We’re not going to pick an objective best of the handful of excellent Japantown ramen shops (that'd be impossible), but if you held a poll among diners with that question, we’re betting that this stalwart would win. The signature Hakata-style tonkotsu is deeply flavored and elegant in texture and, like all of the ramens, can be totally customized, including the spice level. To go next level at Marufuku, catch one of the 15 servings per day of the spectacular chicken paitan “DX” with magnificently vibrant white chicken broth and a grilled chicken leg for good measure.

The distractions at the Japan Center Malls are endless, even for full-grown adults. And you’ll need to make use of them while you wait in line for Marufuku’s fantastic ramen, because there will be a wait. Browse the bookshop for kid-friendly, non-iPad activities, or swing by Daiso to pick up novelty trinkets—by the time you’ve caved and bought your child another Smiski, your table will be ready.

What is it: A ramen restaurant inside the Kinokuniya Building in Japantown. Why we love it: We blissed out over the tender chunk of buta kakuni (braised thick port belly) that anchors the Hakata Tonkotsu Deluxe ramen bowl, along with regular toppings, corn, sesame seeds and nori seaweed in a thick pork broth. We also loved the sides we ordered like chicken karaage, shishito peppers and gyoza.

Now a franchise restaurant with locations across California, Texas, and New York, Marufuku Ramen started in San Francisco’s Japantown in 2017. The menu features various types of ramen and rice bowls, as well as Japanese fried chicken and other favorites. Authentic Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen is proudly featured on the menu and described as, “Milky and umami rich broth made from boiling pork bones for long hours, ultra-thin artisanal noodles that match perfectly with the broth, and Cha-shu made from specially selected pork.

Opened in 2017, Marufuku got some immediate praise from Chris Ying in the Chronicle, who called out the "thin, chewy and slurpable" noodles and paitan and 20-hour tonkotsu broths that were excellent and not too heavy. The place has since gained #1 status from Yelpers, but the only reason it lands at #5 on this list is that I'm a little less refined in my broth palate perhaps, and I like my broths a little richer or bolder flavored. Still, this place is deserving of high praise and repeat visits.

For tonkotsu (pork) ramen lovers, there is no better place to eat in California's coastal city of San Francisco than at the renowned Marufuku Ramen. Marufuku Ramen is considered among the best ramen restaurants in America and has been serving up steaming hot bowls of its famous Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen to hungry Bay Area locals and vacationers alike for years. Alongside ramen, this establishment also serves staples such as karaage (fried chicken) and chashu (marinated pork) bowls.

There’s no shortage of ramen shops in Japantown, but Marufuku stands out with its signature Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen that’s a little more subtle than its rich, creamy counterparts in the neighborhood. Its famous chicken paitan (chicken ramen with white broth and a chicken leg) is also available on the takeout menu, and we highly recommend giving it a try. The SF location is now open for limited-capacity indoor dining, takeout and delivery.

With a prime location on the second floor of Japantown's famous Japan Center mall, Marufuku is always packed. And for good reason: The shop's Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen ($16), featuring cloudy pork bone broth, thin noodles and languid slices of slow-cooked pork belly, is a standout of the genre. For something less heavy, try the paitan ($16), another cloudy broth extracted from chicken bones.

Marufuku Ramen is one of the Bay Area’s top spots for ramen. Founded in 2017, the restaurant is best known for its hakata-style tonkotsu ramen, which hails from Japan’s Fukuoka prefecture and is typified by a milky pork bone broth and thin, straight noodles. Marufuku boils its soup base for 20 hours and offers its ramen at various spice levels, from zero to “ultra spicy”.

With locations from California to New York, Marufuku has become a well-known name in the ramen game and is a must-have on your tour of the best restaurants in San Francisco. Marufuku keeps it pretty simple with only a few menu items that focus on Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen. You’re here to order the Hakata Tonkotsu DX—it’s perfection in a bowl.

Must Try: Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen This ramen is made from boiling pork bones and is paired with ultra-thin noodles. Don’t let Marufuku’s mall location dissuade you; it’s arguably the most popular soup in San Francisco. There’s always a wait at this Japantown spot, but you can add your name to the list and shop until your table is up.

A post shared by Marufuku Ramen Official (@marufukuramenofficial). A ramen chain with locations in San Francsico, Oakland, Redwood City, Southern California and beyond, Marufuku is perhaps best known for its Hakata ramen, a type of tonkatsu ramen. That means a rich, pork-based broth and thin as a rail noodles.

It’s been gaining in popularity due to the delicious and unique flavors it offers. The broth is made with traditional Japanese ingredients and techniques, giving it an authentic flavor. This ramen chain has noodles that are made fresh daily, so you can always count on having the freshest possible ingredients.

Authentic Japanese ramen experience in the heart of San Francisco. Noodles in ramen dishes have received mixed reviews from customers, with some praising their thin and firm texture, and deeming them delicious. However, others have criticized the noodles for being undercooked or of low quality.

Whereas Ramenwell is my favorite bowl of ramen in the city, Marufuku is the best (in my opinion) spot for more traditional ramen. I’m talking katamen (hard noodles) and the usual thickness and flavor for each type of broth. They also have awesome chicken karaage.

My favorite ramen spot in Japantown is Marufuku Ramen which specializes in Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen. The broth is super umami, creamy, and rich. More specifically, the broth is made from boiling pork bones for hours which creates a super flavorful soup.

Be it San Francisco or its Oakland location, Marufuku has lines out the door—well beyond the appropriate ramen-consuming hours. The Oakland branch is especially hard to get into these days, due to its busy Temescal location, but the Japantown r...

My favorite ramen spot in Japantown is Marufuku Ramen which specializes in Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen. The broth is super umami, creamy, and rich. The broth is made from boiling pork bones for hours which creates a super flavorful soup.

Next up, the old Kids Foot Locker will reopen later this year as the newest location of Marufuku Ramen, a chain the Chronicle ranked as one of the top ramen spots in the Bay. It’s been a staple of San Francisco’s Japantown since 2017.

While Marufuku may claim the most fame, our reception experts feel spoiled by three noteworthy spots within one block of the hotel, each of which offers deep flavors without the need to get your name on an epic waitlist.

We set out to answer that question at Marufuku in Japantown. We had just landed in SF and wanted to check into our hotel before dinner. I searched Yelp for good ramen, and Marufuku was one of the highest rated spots.

1581 Webster St #235, San Francisco, CA 94115Phone: 415-872-9786 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Marufuku Ramen Official (@marufukuramenofficial)