Yoshiharu Ramen

For those of us in California who cherish the rich, comforting flavors of Japanese cuisine, Yoshiharu Ramen in Irvine has become a notable destination. While ramen is certainly a star here, Yoshiharu offers a broader appeal, serving up not just flavorful noodle soups but also fresh sushi and satisfying bento boxes. This makes it a versatile spot for locals seeking a diverse Japanese meal experience in Orange County.

Yoshiharu Ramen aims to provide an authentic taste of Japan, with its ramen bowls celebrated for being "very flavorful and filling." Whether you're a fan of the classic Tonkotsu broth or prefer something with a spicy kick, their menu is designed to cater to various preferences. Beyond ramen, the inclusion of fresh sushi rolls and comprehensive bento boxes adds to its draw, making it a convenient choice for families or groups with different cravings.

From the moment you step in, Yoshiharu Ramen offers a focused dining experience that prioritizes the food. While it can get busy, especially on a rainy day, the quality of the dishes, particularly the ramen and sushi, keeps patrons coming back. It’s a place where you can find a comforting meal that feels both authentic and satisfying, right here in the heart of Irvine.

Yoshiharu Ramen is conveniently located at 3935 Portola Pkwy Ste 3935, Irvine, CA 92602, USA. This address places it within a local shopping center in Irvine, making it easily accessible for residents in the northern and central parts of the city, including areas like Orchard Hills. Its position on Portola Parkway provides good visibility and straightforward navigation for those driving.

Being situated in a plaza, there is typically ample parking available, which is a significant convenience for diners in California. While specific details on parking ease aren't always highlighted, a plaza location generally offers more parking options compared to standalone restaurants in denser areas. This accessibility contributes to its suitability as a choice for a casual family dinner, as mentioned by customers, allowing for a less stressful arrival.

Yoshiharu Ramen provides a diverse range of Japanese culinary offerings beyond just ramen, catering to various tastes and dining preferences. Their services are designed to ensure a satisfying experience for all patrons:

• Dine-In Service: Customers can enjoy their meals in the restaurant's casual and welcoming environment, suitable for individual diners, couples, and family groups. It's often described as a "good place for a family dinner."

• Comprehensive Ramen Menu: Their core offering includes a variety of ramen bowls featuring different broths and toppings. Popular choices include:

  • Tonkotsu Black: A pork bone broth with a rich garlic oil flavor, praised for being "very flavorful."

  • Spicy Miso Ramen (LV1, LV2, LV3): A pork bone broth with miso paste and house spicy paste, also noted for its robust flavor.

  • Tonkotsu Miso, Tonkotsu Shoyu, Tonkotsu Shio: Classic variations of their pork bone broth ramen.

  • Chicken Ramen and Vegetable Ramen: Options available for those who prefer non-pork broths or vegetarian choices.

  • St. Louis Pork Rib Spicy Miso: A unique offering featuring St. Louis pork ribs in a spicy miso broth.

  • Poke Ramen: A fusion option combining ramen noodles with ahi tuna and salmon poke.

• Fresh Sushi Rolls: Yoshiharu Ramen also serves a selection of sushi, which is highly praised by customers. The baked salmon roll and crunch fire roll were specifically mentioned as "fresh and delicious!"

• Bento Boxes: For a complete meal, they offer various bento boxes, such as the Salmon Bento Box and Chicken Katsu with Curry. These typically include rice, California rolls, tempura, gyoza, and a salad, offering good variety.

• Rice Bowls (Donburi): A selection of rice bowls including Teriyaki Chicken Bowl, Rib Eye Beef Bowl, Chashu Bowl, Unagi Bowl, Spicy Tuna Bowl, and Poke Bowl.

• Appetizers and Sides: Options like Gyoza, Edamame, Spam Musubi, Kara Age (fried chicken), and various tempura.

• Takeout and Delivery: Yoshiharu Ramen offers both pickup and delivery services through platforms like DoorDash and Grubhub, making it convenient to enjoy their food at home, especially popular on "rainy day" where pick-up orders seem to be frequent.

Yoshiharu Ramen has several features that make it stand out as a noteworthy Japanese restaurant in Irvine. These highlights contribute to its appeal for local diners:

• "Pretty Good Ramen and Sushi": The overall quality of both their ramen and sushi offerings is a significant highlight. Customers praise the ramen for being "very flavorful and filling."

• Flavorful Ramen Broths: The Tonkotsu Black and Spicy Miso ramen are specifically called out as being exceptionally flavorful, indicating a strong mastery of their broth preparation.

• Fresh and Delicious Sushi: The inclusion of well-executed sushi rolls is a major bonus. The baked salmon roll and crunch fire roll were highlighted for their freshness and delicious taste, providing a great alternative or complement to ramen.

