Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Shinmai in Oakland

4.6 (199) 1825-3 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94612, United States

Categories

Japanese restaurant
Cocktail bar
Izakaya restaurant
Ramen restaurant
Small plates restaurant

Location on the map

Oakland, Alameda County, California, US

Phone: +1 510-271-1888
Site: https://shinmaioakland.com/

Opening hours

Monday:Closed
Tuesday:5:30–8:30 PM
Wednesday:5:30–8:30 PM
Thursday:5:30–8:30 PM
Friday:5:30–9:30 PM
Saturday:5:30–9:30 PM
Sunday:5:30–8:30 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.6

199 Reviews for Shinmai 2024:

Review №1

2023-01-01 20:53:26

Friendly and attentive staff. Plenty of drinks bar and kitchen bar seating. Can get a bit loud. Food came out quick. Gyoza and fries were a bit greasy, but acceptably so. Ramen was generous with a good selection of vegetables but a bit on the blander side. Drinks were strong and well balanced.

Review №2

2022-12-01 03:27:23

I really hope the owner can see my review. I am a regular customer to Shinmai and I love their chili paste on my hot Ramen. Unfortunately I ordered the ramen last night and they used a different type of chili’s paste. The new chili paste has lots of chili flakes. I know chili a lot and the new one is probably from a jar called “老干媽”. My friend ordered French fries and they put the same chili paste. Please, we enjoyed so much of the original chili paste.

Review №3

2022-10-28 03:09:55

Great vibe and service. Some dishes were under seasoned like the tempura mushroom, chicken karaage, and ribeye steak. They each had sauces on the side but they were just okay. The ribeye steak came out a bit too raw, even for medium rare.

Review №4

2022-02-16 19:50:59

Went here because I was told it was better than another izakaya spot i love going to and i have to say i was impressed. The vibe and service is great and I had some of the best appetizers Ive seen on a menu in a while. My only con is the veggie ramen which while not bad, it was pretty common only veggie and broth like Im used to seeing at other places. I still prefer the veggie ramen at the other spot I go to but its not a game breaker. If you eat meat youll probably like the tonkotsu options but as vegetarian i wanted to say my opinion since its hard to come by unique dishes. Overall great spot and great drinks! Ill be back with a party soon

Review №5

2023-01-01 16:50:54

We really liked the Japanese Caesar salad and squid leg karrage. The miso mussels fell flat in flavor and the shoyu ramen didn’t hit for us. Service was rushed. This would be a nice place for cocktails with friends and small plates, but overall we felt underwhelmed.

Review №6

2023-10-05 02:50:24

Awesome food, great staff, wonderful atmosphere. We had the spicy fries appetizer, red tonkotsu, black tonkotsu ramen, and a few cocktails. WOW! Everything was out-of-this-world tasty. They had on nice music for ambience too. Great spot to hit before going to a show at the Fox Theater.

Review №7

2023-08-27 04:38:43

Absolutely fantastic garlic tonkotsu ramen. The edamame was a little too salty for me with the soy sauce, but still excellent.

Review №8

2023-08-28 04:10:38

This place is 2/3 a stylish cocktail bar, 1/3 Japanese restaurant. The cocktails looked great and cost about as much as many of the food items. It seems to attract a slightly upmarket crowd. Ramen came with very tender pork, the thinner Hakata style noodles, good quality Menma and delicious broth. Service was good and they checked on me 3-4 times. I’ll have time back for drinks and other food options.

Review №9

2021-05-29 15:42:28

The food here is great. The atmosphere is nice for a date, not too noisy, and the employees were super friendly. As of May 29 2021, they were taking temperatures for entry. I had the veggie ramen which was pretty good, though not the best vegetarian ramen around Oakland. The Sichuan spicy fries were so good.

Review №10

2023-03-06 19:10:35

The most delicious Dinner; especially enjoyed the hamachi and the whisky sour cocktail was to die for! Nice laid back atmosphere, knowledgeable kind staff, made me feel comfortable and welcome. Would recommend!

Review №11

2018-03-24 18:40:07

What to say. This place was a pleasant surprise that we stumbled upon! We had planned to eat at Belly but there was nowhere to sit. We looked for places nearby on maps, and Shinmai came up. Despite not having a reservation and there being a hour and a half wait, we somehow got a seat at the bar. First off, the hostess was super nice. Same with our waitress. I ordered the pork and bf got the ramen. The pork was pretty small, and after tasting his ramen I ordered one too! We got the tonkotsu and the shoyu. I presented the tonkotsu, but they were both amazing. Very flavorful, and the noodles were perfect! Seriously so good. This place is quite fancy but not too loud. Would be good for a first date OR a nice dinner out. I rarely give 5 stars, but this place deserves it!

Review №12

2020-02-22 04:06:24

Great atmosphere, though I agree better outdoor signage would be helpful. Got the black sesame ramen with shredded duck and it was VERY good both in noodle texture and the umami flavor of the broth. The pork belly buns were perfectly cooked. Pickled veggies also delish!

Review №13

2017-10-30 04:25:12

Atmosphere is great. A lot went into the design of the place for upscale ambiance, but if your main focus is ramen there are a number of other better venues in the east bay. The noodles were lack luster and the tonkatsu broth wasnt as fatty and flavorful as it should be and the shoyu was good but wasnt very complex. Portions were also small for ramen. The small plate of Broccolini was well done and displayed.

Review №14

2017-10-28 05:14:54

Everything tasted so good!! Love the ramens...both the pork and vegetarian ones. I love my chashu work but the vegetarian one was really good as well!!

Review №15

2022-02-19 18:31:02

Had a great time with my family. The drinks were on another level.everything was cooked very well and the vibe was awesome!!! Wait staff was very nice and attentive

Review №16

2017-10-24 22:01:24

This place is always packed and so it would be very wise of you to make a reservation before you go.We went on a Tuesday night and there was still an hour wait but the host was so nice the offer to squeeze Us in at the bar which also serves the full menu.We had the karaage and it was really good. Something about the sauce and it was crunchy too. Also order the vegetarian ramen with the spicy side dish. That spicy side was really good it didnt make my Ramen vegetarian anymore which is fine.The inside was very dark it was kind of hard to see around but also looks really cool because you can see into the kitchen. They have tables on a bar looking into the kitchen instead of looking at people make drinks. Its a pretty good-sized restaurant but just too popular.

