Kodaiko Ramen & Bar
Experience the vibrant Tokyo-meets-Midtown vibe of Kodaiko Ramen & Bar, an underground haven for exceptional Japanese noodle soups and creative cockta...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Kodaiko Ramen & Bar
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience the vibrant Tokyo-meets-Midtown vibe of Kodaiko Ramen & Bar, an underground haven for exceptional Japanese noodle soups and creative cocktails.
"Descend into a secret spot with amazing ramen, unique flavors, and a cool speakeasy atmosphere that's worth every slurp."
Avoid Peak Times
Visit during off-peak hours to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere and avoid higher noise levels.
Don't Miss Katsu Curry
Order the Katsu Curry Donburi or the Pickle Plate for an unforgettable flavor experience.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Japanese
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Unique Speakeasy Vibe
Descend into a hidden gem with an underground, minimalist-chic atmosphere that feels like a secret Tokyo escape.
Flavor Explosion Dishes
Experience unforgettable taste sensations with unique offerings like Katsu Curry Donburi and the addictive Pickle Plate.
Creative Cocktails
Sip on inventive cocktails, including the memorable rice whiskey, yuzu, and blackberry mix served in charming ceramic containers.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Avoid Peak Times
Visit during off-peak hours to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere and avoid higher noise levels.
Don't Miss Katsu Curry
Order the Katsu Curry Donburi or the Pickle Plate for an unforgettable flavor experience.
Ask for Recommendations
Seek staff guidance for ramen choices or drink pairings for a personalized dining adventure.
Balance Salty Broth
If the ramen broth is too salty, add hot water to balance the flavors to your preference.
Tips
from all over the internet
Avoid Peak Times
Visit during off-peak hours to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere and avoid higher noise levels.
Don't Miss Katsu Curry
Order the Katsu Curry Donburi or the Pickle Plate for an unforgettable flavor experience.
Ask for Recommendations
Seek staff guidance for ramen choices or drink pairings for a personalized dining adventure.
Balance Salty Broth
If the ramen broth is too salty, add hot water to balance the flavors to your preference.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Kodaiko Ramen & Bar is praised for its unique speakeasy-like underground atmosphere and its exceptional ramen. Diners frequently highlight the delicious Katsu Curry Donburi and inventive cocktails. While the food is generally loved, some guests find the ramen broth to be a bit too salty, and a few mention the chairs can be noisy.
"Food: The food here is very tasty and has a great punch of flavor. The quality is great and cooked as it should be. I got the Tonkatsu and it did not disappoint. The beef meat and flavor was the best I've had. It had a nice crisp and was well seasoned. The brother however, was a big salty to my liking and for the others I was with.
Service: The service was great. We were greeted the moment we arrived and asked if we'd like to be seated. We were constantly getting refills and asked if anything else was needed.
Atmosphere: Upon entering in, there is artwork along the walls as you make your way downstairs. It is more of a darker area but as you enter the actual restaurant, it is a bit brighter (which I prefer). If was very clean and looked like it got a recent facelift. If was perfect vibes for an authentic ramen restaurant. I'd definitely come back again."
Matt Luca
"I tried the chicken shoyu ramen and the vegan ramen — both were quite salty, so I ended up adding a lot of hot water to balance the flavor. For an appetizer, I had the chicken karaage, which was delicious. It wasn’t Japanese-style( not authentic) , but rather seasoned in a savory way that I really enjoyed.
The Sapporo draft beer was disappointing. It lacked the crisp, refreshing quality you usually expect from draft beer.
The staff were extremely kind and respectful to every guest, providing excellent service. The atmosphere was calm and not too loud, which made for a pleasant dining experience. However, the chairs made loud noises every time someone sat down. Adding something to the bottom of the chairs to reduce the noise would really improve the experience."
Michelle
"The Real Deal is the Kodaiko Raman and Bar which delivers on some flavor and very nice atmosphere.
First let’s kick it off with the service which was ok, the server didn’t say much just what is order. This is a sit down server based restaurant with a sit-in bar. The server never filled my water which was empty half through my meal. Overall some
improvement needed.
Secondly the crown jewel of this place is the atmosphere which boosts a very nice sitting areas throughout the bar and separate dining area. The decor is spot on and this restaurant in a basement that is a fun walk down the stairs with lit up signs heading down. Overall fun atmosphere good music, looks like can be entertaining spot at nights.
