Nikka Ramen - Goleta, California

Miguel M.

Muy buena comida, servicio rápido y eficiente. Ambiente muy relajado, de jóvenes estudiantes de UCSB.

Sohrab H.

This ramen spot is a must-visit for anyone craving a fast, flavorful, and hassle-free dining experience. The service is top-notch, with attentive staff who are friendly, efficient, and always ready to help. From the moment you’re seated, you’re well taken care of, and any questions about the menu are met with helpful recommendations and a warm attitude.

One of the most impressive aspects of this spot is the speed at which the food arrives. Despite the high quality and freshness of each dish, the wait time is surprisingly short. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or dinner without sacrificing taste or experience.

The ramen itself is fantastic — hearty, flavorful broths paired with perfectly cooked noodles and fresh toppings. Whether you go for a classic miso, spicy tonkotsu, or a lighter shoyu, each bowl is packed with depth and umami. The tender chashu pork (if offered) and marinated egg are always highlights, but the vegetarian options are equally satisfying.

With its attentive service, speedy delivery of food, and rich, delicious ramen, this spot checks all the boxes. It’s a go-to option for anyone looking for a fast yet flavorful meal. I’ll definitely be coming back!

Lyla L.

This place has always been a favorite for Japanese noodles. But now, not only do they have an additional delicious bun, they've also added sushi with a great sushi chef! Loved Chirashi Bowl! It was fantastic - fresh, with perfectly cooked rice.

Brent C.

Solid ramen place in Goleta. Sat at the bar even though there is plenty of seating. Started off with the gyozas which were excellent. I got the spicy tonkotsu which was really good and perfect for a cold evening. The broth is rich and creamy with a lot of depth in flavor. It did have a nice kick so if you can’t tolerate spice I’d probably go with the original. The pork shoulder was also delicious, it tasted like the non-fatty parts of char siu but you also have the option to do chicken or pork belly.

My partner got the black garlic tonkotsu which he said lacked a little flavor. His came with pork belly which was rich and flavorful.

All in all a solid place. My biggest critique is probably the pricing but everything is expensive nowadays so this isn’t unique to this place. The ramens start at around $18-19 but some of your typical toppings are not included like corn and soft boiled egg which cost an additional $1-2 so that bumps up the price.

Joseph O.

After a 15 min wait, our party of 4 was seated. Food came out quickly and was excellent. I got the spicy Aka ramen with pork belly. I like spicy food, and this hit a perfect balance of being just a tiny touch too spicy - just enough to make you want to go back for more. The ramen itself was flavorful and the pork was wonderful. Highly recommend - I would return if I were in the area. I also got an order of takoyaki, which were hot and slightly sweet.

Amy P.

Best ramen in town! The tonkotsu ramen is especially good, and is perfect when it’s cool outside. I tried the vegetable ramen for the first time recently and it was great as well. Portions are generous, and all of the appetizers are tasty (especially the fried baby octopus, takoyaki and karaage).

Ms E.

Nikka Ramen did the job, especially for someone who had a hangover! The service is quick! I ordered the first item on the menu and asked for it to be spicy. Not sure what they considered spicy but I had to ask for more chili pepper sauce. The ramen was definitely fulfilling! I had no complaints! It was quiet, well maybe too quiet where you could hear other guests conversations. My only recommendation is for them to have some chill music or some easy to tolerate sounds in the background. At least that will help ensure some privacy to conversations.

* D.

What a fantastic place! We started with a rainbow roll. Then I got the ramen salad with a wonderful sesame ginger dressing. My son got the tonkatsu ramen with pork belly and added in an egg. This was the best I've ever had! We will be back!