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Orenchi Ramen
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
3540 Homestead RdSanta Clara, CA 95051
(408) 246-2955
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Tue-Thu 6 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Sat 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Sun 5 pm - 8:30 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
We have the best All-you-can-eat (AYCE) Sushi around town. Tons of different rolls with a wide variety of ingredients. Also, we have ramen bowls,… read more »
1625 reviews for Orenchi Ramen
Review Highlights
"Their soft-boiled egg is sooooo good."
(in 332 reviews)
"The chicken karaage is amazing."
(in 135 reviews)
"Thinking about the broth is making my mouth water."
(in 788 reviews)
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1625 reviews in English
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Review from Dario E.
San Jose, CA
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Hands down the best ramen I've ever had with Kahoo being a close second. The wait does suck but trust me, once you bite into that oh-so-PERFECT soft-boiled egg, all your worries will disappear. The broth is outstanding, even more so when you add the garlic. Noodles are delicious. The only complaint I hear people make regarding the ramen itself is the small amount of pork they give you. Personally, when you have a broth this savory and eggs this amazing, I don't really need much else to make me happy.
Plus, Asahi on tap! WOOOOOO
If I remember correctly, cash only during lunch and cards accepted during dinner. There's an ATM inside which charges a 1.99$ fee I believe. -
Review from Frances J.
San Jose, CA
2/7/2012
Yes the Orenchi ramen is pretty good and I really like their fried chicken and spicy edamame but when I consider how long I had to wait, overall it's just alright. On top of that, service sucks. The last time I was here, I got seated next to the entry way from the waiting area to the dining area (not hidden in some corner). We placed our order and patiently waited (some more) for our food. We watched the table next to us who were seated not too long before us get their food. We watched 3 different large groups get seated and order. Then we watched those 3 different large groups get their food. We decided to hail down a server (not ours since he was nowhere to be seen) and ask for water and the status of our order. To my surprise the table next to us chimed in and told the server that we had ordered right after them and they were already done. The server apologized and our food was brought out not too long after. We enjoyed our dinner and waited patiently (again) for our check. With no patience left, we decided to just ask for it. When we didn't get our check, we asked for it again. Finally I went up to the counter and made someone give me our check even though I was certain we could have left without anyone noticing. I guess with good food, you can afford to have crappy service. I'd order to go and skip the bad service altogether but they don't do take out.
4 stars for food but 1 star for service = 2.5 (and hell no am I rounding that up to 3) -
Review from Calvin W.
San Mateo, CA
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been wanting to try this place for awhile and I finally had a chance to do so last night when the AFC vs. NFC champions football game was going on and no one was out. With the expectation that ramen in the Bay Area tends to be overhyped, Orenchi was exactly as a thought it would be: a very respectable ramen joint that loses out only to the best that SoCal has to offer.
I ordered an Orenchi Ramen and the chicken karaage - the standard items based on what I've seen on yelp reviews. The chicken karaage had the perfect amount of crispiness but was a touch too salty for my taste - I prefer the more peppery flavor of San Mateo's Himawari, but only by a narrow margin. As for the ramen itself, this is probably one of the best I've had in the Bay Area. The broth is rich and well-flavored, and it's all a matter of preference as to whether one would prefer it over a different type (such as Maru Ichi or Santouka). The soft-boiled egg as many have mentioned is the highlight of the meal. I do wish their noodles were a bit finer and the pork fattier, but a 4/5 is a very good score and I will come back again if there's a short line! -
Review from Noah H.
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2012
Please, if you don't know what the food that you're eating is supposed to taste like, please don't review the restaurant. It drives me absolutely insane when I see reviews like "I don't like ramen, but..." or "I've only had top ramen", with a low rating for Orenchi, which is as good as you're gonna get in the Bay Area.
You don't like it when the layer of fat congeals on top? Well that's what se-abura (back fat) does. If you don't like it, order it with no oil. Also, eat faster so it doesn't congeal.
Which brings me to my main complaint. People, there's a proper way of eating at ramen joints that 90% of the customers fail to do correctly.
1. When you sit down, know what you're gonna get. This place has a long enough f-ing line as it is, so while you wait, choose what you're getting (Just get the Orenchi ramen, kata-men (firm noodles), less oil. It's what Baby Jesus wants you to get).
2. When the bowl of awesomeness arrives, conversation stops. Seriously. Ramen is supposed to be consumed quickly so the noodles don't absorb the broth. It shouldn't take you more than 5-7 min to finish the bowl. If you're taking longer than that, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG. If the noodles get soggy, it's game over. You failed. Put down the ladle and walk away.
