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Ringer Hut
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- 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
325 reviews for Ringer Hut
Review Highlights
"Their Nagasaki Champon is also quite delicious."
(in 57 reviews)
"They also do a great fried rice (yakmeshi) here."
(in 59 reviews)
"The ramen was perfectly cooked in my opinion."
(in 150 reviews)
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325 reviews in English
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Review from Jack H.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 2/8/2012
I grew to enjoy this place. The spicy champons is my normal order. The broth use to come mildly warm which is a major peeve to me. Nowadays it comes hot! I eat here several times a year.
Staff is very friendly and attentive.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/7/2007
In High School I thought this place was a bite-off of Pizza Hut. Little did I notice it said… Read more »
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Review from Andrew H.
San Jose, CA
1/27/2012
Okay, I'll admit it - I'm a regular at Ringer Hut. It's definitely a family favorite, so my rating could be slightly biased. I come here for lunch sometimes when I'm hungover and the next door restaurant (Long Thinh Pho) is swarmed.
You would never think of coming here. It's just off of Saratoga and appears to be some kind of American food place. "Ringer" also sounds like some kind of racial slur to that end. I first came here a few years ago after passing it by many, many times.
I must say that the service is exceptional here. The servers will seat you quickly, they'll take your order with a smile, and they do a great job at checking-up whenever you need anything. Note: the female waitresses aren't as prompt as the male.
My typical order is the sushi shrimp combination. Yes, it may be expensive, but included in the "obento" is a salad, sushi, fried shrimp, gyoza, sashimi, and croquette. Great for those eaters that really can't choose, which is myself. My sister will typically get the shoyu champon, which is one of their specials. Note that everything here is mediocre, but the family-style environment and quick service will make your day.
Last time I was there, I ordered a pitcher of beer. The waiter gave me a cheers with the pitcher and acted like he was going to drink too. Beer is $6 per glass, but the pitcher is $15 so I always get sucked in to "the deal." The beer comes with spicy fern shoots - incredibly great compliment!
The restaurant itself is semi-pricey, but you can be rest-assured that you'll never have to wait in a line (I hate waiting for more than 10 minutes to grab some grub). -
Review from Spencer E.
South San Francisco, CA
1/16/2012
I ordered their spicy champon and chicken doburi combo. I have never had champon before and I thought that it tasted pretty good. I enjoyed how they loaded up the champon with vegetables and other things as well to make it a more flavorful.
The chicken donburi was disappointing however. They put chicken terryaki with rice but the chicken terryaki did not taste like how terryaki flavor normally tastes. It had an interesting initial taste but the more I ate it the more decent it tasted to me.
There is a huge variety of items that you can choose from their menu so I would not mind coming back here and trying something else next time -
Review from Matthew C.
Campbell, CA
1/5/2012
Good food at decent prices (well, at least for lunch - I hear it's more at dinnertime). I've only been for lunch. I also pay attention to what I'm ordering, one could easily run up a $20 meal at lunch, by ordering a little of this and a little of that. There are lunch special dishes at a good price. Big menu with lots of choices.
A friend that lived in Japan for several years loves coming here, he says it's a chain in Japan, and the food here is authentic. I also think it's pretty delish. -
Review from Daeho K.
Upland, CA
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came for the Nagasaki Spicy Champon, on a friend's recommendation. The broth was nice and thick, the noodles were firm and had a satisfying chewiness to them. I would have preferred jumbo shrimp, but that's a minor gripe. Honestly, it was delicious, but it was as delicious as any other place I've been to. Maybe I'm just a fan of champon, maybe I've been lucky and only been to good places.
Recommended for rainy/chilly days! -
Review from S G.
Antioch, CA
1/7/2012
Large Nagasaki Champon and Yakimeshi combo. About the only thing I order every time I go there. The noodle dishes are all good, curry is ok, everything else is mediocre.
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Review from Toru K.
Cupertino, CA
11/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Nagasaki Champon is not Ramen.
