Hokkaido Ramen Santouka — Restaurant in San Jose

This place gets busy. We got here before they opened and there was already a line. Even after 1 hour after they opened (since we were eating) a line was still present. It moves though. The service is good and they have a good system to keep people moving.

This place is inside the Japanese supermarket, Mitsuwa. This isn't a sit down with waiter service, so its very casual. Also I guess for you cheapskates out there who love to avoid tipping--here you go!

This place isn't bad. I mean it's always packed for a reason. It certainly is good, BUT there are many others that are better. Of course those cost more. Just for taste alone, Santouka is right at 3 to 4 stars compared to other ramen places. I mean big bonus points for being casual and quick, and good value.

Tried the extra pork miso, and wife the "spicy". The "spicy" is NOT spicy. It's like a "HINT" of spice. It LOOKS spicy being red, but it is really more of just an "ESSENCE" of spicy. The non-spicy version just may be too salty for some. I was able to bear it, but I know compared to other ramen places--people may consider this a bit on the saltier end. Still good though. The "Spicy" version if anything, makes it less salty tasting. Usually small or regular is filling enough.

Despite having giving it 4 stars, this really is a good place to go, if you want good ramen, quick service, and...

[Santouka is inside Mitsuwa Marketplace. Once you enter the main doors, just go left and it's the first restaurant stall you'll see. CASH ONLY! Don't forget to bring cash!!]

Honestly, I love the ramen here. I think it might be a little bit hyped up since the lines get pretty long, but their team here has gotten incredibly efficient at getting food out pretty quickly. Even at peak times, you only wait about 15 minutes in line, and then another 20 minutes for your ramen order to come out. Ramen itself is considered "fast food" in Japan as the broth and all of the ingredients are pre-made before your order and just assembled once you place your order.

What Santouka has got right though is the flavor of the broth and their ingredients. Personally, I wish they would add some minced pork, some seaweed, and a soft-boiled egg to their ramen options but it's hard to complain. I personally order the #7 here, regular size. Definitely flavorful and worth every dollar.

I've noticed their prices have gone up over the past year. $12-$14 for a bowl of ramen now. Still reasonable for the bay area. The biggest plus of this location is that Mitsuwa is an awesome Japanese marketplace to go shopping at, but also because Matcha Love is in the same food court area. Love that place. Get some ice cream...

I can't believe I haven't written a review for this place. I've been coming here since it opened, when it completely outsold and destroyed the other soup and curry kiosk next door. Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is located inside Mitsuwa Marketplace, immediately to the left as soon as you enter.

When this place first opened it was one of the few Ramen spots that sold Tonkotsu Ramen in the Bay Area that wasn't an actual restaurant. I remember really long lines, like and hour plus wait sometimes. Forget about getting a seat in the communal seating area, that place was packed to the brim. A different story these days...

To be fair it went downhill for a while...then got better again. It used to be really good when it first opened; the broths were delectable, full of flavor and the Pork was so tender, it just melted in your mouth. No, it's just OK. The competition in the Ramen Arena is on another level these days. Can't forget about the inflation factor as well... This used to be a good value. Now, it's just as expensive as eating in an actual Ramen restaurant, without the service.

#Ramen: ~ Spicy Miso B-Combo. 104. (S) Sake & Ikura Rice Bowl - 3.5/5 Still a good amount of food, even for a small. The broth was delicious, well balanced; full of flavor without being...