Let's embark on a journey to ramen nirvana, shall we? Our destination: Marufuku Ramen, nestled in the heart of Japantown, where each bowl is a symphony of exquisite broth, perfectly textured noodles, and beautifully balanced flavors.
The heart and soul of any great ramen lies in its broth, and Marufuku doesn't disappoint. Their rich, complex broths simmer for hours, coaxing out layers of savory depth from pork bones, fish, and vegetables. With options like tonkotsu (pork bone), shoyu (soy sauce), and shio (salt), each bowl offers a unique flavor odyssey.
The noodles at Marufuku are anything but an afterthought. They're crafted with care, achieving that al dente perfection – springy enough to hold their own against the broth, yet yielding ever so slightly with each bite. Whether you prefer them thin and curly or thick and straight, their texture adds another dimension to the ramen experience.
While the broth and noodles are the stars of the show, Marufuku doesn't forget the supporting cast. Each bowl is adorned with a carefully curated ensemble of toppings, from melt-in-your-mouth chashu pork to vibrant marinated bamboo shoots and perfectly runny ajitama eggs. Every element sings in harmony, creating a symphony of flavors that keeps you coming back for more.
Marufuku is a haven for ramen lovers of all ages. Their menu caters to even the pickiest eaters, with kid-friendly options like chicken ramen and vegetable tanmen. We brought our little ones along, and they devoured their mini-ramen bowls with gusto, slurping every last drop with joyous abandon.
No ramen experience is complete without a refreshing beverage. Marufuku offers a variety of cold sake that perfectly complements the rich flavors of the ramen. Each sip cuts through the broth's intensity, leaving your palate cleansed and ready for the next delicious mouthful.
Marufuku Ramen is more than just a meal; it's an experience. It's a testament to the art of ramen-making, where each bowl is a labor of love and dedication. So, if you're looking for a ramen odyssey that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more, look no further than Marufuku.
Pro Tip: Don't be afraid to customize your ramen! Marufuku allows you to adjust the spice level, add extra toppings, and even choose your noodle thickness. Experiment and find your perfect...
Read moreMarufuku Ramen is located on the second floor of the western portion of the Japan Center (officially “Japanese Cultural and Trade Center”) also known as Kinokuniya Mall which is named after a major Japanese bookstore 紀伊國屋 chain founded in 1927 along the adjacent Kabuki-Sundance Theater on 1737 Post in between Webster and Fillmore streets.[* The eastern portion of the Japan Center, the Kintetsu and Miyako Mall buildings with destinations to Daiso Japan, Benihana, Osakaya, Nijiya Market, etc. are also located on Post near the Peace Plaza between Laguana and Webster streets. Kintetsu Enterprises of America was the center’s key anchor owning and managing the Miyako Hotel and Kintetsu and Miyako Malls. Kintetsu Enterprises is said to be owned by the Kinki Nippon Railway that operated the largest private railway in Japan, which was founded in 1944 and based in Osaka, Japan.] ❶ The Dashi qualities of its variety such as tonkotsu, miso, paitan, shoyu or tantan ramen, are quite above average and really tasty. ❷ The ramen noodles are really good not too soft too hard or too thin but Chasu is little too salty probably due to marinated in too much soy sauce and too long. ❸ Other ingredients including kikurage shiitake (wood ear black mushrooms), bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, pickled red ginger, nori seaweeds (dried and thin sheets), scallions, sweet corn, and you know what, the seasoned soft boiled egg are not only delicious but also included in the original price tag. By far this is one of the BEST Japanese Ramen shop in The City. {Will revisit Yamadaya Ramen another well-reviewed place in Japantown in a few days and do a candid review by comparison. } PS The kanji for "Marufuku" (丸福) meaning (the “circle of good fortune”), combine 丸 (“maru”), meaning "circle," a drawing of a person tossing around while sleeping; and 福 (“fuku”), meaning “blessing” or "good fortune," stands for praying or worshiping. This combination, literally meaning "circle of good fortune. Muni Bus line 38 (“Geary”), 38R (“Geary Rapid” means few stops) stops on Laguna or Fillmore. 22 (“Fillmore”) stops at Fillmore and Post and 2 (“Sutter”) stops at...
Read moreFirst time trying Marufuku ramen after hearing so much good stuff about it. Came here on a Sunday and surprisingly it wasn't as busy as I've heard. Waited roughly half an hour for seating for 3. We were seated quickly after being buzzed and were given our menus by the attentive waitress. After maybe 2-4 minutes the waitress came by asking if we were ready and luckily we looked at the menu before going and we ordered the Hakkata style ramen deluxe with a side of noodles for my son and Chicken Karaage and water. Not more than a couple minutes our water came and then the chicken Karaage. Wth! That was fast! And then two minutes later the ramen came. Holy.. geez that was super fast. The ramen I ordered for myself was mild in spiciness and the other was not which is what we wanted but the flavor between the two were so different. Mine had a lot of pork flavor but the other one was okay.. not sure if the spicy seasoning added to that but it was such a difference that my son and wife didn't quite like it. The ramen noodles were good and crisp and the char siu and pork belly were delicious and tender. I think those were the highlights for me. The other toppings were good too but the thing I remember best was the meat and the broth.
Overall, the whole experience felt rushed. From seating to finishing it was roughly 18 minutes. I felt like the staff were attentive but also wanted people to leave early to get others in. The food was okay in my opinion but it felt like fast food in the way how fast it came out which corresponded to how the food tasted. The chicken karaage was not very flavorful nor hot, like it was sitting in a heat lamp like French fries at McDonald's. The ramen was okay but I didn't have time to really savor the food as I felt so rushed to get it out of there even though it wasn't implied that I should leave soon. The whole experience could have been...
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