HiroNori Craft Ramen — Restaurant in San Diego

Hironori is, if nothing else, quick; and not always for the best. The outside has a QR code to get on the waitlist, and before I'm finished scanning a server is able to seat me right away. The server described the water being infused with something, but between the volume of the music and her quick voice I was unable to make out what was said. This ramen spot specializes in Tonkotsu and Shoyu Ramens but has a vegan miso option as well. They also have a variety of rice bowls to choose from if you prefer: pork, chicken, spicy tuna, and salmon. They have usual japanese themed appetizers like edamame, gyoza, and karaage. You also have the option of creating a "combo" of a spring mix salad and a rice bowl option. While I'm looking over the menu trying to decide, the server has approached a couple times to ask what I want within a couple minutes of each approach. I settled on the Tonkotsu Ramen with the combo and the pork rice bowl. The food was ready in about 6 minutes (I had started the nyt crossword puzzle and noted the timer), VERY fast. The one downside was (and that most sitdown places suffer from) not pacing the meal. The salad, rice bowl, and ramen all came out at once. By the time I could even get to my ramen, it was not longer hot, the jammy egg had cooked further, and the noodles had softened. Timing aside, the pork in both the ramen and rice bowl were fantastic. The noodles would have been perfectly cooked, had they paced the food properly. And the rice had a great texture. The server throughout the meal seemed anxious for me to be done as she popped her head next to me a few times and then hurried away. She may have asked if I needed anything but again, quick words and didn't wait for an answer before walking away. A solo customer next to me went to the restroom and returned to find that her matcha tea had been taken before she was finished. When I was done, the server put the check down and said that there was a %16 service charge that was optional. She didn't explain more, so I assumed when I gave her my card I could make the option to keep it, take it off, or change it. None of that was on the receipt and the server never explained how it worked. So I was left with paying the service charge and not the 20-22% I usually put down. When she asked if I was finished with my bowls, she didn't wait until I finished speaking before reaching for everything. This led to an awkward hitting of hands as I tried to motion things to take.

Summary: Hironori Ramen has 3 ramen choices, 4 rice bowl options and several appetizers. Their ramen is good not great (especially for one of the higher rated ramen spots in San Diego), but their rice bowls are better. The biggest let down was the too fast, too pushy service. Overall it felt like people were nothing more than a ticking table that needed to be cleared, rather than a customer wanting to...

Hello my name is Diane, I was visiting my son Kyle in California for the week of February 18 through February 23, 2023. Over the past few years he has told me that Hiro Nori was his favorite Ramen noodle restaurant. So for his birthday in 2022 I purchased him a gift card in order for him to treat himself there on occasion. Well when I was visiting him this time, he really wanted me to try this place and have lunch there together. So we connected with another family member, Karen, Who resides in Hillcrest. We had the most fabulous lunch at this establishment! Being from Florida, we have Ramen places, but nothing ever could come close to the flavor of this broth and the noodles, the freshness of the produce, the crispy chicken and the pork buns were to die for! Our server Natalie was so absolutely A breath of fresh air and also very knowledgeable about the food as we had quite a few questions about the menu items and even on the sake wine as well. The service was great, the atmosphere was cozy and comfortable, and we were all so pleased with our dinner! My family member will be visiting this establishment again as she only lives 15 minutes away and she being a big fan of Ramen, had never been introduced nor eaten at this place. She thanked my son Kyle over and over for introducing her to this place. I have already come back to Florida and bragged about the food in this wonderful little restaurant. I can assure you on my next trip to San Diego, this will be my first stop to eat. I certainly hope that Natalie, will still be there with her smiling face and her excellent service and knowledge of the food!! Great food, great service, great prices, great atmosphere, what else could you ask for?? Thank you Hiro Nori and Natalie, for a wonderful experience!! Was only able to post this photo before the food arrived. Unfortunately I wasn’t sure if I could post a video in which you would see all three of us eating this amazing food. SEE YOU...

TL;DR: Outstanding in every possible way. Even if you’re staying downtown near the convention center, this spot is worth the Uber.

I hadn’t planned on venturing this far from my hotel, but after chatting with some locals it became clear: if I wanted the best ramen in San Diego, this was the place. Always trust your barista, folks. While killing time with a morning coffee (still stuck on East Coast hours), I asked for food recommendations. The barista called over a member of the kitchen staff—the resident ramen expert—who confirmed what I’d already heard: HiroNori was the move. At that point, I didn’t have a choice. A short ride later, I walked through the doors.

Arriving just before noon, I beat the lunch rush and was greeted warmly. Following my ritual, I asked what they recommended. The answer: their signature tonkotsu ramen with house-made hot sauce. In what felt like no time at all, a bowl appeared that perfectly embodied two days’ worth of ramen cravings. The broth was rich, silky, and balanced with no off flavors. The chashu was tender and nearly melted on my tongue. The hot sauce elevated everything—vibrant, flavorful, and gently warming without overpowering the dish (though it would be easy to overdo).

Once I polished off the bowl, I still had just enough room for the eel steam buns. I’m a sucker for eel, and these didn’t disappoint. If I had one small suggestion, it would be to let the eel roast a bit longer or dial back the moisture slightly, to better match the crunch of the tempura shell. The hoisin—whether house-made or not—was a lovely accent, highlighting the eel as the star while adding just the right supporting notes.

Overall: A fantastic experience from start to finish. Skipping the waitlist by arriving early was a perk, but honestly, I’d wait as long as it takes to enjoy another bowl here.

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