3. Be a man and slurp the noodles. That's how you're supposed to eat ramen. Don't be a girl and spoon noodles into the ladle. Only wusses do that in Japan. Do you want to be a wuss? There's actually three practical reasons why you slurp the noodles: 1. When you slurp the noodles quickly, the noodles retain the right amount of soup on its surface. 2. Slurping (breathing in) opens up your olfactory system, so you pick up subtle scents and smells of what you're eating. This is even more important for eating soba, btw. 3. Slurping the noodles allows you to eat more quickly, so you finish the ramen at the intended optimal temperature.
4. Don't ever, ever get left over ramen to go. That's about the most noob thing to do with ramen. No one, I mean, NO ONE does this in Japan. What the hell is the point of them cooking the noodles to perfection when you're gonna let it get soggy and nasty by taking it home, and reheating it. It makes me want to come over to your table and smack some sense in you. So please don't do this.
5. Finally, once you finish eating ramen, get the f-out. Ramen joints are not hang outs. I know you waited in line for an hour to get in, but it doesn't give you the right to hang out after finishing your food pontificating on the meaning of life with your buddies while 30 people wait in line. Ramen joints are meant to fill you up and get you out within 30 min or less. It's an unwritten rule everyone understands in Japan, and if you're gonna eat it, embrace its rules. -
Review from Sally C.
2/5/2012
Come early!! For lunch, it was only open from 11-1:45. Once you put your name down, you should be fine. But beware: they put up the 'closed' sign BEFORE 1:45 which is misleading and a little unfair (Yelp says 1:30 but I went today and it definitely said 1:45). As long as your name is on the waiting list before they put up the sign, you're good.
I really thought this place was going to be overhyped. I was never into the whole ramen phase, and instant ramen is disgusting, never a staple in my college diet. I was wholly surprised at how much I enjoyed Orenchi. Light but fully flavored broth, soft boiled egg, seaweed soaked with the tonkatsu flavor, meat was SOFT and so delicious, noodles were chewy and weren't overcooked- every small detail was made well.
The bowl is a bit small for the price though, and you only get one egg and one slice of meat. I won't be coming back every week or anything, but it's a nice treat to have at least once. I am pleasantly satisfied; Orenchi lives up to it's reviews. -
Review from Tak K.
Campbell, CA
2/5/2012
I've come here several times and didn't notice that I have not written a review, so here it goes nothing after more than 1000 reviews being composed.
This place's ramen represents what Bay Areans seek: very different from Chinese or Vietnamese noodles, pretty oily soup (I still think that may be why a competent place like Tenma is not as popular), lots of non-ramen dishes, Japanese music (doesn't matter most customers know any music being played), and quite a few better-than-average looking waitresses. So those who seek authenticity in ramen have to remember that this place caters to mostly non-Japanese, just as most popular sushi places in this area serve rolls even through rolls are considered inferior to nigiri in Japan.
I've had soy sauce or salt ramen here most of times since the one time I tried Orenchi ramen it left me with heavy stomach. I am pretty sensitive with how oil is ingested, so tried this time again after we decided to split with my wife to reduce the amount of noodle required to be consumed. The first few sips to the soup was as what Orenchi claims: oily yet not heavy; almost creamy, and not salty but with substance. In another word, perfect. But as I progressed through, the soup started tasting heavy as I remember. So I could not finish the soup as much as I wanted to.
After a few moments of thought, I found out that, because the soup had a lot of oil including backfat, when the soup cools off, it reached a point where oil became viscous instead of fluid. As a result, the time oil would linger to inside one's mouth and also stomach wall increased, which made me not want to finish the soup. So maybe a bowl like this would help.
http://www.bellemaison...
This one uses an additional layer of stainless steel along with vacuum between two layers to prevent heat transfer toward outside. Of course, since there are already so many customers waiting outside for more than a hour, such thoughtful effort might not pay off monetarily... So I would rate Orenchi ramen 4.5 stars. Onto the different dishes we ordered.
Orenchi salad: 4 stars. Even though I realized that the veggie was most likely precut, the dressing was very nice. It is most likely the mix of mayonnaise, soy sauce, egg, and other ingredients. The portion was pretty big, and the crunchy noodle helped us finish the dish.
Tako wasabi: 4 stars. Its portion was a little deceiving but the small deep dish helped the store put good amount of marinated octopus. Takana gohan (pickled green veggie over rice): 3.5 stars. The takana itself was not bad, but I wished the quantity and the resultant price were a little less. But it definitely helped me change my palette while having that ramen.
