O Ramen
2114 Central Ave, Albuquerque, NM, 87106
O Ramen Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Albuquerque for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Albuquerque for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Albuquerque for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2114 Central Ave
Albuquerque, NM, 87106 - Phone (505) 508-1897
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Ella C.
I found a peace of metal my noodle... Their appetizer is good thou.
(2)Issiah G.
Best ramen in abq...yes Best ramen in world.....no. We are expanding into other cultures even if it is slowly. . .
(4)Wrayy C.
Love this place the first time I stepped into the building. It looked like a usual ramen shops back in Cali. Ordered takoyaki.. VERY BOMB! And got the ramen deluxe which almost had everything to make a ramen eating experience worth great! Soup was so delish! The soup wasn't that salty so that's a plus! We ordered dessert.. Omg the cutest dessert I have ever seen. " mint pot" that's what's it called. It looks like a plant in a pot. But it's actually green tea ice cream (my fav) with Oreo crumbs on top of it. A mint leave on the Oreo crumbs ah! It's perfect and so cute. I recommend this place. Even if there's a huge line, wait for it!
(5)Kate M.
The broth is not as flavorful as I thought it would be, and the pork they use is just a big strip of fat with no flavor. The pork was very rubbery. Pot stickers were decent. I think Kokoro is a much better Japanese restaurant.
(3)Amy C.
I've been to a couple of Ramen houses from Japan to California. My boyfriend and I were excited to try this place since we've been craving for ramen. Yes this Albuquerque, but the broth tastes diluted. Someone on this page says the soup isn't "thick" enough. I felt this too as I tried the soup. The soup was "too" watery, too diluted, not the ramen soup I've tasted. I ordered the Shoyu ramen and was highly disappointed in the broth. I'm a big fan of Shoyu ramen, and the soup didn't taste like soup, it tasted artificial and diluted, too much water. It was also too bitter. Next, I was disappointed that I had to pay extra for pork...because I only did receive three slices of pork? Which is from the additional toppings area. Most ramen houses I've been to already included pork. The next disappointing thing I experienced with this ramen I ordered was the pork I received... If pre-making your pork is the fastest way to serve, please do heat it for a longer period of time. I received my pork cold, as if it wasn't defrosted enough. The egg was also cold. In Japan, the ramen shops I've been to serve ramen very fast, but if you were to pre-make certain things, please do heat it up longer. The atmosphere is great! The restaurant does represent a Japanese ramen bar, however, I would improve on the broth, because that is the essential ingredient when it comes to ramen! Knowing this is Albuquerque, this is probably the best we got and it's a great experience for those who have never been to a ramen bar, but I hope in the future long run they will improve their broth and also be careful about the pork.
(2)min j.
5 stars for the effort. My wife and I traveled throughout Japan for 6 weeks and sampled Ramens across the island, a few are Michelin star rated. We also tried many down west coast. This is above average but remember, i am comparing this to many top end Ramen shops we had in the past 12 years. The soup base is very close to the real deal and the restaurant is a classical looks of a traditional ramen shop. Gyoza is a bit confusing since it is not pork based, but who says it had to be. We ate at the counter and watched the chef/owner does all his work. He knows what he is doing. I'm especially impressed with his knife work! Overall, this is Albuquerque so it is a five star. If it moves to Vancouver per se, maybe three. However, i'm loving it. A few really critical reviews are a bit puzzling. I'm not sure if the reviewers are comparing this restaurant to some New Mexican style restaurants in town or compare to some sushi joints.
(5)Tyler M.
Came in for lunch based on the reviews and a recommendation. Good service. Pretty fast service as well. The gyoza tasted somewhat bland, not home made from what I can tell. I ordered the Tonkatsu Shoyu ramen. The broth was bland, and very watery. Not the usual creamy consistency I am used to. The pork belly was served cold, this too was near flavorless. My wife had ordered the Tonkatsu Miso level 3 spicy. Tasting hers the only real difference was that her broth now tasted like the chili paste they add for spice. Again very bland. So for ramen dare I say it's almost taster to snag a good bowl of Menraku instant ramen and make it at home. If you want, in my opinion the best authentic tasting ramen in town hit up Kokoro.
(2)Ling Tzu W.
I like it here. I probably don't come here as often as Gen Kai but I like it here. This restaurant has the atmosphere and the service is great. I usually order the Tonkatsu Shoyu Ramen and I like the heavy flavor of the broth as well as the pork belly cooked in there. Not only they have ramen, but they also have japanese curry and there are many places in Albuquerque that serves these two things anymore. Their appetizer, Takoyaki balls are also amazing. Overall, I like this place and I would recommend anyone who wants to try Ramen or are trying to find a good Ramen place to come here.
(5)Jennifer L.
Nice, clean, fun place to get Ramen in ABQ. Close to UNM, and reasonably priced too. Orders are usually ready in about five minutes. Pieces of ginger, wood ear, egg, and small veggies accompany the soups. You can customize the spiciness level. My favorite is the chicken ramen. No MSG used here. I know because I don't get superthirsty afterward like I do at places that put MSG in their broth.
(4)Meredith W.
I went to O Ramen for the first time about a week ago and had an extremely satisfying lunch. I ordered the chicken ramen with a level 4 spicy miso broth and, it was so flavorful and the portion quite generous. The chicken was perfectly cooked and there was a lot of it in the soup. It also stayed crispy for a good while even while sitting in broth. My husband got the deluxe and he seemed to like it, although he was unhappy with his level 5 spice. He said the spice overpowered all the the other flavors. We also started with the takoyaki which were piping hot and gooey inside. Just like takoyaki should be! Overall this was a delicious meal and I look forward to my next visit. I'm so happy to have such a high quality ramen place nearby!
(5)Casey C.
This is honestly the best ramen I've ever had in America and I'm including all the ramen I've had in Los Angeles. There's nothing like a steaming hot bowl of ramen to just make any day fantastic. The broth was like a beautiful, rich, pig nectar. I will not only go here in the future, but will bring anyone I can here. :) Sadly, the previous statement was based on an experience there a couple weeks ago and since then the quality has seemed to decline. I just went there tonight and the broth was only half as strong as it was last time. I also got very little broth for all the noodles in my bowl...bummer.
(3)Edward M.
Found this place quite easily. Limited parking on the street. Greeted & welcomed immediately. Sat at the counter & able to watch food prep. The service was very quick & courteous. I chose the chicken ramen w the 3/5 hot spice. The dish was awesome & well worth the visit. The chicken pieces were quite large as was the bowl to my surprise with the mixtures of vegetables thrown in. I highly recommend "O Ramen" on Central.
(5)Michelle H.
I've driven by O Ramen often, but just never stopped in. When I finally stopped in this week, I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered the Chicken Ramen. The broth was delicious, the panko crusted chicken cutlet was extra crispy, the noodles nicely cooked. The serving was huge, the meal hearty, and I had leftovers for the next day. I only wish I would have visited sooner!
(5)J L.
Very good, consistent flavor. Some of the best ramen I've found outside of CA or Japan!
(4)Yinan W.
We don't get too many chances to have ramen in a place that's so focused on green chile, so I'm happy there's finally a decent ramen restaurant! It's a tiny space but has a hip and young ambiance along with a friendly staff. Be prepared to wait if you're going with a large group. Parking is behind the restaurant. Quality food at fair prices. I understand it probably doesn't compare to ramen from Japan or California, but we'll take what we can get in the desert. Takoyaki balls are delicious as is the Deluxe Ramen. You will feel full but not heavy - hooray!
(4)Caitlin O.
I've returned to O several times, and they have definitely won me over. I'm beyond excited for their plans to serve beer and stay open late. Keep up the great work, y'all! What I want to see is a vegetarian ramen that has a nice fatty, supple broth. The existing broth is definitely tasty, but I'm missing out on the indulgent richness my pork-eating friends are getting.
(4)mark g.
This is not the Ramen my friend, Jeff, ate while he was incarcerated (he was a drug - addicted, residential burglar. Get off his nuts. He served his time). Anyways, super (get it?) food. Awesome service. Fun atmosphere. Reasonably priced - 24 for 2 includes tip.
(5)Melinda P.
Joined a friend of mine here for lunch after I saw her photo and posting on facebook. I was excited because the chicken ramen looked so great in the photo. Wish there had been more veggies, and I could have added veggies for additional price. Broth was good, but a little too rich for my experience in ramen. Service was excellent, wish the servers hadn't kept coming over to take my bowl when I was still working (slowly) on eating my dish. Parking meter out front is non-operational for over a month, so park curb side at your own risk. Pricing was a-ok.
(3)Trevor R.
We had the chicken ramen and the tofu curry. Both were quite tasty. The ramen broth was much more than just chicken stock. It had lots of flavor and the portion size was generous. The chicken was sliced pieces of donkatsu-style breast meat, but the coating didn't get soggy in the broth. The ramen also had various additions which made it interesting. The tofu curry was flavorful. Perhaps not quite as good as the curry at Kokoro (sniff), but still good nonetheless. Service was friendly and efficient. I wouldn't mind if they had a bigger selection of beverages.
(4)Patrick R.
Good ramen and not just by Albuquerque standards. They have takoyaki, this is the only place in this state that has it. It's not the best takoyaki, its actually not even that good, but they've got it and that's all I really care about right now.
(4)Scott D.
Excellent food and service. Every time in here the food is great. The delux ramen with spice level 3 is perfect for those who like flavor without burning your lips or pallet. Prices are great for the quality and amount of food.
(5)Ricky H.
Okay, so this is definitely not the BEST ramen house that I have been to (ABQ is not Los Angeles and New York City), BUT! It is, hands down, the best thing going on in Albuquerque. I stopped in yesterday to try it, since I've been complaining about the lack of ramen in ABQ for, you know, EVER, and was not disappointed. I started with a hot tea (which I think was genmai-cha, but didn't ask) and settled on my entree. I ordered the "O Deluxe" and was really pleased with what came out: a big bowl of porky broth that was rich, but light, ladled over soft egg noodles and a pile of toppings, including bamboo shoots, woodear mushrooms, ginger, scallions, a medium boiled egg, and three strips of pork belly. I could have taken an egg cooked a bit less, and maybe used more of a sear on the pork belly, caramelizing the fat just a little more to bring out that depth of flavor, but WHATEVER. Details. It was still a great meal for ten bucks. They don't have any desert options yet, but! The chef was super nice, and brought out a small dish of red bean and green tea ice cream when he heard me ask the server if they had anything sweet. That move alone would bring me back for another meal, but they fact that O Ramen House serves a really great bowl of ramen? Yes, please.
(5)Stephanie S.
Loved the food! The appetizer balls (can't remember their name) were tasty and different. We had three styles of ramen and all were yummy! I can't wait to go back and try more! Our server was friendly and helpful. Their prices are surprisingly cheap.
(5)Taiki G.
I'm from a Japanese family so we eat ramen all the time and I have also traveled to Japan where I had ramen. So with that being said this place is pretty damn good even for being from Albuquerque, NM. Broth and noodles are good nothing to strong but still good flavor. One suggestion I would have for them is for them to incorporate rice dishes like Chicken Katsu or Tonkatsu since they have those choices for ramen, overall great experience, if you're looking for a good ramen place this is absolutely the place
(4)Sandra K.
We were impressed by the lack of hand hygiene. A kid handling food, wiping his hands with a dirty rag over and over. I wonder if they are aware about the existence of gloves. Ugh!!
(1)Rachel K.
O baby, this place makes me happy. Three things I look for in a ramen place: fresh tasting meat, rich broth, and chewy (not fall apart, not tough) noodles. And this place nails all three. The tonkatsu shoyu ramen is my favorite, the broth is not quite as salty as the miso ramen and, in my opinion, with a greater depth of flavor. The noodles are spot on, requiring you to bite, but not really chew. And the pork is fatty, delicious heaven. I can't resist gilding the lily, so I always add nori and veggies, but the extras are not necessary. On a cold winter day, the food here is a like a nice warm hug for your belly. On top of the excellent product, the place feels like the best parts of a ramen house (very clean, spare Japanese decor, very fast service) without the downsides (like actively being shooed out the second you finish your food). This place is a great addition to the Central food scene.
(5)Damien F.
