About
Welcome to Kimen Ramen Izakaya, a delightful fusion of traditional izakaya charm and vibrant ramen culture located at 4217 John Marr Dr, Annandale, VA. This cozy establishment is not just a eatery; it’s a culinary haven for food lovers seeking authentic Japanese flavors. Open late until 12 AM, it serves as the perfect spot for both late-night cravings and casual gatherings with friends.
As you step inside Kimen Ramen Izakaya, the ambiance immediately transports you to a world adorned with rich manga art and a warm, homey feel. The intimate, yet trendy decor invites you to sit back and enjoy a leisurely meal, making it a great option for couples, families, and groups alike. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and environmentally conscious, providing reusable tableware for its diners.
Kimen’s menu is a treasure chest of flavors featuring a wide variety of ramen and izakaya-style dishes. Vegan and vegetarian options ensure that everyone is catered for, while the rich and creamy broths tantalize even the most discerning palates. Highlights include:
Customer reviews echo a common sentiment: the ramen's broth is frequently praised for its depth and richness, though some diners noted a need for consistency in the preparation of the meat dishes like chashu pork. Despite this, the majority of experiences highlight not just the food but the warm hospitality of the staff, who are attentive and eager to enhance your dining experience. Happy hour specials, alongside a curated selection of beer and wine, adds an appealing touch for those looking to unwind after a long day.
Whether you’re stopping by for a quick takeout, planning a cozy dinner, or enjoying a casual meal with friends, Kimen Ramen Izakaya stands out as a culinary destination. The interactive dining atmosphere, bolstered by dog-friendly outdoor seating and free Wi-Fi, makes it ideal for all occasions. With predominantly positive feedback and community spirit, it is a place where every bowl served tells a story of dedication and delight.
For a dining experience that combines delicious food with a welcoming atmosphere, Kimen Ramen Izakaya is the go-to destination in Annandale. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore its enchanting menu and enjoy a fine evening or afternoon in good company!
“ I came here with some friends a little late at night since they close at 12AM. The place is a cute ramen shop in the corner of the building. I really loved the interior, it was nice and organized, vibes were chill. The restaurant was overall very clean and the service was amazing. There was one lady at the front who was very hospitable. She checked up on us every once in a while and refilled our waters without us asking and just really sweet. The food was good. We started with some appetizers, some spicy mussels and some shumai/siu mai. The appetizers were absolutely amazing, I 10/10 recommend getting the spicy mussels especially. I believe it was topped with spicy mayo or something but whatever it was it was really good. For the main dish, my friends got some sort of brothless ramen (I forgot the name of it) but it was not bad. I think there could've been a little more flavor to it but it was mediocre. I got the shoyu ramen. The broth was very flavorful and the egg was just cooked perfectly. Overall, it was a really nice place to dine in especially if you're looking for a late night spot to eat and relax. ”
“ This place is definitely a go-to if you are looking for tasty ramen and appetizers. Broth is flavorful (can be a little on the saltier side depending) and the noodles they use are more chewy and thicker than ordinary ramen noodles but has a fun texture! Their chashu pork is a little dry but also fatty which I love. Overall restaurant is a little small but usually not busy. Interior is cool-looking with manga art on the wall. Servers are quiet but nice. ”
“ Cute little ramen shop. Decorated well inside. It features a bar right inside the door and anime on the walls. It's not a big place and I've seen it busy before. We've gone here several times. The broth is always delicious but consistently the pork is either super fatty and/or over cooked. Two others I dined with got chicken chasu in their bowls and neither ate it so I'm assuming that wasn't cooked properly either. This place has amazing potential but they really need to nail down the cook on the meats. We got pork chasu buns and the pork again there was tough. Our server was nice and attentive. They have a small but adequate beer, sake and I think I saw soju selection. I've ordered uber eats or door dash here before and the portion I've received Togo has seemed much smaller than what I get dining in. Again this place does a lot right and just needs to perfect a few things for 5 stars. ”
“ Finally ate here after eating at essentially every other restaurant in this shopping center. I loved how cute the ambiance was, it felt like I was transported to another country, and it felt homey and small town vibes which I appreciated. I know they're known for ramen but ended up getting the pork katsu curry. The flavors of the curry were deep and flavorful, and the pork was breaded well with a nice tender cut of pork. I'd wanna come back for their ramen sometime. Service was good, very attentive! ”
“ I like how this place is open late. The decor gives homage to one piece and Naruto. It's very intimate. The staff was really quick to take our order and bring out the food. I got the chashudon. There's so much food. It could be 2 meals. The pork was smooth to eat and very flavorful and saucy. The only thing I didn't like was the ginger. They also provide you with miso soup. ”
“ What a little hole in the wall. It has a chill and fun vibe. The staff is friendly and attentive. Now let's talk food. Shoyu Ramen and the miso ramen was delicious. Perfect portion and fills ya up right. The cold soba was perfect. Chewy soba and umami broth. Not salty and not as sweet. Also great portion. The tonkatsu was crunchy but the meat was dry which took away a possibly a good taste. But it won't stop me from coming back! Can't wait! ”
“ Stopped here while in the area for a convention weekend. Usually Friday night is ramen, which we went with here. Located in a small strip mall - this is on the corner and seems like it would be small based on the front facade, yet there was plenty of space inside - tables, and a bar to sit at. We ordered several appetizers: gyoza, buns, karaage, and takyoki. Buns was good - the meat was a little thin for my liking. Gyoza was standard and over fried and crispy. The takiyakk was good - standard. And the karaage was very good - tender white meat inside and the spicy mayo was a nice compliment. The ramen was also good - nothing over the top or trying to be anything it isn't. Just good solid ramen. Would recommend. And will return. ”
“ Deliciousness - 3/5 Happiness - 5/5 I really loved the atmosphere and service at Kimen, it was top notch. The food is decent, but given its location, you can find tastier options right next door. However, the prices at Kimen are great. So for an inexpensive and tasty meal in a fun geek-tastic atmosphere, Kimen gets high marks. The place is small, but well lit and decorated. Although an impressive mural featuring Dragon Ball, Naruto and One Piece characters is the centerpiece, they have toys and other small touches throughout. They also had some delicious house sake, unique Asian beers, and cocktails. The server was very polite and attentive. The chicken ramen was the star of all the dishes, with a beautifully cooked egg and deep broth flavor (and a nice aroma too). It did come with enormous chicken cutlets that, while tasty, were a bit difficult to eat. The noodles were nothing special. I got the beef Gyudon. The sauce was nice but the beef to rice ratio left me wanting more beef, and the beef itself was sliced so thin that I didn't get much flavor from it. My son's Chicken Katsu and the appetizer chicken karaage were petty much forgettable, lacking in seasoning or moistness. Stick with the ramen (which, after all, the store is named for) and you'll walk away happy and full. ”
“ Ive been here twice and the second time was when I discovered how good and authentic this place is. This is a cute small ramen/appetizers if you are for a Japanese izakaya, you have came to the right place. The ramen options are solid and reasonable price. This time, I have ordered the Unagidon and it was the closest Unagidon dish I can find in the U.S. here. I have tried it in Japan and loved it. For $20 Unagidon, they give you a big portion with a lot of unagi, the flavors are really good with the eel sauce, the only I wish was there was a bit more toppings, we did ask for more ginger and it hit spot! ”