Now onto the main Event, I came for lunch and I went for the Chicken Katsu with steamed rice and Katsu sauce. The Chicken Katsu was tender and cooked perfectly needs a little more flavor in the breading but overall solid (8.5 out of 10). The rice (8.5 out of 10) was good and the Katsu sauce (5 out of 10) needs some work, less soy sauce more sweet.
Overall I will come back to try some more items and I will keep you posted!!"
Antone D.
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The restaurant boasts a unique underground, minimalist-chic atmosphere, often described as having speakeasy vibes, reminiscent of Tokyo.
The Katsu Curry Donburi and the Pickle Plate are highly recommended for their unique flavors. Many also rave about the ramen and Karaage (fried chicken).
Yes, Kodaiko Ramen & Bar offers vegan options, including a delicious mushroom paitan broth for their ramen.
Some reviewers find the ramen broth to be quite salty and suggest adding hot water to balance the flavor.
It's recommended to visit during off-peak hours to avoid crowds and excessive noise levels.
Yes, diners often praise the creative and well-crafted cocktails, with some mentioning unique flavor combinations.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
I visited 90% of the ramen shops in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom, etc : Sacramento
Kodaiko Ramen Downtown is the most over-hyped restaurant I've ever been to. The broth couldn't decide between being authentic or basic. In fact, they're trying too hard to beat Ryujin by being more authentic but the problem is Ryujin is great because it's a basic and fast and yet Kodaiko tried the other spectrum which was a more authentic heavier broth but it completely backfired.
The Best Ramen & Noodles in the Greater Sacramento Area
Sister restaurant to East Sacramento’s Kru, Kodaiko specializes in two types of broth: tonkotsu, a cloudy pork-fish broth, and mushroom paitan, a clear vegetarian broth. Dishes include such mix-ins as mustard greens, cashew cream, fermented sambal and wagyu beef fat. You can also add soft-cooked egg, cured pork collar and sake-marinated chicken breast for the perfect bowl.
Top Spots for Creative and Warming Bowls of Ramen and Noodles in Sacramento
Savory, Japanese-style noodle soups plus sake and other options await you at this minimalist-chic spot!. Nothing tastes better than some Japanese-style ramen and noodle soups on a chilly afternoon!. And what better place to enjoy creative ramen favors with plenty of toppings than at Kodaiko Ramen & Bar?
The Best Ramen In Sacramento
Kodaiko Ramen in Midtown is a hip ramen bar with a modern and cozy atmosphere that serves up high-quality ramen and small bites. Come here to experience a wide range of traditional Japanese flavors and textures. To start, try one of their most popular appetizers, the crispy brussels sprouts.
Top 15 Ramen restaurants in Sacramento
The restaurant offers an outstanding dining experience with a wide selection of vegan options. The design of the restaurant is tastefully done, creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests. The food served is exceptional, with fresh ingredients and unique flavor combinations.
The Best 20 Restaurants in Sacramento, California (2024)
Right in Downtown Sacramento, Kodaiko opened up in 2019 and serves our favorite ramen. We love a rich broth, and their bowls of ramen do not disappoint. They focus on sourcing quality ingredients here which is a big part of why their menu is incredible.
2025 List Of The Best Restaurants In Sacramento California
The newest food child of the mastermind behind Kru, a delicious ramen spot serving their popular hearty three-day pork (tonkatsu) paitan in the heart of Downtown k street. Vegetarians rejoice because their mushroom vegan ramen is seriously delicious.
Our Guide to 20 Unmissable Spots
Billy Ngo strikes again with Kodaiko, an underground ramen-ya in downtown Sacramento that feels like stepping into Tokyo by way of Midtown. The tonkotsu ramen is rich enough to make your cardiologist nervous but worth every slurp.
30 Best Restaurants in Sacramento, CA for 2025 (Top Eats!)
718 K StSacramento, CA 95814(916) 426-8863 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Set right in the heart of downtown Sacramento, this chic-minimalist spot wins praises for its savory Japanese noodles.
Best ramen restaurant in Sacramento, California: Poll result
Kodaiko Ramen & Bar serves fresh, local ingredients, according to its website. The menu consists of small plates, donburi and salads, sandos and more. Kodaiko also serves nine different ramen dishes.
Here are Sacramento's top 5 Korean spots
Over in Valley High-North Laguna, check out Mixed Rice and Noodle Bar, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 49 reviews on Yelp. You can find the Asian fusion and Korean spot at 7501 W.
Dine Downtown
Inspired by Sapporo, Japan, the capital of Hokkaido: Start with yakimono, grilled lamb skewer, then have meshi, cold smoked ikura rice bowl, and finish with miso ramen.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit