TASTE | DINING MENYA ULTRA RAMEN, KEARNY MESA Menya Ultra came in first place by a country mile with local ramen lovers. The credit goes to its noodles, made in-house twice daily with wheat flour imported from Hokkaido, Japan. Menya noodles are known for a distinctive sweet wheat scent, smooth texture and springy consistency. Founder Takashi Endo opened his first Menya shop more than 20 years ago in Japan and has since expanded throughout Asia. Last year, he chose San Diego as his first U.S. market, prompting a visit last spring by Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern, who declared Endo’s ramen the best in America. A second outlet is planned later this year in Mira Mesa. Be prepared: The shop is so popular that diners wait in line up to two hours on weeknights and weekends. 8199 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Ste. M, 858.571.2010, menya-ultra.com
NISHIKI RAMEN, KEARNY MESA Opened in 2015 by Japanese chefs Jimmy Kitayama and Mike Furuichi, Nishiki is renowned for its noodles, made in-house daily. Its tonkotsu is cooked for 24 hours. And its choshu pork add-in is so tender, fans say it melts in the mouth. The Smoke Bomb Black ramen, with black roasted garlic sauce, is the fan favorite, with spicy miso pulling in as a close second. 8055 Armour St., Ste. 201A, Kearny Mesa, 858.987.0222, nishikiramen.com
RAMEN IZAKAYA OUAN, HILLCREST This shop is known for its Ouan Black Ramen, made with flavorful black garlic oil, ultra-soft-cooked egg and crispy garlic chips. Fans also love Ouan’s Piggy ramen bowl, made with tonkotsu broth with chashu, soft egg, garlic chips and red ginger. 3882 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest, 619.683.3230, izakayaouansd.com
Izakaya Masa
IZAKAYA MASA, MISSION HILLS While this Izakaya offers an extensive menu of sushi and hot and cold dishes, it’s the basic ramen menu that people line up for most evenings. Masa has just one broth (tonkotsu, made from boiled-down pork bones and meat), three ramen dishes and no optional add-ins. But fans say it’s one of the most authentically Japanese ramens in town, and they love its lessfatty, lighter broth. 928 Fort Stockton Dr., Mission Hills, 619.542.1354, izakayamasa.com
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Tajima
HOKKAIDO RAMEN SANTOUKA, KEARNY MESA Founded in Japan in the 1980s by Hitoshi Hatanaka, this now international ramen chain has a counterservice outlet inside Mitsuwa Market. To help customers choose from the huge menu, Santouka displays plastic representations of each bowlful. But those in the know say the creamy shio (salted) and special pork ramens are the most addictive. Lines here are shorter than at other Convoy district ramen shops, but be prepared, the shop only takes cash. Inside Mitsuwa Market, 4240 Kearny Mesa Dr., Kearny Mesa, 858.974.1101, mitsuwa.com/ restaurants-shops/restaurants-sushi/santouka/
Menya Ultra Ramen