Nankotsu karaage (deep-fried chicken cartridge): 3 stars. The sauce dredged with sweet and salty sauce made us remember of an orange chicken in a Chinese restaurant. We preferred more traditional preparation of being dried served with salt and/or mayonnaise. My wife commented that some sprinkle of citrus juice might have salvaged the dish, but I countered that the already-wet surface would prevent the juice from penetrating the batter. We initially packed the remaining cartridge to bring home, but forgot to take it to our car. We do not regret though for its taste was rather boring.
Overall, I will still give this place 4 stars. With a lot of ramen places in South Bay, Orenchi ramen should not be too complacent though. -
Review from Joyce H.
Foster City, CA
2/2/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I don't have cravings for ramen, I have cravings for Orenchi. I am incredibly sad that I no longer work ~5 minutes drive away... there was a time in my life where I was coming here at least once a week. I miss those days! Now that going to Orenchi is a rarity, I've come to appreciate it more than ever.
Definitely get the Orenchi ramen, it's their signature ramen for a reason! I love everything about it - the broth tastes fatty, but not oily, the noodles are slightly thicker and chewier than most other ramen places, deliciously soft pork (although I do wish they gave more pork... I'm too cheap to pay for extra slices) and best of all... a soft-boiled egg!
Admittedly, $9 is on the expensive side... and be warned, there WILL be long lines and it's cash-only as well during lunch. But it's well worth it, even if I now have to make a 30minute drive to fulfill my Orenchi cravings. -
Review from Jay Y.
Mountain View, CA
2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
I really loved Orenchi Salad. Its ramen was also good. Somehow I prefer Halu ramen, though.
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Review from Jenna Z.
Exactly what the stars say, A-OK
This place serves good ramen, but it's kinda ridiculous how "good" people make it out to be. I came here during dinner hours and there was a 30 minute wait, not bad. I then came once around 5:30 (when they open) and experienced an hour wait... apparently people put their name on the wait list hours before... seriously people? for ramen?! Don't get me wrong, I love ramen, but Orenchi is kinda overrated.
My reasoning: the broth is good, but after a few spoons of it, it taste over salted. The white pieces of stuff floating in the broth is pork fat (aka lard). Again, it's fine but after the meal, I end up drink endless cups of water and feel a bloated discomfort. Ramen broth shouldn't make anyone feel this way, I'm sure they boil the broth for hours or so, but I do not like the amount of salt and unnecessary fat added. I also don't understand why people love the chicken karaage so much. I thought it wasn't very juicy, lacked flavor and was dry. I decided to dip my chicken in my broth to makeup what it lacked.
I would come here, but the wait is too much for me to handle. I'm not a hater lol, I just want a bowl of ramen, and I shouldn't have to wait an hour for that. -
Review from Viet N.
San Jose, CA
2/3/2012
I've been here 4 times, and I've only eaten here once.
That's what happens when you have impatient friends. The wait here is pretty crazy. My friends usually give up when they see the line. I finally found a friend patient enough to wait with me. Then we went, and there was no wait. Weird.
Go on a weekday night in a small party if you don't want to wait long.
I got the Orenchi ramen.
Things that stood out to me:
The piece of seaweed. I liked the flavor of the seaweed and after it soaked up the broth it had an interesting taste to it.
The half-boiled egg. This is the specialty of Orenchi. My mom has always made eggs like this when we ate instant noodles. I told kids in middle school that I ate soft-boiled eggs and they all made fun of me. Well suckers, LRN2EAT. Soft-boiled eggs go perfectly with soup/broth.
The portion is smaller than Santouka. I was worried because I wasn't that hungry but I was able to finish my bowl pretty easily. It only comes with one slice of meat. Sometimes I start feeling really full towards the end of my bowl at Santouka, but no such problems here because:
The broth is light for a ramen place. For those who think ramen broth is overly fatty/salty, try out Orenchi. The broth is flavorful but it is lighter than most other ramen places. Definitely a wonderful feat that they have accomplished.
Definitely come here if it's not a weekend and the wait's not insane. I'd say this is tied with Santouka as my favorite South Bay ramen restaurant. The egg/toppings here are better, but I enjoy the heartiness of Santouka's broth and their portions are larger.
I think ramen at Daikokuya in LA is better than here though. -
Review from G M.
San Jose, CA
2/8/2012
Definitely overrated, possibly owing to the easy-to-impress crowd that eat there. The flavor of the 3 broths, and texture of the noodles are not nearly as good as some of their lower-rated competitors. One salad is extremely heavy on mayonaise, another is basically a handful of shredded cabbage with little else. After a few visits, I just don't get what the long lines are all about.
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Review from Cynthia E.
Danville, CA
2/6/2012
Best ramen in the South Bay.
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Review from May B.
