Address: | 3378 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA |
Phone: | +1 415-967-2636 |
Site: | eatkenkenramen.com |
Rating: | 4 |
Working: | 11:30AM–3:30PM 11:30AM–3:30PM 11:30AM–3:30PM 11:30AM–3:30PM 11:30AM–3:30PM 11:30AM–3:30PM 12–3:30PM |
WA
Walter Macalma
The high prices here are what pay for Barbis extravagant lifestyle. This isnt sushi where a pricing increase can be expected, almost all ingredients can be sourced here, so why the high prices. IDK. I had high hopes because I thought that since the owner lived in Japan and opened up a classic food restaurant with simply a modern design it would bring the high class glory this golden or milky broth deserves. I came here twice on two separate trips and had inconsistency in the noodles, overcooked, undercooked. The broth on my tonkatsu was warm, but the broth on my miso was scalding and nuked my egg. Shoyu was rich in flavor and saltier than about any other ramen Ive ever had. Whats strange is they are popular with vegetarians, but most vegetarians are also conscious of their sodium and unless you take salt tabs like me for cycling might find this incompatible with your diet, so be fair warned. Tip: Tonkatsu broth is served Wednesdays while all other are available every day. The quality of the noodles is undeniable, about as uniform in shape and texture as youll find back in Tokyo and although its finished in the broth it should still take on just a little flavor. If overcooked they fall apart of it the broth is too hot, the same. Undercooked they overstarch. The décor is cool, not too fancy or fusion. I do like the limited menu and trying to stay authentic, but what gets me is the fact that in some situations its double what I pay with conversion. Parking sucks because its in the Mission and the hours suck to sober up here, just dinnertime hours. Its not the usual hole in the wall, cheap, authentic, ethnic food youd hope for. Kirimachi, Hisago are better imo despite having somewhat expensive ramen as well.
PA
Paul Volk
Do you like salt? No ... do you LOVE salt?! If so, then Ken Ken is the place for you! To start, this place is cute. The decor is fun and hip, and the bathroom is literally a jungle. Its cool and I want to spend time here. Thats if I have the illustrious opportunity to order food, from such a distinguished dining establishment. Sarcasm aside, let me explain: My party sat down at a table for 4 (half bench, half chairs) and I (the 5th) showed up 15 mins late, of course. Upon coming in and identifying my already seated party to the hostess, I was told I would have to wait for my own table. Really? My own table? I proceeded to show the hostess that I could easily sit on the bench side of the table without obstructing other tables. I was then informed that if I wanted to sit at that table, I could not order food. After about 10 minutes of discussion and checking with the rest of the wait staff I was informed by the hostess, that I could, in fact, order food. Food? At a restaurant? What a treat!! What a treat indeed, a very salty treat. I actually liked my ramen the best (it was the spicy special with ground pork). It was easily the best ramen at the table while others could not finish theirs because the broth was so salty. However, my ramen perfectly complimented my hangover sodium deficiency and set me on the right path. After many uncomfortable glares from the hostess throughout the meal I decided it was time to go. I really want to like this place, but given my experience I simply cannot recommend it to anyone.
LA
Laura Tang
SAAAAAALLLTY. I think the waitstaff knows because they keep walking around with carafes of water. I had the miso ramen and it was my least favorite behind the shoyu ramen and the special ramen of the day in that order. I cant remember what was in the special ramen exactly. I think it was a mix of reddish and traditional broth. On top of mediocre ramen, the hostess was RUDE and unwelcoming. She kept glaring at us because one of our friends showed up late and she kept insisting that "there wasnt enough space." We had bench seating against the wall so they didnt even have to pull up an extra chair and we werent blocking anybody else. When we asked for an extra menu and utensils for our friend, the waitstaff refused us. They said that they couldnt serve him because they were told that "there wasnt enough space." Finally, the hostess approached our table (we had talked to her earlier to no avail) and *allowed* our friend to have a menu and eat. On the upside, the decor of this place is cute. Now just add a bucket of water to each pot of broth, and a dash of customer service skills, and maybe this place wont be so dehydrating.
AJ
Aj Cartas
One of the greatest aesthetic in a restaurant atmosphere! Their food was a good 3.5 based on what my friend and I ordered. My friend has been raving about their egg covered in fried bacon so I decided we should go try it. We came in and honestly, I wouldve complained because it was hella dark, but it supplemented the decorations. We ordered the fried egg and fried chicken. Of course, we wanted to get home as soon as possible because it was a new episode of How To Get Away With Murder. We literally waited about 20 minutes which was ridiculous. Finally got our order and went home. The first thing I ate was the fried chicken. I thought it was gonna have bones in it but it didnt, thank God! It definitely tasted better when I squeezed a lemon in it and dipped it in the sauce it came with. Fried chicken was delicious! The fried egg that my friend was crazy about was okay... It wasnt what I was expecting. I was thinking an egg deep fried. Honestly, Id love to come back here and try their well-reviewed ramen. I was told it was mediocre but Id like to be the judge of that.
CA
Catherine Chang
I probably guzzled a gallon of water after eating at this place. Everything was way too salty! Came here because I was charmed by the lanterns and the cozy looking decor but overall a big disappointment. I ordered the tonkatsu ramen (apparently only served on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and knew it was not for me the moment I took my first bite. The noodles were stale, thin, and undercooked (no, not al dente, I really do mean undercooked). The chasu was ok but on the dry side. Oh and that egg! That soft boiled egg was supposed to be the redeeming part of the whole meal! Yes, it was cooked just the right amount of time so that the yolk was runny but man was it salty! It tasted like it took a month-long bath in soy sauce! The fried tofu appetizer was equally disappointing. It was bland. Wheres all the sauce and the the quivering katsuobushi sprinkled on top? The karage here was the only dish I enjoyed but was really nothing special. Conclusion: I will not be returning again.
TA
Tamara Farhat
Cute ramen shop tucked in the side streets of San Francisco. You can easily miss it if while passing by. Staff was very friendly, and the service was fast. The smell was absolutely delicious, so we were expected some good ramen. But it wasnt the case.The ramen here was average. I had the miso my hubby had Shoyu, both were average tasting. There was wayyy to much topings, not the good ones, I mean bean sprouts or greens. I had almost more bean sprouts than noodles! The ramen portion is on the smaller size compared to others. The both wasnt too flavorful, the pork was cold and there was no hint of bbq in it. The egg though was outstanding. Runny and delicious. Other than that just another hot bowl of ramen.