Ani Ramen House — Restaurant in Cranford

We did not have a good experience at Ani Ramen. Before I go into the details, let me start with the things that were good. I like the hip casual atmosphere of the place. The service and staff were nice and friendly. However …

If you want traditional Japanese ramen, do yourself a favor and look elsewhere. We went on a Monday for lunch at around noon and the food was awful. Being Japanese, this might have been the worst ramen I have ever had.

To start, we were looking to order their chef’s special ramen but they were “out”. So we ordered the spicy miso ramen. We wanted to try the Fried Crispy sake wings, they were also “out” of this dish. So we ordered the Kara-age and a few buns. How can you be out of your two signature items?!

Ramen: to start there were none of the traditional Japanese fixings as standard. No scallions, no menma (seasoned bamboo shoots), no nori (seaweed), no narutomaki (fish cake). Even traditional soft eggs were not standard but extra!! Instead they added uncooked, unseasoned cabbage and I think broccoli stems which totally didn’t match the flavor of ramen. Maybe they were out of ingredients and were just randomly substituting?! The noodles were overdone and soggy. No depth at all to the broth and it was unnecessarily salty. The kakuni (pork belly) was not grilled and just a mushy mess. Again, the worst ramen experience I think I’ve ever had.

Kara-age: Spot-on. Nicely cooked and flavored.

Buns: No complaints here.

Side notes: floors and tables felt sticky and dirty. Bathroom smelled awful as I don’t think anyone had cleaned them for a while.

Overall, being a “ramen house” Ani ramen was a very disappointing experience and not worth the over $40 we spent per person. If you want real authentic chicken broth ramen, take the time to go into the NYC and try Tori-bro ramen. Then you will be able to see and taste the difference to what authentic Japanese...

Ani Ramen House is a hidden gem in Cranford, New Jersey. It's a small, cozy restaurant with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the food is simply delicious.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Ani Ramen House with my cousins, who are longtime residents of Cranford. They brought me to their favorite restaurant, and I immediately fell in love with it.

I ordered the Shoyu Ramen, and it was one of the best bowls of ramen I've ever had. The broth was rich and flavorful, and the noodles were perfectly cooked. The toppings were generous and delicious, and the overall presentation was beautiful.

I also tried the chicken karaage, which was crispy and juicy on the outside and tender on the inside. It was the perfect appetizer to my ramen.

Overall, I had a wonderful experience at Ani Ramen House. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great bowl of ramen in New Jersey.

I'm glad that your cousins brought you to their favorite restaurant. It's always special to find a new place to love, especially when it's recommended by loved ones. I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed the Shoyu Ramen and chicken karaage. I'm sure your friends will love Ani Ramen House too, so be sure to recommend it to them when they...

Ani Ramen House of Cranford has a low-key, simplistic, lounge type environment. The seating is comfortable and socially distanced. The music is upbeat but not obnoxious. You walk in and feel a sense of light airiness. The decor is artful and not ostentatious.

The SERVICE is that of a 5-star restaurant. The hostess, server, take-out staff and kitchen staff are all fantastic. The manager John is a true gentleman; kind and helpful. Server's Julie and Lee are FANTASTIC!

The FOOD...oh the food. I could use big (or small), fancy words to capture your attention about the deliousousness that exists the kitchen but I won't. Everything that I have had on the menu has been delicious. Presentation, temperature of the food, flavor, you name it....Spot On!

COVID PRECAUTIONS The staff thoroughly disinfect the table and chairs. There are not many touch points available at the table.

DINNING OPTIONS You may choose to dine-in or take-out. Their take-out business is very healthy. Food delivery services are always picking up and they have a nice system.

Reservations can also be made on their website.

This is a must try!!

Also, go to Google Play or the App Store and Download the Ani Ramen App!

You can order food for take-out, rack up points, checkout their other locations,...