• Satisfying Bento Boxes: While one customer noted the katsu was a "little dry" without curry, the bento boxes overall are considered "good," offering a comprehensive meal with a variety of Japanese staples.

• Diverse Menu Beyond Ramen: The extensive menu that includes ramen, sushi, bento boxes, and various rice bowls (donburi) provides a wide array of choices, catering to different preferences within a single visit.

• Variety of Ramen Broths: Patrons can choose from Tonkotsu (pork bone), Miso, Shoyu (soy sauce), Shio (salt), Chicken, and Vegetable broths, ensuring there's a type of ramen for almost everyone.

• "Good Place for a Family Dinner": The restaurant's atmosphere and diverse menu make it well-suited for family outings, as noted by customer feedback.

While customer reviews noted challenges such as high prices, potentially long waits due to limited staff (especially during busy times like rainy days with many pickup orders), and occasional service delays (e.g., waiting for water), the consistent quality of the key dishes – ramen and sushi – remains a strong point for the restaurant, prompting intentions to "come back to try the other ramen."

Yoshiharu Ramen, like many restaurant chains, frequently offers promotions across its locations, including the Irvine branch. While specific ongoing deals can vary, here are types of special offers and events that Yoshiharu Ramen has been known to feature:

• Seasonal and Holiday Promotions: Yoshiharu Ramen often introduces special menu items and promotions around holidays. For instance, they've launched Valentine's Day specials featuring unique dishes like Lobster Ramen and Tonkotsu Crispy Ramen with Spicy Tuna Lobster.

• Grand Opening Offers: When new locations open, they often have special introductory deals. The Irvine location, upon its soft opening and grand opening, likely had specific offers to welcome new customers, such as "free green tea ice cream till the end of July" (as observed at a new Irvine location's opening).

• Giveaways and Contests: They have previously run social media contests (e.g., Halloween giveaways) with prizes like gift cards and merchandise for participating customers.

• Happy Hour: Some Yoshiharu Ramen locations offer weekday happy hour deals, such as appetizers and draft beer specials. While not explicitly confirmed for Irvine, it’s a possibility worth checking.

• Student & Senior Discounts: Certain locations have offered ongoing discounts, like 15% off for students and school staff, or 20% off for seniors on specific days. It’s advisable to inquire if the Irvine location participates in similar programs.

• Lunch Specials: Some locations have "Weekday Lunch Specials" offering discounts on ramen, ramen combos, and rice bowls during specific hours.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on promotions specific to the Yoshiharu Ramen Irvine location, it is highly recommended for local diners to visit their official website's "Events!" section, check their social media pages, or call the restaurant directly before visiting.

For those in California looking to dine at or inquire about Yoshiharu Ramen in Irvine, here are the direct contact details:

• Address: 3935 Portola Pkwy Ste 3935, Irvine, CA 92602, USA

• Phone: (657) 660-5304

These contact details provide a straightforward way to reach the restaurant for various purposes, including checking their current hours, inquiring about specific menu items, or asking about potential wait times, especially during peak hours or on a busy "rainy day" as one customer noted. This accessibility helps local patrons plan their visit effectively.

For Californians, particularly those in the Irvine area, Yoshiharu Ramen offers a compelling and suitable dining option for a variety of occasions. Its strength lies in providing a broad Japanese menu that extends beyond just ramen, making it a versatile choice for different cravings and group dynamics.

The "very flavorful and filling" ramen, with popular choices like Tonkotsu Black and Spicy Miso, ensures that ramen enthusiasts will find a satisfying bowl. Crucially, the inclusion of "fresh and delicious" sushi, specifically highlighted by customers, adds significant value, allowing diners to enjoy both hot and cold Japanese dishes from a single menu. The availability of diverse bento boxes further caters to those looking for a well-rounded meal with a mix of items.

While some customers noted challenges such as high prices, potential staffing shortages leading to longer waits, and occasional service delays (like waiting for water), the overall consensus remains positive regarding the food quality. These issues seem to be more pronounced during peak times, particularly when there's a surge in pickup orders, suggesting that planning your visit accordingly could enhance the experience.

Despite these minor drawbacks, Yoshiharu Ramen's ability to serve "good ramen and sushi" and its suitability as a "good place for a family dinner" firmly establish it as a valuable local eatery. For Irvine residents seeking a Japanese restaurant that can satisfy multiple cravings in one go, Yoshiharu Ramen stands out as a reliable and flavorful choice, well worth a visit to "come back to try the other ramen."

Yoshiharu Ramen

3935 Portola Pkwy Ste 3935, Irvine, CA 92602, USA