Ringer Hut is a well-known restaurant chain in Japan. The company has contributed to the spread of Nagasaki Champon widely all over the county where Ramen is dominantly popular. I believe the company differentiates itself from other ramen restaurants by specializing in Champon and Sara-udon. (Both of them are specialties of Nagasaki prefecture.)
I, however, found that this restaurant here provides Ramen as well as Nagasaki Champon. Ramen of Ringer Hut? So funny. In fact, they serve Curry rice, Bento, and so on, and so on... I finally recognize that a variety of menu is the key to success in restaurant business in this country. Right?
I ate regular Nagasaki Champon and Gyoza. They were as good as they are in Japan. -
Review from Kalei K.
San Jose, CA
1/17/2012 7 Check-ins Here
I know this is a fast food type Japanese restaurant but every time I come the food is always delicious (for what I think would be "authentic as possible") from the house special to the shoyu ramen to the agadashi tofu!!! It is all so good it makes me want to come back all the time and I live across town..... Wish they had one closer to ESSJ :( The wait staff is fast and friendly, only down side is the food comes all at once, wish they could work on their timing a little better... Other than that I love this place!!!
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Review from patti f.
12/3/2011
The Ringer Hut on Saratoga Ave. has been around for years, but I never went until recently. It's a casual family-style restaurant that's perfect for an inexpensive but decent meal. As others have mentioned, it's very similar to the diners you would find in Japan.
I recommend the Nagasaki Champon (soft noodles with vegetables, seafood, meat, and broth) and freshly made gyoza. Even better, order the combo and get both for around $10.
What's even more random is the desserts at Ringer Hut are pretty good. I've gone here a few times just to pick up the desserts because you can't find them anywhere else. Try the green tea heaven (green tea ice cream with corn flakes) or anmitsu (unsweeted mochi balls with fresh fruit and syrup)! -
Review from Dave S.
Salinas, CA
12/18/2011
Japanese eating japanese food that's what's happening here. Better than average comfort food. For those who weren't raised on this simple everyday faire its just OK. To me and others it's a bit of our childhood.
The spicy champon was great ( recommend for a sore throat and cold ) and the made daily gyoza melt in your mouth.
Service was fast and with a smile. I'll be back. -
Review from Sharon B.
Pinole, CA
1/19/2012
I've seen a number of people review Ringer Hut and call it "Similar to diners in Japan". It's not similar, Ringer Hut is a chain which exists all over Japan and is genuinely a Japanese diner. We eat there often in both Osaka and Tokyo when we are there.
The Champon and Sakudon are the same as they make it in Japan, and although it is "diner" food, it's really good. I don't understand coming to a place specializing in Nagasaki specialty dishes and ordering, say, Katsu-don or Ramen. Doesn't make sense.
Anyway, the food is as good here as it is in Japan. I highly recommend it. I always go for the Sakudon, because it has crunchy noodles layered under the soggier items, which gives it a nice consistency. I also like a bit of hot mustard mixed into it, I can't remember if they offer this at the San Jose location or only in Japan proper, but a bit of hot mustard mixed in really gives it a great kick! -
Review from Bryan Z.
San Jose, CA
10/31/2011
This place is decent if you're craving ramen but Santouka and Kahoo are literally 5 min down the street. Just sayin'... The ramen is passable. I see many people recommend the Nagasaki Champon (or Nagasaki Champion) as I've called it, but I think it's pretty overrated. I usually just stick with either the shoyu or tonkatsu. The fried rice, however, I do think is really good. Yes, it is oily but what do you expect? You get quite a large amount too. If you decide to get one of the combos, skip the gyoza and get the fried rice instead.
Desserts are actually pretty good too. I've tried the strawberry one, the green tea one with the corn flakes, and the flan and they were all good. However, for the love of God don't get the one with the fruit and those two white balls. You're welcome, I just saved your life. -
Review from B R.
Portland, OR
12/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good family style Japanese restaurant and excellent service. Just the chumpon a bit too spicy.
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Review from Scott B.
San Jose, CA
1/9/2012
Not terrible. But I wouldnt suggest it unless you wanna be pooping magma within a couple hours. Low prices and a decent size meal could make it worth it if you're low on cash though.
