We arrived around 11am on a Sunday and was fortunate not to experience a wait. The restaurant itself isn't too big but does have some outdoor seating available. We ordered the original chicken karaage and takoyaki to share as well as the homura aburasoba, which is advertised as their most popular option. The karaage and takoyaki were good but nothing too crazy. The wasabi-mayo that came with the karaage was nice but I personally liked the normal sauce. The homura aburasoba was definitely the star in terms of presentation and taste. It's beautifully presented with a raw egg (which can be subbed if preferred) surrounded by the rest of the colorful ingredients. In terms of taste, it does have a nice kick of spice to it that is balanced by the rest of the ingredients. There are also condiments available on the table to customize your noodles to your liking including vinegar, chili oil, garlic pieces, sesame seeds and more! Overall, it is definitely a unique noodle experience in the Bay and I can't wait to come back to try some of the other flavors!

Been here a few times now so overdue for a review. I've been here both when there are lines and when there are no lines. The lines are usually in the evenings especially on weekends. Lunch can often be walk ins with little to no wait. When there is a line, Kajiken has a system down that makes the line move pretty efficiently. That being said, they gently and nicely discourage lingering during dinner times. I've never been disappointed here although I also wouldn't wait more than 20minutes in line. If you can resist eating your whole bowl, leftover dry ramen is pretty tasty.

We decided to stop by downtown San Mateo for an early lunch from our trip to Half Moon Bay. I heard that this made the Michelin Guide and definitely had to check it out. We went 15 minutes after they opened and there was already a line. They don't accept reservations and we waited for 20 mins. The staff took our order before we got sat. There were outdoor and indoor seating available. Interior has a clean aesthetic with white and wood walls. We ordered 2 appetizers along with each of our dishes for 3 people. I wished the entree had come up at the same time because my friend ordered a rice bowl instead of the Aburasoba. Abura soba is dried-tossed ramen with sauce. It comes with different types of noodles, flavors from the sauce, and different toppings. Based on the menu, it is recommended to mix the noodles for at least 20 seconds, add additional chili oil or vinegar for more flavor, and enjoy. Everything tasted phenomenal. Service was okay, nothing remarkable. Oroshi Ponzu Karaage - citrusy, chicken was delicious, the crisp was there. I wish it came with a dipping sauce. Hiyayakko Cold Tofu - Sweet and Spicy. There was a sour tanginess that I couldn't figure out what was mixed in there. Very good sauce. Roast Beef - So CREAMY with a hint of vinegar. I think it's from the yogurt. It comes with a raw egg. Beef was tender and comes in med-rare but it'll cook fully once mixed in. Noodles were amazing. Overall, it was a great experience but I don't think this would be worth it if I had to wait for 45+ minutes hearing how long the wait time can be from people.

I visited Kajiken in San Mateo and decided to try their famous aburasoba. We ordered the Original Aburasoba, Roast Beef Aburasoba, and Roast Beef Rice. The flavors of both aburasoba dishes were fantastic--packed with umami, and the noodles had the perfect chewy texture. The Original Aburasoba was a standout with its rich, savory flavor that wasn't too overwhelming. The Roast Beef Aburasoba, however, was just a bit too salty for my liking. While still enjoyable, the saltiness distracted from the other flavors. As for the Roast Beef Rice, it was the one part of the meal that didn't quite hit the mark. It looked promising but lacked the depth of flavor I was hoping for, especially compared to the bold aburasoba dishes. One downside to the experience was the wait time--it was way too long. We waited quite a while to get seated, and the food took its time as well. So, if you're in a hurry, keep that in mind. That being said, the service was friendly, and the cozy atmosphere made the experience more pleasant overall. Despite a few minor issues, Kajiken is definitely worth a visit, especially if you're craving flavorful, well-executed aburasoba!

Tried this for the first time and it's definitely different than your typical ramen with broth. They don't take reservations so we had to wait in line. It didn't take too long and we got seated fairly quickly on a Sat night. Spicy minced pork: 4/5 - a nice kick of spice and flavor - not as heavy as the roast beef one - oil coats the noodles well - reminds me of the chili oil handpulled noodles! Roast beef aburasoba: 3/5 - roast beef is super tender and cooked to perfection - sauce is on the heavier side since there's some sort of cream - tastes more familiar, so it didn't stand out as much Overall, it's a great spot if you want to try something different. Noodles are chewy and have a great bounce to them. It's worth trying at least once, but I love my soup too much

Really solid brothless ramen spot in San Mateo. Have heard so much about this place so was very excited to try! The line was long outside around dinner time but it moved super fast, so we were seated quickly. I got the NIKUMORI ABURASOBA which was very yummy and a huge portion. Even though there's no broth, the noodles were creamy and the flavor was really savory. Lots of pork slices and minced meat so very worth the price of ~$18. Super fast and friendly service too. Inside is a casual environment, perfect for a chill dinner with friends.

So interesting to try aburasoba, soupless ramen! Came to Kajiken on a weekday for lunch and there was a short line. However, I got seated quickly on the outside deck. I wanted to order the homura aburasoba but staff said it was spicy, so I got the roast beef aburasoba instead! The roast beef was tender and flavorful. I enjoyed having the noodles with the yogurt sauce, egg yolk, and spices as well; a nice creamy texture and added great flavor to the noodles. Service was quick and friendly. There's ample seating both inside and outside on the deck.

Kajiken has me in a chokeholdddd..When I think about eating in downtown San Mateo, I usually end up at Kajiken. Yes, even with their insane line! Expect to wait ~30 minutes generally. The lines look long but once people finish eating, groups leave quickly and new pastrons are seated efficiently. Since they pass out menus while you wait in line, people order quickly. With the extended outdoor patio area, they can fit more people which is nice. Since my review from one year ago, I've probably been here another 5-6ish times? I tend to order the homura (#1) aburasoba because it is the popular staple. I've also tried the roast beef (#3) and nikumori (#2) aburasoba, along with a summer special where they served unagi. All are very delicious! I go back and forth between the top 3 because they're equally so good. I guess it depends on what kind of toppings you like. Roast beef is great for meat lovers, but it is quite heavy because of the yogurt sauce. I like to add vinegar to balance the taste. Nikumori is a little spicy and there's a lot of pork. Nikumori is easier to eat more of in one sitting in my experience. Someday I want to try the takeout option so I don't have to wait in line!