Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Toribashi in Monterey

4.4 (199) 487 Alvarado St, Monterey, CA 93940, United States

Categories

Ramen restaurant
Japanese restaurant

Location on the map

Monterey, Monterey County, California, US

Phone: +1 831-643-9556
Site: http://toribashi.com/

Opening hours

Monday:11 AM–2 PM
Tuesday:11 AM–2 PM
Wednesday:11 AM–2 PM
Thursday:11 AM–2 PM
Friday:11 AM–2 PM
Saturday:11 AM–2:30 PM
Sunday:11 AM–2:30 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.4

199 Reviews for Toribashi 2024:

Review №1

2023-12-02 21:14:48

Had the creamy vegetarian with buckwheat noodles (gluten free) soup and noodles super yummy! So glad we stopped in for lunch. You order on the order pad, food came super fast. Was so hungry forgot to take a pic lol. Coming back next time I’m in town!

Review №2

2023-12-03 23:24:42

Glad i stopped here for lunch today! the restaurant was very clean and organized, ordering was easy as we just ordered ourselves on a screen, and the food came out QUICK! the staff were very helpful and friendly. there also wasn’t tap water, it was self-serve purified water which was a plus for me. definitely recommend! expect to spend $17-$22 per dish on average. i ordered the shoyu ramen and my boyfriend ordered a teriyaki chicken bowl; we both enjoyed our dishes.

Review №3

2023-09-17 01:54:52

Decent place to get some Japanese ramen. Our noodles were not steamy hot as preferred. Average portion on the small size. Quick self ordering service …

Review №4

2023-07-02 19:28:40

This is a delightful place. Foods are so yummy and staff are very friendly. The soup has rich taste. The staff told us they add a lot vegetable to make the soup. ❤ this place and will definitely come back.

Review №5

2023-11-01 15:27:26

My husband and i came here for dinner on a weekend. we knew that this place gets pretty busy so we went right as they opened at 5 pm. lots of other people entered the restaurant at the same time as us so they must have had the same idea--its truly a testament to how great this place is to have it be swarmed as soon as they open their doors!i loved being able to order our meals at the tablet up front, entering in the table number were going to sit at, then having our food brought out to us. it was super easy, fast and convenient.the food itself was amazing. i ordered the tonkotsu; a simple yet rich bowl of noodles. every new city i visit i always check for a decent ramen place and toribashi exceeded my expectations. i would highly recommend going here if youre in the area looking for some yummy ramen!

Review №6

2023-08-31 20:28:33

Excellent menu choices for all ramen lovers. Ordering is simple and quick and food is served fast and with a smile. This is the best local ramen spot, period. They offer up buckwheat if that’s your preference and the broth is savory and delicious, regardless of which kind. They have vegetarian options and the kids seem to enjoy it as well! If you’re on the fence, jump down. You don’t belong up there you silly goose. Get some damn good ramen! I’d prefer some more chill music choices but they have style so no biggie.

Review №7

2023-10-24 02:49:19

If youre on the hunt for exceptional ramen, look no further than Toribashi! This place stands as an undisputed champion in town when it comes to serving up fantastic ramen experiences.First off, the portions here are beyond generous. Not only are the servings substantial, but theyre also more than happy to provide extra ramen if youre craving more. Trust me, you wont leave hungry after indulging in their delectable bowls of goodness. The hearty portions are a definite win.The popularity of Toribashi speaks volumes about its reputation. The constant buzz and bustling activity in the restaurant underscore its status as a must-visit ramen haven. This is where youll find locals and visitors alike, all in search of that perfect ramen fix.The stellar customer service further elevates the experience. With efficiency thats second to none, they manage to deliver your food within an impressive 10 minutes. Its clear that they value their customers time and satisfaction.Make sure to stop by if youre in the area!

Review №8

2023-07-08 03:03:19

First things first. They are incredibly kind and accommodating. We had our dog with us and there was no outdoor seating. So we asked if we could hold his leash through one of the windows or if we could take it to go. They said no no and then proceeded to set up a table for us outside. And chatted with us about our dog. Then we ordered some ramen and omg this stuff is some of the best ramen I have had. I got the spicy tonkatsu and my husband got the regular tonkatsu. Just a warning. It was spicy. Like numb your lips and tongue. But so good. I highly highly recommend this place. Good people. Good food

Review №9

2023-11-27 21:11:47

Tasty ramen spot on Alvarado Street. The gzoyas were very super cripsy and the ramen broth was spicier than most.

Review №10

2023-10-06 01:54:58

Friendly, little Ramen restaurant. Excellent food. Some vegetarian options as well. Fresh and on the point cooked vegs.

Review №11

2022-06-05 02:06:36

Delicious ramen with plenty of sides and appetizers to pair with your main dish. They also have imported Japanese beers, sodas, and other beverages.I recommend the gyoza to pair with the should ramen if youre a fan of the salty flavors!Bring your friends and stop by for a warm and tasty meal the next time youre walking on Alvarado street.

Review №12

2022-04-25 03:37:22

Good food at a decent price. Partial self service as you have to place an order using the terminal and assign a seat to yourself rather than being seated directly.Quite a number of vegetarian and vegan options. Non spicy ramen on the menu can be made spicy by purchasing extra spicy paste. Curry ramen has curry flavor but does not have curry broth.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Will revisit.Order of pictures: vegan miso ramen, curry ramen, garlic edamame.

Review №13

2021-08-20 16:05:45

If you’re looking for a cheap but quality meal, please check this place out! It’s a fast casual setting, so you just order on a tablet and seat yourself. But the staff on hand are also ready to help you order, and they definitely sounded passionate about their food. And rightly so, everything was soooo good. Particularly the Kara Age Chicken and noodle bowls really blew my mind, probably better than most restaurants I’ve been to. Definitely a great experience all around!