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Review from Daniel K.
Hayward, CA
7/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Probably more of a 3.5
I've been here twice now, and both times I got the Nagasaki Champon combo. Once with fried rice and once with gyoza. I think the food is pretty good, but its not spectacular in any way. The Champon is good, doesn't taste heavy or fatty or oily in any way. There's lots of veggies and such in there so that's cool. There's barely any meat, so if you're a meat lover this probably isn't the dish for you, but still its pretty good. It just doesn't do anything to wow me or make me want to bump up my review to 4 stars. "Meh" -
Review from Tony C.
Cupertino, CA
8/26/2011
My friend and I stopped in cause it was plate and we were hungry. If i had know how gross the food was, I'd just gone to mcdonalds. This place is tasteless.
I ordered the spicy ramen and little did I realize it had shrimp. I am allergic to shrimp and they didn't tell me. Luckily I could tell after two sips of the broth and stopped to order the yakisoba. The yakisoba came and it had no flavor. I added the gyoza on the side and it was still slightly frozen, not too mention also bland.
My friend ordered the champion and It was some noodles sitting in this soggy mess of sauce. We both had to go viral with the soy sauce since nothing had flavor.
Overall, this place is gross and not worth your money. Try the sushi boat resturant next door instead. -
Review from Brandon Y.
San Jose, CA
It's weird...I used to hate this place when I was little because I was so picky, all I would get was hot soba...but now, I'm definitely a fan of Ringer Hut.
Now that my tastes have been open up to much more than just soba, I can appreciate Ringer Hut's other noodle dishes and sides. My choice of combo is Nagasaki Champon and Yakimeshi. I don't know of many other restaurants that do champon, so it is nice to see it on the menu, and it is quite delish as well. In the combo I mentioned, it comes with a big heaping portion of yakimeshi, which has a lot of taste (not bland like some other places).
From some of the other things that I've tried...
-They have bento boxes with fried shrimp, sashimi, korokke
-Miso ramen is surprisingly spicy-ish
-Yakisoba is decent
-Their gyoza is http://bomb.com
I won't go back to soba anymore now that I've discovered champon, and I'm glad I gave Ringer Hut a chance after I learned to eat other foods!Listed in: Best Ramen in the Bay Area…
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Review from Liz W.
Los Angeles, CA
10/2/2011
I do not know how this place has survived so long. I don't know, either, how I managed to come here several times before I discovered that this place is horrendous!!
The place is really dark and normally that's okay for a modern ambiance, but the rest of the decor and energy just doesn't jibe with that. At that point it just seems cheap, dirty.. dark and lame. The tables are also really dark and when you sit down the booth and table both feel kind of sticky. Again, why the whole dark thing just doesn't fly with me... I feel like it hides all the greasy/dirtiness.
I'm sure their other menu items are pretty decent, but if you come here, you're probably looking for RAMEN. Which this place just doesn't really do a great job at! In the one I ordered, there was way too much ginger that they put into the soup (it dyes my soup reddish and makes it taste grossly sweet...)... The pork pieces weren't the best and I hate the bamboo shoots cuz THOSE also give the soup a nasty taste! At that point I might as well cook my own ramen at home because if I come here I'd ask for noodles and soup only. I don't even like their soup either - it was way too salty.
There are tons more ramen places in the area. In fact, Mitsuwa has a ramen shop and that's also on Saratoga. You're better off trying your luck there! -
Review from Kenny N.
Milpitas, CA
11/13/2011
Had Katsu curry over rice here for someone's birthday. Was around $10, normal price for a Japanese restaurant. The portion was huge so I was pleased, plus they split our bill per person for a party of 11 so that was great!
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Review from Eugene F.
Campbell, CA
8/1/2011
Unfortunately, I have no love for thee Ringer Hut. We've been several times, and honestly each time it has somewhat disappointed. We went last night, and I think that it may be my last.
We headed in for an earlier dinner (5:30/5:45ish) on a Sunday. Tables were fairly packed with families dining out which bodes fairly well for the establishment. We were seated, and, well, it kind of went downhill from there. We were given our menus and, well, we were kind of forgotten about at our table. Mind you, they had at least 5 or 6 people running between tables, so, it wasn't like they were short-staffed, or anything like that.
