Masa Ramen Bistro

## Introduction / Overview

For those in California craving a comforting and flavorful meal, **Masa Ramen Bistro** on University Avenue in Berkeley offers a delightful and somewhat unexpected culinary journey. While the name suggests a straightforward ramen experience, Masa Ramen Bistro uniquely blends traditional Japanese ramen with a significant influence from Hawaiian comfort food. This fusion creates a diverse menu that goes beyond just noodles, providing a broad appeal to locals looking for something familiar yet distinct.

Masa Ramen Bistro is characterized by its "cool little hip restaurant" vibe and a "very relaxed, casual atmosphere," making it an ideal spot for catching up with friends or enjoying a relaxed meal. Their commitment to offering a good selection of "vegetarian, vegan, and standard ramen dishes" ensures that a wide array of dietary preferences are catered to, a feature highly valued by health-conscious Californians. Beyond the ramen, the bistro impresses with a range of Hawaiian favorites, including iconic dishes like Loco Moco, Korean short ribs, and unique appetizers such as Manini fries.

Patrons often highlight the rich depth of their ramen broths and the efficiency of their service, noting that "service is very quick with orders and refills." This blend of diverse flavors, inclusive menu options, and a laid-back environment makes Masa Ramen Bistro a compelling choice for anyone in the Bay Area seeking a satisfying and flavorful Japanese-Hawaiian dining experience.

## Location and Accessibility

Masa Ramen Bistro is conveniently located at **1923 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA**. This prime location places it directly on University Avenue, one of Berkeley's main thoroughfares, ensuring excellent visibility and easy access for locals and visitors alike. University Avenue is a bustling street, serving as a key corridor connecting downtown Berkeley to the wider city and beyond, making it a popular spot for dining and retail.

Its position on University Avenue contributes significantly to its accessibility. For those driving, finding parking in Berkeley can sometimes be a challenge, but street parking is typically available in the vicinity. It's always a good idea to allow a little extra time for parking, especially during peak dining hours. However, the restaurant itself may offer validation for complimentary parking on premises, which would be a significant advantage, so it's worth inquiring directly or checking their website for details.

Public transportation is a strong suit for this location. University Avenue is exceptionally well-served by AC Transit bus lines, with stops likely within easy walking distance. Furthermore, the Downtown Berkeley BART station is a relatively short walk or a quick bus ride away, providing convenient access from across the Bay Area. This makes Masa Ramen Bistro an accessible dining option for students, residents, and commuters in California who rely on public transit. The "cool little hip restaurant" is nestled in a vibrant part of Berkeley, making it a convenient stop for a comforting meal after exploring the city.

## Services Offered

• Dine-In Service: Masa Ramen Bistro offers a "very relaxed, casual atmosphere" for in-person dining, suitable for "catching up with friends."
• Takeout Service: Customers can place orders for pickup, providing a convenient option for enjoying their meals at home or on the go.
• Delivery Service: Masa Ramen Bistro partners with popular food delivery platforms like Uber Eats and Grubhub, allowing patrons to have their favorite dishes delivered directly to their doorstep.
• Extensive Ramen Selection: The core of the menu features a variety of ramen dishes with diverse broths and toppings. Notable options include:
  • BROKE DA MOUTH - Masa Special: Their signature ramen with pork broth, black garlic oil, garlic butter, and choice of spicy level, topped with pork belly char siu, kikurage, green onion, and parmesan cheese.
  • DIAMOND HEAD - Original: Scratch-made pork broth with Masa original salt tare, pork belly char siu, kikurage, and green onion.
  • KUNI - Black Garlic: Pork broth infused with black garlic oil for a heartier flavor.
  • KILAUEA - Spicy: A KUNI base with choice of spicy level.
  • MISO HUNGRY - Vegetarian: Vegetarian Miso Ramen with bok choi, kikurage, corn, green onions, tofu, and egg (note: current egg stock issues may affect egg availability).
  • TIMMY TAN TAN - Vegan: A mildly spicy and nutty sesame sauce tare base, with seasoned textured vegetable protein, bean sprouts, bok choi, cilantro, sesame seeds, Chinese peppercorn, and chili oil. Praised for its "nice depth in the broth."
  • No Ka 'Oi - Oxtail Soup or Ramen: A classic Hawai'i dish with tender oxtail meat, baby bok choi, shiitake mushroom, and cilantro, served with rice or ramen noodles.
• Hawai'i Favorites / Rice Plates: A significant part of their menu features Hawaiian comfort food, often served with choice of Japanese style potato salad or mac salad:
  • Lolo Loco Moco: House-made hamburger patty on rice, smothered with brown gravy, and two sunny-side-up eggs.
  • No Worry Beef Curry Platter: Japanese-style curry with tender beef, carrots, and white rice.
  • Chicken Curry or Katsu: Japanese-style curry or breaded chicken cutlet with katsu sauce.
  • Boneless Kalbi Platter: Beef short ribs marinated in Hawaiian-style BBQ sauce, served on shredded cabbage with white rice.
  • Spam Musubi / Spam and Egg Musubi: Popular Hawaiian local snacks.
• Appetizers: A selection of starters to complement meals, including:
  • 808 Chicken: Hawaiian-style deep-fried mochiko chicken.
  • Da Kine Chicken: Japanese-style fried chicken with calamansi ponzu sauce.
  • Manini Fries: Crispy seasoned french fries with various dipping sauces – highly praised by customers.
  • Tako (Battered and fried baby octopus) & Ika (Deep fried squid legs).
  • Edamame, Boiled Mini Dumplings.
• Beverages: A selection of soft drinks and unique Hawaiian-inspired beverages like Mango Yuzu Lemonade and Lilikoi Iced Tea.
• Sides and Add-ons: Options to customize ramen bowls or enhance other dishes, including extra noodles, char siu, marinated egg (when available), various vegetables, and chili.

