Went to Himawari on a rainy day. Looking for an intimate location. The entire restaurant has an amazing atmosphere as the walls are decorated with records and jazz music plays throughout. The ramen selection is very good and they have quality broth. Despite there being three parties ahead of us, things moved by quickly, and I was seated in less than 10 minutes. Would consider this place a restaurant that desires for parties to eat quickly and leave instead of staying however, long they please to chat a.k.a. 1 1/2 hours plus.Vegetarian options: There is a singular vegetarian ramen, and some additional salads and side vegetarian dishes but I wouldn’t recommend this place to a vegetarian because there isn’t a large enough option and I wouldn’t consider the price is reasonable for almond for example, the vegetarian ramen isn’t base price
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ramen
Dan Mori
Excellent ramen & several different, tasty options. Other dishes are good, too. The chicken karaage appetizer is also delicious. My # 1 favorite ramen place in the Bay Area!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gyoza, Tan Tan Men Deluxe, Tonkotsu Ramen, Chicken Karaage, Deluxe Ramen Miso Flavor, Salt Ramen, Ramen
Joseph Tu
Tantan mien has been my favorite!I think after all these years especially after pandemic, their price is considered reasonable compare to others in San Jose.Most ramen and udon have gone up range from $18 to 22; Himawari's tantan mien is $15 and tastes so much better!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paige Riola
This place was refreshing after regularly going to a couple of ramen stops downtown that primarily/only serve tonkotsu ramen (nothing against tonkotsu, I just needed some variety).I love their shoyu ramen especially! They have a good variety of broths and delicious toppings compared to others nearby. Their karaage was also really good!Their wall is covered in jazz band album covers, and they always have nice jazz music playing.
Tonkotsu Ramen really hit the spot. Good depth, salty, full of flavor. The ginger gave it a good contrast.Ikagesa Karaage was subpar today. I've ordered this here many times before, and it was great, but this time, the batter was soggy and falling off. However, it was still good and would keep ordering it.Chicken Karaage is always delicious. I've also also ordered this many times before and never a miss. Most of the time, you need to wait for it but it always comes out hot, juicy and crunchy.
Ordered karaage, gyoza, and chashu-men. They are all delicious. The ramen broth is flavor rich and not overly oily. In my opinion, the ramen is even better than that of Momosan on Santana Row. I wish the karaage can be spiced with some cumin and/or cayenne pepper (at least on the side maybe); hope they will make that happen.Parking: Main Street parking garage, free on Sunday and paid otherwise (about $1.25 per hour).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gyoza, Chicken Karaage, Ramen
Al Chan
Always good. However, this time, I did takeout, and the noodles didn't seem to be the same type as before.Ramen, always good. Literally, every item is good. They have been around for almost 20 years for a reason.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
B. Wai
This place used to be good, but the ramen now was mediocre. I was quite disappointed. I ordered tonkutsu and the broth was not favored enough. The services were still good. You can go there at anytime without a line. Sorry buddy. I wouldn't come back again. Wish best of luck.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen, Ramen
Guy Eshet
Cute little Ramen place, very tasty and in a reasonable
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gyoza, Ramen
Wei-Ai Tai
This is my family’s favorite ramen place in San Mateo! We have been coming here for almost 20 years, and all three of my daughters grew up eating the shio butter corn ramen. Lupe has been like an extension of our family. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for great ramen and great service!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tan Tan Men Deluxe, Tonkotsu Ramen, Edamame, Shio Butter Corn Ramen, Chicken Karaage, Salmon Fried Rice
My family and I have been coming here for years and it never fails to satisfy us. The ramen is very refreshing and not too heavy. Their chicken karaage is also superb.I love this restaurant a lot and highly recommend it for everyone!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joshua Yuan
On a Friday evening my group of 3 were able to put our names on the waitlist and got seated within 5-10 minutes. Parking around here is busy but circling the blocks a couple times you should be able to find street parking.The menu is quite interesting. The food came out pretty quickly and is pretty filling. The ramens are quite heavy. The chicken karage was big but just so oily. Service is nice. Good vibes inside. Enjoy!
Courtney Tai
I’ve been coming here for years and have always loved the food and relaxing, jazzy atmosphere. The service is consistently pleasant and friendly. They have vegetarian broth options and a great salmon fried rice for those who don’t feel like ramen. If you’re looking for a casual, welcoming experience this is the place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shio Butter Corn Ramen
Collin Such
Great ramen parlor in downtown San Mateo. The Won Ton Men is amazing, the shrimp and pork dumplings are so exceptional.
Cindy Wong
Most disappointing ramen we've ever had. We only came here based on the good reviews 1yr ago. Everything was flavorless or meh. The broth was bland. Veggies were flavorless. The chashu slices were thin, dry, bland & not seared. We even paid extra for a piece of pork belly, but that wasn't even up to par either. The egg was over-cooked as well. It was worse quality than express delivered ramen. Also, it was more expensive compared to other much better ramen restaurants. Do not recommend. It was a waste of money.
