Umami Ramen — Restaurant in Folsom

Ok so the food here is great but I have to complain about the anniversary date they just had. I am a regular customer here. When I found out about the anniversary special I put it on my calendar over a month out. I invited my brother and his family who were here from Ventura. Who wouldn’t want to get a bowl of great ramen for $3.90 when normally it cost $18? So we planned to grab some lunch before my work shift that day. I also work in the food and beverage industry. My brother, his wife and, their three kids went ahead of me only to be told there was a three hour wait. Well that wasn't going to work for me because I had to work sooner than that. We then decided to switch up the plan and to go after I finished my bartending shift. I got to the restaurant at 7:30 only to be told they might be able to get me in as a party of one but not as a party of six. They said it was a two hour wait if they could get me in. Given the risk, my brother’s family decided not to return. I then waited in my car until 8:40 with the idea they were going to call me because that is what they told me. Well no one called. I ended up walking inside to ask what the status was. I was told they are not doing anymore food orders tonight. I was also told earlier that they weren’t doing ramen togo today. When I went inside I saw many togo orders being bagged up. Maybe they weren’t part of the special that they told me wasn’t being done for take out tonight. I also saw an owner or worker, I am not sure, having her car loaded up with a ton of food. Perhaps it was for the other location for tomorrow. I can’t say. What I can say is this restaurant worker of 25 years is highly upset with my favorite ramen house. I don’t know if I will be coming back after the way things went down today. I assume this event was meant to grow your business but you may have lost at least one customer. I think at the very least your hostess could have called the few people she had on the “maybe” list and told us food service was cut off. I sat in my car for over an hour after working behind the bar in the sun all day only to be turned away. I am hungry, sore and disappointed in the customer service I received from a fellow hospitality worker today. Umami Ramen only made me say...

If you haven't been to Umami Ramen, do yourself a favor and go immediately—this place is nothing short of ramen perfection. From the moment you step through the door, you're greeted by the rich, savory aroma of broth simmering to perfection, setting the stage for what’s sure to be an unforgettable meal.

Let’s start with the broth. The rich umami base of the tonkotsu ramen is like a hug for your soul. The depth of flavor is incredible—silky smooth, with just the right balance of porky richness and a savory, umami-packed finish that lingers on your taste buds. You can taste the hours (probably days) of careful crafting that go into it. Every sip is pure bliss. I’ve had tonkotsu ramen all over the world, and I can confidently say this is some of the best I’ve ever had.

Then there are the noodles. Thin but with the perfect chew, they soak up all that glorious broth without getting soggy. They strike that perfect balance of texture and bite, providing an ideal contrast to the richness of the soup.

But let’s talk about the toppings. The char siu pork is next level. Tender, melt-in-your-mouth slices that practically dissolve as you chew, with a delicate charred flavor that elevates the entire dish. The soft-boiled egg is perfectly cooked—runny yolk with a slight sweetness that cuts through the richness of the broth. And the addition of fresh scallions, sesame seeds, and a dash of chili oil adds just the right amount of freshness and heat.

What really sets Umami Ramen apart, though, is their commitment to quality ingredients. It’s clear they source only the best produce, meats, and seasonings. The freshness of everything, from the crunchy bean sprouts to the silky broth, is remarkable. You can taste the care in every element of the dish.

And let’s not forget the service—fast, friendly, and always on point. The staff makes you feel welcome, and the cozy, unpretentious ambiance of the restaurant only adds to the experience.

Whether you're a ramen aficionado or someone just discovering the wonders of this Japanese comfort food, Umami Ramen will leave you totally hooked. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary journey, and I can’t wait to return again and again. 10/10—no question, the best ramen I’ve had...

I dropped in on a lazy weekend just before noon. Umami Ramen in Folsom, CA. I have not been back here in a while. .Right when I stepped in, I noticed the interior setup changed quite a bit. The kitschiness of the anime, trinkets, Japanese snack food, claw game machine, and toy collectible baubles for purchase is abundant. Visual sensory overload. All of that was not here the last time I dined here. I had to take a quick glance around to make sure I was in the right place. Yup, I was in Umami Ramen.

After I weaved past folks gawking at the snacks and stuff, I made it to the self ordering kiosks. There was no human person taking orders, so I used the kiosk. I would have preferred the human interaction to ask questions. I had to read the kiosk board a few times regarding the ramen topping options, it is mark options it if you do not want it versus want it.

After I ordered my food and took my table number sign, I meandered around gawking at all their merch. Neat stuff that I want and of course do not need. Besides the items near the front door, they have more merch on the back wall near the restroom. Plus they have snacks on the merch shelf, Japanese ice cream in the cooler by the front door, and a cold case of Japanese sodas and juices.

My order of black garlic tonkatsu ramen took a little bit over 20 minutes after ordering. The big, piping hot bowl was set in front of me. It looked gorgeous, picture perfect. The egg was cooked with the yolk having a nice, classic jammy consistency and served cold in the hot broth as it should be. The pork slices were seared, that added more flavor to it. The broth was more flavorful than I remembered. Deep umami flavor. Yum. Slurp-luscious. But it hit me hard a few hours later. I have MSG food intolerance. I found out later the broth had MSG. I got a migraine and tummy ache. My issue, not theirs. I can handle MSG in small quantities. I am in that statistical 1% of the population having MSG intolerance. Lucky me. So if I eat significant amounts, I get a migraine and other not so fun symptoms depending on the quantity consumed. I did not have this problem before eating here. But it is not uncommon for ramen...