After living in Japan for 8 years and missing Ramen, I had to check this place out. To be honest, I've been here twice now, hoping the first time was a fluke, sadly, I have to say that it appears this is how they operate. I ordered the Deluxe Tonkotsu ramen this most recent trip.. looking forward to a great bowl of soup, I was saddened with what was placed in front of me.. The broth tasted watered down as other reviewers have mentioned.. (and sharing my first experience here).. noodles came from an instant yakisoba package, were overcooked and really didn't have the proper chewy texture that a true ramen noodle is supposed to have. Toppings were hit and miss.. In Japan, your bowl would be covered in several things, completely covering the broth and noodles.. lots of spring onion, sprouts, chashu, corn, egg, kamaboko, etc. O Ramen skimps on toppings, serving small pinches of each and charges 50 cents to 2.50 for assorted extra toppings. $1.00 for an extra half egg? Pickled ginger, really? Sodas on tap the first time I was here was not free refill.. This most recent time though they were giving free refills. Anybody with food allergies or sensitivities, make sure to talk to your server. I ordered my deluxe tonkotsu ramen without wood ear mushrooms. When my meal arrived it had mushrooms on top. I asked if they were wood ears, the waitress said no. When I ordered, the menu said nothing about any other mushroom in the soup yet the waitress told me to say No Mushroom next time... verifying with the menu pictured on this page, there were only wood ears and no other mushrooms listed in the dish... Gyoza (Chicken or vegetable only, no pork) was deep fried and not pan fried and steamed as typically done in Japan.. Dipping sauce was very good but served in a very tiny dish making it difficult to dip the deep fried dumplings unless you were cool with double dipping with your tablemates or cutting your dumplings in half with chopsticks... can be done but very difficult. The Gyoza tasted like they were purchased frozen.. definitely not house made.. Wait staff worked together to quickly address initial drinks and orders... Service was slow to refill drinks even though we were one of maybe 10 tables, of which only 2 or 3 tables were seated.
(2)Doug S.
Best Ramen I have ever had. I know Ramen pretty well and have eaten it all over the U.S. One place outside of Las Vegas was my favorite but it closed about 8 years ago. I have been searching ever since. Finally someone who knows how to prepare real Ramen. I will find every reason I can to come back to Albuquerque on business just for ORamen. Staff was great too.
(5)Cassidy L.
Been missing some ramen I had in Manhattan a few months ago. This wasn't close but it was good. I think the pork was a little too fatty. I liked e spicy tonkatsu but could have stood for a 5 rather than the 3 I went for. I enjoyed the vibe here and the originality/tradition factors this place brought. Would recommend to people who have never tried traditional ramen. Sadly, I will have to get my real fix back at Ippudo in Manhattan.
(3)Christopher K.
The ramen comes in good sized portions and is it die for. The pork was seasoned beautiful and tender. Was a nice place for a late lunch.
(5)Donald B.
It does not get much more authentic than this! Rich and flavorful broth, tender pork belly and perfectly cooked noodles make this my new favorite place in the UNM/Nob Hill area! They cook the broth for 18 hours! It is awesome!
(5)Diana H.
I visited O-Ramen for the first time a few weeks ago, after hearing multiple positive ratings from my close friends. I ordered the Deluxe Tonkatsu ramen, as well as the Takoyaki. As a native Californian who has eaten plenty of quality Japanese food, this restaurant was definitely comparative. Just to break down my review... Service: Excellent. I was immediately greeted upon walking inside, and was seated promptly. The waitress kindly explained the menu to me (though sadly, it's quite a minimal menu), and continuously checked in on my friend and I as we ate. The wait for food was not long at all (10 minutes tops), considering I was there in the evening, near dinner time. Food: The takoyaki was amazing. I cook takoyaki at home myself (because when I moved here to NM 4 years ago, I was unaware of any Japanese restaurants which sold such a dish). Their takoyaki was even better than mine! Crispy on the outside, and warm and fluffy on the inside, just how it should be. Be careful though, as it will burn your tongue if you eat it too quickly (learned this the hard way)! The ramen...hm, there were ups and downs. I loved the toppings and the miso soup that they used, but it was a bit plain. Nothing extraordinary. The ramen noodles were chewy and authentic, unlike instant ramen noodles, which was a plus. I'd still definitely recommend this place to anybody (especially UNM students, seeing as it is right across from campus)! You won't be disappointed -- and for the price, it was definitely worth trying. Will be coming back as soon as possible!
(4)Eric B.
The noodles are average at best, nothing special at all. Not sure they are alkaline at all. The broth is really lacking in flavor. Tonkatsu no thick or creamy. I read other reviews and now i see they "buy their soup base from California". Ugh. Sounds like something McDonalds would do.
(1)Lucas L.
First ramen place to come to albuquerque and I am so happy. It was quite delicious. This place is based on the Japanese Ramen Model, super fast and friendly service, and the pork was amazing. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS SO WE CAN GET MORE UNIQUE RESTAURANTS!!!!! The Japanese curry is amazing. I feel it is on par with kokoro. Eat the curry!!!!! I must have it at least once a week.
(5)Chi L.
I love the atmosphere there. Very fresh, busy, and fun. I had a great time in there. We had teriyaki balls for appetizer, and delux o ramen for the main dish. We love the teriyaki balls, but not so much with the noodles. It attested quite okay to me, but wasn't so much for my friend. It did taste plain, but not that bad. The bowls were huge. It fed me up really fast. I love how the eggs cooked, it tasted delicious. Overall, I would recommend to some people.
(4)Amanda V.
My recommendation is the Ramon with chicken in spicy chicken broth with miso paste. It was full of flavor and perfect for a raining day.
(4)Hyunwoo K.
I have had some good ramen in states, honestly o ramen is not bad at all. Some people below is comparing o ramen with the ramen they had in Japan. If that's the case all of the sushi places in states should get 1 or 2 stars the most. Anyways good job O ramen!!
(5)Jenny J.
The ramen was very good, flavorful, fresh and reasonable fast. I miss the curry at Kokoro.Of Japanese restaurant currently open in Albuquerque, I think Gen Kai does a better curry than O Ramen. Parking is a bit of a pain in the University area. Service was friendly and efficient..
(4)Natalie F.
pretty darn good. a little quiet for a saturday night, but we enjoyed the peace and quiet. An easy walk from the UNM campus.A very small place but nice feel to it. Server had to ask to come back to ask a few extra questions but it was his first night, so the FOH and kitchen maybe be still working out a system as the place is new. Really enjoyed the veggie ramen bowl. Crispy tofu was served to the side to retain ultimate crispiness and soak up broth flavor on a per bite basis! noodles were tasty, portions were good for the price (about $40 for dinner for two with appetizer and large sake). Yup, they serve sake too which was a plus. I was not a fan of the squid balls appetizer though, probably because fresh squid is a bit hard to find in the high desert.... In any case I will certainly try again.
(4)David J.
I'm not a ramen expert but the ramen just seemed ok. The noodles were a little overdone and the pork was over half fat but the vegetable gyoza was tasty and the waitstaff were friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were clean.
(3)Sarah H.
Very friendly staff, great atmosphere with big windows and an open kitchen, and wonderful spicy tofu ramen.
(4)Josh H.
I enjoyed the Ramen here. The location is great and this seems like a place that would make a great lunch stop. If my wife likes this place, well I cannot disagree with her.. now can I? I will go back and try more of the dishes that are available. I will then commence with better tips on the selections. Peace and love..
(4)Victoria G.
The appetizers are quite delicious as is the broth of the ramen. I ordered the spicy miso level 4. I did not find it spicy at all. I grew up eating Korean style ramen which is a more seafood type broth so the miso broth was different than I expected. It was very good however I can't really say I'll go back all the time. If you like miso this place is great.
(4)Holly C.
We were pretty thrilled to find a Ramen place in Albuquerque, after falling in love with it in New York. This place isn't exactly New York/Japan ramen, but it's pretty good! In particular, the cuts of pork they used aren't the super high-quality cuts we're seen elsewhere, but it's still probably the best in this part of the country, and it's a nice atmosphere with great service.
(3)Rissa R.
Ordered the Tonkotsu Spicy Miso Ramen with extra chashu. It was okay. My only complaint was the broth lacked richness and creamy color that is typical tonkotsu broth. Also they used Thai chilies (resulting in pops of spicy bitterness) to add spice instead of a spicy miso paste which would give a smooth more consistent spicy flavor. Please work on the broth. The broth is everything when it comes to a good bowl of ramen! All in all, it's good start for ABQ's first ramen joint.
(2)Joel D.
Six of us, four adults and two children, had lunch here. My opinion is that the noodle bowls are first-rate, as good as I have had anywhere, with really flavorful broth. One of us has gluten intolerance and ordered the chicken curry, which she did not like at all. The mural art on the outside back wall is worth a detour. Service was excellent.
(4)Kelly S.
I moved from Albuquerque to Northern California. Noodle soups are what I live for, and I have been craving this one ever since I left! Oh! And the Octopus balls...they were to die for. My girlfriend ordered the chicken curry and it was good. But we both agreed the ramen was to die for. There phone number is wrong on here it is (505)508-1897. If you have not been to O Ramen yet go! It's so good.
(5)Michael B.
I really enjoyed the ramen at this place. It's the closest thing we have in ABQ to authentic ramen joints that you find in major cities. I do have one suggestion for the owners (which I hope they're reading). Have an off-the-menu weekly special or two. The ramens that are on the menu seem to be mainly a variation of the same ramen soup base. As a result, there is not that much variety other than changing up the vegetables or the meat. I'd suggest getting creative with the specials so that people have a reason to come back more than about once a month (unless you like having the same ramen over and over again).
(4)Roland L.
The soup base is not "thick" enough. When I say "thick" it's missing the flavors I have experienced in great Ramen houses in CA. I hope they fix it. It's almost there.
(2)Kai H.
Oh noodles, how I missed the ramen noodles. Thank you for opening a noodle place. I had the miso ramen with pork belly. I will see you during lunches in the next days with colleagues. We loved the red bean ice cream, too.
(5)Rita S.
Got the vegetarian ramen and potato croquette curry. The broth was not boring, as veggie soup bases can sometimes be. The curry was brown, savory and thick but not corn starchy. Delicious. Good service. We'll be back.
(5)Hector H.
The very best ramen house I've eaten at in Albuquerque. The employees are very friendly and don't mind indulging you in conversation. I had the spicy tonkotsu ramen (level 4) and it was divine - the flavors of the Thai chiles balanced nicely with the nutty/earthiness of the miso base. Definitely try the takoyaki! I'm excited to explore the rest of their menu.
(5)Brian J.
Oh its good...It's damn good!
(4)Kayla R.
I really wanted to love this place. The ramen was OK. Not bad but not rich and warming like you want your ramen to be. I had the shoyu ramen and the broth fell a little flat. This place will leave you satisfied but not craving more.
(3)Eugene D.
Noodles have good texture. Soup is hot and tasty! They stewed pork bones in their soups
(4)FatBoy H.
Having tried ramen in Japan, Vegas, and Taiwan, I think O ramen is just mediocre. Broth is the soul of ramen, the broth at o ramen was not flavorful, and its superficial, you can tell that there was too much water and its missing something. The egg and pork was cold when I got the ramen and was still quite cold after. Every ramen I tried, the pork always come included in the ramen, however, at o ramen, you Need to pay 2.50 extra for the pork, which was not expected. After all, o ramen has great atmosphere, the interior was similar to ramen shop in Japan, quite enjoyable. The ramen is decent. It was not the best ramen I ever had, and I think abq can do better.
(1)Ella C.
I found a peace of metal my noodle... Their appetizer is good thou.
(2)Issiah G.
Best ramen in abq...yes Best ramen in world.....no. We are expanding into other cultures even if it is slowly. . .
(4)Justin W.
There are some days where you just can't beat a bowl of rich, savory broth. And for those days, there is O Ramen. My wife and I made the trek for a long lunch and were quite pleased. The atmosphere was nice and the ramen was very good. I am by no means an expert on Ramen so I cannot give a detailed analysis like I like to do with Pho, but overall, the flavors were all there and the broth was quite rich. I did make the mistake of getting the level-5 spicy. I could easily handle the heat, but on my bowl, the spice ecliplsed the broth flavor. However, my wife's was less hot and I could really get the flavors. They really give a nice amount of meat for the chicken one. I had the deluxe with three pieces of pork. Had I gotten the regular, I would have wanted more meat (but that's inexpensive). Our server was also very good. She thanked us for our patience as they are short-staffed today but honestly, we were none-the-wiser. It was completely fine. My only nit-picking comment would be that the eggs were a bit overcooked and then served cold for ramen but even that was really minor. We will absolutely be back. And next time, if we go for dinner, we'll try the Japanese beer they have which sounds better than the regular Japanese beers you see other places.
(5)Dave D.
I got my order to go as I had other places to be. The order came with the noodles and pork in a styrofoam container and the broth seperately in a plastic container. Unfortunately the location I was headed to didn't allow for me to put them together, so I ended up eating the noodles and pork seperately and ditching the broth. Even so, the food was still flavorful and I'm guessing that it would be much better if I would have eaten it in the manner it is supposed to be eaten. Next time I will dine in and update my review as necessary.
(3)Brian M.
I apologize in advance for my snootiness but after recently being to Japan and trying many bowls of ramen there I will be rating this, and other ramen shops, on their authenticity. My wife and I were actually on the way to another restaurant when we stumbled upon O Ramen and knew we had to change course and have lunch here instead. The atmosphere when you walk is pretty darn close a ramen shop in Japan! The only difference is that O Ramen was perhaps more modern than the authentic shops, nothing wrong with that though. The service here was top notch, it could not have been better. We were seated right away and within a few minutes we had our drink orders taken and I had a delicious Japanese beer in front of me in no time. I got the Aooni IPA from Nagano, Japan and it was really good! A fair price too for an import. For the ramen, my wife and I both got the Deluxe O Ramen with pork. It came out and looked delicious, a very fair representation of the Japanese cuisine. You can taste the "American" in it, though. I can't think of a better way to explain it other than a slightly different taste where you can tell you're in America. The meat and noodles tasted great though and the miso soup was just the right amount of spicy. I got the "4" level of spiciness. We also got an appetizer, the gyoza with chicken. This was also quite tasty but had an egg roll type of taste to it, whereas the authentic Japanese gyoza does not. To finish this review off, I would highly suggest this place and I will be back! The few differences in taste are understandable and if you ever have the opportunity to visit Japan you'll know what I'm talking about
(4)Laura A.