Los Altos, CA
2/6/2012
Best ramen in the South Bay - hands down! Crazy wait but, you know what they say, good things come to those who wait. A bit pricey for ramen BUT for a broth that takes 17 hours to make, dude it's worth it. Don't come super hungry otherwise the wait might drive you nuts. Time it that you have to wait about 20-30 minutes, sometimes even longer. Friendly staff and when you get in, I never feel rushed. Good chicken karage and the french fries with mayonnaise is pretty good too :)
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Review from jennifer l.
Menlo Park, CA
1/29/2012
*** 3.5 ***
Orenchi Ramen is pretty good! I would normally give this a higher review, but nothing can compare to Ramen Dojo in San Mateo. Sadly, every time I go to a new ramen spot, I always compare it to Ramen Dojo and nothing can beat it.
Now that I am writing a review of this place, I can barely remember the food here at Orenchi. I remember that the broth was tasty and the egg was like good and stuff, but nothing really memorable. I think this place would stand out more if they had really top notch service though. Everything is better with great service. All I remember was that the servers were always in a rush and not very attentive to their customer's needs. Not sure if I will go out of my way to come here again, when Ramen Dojo is so close by to me :P
Quick Tip: Orenchi means "my house" in Japanese. I know because a Japanese Chef just told me as I wrote this review. ^_^Listed in: Ramen Ninja
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Review from Grace K.
1/24/2012
The weather- rainy and cold, a great start for a romantic weekend which also translates to perfect ramen weather.
We walked in and saw a long list of names, but time passed quickly while playing 21 questions. From my opponent's strategic choices in our guessing game, I learned one thing- he is absolutely adorable.
We were called within 45-60 minutes. Once seated, we ordered chicken karaage and okonomiyaki fries. The chicken was crunchy on the outside juicy on the inside. The batter on our chicken could put the smackdown on any fried chicken from the South. As for our fries, I took one bite and couldn't stop. Two sauces of tart and creamy zigzagged across with smoky fish flakes piled on top of our thin crispy fries. I didn't think it could get any better.......
Our bowls of Orenchi ramen with double pork arrived. It was a work of art and Van Gogh came to mind. The broth was a slightly milky color with steam rising. Submerged in broth were perfectly hard wavy noodles with slices of tender fatty pork. Floating on top was fresh brown seaweed with- chopped green onions, bamboo shoots, a marinated soft boiled egg, and a black sheet of nori standing straight up through the broth like a flag. I thought to myself, I surrender.
We mixed everything together and dug in. It was hot and flavorful. I was too busy going at it and barely spoke. I was full but each bite kept me going further and further until it was all gone. And to think this started months ago with a promise of the best ramen ever. It really was!
Thank you for keeping your promises :! -
Review from Mary Rose L.
San Francisco, CA
1/26/2012
*Food:5/5
This is BY FAR the best ramen EVER! I've tried many ramen places and I've never found one that comes even close. I always order the Orenchi Ramen, but I would feel like a traitor if I ever order anything else. The broth is a tonkatsu base and there is a slight layer of fat floating on the top, but they make up for it with the array of toppings such as seaweed and and bamboo shoots. However, my favorite part of the ramen would have to be the pork. I don't know why I never ordered double pork before. It's so tender and easy to tear apart. The boiled egg inside is also better than other ramen places. It's slightly yolky inside and it slowly spreads out and mixes with the broth. I need to try the chicken karaage when we're with a larger party.
*Portions & Price: 5/5
The portion of the ramen is good enough to feel satisfied. Most of the time I need my boyfriend to finish off the rest for me. It's no wonder that he gets upset when I want to order an appetizer. He knows that I won't be able to finish all that food. The price of less than $10 is really reasonable considering at other places, you need to pay for the hard boiled egg or only get half an egg.
DISCLAIMER: CASH ONLY during lunch time. ATM not worth the service fee.
*Service & Atmosphere: 4/5
Every time I came here, there was always a wait that ranged from 30 minutes to an hour and a half. I think that there was just one time that there was no wait when we came on a Sunday half an hour before they opened and that was only because I told my boyfriend the wrong time that the restaurant opened ;) I still feel that the food is well worth the wait.
The service here is great! The waiters are so nice although sometimes its hard to understand what they are saying. They sometimes have a hard time saying the names of the people on the waitlist so it is easy for you to miss your name. I recommend staying close to the clipboard just in case. The main waiter there is so animated and enthusiastic. He always seems so happy to seat you and take your order. The food comes pretty quick, but they're also ready to get you out of there pretty quick too. When they see that we're close to the bottom of the bowl, they bring you the check right away.
Overall Experience:5/5
Would I come here again: Hell yes! -
Review from Jessica H.
Irvine, CA
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Well, it does live up to its title in the bay.
My friend and I both got Orenchi Ramen.
