Menya Ultra Mira Mesa: San Diego's Premier Destination for Authentic Japanese Ramen

Menya Ultra Mira Mesa Introduce

### Introduction / Overview

For ramen enthusiasts and those curious to explore the depths of authentic Japanese noodle soup, Menya Ultra Mira Mesa stands as a beacon in San Diego's bustling culinary scene. This celebrated ramen restaurant has garnered a reputation for its unwavering commitment to quality, particularly its signature fresh, handmade noodles and deeply flavorful broths. Originating from Odate, Akita, Japan, Menya Ultra brought its award-winning recipes to the United States, choosing San Diego as its first U.S. location in 2017. Since then, it has expanded to multiple branches within the city, a testament to its popularity and consistent excellence.

What truly sets Menya Ultra apart is its dedication to crafting its noodles daily, often using special flour imported directly from Japan. This meticulous approach ensures a "nice and chewy" texture that is "exactly how they should be." While the menu boasts a variety of ramen options, their rich Tonkotsu (pork bone broth) is a particular highlight, as is their Tantan ramen, which friends of reviewers have consistently "raved about." Beyond the ramen, the restaurant offers a selection of appetizers that are worth exploring, even for those less inclined towards soups. Despite often experiencing "long wait" times, patrons universally agree that the experience is "worth it," citing the "super friendly, energetic, and cheerful" staff and the overall enjoyable atmosphere. Menya Ultra Mira Mesa consistently delivers a satisfying and authentic Japanese ramen experience that keeps locals coming back.

### Location and Accessibility

Menya Ultra Mira Mesa is conveniently located at 8141 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126, USA. This address places it squarely in the heart of Mira Mesa, a dynamic and easily accessible neighborhood within San Diego. Mira Mesa Boulevard itself is a major artery, making the restaurant simple to find for both local residents and visitors traversing the city.

One of the key advantages of this location, as highlighted by satisfied customers, is the better parking compared to some other San Diego branches. Located within a larger plaza, Menya Ultra Mira Mesa offers ample parking in the adjacent lot, which significantly enhances the dining experience by reducing the stress of finding a spot in a busy area. Furthermore, Menya Ultra utilizes an online waitlist system (accessible via Yelp App or their website), allowing guests to sign up remotely and reduce their physical waiting time at the restaurant. This thoughtful approach to managing demand, combined with its prime location and convenient parking, makes Menya Ultra Mira Mesa a highly accessible and practical choice for anyone seeking a delicious ramen meal in San Diego. The overall atmosphere, described as enjoyable, complements the ease of access.

### Services Offered

Dine-in Service: Experience the vibrant and energetic atmosphere of Menya Ultra, perfect for enjoying a hot bowl of ramen.
Handmade Noodles Daily: A signature feature, all ramen noodles are made fresh in-house every day, a unique characteristic among California ramen restaurants.
Extensive Ramen Menu: Specializing in Tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen, with various options including:
- Tonkotsu Ramen: Their signature dish, a rich pork broth with classic toppings.
- Miso Ramen: A pork broth infused with housemade miso, garlic oil, and often spices.
- Tantan Ramen: A spicy and savory option, highly praised by customers.
- Cold Soup Noodle: A seasonal offering available from May 7th onwards, featuring a blend of miso, soy milk, tomato, and seasoned minced pork.
Vegan Option: A dedicated vegan miso ramen is available, providing a solid plant-based choice for those with dietary restrictions.
Customizable Toppings: Guests can add extra toppings to their ramen, such as additional chashu slices, seasoned eggs (Ajitama), green onions, and wood ear mushrooms.
Appetizers (Side Dishes): A selection of popular Japanese appetizers to complement your meal, including:
- Gyoza: Pan-fried dumplings (available in 3pc or 6pc, with pork or veggie filling).
- Chicken Karaage: House-marinated fried chicken, with variations like Negipon Karaage (with ponzu sauce, mayonnaise, green onion) and Nagoya Karaage (with sweet soy sauce and black pepper).
- Edamame: Boiled soybeans, a classic Japanese appetizer.
- Takoyaki: Octopus in a ball-shaped hotcake.
- French Fries: Regular and Okonomi French Fries.
Takeout and Delivery: Menya Ultra offers online ordering for pick-up during their open hours and delivery through major platforms like GrubHub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Postmates.
Online Waitlist System: Utilize Yelp App or their website to sign up for a table remotely, minimizing wait times at the restaurant.