I had high hopes, but O Ramen doesn't have a ton of options for vegetarians. We tried the vegetable ramen and the tofu ramen, which came with 4 pieces of their breaded and deep fried salt and pepper tofu. I think this is meant to stand in for the breaded pork cutlet in their (tonkatsu) meaty ramen. I wasnt a fan of the deep fried tofu (their gyoza appetizer was also deep fried). They did have fantastic service and reasonable prices. The noodles are fresh and delicious. The veggies are nice. But the vegetarian broth is reminiscent of the Oriental flavor of Maruchan ramen. Overall, O Ramen is a great addition to ABQ dining, but I'm going to keep looking for better vegetarian ramen.
(3)Andy D.
When we arrived in ABQ, we needed a quick place to eat. We saw the awesome reviews on Yelp and decided on this place. The restaurant is across from UNM. It is an OK area, but nothing like Nob Hill or Old Town. The staff was friendly, and the food came quickly. Most of our party ordered the chicken ramen. It was a huge hearty bowl of clear broth, fried chicken breast with panko breading, and seaweed and shredded pickled ginger. It was really good. Others also ordered the Deluxe o Ramen, which was the traditional ramen broth, pork belly, and assorted vegetables. I didn't care for it, but the person who got it loved it. My only complaint is that it is expensive for what it is. Yes, it is way higher quality than 18¢ Top Ramen, but I don't think $8.50 a bowl is warranted. Also, the beers were very expensive, at a price of $6. It was imported from Japan, but still. In a place overpopulated by New Mexican restaurants, this is a nice (albeit expensive) respite.
(4)Carsten D.
This place is awesome!!! The atmosphere is relaxed, nice ambiance, and the servers were very attentive. Had the miso soup level 5. At first, I was a little disappointed by the heat. But as I continued, it started creeping up as the flavors started to meld together. By the time I was done, I was smiling with a numb mouth, wiping my brow with a severely damped napkin. But I still took it down LIKE A CHAMP!!! Excellent place, excellent food, and excellent price.
(5)Alex R.
I would love to have eaten at O Ramen, but unfortunately after I nagged my husband over and over to give it a try, we sat in the restaurant for well over five minutes without anyone so much as acknowledging our presence. The place was practically empty and the waitstaff was fidgeting with and arguing over money at the cash register, less than a foot from where we sat at the bar. It was clear that they were worked up over something, but a simple "We'll be right with you." Could have saved the experience. I had high hopes for an authentic Japanese noodle experience in Albuquerque, Such a disappointment.
(1)Dennis M.
This place was great. I was in town on business and checked here for something different. I've been wanting to try a ramen place and this one did not disappoint. I am a beginner ramen eater (not packaged), so the owner spent time to explain it all to me. I did sit at the bar as he was preparing chicken. Anyway he steered me toward a "beginner" ramen. I the Deluxe Chicken Ramen Shoyu with spice at a 3. The broth was very tasty and left an nice burn in the mouth. The chicken was cooked well and kept a crispy texture the entire time but soaked up the juice. The noodles were cooked perfect. The atmosphere was great but sitting at the bar always adds to it because I like to talk to the cooks. Staff was friendly and helpful in ordering suggestions. I will be back the next time in the Duke city!!
(5)Audrey J.
This place is delicious! I've admittedly never had authentic ramen before so I don't have anything to compare this to, but I have sure enjoyed the two times I have been to O Ramen. The takoyaki ball appetizer was very good, but the octopus was a bit rubbery, so I'm guessing a bit overcooked. I got the shoyu ramen with level 2 heat and it was perfect for me. Keep in mind that all of the ramen bowls come with one slice of pork, a half an egg and garnish. That wasn't clear to me until I asked - I initially thought only the deluxe came with those. The second time I went, I got an extra egg because it was SO good the first time! The extra egg comes cold, so you'll want to add it to your ramen early so it warms up. Bryan got the miso ramen and loved it. I tasted it and it was good, but a little too sweet for me. I liked the saltiness of the shoyu better. All in all, very good. I will be back!
(4)Sarah N.
This isn't your college ramen! Classic Japanese Ramon served fresh to order. Best Japanese curry in town. Everything is prepared fresh and plated beautifully.
(4)Liz Z.
I've been searching hard for ramen in Albuquerque after recently visiting Japan. This place reminded me of the cool ramen shops in Tokyo and it was super tasty. I got the Deluxe O Ramen and chicken gyoza--a satisfying lunch!
(4)Allison B.
My husband lived in Japan for a few years, and we are both big fans of making ramen and Japanese curry at home. He ordered the chicken curry, I had chicken ramen, and we shared the Takoyaki. We also enjoyed 2 of their $6 beers which were both good. I'll start with the curry. It was good but it wasn't great, and unfortunately our only comparisons are actual Japan and Coco's in both Japan and California. This was my first time ordering ramen in a restaurant, I wasn't impressed. The chicken wasn't seasoned, and the vegetables were more like garnish. As others have mentioned I would also have to agree, the broth was a bit bland which was fixed with some Sriracha. The takoyaki was good, but I wouldn't order it again. We both felt the batter was lacking in texture and crispiness. The atmosphere is great, reminded me a lot of a sushi restaurant in LA. It's great to have this as an option in Albuquerque, but we'll probably stick to making our own ramen and Japanese curry at home.
(3)Hanno R.
The vegetarian tofu ramen I had was very good. Nice atmosphere, prompt service and good prices. A good ramen place with nothing to complain about.
(5)Daniel M.
Delicious! First time at this establishment and will definitely be returning. Had the level four spicy ramen bowl, very savory and spiciness didn't mask the flavor. Girlfriend ordered the Edamame as an appetizer and it was out in less than no time. Service was very friendly and all for less than $10 a person.
(4)Levi M.
First time there yesterday. Second time there today. So good. Been looking for a solid ramen place in ABQ forever. Glad we've finally got one.
(5)Annie J.
O Ramen serves a fun variety of ramen which is about as authentic as what I had while traveling through Tokyo, Kyoto and Takayama and beyond while in Japan a few months ago. It's flavorful and a perfect presentation each time I go there. I love their Deluxe O Ramen, because it comes with pork and a nice variety of vegetables, including nori. I recently tried their local-centric ramen, like green chile ramen, and it's as fun and spicy as it sounds. Their ramen noodles are cooked just as you would expect in the U.S. I wish they were closer to al dente, making them a bit firmer, just like we had them at several different ramen houses in Japan. This is the only reason I've knocked off one star to this review. It is something O Ramen can improve on easily. Beyond that little foible, if you want good ramen, come here. This is the only official ramen house in Albuquerque. You can get ramen at a couple of other places, and they are quite comparable. The added perks for O Ramen are that they are in a great location in the UNM area, and you get to enjoy your meal in a very hip atmosphere. The owners of O Ramen have great taste in their interior design, too. You'll feel like you're in a big city.
(4)Howie K.
The best ramen I've ever devoured was in midtown Manhattan, several shops, packed to the gills every power lunch hour weaving suits in and out, in and out, for bowls that filled tummies but didn't weigh 'em down. Upon the echelon of truly flavorful, fast, foreign lunching options, ramen ranks near the very top for me. The sneaky thing about the authentic stuff is that, while it's dished up in a heartbeat, hours or even days go into the preparation. At O Ramen you're getting broth that's been soaking in salivating proteins forever, it's almost a solid, and meats that have been seasoned and sliced with absolute precision. The noodles must be handmade as well. This place nails every dimension. Which isn't to say this place offers the gamut of delights you'll find in other brothels. I've seen more creative options elsewhere, various seafood, vegan and carnivorous additions that brighten and enlighten the everyday cuppa soup. I tried the Deluxe, and I'll state that every single ingredient was absolutely on point, I truly loved the chashu pork and thought the cold, marinated hard boiled egg fit the composition beautifully. The ambiance fits the bill, too, small tables slightly crammed together, the way it's supposed to be, chopsticks competing for elbow room. It's always nice to experience authenticity in ABQ, and in my limited experience, this place owns it. Such a welcome addition to UNM.
(5)Chris S.
A group of 6 of us came to check out this new place. I'm desperately trying to find good Japanese curry since Kokoro closed. 4 people got the various Raman noodles soups. One got the level 4 spice in their soup, which was definitely spicy but still good. One had even got the extra noodles which made for having extra to take home. I got the chicken curry. The chicken is fried with panko and was so omits and delicious. The curry wasn't as good as Kokoro, but definitely good. I'm definitely a fan!! I even order 1 to-go to have for lunch the next day :-) FYI - there is parking in the rear.
(4)Laura A.
I had high hopes, but O Ramen doesn't have a ton of options for vegetarians. We tried the vegetable ramen and the tofu ramen, which came with 4 pieces of their breaded and deep fried salt and pepper tofu. I think this is meant to stand in for the breaded pork cutlet in their (tonkatsu) meaty ramen. I wasnt a fan of the deep fried tofu (their gyoza appetizer was also deep fried). They did have fantastic service and reasonable prices. The noodles are fresh and delicious. The veggies are nice. But the vegetarian broth is reminiscent of the Oriental flavor of Maruchan ramen. Overall, O Ramen is a great addition to ABQ dining, but I'm going to keep looking for better vegetarian ramen.
(3)Wrayy C.
Love this place the first time I stepped into the building. It looked like a usual ramen shops back in Cali. Ordered takoyaki.. VERY BOMB! And got the ramen deluxe which almost had everything to make a ramen eating experience worth great! Soup was so delish! The soup wasn't that salty so that's a plus! We ordered dessert.. Omg the cutest dessert I have ever seen. " mint pot" that's what's it called. It looks like a plant in a pot. But it's actually green tea ice cream (my fav) with Oreo crumbs on top of it. A mint leave on the Oreo crumbs ah! It's perfect and so cute. I recommend this place. Even if there's a huge line, wait for it!
(5)Kate M.
The broth is not as flavorful as I thought it would be, and the pork they use is just a big strip of fat with no flavor. The pork was very rubbery. Pot stickers were decent. I think Kokoro is a much better Japanese restaurant.
(3)Justin W.
There are some days where you just can't beat a bowl of rich, savory broth. And for those days, there is O Ramen. My wife and I made the trek for a long lunch and were quite pleased. The atmosphere was nice and the ramen was very good. I am by no means an expert on Ramen so I cannot give a detailed analysis like I like to do with Pho, but overall, the flavors were all there and the broth was quite rich. I did make the mistake of getting the level-5 spicy. I could easily handle the heat, but on my bowl, the spice ecliplsed the broth flavor. However, my wife's was less hot and I could really get the flavors. They really give a nice amount of meat for the chicken one. I had the deluxe with three pieces of pork. Had I gotten the regular, I would have wanted more meat (but that's inexpensive). Our server was also very good. She thanked us for our patience as they are short-staffed today but honestly, we were none-the-wiser. It was completely fine. My only nit-picking comment would be that the eggs were a bit overcooked and then served cold for ramen but even that was really minor. We will absolutely be back. And next time, if we go for dinner, we'll try the Japanese beer they have which sounds better than the regular Japanese beers you see other places.
(5)Brian M.
I apologize in advance for my snootiness but after recently being to Japan and trying many bowls of ramen there I will be rating this, and other ramen shops, on their authenticity. My wife and I were actually on the way to another restaurant when we stumbled upon O Ramen and knew we had to change course and have lunch here instead. The atmosphere when you walk is pretty darn close a ramen shop in Japan! The only difference is that O Ramen was perhaps more modern than the authentic shops, nothing wrong with that though. The service here was top notch, it could not have been better. We were seated right away and within a few minutes we had our drink orders taken and I had a delicious Japanese beer in front of me in no time. I got the Aooni IPA from Nagano, Japan and it was really good! A fair price too for an import. For the ramen, my wife and I both got the Deluxe O Ramen with pork. It came out and looked delicious, a very fair representation of the Japanese cuisine. You can taste the "American" in it, though. I can't think of a better way to explain it other than a slightly different taste where you can tell you're in America. The meat and noodles tasted great though and the miso soup was just the right amount of spicy. I got the "4" level of spiciness. We also got an appetizer, the gyoza with chicken. This was also quite tasty but had an egg roll type of taste to it, whereas the authentic Japanese gyoza does not. To finish this review off, I would highly suggest this place and I will be back! The few differences in taste are understandable and if you ever have the opportunity to visit Japan you'll know what I'm talking about
(4)Yinan W.