Went to Himawari on a rainy day. Looking for an intimate location. The entire restaurant has an amazing atmosphere as the walls are decorated with records and jazz music plays throughout. The ramen selection is very good and they have quality broth. Despite there being three parties ahead of us, things moved by quickly, and I was seated in less than 10 minutes. Would consider this place a restaurant that desires for parties to eat quickly and leave instead of staying however, long they please to chat a.k.a. 1 1/2 hours plus.Vegetarian options: There is a singular vegetarian ramen, and some additional salads and side vegetarian dishes but I wouldn’t recommend this place to a vegetarian because there isn’t a large enough option and I wouldn’t consider the price is reasonable for almond for example, the vegetarian ramen isn’t base price
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ramen
Excellent ramen & several different, tasty options. Other dishes are good, too. The chicken karaage appetizer is also delicious. My # 1 favorite ramen place in the Bay Area!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gyoza, Tan Tan Men Deluxe, Tonkotsu Ramen, Chicken Karaage, Deluxe Ramen Miso Flavor, Salt Ramen, Ramen
Tantan mien has been my favorite!I think after all these years especially after pandemic, their price is considered reasonable compare to others in San Jose.Most ramen and udon have gone up range from $18 to 22; Himawari's tantan mien is $15 and tastes so much better!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place was refreshing after regularly going to a couple of ramen stops downtown that primarily/only serve tonkotsu ramen (nothing against tonkotsu, I just needed some variety).I love their shoyu ramen especially! They have a good variety of broths and delicious toppings compared to others nearby. Their karaage was also really good!Their wall is covered in jazz band album covers, and they always have nice jazz music playing.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Gyoza, Tonkotsu Ramen, Chicken Karaage, Wonton Ramen, Shop Ramen with Karaage
Tonkotsu Ramen really hit the spot. Good depth, salty, full of flavor. The ginger gave it a good contrast.Ikagesa Karaage was subpar today. I've ordered this here many times before, and it was great, but this time, the batter was soggy and falling off. However, it was still good and would keep ordering it.Chicken Karaage is always delicious. I've also also ordered this many times before and never a miss. Most of the time, you need to wait for it but it always comes out hot, juicy and crunchy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen, Chicken Karaage
Ordered karaage, gyoza, and chashu-men. They are all delicious. The ramen broth is flavor rich and not overly oily. In my opinion, the ramen is even better than that of Momosan on Santana Row. I wish the karaage can be spiced with some cumin and/or cayenne pepper (at least on the side maybe); hope they will make that happen.Parking: Main Street parking garage, free on Sunday and paid otherwise (about $1.25 per hour).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gyoza, Chicken Karaage, Ramen
Always good. However, this time, I did takeout, and the noodles didn't seem to be the same type as before.Ramen, always good. Literally, every item is good. They have been around for almost 20 years for a reason.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place used to be good, but the ramen now was mediocre. I was quite disappointed. I ordered tonkutsu and the broth was not favored enough. The services were still good. You can go there at anytime without a line. Sorry buddy. I wouldn't come back again. Wish best of luck.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen, Ramen
Cute little Ramen place, very tasty and in a reasonable
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gyoza, Ramen
This is my family’s favorite ramen place in San Mateo! We have been coming here for almost 20 years, and all three of my daughters grew up eating the shio butter corn ramen. Lupe has been like an extension of our family. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for great ramen and great service!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tan Tan Men Deluxe, Tonkotsu Ramen, Edamame, Shio Butter Corn Ramen, Chicken Karaage, Salmon Fried Rice
Restaurantji Recommends
My family and I have been coming here for years and it never fails to satisfy us. The ramen is very refreshing and not too heavy. Their chicken karaage is also superb.I love this restaurant a lot and highly recommend it for everyone!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
On a Friday evening my group of 3 were able to put our names on the waitlist and got seated within 5-10 minutes. Parking around here is busy but circling the blocks a couple times you should be able to find street parking.The menu is quite interesting. The food came out pretty quickly and is pretty filling. The ramens are quite heavy. The chicken karage was big but just so oily. Service is nice. Good vibes inside. Enjoy!
I’ve been coming here for years and have always loved the food and relaxing, jazzy atmosphere. The service is consistently pleasant and friendly. They have vegetarian broth options and a great salmon fried rice for those who don’t feel like ramen. If you’re looking for a casual, welcoming experience this is the place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shio Butter Corn Ramen
Great ramen parlor in downtown San Mateo. The Won Ton Men is amazing, the shrimp and pork dumplings are so exceptional.
Most disappointing ramen we've ever had. We only came here based on the good reviews 1yr ago. Everything was flavorless or meh. The broth was bland. Veggies were flavorless. The chashu slices were thin, dry, bland & not seared. We even paid extra for a piece of pork belly, but that wasn't even up to par either. The egg was over-cooked as well. It was worse quality than express delivered ramen. Also, it was more expensive compared to other much better ramen restaurants. Do not recommend. It was a waste of money.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3