### Features / Highlights

Fresh, Handmade Noodles: A defining characteristic and major draw, Menya Ultra is renowned for making its noodles fresh daily on-site using special flour imported from Japan. This results in a superior, "chewy" texture that ramen aficionados love.
Authentic & Flavorful Broths: The restaurant specializes in rich and complex Tonkotsu (pork bone) broth, which is a staple, and their Tantan ramen is consistently praised for its unique and delicious flavor profile.
Highly Praised Chashu: The pork chashu is a standout feature, with many patrons "hyping up the chashu like it was a concert headliner," noting its tender and flavorful qualities. You can get bowls with 5 slices of chashu.
Accommodating Vegan Option: While currently limited to one, the vegan miso ramen is described as "decent" and a "solid enough" option to "scratch the ramen itch," offering a valuable choice for plant-based diners.
Friendly, Energetic, and Helpful Staff: Customers consistently commend the staff for their "super friendly, energetic, and cheerful" demeanor. Their willingness to assist in choosing orders and polite service significantly enhance the dining experience.
Popular Appetizers: Beyond ramen, the appetizers receive positive remarks, particularly the gyoza and various chicken karaage options, making it a great spot for those who enjoy side dishes or prefer non-soup items.
Efficient Waitlist System: The use of an online waitlist helps manage the often "long wait" times, allowing customers to join the queue remotely and arrive closer to their seating time.
Consistent Quality Across Branches: For a chain with multiple San Diego locations, reviews suggest "not much difference between the branches," indicating a strong commitment to maintaining quality standards across all sites.
Enjoyable Atmosphere: Despite potential busyness, the overall ambiance is described as enjoyable, contributing to a pleasant and satisfying meal.

### Promotions or Special Offers

While specific, publicly advertised ongoing promotions are not detailed in the provided customer reviews, Menya Ultra, like many popular ramen establishments, may offer various deals. Based on common practices and online mentions, locals in San Diego might look out for:

Lunch Specials: Many ramen restaurants offer special pricing or set menus during weekday lunch hours. Menya Ultra's Mira Mesa location is open for lunch from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
Online Order Discounts: Menya Ultra's online ordering platforms (Grubhub, Uber Eats) sometimes feature temporary promotions. For instance, past promotions have included "$4 off qualifying orders of $15 or more" or "Spend $50, Get One Gyoza 6pc Free." These are typically short-term and platform-specific.
Seasonal or Limited-Time Menu Items: The introduction of seasonal items like the "Cold Soup Noodle" indicates a dynamic menu that might occasionally feature limited-time special ramen or appetizers.
Loyalty Programs: While not explicitly mentioned in the provided information, some popular restaurants offer loyalty programs for frequent diners.

For the most current and accurate information on any promotions or special offers, it is highly recommended that locals contact Menya Ultra Mira Mesa directly via phone or check their official website and their respective delivery platform pages (GrubHub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates) for the latest deals before placing an order or visiting.

### Contact Information

For reservations (via waitlist), takeout orders, or any inquiries about their menu and services, you can reach Menya Ultra Mira Mesa through the following contact details:

Address: 8141 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126, USA

Phone: (858) 397-2247

Mobile Phone: +1 858-397-2247

The restaurant operates 7 days a week with specific lunch and dinner hours: Lunch from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM and Dinner from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Given its popularity and the potential for long waits, utilizing their online waitlist system is highly recommended, especially during peak dining hours, to ensure a smoother dining experience.

### Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For the vibrant community of San Diego, particularly those in Mira Mesa and surrounding areas, Menya Ultra Mira Mesa offers a compelling and highly suitable dining experience for several key reasons. Its reputation for authentic Japanese ramen, highlighted by fresh, handmade noodles and rich, flavorful broths like their signature Tonkotsu and popular Tantan, means locals don't have to travel far for a truly legitimate ramen fix. The commitment to crafting noodles daily on-site is a significant differentiator, ensuring a superior texture that is a hallmark of excellent ramen.

Beyond the noodles, the widely acclaimed chashu adds another layer of appeal for meat-eaters, while the presence of a "solid enough" vegan miso ramen demonstrates a commendable effort to accommodate diverse dietary needs within the community. The "super friendly, energetic, and cheerful" staff contribute significantly to an enjoyable atmosphere, making every visit a pleasant one, even if there's a wait. The convenience of ample parking and an efficient online waitlist system further enhances the experience, making it a practical choice for busy San Diegans. Whether you're a ramen connoisseur seeking the best chewy noodles and rich broth or simply looking for a satisfying, authentic Japanese meal with excellent service, Menya Ultra Mira Mesa consistently delivers, cementing its status as a beloved local gem in San Diego's culinary landscape.

Menya Ultra Mira Mesa Menu

Beverages
Coke US$2.50
The cold, refreshing, sparkling classic that America loves.
Diet Coke US$2.50
A crisp, refreshing taste you know and love with zero calories.
Sprite US$2.50
The cold, refreshing flavors of lemon and lime, perfectly blended.
Oolong Tea US$2.50
Calpico US$2.50
Green Tea US$2.50
Cold japanese green tea in a can.