Service
Well...lets just say this place is kinda like you go in WAIT for like 30 mins then you get seated then eat for like 15 mins then the check is here. ITS THAT CROWDED. I mean the "service" was okay. I just don't remember any much about the service....
Food
I really like the noodles here. Its has a great texture. Its more of the thick ramen. The broth was very rich in flavor. The "amazing" part has to be their soil boiled egg that is like "boiled" to perfection. YUM! Really loved that yolk~ Everything these in the ramen was just the regular chau siu/bamboo shoot/seaweed/green onion that made the ramen even better.
Good stuff that requires some good waiting, bring something to keep yourself occupy since there is no "plaza" to walk around . This place is basically in this "DEAD" plaza with nothing.Listed in: Ramen Love!
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Review from Debra T.
1/15/2012
I had trouble finding Orenchi for the longest time but I've always wanted to try this place so I knew I had to find it! Little did I know it was tucked away in a quiet, deserted plaza. Orenchi Ramen was packed with people during dinner hours and I had to wait maybe half an hour to be seated with my sister and cousin. I ordered the Orenchi Ramen and was pretty pleased with how delicious it all was. My favorite part was the egg with the cool orange yolk!
If I had to compare however, Ramen Dojo in San Mateo is way better... Hands down. Orenchi did not offer any spiciness and I like a little kick to my noodz. Also Ramen Dojo gives larger portions! -
Review from Matthew C.
Palo Alto, CA
Simply put, the best ramen in the bay area... but, as with most good things, you are going to have to wait in line for it!
Best noodles around... it is hard to find better even in Japan. The broth with all their ramen dishes, again, best in class. While I typically go for the Orenchi ramen, I recently tried their new tan tan men... I highly recommend! The dish is wonderfully spicy, no broth, perfect bite on the noodles.
There has always been a wait every time I have ever gone. The fastest I have gotten in was 30 minutes... the longest wait was 2 hours. Average about 1:15 wait. Be sure to realize that the wait will be outside (so if it's cold, bring a jacket!), and there are no refreshments available for people waiting (wish you could order a beer, munch on some street food, or something). -
Review from donna t.
San Jose, CA
2/6/2012
They do not worth more than 3 star.
Their ramen is ok, too salty
Many people were refered by yelp, so we had to wait at least one hour to get in, totally not worth it.
Many ramen places are better than theirs.
Would not go back again. -
Review from Mike C.
San Jose, CA
1/28/2012
Really tough to disagree w this place especially for a pho-natic such as myself.
Lunched here on Wednesday with a party of 6. We were lucky to get here as they opened considering the place filled from the time we sat down - got our complimentary drinks.
Thanks to elite yelper (the sli one!), we all opted for the 1st thing on the menu, Orenchi Ramen. glad i came cause now i have found yet, another diverse location to remedy those hangovers. ramen came quick, but still twice as long as it takes most pho places.
In order of yum: softboil egg with inside seasoning, broth, 2-3 slices of fatty pork & noodles. Had I added 2 slices of pork + 1 softboiled egg, the meal wouldve been more complete. otherwise its just a lot of chewy noodle which is good too. plenty of leftover broth with the regular size so be sure to strike while the irons hot & add that chewy noodle.
Friendly staff, owner came around greeting each table as well. great for a light lunch if youre not adding on a ton of extras but be weary of the lunch rush or else ur probably waiting around, increasing drool by a factor of 10 by the minute. -
Review from Emiko T.
I've fallen in love with a softy. Boiled is his last name. He's an egg. I'm not sure if he knows it but I think that our love will last a lifetime.
How much of a difference will another review on top of 1550 make? Probably not a dent. But not writing about this is like denying having ever eaten an egg prepared by the gentle hands at this restaurant.
Orenchi, as an establishment, is an amazing well-oiled machine. If the food doesn't convince you enough, then maybe the fact that it's in the dingiest parking lot of Cupertino next to a bankrupt Lucky's and STILL manages to draw in a crowd for hours each day might coax you into this not-so-well-kept secret. It's efficient, fast, musically jammin' and a fantastic warm atmosphere that provides an authentic Japanese fix in the time it takes for you finish an amazing bowl of Orenchi ramen and chicken karaage.
Service is prompt and fast. But they definitely don't care for your sob story of why your whole party isn't there yet. They will skip you and go on to the next person without remorse. Cold-blooded? I guess that depends on how hungry you are. And while it's a little detail, it's an awesome plus to have a pitcher of water on the table. To start we ordered the succulent, juicy chicken karaage and indulgent okonomiyaki fries. The fries were topped with okonomiyaki mayonnaise and bonito flakes. Daymn. So simple yet ingenious.
