Marufuku Ramen — Restaurant in Oakland

There has been a gradual, but growing trend of ramen shops popping up in the Bay Area recently. This is very exciting, especially given that most quality shops I frequent are limited to the South Bay (i.e. Orenchi, Santouka, etc.). I’m glad to say that I can add Marufuku to that list after my meal here.

Wait time (UPDATE): ALWAYS reserve your spot via Yelp (which is only active ~30 min after opening), if not directly at the reservation station in the restaurant. Otherwise, you can wait up to 2 hours. I wish I could say I'm exaggerating.

Ambiance: modern, hip, with adequate lighting (neither too bright or dark), soft music in the background, and a nice bar area where you can watch the chefs at work in creating and serving you on the spot. Service was top-notch and friendly at every minute we spent here.

Food: There are but 2 choices: tonkotsu (pork) or paitan (chicken) broth. As an indecisive person, this makes things straightforward & easy. My friend and I ordered the Tonkotsu DX with medium spice. The DX means that it includes a filling portion of braised pork belly, seaweed, and corn. Prices were surprisingly cheaper than other ramen shops in the area ($13 for a tonkotsu bowl vs $17-18 at Ippudo or Shinmai, for ex.)

Two words stuck out to me as we ate: “BALANCED” & “FILLING.” To put it simply, you get your money’s worth for a bowl that is versatile in flavor and texture with its ultra-thin noodles. People sitting next to us had to take home the leftovers because they give so much, especially with the braised pork belly. I’m still trying to ease my food baby to sleep right now from this place as I type...

Overall, this was a solid restaurant, and I give it an extra star for the convenient location. Get at it before everyone finds out.

Final tips: I wouldn’t wait more than 30 min; at that point, I’d just order it for takeout. Park along 48th or 49th St instead of Telegraph Ave. Temescal is popular during...

9/25/22 I had the Mentaiko Bowl, (a little light on the greens) and the Marufuku Bites, nice flavors. The "Spicy Seasoned Cod Roe" may be an acquired taste for those that have not had it before. 9/17/22 Chashu Rice Bowl was very tasty! Beware of the hot water in the toilets, It's scalding hot! 8/6/22 We, (I) went back to have the Seasonal Special (Premium Chashu Ramen & Premium Chashu Bun) that I had last week if it was still on the Menu. Both were very tender and tasty! 6/26/22 I had the Chicken Paitan DX again! We have been back several times, once or twice a month since the late Winter/Spring initial visits. The place is always clean, friendly service and delicious food that is dependable and repeatable every time we eat there. 3/27/22 Our second time eating here since our initial visit in February. The first time we went there I wondered why the server told us that the chicken dish was limited to 15 servings? This time I had the Chicken Paitan DX and it was fantastic! The chicken breast in the soup is tender and the Chicken leg on the side is sweet tender and juicy. The chicken leg is almost a leg quarter (or is it?) I could not finish it and took it home with the salad I didn't finish. The service was friendly and fast. Our first time eating here and it won't be our last! Ramen as the name states, one vegetarian which they can make Vegan. I had Hakata Tonkatsu DX. A delicious and filling ramen dish, the Pork Belly was plentiful and tasty as well as all the veggies and boiled egg! Parking is always an issue in the area now that the area has been gentrified and the Outside Eating and already scare parking on Telegraph has been reduced. So plan on circling the block until you see someone walking to their car, or, just park on...

Vegetable ramen.

So. This one time I got a vegan ramen somewhere in Vancouver (ramen butcher for those wondering) and it had a tomato in it. It enraged me because the tomato hadn't been cut in half so when I bit into it it was totally cold. Call me petty but it ruined my love of ramen for a long time. But Marufuku... There were tomatoes in the ramen BUT THEY WERE CUT IN HALF and were the proper temperature. I'm pleased. Though the addition of arugula to the soup was unique. I liked the bitterness alongside the sweet gingery tofu; I definitely would not have chosen arugula had I been asked (and I wasn't and I devoured it so who cares?). Anyway, the veggies were great, the ramen noodles were also delicious and it seriously satisfied my salt/slurpy/creamy/brothy craving.

We also got the brussel sprout tempura (amazing if you're like me and adore brussel sprouts) and the fried peppers. Great to share (serving sizes are generous) and again satisfied my need for crispy and flavourful and savoury.

Wait was shorter than estimated which I appreciated but was still long - the place was packed on a Sunday night. Service was a bit spotty (two orders were mistakenly brought to us) but honestly they were sprinting and pumping out ramen faster than I could count. Bless these cooks and how fast that one dressed the soups with...