Review №17

2023-06-04 15:31:57

This spot is pretty good if a little pricey. They only have pork ramen (it’s good!) and one vegetarian option that’s passable but not great (I realize pork is traditional just saying this spot isn’t a great option for non-pork eaters). Very yummy drinks, hip vibes, some tasty small plates (my friends and I smashed several orders of the mushroom tempura), friendly service. Definitely worth checking out but not the overall best ramen spot I’ve been to in the East Bay.

Review №18

2019-05-27 20:20:54

The ramen is actually pretty good. My onlycomplaint is that this restaurant charges THIRTEEN dollars for a plate of chicken karaage. The ramen itself is only $16 dollars. How can you guys charge nearly as much as the bowl of ramen? Although it’s decent, the plate only comes with ~6 small pieces of chicken anyway. I’ve never been to a place that has charged this much for something that’s not that special.

Review №19

2022-02-14 00:38:13

One of my favorite ramen places in SF. They make a really rich tonkotsu ramen broth and their appetizers are always fantastic

Review №20

2018-05-07 02:25:47

Mediocre ramen at best. The presentation and service is good. The pork has the unpleasant pork flavor that usually happens when you don’t put enough wine, ginger, or other spices when cooking. I’m not sure why this place is rated so highly. Maybe the other food is good.

Review №21

2023-05-27 06:21:00

The experience is great to snack, sip and chat. Casual dining and a relaxed atmosphere.

Review №22

2018-10-26 14:38:58

We went here before going to a show at the Uptown. (Its also near The Fox.). They had a while selection of Japanese Whiskey and some creative cocktails too. We sat down for dinner and shared several plates - oysters, beef skewers, pork belly buns, shishito peppers, fried chicken, sashimi, ramen etc. The place was packed on a Thursday but we still managed to get a reservation that afternoon for an early dinner slot. The staff is friendly and helpful. I think the owner even thanked us for eating there as we were leaving. Will come back again!

Review №23

2018-06-01 04:03:21

The ramen is soooo good here! Same with all the small bites we ordered - rib eye, corn & the potato salad. The Where’s Valdez? cocktail was delicious as well. Service is attentive but unobtrusive.

Review №24

2023-03-06 09:13:13

Came here for a friend’s birthday. Staff were nice and attentive. They have a vegan/vegetarian option. Only downside is portion sizes were a little small.

Review №25

2020-01-04 20:06:52

Some of the best ramen in the Bay Area. This place puts Japantown to shame. It’s cheaper, more delicious, and the inside has better decor than any ramen place in SF. A must-see if you’re in the area. The appetizers are also phenomenal. Just like anywhere in the city, parking is tough and local lots are pricey so it’s best to take BART.

Review №26

2019-02-20 07:44:23

Full bar. Excellent service and food. Not easily recognized from street; only a small sign attached to the door handle. The double door entrance is setback a bit with two small trees flanking either side of the entrance at the street.

Review №27

2017-08-23 20:00:50

I normally do not write reviews, but Shinmai blew me away and I felt obligated to share my experience with others.1) The space is BEAUTIFUL and it was obvious that great detail was put into everything from the beautiful wood tables, to the setup of the bar, and the artwork in the back.2) Service was awesome and I felt welcomed from the time I walked in the door until the time I left.3) Last but not least, the FOOD was INCREDIBLE. I love ramen and Shinmais vegetable ramen was tremendous. Attached are a couple photos below. I will be back many, many times.

Review №28

2021-12-27 05:06:28

If youre a ramen fan, this place is amazing. The red tonkatsu was spectacular and so were the fries. Their black tonkatsu also had great nuanced flavors.

Review №29

2022-07-16 17:15:52

Great small plates and unique cocktails. Love the edgy decor, highly recommend for a nice evening meal.

Review №30

2021-02-16 02:53:52

Randomly ordered them for delivery and wow! Their black garlic ramen was super delicious! My top 5 ramen in the Bay Area, probably in top 10 of ramen I have had from all over the world. And I travel to Japan every year (even in 2020!)Their chicken karaage was good, but not great. I was confused by their tartar sauce like. Would love to visit the restaurant for physical dine in soon.

Review №31

2019-04-19 02:53:31

Came here the other day for early dinner. Super big venue, it was pretty empty.(+) Pork belly bao - bao was really fresh and yummy, big piece of pork belly in the bao, the sauce was good too. You get two for the order.(+) Tonkatsu ramen - Honestly, its a pet peeve of mine when ramen places only give half an egg by default. I ordered another egg though. Broth was good, not too heavy, not too light. Noodles are a little thin for my liking but they were still good. Also good proportions! Usually Im left with a lot more soup but this time was almost done.(-) We also ordered the fried rice, which never came. Meh. We had to just cancel by the time we were done with our ramen.All in all, the ramen was quite satisfying. Would go again. Also want to try some of their other apps, and their cocktails looked good too.

Review №32

2018-08-24 06:18:59

Fun & delicious itzakaya near the Fox theater. Loved my cocktail. Food was delicious, especially the vegetables dishes & the okonomiyaki donuts. Service was attentive. Would like to return for ramen!

Review №33

2017-08-30 03:53:37

A bit on the expensive side, but if youre looking for a fusion Japanese tapas place, this is a great candidate! Their ramen is a good starch to close out your meal with and their chicken karaage is unique and flavorful. I personally liked their broccolini dish, which was crisp and yuzu-tart. Give it a try if youre looking for something new!

Review №34

2019-12-28 19:31:54

Whatever you do, do not order the Shoyu ramen here. The roast beef in it is literally a slice of Oscar Meyer type lunch meat (that smelled like it was past due as well). I could not believe it. And theyre selling this bowl of Ramen for $16 - are you kidding me? The broth in the Shoyu was also uninspired. To be fair, on past visits, I have only ordered the Tonkatsu ramen and it was excellent. My friend ordered the vegetarian ramen and enjoyed it. We split the kale cabbage salad which was very good. But the decision of that kitchen to put a slice of lunch meat in their ramen sours any desire to trust them and come back here again. Who knows what other corners theyll cut.

Review №35

2023-07-23 17:46:10

Food was delicious- ordered red tonkatsu, shishito peppers, fried mushrooms and mushroom gyoza. I could drink the ramen broth for days.