Appetizers*
Chicken Karaage 3pc US$7.45
House marinated chicken fried to perfection.
Nagoya Karaage 5pc US$11.95
House-made sweet soy sauce and black pepper mixed Nagoya style fried chicken.
Nagoya Karaage 3pc US$8.95
House-made sweet soy sauce and black pepper mixed Nagoya style fried chicken.
Chicken Karaage 5pc US$10.95
House marinated chicken fried to perfection.
Okonomi French Fries US$11.95
Gyoza 6pc US$6.95
Deep Fried Dumplings
Negipon Karaage 5pc US$11.95
House made ponzu sauce, mayonnaise and green onion atop Japanese style fried chicken.
Negipon Karaage 3pc US$7.95
House made ponzu sauce, mayonnaise and green onion atop Japanese style fried chicken.
French Fries US$7.95
Regular potato fries
Edamame US$4.95
Boiled Soy Beans
Gyoza 3pc US$3.95
Deep Fried Dumplings

Ramen*
Tonkotsu US$17.95
Soup : Special housemade recipe of pork broth, soy sauce and fish flavored oil. Toppings : One slice of pork chashu, green onion, wood ear mushroom and roasted sesame seeds. Please chose from extra toppings below! *Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, FISH, SOY. *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the ramen within 2 hours.
Miso Chashu US$24.95
Soup : Special recipe of pork broth, housemade miso, fish flavored oil and garlic oil. Topping : 5 slices of pork chashu, bean sprouts, green onion, wood ear mushroom, grated ginger and red pepper. *Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, FISH, SOY, SESAME *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the take-out ramen within 2 hours.
Paiko Pork Tantan US$26.95
Soup : Special recipe of pork broth, housemade miso, sesame paste, chili oil and vinegar. Topping : Pork cutlet (Paiko), seasoned minced pork, bean sprouts, green onion, roasted sesame seeds, pepper.*Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, SOY, SESAME. *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the take-out ramen within 2 hours.
Cold Noodles Soup US$18.95
Rich Miso Creamy Chill Garden Ingredients: Housemade Miso, Soy milk, Tomato, Cucumber, Red Onion, Lettuce, Seasoned Minced Pork, Sesame Seeds, Chili Oil, White Wine Vinegar
Negi Miso US$20.95
Soup : Special recipe of pork broth, housemade miso, fish flavored oil, roasted sesame seeds and garlic oil. Topping : 2 slices of pork chashu, bean sprouts, green onion, wood ear mushroom, black pepper and roasted sesame seeds. *Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, , SOY, SESAME *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the take-out ramen within 2 hours.
Tantan Men US$19.95
Soup : Special recipe of pork broth, housemade miso, sesame paste, chili oil and vinegar. Topping : Seasoned minced pork, bean sprouts, green onions, woodear mushrooms, roasted sesame seeds, peppers, spicy paste and chili thread. *Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, SOY, SESAME. *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the take-out ramen within 2 hours.
Miso Spicy 2 US$20.45
Soup : Special recipe of pork broth, housemade miso, mackerel flakes, fish flavored oil and garlic oil. Topping : 1 slices of pork chashu, bean sprouts, wood ear mushroom, green onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper and red pepper. *Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, FISH, SOY, SESAME *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the take-out ramen within 2 hours.
Tonkotsu Chashu US$23.95
Soup : Special housemade recipe of pork broth, soy sauce and fish flavored oil. Toppings : 5 slices of pork chashu, green onion, wood ear mushroom and roasted sesame seeds. If you want, you can add egg to make Ajitama(egg) Chashu Ramen! Please chose from extra toppings below! *Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, FISH, SOY. *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the ramen within 2 hours.
Miso Spicy 3 Ultra Hot US$20.95
Soup : Special recipe of pork broth, housemade miso, mackerel flakes, fish flavored oil and garlic oil. Topping : 1 slices of pork chashu, bean sprouts, wood ear mushroom, green onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper and red pepper. *Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, FISH, SOY, SESAME *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the take-out ramen within 2 hours.
Black Tantan Men US$19.95
Soup : Special recipe of pork broth, housemade miso, black sesame paste, chili oil and vinegar.Topping : Seasoned minced pork, bean sprouts, woodear mushroom roasted sesame seeds, pepper, spicy paste and chili treads. *Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, FISH, SOY, SESAME. *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the take-out ramen within 2 hours.
Miso US$18.95
Soup : Special recipe of pork broth, housemade miso, fish flavored oil and garlic oil. Topping : 1 slices of pork chashu, bean sprouts, green onion, wood ear mushroom, grated ginger and red pepper. *Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, FISH, SOY, SESAME *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the take-out ramen within 2 hours.
Tonkotsu Ajitama US$19.95
Soup : Special housemade recipe of pork broth, soy sauce and fish flavored oil. Toppings : One slice of pork chashu, one Ajitama (boiled and house marinated egg), green onion, wood ear mushroom and roasted sesame seeds. *Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, FISH, SOY. *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the ramen within 2 hours.
Miso Ajitama US$20.95
Soup : Special recipe of pork broth, housemade miso, fish flavored oil and garlic oil. Topping : 1 slices of pork chashu, 1 seasoned egg, bean sprouts, green onion, wood ear mushroom, grated ginger and red pepper. *Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, FISH, SOY, SESAME *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the take-out ramen within 2 hours.
Miso Spicy 1 US$19.95
Soup : Special recipe of pork broth, housemade miso, mackerel flakes, fish flavored oil and garlic oil. Topping : 1 slices of pork chashu, bean sprouts, wood ear mushroom, green onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper and red pepper. *Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, FISH, SOY, SESAME *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the take-out ramen within 2 hours.
Vegan Miso US$19.95
Vegan Soup : Housemade miso, soy milk and garlic oil. Topping : Bean sprouts, cabbage, carrot, green onion, shimeji mushroom onion and black pepper. *Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, SOY, SESAME *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the take-out ramen within 2 hours.
Paiko Chicken Tantan US$26.95
Soup : Special recipe of pork broth, housemade miso, sesame paste, chili oil and vinegar. Topping : Chicken cutlet (Paiko), seasoned minced pork, bean sprouts, green onion, roasted sesame seeds, pepper.*Food Allergy Notice: Please be advised that food prepared here may contain these ingredients: WHEAT, MEAT, SOY, SESAME. *To prevent food poisoning, please eat the take-out ramen within 2 hours.