On to the main event: the ramen. Out of the "many" choices of broth, I got the classic Orenchi bowl. While I often don't like thick broths and often opt for shoyu based soup, I LOVED this taste and flavor. It's really hard to go wrong with this bowl, as the noodles are best when they're thicker. They give you a little of everything--the bamboo shoots, a thin piece of char siu, mushrooms and of course one boiled egg. The reason they give you just a little "sample" of each is because you can order more if you like. And this is really not something to complain about because everything they use is organic and high quality ingredients. If the price gets to you, remember that they are using purified water, only organic meats and just overall stellar quality when it comes to food. (Read it on their menu next time)
Yes, people, the wait is obviously a negative side effect. But that's what you get when you're successful and aren't trying to sell out by expanding to a franchise. Or perhaps paying for a bigger restaurant when you've got a good thing going in a sketchy shopping center. -
Review from carlie c.
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Overrated. I came here recently for lunch and waited for over an hour even though we got there a little after 11:30am. We had really high expectations considering all the hype we heard about Orenchi being the best ramen around.
I ordered the Orenchi Ramen but I wanted to make it Spicy (they said they couldn't do it). The broth was underwhelming at first (probably because I was sipping on fat particles) then it got better as I mixed it and got to the middle of the broth. I have to admit the noodles were really good. I liked how they were cooked al dente. The soft boiled egg was a nice touch to the ramen but that's about it. The pork was mediocre.
We had the agedashi tofu as an appetizer which was good but a small portion. Not worth the drive or the wait.Listed in: oodles of noodles!, ramen cravings
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Review from Sabrina C.
San Jose, CA
1/23/2012 1 photo
In terms of ramen, I've had better.
What this review is really about is the chicken karaage. It was downright DELICIOUS! Perfectly crunchy, perfectly meaty (not too much or too little) and not oily. I may have to come back just to order chicken karaage as my mean (it was a shared appetizer). It was especially good too with the crushed garlic added to it from the condiments on the table.
Drool I.want.more.chicken.
crunch crunch crunch -
Review from Jey J.
Milpitas, CA
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
I don't think this place is really that fantastic. From the one and a half hour wait just to be seated to the cold egg in my ramen, it's really amazing how this place seems to get and keep their 4 star rating.
We arrived at this place 10 minutes before it opened on a Sunday morning. And already there were 50 people ahead of us on the list to me seated..
The place is small and not spacious at all. I barely had space to hang my jacket on the back of my seat because the people behind me were already touching the back of my seat.
It took us a total of 20 minutes to eat our breakfast and within the 20 minutes, the waiter showed up twice. Once to take our Order and another time to drop&collect the bill. We couldn't even get out water refilled because they were just so busy helping and serving bigger tables..
Okay.. So on to the food. I don't know if it's just me but my noodles were really hard like half cooked hard. I wanted to complain but I figure it's going to take another 10 minutes just to get the waiters attention so I just sucked it up and ate half of the soup.
Oh, I ordered the Orenchi Special btw..
Being disappointed with the noodles, I then tried biting into my egg because my boyfriend keeps saying that it was so good. So I bit into it and it was cold? WTF!! After that, I told him this place isn't worth it at all.
Knowing that a place is busing is one thing.. Bad service and mediocre food just gives this place 2 stars (my total value of this experience) -
Review from Tram N.
San Jose, CA
1/18/2012
Ok, what is the deal with this place? There's way too much hype and not enough flavors in the soup to back it up. I came right at 6pm and didn't have to wait too long to be seated. Remember: your party must be present to be seated. They do take credit card, btw, so I'm not sure what the deal with the ATM is in the corner. Service was good, way better than other Asian places.
I do agree that the bamboo, mushrooms, soft boiled egg were all good, but the broth was just plain jane. Not enough to keep me coming back. What will (!!) is the chicken karaage, hence the 3rd star. -
Review from Evonne L.
1/20/2012
3 stars for the ramen, 5 stars for the karage , 4 stars overall. Let's get one thing straight -- for a 30-40 minute wait I was expecting something to be amazed (or at the very least, reminded of my fond times in Japan). Unfortunately, the ramen was only pretty good, but nothing to write home about. Ramen Pros- the ramen noodles were fresh, chewy and delicious; soft boil egg was perfect in its consistency. Ramen Cons- lack of selection (just 3 basic broths to choose from); the broth was good, but underwhelming. Also, no corn as a choice for toppings. I love corn in my ramen; corn is the the perfect blend of natural sweetness to balance out the saltiness of ramen broth.