Review №36

2018-09-06 17:04:56

The venue was really cool. The restaurant entrance is unmarked so you have to search a bit to find it (black doors with no sign, between the bar and the wellness collective). Inside is a chic bar that serves sake, whiskey, and other things. The decor is kind of hip and it looks like a cool place for a date. The karaage was crispy and hot, but breading was similar to buttermilk. They have a lot of appetizers so Id be excited to try the others. I got the miso broth which was the regular broth you get at other places. Interesting take on ramen, I had tomatoes in mine. But the noodles were cooked well and tasted hand made. The spicy tonkatsu (with the spicy paste) is a lot more interesting. Personally I didnt like the type of spiciness but my friend did. A bit pricey for ramen ($16/bowl) and the hibiki was $15/pour. It was a nice experience and cool place for a date.

Review №37

2018-07-08 02:32:13

Awesome Ramen with a great flavorful broth and amazingly sweet egg. I would come here more often but being a broke ass college student with $20 only ever in his wallet, the price is pretty steap. Still a good bowl though!

Review №38

2021-11-28 05:31:13

Service was fantastic, cocktails something special, appetizers were very good and main course was out of the park delicious! Great atmosphere will definitely be back.

Review №39

2020-02-05 04:31:38

Tasty food. I loved the Takoyaki and pork belly buns. The buns were close to what I had at Momofuku noodle bar.

Review №40

2019-11-10 04:54:32

The ramen is ok but the karaage is a little over fried so the outside is kind of hard

Review №41

2022-03-15 17:38:22

I loved the spicy himitsu paste in the Red Tonkotsu Ramen.

Review №42

2020-01-21 16:58:48

- food is delicious- forgot my order and compensated us with two sake shots- staff are friendly- really difficult to have your calls answered (This is where it lost a star.)- can get REALLY CROWDED at dinner time, so reservations are recommended. However, every time I tried to call nobody answered my phone. So it will be hard to know or make reservations if it is your last minute idea to eat here.

Review №43

2017-11-26 18:03:34

Another overpriced underdeliver ramen to the bay area. Broth is thin, weak and doesnt gel much w noodle.

Review №44

2023-01-12 00:08:24

All the Fs! Great Food, Friendly staff, Fancy cocktails, and Fun atmosphere! I keep coming back to this because they never disappoint. Check this place out for a date night, large group event, or even just a solo dine in experience at the bar. One of Oaklands gems!

Review №45

2019-02-02 17:43:05

As others have said, parking is hard to find here so plan ahead. There are garages in the vicinity also. Food was mostly great. Hamachi was slightly dry. Cheesecake was delicious!

Review №46

2019-10-20 04:23:57

Got the fried rice, black tonkatsu, and takoyaki. All were very flavorful, but the fried rice was a bit too salty for my taste. Would highly recommend the ramen!

Review №47

2023-10-10 21:00:25

Decent place. Food is good, service is great atmosphere was ok

Review №48

2022-11-07 22:20:17

Amazing food. Great atmosphere. Do yourself a favor and get the pork belly buns. Theyre magical 🤩🤩🤩

Review №49

2021-05-12 19:10:49

Excellent bar staff and custom cocktails. Peanut Gallery= delicious. Great menu always changing yet the ramen is always amazing and filling. Concrete exterior but style and dark wood everywhere inside. Great spot for a date.

Review №50

2022-02-06 20:12:08

Cool vibes of the restaurant, but the ramen does not feel worth the price. Ordered the veggies ramen and while the broth was rich the ramen was super skimpy on veggies. If you dont order at least 2? appetizers you will probably leave hungry.The ambiance of the place is really fun though so I think that makes the outing more worth it.

Review №51

2021-12-04 21:57:29

Superlative cocktails, best ramen I have had in the bay so far (my previous best was Ramenwell), and the small plates were very good too. Only drawback is that outdoor dining area was not open when we went — it would be nice if that was available. But indoor space is very nice.

Review №52

2017-09-29 01:30:53

A new favorite of mine! All the food I had here was stellar. The drinks were delicious too. I havent stopped thinking about it since.

Review №53

2019-06-18 02:44:30

Great food and service, BEST ramen in the Bay Area

Review №54

2022-08-10 03:26:55

All around wonderful Izakaya! We loved everything we ordered.The spicy fries are a must!!!The tonkatsu was rich and delicious.The mushroom gohan was tasty (probably wouldn’t order it again though)And the Pork Bao Buns we’re fantastic! soft and savory.I can’t wait to come back 😋

Review №55

2022-10-15 04:17:46

Food was good, and definitely fancy. Nothing comes with rice which was a bit surprising...Takoyaki is AMAZING, but the roulette didnt include a spicy one - maybe just a gimmick? It was good tho

Review №56

2022-05-21 02:11:57

Salmon carpaccio, grilled Squid, heirloom tomato salad, oolong iced tea! Everything was incredibly delicious and the service was so freaking fast! If they had raw oysters I would have to dedicate a monthly budget to this joint 🤩🤩🤩

Review №57

2018-10-16 02:47:39

This place was on point. Good drinks, tasty apps, yummy ramen, and a great dessert. Cool atmosphere. Trendy and romantic.

Review №58

2018-06-11 04:54:15

Very good food and great service! We had the corn, it had some crispy grilled marks and a light sauce. The tuna belly was a great starter and also had good flavor. Only thing I would say it to make it better was a little spice in the ramen, but that’s a personal preference. I will definitely go back!

Review №59

2021-05-11 01:49:09

I think it’s the best ramen spot in the east bay, well earning its slightly higher price point.We had one mess-up where their online order system deleted an already-paid order, so I showed up and was asked to pay again for a new order, which I declined. Ultimately it wasn’t really the restaurants fault and they were gracious about it and refunded me.

Review №60

2019-01-09 17:44:54

Stumbled on this place after a show at New Parish. Ramen was excellent. Cool vibe, feels very upscale but prices are very reasonable. Loved it. Will go back.Updating Review: Went a few weeks ago (December, 2018). Service was somewhat lacking. Someone took our order for drinks, then never came back. Had to reorder drinks. Food was still very good. Dropped a star because of service issues.

Review №61

2023-11-29 02:53:46

Shinmai is GOATED!

