To satisfy a long craving for Japanese foods after we performed in a less-than-stellar-fashion on a certain math test, we decided to visit Marafuku Ramen in Cupertino to see if its reputation as a top-tier but affordable restaurant was merited.
Inside the restaurant, we immediately encountered a cozy and traditional Japanese interior. Complete with dim lighting and classical design, it was almost as if we were visiting a ramen shop in Japan itself. We arrived around 1 p.m. on Saturday — the peak of lunchtime — and the place was only half full, which was unexpected given the small chain restaurant’s popularity. It also has locations in Campell and Daly City.
The service quality was superior — an amiable server immediately brought menus and water within a minute of our arrival.
After quickly looking through the menu, Enzo ordered a chicken katsu curry ($19.50), which came with a plum-dressed salad and pickled radish. Ethan ordered a Hakata Tonkotsu with mild broth ($17.50), which is the most popular menu item in the store. The Hakata Tonkotsu is a Hakata-style ramen with a rich pork broth, simmered pork belly, soft-boiled egg, onions, mushrooms, and more.
Enzo tried the chicken katsu curry first. His first impression was that the rice was all stuck together under the curry and was difficult to separate. On the bright side, the curry had a relatively light flavor which didn’t overpower the meat and highlighted the crispiness and texture of the chicken katsu. Enzo didn’t like the plum-dressed salad, however, due to the radish in it.
Ethan ordered thin noodles, and the soft texture suited his taste better than thicker noodles would have. A full bowl of ramen can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially because of the rich broth, but the mild flavor was just right for him. The ramen stood out for its creamy pork-based broth, which added a deep richness without feeling too heavy. The balance of the flavors, combined with the tender noodles made the dish especially enjoyable and satisfying.
The only negative was that the seaweed was drenched in the broth, so it lost its crispiness.
Our visit to Marafuku Ramen lived up to our expectations and its reputation, offering a quality meal that was also affordable, coming to a total of about $40.
Although there were a few minor flaws with the rice and seaweed, the rich flavor and welcoming atmosphere made the experience memorable. By the end of lunch, we left full and satisfied, already thinking about our next return.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Falcons
