Ramen restaurants

Tajima Ramen East Village

A 22-seat kitchen run by Eleni & Yassine, serving the dishes their grandmothers argued about on Tuesday nights in Kreuzberg.

901 E St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States $10–20
4.4
2,317 notes from regulars
01 The story, in three paragraphs

Why everyone keeps coming back.

Nestled in the heart of San Diego’s vibrant East Village, Tajima Ramen East Village is a must-visit destination for anyone craving authentic Japanese flavors served with a modern twist. This ramen restaurant masterfully showcases the rich culinary traditions of Japan, blending comforting broths with fresh, carefully selected ingredients that invite you to savor every spoonful.

The star of the menu is undoubtedly their signature tonkotsu ramen varieties, including the fiery Tajima Red, a spicy Tonkotsu pork bone broth enlivened with sesame seeds, baby bok choy, and tender pork chashu. Each bowl is topped with a perfectly cooked half ramen egg and corn, creating a harmonious balance of heat, creaminess, and subtle sweetness. Equally compelling is the Tajima Black, featuring the original Tonkotsu broth enhanced with aromatic black garlic oil and crispy fried garlic, which adds complexity and a satisfying crunch to every bite.

For those who enjoy a deeper umami punch, the Miso Ramen offers a rich pork bone miso broth that wraps you in its warm, savory embrace. Beyond ramen, the menu surprises with dishes like the spicy tuna crispy rice and the delectable pork rice, known among patrons for its slightly sweet sauce that perfectly complements the tender meat.

Dining at Tajima is a cozy, casual affair where the welcoming staff add to the inviting atmosphere. The restaurant’s interior - warm and intimate - is the perfect backdrop to enjoy a bowl of ramen that’s both hearty and soul-soothing. Whether you're dropping in for a quick bite or settling down for a relaxing meal, the service is attentive and friendly, making every visit feel special.

Many customers rave about the quality and portion sizes, with several mentioning that the servings are generous enough to take home leftovers without worry. Whether it’s the warming spicy sesame ramen or the comforting pork tonkotsu, the flavors at Tajima have won over many loyal fans, some ranking it among their favorite ramen spots in California.

Complement your meal with a selection from their thoughtfully curated sake list, including delicate house-made flavored sakes and robust Nigori options, offering a refined layer to your dining experience. And for those who prefer to savor the flavors at home, many sake varieties and utensils are available for takeout upon request.

In all, Tajima Ramen East Village embodies the essence of Japanese comfort food with an approachable, vibrant spirit. Whether you’re a ramen aficionado or a curious newcomer, this spot promises an authentic and memorable meal that will keep you coming back time and again.

03 Notes from regulars

2,317 notes — the real pulse of the room.

4.4
Based on 2,317 verified notes
5 1,533
4 503
3 174
2 63
1 94
All Spicy Sesame Ramen Vegan Ramen Outdoor Seating Carnitas Ramen Tajima Ramen Tonkotsu Bar Seating Vegan Options Chicken Ramen Happy Hour Creamy Chicken Ramen
Mark Warren.
2 month ago
We had a great lunch here. We had the Carnitas Ramen and the Chicken Ramen. Both were great and budget friendly. Recommended!
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Kazakou.
3 month ago
One of the greatest Japanese style restaurant I have ever tried. The ramen was so good I ordered the spicy sesame ramen which was so warming and tasty. Staff was very welcoming and lovely. Price was very justified for what you get back. Would love to come back again
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Liane Liou.
3 month ago
Pork tonkotsu ramen was just ok, we think the meat is much less than we thought and the soup wasn’t that salty, which was good. And personally, the pork rice was amazing and performed better than the ramen so I would recommend try the pork rice, it had a bit sweet sauce flavor.
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FINESS917.
4 month ago
I love this place. They’re in the Top 5 in California. It’s a Friday evening so it was a little busy. I got seated fast. The wait staff are really nice. The inside is nice and cozy. The food is always on point. I got a quick bite. Spicy edamame and Tajima ramen. The ramen is cooked well and it tastes really good. The edamame is delicious. I come here like every other week.
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Zianne Agustin.
4 month ago
Had the carnitas ramen and the spicy tuna crispy rice! Both were delicious so I definitely recommend, and I’d say it’s also quite a hearty serving (I dined alone and ended up taking half the ramen home) The service was also great. Overall a nice and casual dining experience, I’d come back!
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Xavier Barron.
4 month ago
We came in from out-of-town for my son's graduation. He wanted Ramen Noodles and Google suggested this place. Our server Saida was awesome. She had some great suggestions and the Carnitas Ramen was amazing. We called it Liquid Tamales. Delicious!!!
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Sun Lee.
5 month ago
Tried the tajima red ramen that comes with a beautiful onsen egg, sesame seeds, beautiful chashu, shredded green onions and Bokchoy Priced beautifully at $15-$17, quick and easy fast dinner in a quiet dining area a bit of an extra walk from the Gaslamp area. Also tried the crispy tuna rice, solid presentation but without the sweet sauce. The rice was charred and crispy and the tuna was of good quality. Also priced around $8 was a nice little appetizer. Thanks to Mark for attending to me this evening 2742 bathroom code
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rodmanllew.
6 month ago
Dinner meals were excellent! For the flavors, I can say the family was satisfied and impressed, especially with the presentation. Spicy Sesame Ramen was quite enlightening as the corn and broth accentuated the Ramen noodles and the rest of the bowl. The same can be said of the traditional Tonkotsu broth bowl with pork. One interesting item was the chicken chashu fried rice - uniquely flavored and adding the spicy sauce a little at a time, provided a subtle kick to the plate. Each bowl or plate is more than enough to feed and fill you. I am recommending myself and others to come back and try other items. Although the soda drinks were a bit watered down, and the authenticity of Japan was nearly there (one of us just got back from Osaka & Kyoto), the dining experience was tops.
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04 When to visit & how to find us

Hours & the door on Bergmannstraße.

Opening hours
Monday 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday (today) 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday Closed
Friday 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Finding the door

901 E St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

05 What makes this place friendly

The details you usually have to call and ask.

Service options
  • Outdoor seating
  • No-contact delivery
  • Delivery
  • Onsite services
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
Highlights
  • Fast service
  • Great beer selection
  • Great tea selection
  • Serves local specialty
Popular for
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Comfort food
  • Happy hour drinks
  • Happy hour food
  • Hard liquor
  • Healthy options
  • Late-night food
  • Quick bite
  • Small plates
  • Vegan options
  • Vegetarian options
  • Wine
Dining options
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Counter service
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service
Amenities
  • Bar onsite
  • Gender-neutral restroom
  • Restroom
Atmosphere
  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Quiet
  • Trendy
Crowd
  • College students
  • Family-friendly
  • Groups
  • Tourists
Planning
  • Accepts reservations
Payments
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
Children
  • Good for kids
  • High chairs
Parking
  • Free street parking
  • Paid parking lot
  • Paid street parking
Pets
  • Dogs allowed outside
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