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In recent years, ramen has surged in popularity in the Bay Area. Once the go-to for broke college students deciding between dollar-a-cup beef or chicken flavor, now most local foodies have tried — and become obsessed with — the real deal, full of rich broth, buttery meat, perfectly chewy noodles, and not a freeze-dried pea or corn kernel in sight. So where’s the best place to slurp up the good stuff if you live in or are traveling to the San Francisco Bay Area? It’s a contentious question, but Gogobot users have supplied the answer with their reviews and ratings. Without further ado, here are the 10 best ramen joints in the Bay:
1. Orenchi Ramen
So, what gets Orenchi the No. 1 spot (and long lines out the door)? According to reviews, it does just about everything right: the broth, the noodles, and even the perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg.
2. Ramen Dojo
The menu here is simple — and written on a chalkboard — but the flavors are anything but. Go for the spicy garlic pork ramen for extra kick.
3. Santouka
The rich broth and melt-in-your-mount toroniku pork here are what keep the crowds coming back for more.
4. Izakaya Sozai
If you like a good milky tonkotsu ramen with lots of topping options, this is your spot.
5. Santa Ramen
Try the pork cheek ramen at this hidden strip mall restaurant — it costs a little extra, but reviewers agree it’s worth it.
6. Shalala Ramen
The lines here aren’t quite as long as many other Bay Area ramen joints, but the food is just as good. Win-win.
7. Ramen Parlor
Though it’s less than a block away from Ramen Dojo (#2 on this list), Ramen Parlor and its spicy garlic lobster pork stand up to competition.
8. Himawari
Craving a late-night bowl of ramen? Himawari is open until 11:30pm on the weekends.
9. Ramen Shop
It is certainly the most expensive bowl on our list, but foodies on the lookout for some inventive and local flavors won’t want to miss this East Bay spot.
10. Kotetsu Ramen
Formerly Menta Ramen, this place has limited menu options, but they are all sure bets.
Source: gogobot.com