Ramen Ryoma Beaverton — Restaurant in Beaverton

Tucked away in a modest business plaza in Portland, Oregon, Ryoma Ramen finds itself neighboring a curious "Japanese" market—though its Hawaiian influences suggest a unique cultural fusion. The restaurant offers a cozy, unassuming ambience that pairs well with its approachable menu, but can Ryoma captivate the discerning palate of a ramen enthusiast? I ventured to find out.

After being welcomed by the attentive waitress, I had already made up my mind: the Corn Butter Ramen with miso broth, along with a beer to pair. At first glance, I was intrigued by the ordering system for beer, allowing diners to pick a size that suits their mood. A small touch, but one that speaks to thoughtful service. I will admit that I was a little perplexed by the naming convention of the ramen; in Japan, this dish is typically called "Butter Corn Ramen," a detail that might strike traditionalists as odd—but ultimately, that's cosmetic.

The food arrived promptly, starting with the beer followed by the steaming bowl of ramen. Visually, the presentation was spot-on: the pat of butter oozing into the broth, golden corn glistening atop the bowl, and the roasted pork neatly arranged. It was a picture-perfect display that stirred anticipation. However, my first sip of broth gave me pause—the flavor initially had a burnt undertone that was both surprising and disappointing. However, as I mixed the ingredients together, the broth seemed to mellow and balance out, improving significantly with each bite.

The noodles were an undeniable highlight. Cooked to perfection, they struck the coveted balance of chewiness without crossing into mushy territory. They’re the kind of noodles that keep you coming back for more. The roasted pork, on the other hand, presented an inconsistency. While the flavor was deep and well-executed, the temperature was inexplicably cold—a perplexing misstep that diminished the overall enjoyment of the dish. It warmed over time once submerged in the broth, but this came at the expense of cooling the soup, which should ideally stay piping hot—a hallmark of a good ramen experience. Granted, I arrived close to closing time, so perhaps the kitchen had begun prepping for the end of the night, but this detracted from an otherwise solid offering.

The miso-based broth itself, while decent, lacked the rich, creamy intensity that deeper ramen aficionados—myself included—tend to gravitate toward. While this could be an intentional adjustment to cater to American tastes, it fell somewhat short of delivering the depth of flavor I hoped for. That said, I must emphasize that ramen varies widely depending on the region in Japan; for instance, Kyushu’s tonkotsu ramen is famed for its lush pork-based broth, which perhaps set an unfair benchmark in my mind. Despite the lighter flavor profile, the bowl remained enjoyable overall, especially for those open to a less traditional interpretation.

Ultimately, Ryoma Ramen offers a comforting, approachable bowl of ramen that feels designed with both American and Japanese influences in mind. It’s not perfect—the temperature mishap and somewhat underwhelming broth were notable shortcomings—but these weren’t dealbreakers. For a casual ramen outing, Ryoma absolutely delivers a good meal and an inviting atmosphere. Would I return? Yes. With a few tweaks—especially to the depth of the broth and attention to small kitchen details—I suspect Ryoma could truly shine.

For those seeking an “authentic” experience, keep your expectations tempered. Ramen differs across Japan’s regions, and clinging too tightly to one interpretation can lead to unnecessary disappointment. Ryoma Ramen isn’t a trip to Kyushu—it’s a Portland experience, and it’s worth trying with an open mind and appetite. While it doesn’t transport you fully to Japan, it’s a bowl that brings joy in its own way. Give it a shot, and savor the little details that make...

I’ve been making traditional Ramen at home for years now and I have been wanting to try Ramen restaurant for quite sometime. It’s a little small, but the atmosphere was good. The waiter/waitresses were extremely friendly and very attentive. I’ve never eaten at a Ramen shop before, so I could be wrong about all of this, but here’s my opinion. The menu seemed a little even when I looked Online about what to order at a Ramen restaurant they didn’t have several of the things that they said you should order. The prices were good though. My friend and I each had an order of pork Gyoza. It came fast and honestly, it was the best Gyoza I’ve ever had. They had a juicy spiced pork inside not quite as spicy as sausage but very good and tender. The dumpling around the outside was light and tender not claggy like most of them are and had just a little bit of char on the bottom that gave it some great flavor. I had their Miso with an egg added and my friend had the Chashu bowl. He really enjoyed the Chashu bowl especially the meat it was tender and well flavored. My Ramen actually came a few minutes before his dish, within a few minutes of me ordering it. It looked great. I could tell the egg was overcooked though I like and thought soft boiled eggs were the norm. It also didn’t look like they had marinated it very long, the soy or teriyaki will penetrate a little further and get much darker which in turn will add more umami and flavor to the dish. When I first tasted my ramen I was a little disappointed. It was MUCH blander than the homemade ramen I make. But the noodles were definitely better(I use a good healthier millet and brown rice ramen noodle from Costco)and the pork was juicy, flavorful, and very tender. After I added the leftover soy sauce from the Gyoza and some of the red substance in a shaker in front of me that I assume with some form of pepper The waitress didn’t know lol. The broth was very flavorful and excellent. The experience did not disappoint me. I can’t quite give it five stars, because I think they need to work on their broth a little bit and also take a little bit more time with their eggs and cook them a little less as well. But I would definitely recommend this place and would go back. Great service, Good prices, Good atmosphere, Great Gyoza, great meat and Good food. And my friend is a convert now. He was a little sketchy about going to...

I loved this place for a couple years, but they started to make big mistakes. I read a review that two guys had really weird smelling urine after eating here. I laughed, and came here for lunch.

The noodles were connected, the staff was aware of this, but just didn't care. Today they claim to make their noodles, but I highly doubt that. Oh, and by the way, the review I read was actually correct.

Another time, I suddenly smelled dish soap. I realized they hadn't cleaned the soap off the spoon they just served me. Thanks a lot.

I'm trying to come back every once in a while but it's always bad.

One time the server laughed at me because I coughed, and stated the ramen was too spicy for me. I politely told her I was just recovering from a cold, and interestingly, instead of simply walking away, she acted as though she was a chicken trying to fly(?).

Another time they seated someone that refused to wait in line instead of seating friendly patrons who waited. By the time I had been seated the other person had already ordered. After I received my order, they wouldn't refill my water or give me my check. I waited at least ten minutes, went to wash my hands, got back to my table and waited another minute or two. I finally got up to pay at the register, but I had to ask the employee if I could pay; they had forgotten that they had seated me earlier.

edit: I came back once more and I think I was recognized by an employee who was always great. I hadn’t seen this person in a long time. The service and the food, for the first time in several years, was great. I hope they’ve figured things out after years...