We don't get too many chances to have ramen in a place that's so focused on green chile, so I'm happy there's finally a decent ramen restaurant! It's a tiny space but has a hip and young ambiance along with a friendly staff. Be prepared to wait if you're going with a large group. Parking is behind the restaurant. Quality food at fair prices. I understand it probably doesn't compare to ramen from Japan or California, but we'll take what we can get in the desert. Takoyaki balls are delicious as is the Deluxe Ramen. You will feel full but not heavy - hooray!
(4)Andy D.
When we arrived in ABQ, we needed a quick place to eat. We saw the awesome reviews on Yelp and decided on this place. The restaurant is across from UNM. It is an OK area, but nothing like Nob Hill or Old Town. The staff was friendly, and the food came quickly. Most of our party ordered the chicken ramen. It was a huge hearty bowl of clear broth, fried chicken breast with panko breading, and seaweed and shredded pickled ginger. It was really good. Others also ordered the Deluxe o Ramen, which was the traditional ramen broth, pork belly, and assorted vegetables. I didn't care for it, but the person who got it loved it. My only complaint is that it is expensive for what it is. Yes, it is way higher quality than 18¢ Top Ramen, but I don't think $8.50 a bowl is warranted. Also, the beers were very expensive, at a price of $6. It was imported from Japan, but still. In a place overpopulated by New Mexican restaurants, this is a nice (albeit expensive) respite.
(4)Dave D.
I got my order to go as I had other places to be. The order came with the noodles and pork in a styrofoam container and the broth seperately in a plastic container. Unfortunately the location I was headed to didn't allow for me to put them together, so I ended up eating the noodles and pork seperately and ditching the broth. Even so, the food was still flavorful and I'm guessing that it would be much better if I would have eaten it in the manner it is supposed to be eaten. Next time I will dine in and update my review as necessary.
(3)Carsten D.
This place is awesome!!! The atmosphere is relaxed, nice ambiance, and the servers were very attentive. Had the miso soup level 5. At first, I was a little disappointed by the heat. But as I continued, it started creeping up as the flavors started to meld together. By the time I was done, I was smiling with a numb mouth, wiping my brow with a severely damped napkin. But I still took it down LIKE A CHAMP!!! Excellent place, excellent food, and excellent price.
(5)Alex R.
I would love to have eaten at O Ramen, but unfortunately after I nagged my husband over and over to give it a try, we sat in the restaurant for well over five minutes without anyone so much as acknowledging our presence. The place was practically empty and the waitstaff was fidgeting with and arguing over money at the cash register, less than a foot from where we sat at the bar. It was clear that they were worked up over something, but a simple "We'll be right with you." Could have saved the experience. I had high hopes for an authentic Japanese noodle experience in Albuquerque, Such a disappointment.
(1)Dennis M.
This place was great. I was in town on business and checked here for something different. I've been wanting to try a ramen place and this one did not disappoint. I am a beginner ramen eater (not packaged), so the owner spent time to explain it all to me. I did sit at the bar as he was preparing chicken. Anyway he steered me toward a "beginner" ramen. I the Deluxe Chicken Ramen Shoyu with spice at a 3. The broth was very tasty and left an nice burn in the mouth. The chicken was cooked well and kept a crispy texture the entire time but soaked up the juice. The noodles were cooked perfect. The atmosphere was great but sitting at the bar always adds to it because I like to talk to the cooks. Staff was friendly and helpful in ordering suggestions. I will be back the next time in the Duke city!!
(5)Audrey J.
This place is delicious! I've admittedly never had authentic ramen before so I don't have anything to compare this to, but I have sure enjoyed the two times I have been to O Ramen. The takoyaki ball appetizer was very good, but the octopus was a bit rubbery, so I'm guessing a bit overcooked. I got the shoyu ramen with level 2 heat and it was perfect for me. Keep in mind that all of the ramen bowls come with one slice of pork, a half an egg and garnish. That wasn't clear to me until I asked - I initially thought only the deluxe came with those. The second time I went, I got an extra egg because it was SO good the first time! The extra egg comes cold, so you'll want to add it to your ramen early so it warms up. Bryan got the miso ramen and loved it. I tasted it and it was good, but a little too sweet for me. I liked the saltiness of the shoyu better. All in all, very good. I will be back!
(4)Sarah N.
This isn't your college ramen! Classic Japanese Ramon served fresh to order. Best Japanese curry in town. Everything is prepared fresh and plated beautifully.
(4)Liz Z.
I've been searching hard for ramen in Albuquerque after recently visiting Japan. This place reminded me of the cool ramen shops in Tokyo and it was super tasty. I got the Deluxe O Ramen and chicken gyoza--a satisfying lunch!
(4)Allison B.
My husband lived in Japan for a few years, and we are both big fans of making ramen and Japanese curry at home. He ordered the chicken curry, I had chicken ramen, and we shared the Takoyaki. We also enjoyed 2 of their $6 beers which were both good. I'll start with the curry. It was good but it wasn't great, and unfortunately our only comparisons are actual Japan and Coco's in both Japan and California. This was my first time ordering ramen in a restaurant, I wasn't impressed. The chicken wasn't seasoned, and the vegetables were more like garnish. As others have mentioned I would also have to agree, the broth was a bit bland which was fixed with some Sriracha. The takoyaki was good, but I wouldn't order it again. We both felt the batter was lacking in texture and crispiness. The atmosphere is great, reminded me a lot of a sushi restaurant in LA. It's great to have this as an option in Albuquerque, but we'll probably stick to making our own ramen and Japanese curry at home.
(3)Hanno R.
The vegetarian tofu ramen I had was very good. Nice atmosphere, prompt service and good prices. A good ramen place with nothing to complain about.
(5)Daniel M.
Delicious! First time at this establishment and will definitely be returning. Had the level four spicy ramen bowl, very savory and spiciness didn't mask the flavor. Girlfriend ordered the Edamame as an appetizer and it was out in less than no time. Service was very friendly and all for less than $10 a person.
(4)Levi M.
First time there yesterday. Second time there today. So good. Been looking for a solid ramen place in ABQ forever. Glad we've finally got one.
(5)Annie J.
O Ramen serves a fun variety of ramen which is about as authentic as what I had while traveling through Tokyo, Kyoto and Takayama and beyond while in Japan a few months ago. It's flavorful and a perfect presentation each time I go there. I love their Deluxe O Ramen, because it comes with pork and a nice variety of vegetables, including nori. I recently tried their local-centric ramen, like green chile ramen, and it's as fun and spicy as it sounds. Their ramen noodles are cooked just as you would expect in the U.S. I wish they were closer to al dente, making them a bit firmer, just like we had them at several different ramen houses in Japan. This is the only reason I've knocked off one star to this review. It is something O Ramen can improve on easily. Beyond that little foible, if you want good ramen, come here. This is the only official ramen house in Albuquerque. You can get ramen at a couple of other places, and they are quite comparable. The added perks for O Ramen are that they are in a great location in the UNM area, and you get to enjoy your meal in a very hip atmosphere. The owners of O Ramen have great taste in their interior design, too. You'll feel like you're in a big city.
(4)Joel D.
Six of us, four adults and two children, had lunch here. My opinion is that the noodle bowls are first-rate, as good as I have had anywhere, with really flavorful broth. One of us has gluten intolerance and ordered the chicken curry, which she did not like at all. The mural art on the outside back wall is worth a detour. Service was excellent.
(4)Diana H.
I visited O-Ramen for the first time a few weeks ago, after hearing multiple positive ratings from my close friends. I ordered the Deluxe Tonkatsu ramen, as well as the Takoyaki. As a native Californian who has eaten plenty of quality Japanese food, this restaurant was definitely comparative. Just to break down my review... Service: Excellent. I was immediately greeted upon walking inside, and was seated promptly. The waitress kindly explained the menu to me (though sadly, it's quite a minimal menu), and continuously checked in on my friend and I as we ate. The wait for food was not long at all (10 minutes tops), considering I was there in the evening, near dinner time. Food: The takoyaki was amazing. I cook takoyaki at home myself (because when I moved here to NM 4 years ago, I was unaware of any Japanese restaurants which sold such a dish). Their takoyaki was even better than mine! Crispy on the outside, and warm and fluffy on the inside, just how it should be. Be careful though, as it will burn your tongue if you eat it too quickly (learned this the hard way)! The ramen...hm, there were ups and downs. I loved the toppings and the miso soup that they used, but it was a bit plain. Nothing extraordinary. The ramen noodles were chewy and authentic, unlike instant ramen noodles, which was a plus. I'd still definitely recommend this place to anybody (especially UNM students, seeing as it is right across from campus)! You won't be disappointed -- and for the price, it was definitely worth trying. Will be coming back as soon as possible!
(4)Eric B.
The noodles are average at best, nothing special at all. Not sure they are alkaline at all. The broth is really lacking in flavor. Tonkatsu no thick or creamy. I read other reviews and now i see they "buy their soup base from California". Ugh. Sounds like something McDonalds would do.
(1)Lucas L.
First ramen place to come to albuquerque and I am so happy. It was quite delicious. This place is based on the Japanese Ramen Model, super fast and friendly service, and the pork was amazing. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS SO WE CAN GET MORE UNIQUE RESTAURANTS!!!!! The Japanese curry is amazing. I feel it is on par with kokoro. Eat the curry!!!!! I must have it at least once a week.
(5)Chi L.
I love the atmosphere there. Very fresh, busy, and fun. I had a great time in there. We had teriyaki balls for appetizer, and delux o ramen for the main dish. We love the teriyaki balls, but not so much with the noodles. It attested quite okay to me, but wasn't so much for my friend. It did taste plain, but not that bad. The bowls were huge. It fed me up really fast. I love how the eggs cooked, it tasted delicious. Overall, I would recommend to some people.
(4)Amanda V.
My recommendation is the Ramon with chicken in spicy chicken broth with miso paste. It was full of flavor and perfect for a raining day.
(4)Hyunwoo K.
I have had some good ramen in states, honestly o ramen is not bad at all. Some people below is comparing o ramen with the ramen they had in Japan. If that's the case all of the sushi places in states should get 1 or 2 stars the most. Anyways good job O ramen!!
(5)Kelly S.
I moved from Albuquerque to Northern California. Noodle soups are what I live for, and I have been craving this one ever since I left! Oh! And the Octopus balls...they were to die for. My girlfriend ordered the chicken curry and it was good. But we both agreed the ramen was to die for. There phone number is wrong on here it is (505)508-1897. If you have not been to O Ramen yet go! It's so good.
(5)Michael B.
I really enjoyed the ramen at this place. It's the closest thing we have in ABQ to authentic ramen joints that you find in major cities. I do have one suggestion for the owners (which I hope they're reading). Have an off-the-menu weekly special or two. The ramens that are on the menu seem to be mainly a variation of the same ramen soup base. As a result, there is not that much variety other than changing up the vegetables or the meat. I'd suggest getting creative with the specials so that people have a reason to come back more than about once a month (unless you like having the same ramen over and over again).
(4)Roland L.
The soup base is not "thick" enough. When I say "thick" it's missing the flavors I have experienced in great Ramen houses in CA. I hope they fix it. It's almost there.
(2)Kai H.
Oh noodles, how I missed the ramen noodles. Thank you for opening a noodle place. I had the miso ramen with pork belly. I will see you during lunches in the next days with colleagues. We loved the red bean ice cream, too.
(5)Rita S.
Got the vegetarian ramen and potato croquette curry. The broth was not boring, as veggie soup bases can sometimes be. The curry was brown, savory and thick but not corn starchy. Delicious. Good service. We'll be back.
(5)Hector H.
The very best ramen house I've eaten at in Albuquerque. The employees are very friendly and don't mind indulging you in conversation. I had the spicy tonkotsu ramen (level 4) and it was divine - the flavors of the Thai chiles balanced nicely with the nutty/earthiness of the miso base. Definitely try the takoyaki! I'm excited to explore the rest of their menu.
(5)Brian J.
Oh its good...It's damn good!
(4)Kayla R.
I really wanted to love this place. The ramen was OK. Not bad but not rich and warming like you want your ramen to be. I had the shoyu ramen and the broth fell a little flat. This place will leave you satisfied but not craving more.
(3)Eugene D.
Noodles have good texture. Soup is hot and tasty! They stewed pork bones in their soups
(4)FatBoy H.
Having tried ramen in Japan, Vegas, and Taiwan, I think O ramen is just mediocre. Broth is the soul of ramen, the broth at o ramen was not flavorful, and its superficial, you can tell that there was too much water and its missing something. The egg and pork was cold when I got the ramen and was still quite cold after. Every ramen I tried, the pork always come included in the ramen, however, at o ramen, you Need to pay 2.50 extra for the pork, which was not expected. After all, o ramen has great atmosphere, the interior was similar to ramen shop in Japan, quite enjoyable. The ramen is decent. It was not the best ramen I ever had, and I think abq can do better.
(1)Amy C.