Review №62

2021-08-17 05:29:44

Finally found the best ramen spot in Oakland/Berkeley. I’ve only had the black garlic ramen so I can only speak to that, but I am a picky ramen eater and no other place has been what I would call very good ramen. Ramen shop maybe but their prices are insane so I don’t bother re-visiting. Also the cocktails at Shinmai are really good too!

Review №63

2022-12-06 06:35:18

Delicious Japanese tapas, good Japanese whiskey. A solid night out on the town with my husband! The staff is kind and attentive.

Review №64

2019-07-09 22:52:36

I did not love this place. Prices were great. I found the tataki way too sweet and not balanced. The chili paste for the ramen has a lot of numbing spice in it. I felt like it overpowered the ramen flavors. Cocktails were great. Staff was super friendly. The corn on the cobb was delicious! In conclusion, great prices, some of the dishes need balancing and ramen was so so.

Review №65

2019-01-17 05:43:26

Location: Really good place if you can find it. Hidden in plain sight. Even though Ive been here a couple of times, I can never get used to the fact that I have to guess which door to get into.Wait times: Usually theres always a good long wait list, Fridays and Saturdays are usually completely booked. I decided to go here in the middle of a winter storm, on a Wednesday night, I still had to wait half an hour to be finally seated on a community table. (I dont particularly mind it, but it does bother some people)Ambience: The ambience is really nice, not too brightly lit or loud.Service: In one of my previous visits we sat on the bar and had fun with the bar tender serving up his off the menu cocktail creations which was a lot of fun. The staff is really polite. The service is pretty prompt. I loved the sake recommendations our server had.Food: Overall good food. I love ramen and unfortunately that makes me a little picky at times. Definitely one of the better ramen spots in Oakland. I like my ramen to have a little more broth and meat than whats on the menu, but overall it tasted really nice. I liked both the Tonkotsu ramen and the Shoyu ramen. The spicy himitsu paste on the side is a must. The karaage chicken, pork belly and mushroom tempura were also nice. All the cocktails and sake were great. We had cheesecakes for dessert and they were amazing. Overall the food was great.

Review №66

2020-10-02 20:32:51

Shinmai has the best Ramen broth in the area. Back in the day when there was indoor seating it was always packed but service was friendly and fast anyway. Ive never met the owner but Im sure they are chill because the staff, even when its super busy, are smiling and the service is ALWAYS super friendly. Every single thing on the menu is made exquisitely and the cocktails are all quite subtly wonderful and everything is presented well. But omg the broth. The extra broth is always on my order and the hot sauce thingie on the side is so extremely complex and layered with flavors. This and Hopscotch are totally the spots for a second date if you kinda like somebody, yup. Too nice for a first date LOL

Review №67

2020-02-15 07:53:42

Went here for Valentines Day with a reservation. They had a prix fixe menu for two for $119.Ill start off with clarifying that the only good thing about this place was the food itself.Service was terrible. We didnt get food until 40min after being seated, which was two oysters for the first dish. I tried to be patient given the obviously busy night, but definitely became upset after seeing that multiple parties that were served after us were getting their food before we were. Some parties were seated an entire hour after we were and managed to get all of their food before we got ours.It took close to three hours for us to receive our entire meal. I cannot recommend this place to anyone I know after this experience.

Review №68

2017-12-05 15:41:44

Tip: there is no signage, so it can be hard to find. The entrance is a series of large black iron doors.Amazing decor, amazing food. Its really cool to get to look in at the chefs while theyre preparing your meal.We tried the ramen (amazing), gem salad (surprisingly amazing), salmon special (just ok), and the mystery sake (really great). The service was good too. When they forgot one of our items, they brought us two complementary items to make up for it.Good for a nice date, or for a nicer but not super expensive meal (if you order the ramen).

Review №69

2019-03-16 22:10:18

Mavis our waitress was amazing! We were celebrating a birthday and she was so joyful and extremely cute. We would come back for her company. The food was outstanding overall. We had the fried mushrooms, pork belly bun, fried squid, hamachi, beef skewers, fried potato salad, tonkatsu ramen... we also ordered multiple duplicates because they were so tasty. The quail was flavorful, but the portion was small and is probably our only complaint... Go see Mavis and have great food!

Review №70

2018-02-19 15:22:29

Hard to find but high end atmosphere when you get inside. We went on a busy Saturday night. The food was all tasty but not anything special. The ramen noodles and egg were cooked perfectly. The rest of the ramen (broth etc) was good but not special. It was fun sitting where we could watch the open kitchen. Given the price point, Im not likely to go back. Theres better ramen for less in Chinatown.

Review №71

2020-03-08 04:21:43

Very crowded and popular with locals. This was my first time here. We were celebrating my daughters birthday.With good reviews, I expected much better food AND service.First, it took awhile for the drinks to come out. Partial orders came out but some never showed. When I asked why, after cancelling our food and drink order that never showed, the waiter said that they did not expect such crowd. What?? Isnt this a well established restaurant?We ended up with me eating the fried rice at the end. All others in my party were done.Second, the food was ok. It wasnt great. Shishito peppers was done nicely but the sauce was ok. Ramen was so, so. Pork belly bun was good. Never got to taste the beef skewers, since it never came out.Cocktail, Wheres Veldez, was nice. Wanted a second one but took too long so, I cancelled the order. 😑The waiter did not even acknowledge my daughters birthday.Overall, the celebratory dinner ended up meh.

Review №72

2020-04-10 15:28:40

This is a hopping new Japanese place located in an unmarked two story green building. There is no restaurant street sign outside and no windows in this part of the building so look hard for the small plain street number above the door or the green color that I mentioned. I have gone several times and on one occasion brought a Japanese friend who remarked that the ramen was “sophisticated”. The decor is modern and has a bit of an underground vibe, even though it is on the ground floor. It is accessible and good if you have anyone in your party who can’t manage steps. The kitchen is open and visible behind glass.

Review №73

2019-06-06 18:04:30

In the other night for dinner. Seated promptly at reservation time. Food was ultimately fine, some dishes were great. But the service and execution were shockingly bad. For example, glasses of wine took 20 minutes to arrive, cocktail nearly 30 minutes, ramen arrived in 4-5 minutes (before any drinks or apps!), a salad ordered early was literally the last thing to arrive, server needed to repeatedly confirm what had arrived and what was ordered, stated reason was the bar is busy however at no point was there even people standing at the bar. Owner and server tried to make amends. I suspect this was a very very off night for an otherwise fine place but to do execution so badly really reflects poorly.