Review №14

2022-07-25 21:18:53

Was not expecting to find such delicious & authentic ramen in Monterey. Loved that they had plenty of vegetarian & vegan options (4 flavours, with further customisation available).They are careful about dietary restrictions & even offer egg-free buckwheat noodles for a small surcharge. Highly recommend the vegetarian curry ramen (reminded me of Southeast Asian ‘Curry’ flavour Maggi, but way tastier & fresher) as well as the vegetarian spicy ramen.You order at a terminal & can customise your bowl to quite an extent. In addition to ramen, they also have bowls & some sides like edamame. Each ramen bowl comes laden with vegetables - mushrooms, edamame, bamboo shoots, onions, tofu, carrots, cucumber, bean sprouts … and the portions are huge !! Personally felt like two could have shared my bowl of ramen. As a result I took ages to finish it, and yet they were kind enough to patiently wait for me to be done before closing the restaurant (I was the last customer left) - they didn’t put any pressure at all. Would definitely go back.

Review №15

2023-10-15 21:27:13

I was excited to hear that there was a place in Monterey with Tonkotsu, but this place was ultimately a disappointment. Decor and atmosphere were excellent, service was very fast, hence the 2 stars. But the spicy Tonkotsu just didnt taste right. It didnt have that rich fatty pork flavor I was missing, and it had some other flavors in there that were just off.

Review №16

2023-07-29 15:10:15

The ramen here is so delicious. Very flavorful. The staff are very welcoming 👍🙂

Review №17

2022-12-11 21:44:34

Had the pleasure of visiting this spot over the weekend, as you can see I jumped right into eating! The ramen was absolutely amazing!!! I got the spicy Tonkotsu ramen and it was as described and absolutely delicious. The customer service was also amazing as I was greeted upon arrival, informed of how to order and periodically checked on. If you have a chance, check this spot out!!

Review №18

2023-11-10 21:39:03

Awesome takeout experience while staying at the Portola hotel and spa. The extra pork belly was a bit steep. But some of the better Ramen I have had.

Review №19

2022-07-08 03:49:28

Was so good we dug in before I could even think of taking a picture 😂 best ramen, will not disappoint. Flavor station, fresh ingredients, tender pork, egg was perfection 🥰 we even ordered the salmon bowl to share with our ramen bowls. Definitely will be returning and telling everyone about this gem 💎

Review №20

2020-03-14 21:25:28

First off, awesome environment. The atmosphere was laid back and friendly. We both LOVE how easy it is to customize your ramen. The only thing i would add to the customization is another option for the heat level. With your options of low or high, I decided to go with low because I can always add more heat. How about a medium in there?The ramen was awesome. Flavorful broth with a generous portion of noodles. Noodle consistency was appropriate and I particularly enjoyed the egg.The wifes experience was similar however she had a lot of fat on the pork. (Mine was more lean).We all decided it was a place we would return to.

Review №21

2022-10-10 15:16:06

Although the family running the shop is Korean, they brought real Japanese ramen restaurant atmosphere with self-ordering touch-screen machine, individual eating spaces, counter spaces, tables for small and large groups.We have been Ramen fans and have had Ramen at many places including Japan, this place brought real authentic Japanese Ramen flavors. We ordered Shio-Spicy, and Tonkotsu-Spicy cuz we love spicy food, and let me tell ya, they are REALLY REALLY spicy. I was sweating while I eat. But theyre sooooo good.We found this place unplanned and so glad we did. Its on my Saved places to revisit.

Review №22

2021-12-08 14:11:30

Fantastic little self-service ramen restaurant. Tonkatsu ramen was bigger than I thought it would be, so I didnt need to order the karaage, but Im glad I did. The tonkatsu broth had a deep pork flavor. The karaage was not overly fried and was very light. Winning combination.

Review №23

2021-12-11 04:05:21

Top notch food quality, service, and efficiency! This is a professional and patient husband-wife team where you order at the counter and let them know where you are sitting. I tried to order safe by ordering the vegetarian ramen. It was busy during the middle of the week and it arrived pretty quick. Clean, low salt, no MSGS, and fresh miso broth. Food quality is a priority to me at restaurants... so I will definitely be returning again the next time Im in this area!

Review №24

2019-01-29 06:50:45

This is a decent ramen place with a very limited menu. You have the options of different broths to go with up selection of either chasu (pork belly), chicken or vegan option. the broth you only have the option of vegan or a pork and chicken broth. If you didnt want the soup option you can get a bowl of either rice or ramen dry with an assortment of meat and vegetables.You order at the counter and pay. Youre given a number and then you go select your own seat. Theyre bringing your food when ready. It doesnt mean all the food will come at once though.I got the spicy broth which was very spicy but I lacked other flavors that I expect with a rich ramen broth. as for the price $13 is quite a bit for bowl of ramen considering how little chasu there was.Services quick and friendly. Id ask the cashier there was a restroom and his response was Yes in the back and if youre lucky no one sent it. I really did enjoy his sense of humor.

Review №25

2019-11-21 04:31:45

Spicy shoyu ramen. Caution: mild spicy was still very hot! Extra ramen, rice and karaaga chicken for sides. It was plenty!! The ramen texture was on point. Broth was okay and low but still good. The most surprising was the portion size (thick and large) of the pork belly which was amazing!! Definitely worth the price and a try.

Review №26

2019-04-04 19:18:24

This was some of the best ramen Ive had in a long time! The broth was rich and flavorful. The noodles had the perfect texture. The service was friendly and efficient. Overall, a great dining experience. This will go on our list of regular stops!!

Review №27

2023-04-30 21:43:43

Hot and Yummy. Courteous staff. Vegetarian options were also delicious. Tonkotsu-Spicy is a must try if you like spicy and creamy.

Review №28

2022-11-05 22:53:06

It was nice. Considering Covid-19, they installed the order kiosk. So we didn’t need to order face to face. I tried soyu ramen. It was pretty good. As an asian guy, it reminds me of a little bit my home town. I highly recommend you to try it. If you are ramen person!!

Review №29

2022-10-21 15:06:31

Wonderful ramen I understand the price now. Great service and cute little spot. Will go again

Review №30

2021-12-12 04:58:16

Today was my first time here, but I have to say, it was a smooth experience. The miso ramen and chicken noodle bowl are delicious!The staff also were friendly as well :)

Review №31

2023-07-29 02:35:57

The place has a nice atmosphere, but unfortunately the ramen was some of the worst I’ve ever had due to it being very under flavored and watery. The gyoza was similar. Sad end to my evening in Monterey

Review №32

2023-06-26 02:18:16

Best spicy tonkotsu Ive had in a long time! Chicken Karaage and kimchi was a good combo, though the kimchi could be a lot more pungent. Gyoza was ok. Ramen 6/5 and great sake options to carry the rating to 5, 4s all around elsewhere.

Review №33

2023-06-06 15:17:37

The ramen was good, but not the best I have ever had. They do not take phone orders to go which is a little inconvenient. People were nice and it is located in the middle of downtown.

Review №34

2021-09-22 06:08:24

The staff is so friendly! Ordering is easy - walk up to the iPad to place your order. It’s high quality ramen with amazing flavor. Lots of options to choose from, too. I appreciate that they had an option to add extra bok Choy!

Review №35

2018-06-04 04:37:40

Beautiful ramen, Miso was my favorite. spicy was a bit too oily for me but my wife liked it. My Son gave two thumbs up for the Vegan ramen. Will return.

Review №36

2021-09-06 19:20:02

Extremely clean and welcoming ramen house on the peninsula. The tonkatsu and miso ramen were both delicious and satisfying. And the staff was friendly and very helpful. But the best part is just about everything on the menu is $15 or less. The FPD (flavor per dollar) ratio is off the charts, especially given where theyre located. I will definitely be returning soon!

Review №37

2019-09-10 03:30:35

My boyfriend & I had a great meal here! Very nice staff too. I got the miso and he got the spicy- they asked what level of spicy he wanted on a scale of 5, he said 2. It was INSANELY spicy, so beware! I tried a bit of his and I breathed fire. But a good fire. We will be back!

Review №38

2023-04-14 03:33:37

Service alone is top notch. We had a party of 7 and it was fairly busy and crowded, but we were still greeted right away and a table setup for us. Super accommodating, cheerful and personable staff (I think it was the owner that helped us)! Food was delicious and came out super fast - just what we needed after a day at the aquarium and lover’s point.

Review №39

2019-09-03 13:46:49

The spicy ramen was spicy but was almost bland. The sea salt ramen was good but not spectacular. Service was fast and the atmosphere was cool. I might try it again.

Review №40

2023-10-29 18:59:57

The vegetarian ramen was delicious and filling. Seating and service were very quick

Review №41

2021-05-26 04:24:34

Loved Fresh Ingredients. Ramen Noodle was great but Ramen broth didnt have deep Japanese Ramen vibe.

Review №42

2022-03-27 21:54:53

Good ramen!. They do replace meats in standard dish. Also make it vegetarian.

Review №43

2021-01-26 20:20:36

Very good, especially on a cold day. Broth is rich and silky and the mushrooms add a nice texture. Outdoor seating available. soybean-kombu seaweed broth

Review №44

2018-01-29 03:04:40

Their house bowls are really good. This is the only ramen place in Monterey, and the only soba place :)The house bowls are cold soba with avocado and protein. they are cold, sweet and sour. Their salmon and tuna is nicely seared and fresh, and they give a lot of avodaco.My favorite ramen is the miso (I personally thought the spicy ramen was a bit too oily ) the broth is very rich and thick, not too salty. Their chasu is really big. Its my regular place already.

Review №45

2019-05-08 15:11:57

Good if you are craving for Japanese ramen. Noodles are good, the pork is chunky but fatty. They made the usual mistake of overusing salt to compensate for labour-intensive soup base; definitely exceeds the daily even weekly sodium intake if u finish the soup!!!

Review №46

2023-09-16 03:09:20

Hot and delicious! It was a delightful meal that I got to share with my boyfriend and his fiance. 🥰

Review №47

2023-02-19 15:06:21

Fast, friendly and delicious! All of our ramen was incredible!

Review №48

2023-04-15 01:46:22

Ever since I left Japan Ive been looking for a Ramen restaurant that could compare. Toribashi is absolutely the closest Ive found and its amazing! Both the Miso and the Spicy Tonkatsu were delicious. The broth was extremely flavorful and the rest of the ingredients were on point. Even the gyoza was delicious. The staff is friendly, you just order at the kiosk and find a seat. The space is a bit small so it was busy both times I went and could feel a bit cramped but it was well worth it. I highly recommend and will definitely be back!

Review №49

2019-02-24 04:37:09

Fantastic ramen. The spicy option most definitely lives up to its name. I highly recommend this place, and the owner is a kind individual that cares about his customers.

Review №50

2023-03-27 04:04:02

After living in Asia for 10+ years, I’ve learned to not to set any expectations for ramen shops in the Bay Area but this place is straight daylight robbery I can’t believe how this place has such good reviews. Chicken karaage and the dumplings tasted like prepackaged frozen food. Ramen noodles was literally instant ramen noodles that the owners probably wouldn’t be able to face the customers without bursting in laughter while charging you $18+ which is probably why they have a kiosk to take orders. Having to leave tip prior to receiving the meal is just a slap in the face for what I could’ve cooked at home with a microwave.

Review №51

2023-05-12 03:48:52

BEST RAMEN IN MONTEREY!!!!! Super delicious tonkatsu ramen with great creamy and salty balance. Has great ambiance and seating options. Seaweed salad was great as well. Has eat in or to go options.

Review №52

2018-06-10 02:10:53

One of the better ramen Ive had, delicious. Pretty neat atmosphere for the restaurant as well.

Review №53

2018-02-20 15:17:01

Im not really a ramen nut so I could take or leave this place but the menu was simple and ordering was pretty painless. Seemed to get busy for lunch and they dont have very many tables. Ramen was flavourful. But like I said Im not really the authority on ramen. Honestly I dont understand the hype. Its soup.

Review №54

2023-11-26 01:55:08

Food was excellent and service was good. small place so seating is very limited.

Review №55

2022-04-04 21:27:35

We tried the vegetarian (left) and pork (right) ramen and they were delicious. Totally recommended

Review №56

2023-06-09 01:20:26

First time at the location in downtown Monterey and it will not be my last the Ramen was delicious and quickly served after ordering

Review №57

2023-07-30 21:31:13

Perfect casual dinner or lunch spot, supperrrr good and really friendly service, perfect ramen and delicious sides.

Review №58

2023-09-30 20:20:08

I hate how this ramen was the best I’ve had in months. It’s so far from where I live!

Review №59

2022-12-24 02:10:55

I ordered a vegetarian ramen and found pieces of meat (pork/beef) in it. Staff was nice about the refund and tried to explain that it was busy which is why it happened. Since it was multiple pieces of pork, they may not be careful about cross contamination.

Review №60

2022-06-18 17:05:03

After seeing the four stars, as visitors from San Francisco, we decided to give this restaurant a try.Its very disappointing - I appreciate the effort to save food cost: instant noodle quality plus maybe just a couple pieces of meat and half an egg.It cost the 4 of us close to 100 dollars, the opposite price / quality we got from the closeby Italian restaurant.Also the service system is ridiculous - they tried to automate things and make you order and pay (including tips) on a keypad before having the meal. How could you possibly tell if the services would be good before receiving the services?For those of you who rated more than one star, I encourage you to visit a mediocre ramen store in either LA or San Francisco Im

Review №61

2022-04-27 01:04:46

Lovely little place in Monterey to grab some ramen if youre craving it. I must say the speed of service was absolutely astounding. Every time I have been, Ive gotten my food in less than 10 minutes. Usually less than 5. Its always nice to be served quickly and the food is piping hot and fresh so clearly the quality hasnt been sacrificed for the speed. Overall, the ramen is okay. Nothing fantastic but fairly consistent and consistency is a blessing when it comes to getting ramen. Would recommend to anyone visiting or from the area

Review №62

2022-04-13 18:35:08

God made the earth and everything on it in seven days. Then on the eighth day Im pretty sure he made Toribashi. Thats how divine this place is. Ive tried ramen joints from all over the Bay Area and nothing beats it. The portions are large, the pork shoulder is buttery, the veggies are plentiful. If I could afford it, I would eat here every day until I died. Then I would have it catered at my funeral. Thats how good it is.

Review №63

2023-05-02 00:51:18

Great ramen! Huge portions. If you are not extremely hungry then 1 for 2 people is totally enough :D

Review №64

2022-03-20 01:49:38

Very polite service, quick food delivery. We had three different ramen bowls, each with amazing broths, great noodles, and lots of toppings. The appetizers we had were also delicious.

Review №65

2022-08-09 02:28:11

Good for ramen in California, the spicy has some spice to it. the fresh greens were nice. the broth is a little thin, but the pork was tender and tasty

Review №66

2020-02-20 21:25:12

Unexpectedly decent ramen with fair price, nice atmosphere.

Review №67

2022-07-13 11:46:47

Visited here during a road trip, I have to admit I was cheated by all the glorious reviews and nice photoshopped images.Ordered a bowl of Tonkotsu ramen. It’s just a bowl of overpriced instant noodle with the soup made from powdered packet.Take your money elsewhere you can get better meal elsewhere and not ruin your vacation mood.

Review №68

2023-05-28 09:35:17

Highly recommended for first timers who are used to ramen coming in a cup to show them what ramen can be 👍

Review №69

2021-12-09 19:45:48

We took the extra time to drive from Carmel to go here due to a bad customer service we experienced in Hanagasa restaurant by Carmel. The staff here are extremely nice and very hospitable. I am not a ramen expert but the food is great. I strongly believe that if you’re in a restaurant business, being kind to your customers is extremely important specially during pandemic. People like us took the time and effort to go out to find comfort through hospitable restaurants and this place delivered in a great way.

Review №70

2020-11-13 20:20:39

There was an issue with our payment which took a few days to resolve, but every staff person who we talked to was friendly, knew about the issue, and was working together to get it resolved. We received at least 3 phone calls from Toribashi checking in about it, and whenever we called them, the staff knew about our issue and was super friendly. RARE and awesome way of handling it.We ordered spicy vegan ramen which was a bit too spicy for the other flavors to show through, but everything else about it was great. Such good noodles, perfect veggies. I would visit again.

Review №71

2019-11-11 16:11:54

This is a good casual place. Orders are placed on very easy to use tablets. The food came out quick and was very tasty. Points off for: no noodle choices, the pork had more fat than I would like, no option for extra fishcake. These are all personal preferences though. Bottom line: if you want ramen go here, you wont be disappointed

Review №72

2020-12-22 16:59:54

I wanted to give this place a review because they truly deserve it!I ordered a vegan curry ramen on December 14th for my birthday and it was the most delicious ramen I have ever had! It was a rainy afternoon and they set up a small table for me and my friend. They usually close at 2pm and the lady waited for us for 30 minutes so we could have our lunch without rushing us or anything. The people there are so hardworking and the food is delicious! I will be taking pictures next time I go! I would recommend it!

Review №73

2021-11-14 20:23:17

Leaving this review while I sit here eating.... oh my GOD!!! The food is ... delicious. Incredible. The staff are friendly and the order and payment process is streamlined. Good selection of drinks and a really solid menu that doesnt pretend to be something its not. 6/5 stars!

Review №74

2022-01-25 14:41:03

Ive gone to Toribashi Ramen several times, and I really enjoy all of the different bowls of ramen they prepare, although I am no expert. FWIW: You now have to order at an electronic tablet then take a seat and wait for the staff to bring your food, so cash is not going to work.Im giving them four out of five because they are a bit pricey. Most of the ramen bowls are priced between 16 and $20, so if you are dining yourself and order a non-alcoholic drink, expect to walk away with a $25 tab including tip.

Review №75

2022-07-31 03:35:51

It was good, but not the greatest ramen Ive ever had. The price was about 18 for a bowl. I will say the garlic edamame were the best part.

Review №76

2023-07-15 22:23:39

Ramen is so-so. Broth is not thick enough and less tasty.

Review №77

2020-02-20 07:16:07

Im a ramen fanatic, and I thought it was great. Unpretentious noodle bar that feels like Japan, with its divider walls and digital ordering.Be warned - the vegetarian noodle bowl, I thought was gross, but my girlfriend loved it. I cant fathom how, it was milky and flavorless.... but she also likes plain popcorn and white rice, so...

Review №78

2021-11-22 00:58:58

Tonkotsu broth was decent (could be richer and less salty) and the noodles were good, but the chashu was dry/tough to the point where it was difficult to eat without a knife to cut it. Not sure if thats how it always is or if it was just a one-off, but my meal wasnt worth it without that juicy melt-in-your-mouth pork.

Review №79

2021-07-07 02:53:15

Friendly staff. The ordering app using their tablet was straight forward. Staff is very attentive and help you when you look confused or have questions (that was my case). Sometimes, a bowl of ramen comes with just noodles with a couple slices of pork and menma (fermented bamboo shoots). This place gives you a lot more. Their portions are generous. Spicy tonkotsu ramen was excellent. The soup was very rich and flavorful. Miso ramen was very good also. It would have been great if there was a spicy version of the miso ramen. Their side dishes are quite authentic - ika geso (fried squid tentacles)!

Review №80

2020-12-05 06:02:07

Delicious ramen! The best choice for ramen in the area! I had the Paitan ramen with extra pork and an egg.

Review №81

2021-06-24 18:03:25

Took a while to come to a conclusion about this place but after some thought I realized there is a lot to like about it. First, the menu isnt extensive on the surface - its not a American Chinese restaurant or a Habachi, its ramen. If you can appreciate that these folks put most of their focus and love into their ramen, youll appreciate how excellent they are at making good ramen and in so many varieties.A word of caution. You can order online but I caution you against too many add-ons to the stock. Start small and sample. I found that dumping everything in at once was a bit ambitious and some of the crunchy ingredients I didnt care for as a matter of texture. Id like to see some more branching out in the menu like a garlic rice or wagyu add-on but I honestly cannot really complain out that. I was itching for good ramen and I found it. Perhaps better than what Ive had in some places in Japan.

Review №82

2022-10-10 16:03:34

Fantastic ramen, every time.Their prices are on the high side but its easy to justify once you start eating.

Review №83

2020-02-28 01:59:16

Really nice employees. Our son is very picky and wanted just noodles. You can order plain noodles here without needing to order other food. We stopped in, ordered and left. Very clean. Super easy self check out, nice water dispenser at counter.

Review №84

2018-10-23 11:05:29

This is my favorite place to eat on Alvarado. They are extremely generous with their portions. Each soup is packed with fresh ingredients and a large slice of pork. Their pricing more than justifies the quality of food you are getting. Plus their service is quick. Order at the counter and expect your soup within five minutes.

Review №85

2020-05-19 00:06:35

A few dishes were awesome - esp the edamame and karaage. However, the vegan ramen was deeply disappointing. Im not vegan, but I dont eat pork, so none of the other soup bases worked. The vegan broth was nicely hot-spicy, but otherwise utterly flavorless. Its quite possible to make a very flavorful spicy miso vegan ramen but that wasnt the case here. And if thats not in the works, a chicken-broth only option would work for many.

Review №86

2021-10-04 07:23:23

You can walk up to an iPad and input available table number and order instead of waiting for a server. Unfortunately, the ramen was average. Miso ramen tasted unpleasant almost gamy and the bowl reeked. Tonkatsu was okay. Meat was dry and bland.

Review №87

2020-08-19 02:28:33

As a vegan, its pretty easy to find options when it comes to asian cuisine, but Toribashi has my absolute favorite dish. The spicy vegan rice is amazing and I enjoy it everytime. Its a great portion, the variety of flavors and ingredients pair so well together, and the sauce is salty, slightly spicy, and has a great umami flavor. Its a bit pricey, but absolutely worth every penny. Its definitely in my favorites list for local cuisine. Definitely would recommend and always do!

Review №88

2023-05-01 05:27:06

The ramen is sooooooo amazing!

Review №89

2021-04-06 00:54:48

Very fast service. Good selection of ramen dishes. Bit expensive. If they had an option to select the spiciness level or other items on the menu, that would be cool.