I've been to a couple of Ramen houses from Japan to California. My boyfriend and I were excited to try this place since we've been craving for ramen. Yes this Albuquerque, but the broth tastes diluted. Someone on this page says the soup isn't "thick" enough. I felt this too as I tried the soup. The soup was "too" watery, too diluted, not the ramen soup I've tasted. I ordered the Shoyu ramen and was highly disappointed in the broth. I'm a big fan of Shoyu ramen, and the soup didn't taste like soup, it tasted artificial and diluted, too much water. It was also too bitter. Next, I was disappointed that I had to pay extra for pork...because I only did receive three slices of pork? Which is from the additional toppings area. Most ramen houses I've been to already included pork. The next disappointing thing I experienced with this ramen I ordered was the pork I received... If pre-making your pork is the fastest way to serve, please do heat it for a longer period of time. I received my pork cold, as if it wasn't defrosted enough. The egg was also cold. In Japan, the ramen shops I've been to serve ramen very fast, but if you were to pre-make certain things, please do heat it up longer. The atmosphere is great! The restaurant does represent a Japanese ramen bar, however, I would improve on the broth, because that is the essential ingredient when it comes to ramen! Knowing this is Albuquerque, this is probably the best we got and it's a great experience for those who have never been to a ramen bar, but I hope in the future long run they will improve their broth and also be careful about the pork.
(2)min j.
5 stars for the effort. My wife and I traveled throughout Japan for 6 weeks and sampled Ramens across the island, a few are Michelin star rated. We also tried many down west coast. This is above average but remember, i am comparing this to many top end Ramen shops we had in the past 12 years. The soup base is very close to the real deal and the restaurant is a classical looks of a traditional ramen shop. Gyoza is a bit confusing since it is not pork based, but who says it had to be. We ate at the counter and watched the chef/owner does all his work. He knows what he is doing. I'm especially impressed with his knife work! Overall, this is Albuquerque so it is a five star. If it moves to Vancouver per se, maybe three. However, i'm loving it. A few really critical reviews are a bit puzzling. I'm not sure if the reviewers are comparing this restaurant to some New Mexican style restaurants in town or compare to some sushi joints.
(5)Edward M.
Found this place quite easily. Limited parking on the street. Greeted & welcomed immediately. Sat at the counter & able to watch food prep. The service was very quick & courteous. I chose the chicken ramen w the 3/5 hot spice. The dish was awesome & well worth the visit. The chicken pieces were quite large as was the bowl to my surprise with the mixtures of vegetables thrown in. I highly recommend "O Ramen" on Central.
(5)Michelle H.
I've driven by O Ramen often, but just never stopped in. When I finally stopped in this week, I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered the Chicken Ramen. The broth was delicious, the panko crusted chicken cutlet was extra crispy, the noodles nicely cooked. The serving was huge, the meal hearty, and I had leftovers for the next day. I only wish I would have visited sooner!
(5)J L.
Very good, consistent flavor. Some of the best ramen I've found outside of CA or Japan!
(4)Meredith W.
I went to O Ramen for the first time about a week ago and had an extremely satisfying lunch. I ordered the chicken ramen with a level 4 spicy miso broth and, it was so flavorful and the portion quite generous. The chicken was perfectly cooked and there was a lot of it in the soup. It also stayed crispy for a good while even while sitting in broth. My husband got the deluxe and he seemed to like it, although he was unhappy with his level 5 spice. He said the spice overpowered all the the other flavors. We also started with the takoyaki which were piping hot and gooey inside. Just like takoyaki should be! Overall this was a delicious meal and I look forward to my next visit. I'm so happy to have such a high quality ramen place nearby!
(5)Casey C.
This is honestly the best ramen I've ever had in America and I'm including all the ramen I've had in Los Angeles. There's nothing like a steaming hot bowl of ramen to just make any day fantastic. The broth was like a beautiful, rich, pig nectar. I will not only go here in the future, but will bring anyone I can here. :) Sadly, the previous statement was based on an experience there a couple weeks ago and since then the quality has seemed to decline. I just went there tonight and the broth was only half as strong as it was last time. I also got very little broth for all the noodles in my bowl...bummer.
(3)Caitlin O.
I've returned to O several times, and they have definitely won me over. I'm beyond excited for their plans to serve beer and stay open late. Keep up the great work, y'all! What I want to see is a vegetarian ramen that has a nice fatty, supple broth. The existing broth is definitely tasty, but I'm missing out on the indulgent richness my pork-eating friends are getting.
(4)Jennifer L.
Nice, clean, fun place to get Ramen in ABQ. Close to UNM, and reasonably priced too. Orders are usually ready in about five minutes. Pieces of ginger, wood ear, egg, and small veggies accompany the soups. You can customize the spiciness level. My favorite is the chicken ramen. No MSG used here. I know because I don't get superthirsty afterward like I do at places that put MSG in their broth.
(4)Howie K.
The best ramen I've ever devoured was in midtown Manhattan, several shops, packed to the gills every power lunch hour weaving suits in and out, in and out, for bowls that filled tummies but didn't weigh 'em down. Upon the echelon of truly flavorful, fast, foreign lunching options, ramen ranks near the very top for me. The sneaky thing about the authentic stuff is that, while it's dished up in a heartbeat, hours or even days go into the preparation. At O Ramen you're getting broth that's been soaking in salivating proteins forever, it's almost a solid, and meats that have been seasoned and sliced with absolute precision. The noodles must be handmade as well. This place nails every dimension. Which isn't to say this place offers the gamut of delights you'll find in other brothels. I've seen more creative options elsewhere, various seafood, vegan and carnivorous additions that brighten and enlighten the everyday cuppa soup. I tried the Deluxe, and I'll state that every single ingredient was absolutely on point, I truly loved the chashu pork and thought the cold, marinated hard boiled egg fit the composition beautifully. The ambiance fits the bill, too, small tables slightly crammed together, the way it's supposed to be, chopsticks competing for elbow room. It's always nice to experience authenticity in ABQ, and in my limited experience, this place owns it. Such a welcome addition to UNM.
(5)Chris S.
A group of 6 of us came to check out this new place. I'm desperately trying to find good Japanese curry since Kokoro closed. 4 people got the various Raman noodles soups. One got the level 4 spice in their soup, which was definitely spicy but still good. One had even got the extra noodles which made for having extra to take home. I got the chicken curry. The chicken is fried with panko and was so omits and delicious. The curry wasn't as good as Kokoro, but definitely good. I'm definitely a fan!! I even order 1 to-go to have for lunch the next day :-) FYI - there is parking in the rear.
(4)Tyler M.
Came in for lunch based on the reviews and a recommendation. Good service. Pretty fast service as well. The gyoza tasted somewhat bland, not home made from what I can tell. I ordered the Tonkatsu Shoyu ramen. The broth was bland, and very watery. Not the usual creamy consistency I am used to. The pork belly was served cold, this too was near flavorless. My wife had ordered the Tonkatsu Miso level 3 spicy. Tasting hers the only real difference was that her broth now tasted like the chili paste they add for spice. Again very bland. So for ramen dare I say it's almost taster to snag a good bowl of Menraku instant ramen and make it at home. If you want, in my opinion the best authentic tasting ramen in town hit up Kokoro.
(2)Ling Tzu W.
I like it here. I probably don't come here as often as Gen Kai but I like it here. This restaurant has the atmosphere and the service is great. I usually order the Tonkatsu Shoyu Ramen and I like the heavy flavor of the broth as well as the pork belly cooked in there. Not only they have ramen, but they also have japanese curry and there are many places in Albuquerque that serves these two things anymore. Their appetizer, Takoyaki balls are also amazing. Overall, I like this place and I would recommend anyone who wants to try Ramen or are trying to find a good Ramen place to come here.
(5)Natalie F.
pretty darn good. a little quiet for a saturday night, but we enjoyed the peace and quiet. An easy walk from the UNM campus.A very small place but nice feel to it. Server had to ask to come back to ask a few extra questions but it was his first night, so the FOH and kitchen maybe be still working out a system as the place is new. Really enjoyed the veggie ramen bowl. Crispy tofu was served to the side to retain ultimate crispiness and soak up broth flavor on a per bite basis! noodles were tasty, portions were good for the price (about $40 for dinner for two with appetizer and large sake). Yup, they serve sake too which was a plus. I was not a fan of the squid balls appetizer though, probably because fresh squid is a bit hard to find in the high desert.... In any case I will certainly try again.
(4)David J.
I'm not a ramen expert but the ramen just seemed ok. The noodles were a little overdone and the pork was over half fat but the vegetable gyoza was tasty and the waitstaff were friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were clean.
(3)Sarah H.
Very friendly staff, great atmosphere with big windows and an open kitchen, and wonderful spicy tofu ramen.
(4)Josh H.
I enjoyed the Ramen here. The location is great and this seems like a place that would make a great lunch stop. If my wife likes this place, well I cannot disagree with her.. now can I? I will go back and try more of the dishes that are available. I will then commence with better tips on the selections. Peace and love..
(4)Victoria G.
The appetizers are quite delicious as is the broth of the ramen. I ordered the spicy miso level 4. I did not find it spicy at all. I grew up eating Korean style ramen which is a more seafood type broth so the miso broth was different than I expected. It was very good however I can't really say I'll go back all the time. If you like miso this place is great.
(4)Holly C.
We were pretty thrilled to find a Ramen place in Albuquerque, after falling in love with it in New York. This place isn't exactly New York/Japan ramen, but it's pretty good! In particular, the cuts of pork they used aren't the super high-quality cuts we're seen elsewhere, but it's still probably the best in this part of the country, and it's a nice atmosphere with great service.
(3)Rissa R.
Ordered the Tonkotsu Spicy Miso Ramen with extra chashu. It was okay. My only complaint was the broth lacked richness and creamy color that is typical tonkotsu broth. Also they used Thai chilies (resulting in pops of spicy bitterness) to add spice instead of a spicy miso paste which would give a smooth more consistent spicy flavor. Please work on the broth. The broth is everything when it comes to a good bowl of ramen! All in all, it's good start for ABQ's first ramen joint.
(2)Joel D.
Six of us, four adults and two children, had lunch here. My opinion is that the noodle bowls are first-rate, as good as I have had anywhere, with really flavorful broth. One of us has gluten intolerance and ordered the chicken curry, which she did not like at all. The mural art on the outside back wall is worth a detour. Service was excellent.
(4)mark g.
This is not the Ramen my friend, Jeff, ate while he was incarcerated (he was a drug - addicted, residential burglar. Get off his nuts. He served his time). Anyways, super (get it?) food. Awesome service. Fun atmosphere. Reasonably priced - 24 for 2 includes tip.
(5)Melinda P.
Joined a friend of mine here for lunch after I saw her photo and posting on facebook. I was excited because the chicken ramen looked so great in the photo. Wish there had been more veggies, and I could have added veggies for additional price. Broth was good, but a little too rich for my experience in ramen. Service was excellent, wish the servers hadn't kept coming over to take my bowl when I was still working (slowly) on eating my dish. Parking meter out front is non-operational for over a month, so park curb side at your own risk. Pricing was a-ok.
(3)Trevor R.
We had the chicken ramen and the tofu curry. Both were quite tasty. The ramen broth was much more than just chicken stock. It had lots of flavor and the portion size was generous. The chicken was sliced pieces of donkatsu-style breast meat, but the coating didn't get soggy in the broth. The ramen also had various additions which made it interesting. The tofu curry was flavorful. Perhaps not quite as good as the curry at Kokoro (sniff), but still good nonetheless. Service was friendly and efficient. I wouldn't mind if they had a bigger selection of beverages.
(4)Patrick R.
Good ramen and not just by Albuquerque standards. They have takoyaki, this is the only place in this state that has it. It's not the best takoyaki, its actually not even that good, but they've got it and that's all I really care about right now.
(4)Scott D.
Excellent food and service. Every time in here the food is great. The delux ramen with spice level 3 is perfect for those who like flavor without burning your lips or pallet. Prices are great for the quality and amount of food.
(5)Hyunwoo K.
I have had some good ramen in states, honestly o ramen is not bad at all. Some people below is comparing o ramen with the ramen they had in Japan. If that's the case all of the sushi places in states should get 1 or 2 stars the most. Anyways good job O ramen!!
(5)Jenny J.
The ramen was very good, flavorful, fresh and reasonable fast. I miss the curry at Kokoro.Of Japanese restaurant currently open in Albuquerque, I think Gen Kai does a better curry than O Ramen. Parking is a bit of a pain in the University area. Service was friendly and efficient..
(4)Kelly S.
I moved from Albuquerque to Northern California. Noodle soups are what I live for, and I have been craving this one ever since I left! Oh! And the Octopus balls...they were to die for. My girlfriend ordered the chicken curry and it was good. But we both agreed the ramen was to die for. There phone number is wrong on here it is (505)508-1897. If you have not been to O Ramen yet go! It's so good.
(5)Ricky H.