Menya Ultra Mira Mesa Details

From the business
Identifies as Asian-owned

Service options
No-contact delivery
Delivery
On-site services
Takeaway
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Comfort food
Vegetarian options

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Toilet

Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy

Crowd
Family friendly
Locals
Tourists

Planning
Accepts reservations
Usually a wait

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs

Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Parking

Menya Ultra Mira Mesa Photos

Menya Ultra Mira Mesa Location

Menya Ultra Mira Mesa

California San Diego County San Diego Mira Mesa Mira Mesa Boulevard

8141 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126, USA

Menya Ultra Mira Mesa Reviews

Checked out this ramen spot recently only vegan option on the menu is the miso, which is… decent. Not life-changing, but solid enough to scratch the ramen itch without feeling like a sad salad substitute.Noodles are legit though nice and chewy, exactly how they should be. Texture on point. Would love to see more plant-based options in the future, just to mix things up a bit.Now, if you’re not vegan? You’re in luck. My friends went all in on the tantan and were raving about it. Also heard people around me hyping up the chashu like it was a concert headliner.So yeah if you eat meat, you’ll probably love this place. If you don’t, it’s still worth a visit… just maybe not your new go-to.
May 13 · Jason Chen
The staff were super friendly, energetic, and cheerful, and they were very helpful in choosing what to order. They were also very polite, and the food was great. Although I’m not a big fan of soups and my chopstick skills aren’t the best, I’d definitely go back for the appetizers. The atmosphere was enjoyable, and despite the long wait, it was worth it! There are several branches in our city, and this visit was based on a friend’s recommendation. Overall, there’s not much difference between the branches.
February 05 · Azadeh R
One of the best authentic ramen joint in San Diego. They do a good job of consistently delivering a good bowl of ramen. They recently got rid of touchpad ordering system which was tedious task.I’m just deducting a star for their above average menu pricing and servers asking 20% plus tips which is wild since all they do is bring a bowl of ramen. I suggest kitchen serving ramen for customers dinning at the counter for ease and cut servers all together. Or get the vending machine ordering system most ramen restaurants have in Japan and shift towards self service.4.0/5 ⭐️
May 11 · M O
First time eating here. We had the Miso Chashu w/egg and a side of fried chicken. Ramen had a nice rich broth. The fried chicken was juicy, but it needed salt and pepper. We asked for a side of spicy mayo to go with the chicken.
March 03 · Lisa
My husband loves ramen and we came here to have lunch on a Sunday. It had a line but we joined waitlist so we didn’t need to wait. The ramen itself is fine, I couldn’t tell the difference between it and other restaurants. It’s not bad, but not amazing either. The fried chicken is nice, pretty juicy. The dumplings are skinny, not my favorite. Overall, my husband enjoyed it.
June 12 · LULU LIVE Art