Ramen Nagi — Restaurant in Palo Alto

Dropped in for a quick dinner five minutes after they opened. Can see why they always have long lines.

Looking fwd to going again soon, and trying more things. Service was great, very helpful. When finding it was our first time, a staff member did a run through of the menu and gave us some recs, including telling us about their chicken karaage which isn't listed on the menu.

My husband had the original with normal thin noodles, and would try a softer texture next time. I like spicy, and gave their spicy one a try, with firm thin noodles. It delivered on spice and al dente.

As a staff member promised, the smoothest pork broth, no unpleasant odors or aftertaste whatsoever.

It is very customizable. As someone who usually fishes out all the meat and fishcakes in ramen, I loved that you can just get a plain bowl with green onion (next time will also ask for no mushrooms).

We ordered the chicken karaage, which was fried crisp crunchy with lots of nooks and crannies. The toasted sesame oil drizzled on top was aromatic, one piece looked like it got dunked in it, but other pieces had a nice drizzle. The dipping sauce was mayo with chopped hard boiled egg, and some cherry tomatoes on the side were a nice touch.

Water pitcher and box of tissues at every table ensures you will not run out of either one. If you need anything else though, rest assured service is attentive, and they check on you to make sure you are doing well. They come by with your check at some point during your meal, and you pay at the entrance on your way out.

Update with good to know: as with anywhere, mistakes can be made with ramen order, so for example if you absolutely don't want salt or oil, make sure to double check. One time, despite checking boxes for none, my regular ramen had oil and salt added and I just ate it anyway, it was edible, but I was bloated and chugging water all night.

Veggie ramen broth has dairy listed in details, something you might not expect.

Also, veggie ramen comes with spinach and mushroom, and because of this, they charge you extra $1.50 for selecting green onion/cabbage as it counts as 'extra'. This is not the case for other ramens so we greatly appreciate the server letting us know (with other non veggie ramens we ordered, unless you check extra, selecting the regular box of green onion/cabbage does not lead to an extra $1.50)

We think fried foods could be better. Chicken karaage and gyoza both fill that need for something crispy but chicken can be overwhelmingly oily drenched in toasted sesame oil and mixing with pool of olive oil. We would try to remember to ask for zero added oils next time.

Gyoza is super tiny (not the circumference as a whole, but the individual gyoza is tinier than a small Korean mulmandu), the tiniest we have ever seen in any Japanese ramen place, and always burnt black on one side of the circle and white underdone on the other. Wish they would master even golden browning. Also very very greasy, sitting in pools of oil from fryer.

The two deep fried potato hash browns that came with veggie ramen tasted stale, like they had been fried much earlier and too long, and were sitting there for awhile. So plenty of greasy crunch, but no hash brown texture or potato flavor. If you like crunchy 'potato stick potato chips', this could...

We're tired and hungry from our beautiful day at halfmoon Bay Beach. She wanted noodles and noodles represent longevity and prosperity. We searched for such and found ramen nagi, a bit far but we still went for it. We got there and there's a long line of people outside their restaurant. I said ok, you know it's a good restaurant, so we waited to be seated.

Now for the experience at this ramen nagi location. We were instructed to head to the bar, we then ordered two ramen and an appetizer. The ramen came out first before the appetizer, I told my wife it's ok. What hit a nerve was when a staff sticked out her neck on my wife's right side to see what's taking us so long to get up and leave. After a couple of minutes, I stood up with my wife and overheard the staff spoke in Spanish with her coworker about how long we've been at that table. I would've responded in Spanish if It wasn't for today's occasion. If I knew that it's how they act out there, I would've timed the ramen when it was given to us and timed how the appetizer came out later after the ramen has been served. I might even pay for another bowl of spicy ramen and appetizer, and have that staff eat it while I watch her and time it. I don't think we we're at that bar for a long time. do review the camera if you guys have one. If you got this far with my comment, stop here if you don't want to hear anymore how your favorite spot did customers wrong. for customers food safety. Look at the kitchen ceiling where they toss the noodles. you would know some tossing of noodles accidentally hit it. Also one of their staff who's in the kitchen, In the serving area wearing gloves. Hands down I liked it, but when he rubbed on his nose with it and didn't dispose the gloves continued to work with it. I lost it and told my wife that we're not going back here.

By the way the food was great, four stars, but I'm not sure if it's been handled right in the kitchen. Three stars for the one employee who checked up on the napkins and refilled it. Thank you again. I would've handed him cash tip on the down low for his work attitude, the cash register where we paid is close to the front door of their restaurant.

Staff gossiping in the kitchen and using vulgar words like PTM.

Also I noticed a customer ordered to go and sat down next to us. He got his order in a bowl and give containers. it doesn't make sense to order food to go and have the customer transfer whatever is in the bowl into containers and spilling it on the table. That table could've been for customers waiting outside to be seated.

I'm giving it a one star for the management or owner to check their employees...

Friends, brace yourselves, because Ramen Nagi is about to take your taste buds on an unforgettable journey. I recently had the pleasure of dining at this renowned ramen establishment, and I can confidently say that it was a culinary experience like no other.

First and foremost, let's talk about the broth. Ramen Nagi's broth is nothing short of spectacular; it's, without a doubt, the best broth I have ever had. Rich, robust, and incredibly flavorful, it's the heart and soul of their ramen creations. Whether you opt for the classic Tonkotsu, the spicy Red King, or any of their other tempting variations, you'll be greeted with a broth that's been simmered to perfection, resulting in a depth of flavor that's simply unmatched.

Speaking of flavor, Ramen Nagi has perfected the art of seasoning and garnishing their bowls. Each bowl is a masterpiece of taste, with perfectly cooked noodles, tender slices of chashu pork, crisp vegetables, and a range of aromatic spices that elevate the experience to new heights. The Red King, in particular, is a fiery delight for those who enjoy a spicy kick, while the Black King offers a savory, garlic-infused explosion of taste.

Beyond the culinary delights, the service at Ramen Nagi was exceptional. The staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu, which made the dining experience all the more enjoyable. They were also efficient in managing the line outside the store, and I can confidently say that it's worth booking a trip and waiting patiently for a taste of their ramen. The anticipation only enhances the satisfaction when you finally get your bowl of heaven.

Let me be clear: you have not truly had ramen until you've savored Ramen Nagi's creations. The perfect blend of flavors, the exquisite attention to detail, and the overall dining experience make it an absolute must-visit for ramen enthusiasts and foodies alike. It's not just a meal; it's a culinary adventure that will leave you craving more.

Every single thing about Ramen Nagi is nothing short of delicious, and I will undoubtedly be coming back for more. The best broth, the incredible flavors, the impeccable service – it's a ramen lover's dream come true. So, if you're looking for a taste of ramen perfection, don't hesitate to make the trip and savor the magic that is Ramen Nagi. You won't be...