Menya Ultra
Kearny Mesa / Mira Mesa / UTC, San Diego, CA
tonkotsu- Michelin Guide California (date not confirmed): Selected restaurant 2021-2025; winner Tokyo Ramen Show [claim wording not independently matched]
Ramen in California.
Every pick below links to the source that named it.
Ramen & Tsukemen TAO
10488 Valley View St, Buena Park, CA
tonkotsutsukemen- Michelin Guide California (date not confirmed): Bib Gourmand consecutively since 2022; broth over 40 hours [claim wording not independently matched]
Ramen Gaijin
Sebastopol, CA
seasonal regional Japanese- Michelin Guide California (date not confirmed): Bib Gourmand recipient; house-made rye noodles, locally foraged ingredients [claim wording not independently matched]
- Yelp/Web search 2026 (2026-10): Currently open, operating since 2014, Bib Gourmand kept in 2026 [claim wording not independently matched]
Kurotaka Ramen
Fresno, Fresno, CA
- Yahoo News / Yelp (2024-04): Top ramen spot in Fresno at 4.7 stars [claim wording not independently matched]
Afuri Ramen
688 Mateo St, Arts District, Los Angeles, CA
yuzu shio- The Infatuation Los Angeles (2022-01): Light, acidic broth unlike any version that's ever made its way to LA
Daikokuya
327 E 1st St, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA
tonkotsu- The Infatuation Los Angeles (2022-01): The mother of LA ramen and still holds up
Silverlake Ramen
2927 W Sunset Blvd, Silver Lake (+ multiple locations), Los Angeles, CA
tonkotsuspicy tonkotsu- The Infatuation Los Angeles (2022-01): Some of the best ramen in town; expanded NoHo and Downey 2024 [claim wording not independently matched]
Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle
2057 Sawtelle Blvd (temporary locations during renovation), Los Angeles, CA
tsukementonkotsu- The Infatuation Los Angeles (2022-01): Does the best tsukemen-style ramen this side of the Pacific
Marufuku Ramen
4828 Telegraph Ave, Temescal, Oakland, CA
tonkotsu- East Bay Express (2018-05): New Oakland Ramen Royalty; authentic Hakata-style [claim wording not independently matched]
Ramen Shop
5812 College Ave, Rockridge, Oakland, CA
seasonal- SF Chronicle (2014-05): Chez Panisse alumni; highbrow ramen with house-made noodles
- Timeout SF (2015-09): Highbrow ramen at its best; $16-$18 bowls
Umami Ramen
187 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 160, Folsom, Sacramento, CA
tonkotsu- Yahoo News / Sacramento Bee (2024): Umami Ramen Folsom ranked #9 on Yelp Top 100 California, highest Sacramento-area shop [claim wording not independently matched]
Baikohken
690 University Ave, Hillcrest, San Diego, CA
- Local food coverage (2025-06): Newcomer opened March 2024, worth going out of your way for [claim wording not independently matched]
- San Diego Magazine (2024): Michelin-recognized Baikohken opens in Hillcrest, first mainland US location [claim wording not independently matched]
Menya Ultra
Kearny Mesa / Mira Mesa / UTC, San Diego, CA
tonkotsu- Michelin Guide California (date not confirmed): Michelin selected 2021-2025; top 5 ramen in US per Eater [claim wording not independently matched]
RakiRaki Ramen & Tsukemen
4646 Convoy St, Kearny Mesa, San Diego, CA
tonkotsutsukemen- San Diego Magazine (2017): Best Ramen and Best Asian Fusion winner 2024 [claim wording not independently matched]
Hinodeya Ramen Bar
1737 Buchanan St, Japantown, San Francisco, CA
dashimisovegan- The Infatuation San Francisco (2022-11): Known for ramen with dashi broth; expect a wait
Marufuku Ramen
1581 Webster St Ste 235, Japantown, San Francisco, CA
tonkotsu- The Infatuation San Francisco (2022-11): Nails the art of Hakata-style ramen; lines out the door
Mensho Tokyo
676 Geary St, Tenderloin, San Francisco, CA
toripaitanduck matcha- The Infatuation San Francisco (2022-11): Makes the best ramen in SF
Nojo Ramen Tavern
231 Franklin St, Hayes Valley, San Francisco, CA
chicken paitan- SF Chronicle Hayes Valley guide (2024): Lists Nojo with description of chicken paitan-based broth (confirmed via web search) [claim wording not independently matched]
Taishoken
665 Valencia St, Mission, San Francisco, CA
tsukemen- The Infatuation San Francisco (2022-11): Bowls of rich tsukemen are the stars
- SF Chronicle (2022-08): $35 lobster ramen; upscale 50-seat dining room
Menya Kobo Japantown
Japantown, San Jose, San Jose, CA
tonkotsu- Local coverage (2026-07): Twenty-hour tonkotsu; no second-best bowl in this city