Ramen Ryoma Hillcrest

Where Goi Cuon commits to a full vegetarian menu and Snooze engineers breakfast permutations, Ramen Ryoma plays it safe with the kind of hybrid Japanese menu that tries to be everything—ramen, sushi, karaage, tempura—which means it doesn't master any one thing. The kitchen's not chasing tonkotsu perfection or nailing the tare balance; it's serving functional noodle bowls to University Avenue foot traffic that wants options. That's the play here: a spot where your ramen-averse friend can order a California roll while you slurp shoyu broth, no arguments required.

The chicken karaage earns consistent praise in reviews—crispy, well-seasoned, the kind of reliable izakaya staple that works whether you're killing time before a show or need something to soak up drinks. The sushi holds up as competent neighborhood fare, nothing revelatory but solid enough for a casual weeknight when you don't want to think too hard. The ramen itself draws mixed reactions: some bowls land with decent depth, others taste under-seasoned or overly salty, the inconsistency that comes from a kitchen juggling too many categories at once.

Practical notes: they take reservations, which matters on weekend nights when Hillcrest dining gets clogged. Outdoor seating helps during wait times. The vegetarian ramen pulls enough repeat visits to suggest it's one of their more reliable builds. Service runs friendly without hovering. This isn't the ramen destination that draws pilgrims from East County—it's the spot that feeds locals who live three blocks away and want Japanese comfort food without the commitment of a ramen-only shrine. It fills a lane, just not the one the name promises.