Okay, so this is definitely not the BEST ramen house that I have been to (ABQ is not Los Angeles and New York City), BUT! It is, hands down, the best thing going on in Albuquerque. I stopped in yesterday to try it, since I've been complaining about the lack of ramen in ABQ for, you know, EVER, and was not disappointed. I started with a hot tea (which I think was genmai-cha, but didn't ask) and settled on my entree. I ordered the "O Deluxe" and was really pleased with what came out: a big bowl of porky broth that was rich, but light, ladled over soft egg noodles and a pile of toppings, including bamboo shoots, woodear mushrooms, ginger, scallions, a medium boiled egg, and three strips of pork belly. I could have taken an egg cooked a bit less, and maybe used more of a sear on the pork belly, caramelizing the fat just a little more to bring out that depth of flavor, but WHATEVER. Details. It was still a great meal for ten bucks. They don't have any desert options yet, but! The chef was super nice, and brought out a small dish of red bean and green tea ice cream when he heard me ask the server if they had anything sweet. That move alone would bring me back for another meal, but they fact that O Ramen House serves a really great bowl of ramen? Yes, please.
(5)Stephanie S.
Loved the food! The appetizer balls (can't remember their name) were tasty and different. We had three styles of ramen and all were yummy! I can't wait to go back and try more! Our server was friendly and helpful. Their prices are surprisingly cheap.
(5)Taiki G.
I'm from a Japanese family so we eat ramen all the time and I have also traveled to Japan where I had ramen. So with that being said this place is pretty damn good even for being from Albuquerque, NM. Broth and noodles are good nothing to strong but still good flavor. One suggestion I would have for them is for them to incorporate rice dishes like Chicken Katsu or Tonkatsu since they have those choices for ramen, overall great experience, if you're looking for a good ramen place this is absolutely the place
(4)Donald B.
It does not get much more authentic than this! Rich and flavorful broth, tender pork belly and perfectly cooked noodles make this my new favorite place in the UNM/Nob Hill area! They cook the broth for 18 hours! It is awesome!
(5)Sandra K.
We were impressed by the lack of hand hygiene. A kid handling food, wiping his hands with a dirty rag over and over. I wonder if they are aware about the existence of gloves. Ugh!!
(1)Chi L.
I love the atmosphere there. Very fresh, busy, and fun. I had a great time in there. We had teriyaki balls for appetizer, and delux o ramen for the main dish. We love the teriyaki balls, but not so much with the noodles. It attested quite okay to me, but wasn't so much for my friend. It did taste plain, but not that bad. The bowls were huge. It fed me up really fast. I love how the eggs cooked, it tasted delicious. Overall, I would recommend to some people.
(4)Amanda V.
My recommendation is the Ramon with chicken in spicy chicken broth with miso paste. It was full of flavor and perfect for a raining day.
(4)Damien F.
After living in Japan for 8 years and missing Ramen, I had to check this place out. To be honest, I've been here twice now, hoping the first time was a fluke, sadly, I have to say that it appears this is how they operate. I ordered the Deluxe Tonkotsu ramen this most recent trip.. looking forward to a great bowl of soup, I was saddened with what was placed in front of me.. The broth tasted watered down as other reviewers have mentioned.. (and sharing my first experience here).. noodles came from an instant yakisoba package, were overcooked and really didn't have the proper chewy texture that a true ramen noodle is supposed to have. Toppings were hit and miss.. In Japan, your bowl would be covered in several things, completely covering the broth and noodles.. lots of spring onion, sprouts, chashu, corn, egg, kamaboko, etc. O Ramen skimps on toppings, serving small pinches of each and charges 50 cents to 2.50 for assorted extra toppings. $1.00 for an extra half egg? Pickled ginger, really? Sodas on tap the first time I was here was not free refill.. This most recent time though they were giving free refills. Anybody with food allergies or sensitivities, make sure to talk to your server. I ordered my deluxe tonkotsu ramen without wood ear mushrooms. When my meal arrived it had mushrooms on top. I asked if they were wood ears, the waitress said no. When I ordered, the menu said nothing about any other mushroom in the soup yet the waitress told me to say No Mushroom next time... verifying with the menu pictured on this page, there were only wood ears and no other mushrooms listed in the dish... Gyoza (Chicken or vegetable only, no pork) was deep fried and not pan fried and steamed as typically done in Japan.. Dipping sauce was very good but served in a very tiny dish making it difficult to dip the deep fried dumplings unless you were cool with double dipping with your tablemates or cutting your dumplings in half with chopsticks... can be done but very difficult. The Gyoza tasted like they were purchased frozen.. definitely not house made.. Wait staff worked together to quickly address initial drinks and orders... Service was slow to refill drinks even though we were one of maybe 10 tables, of which only 2 or 3 tables were seated.
(2)Doug S.
Best Ramen I have ever had. I know Ramen pretty well and have eaten it all over the U.S. One place outside of Las Vegas was my favorite but it closed about 8 years ago. I have been searching ever since. Finally someone who knows how to prepare real Ramen. I will find every reason I can to come back to Albuquerque on business just for ORamen. Staff was great too.
(5)Cassidy L.
Been missing some ramen I had in Manhattan a few months ago. This wasn't close but it was good. I think the pork was a little too fatty. I liked e spicy tonkatsu but could have stood for a 5 rather than the 3 I went for. I enjoyed the vibe here and the originality/tradition factors this place brought. Would recommend to people who have never tried traditional ramen. Sadly, I will have to get my real fix back at Ippudo in Manhattan.
(3)Christopher K.
The ramen comes in good sized portions and is it die for. The pork was seasoned beautiful and tender. Was a nice place for a late lunch.
(5)Rachel K.
O baby, this place makes me happy. Three things I look for in a ramen place: fresh tasting meat, rich broth, and chewy (not fall apart, not tough) noodles. And this place nails all three. The tonkatsu shoyu ramen is my favorite, the broth is not quite as salty as the miso ramen and, in my opinion, with a greater depth of flavor. The noodles are spot on, requiring you to bite, but not really chew. And the pork is fatty, delicious heaven. I can't resist gilding the lily, so I always add nori and veggies, but the extras are not necessary. On a cold winter day, the food here is a like a nice warm hug for your belly. On top of the excellent product, the place feels like the best parts of a ramen house (very clean, spare Japanese decor, very fast service) without the downsides (like actively being shooed out the second you finish your food). This place is a great addition to the Central food scene.
(5)Diana H.
I visited O-Ramen for the first time a few weeks ago, after hearing multiple positive ratings from my close friends. I ordered the Deluxe Tonkatsu ramen, as well as the Takoyaki. As a native Californian who has eaten plenty of quality Japanese food, this restaurant was definitely comparative. Just to break down my review... Service: Excellent. I was immediately greeted upon walking inside, and was seated promptly. The waitress kindly explained the menu to me (though sadly, it's quite a minimal menu), and continuously checked in on my friend and I as we ate. The wait for food was not long at all (10 minutes tops), considering I was there in the evening, near dinner time. Food: The takoyaki was amazing. I cook takoyaki at home myself (because when I moved here to NM 4 years ago, I was unaware of any Japanese restaurants which sold such a dish). Their takoyaki was even better than mine! Crispy on the outside, and warm and fluffy on the inside, just how it should be. Be careful though, as it will burn your tongue if you eat it too quickly (learned this the hard way)! The ramen...hm, there were ups and downs. I loved the toppings and the miso soup that they used, but it was a bit plain. Nothing extraordinary. The ramen noodles were chewy and authentic, unlike instant ramen noodles, which was a plus. I'd still definitely recommend this place to anybody (especially UNM students, seeing as it is right across from campus)! You won't be disappointed -- and for the price, it was definitely worth trying. Will be coming back as soon as possible!
(4)Eric B.
The noodles are average at best, nothing special at all. Not sure they are alkaline at all. The broth is really lacking in flavor. Tonkatsu no thick or creamy. I read other reviews and now i see they "buy their soup base from California". Ugh. Sounds like something McDonalds would do.
(1)Lucas L.
First ramen place to come to albuquerque and I am so happy. It was quite delicious. This place is based on the Japanese Ramen Model, super fast and friendly service, and the pork was amazing. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS SO WE CAN GET MORE UNIQUE RESTAURANTS!!!!! The Japanese curry is amazing. I feel it is on par with kokoro. Eat the curry!!!!! I must have it at least once a week.
(5)Michael B.
I really enjoyed the ramen at this place. It's the closest thing we have in ABQ to authentic ramen joints that you find in major cities. I do have one suggestion for the owners (which I hope they're reading). Have an off-the-menu weekly special or two. The ramens that are on the menu seem to be mainly a variation of the same ramen soup base. As a result, there is not that much variety other than changing up the vegetables or the meat. I'd suggest getting creative with the specials so that people have a reason to come back more than about once a month (unless you like having the same ramen over and over again).
(4)Roland L.
The soup base is not "thick" enough. When I say "thick" it's missing the flavors I have experienced in great Ramen houses in CA. I hope they fix it. It's almost there.
(2)Ella C.
I found a peace of metal my noodle... Their appetizer is good thou.
(2)Issiah G.
Best ramen in abq...yes Best ramen in world.....no. We are expanding into other cultures even if it is slowly. . .
(4)Kai H.
Oh noodles, how I missed the ramen noodles. Thank you for opening a noodle place. I had the miso ramen with pork belly. I will see you during lunches in the next days with colleagues. We loved the red bean ice cream, too.
(5)Rita S.
Got the vegetarian ramen and potato croquette curry. The broth was not boring, as veggie soup bases can sometimes be. The curry was brown, savory and thick but not corn starchy. Delicious. Good service. We'll be back.
(5)Hector H.
The very best ramen house I've eaten at in Albuquerque. The employees are very friendly and don't mind indulging you in conversation. I had the spicy tonkotsu ramen (level 4) and it was divine - the flavors of the Thai chiles balanced nicely with the nutty/earthiness of the miso base. Definitely try the takoyaki! I'm excited to explore the rest of their menu.
(5)Brian J.
Oh its good...It's damn good!
(4)Kayla R.
I really wanted to love this place. The ramen was OK. Not bad but not rich and warming like you want your ramen to be. I had the shoyu ramen and the broth fell a little flat. This place will leave you satisfied but not craving more.
(3)Eugene D.
Noodles have good texture. Soup is hot and tasty! They stewed pork bones in their soups
(4)FatBoy H.
Having tried ramen in Japan, Vegas, and Taiwan, I think O ramen is just mediocre. Broth is the soul of ramen, the broth at o ramen was not flavorful, and its superficial, you can tell that there was too much water and its missing something. The egg and pork was cold when I got the ramen and was still quite cold after. Every ramen I tried, the pork always come included in the ramen, however, at o ramen, you Need to pay 2.50 extra for the pork, which was not expected. After all, o ramen has great atmosphere, the interior was similar to ramen shop in Japan, quite enjoyable. The ramen is decent. It was not the best ramen I ever had, and I think abq can do better.
(1)Amy C.
I've been to a couple of Ramen houses from Japan to California. My boyfriend and I were excited to try this place since we've been craving for ramen. Yes this Albuquerque, but the broth tastes diluted. Someone on this page says the soup isn't "thick" enough. I felt this too as I tried the soup. The soup was "too" watery, too diluted, not the ramen soup I've tasted. I ordered the Shoyu ramen and was highly disappointed in the broth. I'm a big fan of Shoyu ramen, and the soup didn't taste like soup, it tasted artificial and diluted, too much water. It was also too bitter. Next, I was disappointed that I had to pay extra for pork...because I only did receive three slices of pork? Which is from the additional toppings area. Most ramen houses I've been to already included pork. The next disappointing thing I experienced with this ramen I ordered was the pork I received... If pre-making your pork is the fastest way to serve, please do heat it for a longer period of time. I received my pork cold, as if it wasn't defrosted enough. The egg was also cold. In Japan, the ramen shops I've been to serve ramen very fast, but if you were to pre-make certain things, please do heat it up longer. The atmosphere is great! The restaurant does represent a Japanese ramen bar, however, I would improve on the broth, because that is the essential ingredient when it comes to ramen! Knowing this is Albuquerque, this is probably the best we got and it's a great experience for those who have never been to a ramen bar, but I hope in the future long run they will improve their broth and also be careful about the pork.
(2)min j.
5 stars for the effort. My wife and I traveled throughout Japan for 6 weeks and sampled Ramens across the island, a few are Michelin star rated. We also tried many down west coast. This is above average but remember, i am comparing this to many top end Ramen shops we had in the past 12 years. The soup base is very close to the real deal and the restaurant is a classical looks of a traditional ramen shop. Gyoza is a bit confusing since it is not pork based, but who says it had to be. We ate at the counter and watched the chef/owner does all his work. He knows what he is doing. I'm especially impressed with his knife work! Overall, this is Albuquerque so it is a five star. If it moves to Vancouver per se, maybe three. However, i'm loving it. A few really critical reviews are a bit puzzling. I'm not sure if the reviewers are comparing this restaurant to some New Mexican style restaurants in town or compare to some sushi joints.
(5)Justin W.
