Matsunoki Ramen

For ramen enthusiasts across Oregon, and especially those in the bustling culinary hub of Portland, finding a truly satisfying bowl of noodles and broth is a quest often rewarded. Matsunoki Ramen, nestled in Portland's vibrant Old Town, has quickly established itself as a must-try destination for both dedicated ramen fans and newcomers alike. This isn't just another ramen shop; it's a place where rich flavors, diverse options, and a commitment to customer satisfaction converge to create a memorable dining experience.

Matsunoki Ramen prides itself on offering a wide variety of ramen bowls, from classic pork-based broths to innovative vegan creations, ensuring there's something to tantalize every palate. Despite a rare, unfortunate incident with a foreign object in food (which was handled professionally by staff), the overwhelming sentiment from patrons points to exceptionally tasty food, generous portions, and a menu that boasts a variety of options to choose from and customize. It’s a spot that has managed to turn even non-ramen fans into loyal patrons, proving its worth in Portland's competitive food scene.

Matsunoki Ramen is conveniently located at 126 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204, USA. This address places it squarely in Portland's historic Old Town / Chinatown district, a lively area known for its diverse culinary offerings, entertainment venues, and rich cultural heritage.

The restaurant's location in Old Town makes it highly accessible for both downtown workers and visitors exploring the city's central attractions. It is well-connected by Portland's efficient public transportation system, with multiple MAX light rail stops and bus lines within easy walking distance. This makes it convenient for anyone across the greater Portland area to reach without the hassle of driving and parking. For those who do drive, street parking might be available, though it's often metered and can be competitive in this busy part of the city. Several public parking garages are also situated nearby, offering more reliable parking options. The vibrant surroundings of Old Town mean that a visit to Matsunoki Ramen can easily be combined with exploring local shops, visiting museums, or enjoying the evening atmosphere of the district.

Matsunoki Ramen maintains consistent operating hours throughout the week, catering to both lunch and dinner crowds. They are open seven days a week, from Monday to Sunday, typically from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. These extended hours provide ample opportunity for locals to enjoy a delicious bowl of ramen whenever the craving strikes, whether for a quick midday meal or a relaxing dinner.

Matsunoki Ramen offers a diverse and customizable menu designed to cater to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences. Here’s a detailed look at their services and culinary offerings:

• Dine-In Service: Guests can enjoy their ramen in a casual yet inviting atmosphere. The restaurant focuses on providing a comfortable setting for a satisfying meal.

• Extensive Ramen Menu: Matsunoki Ramen boasts a variety of ramen types with distinct flavors. Their main ramen offerings typically include:

  • Tonkotsu Shoyu: A classic ramen style with a rich pork and chicken broth, thin noodles, green onions, a whole ramen egg, and pork belly chashu. This is often cited as a top seller.

  • Spicy Garlic Ramen: Featuring pork and chicken broth, this bowl is packed with garlic and heat, including ma-po tofu, black garlic oil, thin noodles, green onions, a whole ramen egg, and pork belly chashu.

  • Black Garlic Shoyu: For garlic lovers, this ramen comes with pork and chicken broth, triple garlic (fresh, black garlic oil, and garlic crunch), thin noodles, green onions, a whole ramen egg, and pork belly chashu.

  • Tantanmen: A spicy miso and sesame-based pork and chicken broth, with ma-po tofu, chili oil, thin noodles, green onions, collard greens, corn, a whole ramen egg, and pork belly chashu.

  • Spicy Red Ramen: A fiery option with pork and chicken broth, ma-po tofu, triple fire (fire powder, chili paste, homemade chili oil), thin noodles, green onions, and a whole ramen egg, pork belly chashu.

  • Curry Ramen: Featuring a house curry and chili paste in the broth, with thin noodles, green onions, corn, collards, and a whole ramen egg, pork belly chashu.

• Dedicated Vegan Ramen Menu: A standout feature is their comprehensive selection of vegan ramen options, utilizing a unique "vegan double soup broth." These include:

  • Vegan Tokyo Shoyu: Their plant-based take on the Tokyo Shoyu style, with green onions, corn, collard greens, and marinated tofu.

  • Vegan Spicy Garlic Ramen: A showstopper for many, featuring triple garlic and triple spice (fire powder, black garlic oil, chili oil, garlic crunchies), green onions, corn, collard greens, marinated tofu, and ma-po tofu.

  • Vegan Garlic Shoyu: A flavorful vegan broth with fresh garlic, black garlic oil, and garlic crunchies, green onions, corn, collard greens, and marinated tofu.

  • Vegan Red Ramen: Triple spicy vegan broth with fire powder, chili paste, chili oil, green onions, corn, collard greens, marinated tofu, and ma-po tofu.

  • Taiwan-Style Ramen: A vegan double soup broth with chili paste, spices, green onions, and double ma-po tofu, with an option to make it extra spicy.

  • Vegan Curry Ramen: Vegan house curry and chili paste with thick noodles, green onion, corn, collards, and marinated tofu.

• Customization Options: The menu is flexible, allowing customers to choose and customize their ramen based on their needs, including spice levels and specific toppings.

• Sides and Rice Bowls: Beyond ramen, they offer a selection of sides such as Fried Chicken (Karaage-style), Fried Tofu with spicy sesame dipping sauce, and Fried Shishitos with flaky salt and spicy mayo. They also serve satisfying rice bowls like Japanese-style Curry Rice and Ma-po Rice.

• Takeout and Delivery: For added convenience, Matsunoki Ramen partners with popular food delivery services such as DoorDash, Grubhub, and Postmates, enabling customers to enjoy their favorite ramen bowls from the comfort of their homes or offices.