Review №90

2020-12-11 04:45:11

Ramen is rare in this area, so I would always have to travel up north to San Jose or San Francisco to get a good authentic bowl of it. Little did I know about this hidden gem. Despite the pandemic and having to do take out, this place is delicious!! Had the Tonkatsu ramen w/ an extra egg....the egg!! Oh man!! The perfect ramen egg with the delicious gooey center. The broth tasty, the noodles perfect. This is the place to go if youre in the Monterey bay without having to travel miles for it.* So excited to try it, that once I had a taste, it was so good that I forgot to stop to take pictures*

Review №91

2019-11-11 19:01:11

Broad range of choices, easy to use digital order system (iPad), quick service, and best of all, amazing flavors! The pork was high quality, the egg done perfectly, and the broth delicious. A new fave!

Review №92

2020-02-29 05:47:08

Headed out looking for some veggy heavy SE Asian food that was light on the palate and told myself I didnt want Japanese... Somehow I got sucked in here anyways. I typically avoid Asian fusion cuisine like the plague but this place actually pulled it off very well with their pork noodle bowl. The brightness of the yuzu citrus is delightfully refreshing in combination with noodles.If I had known the portion size beforehand, I wouldnt have ordered extra pork. This place didnt have vibe of a legit ramen place, but now I suspect they do a good job with that as well.

Review №93

2022-03-29 22:05:09

Good ramen. Although their default is quite spicy!

Review №94

2022-08-08 02:49:27

Tastes like authentic Japanese ramen with lots of toppings and rich broth. Staff is not Japanese though haha. Prices are on the higher end for a ramen restaurant.

Review №95

2018-11-12 15:04:54

Excellent ramen.Order first then grab your number and find a seat. They bring it over to you shortly. We got the spicy broth version and a creamy style. Loved the creamy. Hot and salty broth with lots of noodle, seaweed and meats. Just what I was craving. Yum.

Review №96

2023-11-22 20:55:18

The foods were so good. 10/10!!!

Review №97

2023-05-11 00:23:31

20 dollars for top ramen..No prices on anything..Have to fight to get ice with your water..No condiments unless you ask..The biggest scam in town!

Review №98

2018-09-01 20:54:10

Excellent silky, flavorful Paitan broth. Ramen noodles cooked perfectly so that they have a springy, slightly chew to them--am very relieved that they are not overcooked and soggy! Love the wood-eared mushrooms and soft boiled egg. Nice very thinly sliced scallion.

Review №99

2019-05-18 17:47:53

So glad theres a ramen spot with vegan options. Everything seems very fresh and well prepared. A bit salty but thats to be expected with Ramen. The service is always top notch. They are so nice and accommodating and make you feel welcomed.

Review №100

2019-12-22 00:29:57

Food is filling and flavorful. They recently got these computer menus where you can pick whatever you want, add ingredients, choose sides. I feel like its really opened up options and made ordering easier/faster. Staff will get you whatever you ask for, theyre polite and patient.

Review №101

2021-04-23 20:53:38

Easily the best Ramen house Ive found so far.

Review №102

2023-02-25 20:11:49

Fast-casual Japanese with ramen, rice bowls, and a few appetizers/sides. Food is middling but at least the service is great.

Review №103

2020-08-23 02:42:55

This place is legit, the tonkotsu not too salty but rich and creamy, the chicken super moist and flavorful (my kids LOVE it and typically don’t go for anything but the noodles), even the gyoza perfectly fried like my Japanese mom used to prepare. Lucky to have this treasure in Monterey!

Review №104

2021-09-15 20:44:35

Why would you discontinue your vegan ramen? We have been loyal customers ever since we moved to this area and always brought our friends for the Vegan options. Why would you do that?

Review №105

2022-06-06 05:16:25

This was my first time trying real ramen, and it was delicious! When I visit Monterey again, I will be back to eat and try another bowl!

Review №106

2019-05-27 01:25:43

I really wish I could give a better rating here. The service is friendly and efficient and the interior is cozy and comfortable. I loved the menu choices. But honestly, Ive had so much better tasting ramen at other places in Monterey, Seaside and Marina.

Review №107

2022-01-03 10:53:55

I love eating ramen here. If youre looking for fine dining, this place isnt it. But if youre looking for consistently good food thats affordable, this is it.

Review №108

2020-05-26 03:05:39

Very good ramen and poke bowl. Still open during quarantine, just to go. You can order there or online. They have ramune soda. Will go back next time I’m in Monterey!

Review №109

2019-01-16 22:20:50

Poke Lab down the street was closed for vacation so I decided to try Toribashi. Went with the Spicy Ramen and a container of the prepackaged seaweed salad. The Ramen was very tasty with a large enough serving size to total fulfill my appetite. The packaged seaweed also was delicious and a freat compliment to the Ramen. Will definitely visit again on my next trip to Monterey

Review №110

2019-05-27 02:25:28

4 stars for Paitan.and seaweed salad.Most of the ramen places I have been into have their usual famous ramen like shoyu shio miso and Tonkatsu but never Paitan. But of all the ramen places this would be least of my favorite. I’m not really wowed by the taste of my ramen maybe because my expectations are Kind of high. Although place is Nice cozy and cute in Alvarado st and also just a walking distance from my favorite bakery😃

Review №111

2019-04-21 01:40:39

Ordered it with Door dash. I was so excited to try it! Only to find hair in my food. Talk about a buzz kill.I’m blonde with long hair. A short black hair did not come from me. I’m just thankful for dash orders come with the noodles and broth separated otherwise I wouldn’t have seen it right away!

Review №112

2020-07-29 23:20:07

Good ramen with good portions, except I was disappointed to only get half an egg. All other ramen places I can think of give you the whole egg, and for a slightly more expensive than average bowl of ramen, I expected more. (Shio ramen takeout)

Review №113

2021-08-08 21:39:17

Best ramen Ive had in Monterey, and youd probably have to go to Palo Alto to find anything as good. After living in Japan for years, Im glad to have found an authentic ramen place

Review №114

2019-12-07 04:13:24

I got my order to go in less than five minutes, everything was delicious and not too expensive. Definitely a good choice for people that like ramen!

