Ramen Champ — Restaurant in San Jose

Ramen Champ is one of those hidden gems that both locals and ramen enthusiasts can't stop talking about. I first discovered this spot in June of 2023 for one key reason: their signature Jiro-style ramen--and let me tell you, it's something you won't find anywhere else in the Bay Area. This massive, show-stopping bowl is a pork lover's dream, layered with generous amounts of pork essence, bean sprouts, garlic, and a drizzle of luscious pork backfat. Hearty, unapologetically rich, and absolutely bursting with flavor, Jiro style is a serious comfort food that sets Ramen Champ apart from the typical ramen joint.

Another unique offering is the Habanero Tonkotsu Ramen, perfect for those who crave a fiery kick. It starts with a creamy tonkotsu base, then steps up the heat with a lively habanero punch. The spice never overwhelms; instead, it complements the richness of the pork bone broth, leaving a satisfying burn that warms you from within. This bowl should be on your radar if you love a little (or a lot of) heat in your ramen. Of course, there's much more to love at Ramen Champ, including their classic lineup of Shio, Shoyu, Miso, and Tsukemen.

Shio Ramen Shio ramen is notoriously difficult to perfect, but Ramen Champ nails it. The broth is delicate yet deeply savory--like a gentle ocean breeze that coaxes natural flavors rather than masking them. You'll notice a clear, golden hue that speaks to a meticulous cooking process, with no shortcuts taken. Toppings like silky pork slices, bamboo shoots, spring onions, and wood ear mushrooms enhance the subtle brilliance of salt-based seasoning. It's rare to find a shio this balanced, proving that simplicity done right can be utterly unforgettable.

Shoyu Ramen For a classic soy sauce experience, the Shoyu ramen delivers. The broth balances savory layers of soy flavor with a comforting warmth without ever becoming too salty or one-note. You'll spot familiar ingredients--menma, nori, and melt-in-your-mouth chashu--each element harmoniously supports the soy sauce base. Hearty yet not heavy, it's the perfect bowl for those craving old-school ramen nostalgia.

Miso Ramen Prefer something creamier and full of depth? The Miso ramen hits the mark. Ramen Champ blends different miso pastes to craft an earthy, sweet broth brimming with umami. Toppings like sweet corn, bean sprouts, and succulent pork chashu reveal the flavor profile. Each sip feels warm and comforting, making it a must-try after something rich and satisfying.

Tsukemen Though it may not be the best tsukemen you've ever had, Ramen Champ's version still shines in its own right. Thick, chewy noodles are served separately, inviting you to dip them into a concentrated broth with savory goodness. The sauce clings beautifully to each strand, and a side of minced garlic lets you dial up the flavor. It's a fun, interactive way to enjoy ramen--proof that Ramen Champ's kitchen knows how to do more than just the classics.

Overall, Ramen Champ excels at taking foundational ramen styles and giving each one a special touch. The highly sought-after Jiro-style ramen is what first drew me here, and it's a bowl that truly sets this place apart in the Bay Area. Factor in the fiery Habanero Tonkotsu, the perfectly executed Shio, and a lineup of other traditional favorites, and you've got a ramen destination that's well worth a visit. With friendly service, a cozy ambiance, and bowls that cater to both purists and spice lovers alike, Ramen Champ is bound to keep you coming...

Where do I start?? Did we come closer to closing? It's one of those places I am glad hours end at midnight. It did take on one of those styles like in Japan, you order outside and wait for an open seat. It's a small place but very well decorated and the kitchen layout was great. Open to view from any seat you are waiting for your order. Huge Manga style murals for you to study as I did since there is a traditional Dragon in it.

When someone says, "ramen?" at 10pm on any night of the week, you just show up. Looking over the menu while salivating, we decided with a ramen bowl each and two appetizers to share. Mushroom for me, Shiyo and Tonkatsu for Alonzo and Krystin while we ordered takoyaki and fried mushrooms. I really liked the appetizers as they were very flavorful even before the sauce that accompanied it. I have never met Alvin, or have I, who was there in the restaurant busy with food preparations and conversation at the other end of the counter. So I would assume the quality of the food was in good trust of his staff who also checked on us. Ok, triple checked on us if everything was good and if we were enjoying it all. In any Asian restaurant, this would make me very nervous but this is...not??

Once we were finishing our appetizers, the bowls arrive with the Ramen Champ logo. Like any foodies and not only Yelpers, we tasted each bowl to only come to this conclusion. Yes, the ramen bowls are small compared to other ramen houses but that shouldn't matter. What really stood out is the broth which tastes like hot water. I should have read the menu to see if they called it broth. I thought it was because I ordered the mushroom ramen which can be considered vegetarian but I ordered a side of chashu to add in my bowl. When I tasted the Tonkatsu, I arrived to the same opinion. Is this just hot water or watered down like some of those 24 hour Vietnamese Pho places? Noodles are mushy soft so I ordered more hard or "al dente" noodles because I wanted extra noodles. Now that tastes just like undercooked noodles. Perhaps a different noodle company to consider buying from? I've had noodles in a few ramen places that really seem like they opened a package of ramen, boiled it, served it and be better than this in my bowl.

I would rather go somewhere else if this is how the bowls are and intended to be served. I won't turn down an offer to come back to try this place again because it could have been an off night. I don't mean for this review to be a slam but more of constructive critism. I would still encourage a friend or anyone to come try it because this is just one person's opinion. One good point is the eggs were cooked to perfection as a soft-boiled egg. Runny yolk is how I love these eggs so don't change out the person with a different task. That's all...

This place has been on our list for awhile and we finally had a chance to make it all the way down to south San Jose. We had really high hopes after seeing the reviews. The overall experience could be better but let’s get down to it.

We sat by the windows and found it to be surrounded with small flies. Overall cleanliness of the place is kinda sus when you have flies buzzing around. I don’t know if other areas have flies but avoid the spot right by the window. The flies all congregate there thinking they can just fly out.

Service was so-so. The waitress provided us water but we only had 1 set of chopsticks for two people. Not the end of the world. I grabbed another set myself. They didn’t check up on us at all after giving us food. Also not the end of the world having to call someone over for water. This is however a problem when you have to pay and tip ahead of time. The default tip goes from 18%-25%, which is quite high for the level of service. Adjust this to your preference obviously lol.

Anyway, let’s talk about the food! We ordered the fried oysters, buta max, and the tonkotsu ramen. The fried oysters were okay… could use a tad less breading but that’s just our opinion. The buta max was a mixed bag. We really appreciate how the noodles were handmade. Love the texture. The broth was also flavorful. I should’ve read the menu better because the ramen packed a strong garlic punch. One of the noodles was cut extra thick and it didn’t cook all the way through. The egg was a little overcooked as well. The tonkotsu ramen met the expectation of tonkotsu ramen. The noodles weren’t handmade like the buta max. I guess we were kinda spoiled so a little disappointed lol. The broth was flavorful. Egg was also overcooked.

Long winded review 😮‍💨. This place is definitely very popular and busy. I wish we had a better experience. We’re not against trying this place again but it is quite a detour for us....