Ramen Bar Ichi

The best ramen place that we’ve been by far. I’m not a ramen or soup person but I loved it & will surely come back. Try it too.

Saw this restaurant on Instagrams as the best ramen place in Houston and decided to give it a shot. It didn’t disappoint! We got a ramen, a chasu bowl and karrage chicken, everything was great! The chasu bowl may have been my favorite so far! The prices are also very reasonable.

It was an unplanned but a very pleasant visit. The ramen and the takoyaki were both very good, lots of flavor, fresh hot flavorful broth. The service was fast and attentive.

This place has some of the best broth I have had in the Houston area. The pork was so flavorful and the gyoza were fried to perfection. Great customer service as well. Thank you for the wonderful experience 🙏🏼

I’ve tried many different ramen shops and chains in the Greater Houston area over the years and I get only tonkotsu ramen 9/10 times when I go satisfy my Japanese ramen craving. Several years ago, my friends forced me to wait in line during the Texas summer heat at a ramen shop in Austin, and I thought it was all hype but I was wrong. Now that I know what good ramen is, I’ve been longing for any place that can make a silky, creamy, tonkotsu broth with tender chashu pork, and a perfectly cooked egg with a runny yolk. Ramen Bar Ichi checks all those boxes while other chains don’t have a creamy, milky tonkotsu broth or sometimes they overcook the “5-minute” egg. I feel so satisfied after eating a bowl here. All the tonkotsu ramen components are well-executed. The establishment is small and compact like many other ramen shops so expect to wait during busy hours. This place is also located right next to the best Japanese grocery store as well, grab some stuff there before you go home!

Ramen choices are few but if they are all like the spicy tonkatsu I had tonight, with such rich flavors and hearty toppings. The egg is whole but soft gooey yolk has a sweetness to it I like! I’d try another bowl if I didn’t need to loose weight😅

Love this ramen place! Best I’ve ever had. I get the spicy ramen tonkatsu with an egg and the spice on the side so I can add it as needed because it can be hot! Delicious broth. I could drink it alone!

Food was great. I had the spicy tonkatsu ramen. Broth was great and not too spicy. The pork chasu mini bowl was great too. We will definitely come back.

Great atmosphere. The food was amazing. I got the spicy ramen and added chicken (it comes with pork belly) I'll be coming back for sure the service was speedy which I loved!

For me this is the example of doing all the basics near perfectly. It's a cozy restaurant space that feels kinda like it's in the city, but you're in the 'burbs (so there's parking). Brought a larger group size and we were managed to be sat immediately, almost like they made space out of no where. Service was quick and straightforward, and nobody got an order incorrect. The menu consists of about half a dozen types of soups and a few extra ways to customize your bowl. There's a separate menu for appetizers that has a good selection of takoyaki and karaage; mostly just different ways to top them. Also a pretty good selection of sakes, beers, and cocktails to make it a liquid lunch/dinner. The ramen itself is executed exactly how I'd want. Tons of soups fillings with lots of noodles and probably the biggest serving of pork chashu that I've gotten at any ramen spot. The bamboo was prepared better than I've ever had, with plenty of it served; I didn't know that it could be not rubbery. Soup broth was unctuous but not overly heavy, I cleaned the whole bowl. The portions being this generous and the taste being this good made this a 5 for me.

We were headed to this area to pick up some Tofu and figured we'd try a new spot. This place had good reviews and was next to my favorite Japanese grocery store Seiwa. Service started out shaky. The girl we initially thought was our waitress had trouble understanding our drink order (we just wanted ice tea and a water so?) and seemed like she had no clue what the menu items were. But later on another girl became our waitress and the girl we initially had just bussed tables. So that happened but it wasn't necessarily bad, just odd. The food was okay. My husband got the Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen; he didn't care for it. I got the unagi bowl, which was pretty good (4/5). We also got sides of edamame (2/5 edible but no flavor) and kimchi (5/5 best thing we ordered hands down). So, I can definitely recommend the kimchi and unagi. And the price was super cheap so major plus there. Everything I described plus two teas came out to $38.

