Okay ramen lovers, you have two new places to fill up with and enjoy a face steaming: now open in the former Ken Ken Ramen space is RAMENWELL from Chicago’s Harold Jurado (Yusho, Chizakaya).
You’ll find a variety of broths (a 20-hour pork tonkotsu, chicken, or vegetarian, which includes a mushroom-based broth and a spicy tantanmen broth). The chicken options include chicken tantanmen (a spicy broth made with ground chicken and ground turkey) and tori paitan with turkey chashu (instead of chashu made of braised pork belly, interesting!). Meanwhile, for the pork lovers/eaters, their pork chashu belly is smoked by 4505 Burgers and BBQ after being cured and marinated for two days—special! Bowls are $14-15, and there are some apps as well (like hamachi, a house salad, and the wagyu carpaccio looks amazing), with soft-serve for dessert (matcha-taro!).
The space was completely gutted and now has a sleek and minimalist look, with plenty of counter space for you to slurp in peace at. Beer, wine, and sake are available. Open Mon-Thu 5pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-10:30pm. 3378 18th St. at [Via Eater.]
Now open in Bernal Heights in the former Ichi Sushi is RAKIRAKI RAMEN & TSUKEMEN, an import from San Diego and this is its fourth location. Tokyo-born, chef-owner Junya Watanabe is offering Hakata-style tonkotsu and Tokyo-style tsukemen, along with kimchee ramen, vegetarian miso, plus there are some special edition ramen bowls too (like black or red; peep the menu here). The bowls/ingredients get a little torching on top before they are served. You’ll also find some Yokohama jumbo gyoza, some pretty awesome-looking chicken karaage, sushi rolls, takoyaki, and more.
Inside, there’s a combination of counter seating and two-tops, with lots of plants and a very simple look. Soft-opening hours: daily 5pm-10pm. 3282 Mission St. at Valencia. [Via Eater.]
The Mission’s new ramen shop, Ramenwell. Instagram photo via @ramenwellsf.