Review №74

2019-07-14 15:54:41

Food, atmosphere, drinks, price, selection... All of it was exceptional. If you arent from the bay area and you arent trying to discern between the top contenders for best 1% of ramen in the area, you cant go wrong visiting Shinmai.We had the fried squid, takoyaki, three tonkotsu ramen and a veggie ramen along with drinks. The fried foods were fresh, crispy and not oily or overcooked. The ramen broth was rich, plenty of toppings, and the noodles were perfectly cooked.We were seated immediately, service was friendly and attentive. My only complaint is that my wifes chopstick broke when she was eating, but maybe shes just too strong??

Review №75

2021-09-25 22:32:10

One of if not the best veggie Ramen around . Best tea egg and I like the spinach noodles .The other ramens are great also but if your looking for vegan this is the best . Oh ? And dont forget the black garlic oil .

Review №76

2019-02-18 21:21:51

I recently went to Shinmai for the first time. I came in for a 9pm reservation and was told a table would be ready soon. After waiting 15+ minutes, I asked the hostess how much longer until our table was ready, to which she responded with confusion it apparently had given our table to some other party who arrived after us. She quickly sat us and neglected to explain there was a special fixed price menu for the night. We continued to sit until a server finally came to our table, though it appeared to be by mistake as she kept looking down at her tickets in confusion. We proceeded to be all but forgotten about and observed others getting excellent service from the staff. Once the food started coming out we were finally being served as normal guests albeit an hour after the time of our reservation. The food was great and helped us forget about the poor service at the beginning. Hopefully this was a fluke, but not a great first impression.

Review №77

2017-09-29 21:07:17

Vegetable ramen is worth the try! Staff seem super nice as they come out to offer drinks when the wait is long. Restaurant is much bigger than expected, and the atmosphere is dim. Restrooms are not directly in the restaurant and are not gender inclusive.

Review №78

2018-12-03 04:19:23

This place is, in a word...perfect. The ambiance is serene even though it is busy. The trance music in the background is just enough to allow conversation and create an atmosphere.The wait staff is knowledgeable, efficient and courteous. And of course, the food is delightful. A little sloce of noodle heaven in downtown Oakland.Simply remarkable!

Review №79

2018-10-07 20:43:48

Great ramen for sure. The izakaya is pretty tasty as youd expect, the Chicken Karaage is particularly good. Great food overall. Service can be uneven, know that plates come out faster for smaller parties.NOTE: The facade of the restaurant has NO signage and looks like it’s abandoned from the outside, which adds to its “speakeasy” vibe, especially in the evening.

Review №80

2022-02-02 12:04:09

The ramen here is incredible, drinks great too.Loved the atmosphere and wait staff were excellent! Will definitely be back!

Review №81

2018-09-07 22:30:42

Holy cow. This was the best ramen I’ve ever had in the states. Must go

Review №82

2021-03-23 04:48:38

Awesome place! Food was great, staff were super friendly and really knew the menu. Got the Harujuku sour for a drink, which was tasty (and the garnish was a paper-mache crane!)Covid safety was obviously upheld and taken seriously here as well. Will be coming back again!

Review №83

2021-06-21 03:09:39

New favorite ramen shop in the east bay. In my opinion better broth and quality for the same price as ippudo and marufuku. Very fast and kind servers. Atmosphere and quality are on point.

Review №84

2019-07-14 01:47:15

Great food. Spendy except for the $15 soup, which would make a nice light lunch by itself. No sign, we knew of it because they served yummy sushi samples at a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels. We had reservations. Accoustics were a problem for me when the next table for 6 filled up and they seemed loud. (No soft surfaces.)

Review №85

2020-03-28 00:04:16

For me this is the BEST ramen in Oakland! The broth and noodles are perfect. I always get the Tonkatsu or Black tonkatsu ramen. I think its better than other well-known places such as Marufuku, without the terrible wait. They also have great service. Once they almost forgot about our orders, and gave us free dessert! Parking can be very difficult. Better to just pay for parking in the expensive lot across the street rather than circling around. Or you can park near the Greyhound station but that area feels a little more sketchy.

Review №86

2020-01-30 02:12:23

Looked up takeaway sushi on Google Maps and found this place. Took us a while to find the entrance but once inside, wow! What an atmosphere. Takeaway was good but didnt hold its heat. Looking forward to dining in the next time!

Review №87

2019-01-11 05:35:54

Delicious food, excellent service. We all got ramen and shared shishito peppers and they were amazing. More of a fusion and modern feel than authentic Japanese cuisine, but would recommend and plan to go back.

Review №88

2018-06-20 20:21:42

Went for lunch on a Wednesday which, given the other reviews on here, is definitely the way to go. The restaurant was only half full and the lunch price of the tonkotsu is $12 instead of $16, which is a reasonable price for what you get. The lunch menu has drinks, bento specials, salads, ramen, and dessert.So for the tonkotsu ramen: Broth is creamy thick and yummy. Noodles are on the thinner side. Chashu is thin (but with two slices), tender and a good cut, not too fatty. Mushrooms were a nice touch. Egg was A+. I think I had one bamboo shoot or maybe I imagined it. Overall hit all the marks for my tastes, but I could see it missing the mark for others with differing ramen opinions.The environment is hip and fashionable, so its a fair place for a nice dinner. However if you dont have a reservation I dont think it would be worth a wait - would recommend Sobo Ramen in Chinatown for comparable quality at a lower price.

Review №89

2022-12-17 19:13:17

Favorite ramen in Oakland! Get the Oreo mochi if it’s on the menu :) also appreciate the speakeasy vibes

Review №90

2018-02-26 03:35:11

Its a good option for a casual dinner. The Tonkotsu ramen was not my favorite given that the pork smelled and tasted too much like pork BUT the vegetarian ramen was surprisingly savory. Their home made potato chips were the highlight. Ill probably go again in the near future.