My friends and I decided to stop by here for an early dinner based on the high reviews. The restaurant is small and the decors is nice. We ordered 2 bowls of spicy tonkatsu with egg, a regular bowl of tonkatsu, takoyaki, and 2 orders of calamari. Ramen - the ramen noodle was cooked perfectly not mushy or hard. The spice on the spicy tonkatsu was strong and you cannot taste the tonkatsu broth compared to the tonkatsu without spice. Eggs do not come with the bowl of ramen so it is an additional add on but the egg was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The chashu was a little chewy and doesn't melt in your mouth, my friend thought his chashu smelt and tasted strongly of pork (almost like not clean pork). Calamari - they give you a large portion and I enjoyed the little salad that's included with the item. It comes with an "Asian sauce" which I am not a huge fan of. I wished it came with a creamy sauce like spicy mayo. The restaurant is located in a shopping plaza so there was plenty of parking.

Drove 30 minutes to this place after hearing all over Reddit that this was the best ramen shop Houston had to offer. Was sadly a bit of a letdown. Showed up right around opening and it was just us there. That was fine. We opted to sit in a booth close to the kitchen. Ambiance looks like a pretty casual ramen shop. Server was friendly. We ordered the Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen, Pollo Loco Ramen, and Takoyaki (I believe it was Osaka style). - Takoyaki: This was pretty standard. Not bad, but also not anything to write home about. - Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen: Pretty disappointed with this one. Although there was some decent spice, I found the broth to be pretty watery. For a tonkotsu ramen, I expected a super hearty/creamy broth, but didn't really get any of that. The char siu and other toppings were fine, but I also found the noodles weren't as bouncy as I was hoping. Maybe a little overcooked? Or just the noodles itself weren't very good. - Pollo Loco Ramen: Don't usually got a chicken-based ramen so this was definitely unique. However, I think this suffered the same issues of the tonkotsu of being a bit too watery when I don't think it should've been. I'm all for lighter broths (i.e. shoyu), but this didn't really connect. The ground meat and noodles also didn't particularly grab onto the broth. One other thing I would like to mention was a little after the takoyaki came we started smelling something weird closer to the kitchen/bathroom. Smelled almost like cleaning solution? We figured maybe it'd eventually pass, but it never really did and we definitely had a bit of a headache by the end. YMMV, but just something I personally experienced. Overall, it was definitely not worth the journey or the hype. If you're closer to this location and want ramen, I can see this working in a pinch, but I have a hard time recommending this one.

Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen - This was undoubtedly one of the best ramen dishes I've ever had. It struck a perfect balance, not too creamy or heavy, and the broth had a consistently delicious flavor. I usually find Tonkatsu overwhelming, but this one was just right. I opted to have the spice on the side since my tolerance isn't very high, allowing me to customize the heat level to my liking. 9/10 Mentai Mayo Chicken Karaage - Another standout dish, the Mentai Mayo Chicken Karaage exceeded my expectations. The sauce drizzled over the karaage was flavorful, complementing the crispy and crunchy texture of the dish. It even came with a side of edamame, which added to the overall appeal. I thoroughly enjoyed this dish. 9/10 Service - The staff were friendly, although their attentiveness left a bit to be desired. Overall, a pleasant experience. 8/10

Hands down the best ramen in Houston. The broth is consistently rich, flavorful, and so savory. The Takoyaki balls are good too! I forgot to take a picture of their cucumber salad which has a nice spice kick but tastes very refreshing.

This place is a disaster- got my takeout order completely wrong. When I called to let them know and request a refund or a newly corrected order (I was willing to drive back and return their mistake), they said it was not possible. Suggested I call back tomorrow to talk with the manager to get a corrected order or possibly a refund - hilarious suggestion on multiple levels. Sad customer service and a waste of $35 - too bad

I enjoyed some tonkatsu ramen and a lychee soju drink here on a busy Friday evening. The tonkatsu ramen was well cooked, with incredibly flavorful meat and broth in a generous serving, along with strips of flakey black mushroom, seaweed, and bamboo. The lychee soju drink was yummy - a great blend of flavors, moderate intensity, with star jelly to complete the drink. The 1 star deduction is for some minor annoyances - there was an additional charge for the egg, which was (slightly!) overcooked/overboiled, and the seating area is fairly small. Overall, this is a solid ramen place to check out - they stick with the basics, and they do it well. I look forward to returning!

