Saku Ramen — Restaurant in Riverside

I love ramen. This place did not have remarkable ramen (all that means is you could have made this at home) and the service was even worse. It’s even served in plastic bowls with plastic utensils. Good ramen places serve food in real dishes/bowls and with real utensils/soup spoons because the food is best eaten that way - this place clearly leaned fully into “let just deliver microwaveable food”.

That brings me to service - I always struggle faulting waitstaff because you never know what they’re going through or how limited their resources are, but this place has you pay for your order up front, INCLUDING TIP, so I thought giving max tip meant the person taking my order, and people at the restaurant would actually be invested enough to help/pay attention to basic needs.

Nope.

The person who took my order quickly went off after my tip amount was confirmed and began chatting with other staff, and whenever I did get his attention and asked for basic things like a glass of water he came back with the tiniest plastic cup of water to give me - mind you my drink order of green tea came in a can with a side bigger cup (2 times the size of the water cup!) of ice for context…

The only real saving grace about this place is the fried rice. You can order a large and it’s the size of the ramen bowl (still comes in the same plastic…). It tastes good, I’m willing to say even better than the ramen but I don’t want to insult the fried rice since the ramen was such a low bar.

Hopefully someone working there sees this and does something about it - otherwise I suspect this will be another “ramen spot”...

Ok here's the good, the bad and the ugly. The good: is the ramen, it tasted good. Added extra noodles and it was perfect filling portion. The fried rice and gyoza were equally tasty. The location is in a nice area of historic riverside. This place is open 24 hours, perfect for that late night after party snack. The front line staff was nice and took our order promply and answered our questions. The bad: its over priced. The base price is already high and then you add on basic toppings (which should be included) like egg, mushrooms and ginger and your loking at a $23 plastic bowl of ramen. This is cafeteria style fast food. You order first then go hunt for seating and wait for your order to be called. You get disposable plastic/Styrafoam everything. There is no wait staff, you pick up your food and serve your own drinks (or can drinks) and pick up after yourself (signs instructing you to pick up after yourself). The seating is limited and uncomfortably industrial steel style. No back support and must share with strangers. Tipping is suggested when you order (tipping for what? idk because they serve you nothing) The ugly: the gender neutral restroom (only 1) was disgusting! They usually say you can tell alot about a restaurant from its restroom cleanliness. If thats the case then 🤢. Feces splattered on the walls, Graffiti all over, broken dirty bathroom cabinet, dirty sink, dirty floors. No baby changing station. (Wish i would have seen this the first two times before eating there) for this reason and over pricing, i probably wont be returning. Too bad because this place...

Saku Ramen is a hidden gem that deserves all the praise! From the moment I stepped inside, I was enveloped in a warm and inviting atmosphere that felt both cozy and vibrant. The decor strikes a perfect balance between modern aesthetics and traditional Japanese touches, creating a delightful dining environment.

The menu is a treasure trove for ramen lovers, showcasing a diverse selection of broths and toppings. I opted for the Tonkotsu ramen, and it was nothing short of spectacular! The rich, creamy broth was a symphony of flavors, perfectly complemented by tender noodles and an array of fresh ingredients. Each spoonful was an adventure, and it left me craving more.

What truly sets Saku Ramen apart is the attention to detail. The staff was incredibly friendly and passionate about the food, eager to share their favorites and answer any questions. Their recommendations truly enhanced the experience, making me feel like a valued guest rather than just another customer.

I also indulged in their delicious gyoza, which were crispy on the outside and bursting with flavor on the inside. A must-try side dish!

To finish off the meal, I couldn’t resist the matcha dessert, which was a delightful end to a fantastic dining experience.

Overall, Saku Ramen exceeded my expectations in every way. Whether you’re a ramen aficionado or a first-time visitor, this restaurant is a must-visit in Riverside. I can’t wait to return and explore more...