Review №91

2017-11-03 14:23:25

Closer to 3.5.$21 for spicy tonkotsu ramen. It’s a bit steep for Oakland imo.It taste super rich and delicious, but $1 for a scoop of spicy sauce? The ambience here is really great. Sit at the ramen bar so you can see them make your food. I’d come back for the other izakaya items before deciding if I actually would make return visits.Service was weird when I came here this week. It was like they were rushing us, but there wasn’t a line... a lot of servers so there’s no understaffing issues.

Review №92

2019-06-24 05:57:06

Fair ramen and small dishes. Great service and nice clear window to see the kitchen cooking up the goods. Pork belly was swell as well as broth. Hamachi carpaccio was on point. Shiso Saba was flavorful. Overall a good spot to dine over!

Review №93

2022-10-09 02:57:28

Come for the ramen and drinks. The apps were fine and overpriced for what they are. The vibe is great. I think of it as a date night kind of place.

Review №94

2017-08-21 03:12:57

If you are looking for Ramen, I will not come here, they only have 2 kind of it, normal or vegetarian, thats it, The soup base was good, the one small pice of chashi was good, the ramen itself was under cooked, soft and tasted very strachie and stick together like a noodle ball. Their manual is very small, mostly fusion bar food. If you are looking for a bar just happen to has some ramen, than is ok. But if you are looking for a new favorite ramen house? I will keep looking.

Review №95

2019-02-22 16:15:58

Loved the food, loved the atmosphere, excellent service. Fantastic cocktails.It was very hard to find. Nothing but industrial doors, no lighting, small wooden sign that says open. A little bit of signage goes a long way.

Review №96

2018-10-13 04:16:55

A delightful, elegant, Japanese restaurant on San Pablo in downtown Oakland. This is a beautiful, sophisticated restaurant specializing in ramen. It also has delicious appetizers and very tasty cocktails. We had the oysters for appetizers as well as the fried chicken. We also had several versions of the ramen including one vegetarian and two tonkatsu, one spicy with duck confit. All were delicious. The desserts are an unexpected treat. Chocolate truffle and panna cotta.

Review №97

2019-06-19 21:34:48

Tonkotsu ramen is legit. Even better with the spicy paste, which only adds a little bit of heat. The place can be a bit hard to find since they dont have signs, so look for the open black doors on the opposite corner of Curry Up Now.

Review №98

2018-10-25 06:47:22

Had the seafood Shoyu ramen, didn’t really like it. I would go back to try their tonkatsu tho. I think their ramen texture is weird, like a chow mein.Atmosphere is nice.Really Enjoyed - brocollini, truffle mochi, panna cotta, fried chicken, shishito peppers, takoyaki balls.

Review №99

2021-04-26 00:27:16

The fries are out of this world, and I loved how they combined Asian spiciness into the fries. Their service made me very welcoming and at-home. Will bring more friends over!

Review №100

2018-02-11 18:05:41

I had the ramen. It was ok, the broth was decent. The noodles left much to be desired. Asking for an extra egg gave you just an extra half. All in all, the place is heavily expensive for what you get but thats gentrification for you.

Review №101

2017-09-03 03:12:46

Its like a new hidden gem added to oakland ramen.The food and the enviorment is great. I ordered tonkatuz ramen the soup is creamy and the sodium level is perfect for my ramen forte. The staff is friendly. The only thing that kill my mood is the customer next table getting up and down and hit my elbow walked away with no apology. My hand was holding a spoon of spicy sauce fly away, thank god didnt fly to the other table at the opposite side.I guess you can only control your own behavior. And looks like they know one of the waitress from the resturant.They were getting up and down for the table that is reserved or not. Probably the table is too close to each other.

Review №102

2017-11-10 22:44:49

Shinmai is fresh and fun. I love the atmosphere. Both the food and drinks a are outstanding. The beef ribeye robata is tender and tasty, the hamachi is a very small dish, but very fresh and delicious. Also, the fried potato salad is delicious. I most especially love the drinks and the Wheres Valdez, with its smoky and slightly sweet flavor is one of the best Mezcal drinks ive ever had.

Review №103

2019-02-17 02:42:15

Tables are usually all reserved ahead of time but can find seating at the bar if you come early. Nice atmosphere and service, food is good - simple menu. Open kitchen which is always fun.

Review №104

2017-08-09 02:05:44

Shinmai is a sleek, swanky, tasty and welcoming ramen spot for the trendy foodies of Oakland. The space is dark and sexy, and the service is great. Food is good and the prices are higher, but youre paying for the experience. Its a great addition to Oakland!

Review №105

2017-12-26 20:11:06

Legit. Fish/sashimi, pork belly and beef dishes were tasty and well-prepared. The tonkatsu ramen was good - one of the better bowls in the East Bay. The cocktail I had (a riff on an Old Fashioned) was just ok. Ill be back.

Review №106

2019-08-25 07:48:01

Fun vibe, great service. Favorites here were shishito peppers with particularly tasty aioli, and the crab salad which was sweet and tangy. Im told the shoyu eggs in the ramen are awesome. Enjoy.

Review №107

2019-10-16 20:43:13

Super amazing, my goodness Ive had some exceptional ramen and this tops even that! Add the duck and extra egg, also get the spicy paste if you like spicy ramen, it needs it.

Review №108

2019-10-10 00:53:26

Posh inside, but the kind of direct above you head lighting which gives you eyebags that you could carry the whole Sunday shop in.Food was good, but over priced for what you get, especially the fried rice.A dece place to go before you go out cause the portions arent particularly generous, so you wont look preggo when you e smashing the cocktails later.Rainbow kitten is a maelstrom of Bacardi Breezers in an over egged pint glass

Review №109

2018-01-17 15:23:03

Probably the best ramen spot Ive eaten Im the Bay area. Better than ippudo in my opinion. Be aware that it is kinda of pricey. There is no sign that ID the place FYI. But once you find it, you are golden.

Review №110

2020-01-27 04:14:47

Can make improvements and work on some seasoning and tastes.no sign out front the entrance is pitch black painted doors with no markings.Better staff can be needed they are judging and a sumptuous not sure if they had issue with friend being black or thinking we are gay couple either way they shouldve been a lot more friendly and not as stuck up .Server also got rude when asking to fix order after getting it wrong when ordering then proceeded giving excuse i was hard to hear she shouldve stated that when taking our orders.they then proceeded trying to power handle me into paying for there mess up.

