Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya

The veggie review!

I think I go around trying ramen everywhere to find the perfect tasting broths with the right toppings. This was it.
I took the spicy creamy vegan broth and it was just what I needed that stormy evening.

Tiny place at a strip mall, with a fast service.

I've been to this location a few times, and the food is always good. The service is usually friendly and speedyand this time was no different.

There were a few things to note on this visit, first off, the temperature in the restaurant was quite warm. Usually, it's nice and cold, which is perfect when you're enjoying a steaming hit bowl of ramen. This time, my family and I became uncomfortably hot and started sweating by the end of our meal.

Second, the usually thick umami flavored dipping sauce that comes with the karaage was so watered down that the waitress actually ended up spilling it all over our table.

Third, the menus was coming apart at the seams and some had pages that were completely torn in half. The wooden soup spoons were also very worn to the point where they were starting to splinter. I also noticed that the upholstery of some of the chairs were very dirty.

The last thing was that the ramen eggs were over cooked. They are usually perfectly runny in the center while still being properly cooked on the outside. This time, they were soft boiled at best.

I still love the food, and the staff are still friendly, but I think it may be time for an update and overhaul of the unkempt areas.

My first experience with Tanaka Ramen was when they first opened their Pearlridge location; we were able to eat there during their first two weeks. Ever since then, for some reason, my husband and I have been on a mission to try all their locations whenever a new one pops up. I feel like it goes without saying that if the restaurant keeps growing, chances are they are doing a great job.

This review is specific to the Kapolei location, but it's crazy how consistent this business is for food, ambiance, and service at all their locations. I really appreciate the dark interior, it sticks true to their name of an Izakaya. The service is also prompt and fast, it is ramen after all, but you don't feel like you're being rushed out. I like to remind myself that the more people they can seat, the more their revenue, so my husband and I try not to take too long in ramen bars, especially when there's a wait and they're busy.

If I'm being honest, I think I've tried almost all of their ramen, even their vegan ones! Now, do take into account that my husband and I order different ramens so that gives me a BOGO benefit. Their ramens has never let me down and since I'm writing this review in Hawaii winter time, it's cold and muggy, great time to have ramen. I surely appreciate the multiple locations so that we can get great tasting, quality, fast ramen almost anywhere on the island.

After a day out with the kids we decided to grab some ramen. We have a place in Kapolei but I decided I wanted to try something new. Tanaka Ramen had good reviews and it was also down the street so we decided to check it out. We walked in, nobody really greeted us and as we're walking towards the back to find somebody we were told to sit at this big table in the middle. For older kids the chairs were fine but for toddlers it was hard to even barely reach the table. Service honestly was lackluster at best we saw our server to bring us water and take our order that was it. What I also found disappointing was the fact they did not offer kids sizes. Now as far as the food goes it was ok. I ventured out and tried their spicy creamy vegan ramen it was good, my oldest went with the garlic one and my middle did one with pork and chicken. The food didn't take too long to come out and the kids were happy. Here there's an automatic 18% gratuity with patties of 5 and larger which may be way the service was so lackluster they will get tipped regardless. However we tried a new place and the ramen was good, would I come back probably not.

Really good ramen on the west side. Enjoyed my takoyaki, fried chicken, and ramen. Would go again if I'm in Kapolei.

THEEEEE BEST RAMEN EVER, went back twice in the span of a day since, it's so fire that you gotta make sure to pray before your meal so it goes to all the right places

I've been to the Ala Moana and Pearlridge locations so I wanted to check out their Kapolei location.

Nothing super different from their other locations. They were out of croquettes the day I went which I was a bit disappointed because we came at lunch time and their clam chowder croquette is my favorite!

I usually get the tanaka ramen or the black garlic but I wanted to get something different so I got the tanaka combo which comes with a mix of chicken broth and pork broth. The broth was pretty good but I should've just stuck to my regulars.

They are opening a 4th location in Mililani at the Town Center next to Five Guys so I'll be sure to visit there when they open!

Food was AMAZING!! Everything was hot and fresh and super flavorful, seriously so good! The customer service was kind of poor but the food is 100% worth it.

Decided to come here on a December day for lunch. My significant other got the spicy miso ramen and I had the beef sukiyaki ramen. His had thicker noodles while mine were more thin. After trying both we enjoyed the two different flavors.
The restaurant staff were kind and efficient. The food didn't take too long to come out. We arrived shortly before the lunch rush but it does get busy.
There's nice decorations around and some tables are more of a bench style while others are with chairs.
Would recommend this place for those nearby or shopping at Ala Moana! Discount for UH students with IDs as well! :)

Best Ramen I've ever had. Flavorful and spicy. Must eat place ... you won't be disappointed.