Matsunoki Ramen has quickly become a beloved spot in Portland for its distinct qualities and commitments. Here are some of its key features and highlights:

• Exceptional Flavor and Quality: Despite an isolated incident, the overwhelming majority of feedback consistently praises the deliciousness of the food. Customers note the "distinct flavors" and overall "yummy" quality of the ramen, with particular commendations for the broths and ingredient combinations.

• Extensive Vegan Options: A major highlight is Matsunoki Ramen's impressive and well-received vegan ramen selection. Unlike many ramen shops that offer only one or two basic vegan options, Matsunoki provides a robust menu of plant-based ramen, including Tokyo Shoyu, Spicy Garlic, and Curry variations, all made with a unique "vegan double soup broth" and marinated tofu. This commitment makes it a top choice for Portland's significant vegan and vegetarian community.

• Customizable Menu: The flexibility of the menu allows diners to tailor their ramen to their preferences, including choosing spice levels and specific additions. This level of customization enhances the dining experience, ensuring each bowl is exactly what the customer desires.

• Value for Money: Patrons often highlight that the ramen bowls are "decently prized" and offer a "good quantity of food," making Matsunoki Ramen a "value for money place." This is a significant draw for locals looking for both quality and affordability.

• Friendly and Helpful Staff: Customer reviews consistently commend the staff for being "super helpful" and polite, especially in handling situations professionally. This dedication to good service significantly contributes to a positive dining experience.

• "Showstopper" Dishes: Specific dishes, like the "vegan spicy garlic ramen," have been singled out as "showstoppers," indicating unique and highly memorable flavor profiles that leave a lasting impression on diners.

• Appealing for Non-Ramen Fans: The ability to convert self-proclaimed non-ramen fans into regulars speaks volumes about the quality and appeal of Matsunoki Ramen's offerings, suggesting a broader accessibility beyond typical ramen connoisseurs.

• Diverse Side Dishes and Rice Bowls: Beyond ramen, the menu offers various Japanese-inspired sides like Fried Chicken (karaage), Fried Tofu, and rice bowls, providing additional options for a complete meal or lighter bites.

• Central Portland Location: Situated in a vibrant and easily accessible part of downtown Portland, it's convenient for both residents and those visiting the city's core.

While Matsunoki Ramen primarily focuses on delivering value through its consistently good food and generous portions, information on regularly advertised, recurring promotions is not widely available. However, there are aspects of their service and occasional offerings that can be considered beneficial for locals:

• "Value for Money" Pricing: As highlighted by customer reviews, Matsunoki Ramen is generally regarded as "decently priced" with a "good quantity of food," offering inherent value in every meal. This consistent affordability makes it a go-to for a satisfying and reasonably priced ramen experience without needing specific discounts.

• Customization without Extra Cost: The ability to customize ramen, including choosing spice levels and various toppings (which are often standard inclusions), allows diners to tailor their meal to their preference without necessarily incurring additional charges, enhancing the perceived value.

• Seasonal Ramen Specials: Matsunoki Ramen has been known to offer seasonal specials, such as the "Black Truffle Shoyu" or "Singapore Chili Crab Ramen." While these are often premium items, they represent unique, limited-time culinary experiences that act as special offerings for returning customers seeking something new and exciting.

• Online Delivery Platform Deals: Matsunoki Ramen partners with major delivery services like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Postmates. These platforms frequently offer their own promotions, discounts, or free delivery options for local restaurants. Checking these apps could reveal temporary savings on Matsunoki Ramen orders.

• Potential Loyalty Programs: While not confirmed in public data for this specific location, many popular local eateries, especially those with multiple branches, might have loyalty programs or digital punch cards. It's always worth inquiring directly at the restaurant about any such programs for repeat customers.

For the most current information on any potential short-term specials, it's always advisable for locals to check Matsunoki Ramen's social media channels or inquire directly at the restaurant during their visit.

If you're ready to dive into a delicious bowl of ramen at Matsunoki Ramen, here’s how you can reach them:

• Address: 126 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204, USA

• Phone: (971) 888-5453

• Mobile Phone: +1 971-888-5453

You can also find them on various online delivery platforms for convenient takeout or delivery.

For Oregonians, especially those in the Portland area, Matsunoki Ramen stands out as a highly suitable and appealing choice for a ramen fix, embodying several qualities that resonate with the local community.

Firstly, its diverse and highly customizable menu ensures that virtually every palate is catered to. For Portlanders who value variety and the ability to tailor their meals, Matsunoki Ramen delivers with options ranging from rich Tonkotsu to a commendable array of vegan ramens, including unique spicy garlic and Tokyo shoyu variations. This inclusivity, particularly the strong vegan offerings, makes it a go-to for a city known for its diverse dietary preferences.

Secondly, the restaurant offers excellent "value for money." In a city where dining out can sometimes be pricey, Matsunoki Ramen provides generously portioned, flavorful bowls at decent prices, making it an accessible and satisfying option for regular visits. This appeals to locals looking for quality and quantity without breaking the bank.

Furthermore, its central location in Old Town makes it incredibly convenient. Whether you're working downtown, exploring the city, or simply passing through, Matsunoki Ramen is easily reachable by public transport or a short walk from many key areas. The consistent operating hours also add to its accessibility.

While a rare incident involving a foreign object in food occurred, the restaurant's professional handling of the situation, offering a replacement meal and additional compensation, demonstrates a commitment to customer service that many locals value. This shows a willingness to rectify mistakes and prioritize customer satisfaction.

In essence, Matsunoki Ramen provides a compelling combination of delicious, customizable, and value-packed ramen in a convenient urban setting, making it a highly suitable and enjoyable choice for any Oregonian craving an authentic and satisfying bowl of noodles.

Matsunoki Ramen

126 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204, USA