At the end of the day, Orenchi does have a good bowl of ramen. However, it's not mind blowing given the wait. Moreover, the service is super fast and impersonal because the staff is simultaneously trying to manage the circus sized line in their tiny entrance hall. After trying Orenchi, I can honestly say prefer the Koterri ramen at Tenma on Saratoga. That place has more personal service, more flavorful broths and just a better ramen experience overall.
That given, I can't say enough about Orenchi's karage. I would be more than willing to deal with Orenchi's insane wait just to eat this karage for dinner. Why? The karage pieces are HUGE, perfectly crispy, and flavorful. It comes with a bit of lemon to squeeze over the chicken. DO THIS. The center of the table also holds a little container of mashed garlic. PUT THIS ON YOUR CHICKEN. Now eat and thank me with all of your heart. -
Review from Caye Q.
San Francisco, CA
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have been on the quest for the perfect bowl of ramen and I think I've found it! This place has the BEST RAMEN EVER! Their tonkatsu ramen broth is made over something like 18 hours and ever minute of that is taken into account with every slurp. The broth is so savory and delicious my mouth is literally watering as I'm writing this. The chicken karaage is packed with flavor, no dipping sauce required. Be prepared to wait though, when we got there at 6:10 pm ( they open at 6pm) we had to wait. Become a regular and get your photo on the wall of fame, look for me! I'm one of the Harajuku girls. LOL.
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Review from Picky Picky Eater X.
San Francisco, CA
1/28/2012
So far, I've been committed to visit once a month ^^ v!
Even tho the line is ridiculously long no matter what time you visit ( at least 45 mins waiting), the quality of the Ramen is worthy of your time. The one and only Ramen I order is the "house special- Tonkatsu". Love the flavoring and the egg! ** must try!**
Warning: if you have high cholesterol, be warned. you will see a layer of fat floating in your ramen!
yummmy in my tummy =D -
Review from Jenna L.
1/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
'twas good. i really really really.. love their gooey runny soft boiled egg. TOP NOTCH!
Tina and I came here half an hour after opening and it was still a long wait! Waited for a good half hour. We were seriously starving afterwards. We go these delicious fries w/ fish flakes on them.. or at least i thinkt hey're fish flakes.. could be squid.. but w/ the YUMMY SAUCE!
We ate, it wasn't that amazing. It was good, but not the best. Actually who am I to judge what is the best ramen. I love my make at your home ramen. I like Top Ramen. LOL i like the simple things in life. It was hot, the noodles were good. The place is quite cute and i love their customer service. They stoop low to your level when they get your order. It's nice.. hehehe -
Review from Madeline N.
Cambridge, MA
1/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Tonkotsu ramen at its best (order the "orenchi ramen"). Chicken karaage is also amazing.
Arrive before it opens (about half an hour before would not be ridiculous), write your name on the list hanging in the partition between the dining room and the waiting area. Pray you'll be seated.
People know the food is good and that others are waiting to gorge themselves. You won't need to wait more than 30 minutes if you are a small party.
There is nothing else to do in this strip mall so bring friends or make sure your phone has a full battery. -
Review from Jennifer C.
Cupertino, CA
1/12/2012 3 Check-ins Here
The Orenchi Ramen is my favorite ramen to date in the bay area. The noodles are cooked perfectly, the soup base is delicous but not overwhelming (and not as salty as Santouka's), and the egg/pork/bamboo shoots are all cooked perfectly.
For sides, I'd also recommend the salmon roe eggs over rice (always very fresh), the chicken karaage, and the spicy edamame! -
Review from christina c.
Cupertino, CA
1/7/2012
3.5 stars
I finally got to try this place after hearing so many people rave about it. Good thing my friend and I came prepared by coming early. We found out they open at 11:30am so we were there by 11:15 and put ourselves on the list. We were #4 already. This place was packed before they were even open.
Service is great and fast as they want to get you in and out as quickly as possible. That works for me too.
I ordered the Orenchi ramen and asked for a hard boiled egg instead of what they describe as soft boiled. I can't stand uncooked eggs and I was also sharing it with my baby. The waiter said ok. Then they brought out one bowl of ramen early and said it was extra soft boiled. We were confused since my friend didn't ask for that but they told her it was hers. Then the other bowl came and I double checked by asking if it was with the hard boiled egg and they said, oh that 1st one was hard boiled. Ok, so we switched.
Then I opened up egg and saw that it was very runny. I flagged down a server who had to go get the manager who ended up telling me that all the eggs are pre-made and that they can do nothing for my request.
Now why didn't they just tell me that in the first place? Then all this confusion and expectation would not have occurred and does this mean the servers were lying?
Anyway, this is not a big deal but it was annoying.
The rest of the ramen was definitely on the salty side but I was still able to enjoy it without drinking the soup. I'm also used to always having leftovers so I think the portion is pretty small here as I was able to easily finish my bowl. This definitely would not have been enough for my husband.