There are some days where you just can't beat a bowl of rich, savory broth. And for those days, there is O Ramen. My wife and I made the trek for a long lunch and were quite pleased. The atmosphere was nice and the ramen was very good. I am by no means an expert on Ramen so I cannot give a detailed analysis like I like to do with Pho, but overall, the flavors were all there and the broth was quite rich. I did make the mistake of getting the level-5 spicy. I could easily handle the heat, but on my bowl, the spice ecliplsed the broth flavor. However, my wife's was less hot and I could really get the flavors. They really give a nice amount of meat for the chicken one. I had the deluxe with three pieces of pork. Had I gotten the regular, I would have wanted more meat (but that's inexpensive). Our server was also very good. She thanked us for our patience as they are short-staffed today but honestly, we were none-the-wiser. It was completely fine. My only nit-picking comment would be that the eggs were a bit overcooked and then served cold for ramen but even that was really minor. We will absolutely be back. And next time, if we go for dinner, we'll try the Japanese beer they have which sounds better than the regular Japanese beers you see other places.
(5)Dave D.
I got my order to go as I had other places to be. The order came with the noodles and pork in a styrofoam container and the broth seperately in a plastic container. Unfortunately the location I was headed to didn't allow for me to put them together, so I ended up eating the noodles and pork seperately and ditching the broth. Even so, the food was still flavorful and I'm guessing that it would be much better if I would have eaten it in the manner it is supposed to be eaten. Next time I will dine in and update my review as necessary.
(3)Brian M.
I apologize in advance for my snootiness but after recently being to Japan and trying many bowls of ramen there I will be rating this, and other ramen shops, on their authenticity. My wife and I were actually on the way to another restaurant when we stumbled upon O Ramen and knew we had to change course and have lunch here instead. The atmosphere when you walk is pretty darn close a ramen shop in Japan! The only difference is that O Ramen was perhaps more modern than the authentic shops, nothing wrong with that though. The service here was top notch, it could not have been better. We were seated right away and within a few minutes we had our drink orders taken and I had a delicious Japanese beer in front of me in no time. I got the Aooni IPA from Nagano, Japan and it was really good! A fair price too for an import. For the ramen, my wife and I both got the Deluxe O Ramen with pork. It came out and looked delicious, a very fair representation of the Japanese cuisine. You can taste the "American" in it, though. I can't think of a better way to explain it other than a slightly different taste where you can tell you're in America. The meat and noodles tasted great though and the miso soup was just the right amount of spicy. I got the "4" level of spiciness. We also got an appetizer, the gyoza with chicken. This was also quite tasty but had an egg roll type of taste to it, whereas the authentic Japanese gyoza does not. To finish this review off, I would highly suggest this place and I will be back! The few differences in taste are understandable and if you ever have the opportunity to visit Japan you'll know what I'm talking about
(4)Laura A.
I had high hopes, but O Ramen doesn't have a ton of options for vegetarians. We tried the vegetable ramen and the tofu ramen, which came with 4 pieces of their breaded and deep fried salt and pepper tofu. I think this is meant to stand in for the breaded pork cutlet in their (tonkatsu) meaty ramen. I wasnt a fan of the deep fried tofu (their gyoza appetizer was also deep fried). They did have fantastic service and reasonable prices. The noodles are fresh and delicious. The veggies are nice. But the vegetarian broth is reminiscent of the Oriental flavor of Maruchan ramen. Overall, O Ramen is a great addition to ABQ dining, but I'm going to keep looking for better vegetarian ramen.
(3)Andy D.
When we arrived in ABQ, we needed a quick place to eat. We saw the awesome reviews on Yelp and decided on this place. The restaurant is across from UNM. It is an OK area, but nothing like Nob Hill or Old Town. The staff was friendly, and the food came quickly. Most of our party ordered the chicken ramen. It was a huge hearty bowl of clear broth, fried chicken breast with panko breading, and seaweed and shredded pickled ginger. It was really good. Others also ordered the Deluxe o Ramen, which was the traditional ramen broth, pork belly, and assorted vegetables. I didn't care for it, but the person who got it loved it. My only complaint is that it is expensive for what it is. Yes, it is way higher quality than 18¢ Top Ramen, but I don't think $8.50 a bowl is warranted. Also, the beers were very expensive, at a price of $6. It was imported from Japan, but still. In a place overpopulated by New Mexican restaurants, this is a nice (albeit expensive) respite.
(4)Carsten D.
This place is awesome!!! The atmosphere is relaxed, nice ambiance, and the servers were very attentive. Had the miso soup level 5. At first, I was a little disappointed by the heat. But as I continued, it started creeping up as the flavors started to meld together. By the time I was done, I was smiling with a numb mouth, wiping my brow with a severely damped napkin. But I still took it down LIKE A CHAMP!!! Excellent place, excellent food, and excellent price.
(5)Alex R.
I would love to have eaten at O Ramen, but unfortunately after I nagged my husband over and over to give it a try, we sat in the restaurant for well over five minutes without anyone so much as acknowledging our presence. The place was practically empty and the waitstaff was fidgeting with and arguing over money at the cash register, less than a foot from where we sat at the bar. It was clear that they were worked up over something, but a simple "We'll be right with you." Could have saved the experience. I had high hopes for an authentic Japanese noodle experience in Albuquerque, Such a disappointment.
(1)Dennis M.
This place was great. I was in town on business and checked here for something different. I've been wanting to try a ramen place and this one did not disappoint. I am a beginner ramen eater (not packaged), so the owner spent time to explain it all to me. I did sit at the bar as he was preparing chicken. Anyway he steered me toward a "beginner" ramen. I the Deluxe Chicken Ramen Shoyu with spice at a 3. The broth was very tasty and left an nice burn in the mouth. The chicken was cooked well and kept a crispy texture the entire time but soaked up the juice. The noodles were cooked perfect. The atmosphere was great but sitting at the bar always adds to it because I like to talk to the cooks. Staff was friendly and helpful in ordering suggestions. I will be back the next time in the Duke city!!
(5)Audrey J.
This place is delicious! I've admittedly never had authentic ramen before so I don't have anything to compare this to, but I have sure enjoyed the two times I have been to O Ramen. The takoyaki ball appetizer was very good, but the octopus was a bit rubbery, so I'm guessing a bit overcooked. I got the shoyu ramen with level 2 heat and it was perfect for me. Keep in mind that all of the ramen bowls come with one slice of pork, a half an egg and garnish. That wasn't clear to me until I asked - I initially thought only the deluxe came with those. The second time I went, I got an extra egg because it was SO good the first time! The extra egg comes cold, so you'll want to add it to your ramen early so it warms up. Bryan got the miso ramen and loved it. I tasted it and it was good, but a little too sweet for me. I liked the saltiness of the shoyu better. All in all, very good. I will be back!
(4)Sarah N.
This isn't your college ramen! Classic Japanese Ramon served fresh to order. Best Japanese curry in town. Everything is prepared fresh and plated beautifully.
(4)Liz Z.
I've been searching hard for ramen in Albuquerque after recently visiting Japan. This place reminded me of the cool ramen shops in Tokyo and it was super tasty. I got the Deluxe O Ramen and chicken gyoza--a satisfying lunch!
(4)Allison B.
My husband lived in Japan for a few years, and we are both big fans of making ramen and Japanese curry at home. He ordered the chicken curry, I had chicken ramen, and we shared the Takoyaki. We also enjoyed 2 of their $6 beers which were both good. I'll start with the curry. It was good but it wasn't great, and unfortunately our only comparisons are actual Japan and Coco's in both Japan and California. This was my first time ordering ramen in a restaurant, I wasn't impressed. The chicken wasn't seasoned, and the vegetables were more like garnish. As others have mentioned I would also have to agree, the broth was a bit bland which was fixed with some Sriracha. The takoyaki was good, but I wouldn't order it again. We both felt the batter was lacking in texture and crispiness. The atmosphere is great, reminded me a lot of a sushi restaurant in LA. It's great to have this as an option in Albuquerque, but we'll probably stick to making our own ramen and Japanese curry at home.
(3)Hanno R.
The vegetarian tofu ramen I had was very good. Nice atmosphere, prompt service and good prices. A good ramen place with nothing to complain about.
(5)Daniel M.
Delicious! First time at this establishment and will definitely be returning. Had the level four spicy ramen bowl, very savory and spiciness didn't mask the flavor. Girlfriend ordered the Edamame as an appetizer and it was out in less than no time. Service was very friendly and all for less than $10 a person.
(4)Levi M.
First time there yesterday. Second time there today. So good. Been looking for a solid ramen place in ABQ forever. Glad we've finally got one.
(5)Annie J.
O Ramen serves a fun variety of ramen which is about as authentic as what I had while traveling through Tokyo, Kyoto and Takayama and beyond while in Japan a few months ago. It's flavorful and a perfect presentation each time I go there. I love their Deluxe O Ramen, because it comes with pork and a nice variety of vegetables, including nori. I recently tried their local-centric ramen, like green chile ramen, and it's as fun and spicy as it sounds. Their ramen noodles are cooked just as you would expect in the U.S. I wish they were closer to al dente, making them a bit firmer, just like we had them at several different ramen houses in Japan. This is the only reason I've knocked off one star to this review. It is something O Ramen can improve on easily. Beyond that little foible, if you want good ramen, come here. This is the only official ramen house in Albuquerque. You can get ramen at a couple of other places, and they are quite comparable. The added perks for O Ramen are that they are in a great location in the UNM area, and you get to enjoy your meal in a very hip atmosphere. The owners of O Ramen have great taste in their interior design, too. You'll feel like you're in a big city.
(4)Howie K.
The best ramen I've ever devoured was in midtown Manhattan, several shops, packed to the gills every power lunch hour weaving suits in and out, in and out, for bowls that filled tummies but didn't weigh 'em down. Upon the echelon of truly flavorful, fast, foreign lunching options, ramen ranks near the very top for me. The sneaky thing about the authentic stuff is that, while it's dished up in a heartbeat, hours or even days go into the preparation. At O Ramen you're getting broth that's been soaking in salivating proteins forever, it's almost a solid, and meats that have been seasoned and sliced with absolute precision. The noodles must be handmade as well. This place nails every dimension. Which isn't to say this place offers the gamut of delights you'll find in other brothels. I've seen more creative options elsewhere, various seafood, vegan and carnivorous additions that brighten and enlighten the everyday cuppa soup. I tried the Deluxe, and I'll state that every single ingredient was absolutely on point, I truly loved the chashu pork and thought the cold, marinated hard boiled egg fit the composition beautifully. The ambiance fits the bill, too, small tables slightly crammed together, the way it's supposed to be, chopsticks competing for elbow room. It's always nice to experience authenticity in ABQ, and in my limited experience, this place owns it. Such a welcome addition to UNM.
(5)Chris S.
A group of 6 of us came to check out this new place. I'm desperately trying to find good Japanese curry since Kokoro closed. 4 people got the various Raman noodles soups. One got the level 4 spice in their soup, which was definitely spicy but still good. One had even got the extra noodles which made for having extra to take home. I got the chicken curry. The chicken is fried with panko and was so omits and delicious. The curry wasn't as good as Kokoro, but definitely good. I'm definitely a fan!! I even order 1 to-go to have for lunch the next day :-) FYI - there is parking in the rear.
(4)Yinan W.
We don't get too many chances to have ramen in a place that's so focused on green chile, so I'm happy there's finally a decent ramen restaurant! It's a tiny space but has a hip and young ambiance along with a friendly staff. Be prepared to wait if you're going with a large group. Parking is behind the restaurant. Quality food at fair prices. I understand it probably doesn't compare to ramen from Japan or California, but we'll take what we can get in the desert. Takoyaki balls are delicious as is the Deluxe Ramen. You will feel full but not heavy - hooray!
(4)Jenny J.
The ramen was very good, flavorful, fresh and reasonable fast. I miss the curry at Kokoro.Of Japanese restaurant currently open in Albuquerque, I think Gen Kai does a better curry than O Ramen. Parking is a bit of a pain in the University area. Service was friendly and efficient..
(4)Natalie F.
pretty darn good. a little quiet for a saturday night, but we enjoyed the peace and quiet. An easy walk from the UNM campus.A very small place but nice feel to it. Server had to ask to come back to ask a few extra questions but it was his first night, so the FOH and kitchen maybe be still working out a system as the place is new. Really enjoyed the veggie ramen bowl. Crispy tofu was served to the side to retain ultimate crispiness and soak up broth flavor on a per bite basis! noodles were tasty, portions were good for the price (about $40 for dinner for two with appetizer and large sake). Yup, they serve sake too which was a plus. I was not a fan of the squid balls appetizer though, probably because fresh squid is a bit hard to find in the high desert.... In any case I will certainly try again.
(4)David J.
I'm not a ramen expert but the ramen just seemed ok. The noodles were a little overdone and the pork was over half fat but the vegetable gyoza was tasty and the waitstaff were friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were clean.
(3)Sarah H.
Very friendly staff, great atmosphere with big windows and an open kitchen, and wonderful spicy tofu ramen.
(4)Wrayy C.
Love this place the first time I stepped into the building. It looked like a usual ramen shops back in Cali. Ordered takoyaki.. VERY BOMB! And got the ramen deluxe which almost had everything to make a ramen eating experience worth great! Soup was so delish! The soup wasn't that salty so that's a plus! We ordered dessert.. Omg the cutest dessert I have ever seen. " mint pot" that's what's it called. It looks like a plant in a pot. But it's actually green tea ice cream (my fav) with Oreo crumbs on top of it. A mint leave on the Oreo crumbs ah! It's perfect and so cute. I recommend this place. Even if there's a huge line, wait for it!
