TEKIPOKE RAMEN & BOBA — Restaurant in San Marcos

Disappointing Ramen Experience – More Pho Than Ramen

I had high hopes for TEKIPOKE RAMEN & BOBA, but unfortunately, the ramen fell short of expectations. I ordered two different ramen bowls for my child and me, and neither delivered the quality or authenticity one would expect from a proper ramen establishment.

The broth lacked depth and tasted more like a fusion of pho and ramen rather than a rich, umami-packed ramen broth. The pork cutlet was breaded and fried, which isn’t inherently bad, but it was overly chewy and carried a strong residual oil taste, suggesting it had been sitting in the fryer too long or the oil wasn’t fresh. The overall dish didn’t have the freshness or complexity that defines great ramen.

On the positive side, the staff were friendly, and the service was decent. The ambiance was neutral—nothing particularly inviting but not uncomfortable either. While the hospitality was a plus, it couldn’t make up for the disappointing food quality.

I’d rate the food 2.5/5 and the overall experience 3/5, mainly due to the pleasant staff. I’m genuinely surprised by the high ratings this place has received, as the ramen did not meet even baseline expectations. If you’re looking for an authentic ramen experience, I’d suggest exploring...

Family owned and operated. Good people run this business and they put their effort into provide good food over making a buck. Teriyaki was grilled to order. For Poke, there is a mass assortment of sides. Avocado is FREE. If you pick shrimp, the shrimp is whole and not chopped up. Both teriyaki and poke bowls were generously portioned. Whole ingredients and fresh vegetables. The steamed vegetables in the teriyaki bowl wasn't over and still slightly crunchy. As a the cherry on top the service was friendly and the owner/family was very humble and hard working. The price was around $12 to $15 dollars which is typical for 2022. If you want a mom and pop quick sit down restaurant with fresh poke and hearty teriyaki this place deserves a visit. It made it on my list of places I would bring my friends and family and I give it a 5...

Decided to try this place because it has good reviews. I ordered a small bowl with seared salmon and white rice. When I’ve had poke in the past, I noticed many places do not keep their ingredients very cold. In this case, however, the rice was at room temperature when I received it and tasted so acidic I couldn’t eat my bowl. I’m not sure if it had been fermenting because it was at room temperature for so long, or because it was pre-cooked and then frozen or dried for later. Either way, it was not fresh rice and it completely ruined the experience for me. Otherwise, the staff was very nice and helpful, and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere. I enjoyed the peach fruit tea that I ordered. But this rice was just...