Since my friend drove out from San Ramon to be here, she tried to order a ramen to go with the soup and noodles separated but they said no.
I am interested to try some other ramen places before deciding whether or not to come back. -
Review from Joyce C.
Cupertino, CA
1/26/2012
There's a lot of hype about this place, and it definitely does live up to its reputation. You have to get the Orenchi ramen. It is a bowl of chewy noodles in fatty broth. The broth has a layer of fat floating on top - delicious. I'm still undecided on whether a bowl of ramen is big or not. Some days, I feel like it's too small; other days, I get so overwhelmed with the fattiness that it feels just right. Any who, if you are to come to Orenchi, don't be a sucker - get the Orenchi ramen.
Oh yea, expect at 30 min wait (at least) and cash only! -
Review from Maria C.
1/17/2012
SOFTLY...
BOILED...
...EGG.
and the thick noodles = divine. not a HUGE fan of the soup base though to be honest, i even kind of avoided it the whole meal (oily? fat? not sure what it is, but tummy don't like).
also tried their special fries, which was more cool-looking than anything else (could probably make it at home, minus the fries).
long wait is expected. -
Review from Yam H.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 1/20/2012 2 photos
This place is still crazily popular as ever, the owners must be bankin $$$$$
I usually get the Orenchi so opted for the Shoyu to see if it was up to par. Wasn't as delicious however, it actually tasted pretty flavorless.... bland, maybe I was too spoiled by the rich, fatty broth of the tonkatsu? But I usually love Shoyu, especially at Kahoo!? I have no idea, I'm sure I wouldn't order it here again though sadly.
Appetizers are tasty, the okonomiyaki fries are addictive although I'm sure they can probably be made at home -- they just taste so good in a restaurant! Chicken Karaage is also solid, fried goodness.
Wonder if this place will ever expand, I mean it's delicious and the fanbase probably won't die down but for the sake of the loyal customers please cut down the horrendous waiting time!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/21/2010
Mmm, Orenchi. With the colder weather, a warm bowl of ramen sounds....heavenly.
So we all got the… Read more »
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Review from Arlene M.
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I still think this place has the best tonkotsu ramen (non-spicy) in the bay area. It's just as good as ramen that I've had in Japan. I've been here a few times, and though I've tried some of the other ramens, the tonkotsu Ramen is still the best (sooooo porky!)
There is always a long wait if you go during the height of lunch (12-1pm) or dinner (7-8pm) hours, so it's better to go a little earlier or much later. -
Review from Laurie W.
San Francisco, CA
Still like the ramen here but would advise against order the beer-battered onion rings...its bland and tasteless....the onion just taste like....nothing solids....its kinda gross....i had two or so and i was done
Listed in: My favorites
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/9/2011
Orenchi...i still love you...but today you turn me off =(
Its a blistering hot Friday and yes I get… Read more »
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Review from Greg L.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/5/2012
As of now, Orenchi is my favorite ramen spot, period.
Be smart and get there about 15min before opening, or you WILL be waiting a long-ass time, since there's always a ton of people and the place isn't huge. Once you do get there, don't be shy about making your way through the crowd to the list up front to put your name down. After you get seated, the hardest part is over with.
Do yourself a favor and get the Orenchi Ramen ($9) with the Tonkatsu base. Unless you really really love shio or shoyu bases, I think the rich, milky broth of the Tonkatsu ramen is the best. The soft boiled egg that comes with the bowl is definitely a treat, and I'll usually add on an extra one for ($1). The noodles and pork are very solid, but I think it's the broth that really makes this bowl of ramen truly special. Make sure to utilize the spice and garlic provided at your table to enhance your ramen experience.
The chicken Karaage was also very good (3 pcs for $4, 6 pcs for $7) which came out hot, crispy, and juicy. They have a good variety of appetizers to choose from, so don't be afraid to explore some of those options after you've sampled the karaage.
Service is brisk for the most part, as they want to keep a high turnover rate to accommodate the long line. There were instances when it took a bit longer than expected to receive our bowls of ramen, but it's always worth it.
Orenchi never fails to deliver an extremely satisfying bowl of ramen, which makes me quite fortunate to be living virtually down the street from this place. Definitely a go-to spot. -
Review from B T.
San Francisco, CA
1/9/2012
Can't really say anything more than what's already been said... But this place is really good. Probably the tastiest ramen I've ever had. The broth is pretty oily and fatty though.
Had to wait 45 minutes on a Sunday night (arrived at the 5:30 opening time) for a table of 3. Probably won't come back again, purely because of the wait. It's just ramen, after all.