Overall we had just an average experience here. This is a drive out for us to visit and I don't think we will be back. We visited on a Friday evening and had to wait a few minutes for a table. There was only one waitress working and although she was attentive, service was slower due to this. She mentioned that the vegetarian ramen contains shellfish oil, and we were easily able to make it vegan. There was only one vegetarian option on the menu. We made the special trip out here to try this vegetarian ramen due to some positive reviews. For $12.50 it is cheaper than your typical ramen dish. Although it was tasty, I didn't love it. My biggest complaint is lack of tofu/protein, which left me feeling hungry after finishing the end of the dish. Tofu is also not an optional addition you could request on their menu. The lotus root and sweet potato also offered a unique spin on your typical ramen dish. I do wish they put more than one of each of these items. There were additional mixed cubed veggies added that I wish had been seasoned in the dish. The broth and noodles were tasty.

I've been here before COVID pandemic and it's been awhile to get back! I had a bowl of vegan noodle and it was pretty good! I like the fact that vegan people can come and enjoy the delicious ramen noodle made of spinach! The waiter is pretty attentive and supportive for my order! Only cons I could say is that they don't have soy sauce or spicy sauce/oil at the table so when I got an extra bowl of noodles it got lessen saltiness... But I had a good time overall! I can come back when I'm around here again! Try this place out! Cheers

I read the reviews and had to try this place. To have +800 reviews and still have 4.5 stars is quite an accomplishment and I found out why (and you should too), they are really that good. I'm not going to waste your time and repeat all the stuff the other reviews said other than its some of the best ramen I have ever had. Unassuming casual restaurant with BIG RESULTS. My Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen was authentic, fresh, and flavorful. Truly enjoyable. I will be back. Maybe I'll see you there!

This is a great spot for lunch for super quick service and tasty ramen. When you look at the digital menu be sure to change the filter because they have a lot more than what's on the initial page. Some of the booths are a little beat up but there is ample parking which is a plus in my book!

I would rate this place a 4/10. The Tonkatsu broth can use more flavor, and not just by MSG. Cha Su in the ramen was not tender enough. The Takoyaki tasted really glutinous. We drove all the way from downtown for this, which was not worth it at all. Our waitress was nice and attentive, given it was only her handling a full house.

The service was great and the edamame was delicious. The calarmi was a bit rubbery and I wasn't sure how fresh everything in the ramen was. The noodles seemed undercooked & the broth could've been warmer. The meat was questionable as well - the Tonkatsu was ground beef not a slab of meat.

Amazing amazing amazing. The food is GREAT but the service is what brings me back. Polite and inclusive (which can be hard to find in Texas ). But overall I will be back and I suggest y'all take a visit too.

Below average ramen now, wtf happened? It's been a while same I came in but was having a ramen craving. Came in today for lunch, ordered a bowl of tonkotsu ramen with egg, and it was a let down. It arrived fast enough but first impression was where is the broth? The bowl had a huge amount of scallions, bamboo, and mushrooms, but not enough broth. The broth was hardly warm and it tasted weak. The chashu was super tough, which is wild considering how fatty it was, and flavorless. My egg was cold and hard boiled. The noodles were cooked slightly under, which i'm ok with when the broth is hot enough. See some current reviews of having the same problem, so I can't really write it off as a bad day. Hope they improve.

Went here for lunch and we got tonkotsu Ramen and chicken. It was yummy and filling. The place is nice and clean. Our server was kind and attentive.

I've never had ramen before but I wanted to try this place since it's right down the street from where I work. It was really really good. I would definitely try again.

I tried the tonkotsu ramen and it was very underwhelming. The broth makes or breaks ramen for me and unfortunately this one wasn't very flavorful and lacked the richness I was looking for.

Came here for dinner with my food bestie. We started with Calamari, Kimchi, and a small Chashu Pork rice bowl. Calamari was a 4/5. Super fresh and the dipping sauce was a great compliment. I like my Calamari slightly crispier, just a personal preference. The Kimchi was AMAZING 5/5. Definitely one of my favorite Kimchis I've ever had. The Pork Rice bowl I also give a 5/5 but my bestie ate most of that LOL I ordered the Spicy Tokantsu Ramen and my friend ordered the Pollo Loco Ramen. The soups were both flavorful and filling. Im picky about my ajitama eggs but this place did an amazing job with them. Overall I highly recommend trying this place out

I love this place. Very fast, never lacking the authentic flavor. Portion is perfect. Brought my friends from Okinawa and they absolutely love it.

Solid place for good ramen. This restaurant is pretty small, but I was seated right away at 5:10 on a Friday. I ordered the spicy tonkotsu ramen, and it was really good. The broth was rich, not too spicy, and overall very tasty. The pork chashu was tender and also very good. However, my party also ordered the Mentai mayo chicken karaage as an appetizer, and it was mediocre as the chicken wasn't crispy. Overall, I think this is one of the better ramen places I've had in Texas, especially if focusing exclusively on the ramen.

When you first walk-in, host was very nice. Flavor of the chicken broth was good! Ramen was good as well. I got the spicy pollo loco chicken with strips of chicken. The places was pretty small and not as eye appealing as some ramen bars but it was nice. Seats where kinda old. Overall it was good for lunch.

Ramen was good! I was surprised that the spinach noodles were so good, not too spinach flavored but absorbed the broth just right. I was also surprised that it came with a full egg that tasted delicious. On the other side, I wish it was a little bigger pork serving. Also the spice isn't too spicy which I personally enjoyed. The takoyaki was okay, could be fried more maybe? A little mushy. Service was good but nothing above average. Ambiance gives Japanese vibes with the decor.

This place has one of the best ramens I have ever had! It's full of flavors and the noodle is just the right texture. Don't forget to add an egg, it's so good I almost asked for seconds.

The food here was pretty good and i would definitely come back again. It is definitely one of the best ramen places i've been to here in houston. The waiter was really nice to us and we got our food pretty fast. Their restaurant is pretty chill inside and they always greet you in Japanese and say goodbye in Japanese as well. All in all, i think it was nice eating there.

One of the best, if not the best, in Houston. If I'm being hypercritical, it's more like a 4, because it's not without some slight flaws. But possibly being the best in Houston deserved the bump up. Karaage - As close to perfect as you can get. I'm assuming made to order because it came out super hot and still glistening from the oil. Should be standard and easy to do but still appreciated. Super juicy. Slightly spicy. Light and crispy coating. A little too salty but that's just nitpicking. I asked for Japanese(kewpie) mayo to dip but got, what I'm guessing, is a mentaiko and mayo sauce. Also good but not necessarily needed. Good on its own. Tsukemen - I've had a few of the "best" in Houston and this is by far the actual best I've had in Houston. Hard to compare to the famous Tsujita in LA, but it's the closest I've found yet. Egg isn't included, so you have to pay $1 extra, which is kind of a bummer. More nitpicking, the egg wasn't even that great. Good soft boil with the gooey yolk, but it was still slightly overcooked and the flavor was lacking and off a bit. Char siu was very good but I kind of wish they were thicker and/or another slice. Broth was rich, salty, and delicious, as it should be. Couple tips: I like to ask for warm noodles instead of the traditional cold noodles. Clumps a bit because it's usually rinsed in cold water, so just pull and shake gently. The green onion cuts the richness, but imo, it can kind of overpower the flavors. Try it with and without, to see what you prefer. I can safely assume the other menu items will also be good. Definitely going back to try the tonkatsu ramen ASAP.

Hot and fresh. Both sounds was full of flavor. The noodle where cooked to perfection. The cucumbers where not spice at all but very light and refreshing. I suggest eat them before the ramen, they taste very different after. The staff are very nice and accommodating but unfortunately they are busy and due to that and the lack of staff they kinda for get about you. You almost have to stop them in their tracks to get their attention.