Review №111

2019-10-11 20:10:08

Fantastic food. Appealing atmosphere. Impeccable service. They were able to make a delicious ramen by special order (I am sensitive to garlic). Will be back.

Review №112

2018-02-24 20:11:46

There’s no sign outside and when you peek inside, it looks like a dark and secretive hang out. But it’s just good Ramen and Japanese food with welcoming service and a cool vibe and decor. Worth checking out and a nice addition to the hip area.

Review №113

2019-07-01 22:19:01

Almost dont want to share the review. Absolutely delicious 😍 Food is obviously house made with quality ingredients. Drinks are perfect. Service is on point. Yay!

Review №114

2019-01-16 07:07:54

Nice place, finding parking is a bit hard. The menu rotates, so its nice to try new Japanese tapas. Beer selection could improve. The menu is well priced

Review №115

2022-06-22 15:44:29

This is a restaurant we consistently go to when we want to celebrate. Having been here 10+ times in the last couple years I cannot think of a time when we have been disappointed by the food or cocktails.

Review №116

2019-06-02 05:54:12

We had the ramen and a few appetizers.The hamachi was really fresh and 4 stars for the ramen.The chocolate mochi is more chocolate than mochi. It was pretty rich and tasty.

Review №117

2017-11-10 17:47:57

Good little plates of food with decent amt choices of drink. Would definitely visit again if have the chance. Good for couples or friends. Not a fam orientated place which is fine. Entrance is dim difficult to recognize if not for Google map and people waiting outside.

Review №118

2018-09-02 20:49:28

Great food. Great art. An all around good ramen joint. The desserts were a joy to find. I had the rum soaked figs.

Review №119

2019-08-03 15:48:25

The hamachi melts in your mouth like butter! And the drinks are delicious.

Review №120

2019-01-20 22:36:24

Tried all ramen in Oakland, best one by far. Atmosphere is trendy and chic but prices are reasonable. Would definitely recommend over Fukuyama in temescal.

Review №121

2017-12-26 10:46:31

My new favorite ramen spot in the East Bay. Traditional and simple. The broth is flavorful but not too salty. The noodles al dente. Give this place a try.

Review №122

2019-05-08 02:24:47

Very fresh location, stocked bar with top shelf Japanese whiskey. Good ramen, slight too generous on noodle but cheap on broth.

Review №123

2017-08-25 01:12:48

This is the first place in the East Bay that I felt gave Ramen Shop a run for their money. The food is really good, the flavor in the Ramen is wonderful. Their bar program is great too!

Review №124

2019-06-14 15:29:41

This strip of San Pablo behind the Oakland Fox Theater is starting to hop. There is live music at the New Parish and the Fox. New restaurants with a distinct ethnic vibe are starting to make an impression - Hopscotch, Plenty, Curry Up Now, Belly and now Shin Mai. They are all within 2 blocks of each other so you can roll through if you are really hungry/hangry.

Review №125

2022-12-01 03:21:15

This place has great food, nice ambience and friendly staff. My family loved all the food that we ordered.

Review №126

2018-03-25 06:04:18

WHERE IS THE DOOR???????I get it, you are hip and underground and awesome, but for the love of Ramen! Please give better directions, we circled the block (a labyrinth of 1 way streets) 6 times before we spotted your tiny address. Not cool Shinmai..... Not cool.

Review №127

2018-09-06 19:28:52

So cool and trendy~~Door is sometimes hard to find. The food is pretty good and the cocktails were delicious. Good vibe inside.

Review №128

2018-03-02 17:24:15

A hidden gem in a prime location. . . The vibe, ambiance, people, and last but not least the food clean, fresh, originally witha twist. one of those places you definitely keep to yourself. . .its really that good!!!

Review №129

2018-03-03 16:15:13

The tonkotsu ramen tastes like pork, because it consists of said pork in meat and broth form. It is incredibly tasty. Eat it now.There is also sake.

Review №130

2019-02-15 08:29:48

Intimate atmosphere, delicious food, unique drinks, friendly wait staff. What more do you need to hear? I recommend Shinmai to anyone and everyone!

Review №131

2021-06-01 05:55:02

Great ramen— good noodles, great broth, good variety. Also really good karaage. Have found this to be consistently quality.

Review №132

2018-12-22 03:40:46

Great food, Cool vibe, awesome decor.

Review №133

2020-09-19 20:28:06

Both of the bentos (salmon and chicken) and the dessert were amazing. Super friendly service, too. Well be back!

Review №134

2018-10-22 04:44:57

The best ramen Ive tried ever

Review №135

2019-07-20 01:29:14

Amazing Raman. Like the best Ive had in forever. The Tonkatsu Raman was very creamy and much savory, I am going back! And it was a reasonable $14.

Review №136

2018-09-14 04:00:47

Always amazing service and consistently delicious food! Highly recommend to anyone whos hungry for some tasty ramen.

Review №137

2018-04-23 05:02:44

On the pricy side but good food and ambiance

Review №138

2017-10-06 03:20:57

Tasted the vegetable ramen, pork ramen, ocean trout and hamachi. The food here is top notch. Presentation is wonderful too if you like photographing food.

Review №139

2018-01-23 04:53:58

I am a ramen lover and am making a mission to try all the ramen places I can find in the bay area. This is a new restaurant in the uptown area and came with great reviews.

Review №140

2019-05-19 02:02:00

The atmosphere is very hipster. The presentation of the food was pretty. But the flavor was average.

Review №141

2020-11-30 23:26:17

Literally a hidden gem in Oakland, the food is great, the service is superb, cant wait to be back there to dine in and enjoy the food and well put together ambience.

Review №142

2019-08-12 15:41:50

Ambiance was nice and welcoming. Hip hop music was vibing. Ramen was tasty. Staff was great!

Review №143

2018-08-21 21:03:53

Excellent Food!!! We had the Bento box and Vege Ramen. Really impressed by the food. Great find in Oakland.

Review №144

2019-03-20 08:54:33

If you want that FIRE ramen. They got it. All the food is FIRE.Let me tell you the broth though, the broth is out this world. SPACE FIRE! 4.979 out of 5. But I round up :)

Review №145

2022-10-17 02:52:02

Literally the best ramen brother I have ever had in oakland

Review №146

2020-01-11 04:19:32

Great ambience and everything is delish. Top notch ramen bowls and tasty cocktails!

