Kajiken — Restaurant in San Mateo

Kajiken is what happens when you want to master one thing, and stay focused on it, no matter what the distractions or allure there is to venture into new things. Kajiken is the first of its kind in the Bay Area where they exclusively focus on abura soba - a soupless noodle mixed with minced meat and egg yolk.

Eating dry noodles is not your frequent meal. Sometimes you just need that broth. But Kajiken chooses to differentiate and massive kudos to this. Thus they may not have customers coming back week over week, but would have an endless line to serve that want to experience abura soba occasionally.

Now this unapologetic approach to what you serve also translates to how it treats the customers. There's no reservation nor signing up sheet. You just wait in front of the restaurant in a line until someone comes out and confirms your party size and takes you in. Thank god we went during less popular hours but I can easily see how this line can build up fast and get frustrating.

Also, the service takes a huge hit as the servers are trained to take you in, and rush you out as fast as you suck in the last strand of your soba. No mercy there and they don't try hide this. Okay, understandable as the place is hugely popular. On the positive, food comes out super fast.

But once again, we are here for the abura soba. Simply speaking, they are wonderful. There's not that many concoctions but they are diverse enough for you to try out a variety. The spicy original (#1) was phenomenal. Due to the dyness though, especially with the egg yolk, it can get a little muddy. But you can absolutely power through with delight. I highly recommend ordering a side of kimchi to help you wash it through.

The appetizers were also awesome such as the takoyaki and the chicken karaage. But again, don't judge Kajiken for anything but the soba.

I have massive respect for Kajiken for getting it right. Getting the food right is the primary objective of a restaurant and they do this with unapologetic precision. Don't go here on a date, a business meal, or even a family meal. Go here because you crave a great bowl of dry noodles. Set your expectations low on everything else but the food and you'll be good.

Giving it 5 stars for being laser focused and delivering an experience not common in...

When I looked at the photos, I wasn't all that impressed. Oh damn was i wrong. The food is SO FLAVORFUL! I went with a friend, so we shared the cold tofu and takoyaki appetizers. Already a great start because that tofu was delicious.

We were able to modify our entrees to fit our dietary needs, and still tasting great! The portion is deceivingly large, so we both got leftovers.

Having my leftover 4 days later, and the flavor might have soaked even more into the noodles. For the qualty of food, this is top level in my book.

We sat outside coz we had a dog with us, and it was so nice! It's cozy and spacious. We do notice we have a harder time flagging down a server when needed, but they did check on our table at other times.

To the server who answered my question before I was even in the line, you are amazing. You were patient, diligent, and most of all, you were really doing a much as you could within your power to answer my questions and accommodate my requests.

To the server who waited for my table: you are the highlight of this visit. You gave me your recommendations, which are REAL recommendations including why you would recommend such and such a dish. Thank you for your patience while showing us the step by step on how we should prep/mix our bowls, and also for the playfulness you brought! It definitely set the tone for my dining experience, and your effort should be recognized for it.

Overall, this was a fantastic dining experience. I will definitely...

Solid joint for Aburasoba although not completely authentic, does live up to the hype with small rooms to improve.

I have her so many amazing things about this joint from my friends that loved ramen so I had to try it out. Got the homura which was their signature.brothless ramen (it says it is spicy but not really at all) - wow, it was a surprisingly balanced profile I will highly recommend adding some of the vinegar on the table cuz it really brightens the dish, without it I think it would be a bit too oily for my taste. Of course they also had the fried garlic flakes on the table which I absolutely devoured cuz I'm a garlic lover. So overall I enjoy the food and I will bring friends over if they are ramen lovers. I would love to see this style of brothless ramen spread more in the Bay Area so that they can have some competition so that they don't have a long wait anymore.

However, it could be really hard to get people to your table for anything you need such as water. I don't know why they didn't provide a spoon by default. I have to ask every time. The portion was also tiny for the price. My friend ordered a side of vegetable and chashu to go with it and when the dishes came it literally was one single piece of vegetable (bok choy) and one tiny thin slice of chashu. I was laughing so bad given how much they charge. So if you're looking for the bang for your buck... Chief...