(5)Kate M.
The broth is not as flavorful as I thought it would be, and the pork they use is just a big strip of fat with no flavor. The pork was very rubbery. Pot stickers were decent. I think Kokoro is a much better Japanese restaurant.
(3)Donald B.
It does not get much more authentic than this! Rich and flavorful broth, tender pork belly and perfectly cooked noodles make this my new favorite place in the UNM/Nob Hill area! They cook the broth for 18 hours! It is awesome!
(5)Sandra K.
We were impressed by the lack of hand hygiene. A kid handling food, wiping his hands with a dirty rag over and over. I wonder if they are aware about the existence of gloves. Ugh!!
(1)Josh H.
I enjoyed the Ramen here. The location is great and this seems like a place that would make a great lunch stop. If my wife likes this place, well I cannot disagree with her.. now can I? I will go back and try more of the dishes that are available. I will then commence with better tips on the selections. Peace and love..
(4)Victoria G.
The appetizers are quite delicious as is the broth of the ramen. I ordered the spicy miso level 4. I did not find it spicy at all. I grew up eating Korean style ramen which is a more seafood type broth so the miso broth was different than I expected. It was very good however I can't really say I'll go back all the time. If you like miso this place is great.
(4)Holly C.
We were pretty thrilled to find a Ramen place in Albuquerque, after falling in love with it in New York. This place isn't exactly New York/Japan ramen, but it's pretty good! In particular, the cuts of pork they used aren't the super high-quality cuts we're seen elsewhere, but it's still probably the best in this part of the country, and it's a nice atmosphere with great service.
(3)Rissa R.
Ordered the Tonkotsu Spicy Miso Ramen with extra chashu. It was okay. My only complaint was the broth lacked richness and creamy color that is typical tonkotsu broth. Also they used Thai chilies (resulting in pops of spicy bitterness) to add spice instead of a spicy miso paste which would give a smooth more consistent spicy flavor. Please work on the broth. The broth is everything when it comes to a good bowl of ramen! All in all, it's good start for ABQ's first ramen joint.
(2)Edward M.
Found this place quite easily. Limited parking on the street. Greeted & welcomed immediately. Sat at the counter & able to watch food prep. The service was very quick & courteous. I chose the chicken ramen w the 3/5 hot spice. The dish was awesome & well worth the visit. The chicken pieces were quite large as was the bowl to my surprise with the mixtures of vegetables thrown in. I highly recommend "O Ramen" on Central.
(5)Michelle H.
I've driven by O Ramen often, but just never stopped in. When I finally stopped in this week, I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered the Chicken Ramen. The broth was delicious, the panko crusted chicken cutlet was extra crispy, the noodles nicely cooked. The serving was huge, the meal hearty, and I had leftovers for the next day. I only wish I would have visited sooner!
(5)J L.
Very good, consistent flavor. Some of the best ramen I've found outside of CA or Japan!
(4)Trevor R.
We had the chicken ramen and the tofu curry. Both were quite tasty. The ramen broth was much more than just chicken stock. It had lots of flavor and the portion size was generous. The chicken was sliced pieces of donkatsu-style breast meat, but the coating didn't get soggy in the broth. The ramen also had various additions which made it interesting. The tofu curry was flavorful. Perhaps not quite as good as the curry at Kokoro (sniff), but still good nonetheless. Service was friendly and efficient. I wouldn't mind if they had a bigger selection of beverages.
(4)Patrick R.
Good ramen and not just by Albuquerque standards. They have takoyaki, this is the only place in this state that has it. It's not the best takoyaki, its actually not even that good, but they've got it and that's all I really care about right now.
(4)Scott D.
Excellent food and service. Every time in here the food is great. The delux ramen with spice level 3 is perfect for those who like flavor without burning your lips or pallet. Prices are great for the quality and amount of food.
(5)Caitlin O.
I've returned to O several times, and they have definitely won me over. I'm beyond excited for their plans to serve beer and stay open late. Keep up the great work, y'all! What I want to see is a vegetarian ramen that has a nice fatty, supple broth. The existing broth is definitely tasty, but I'm missing out on the indulgent richness my pork-eating friends are getting.
(4)mark g.
This is not the Ramen my friend, Jeff, ate while he was incarcerated (he was a drug - addicted, residential burglar. Get off his nuts. He served his time). Anyways, super (get it?) food. Awesome service. Fun atmosphere. Reasonably priced - 24 for 2 includes tip.
(5)Melinda P.
Joined a friend of mine here for lunch after I saw her photo and posting on facebook. I was excited because the chicken ramen looked so great in the photo. Wish there had been more veggies, and I could have added veggies for additional price. Broth was good, but a little too rich for my experience in ramen. Service was excellent, wish the servers hadn't kept coming over to take my bowl when I was still working (slowly) on eating my dish. Parking meter out front is non-operational for over a month, so park curb side at your own risk. Pricing was a-ok.
(3)Tyler M.
Came in for lunch based on the reviews and a recommendation. Good service. Pretty fast service as well. The gyoza tasted somewhat bland, not home made from what I can tell. I ordered the Tonkatsu Shoyu ramen. The broth was bland, and very watery. Not the usual creamy consistency I am used to. The pork belly was served cold, this too was near flavorless. My wife had ordered the Tonkatsu Miso level 3 spicy. Tasting hers the only real difference was that her broth now tasted like the chili paste they add for spice. Again very bland. So for ramen dare I say it's almost taster to snag a good bowl of Menraku instant ramen and make it at home. If you want, in my opinion the best authentic tasting ramen in town hit up Kokoro.
(2)Ling Tzu W.
I like it here. I probably don't come here as often as Gen Kai but I like it here. This restaurant has the atmosphere and the service is great. I usually order the Tonkatsu Shoyu Ramen and I like the heavy flavor of the broth as well as the pork belly cooked in there. Not only they have ramen, but they also have japanese curry and there are many places in Albuquerque that serves these two things anymore. Their appetizer, Takoyaki balls are also amazing. Overall, I like this place and I would recommend anyone who wants to try Ramen or are trying to find a good Ramen place to come here.
(5)Jennifer L.
Nice, clean, fun place to get Ramen in ABQ. Close to UNM, and reasonably priced too. Orders are usually ready in about five minutes. Pieces of ginger, wood ear, egg, and small veggies accompany the soups. You can customize the spiciness level. My favorite is the chicken ramen. No MSG used here. I know because I don't get superthirsty afterward like I do at places that put MSG in their broth.
(4)Meredith W.
I went to O Ramen for the first time about a week ago and had an extremely satisfying lunch. I ordered the chicken ramen with a level 4 spicy miso broth and, it was so flavorful and the portion quite generous. The chicken was perfectly cooked and there was a lot of it in the soup. It also stayed crispy for a good while even while sitting in broth. My husband got the deluxe and he seemed to like it, although he was unhappy with his level 5 spice. He said the spice overpowered all the the other flavors. We also started with the takoyaki which were piping hot and gooey inside. Just like takoyaki should be! Overall this was a delicious meal and I look forward to my next visit. I'm so happy to have such a high quality ramen place nearby!
(5)Casey C.
This is honestly the best ramen I've ever had in America and I'm including all the ramen I've had in Los Angeles. There's nothing like a steaming hot bowl of ramen to just make any day fantastic. The broth was like a beautiful, rich, pig nectar. I will not only go here in the future, but will bring anyone I can here. :) Sadly, the previous statement was based on an experience there a couple weeks ago and since then the quality has seemed to decline. I just went there tonight and the broth was only half as strong as it was last time. I also got very little broth for all the noodles in my bowl...bummer.
(3)Ricky H.
Okay, so this is definitely not the BEST ramen house that I have been to (ABQ is not Los Angeles and New York City), BUT! It is, hands down, the best thing going on in Albuquerque. I stopped in yesterday to try it, since I've been complaining about the lack of ramen in ABQ for, you know, EVER, and was not disappointed. I started with a hot tea (which I think was genmai-cha, but didn't ask) and settled on my entree. I ordered the "O Deluxe" and was really pleased with what came out: a big bowl of porky broth that was rich, but light, ladled over soft egg noodles and a pile of toppings, including bamboo shoots, woodear mushrooms, ginger, scallions, a medium boiled egg, and three strips of pork belly. I could have taken an egg cooked a bit less, and maybe used more of a sear on the pork belly, caramelizing the fat just a little more to bring out that depth of flavor, but WHATEVER. Details. It was still a great meal for ten bucks. They don't have any desert options yet, but! The chef was super nice, and brought out a small dish of red bean and green tea ice cream when he heard me ask the server if they had anything sweet. That move alone would bring me back for another meal, but they fact that O Ramen House serves a really great bowl of ramen? Yes, please.
(5)Stephanie S.
Loved the food! The appetizer balls (can't remember their name) were tasty and different. We had three styles of ramen and all were yummy! I can't wait to go back and try more! Our server was friendly and helpful. Their prices are surprisingly cheap.
(5)Taiki G.
I'm from a Japanese family so we eat ramen all the time and I have also traveled to Japan where I had ramen. So with that being said this place is pretty damn good even for being from Albuquerque, NM. Broth and noodles are good nothing to strong but still good flavor. One suggestion I would have for them is for them to incorporate rice dishes like Chicken Katsu or Tonkatsu since they have those choices for ramen, overall great experience, if you're looking for a good ramen place this is absolutely the place
(4)Damien F.
After living in Japan for 8 years and missing Ramen, I had to check this place out. To be honest, I've been here twice now, hoping the first time was a fluke, sadly, I have to say that it appears this is how they operate. I ordered the Deluxe Tonkotsu ramen this most recent trip.. looking forward to a great bowl of soup, I was saddened with what was placed in front of me.. The broth tasted watered down as other reviewers have mentioned.. (and sharing my first experience here).. noodles came from an instant yakisoba package, were overcooked and really didn't have the proper chewy texture that a true ramen noodle is supposed to have. Toppings were hit and miss.. In Japan, your bowl would be covered in several things, completely covering the broth and noodles.. lots of spring onion, sprouts, chashu, corn, egg, kamaboko, etc. O Ramen skimps on toppings, serving small pinches of each and charges 50 cents to 2.50 for assorted extra toppings. $1.00 for an extra half egg? Pickled ginger, really? Sodas on tap the first time I was here was not free refill.. This most recent time though they were giving free refills. Anybody with food allergies or sensitivities, make sure to talk to your server. I ordered my deluxe tonkotsu ramen without wood ear mushrooms. When my meal arrived it had mushrooms on top. I asked if they were wood ears, the waitress said no. When I ordered, the menu said nothing about any other mushroom in the soup yet the waitress told me to say No Mushroom next time... verifying with the menu pictured on this page, there were only wood ears and no other mushrooms listed in the dish... Gyoza (Chicken or vegetable only, no pork) was deep fried and not pan fried and steamed as typically done in Japan.. Dipping sauce was very good but served in a very tiny dish making it difficult to dip the deep fried dumplings unless you were cool with double dipping with your tablemates or cutting your dumplings in half with chopsticks... can be done but very difficult. The Gyoza tasted like they were purchased frozen.. definitely not house made.. Wait staff worked together to quickly address initial drinks and orders... Service was slow to refill drinks even though we were one of maybe 10 tables, of which only 2 or 3 tables were seated.
(2)Doug S.
Best Ramen I have ever had. I know Ramen pretty well and have eaten it all over the U.S. One place outside of Las Vegas was my favorite but it closed about 8 years ago. I have been searching ever since. Finally someone who knows how to prepare real Ramen. I will find every reason I can to come back to Albuquerque on business just for ORamen. Staff was great too.
(5)Cassidy L.
Been missing some ramen I had in Manhattan a few months ago. This wasn't close but it was good. I think the pork was a little too fatty. I liked e spicy tonkatsu but could have stood for a 5 rather than the 3 I went for. I enjoyed the vibe here and the originality/tradition factors this place brought. Would recommend to people who have never tried traditional ramen. Sadly, I will have to get my real fix back at Ippudo in Manhattan.
(3)Christopher K.
The ramen comes in good sized portions and is it die for. The pork was seasoned beautiful and tender. Was a nice place for a late lunch.
(5)Rachel K.
O baby, this place makes me happy. Three things I look for in a ramen place: fresh tasting meat, rich broth, and chewy (not fall apart, not tough) noodles. And this place nails all three. The tonkatsu shoyu ramen is my favorite, the broth is not quite as salty as the miso ramen and, in my opinion, with a greater depth of flavor. The noodles are spot on, requiring you to bite, but not really chew. And the pork is fatty, delicious heaven. I can't resist gilding the lily, so I always add nori and veggies, but the extras are not necessary. On a cold winter day, the food here is a like a nice warm hug for your belly. On top of the excellent product, the place feels like the best parts of a ramen house (very clean, spare Japanese decor, very fast service) without the downsides (like actively being shooed out the second you finish your food). This place is a great addition to the Central food scene.
(5)