After our orders were taken, I found that it was interesting that people that ordered AFTER us received their food before us. It wasn't like we ordered something that was anything special, 2 order of gyoza, cold soba noodles, agedashi tofu, and a small teriyaki chicken donburi.
Unfortunately, the service killed our experience there last night. While the food was decent, the experience of being basically forgotten about made the experience one that I don't want to revisit, and we probably will not return. -
Review from Tim S.
San Jose, CA
12/5/2011
This place was ok. Nothing really special about it that makes it stand out from other Japanese restaurants. Service was good. Restroom was clean. Food was average.
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Review from Ngoc H.
San Jose, CA
9/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I was craving ramen so we decided to try this place since I've passed by here almost everyday and I have talked about wanting to try it. When I walked in, this place made me feel I was at an American diner. The restaurant was fairly big, decor was simple, definitely not your typical Japanese restaurant.
We were greeted by the host and was seated promptly. Then our waitress arrived and believe it or not, she was Hispanic, definitely something you don't see everyday at a Japanese restaurant. She was very nice and quick with our orders. I decided to go with their spicy champon instead of ramen since I guess champon is what they specialized in. Granted, I've never had it before so I was a bit effy about trying something new, especially when I'm really hungry at the moment. Surprisingly, I am a fan! We also tried their Pork Yakimeshi which was really good! Supposedly, their ramen is not all that great though, so avoid ramen and get champon! -
Review from Anna S.
Campbell, CA
9/2/2011 6 Check-ins Here
My review is solely on the service and the katsu curry. I'm not a fan of the other stuff here but the pork katsu curry is one of the best in the area. The dish comes with a little salad (with miso dressing) that is nicely plated and in my opinion, just right to get me to look forward to my dinner. The pork is perfectly breaded and fried to perfection (it IS the best I have had in the South Bay)--moist and really flavorful. The curry is at just the right spicy level for me (I know the BF would like it 10 times more spicy, but the pork is so good he's willing to overlook it). The rice is also really good-I think they actually use sushi rice, which I LUUUUUV!
The service has always been pretty consistent--the staff is always very friendly and have always gotten our order right. Sometimes we have to ask for the check but I'm willing to overlook it considering everything else. -
Review from Victor G.
Oakland, CA
5/22/2011
Ringer Hut is known for "Nagasaki Champon"
they also have sashimi, curries, ramen, yaki-soba, and guoza on the menu.
sampling: nagasaki champon with guoza side (10.70)
-nagasaki champon was thick soft round noodles in savory tonkotsu (pork bone) broth with minimal toppings of bean sprouts, cabbage, peas, carrots, fish cake, shrimp, and beef chucks, 5 stars
-broth had a spicy kick.
-6 guoza obviously freshly made, not frozen.
nice & crunchy, fresh meat, not so juicy, 4.5 stars
temaki:
-based on other reviews, would only eat the nagasaki champon and guoza here which was pretty good. rating only applies to these 2 items.
history of nagasaki champon (wikipedia)
-invented in meiji period (1868-1912) in nagasaki at Shikairo restaurant by fujianese owner.
-champon created to cheaply serve overseas chinese students studying in japan.
-champon noodles similar to chinese noodles in beef noodle soup, not similiar to ramen noodles. -
Review from Kelly T.
San Jose, CA
6/30/2011
Thank you for not close for lunch time!! This is the place for me to get late lunch!!!! I love their Champon, yaimeshi, and some dinner bento combination.
The service is here is always great! Since I came here all the time, the server recognize our party and always talk to us.
They also have good selection of desserts and always have seasonal new items. A very clean and spacious restaurant to enjoy the food. -
Review from Sean H.
Pinole, CA
7/13/2011
I've driven past this place quite a few times, but I never actually wanted to eat here. Maybe because the name "Ringer Hut" doens't sound all that appetizing. It's kind of weird walking into this restaurant also. Kinda feels like a retirement home mixed with a japanese restaurant designed like a dennys.