Review №115

2018-10-11 01:46:47

I was really disappointed in not only the service but the food as well. I used to really like this place but the last time i went kind of ruined it for me. The food came out really quick and was cold because they just took it out of the fridge and threw it on top of warm ramen. We asked the gentleman if we could get some hot food, he just told us he could microwave it. I don’t think I’m going back anytime soon.

Review №116

2023-05-08 02:20:26

Ramen shop only got good selection of veggie soup too

Review №117

2022-01-09 02:50:46

Excellent place, delicious food and very good and friendly service. I will be back

Review №118

2020-10-18 16:21:12

Ive tried all of their ramen dishes at this point and I must say that they are all delicious and bring forward a unique depth of flavor. I highly recommend it.

Review №119

2019-10-08 05:01:22

The salmon house bowl is amazing. They are generous with the meat. The 2 new self-order systems make it more convenient to customize orders

Review №120

2018-06-27 10:13:48

Best ramen in town. Im a ramen guru. Seriously I travel everywhere for ramen, it was the main reason why I would go up to the city to get my ramen fix. This place hits the nail on the head. I havent tried everything on the menu yet but Im working on it, so far everything is A+ my go-to is the spicy ramen. Im getting hungry just writing this. BEST RAMEN IN MONTEREY COUNTY HANDS DOWN

Review №121

2019-11-21 02:05:37

Delicious, but be careful about ordering one of the spicy ramen bowls unless you have a high tolerance. I got mild and it was more like extra spicy.

Review №122

2018-11-29 05:42:43

Really, really delicious ramen. The broth, noodles, egg and veggies are very flavorful and worth it, and a cool interior design makes it fun to dine in. I havent found better ramen in Monterey!

Review №123

2020-10-06 03:51:18

Spicy vegan ramen is incredible! I will be a regular customer. Quick and easy but without sacrificing any quality.

Review №124

2020-03-08 23:07:32

Great vibe, great price, super fast service (food comes out within 5 minutes of ordering usually), and variety of some of the best ramen in the US. This is my most frequented restaurant in Monterey.

Review №125

2023-02-03 06:01:40

Great place. Will visit again!

Review №126

2021-03-16 17:09:00

Decent Spicey chicken bowl but all ingredients overpowered by main “spice” used on chicken. The veggie bowl was fresh but slightly under flavored. 😎

Review №127

2019-11-19 04:57:14

Ramen at this location - excellent. Had a sister come into town and asked me to take her here again. The bill was fair for the quality of food.

Review №128

2018-07-18 22:08:53

Im a regular costumer. I usually have the miso ramen and it always meets my expectations. The broth is very rich and creamy, and the noodles are the perfect texture.

Review №129

2021-03-10 17:41:47

I heard great things about this place but I wasnt satisfied. I did however enjoy the broth very much but as far as the noodles and protein quality I dont think it was worth it for the price.

Review №130

2021-07-20 01:54:04

Staff is very helpful and friendly. Ramen is delicious. Fried oysters is very delicious. Try it . The gyoza was delicious and churchy. I will go back again.

Review №131

2018-03-16 13:53:11

Delicious place for some quick Roman. A little on the expensive side but worth it. Got the spicy and was not disappointed. Great heat and flavors. Will definitely return.

Review №132

2023-04-10 15:15:23

Wish they had bigger place to accommodate big groups. Food and service AWESOME!!

Review №133

2018-04-27 01:19:39

Fantastic. Stopped by for lunch when I was planning on getting something else. Im glad I ate here though, it was really good. Service was also excellent. The girl at the counter was very helpful.

Review №134

2022-02-27 19:37:50

Best ramen in town!

Review №135

2018-06-10 08:46:23

Great ramen!! Authentic taste!! The restaurant is clean and nice. The staff is friendly and the food served in timely manner.

Review №136

2019-04-06 04:21:19

The noodles seemed like top ramen. The broth was watery. It was ok but not superb. Had better. Location was good staff was friendly.

Review №137

2018-09-05 04:39:57

Amazing ramen—best we have had in a long time! Every ingredient was cooked to perfection, we got the Paitan and it was good to the last drop!

Review №138

2021-05-12 17:30:44

Not bad (though not quite as good as Hinodeyo in SF/Campbell). But given the scarcity of Ramen places on the Monterey peninsula, Toribashi ranks at the top.

Review №139

2021-06-24 19:28:54

Very good ramen! Everyone that works here is super nice and very attentive! 10/10 would come again! :)

Review №140

2019-11-10 03:45:26

The pictures on the website are more appetizing than the real bowl. The location is nice but not really a cozy place. It is more like a fast food soup place.

Review №141

2020-03-11 06:31:39

This was my first time trying ramen and I was not disappointed. Terrific flavors and very helpful staff. Highly recommended.

Review №142

2021-08-04 23:59:35

Best ramen ever! Incredibly authentic with unbeatable flavors. Highly recommend the Tan-tan and Paitan!

Review №143

2021-07-19 01:29:42

Over the top service despite non-traditional way of kiosk ordering. We ordered the tonkatsu ramen and it was delicious, highly recommend!

Review №144

2022-04-05 03:54:26

Didnt end up eating here as most food could not be made gluten free. Posting so others can learn this without having to go inside

Review №145

2022-03-27 02:32:28

Rich soup, great ramen. Self ordering (on a kiosk), and the cooking is very fast.

Review №146

2021-05-05 18:28:51

We love the udon here! Its so good and the fried chicken as a starter (with the sauce) is the best!

