Santa Ramen inspires a cult-like following in and around the environs of San Mateo, California. There’s a perpetual wait to get in the door, but is this temple of Bay Area noodling worth it’s weight in m. glutamate? Check in with rameniac as he checks it out!

Why is this kid smiling? Could it be because he makes the best shoyu ramen in the Bay Area? Kahoo Ramen is the sudden heir to the Do Henkotsu throne in San Jose’s Mitsuwa Marketplace, and Sou Nakano is filling some mighty big shoes. I’m jealous, wunderkinds like him get all the girls!

Ryowa ramen is an old-time favorite in Mountain View, the relatively new heart of Silicon Valley, CA. What horrible accident might befall the stray Google engineer who wanders too far off campus for lunch? 

After a twelve round bout with the flu, rameniac has finally returned for some serious slurpage at the surf-themed Ramen HALU! Dude, tune in to the good vibrations and catch a wave at one of the Bay Area’s most popular noodle shops! 

Koraku is Los Angeles’ original late night ramen joint, perfect for that post-party slurpdown. But although ramen is considered proper hangover food in Japan, can a few beers impair one’s judgement of taste? Let’s find out!

Why is this man smiling? Simple really. It’s because he makes the best shoyu ramen in L.A. Case closed. As good as it gets, without a 10-hour plane flight across the Pacific. Where is this miracle? Wouldn’t you like to know?

Tucked away on the third floor of a Little Tokyo strip mall, Orochon Ramen could hardly seem less innocuous. But what on earth made rameniac’s sister hold her head in such agony? Grab a quart of milk and find out!

Tucked away in a desolate corner of Little Tokyo, Hanaichimonme has been quietly churning out some of the best ramen in Los Angeles for the past two decades! Do signs of life remain, in the former Yaohan Plaza?

Taishoken Eifukucho (大勝軒 永福町駅) is a landmark in suburban Tokyo, a classic corner shop with punch-bowl sized portions of wafu ramen goodness and… umbrellas to spare? Rameniac treks to this low-key neighborhood away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. What does he find there?

A visit to Ramenya is like dropping in on your platonic best friend. Sure, she’s just your default when you don’t have a date to the concert, but anything can happen with a shoulder to cry on and a few bottles of biiru at the ready! Right? Right?!!

Vaunted chef Yasuji Morizumi was the force behind Chabuya and Chabuton. Now he also has Kurofune - an assari-kei chain - to his name. Does the so-called “TV champion” of ramen have what it takes, or is Kurofune just another dead pixel on your widescreen?

With so many assari-kei ramen shops in Southern California, how does Eboshi Noodle Bar stack up? A favorite of many Japanese ex-pats, is it better than the rest, or are you better off elsewhere?

Taishoken higashi-ikebukuro will be closing its doors for good come February 2007! Journey with rameniac as he investigates this hugely influential shop, where tsukemen dipping-style ramen was first invented. We’ll miss you, Yamagishi-san!

Find me an island of tranquility amidst a sea of Shibuya ganguro gals, and I’ll find you a full stomach at Kiraku Ramen! Parapara revolution!

Reseda, CA was the fictional home to Mr. Miyagi and Daniel LaRusso, a.k.a. Karate Kid. Would they be waxing nostalgic for Ramen Nippon, or catching flies with their chopsticks and hitting Arby’s across the street?

Takeshi Ramen is a suprising oasis of upturned parasols in suburban Glendale, CA. But Brand Boulevard is pronounced “bland” in Japanese! Can ramen survive in this corner of Los Angeles, across the street from a California Pizza Kitchen? 

A cold, neo-noir vibe inhabits old Mr. Ramen. If Raymond Chandler were alive, he might well be penning novels over a half-eaten side of fried rice and a few pieces of gyoza. Get ready for the shoyu showdown in Little Tokyo!