Menkoi Ya Ramen - Authentic Japanese restaurant in Claremont - 333 W Bonita Ave, USA

When Menkoi Ya Ramen first opened, I went at least once a week. Over the past year, there has been a significant decline in the service, food, and cleanliness of this place. I always want too support this small business but the last four times I have come here/ordered out, the service has been awful and my order has had an issue. Yesterday the server flat out lied to me when I asked if what I ordered was what I received. To be clear: I ordered the ONLY thing I ever get there - the spicy chasu pork broth. What I received was vegetable broth with pork in it. When I finally flagged her down (she never checked on us once), I explained to her that I ordered the spicy chasu. Instead of apologizing and making a nearly $18 soups right, she proceeded to go over to the computer, pull up the order, look at it and then bring me spicy sauce so I could fix the mistake. I was like "wait this is the same broth, you just add this - she assured me they did. It still did not taste right. Oh the reason why? Because she ordered it with vegetable broth which is what it said on my receipt that she crossed out and wrote “spicy” on with pen. SHE WROTE ON IT WITH A PEN. Ha ha ha like after the fact. When I said “hey I asked for the pork spicy chasu and told you it wasn’t correct,” she just shrugged and said “sorry.” I wish I was joking I live three blocks from this restaurant, have my office in the village and always try to support our local businesses but this was the last straw. I am amazed they are still open at this point. .

My wife and I loved everything we ordered! We tried the Tonkotsu Kotteri Ramen and the Salmon Roe Bowl. Service was great, the staff was friendly and attentive and the prices were super reasonable. We’ll be returning next time we’re in town.

I have visited this establishment, in the middle of May 2022. The meal, that I have ordered was delicious, and well-made. It was a ramen noodle soup. Of course, the place was packed, since it was a Friday evening. However, the wait time to get seated was not long. The prices were not on the expensive side, despite this inflation. Furthermore, the staff members were helpful, courteous, polite, and friendly. So definitely, I would recommend a visit to this establishment. Of course, I would not recommend on a weekend, since it does get packed. Before finishing my review, I have one tip - wear a face mask. Without this face mask, they will ask a potential patron to leave the establishment.

Great place :) nice interior and great service. We ordered two ramen, one kind of came out cold although it's supposed to hot. Noodle are thick and stiff. The kaarage is not worth it. You essentially get fried chicken. The batter is too thin. The yaki gyoza is not cooked properly. The bottom was not crispy, barely cooked, the inside was a bit cold. It would be nice if they can make this properly. There is no sign of actual Japanese people working there, so don't expect a ramen bar. But definitely nice place that's not too far. Hope to see improvements!

Omg if you love Ramen, PLEASE EAT HERE. I have seen this place and wanted to try it out and now I am so glad that I did! The noodles were sooooo good and thick, like I want to believe they make the noodles themselves. I chose the vegetarian in miso broth and it was the best ramen I have had outside my own household. It was NOT greasy and very flavorful. I am already making plans to return. Everyone in my family was extremely happy with their ramen, even my 5 year old ate almost everything. I will absolutely return to this establishment.

I got the Mini Toro Chashu Bowl and my bf got the Chashu Spicy Miso. I tried a bit of his ramen and I thought it had a good spice level, but wasn't my favorite. They seemed to have a different type of noodle that is typically served from all the ramen places I've been to. It was a bit wider and didn't have that chewiness that I love. Their Chashu bowl wasn't too bad. They used eel sauce to coat the rice, but this one had a hint of a peanut taste to it. I think I would have enjoyed it more if the sauce to rice ratio was less. They did, however, have one of the best chashu I've ever had. It was so nice and tender that there was no struggle to bite into.

Really happy to have been introduced to this spot near the Claremont colleges. I’m now here regularly! Love that they have mini bowl sizes if you’re not too hungry / just grabbing a snack. The salmon roe bowl is especially delicious.

Nice setting and very friendly staff. The gyoza and shrimp tempura are really good! Try the shrimp tempura, crispy and light. The ramen is very filling. However, the flavor is not as strong or tasty as other places.