## Features / Highlights

• Diverse Menu with Japanese & Hawaiian Fusion: Masa Ramen Bistro stands out by offering not only a strong selection of Japanese ramen but also popular Hawaiian comfort food dishes like Loco Moco and Spam Musubi, creating a unique culinary experience for diners in California.
• Excellent Vegan & Vegetarian Ramen Options: The restaurant receives high praise for its "good selection of vegetarian, vegan, and standard ramen dishes." The "Timmy Tan Tan ramen" is particularly highlighted for its "mildly spicy and nutty sesame sauce tare base" and "nice depth in the broth," making it a popular choice for plant-based eaters.
• Flavorful Ramen Broths: Customers consistently commend the ramen broths for their richness and depth, describing them as "flavorful and thick." The "Broke Da Mouth - Masa Special" is noted for its "rich, tasty, umami deliciousness."
• Quick and Efficient Service: "Service is very quick with orders and refills," contributing to a smooth and pleasant dining experience, especially for those with limited time.
• Relaxed, Casual Atmosphere: The "cool little hip restaurant" provides a "very relaxed, casual atmosphere good for catching up with friends," making it an inviting space for social gatherings.
• Highly Praised Appetizers: Specific appetizers like the "Manini fries" are called "pretty awesome! Perfectly crispy nice with and a nice flavor," while the "808 Chicken" is a "house special" and "popular" item.
• Solid Hawaiian Comfort Food: Beyond ramen, dishes like the "Korean short ribs" are described as the "best dish," and the Loco Moco is hailed as "the best I've found in the entire Bay Area."

## Promotions or Special Offers

While the provided customer reviews do not explicitly detail ongoing promotions, Masa Ramen Bistro, like many popular local eateries in California, likely offers various specials and deals to attract and retain its customer base. As a professional content writer, I can suggest potential types of promotions based on their menu and typical restaurant practices:

For the most current and accurate information on any promotions or special offers, locals in California are highly encouraged to visit Masa Ramen Bistro's official website, check their social media channels (such as Instagram or Facebook), or directly contact the restaurant by phone. These direct channels are typically where restaurants announce limited-time offers, seasonal specials featuring unique ingredients, or specific deals on their popular ramen bowls or Hawaiian plates. Given their reputation for delicious and diverse offerings, any promotions from Masa Ramen Bistro would be a welcome opportunity to enjoy their unique fusion cuisine at an even greater value.

## Contact Information

For those eager to experience the unique Japanese-Hawaiian fusion cuisine at Masa Ramen Bistro, or for any inquiries, you can reach them through the following contact details:

• Address: 1923 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
• Phone: (510) 898-1949
• Mobile Phone: +1 510-898-1949

It's always recommended to call ahead for the most current information regarding their operating hours (which are typically Tuesday - Sunday: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM & 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM), specific menu item availability (such as the noted egg stock issues), or to inquire about seating during peak times. The staff at Masa Ramen Bistro are known for their "very quick" service and should be able to assist you efficiently, ensuring a smooth and pleasant visit to this "cool little hip restaurant" in Berkeley.

## Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For locals in California, particularly within the diverse and culinarily adventurous East Bay, **Masa Ramen Bistro** in Berkeley is an exceptionally suitable dining choice that caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Its unique fusion of authentic Japanese ramen with beloved Hawaiian comfort food offers a refreshing departure from standard fare, providing a delicious and intriguing culinary experience.

A significant draw for health-conscious Californians is the restaurant's commendable selection of "vegetarian, vegan, and standard ramen dishes." The specific praise for the "Timmy Tan Tan ramen" highlights their commitment to crafting flavorful plant-based options, making it an inclusive spot for various dietary needs. This aligns perfectly with California's progressive approach to food and dietary awareness.

Beyond the ramen, the highly-rated Hawaiian dishes, such as the "phenomenal" Korean short ribs and the "best I've found in the entire Bay Area" Loco Moco, offer satisfying and hearty alternatives, appealing to a broader audience. The "very relaxed, casual atmosphere good for catching up with friends" makes it an inviting social hub, while the "very quick service" ensures convenience for busy schedules. Masa Ramen Bistro embodies the spirit of California dining – diverse, flavorful, and accommodating. Its prime location on University Avenue further solidifies its position as a go-to spot for locals seeking a satisfying and unique Japanese-Hawaiian meal that promises both comfort and culinary exploration.

Masa Ramen Bistro

1923 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA