HINODEYA Ramen Union Square — Restaurant in San Francisco

Tucked away in San Francisco's vibrant Union Square neighborhood, Hinodeya Ramen Bar is a Japanese eatery that serves up a variety of traditional dishes. With a stellar rating of 4.3 stars and over 600 reviews, I was eager to see if this ramen bar lived up to the hype.

Upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted by a modern and welcoming atmosphere. However, I was surprised to find that there was no host or hostess to greet us immediately. Instead, we were instructed to make our reservation on a tablet, which seemed a bit impersonal. Fortunately, the wait was brief, and we were seated within 10 minutes.

The restaurant's compact size belies its cozy and intimate atmosphere, with tables for two or three people and a long communal table for larger groups.

Hinodeya Ramen Bar's menu boasts an impressive array of Japanese classics, from ramen to small plates. We opted to share several dishes, including Sukiyaki Beef Ramen, Takoyaki, Edamame, Gyoza, Yu-Lin-Chi, and Hinodeya Ramen.

While the food was certainly acceptable, it didn't particularly wow me. The ramen, while well-prepared, lacked a certain depth of flavor. The Takoyaki, on the other hand, was a highlight – crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, although I would have liked more octopus.

The Edamame was underwhelming, lacking flavor and texture. The Gyoza, while well-made, was lukewarm at best. The Yu-Lin-Chi, however, was a standout – a sweet and spicy sauce complemented the chicken perfectly.

We paired our meal with a Sapporo Premium Small beer and a Junmai sake. The beer was crisp and refreshing, while the sake was smooth and easy-drinking.

In conclusion, Hinodeya Ramen Bar is a solid, if unremarkable, Japanese eatery in the heart of San Francisco. While the food didn't blow me away, there were certainly some highlights. The service, while friendly, could benefit from a bit more polish.

Recommendation: If you're a Japanese food fan, Hinodeya Ramen Bar is worth a visit. However, temper your expectations – while the food is certainly acceptable, it's not...

I am blown away. My visit to Hinodeya Ramen near Union Square was nothing short of a 5-star experience, and the star of the show was their incredible ramen. Hinodeya's Ramen version is a game-changer and a new personal favorite. From the moment the bowl was placed in front of me, I knew I was in for a treat. The presentation was simply beautiful in its vibrant, patterned bowl. Here's what made it a perfect meal: The Broth: The foundation of any great ramen, and this broth was phenomenal. It was deeply savory and rich with complex flavors that perfectly complemented the Meat, without being overwhelmingly heavy. Every spoonful was pure comfort and liquid gold. The Meat: This is where Hinodeya truly excelled. It was a spectacular choice. The slices of meat were melt-in-your-mouth tender and packed with a savory, braised flavor that was simply divine. The Noodles: The bowl featured a delightful surprise—a mix of classic ramen noodles and vibrant green spinach noodles. This not only added a fantastic visual pop but also a wonderful texture and subtle flavor dimension. They had the perfect firm chew. The Toppings: Every single component was executed flawlessly. The ajitama (marinated egg) was cooked to perfection, with a luscious, jammy golden yolk. The thick-cut menma (bamboo shoots) provided a satisfying crunch, while the playful narutomaki (fish cakes) and the large sheet of nori added classic ramen charm. The final sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, fresh scallions, and delicate ito togarashi (chili threads) tied the whole masterpiece together. This wasn't just a meal; it was an experience. Hinodeya has crafted a truly unforgettable bowl of ramen. If you are in San Francisco and looking for the best of the best, do not hesitate. I cannot recommend the ramen...

Completely dissatisfied with my experience today. I have been here 3 times before and they were awesome. I get there today and while ordering i stopped my server and asked if i could have my egg cooked all the way through. I don’t want a runny egg. He struggled a bit to understand what i was asking but eventually did. He told me no they couldn’t do it. I explained to him that the last time i came, i paid an up charge and waited an extra 10 mins and they did it no problem. I had no issue with doing that today. He still told me they couldn’t. He went and asked the kitchen and they told him They have never done anything like that. Now annoyed because why would i lie, i take my phone out and go into my videos to pull out the video i recorded the last time i ate here and showed the server my fully cooked egg on the plate with no issue. He then went back and told them and they said they would do it. 10 minutes an egg arrived. (Brown colored) so i knew it wasn’t a fresh egg. I cut it open and it’s runny and gooey. I’m so pissed at this point but i don’t want to make a scene because i don’t any one to label me as the ignorant diner. I scrape the runny yolk out and ate the outside. I don’t understand what is the big deal to just make a fresh egg. I said repeatedly i don’t mind paying the extra and waiting for it. The restaurant was not busy or full so i don’t get it. Needless to say they have lost a customer. I abhor poor service and then to try and make me out to seem like i was lying...