An excellent place for ramen and appetizer! We arrived shortly (no more than 15 mins) after noon. The line was already formed. There were around 5 groups of people in front of us. Luckily, we were seated without waiting so long. The appetizer was delicious! We had Shime Saba Aburi (highly recommended) and Spicy Cucumber. Both were great. For ramen, I had Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen. It was amazing! I love the taste of the soup base. Personally, I didn't find it too spicy. However, I would recommend having Tonkotsu Ramen as an alternative if you're not into spicy food. Overall, it's a great place! However, I would suggest arriving early to avoid the long line.

Loved the food I got here at ichi! The tonkotsu ramen was creamy and dreamy. I added an extra egg ( always the move). The Mayo tokoyaki was awesome as well. Large pieces of octopus and very crispy as well. I loved it. Will definitely be back. It also only took like 4 minutes to get my food so a very fast lunch stop.

We stopped Seiwa and saw a line outside this place around noon. Decided to try out and waited for 10 mins before getting inside. You can scan QR code for menu but tmobile had poor signal so we used the ones tapped to the table. The lady/hostess explained the menu and we had calamari as appetizer, spicy tonkotsu ramen and chicken ramen. Both added egg for $1 each. I LOVE the gooey yolk and always get that. Broth was flavorful with the right heat. Pork was very tender and ramen was chewy! Hubby liked his chicken broth too. Overall, a great place for ramen. Service wasn't fast or slow, just normal. Will be back for trying other rice bowls.

This is not a recommend that you are looking for. They don't have enough staff to help you out with the wood ordering and they don't have a good Drymond. Don't come here if you're looking for a Rahmatullah of Ramen place to eat.

Been here over five times and their ramen is always amazing. I go for the spicy pollo loco and it's packed with flavor. Noodle texture is perfect and the service is quick and friendly. Would definitely recommend to any ramen enthusiast in htown

Amazing food but the napkins are the WORST. No restaurant in Houston should have these napkins. The pork chashu bowl is always good. The mentai mayo chicken karaage was pretty good but the chicken chunks were a bit large. The tonkatsu ramen was good but lacked some spice and the bowl was smaller than usual. I also tried to substitute thick noodles but was not allowed to. Drinks are served in plastic cups which makes it less nice.

Came by for lunch and tried the Tonkotsu Ramen along with mentai mayo chicken. The flavors were delightful, and the portions were satisfying. This place maintains a pleasant and tidy atmosphere. Our server was courteous and attentive throughout the meal. I will certainly be back!

Recommend? Yes. I got the vegan ramen. It was a satisfying bowl of cozy goodness. The broth was light, but flavorful. A chili bomb made it a lot better. The fried veggies added a bit of texture to the dish.

From the looks of the place, it has a vibe that matches their food. I ordered the spicy tonkotsu ramen with no egg, the addition of an egg costs extra so I chose not to get it but still loved the ramen I had. It was spicy but not to the point where I couldn't eat properly, it was at a level where you start to sweat. As a family we ordered takoyaki (6 pieces) and Karaage as appetizers, both were tasty in their own rights and would recommend you order either or both for appetizers. The workers were nice and attentive. Would recommend this place with family for a more special event than just a lunch outing due to the price. Overall a 5 for both taste and service

Stopped by for a ramen lunch after shopping at Seiwa Market. I grew up in Tokyo and missed real Japanese food and this place may satisfy my taste buds. I opted for Ramen Salad - Packed with cherry tomatoes, cucumber chunks, a hard-boiled egg, thin slivered onions and scallions, over spinach ramen and a dash of soy-vinegar dressing. The true test was the ramen, cooked firm and not soft. Nice salad interpretation.

Been coming here for 4 years. Still the best ramen in Houston hands down. I live 30 miles away now, so I was super excited to get some spicy tonkotsu yesterday, but sad the shilgochu was missing

After seeing a few review and a almost perfect rating I tried Bar Ichi for lunch. At first it felt like any other small Ramon spot. But of course the food was the difference maker. Everything I ordered was delicious. The edamame was a great starter. The calamari was fried to perfection. The mini fried eel bowl was the icing on the cake! Also the service great. Definitely a bookmark to come back to!

I haven't been here in so long and now I remember why. Quality has definitely gone down and the ramen is no longer good. The broth is not creamy nor flavorful. I think they also use MSG from the way I've been super thirsty and having a quenched jaw. They didn't have much options to chose from. It was either tonkotsu or chicken, aside from their dipping ramen option. The only thing good were the appetizers, fried squid and kaarage (chicken). Such a shame since they used to be one of the top ramen places in Houston. The store also smells like sewer which didn't help with the overall experience.

Always amazing ramen, and add the egg with the pork tonkotsu! I love the spicy cucumbers too

They really need to work on the service, you can't even call to place an order because they never answer- like nobody wants to eat there when they act like they act. food is also a hit or miss now

Upon entering Ramen Bar Ichi, I was greeted by a cozy and inviting atmosphere that immediately set the stage for what I hoped would be an epicurean adventure. As I perused the menu, my senses were inundated with the tantalizing aroma of simmering broths and savory spices, which left me salivating in anticipation of the culinary delights to come. The appetizers were a mixed bag, ranging from delectable to lackluster. The edamame was fresh and perfectly salted, while the chicken wings were disappointingly dry and lacking in flavor. Nonetheless, I held out hope for the main attraction, the ramen. The broth, while rich and fragrant, failed to live up to my expectations of complexity and depth. The noodles were perfectly cooked, however, and the various toppings - from the tender slices of pork to the crisp bean sprouts - provided a delightful burst of textures and flavors with each spoonful. Despite my mixed experience, I appreciated the attentiveness of the staff, who were quick to refill my water and check in on my dining experience. Overall, while Ramen Bar Ichi fell short of my expectations, I can see how it might appeal to those seeking a comforting and reliable bowl of ramen.

I decided one day to just go here for some dinner with a friend and fell in love with the ramen. I tried the Spicy pollo ramen and it was delicious, hearty. I've been to multiple ramen places in Houston but I always thought something was missing with the taste or wasn't spicy enough for my taste or even not enough noodles in the bowl. This place satisfied me with the spice level, I even added the fireball sauce on my ramen and was even more delicious flavor. I already went twice in a one week so of course I'll be going back again, and again lol. Introduced this way place to my partner and his response was, " this is the best ramen I've ever had" Thank you for the experience and fast service. You deserve 5 star!!!!

This ramen place is the best place for ramen in Houston. Better than tiger den or Jinya ramen

There's nothing like having a craving for a food then have it satisfied, but that was the outcome when I ate here. I was in town for the holidays and it was so good we ate here twice. I had the spicy chicken ramen with an egg. My daughter chose just rice with seaweed (and they gave her a big filling bowl of it), and my fiancé ordered a rice bowl with chicken, seaweed and other items. We also tried the pineapple beer and it was different but in a good way. My ramen broth was divine and flavorful! It was spicy but not too hot you couldn't enjoy but just enough heat to open you up. Everything was really good. The space is small and quaint, clean and the staff is very accommodating and friendly. You order at the table that has menus taped to it, whether you're dining in or getting take out. The employee was patient and answered our questions. I believe if I lived in the area I would eat there probably weekly.

Decided to try this ramen joint since it is close to my home. It was a small eatery with a quick, attentive staff. My daughter and I went because she's a pack ramen kind of girl and I wanted to give her the experience of true ramen. She was delighted at the taste and so was I. Ordering was super easy, and the crowd was small when we got there. By the time we were ready to leave, it was filled with patrons! Super quick change! I'd definitely recommend!

Probably the weakest bowl of ramen we have had in Houston. The noodles weren't bad. The pork was dry and flavorless. The egg was cooked perfectly, but also flavorless for a seasoned egg. The broth tasted alright, but wasn't rich and creamy. Very watery, which for tonkotsu, isn't my style. Surprised this was one of the "best" places. Average to say the least.