Review №147

2022-08-04 20:10:57

Fantastic service, very helpful! Delicious food- a must do ramen stop!

Review №148

2021-11-23 03:45:56

Great place! Food was great and so was the service here. No wait either which was great considering the wait times at places at Cannery Row. Will be coming back!

Review №149

2019-06-08 06:28:26

Super efficient service provided rich, flavourful vegan ramen in huge comforting portions. A total elixir to a weary traveller

Review №150

2023-02-23 04:55:15

Great place to get ramen in Monterey downtown

Review №151

2021-03-25 06:37:15

My daughter absolutely likes their noodles dishes.A little expensive but most of their dishes are plenty to make 2 meals

Review №152

2021-04-13 05:17:14

Spicy tonkatsu Ramen was very good, but I didnt like how overcooked the egg was. (Yolk was hardened)

Review №153

2022-07-05 08:11:16

Absolutely delicious! Have returned several times. Staff is friendly and food is delicious.

Review №154

2023-03-21 15:20:45

Excellent service! Food was great. Very fast.

Review №155

2021-12-23 00:23:23

It was pricey, and I was hoping for better quality chicken. It was pretty good though (Terryaki chicken rice bowl).

Review №156

2019-12-21 22:31:28

Perfec, just like an authentic place in japan, but in Monterey .. super nice, fast and cordial staff. Clean taste and the karage.. oh the karage! Cheers to that

Review №157

2023-07-08 16:54:47

Very nice and Veagan Friendly.

Review №158

2019-03-21 23:10:59

Great place to get ramen. Prices are decent and the owner really cares about his restaurant and his customers.

Review №159

2020-08-15 03:10:45

Good stuff, great staff. Definitely recommend!

Review №160

2021-06-12 05:17:03

Excellent customer service. Im not a fan of this type of food but I went with family and they said their food was delicious. But stellar customer service for sure!

Review №161

2021-10-23 02:24:58

My husband had a mosquito, in his bowl, but we didnt notice tell he was almost done with his bowl. 😑🥴

Review №162

2021-10-10 05:27:08

Not the best, too much garlic 🧄

Review №163

2021-09-14 19:46:16

Its good and the portions will fill you up. They also have a good drink selection

Review №164

2018-02-02 22:19:57

I expected more variety out of a ramen shop.The pork was dry and hardly tenderGuess Ill keep venturing to San Jose

Review №165

2021-07-04 19:31:38

Nice fried oysters. But that’s all. Don’t order ramen.

Review №166

2018-12-11 03:06:58

Pleasantly surprised as we had good bowls of ramen here. As an Asian (Singaporean Chinese), I must say this is relatively authentic enough.

Review №167

2023-07-25 20:53:29

Great fresh food!

Review №168

2021-10-10 02:36:05

Some of the best ramen I’ve had outside of Japan.

Review №169

2018-04-29 19:30:13

Really good ramen and great and friendly service. Get the spicy bowl.

Review №170

2022-11-02 05:14:42

High recommend.if you are tourist with child .clean and cozy

Review №171

2022-08-03 01:43:16

Very good ramen with friendly and helpful service.

Review №172

2022-09-25 03:12:26

Wonderful ramen, will definitely go back!

Review №173

2019-09-22 15:50:30

Ramen was bomb! We did the creamy with spicy bean paste and it was amazing.

Review №174

2020-01-13 22:40:10

Objectively, if you are a real ramen lover, it will disappoint you, but if you are not, it is just ok.

Review №175

2023-06-30 01:40:10

Lo e it

Review №176

2019-09-04 09:05:21

Great food! I just wish you could choose the density of the noodles.

Review №177

2018-05-16 22:47:24

I always get their spicy ramen. Wish I can make my own.

Review №178

2021-09-10 00:49:58

Ramen is spectacular. One of the best Ive tasted.

Review №179

2020-07-29 02:09:52

Ive been to quite a few ramen houses. This one by far is the best one yet!

Review №180

2019-01-07 09:46:04

Amazingly solid ramen. Adding spicy paste to the Paitan ramen was a masterpiece.

Review №181

2023-02-19 21:15:30

Great service, food and recommendations for staff.

Review №182

2019-03-13 16:23:41

Staff was SO nice and food was incredible. Great refreshing and quick place to eat!

Review №183

2021-07-10 20:16:38

Yum ramen

Review №184

2020-10-09 20:43:16

Its not LA ramen, but definitely the best in the area.

Review №185

2021-07-13 02:12:58

Delicious spicy Tonkatsu really made for a fantastic meal.

Review №186

2019-11-15 02:19:32

Very authentic Japanese Ramen. Service is good too.

Review №187

2023-09-24 01:07:10

The food was terrible

Review №188

2018-06-03 04:03:04

A nice clean simple friendly place with GREAT ramen choices!

Review №189

2019-11-17 04:18:58

Food comes out fast and the ramen is delicious!

Review №190

2022-07-04 03:37:54

Spicy vegetarian ramen is the best!

Review №191

2018-02-09 02:33:10

Spicy Ramen was really good, perfect amount of tingling on the tongue.

Review №192

2021-08-24 01:35:29

Thin noodles and thin broth. It’s ok but not really good

Review №193

2018-04-30 03:02:34

This was the best ramen Ive ever had.

Review №194

2019-03-22 20:17:53

Tender pork that falls apart. Creamy broth is top notch.

Review №195

2021-08-02 22:21:00

Love it. Eat in or take out you cant go wrong.

Review №196

2022-04-07 05:58:54

Great service and delicious ramen

Review №197

2019-09-13 02:53:16

Best place for ramen in the Monterey area.

Review №198

2021-04-24 01:59:32

This place was delicious!! Will definitely be coming back.

Review №199

2021-11-19 03:20:11

Super fast and efficient service. Food was great.