan Options
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The ambience was excellent, and I was impressed by the availability of both a full vegan menu and a full non-vegan menu. The customers service was amazing, and its convenient location in Little Italy makes it a great choice for a date night or casual dining.
- ambience10
- full vegan menu10
- full non-vegan menu10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Authentic Ramen, Sushi, and Gyoza!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I really enjoyed my meal here, and the atmosphere was great. The ramen, sushi, and gyoza were all authentic and amazing.
Our waitress was also excellent. I highly recommend this restaurant.
- atmosphere10
- ramen10
- sushi10
What RakiRaki offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- 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
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere can you expect at RakiRaki Ramen & Tsukemen?
You’ll find a casual and trendy atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal. It’s a great spot for both quick bites and longer dining experiences, offering comfortable seating for lunch and dinner.
Does RakiRaki Ramen & Tsukemen offer options for specific dietary needs or service preferences?
Yes, you can enjoy healthy options, vegetarian options, and a selection of beer and wine. They also provide outdoor seating, takeout, and delivery services for your convenience.
What is the overall customer sentiment for RakiRaki?
RakiRaki has an overall Restaurant Score of 6.6 and a Customer Satisfaction of 61.4%, indicating a mixed but generally acceptable experience. While Food (7.0) and Ambience (7.2) are strong, Service (5.3) and Value (5.1) show room for improvement.
What are the standout features of RakiRaki's dining experience?
Customers frequently praise RakiRaki for its delicious ramen, flavorful broths, and tender pork. The restaurant’s authentic Japanese decor and relaxed vibe also contribute to a pleasant atmosphere, making it suitable for casual dining.
Are there any common concerns visitors have about RakiRaki?
Some visitors have expressed concerns about RakiRaki’s pricing, finding it to be on the higher side. Additionally, there have been reports of inconsistent service and occasional issues with food quality, such as undercooked noodles or old-tasting chicken.