Our server was kinda creepy. One of those types that has a smile basically glued to his face and eyebrows forever angled upwards. The other waitresses were pretty nice though so that kinda made up for the other guys creeper status.
Food was pretty good. I ordered the Tonkatsu Curry, which wasn't the best curry I've ever had but it was decent enough to actually finish. A lot spicier than usual but it was still tasty. Friends ordered the Champon and one of the bento boxes. My friends Champon was pretty delicious. Might have to order that next time I visit here.
Very decent prices for the amount of food you get. Definitely going to come back here. -
Review from Dor H.
Alameda, CA
7/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I love when I walk in here, it immediately smells of gyoza.
I also love it when I bring people here and they immediately approve because of that smell.
Whenever I try to explain this place to people, I say "Japanese Denny's" not only because the decor kind of reminds me of it, but it has most of what people eat when they want Japanese food. From curry to champon/ramen, to bento, and all the sides in between, it's very hard to choose! There are so many options for sides with Nagasaki Champon, it just depends how hungry you are. If I were you, I'd stick with gyoza because it always goes well with ramen/soup-like dishes.
Oh and the tea....is delicious. Hands down. This is a very difficult area to please me in. Even my favorite Japanese place can't top this tea.
The last time I was here my friends couldn't decide what to order so we each got something different. I got the Champon and gyoza, my other friends got a huge bento with chicken karaage and tonkatsu, and my friend got katsu curry.
Champon: lots of vegetables and the broth is spicy! I really love the fat noodles too, it's different than the usual ramen.
Gyoza.................*drool*.....Need some more!
Curry: spicy and delicious, you can tell it's Japanese curry! We were dipping all of my friend's katsu and karaage in the curry.
My friend also ordered the CA roll, not a big fan of those in general, but they look pretty standard here.
The bill was alright, it was our bad because we indulged so much. I haven't been here in a while, can't blame me! =) Oh and excellent service! -
Review from Michael C.
Fresno, CA
If there is such a thing as an IHOP of Japanese food, this is it. Great place to stop in, get a quick bite to eat, and get out. I wish we had a place like this in Fresno.
The service is generally good but can become slow when they get busy. The food is always good, not great, but still good. I'd say its like comfort food good, like if you just wanted to get some Japanese food but didn't want to deal with any drama of upscale Japanese places, then this is for you.
I really like how they care about Japan and always offer cool Japanese shirts with the proceeds being donated to Japan for various reasons such as the tsunami relief effort.
They can get very busy at time and its a good place for large groups, so if you arrive during peak hours, expect to wait 15-30 mins. -
Review from Trish M.
San Jose, CA
6/24/2011 30 Check-ins Here
I love love love their gyoza! I could eat dozens of them.
Their Nagasaki Champon is also quite delicious.
If I'm trying to eat healthier, I'll have their chicken salad and champon without noodles.
Great place for families. -
Review from Rei O.
Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA
6/16/2011
Ahh, I've never seen any of these here in the States; and from my understanding this is the only one outside of Japan! How lucky San Jose is to have the only one!
The ramen is good; nothing great. I ordered a Shoyu ramen and it was just a normal ramen. You probably have to order their signature Nagasaki Champon Ramen that they're so famous for in Japan. -
Review from John C.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 10/13/2011
Still eating here! get the kids meal. The suckers made for a single adult with ice cream included. I think I will bring some pledge wipes with my next time thou. Tables are kinda sticky. Go get a Nagasaki champion also. That suckers huge!
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/23/2010
Took two of my co-workers here. both of them had the katsu curry. They made the comment that the… Read more »
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Review from Mark M.
4/29/2011
The Champon here is the best dish by far. The broth is unique and interesting. You got to love a restaurant that leaves you walking away while wondering: what was in that soup?
They also do a great fried rice (yakmeshi) here. They use just the right amount of pork fat, and the dash of ginger is quite nice.
But the consistency of everything else is really...eh...well..."eh..." There is nothing special about their ramen or soup soba. Come here for the champon.
Rating: 3.5. -
Review from tony z.
Saratoga, CA
Updated - 6/13/2011
Love this place. Have been here like maybe 50 times. We've been coming since 1998 or so... and we recognize most of the waiter staff, and they recognize us and have been watching our kids grow up.
So you must suspect that any restaurant that keeps their staff that loyal, that long must be special. And it is.
You won't find sushi/sashimi here. This is a noodle joint. Bento joint. Spicy Champon is a killer and will clear your sinuses for sure. In fact, I think we'll go back tonight! Wash it down with their super cold Asahi Dry.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/16/2008
Spicy Champon... order it. Love it.
Great selection of all forms and manner of Japanese noodles.
… Read more »
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Review from Sepi S.
San Jose, CA
5/21/2011
First time here today and it was so good. It was pretty much my first time going to a Japanese restaurant that wasnt your typical sushi place. I got the pork tonkatsu curry. As soon as the plate arrived you smell the aroma of the curry, so flavorful and hearty. The service was friendly and the food came out fairly fast.
Excited to go back and try more on the menu. -
Review from Christina L.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 4/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
STILL DELICIOUS!
i'm sure more of you are like this than not... but consistency is key when it comes to deciding whether to go back or not.
for a while we were going here once a month... and have slowed down lately cause... we wanted to expand our horizons :D
anyway just wanted to stop by and add their YAKIMESHI as a must.
their donkatsu is also pretty darn delicious.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/23/2010
Great food! For a great price! And great portions!
Things I've tried and really liked and would… Read more »
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Review from Satoshi N.
Sunnyvale, CA
6/19/2011
This is a perfect place to have real Japanese foods with a reasonable price not only for ramen.
Ringer Hut is a well known ramen restaurant in Japan. Their main item is Nagasaki style ramen called Champon. I'm happy with the fact I can have real Champon ramen here in California. Also, you can have real Japanese foods like sushi, gyoza and so on. -
Review from Katie F.
Fremont, CA
1/26/2011
I just love ringer hut, I've been going here with my family ever since I can remember. I think the service is great too! Everyone always remembers me even though I only come once every 2-3 months or so.
The food is pretty basic and somewhat standard, similar to what you would get at a family restaurant in Japan. In fact, this is a chain and there are locations in Japan. I would say my absolute favorite is the curry saraudon but that only comes in the winter (its a seasonal thing). Also I've noticed that most of the items on the menu have the same ingredients just tweaked into different presentations with different sauces but hey I am not complaining, I love it here!
Lastly if you order california rolls, they come out in like 2 seconds and still taste so darn good, they premake them but they are always good, how do you do it Ringer Hut??? -
Review from Omar L.
San Francisco, CA
4/21/2011
3.5 stars.
This place is sneaky. I say that because when you drive by you think its another run down diner, but secretly it's a Japanese restaurant. Way to be a ninja.
Food was delicious, I do like the Campon here, one of the better ones I've had in a while. The lunch combos are definitely worth it for the extra gyoza.
Parking: Parking lot, so you don't have to worry about street parking.
Service: was pretty attentive, which is always good.
I was so full after all the food that I figured not to have dessert, maybe next time -
Review from Anh D.
3/13/2011
It's like an American diner on the inside, decor-wise, but it's all Japanese, food-wise.
The regular champon was okay -- pretty plain. If I ever come back, I'll get the spicy.
The gyoza was pretty decent, but the different noodles I've had here have only been average. After an insane craving, I had the California rolls, and they weren't good.
Maybe I'll try the curry sometime. There are a lot of Japanese places around the Bay Area, so I'll probably try those first before coming back here. -
Review from Kellea F.
Los Angeles, CA
4/19/2011
Delicious!!!
NAGASAKI CHAMPON + GYOZA combo is the way to go. The broth in the nagasaki is nicely seasoned and not too salty. They give plenty of veggies and seafood. The gyozas are pan-fried to perfection (nice and crispy on the bottom) with flavorful meat inside.
Portions are good. Service could be better. It gets busy during lunch and dinner hours so try to beat the rush or don't come starving.