Review №147

2019-12-01 03:54:34

Decent meal. Not my top notch Ramen and quite a little expensive for a 4 star ramen taste

Review №148

2019-05-09 02:44:20

Fresh delicious ingredients, great dishes, cocktails pair so well with the food. Im a regular here

Review №149

2018-11-24 06:10:01

The tonkotsu ramen is excellent! The dessert mochi tastes like mochi Oreo and is very tasty.

Review №150

2019-10-29 05:37:29

Very nice place! Everything tastes great

Review №151

2019-10-09 06:35:53

Wonderful izakaya spot. Unfiltered sake, and tasty treats! Cheerful staff and a great night out.

Review №152

2020-01-20 03:15:29

What an amazing place even if you would never be able to tell from the outside. Their ramen is absolutely the best.

Review №153

2018-11-14 23:28:14

The ramen broth here beats anything else in the East Bay. Pricey and a bit bourgeois for a ramen place, but this is where we are now in Oakland.

Review №154

2018-02-16 15:42:00

The place is hard to find, and the ramen is not bad but its a high price considering how much you get.

Review №155

2018-03-25 02:54:40

This place is so neat and the ramen was sooooo good! Ask for the chili oil and you won’t be disappointed!

Review №156

2019-12-30 23:44:01

So damn good, and such a pretty space. Its spendy, but thats the price of good ramen in the Bay.

Review №157

2019-05-19 16:16:23

Very cool little place with awesome drink options. Tonkatsu ramen was sooo good!

Review №158

2021-11-28 03:40:08

Tasty tasty drinks, savory, sultry food, amazing owner and bartender!! Wonderful all around 😍

Review №159

2021-10-21 00:07:59

Great bartenders, tasty ramen. Get the maitake tempura!

Review №160

2019-07-28 02:19:52

Best food ever. The fresh fish is amazing. Everything on the menu is outstanding.

Review №161

2019-08-25 02:46:05

Black tonkotsu was full of flavor and not overly salty! Great atmosphere too!

Review №162

2018-03-20 20:54:43

WOW. The ramen is damn amazing. Must add the hot sauce. Makes you warm and tingling

Review №163

2020-05-30 22:10:37

I was totally overwhelmed here by the cocktail choices.And I was pleasantly overserved with moderate tips being ofdered6

Review №164

2017-11-07 17:26:40

Food is solid, but portion sizes are pretty small for what youre paying.

Review №165

2018-02-19 04:05:58

Love this hidden gem! Top ramen, great ambiance, and the hamachi is to die for. 🙌🏽

Review №166

2018-10-21 03:55:42

Of all the Ramen shops I have ever been this place put them all to shame. I may not be able to eat Ramen anywhere else.

Review №167

2020-01-22 07:10:29

Fantastic food...fantastic service. The Beef Skewers were absolutely mouth-wateringly delicious.

Review №168

2017-09-23 04:08:21

Top rate food and drink. Small plates and Ramon. Japanese with s modern twist. We will be back

Review №169

2018-10-11 03:15:42

Amazing service with 5 star food.

Review №170

2018-02-01 22:58:34

Chuhai=🔥Tonkatsu=🔥Karaage=🔥Ribeye=🔥But it doesnt exist, dont look for it, hipsters not allowed, MYAAAHH!

Review №171

2019-10-25 19:31:27

Lunch bento was perfect!

Review №172

2019-01-09 10:54:19

Wonderful place for date night! Slip the dessert and eat their more savory food.

Review №173

2020-08-31 16:55:58

Loved the experience, travelled with my husband in January 2020, service was excelent and we loved the inventivity of this place!

Review №174

2019-12-02 15:51:02

Highlyrecommended. One of the best meals I have had in some time

Review №175

2019-04-27 03:50:18

Excellent cocktails and food. The pork belly baos are my fav

Review №176

2019-02-11 22:05:56

Very little signage - almost walked right past. Great tonkotsu, glad I made the stop

Review №177

2019-10-07 14:26:50

Delicious small plates. Watch out though you will get a huge bill at this place.

Review №178

2019-01-21 14:02:06

Very busy and a little slow tonight but the good service made up for it. Good food.

Review №179

2018-06-30 15:34:41

Pricey, but awesome... their panna cotta is hella delicious

Review №180

2019-06-01 05:32:55

Good food, hip atmosphere, plenty of parking right across the street.

Review №181

2019-01-28 20:44:34

Food is good (a bit pricy), but service is not (messed up orders and slow).

Review №182

2018-10-06 20:02:48

Hidden gem in Oakland. Had a hard time to find the entrance because there’s no sign from the street side.

Review №183

2018-12-08 04:04:14

Good food and drinks, portions were a bit small

Review №184

2019-11-11 06:26:18

Great food and drinks

Review №185

2018-08-24 20:28:28

Delicious bento box lunch. I will definitely come here again!

Review №186

2019-11-22 05:39:30

Nondescript. Its almost impossible to know this place exists from the outside. The ramen is good.

Review №187

2017-12-20 03:10:19

Great ramen as always. (Make sure you add the spicey paste)

Review №188

2018-04-24 13:58:44

Best Ramen you can get in the East Bay.

Review №189

2021-08-28 04:16:36

Fantastic food. Very tasty, great service,...

Review №190

2018-10-16 02:32:25

The food was delicious, and omg the chocolate truffle was AMAZING!!

Review №191

2021-02-22 05:24:18

Great food, great service; and great outdoor dining experience!

Review №192

2017-07-29 04:30:22

Best ramen & izakaya in SF\Oakland area.

Review №193

2018-02-01 16:59:53

The ramen here is unstoppable. Tonkotsu that will melt your heart.

Review №194

2019-01-14 05:54:00

No sign on the door, hard to find. Loud. Great food and cocktails.

Review №195

2021-10-05 05:01:48

Great vibe, great service and delicious food and drinks.

Review №196

2019-05-26 17:26:30

We went for lunch and the food and service was great.

Review №197

2018-08-20 18:33:20

Tonkatsu ramen is one of the best Ive had

Review №198

2022-02-25 19:36:49

Fabulous drink in a kitty! Yes please!

Review №199

2017-10-23 19:58:53

Amazingly delicious ramen and cocktails!