San Diego · Ramen · casual
Menya Ultra
Tokyo-style ramenMichelin GuideAkita ramen masterClairemont ramentonkotsunational champion
Menya Ultra is a Michelin Guide-listed ramen restaurant in San Diego's Clairemont Mesa, where Akita-born Japanese chef-owner Takashi Endo serves the same ramen recipe that won four consecutive national championships in Tokyo.
- Price
- ¥¥
- Area
- Kearny Mesa / Clairemont Mesa
- Since
- 2017
- Chef
- Takashi Endo
Plate № 74
About
Chef-owner Takashi Endo was born in Akita Prefecture, Japan and founded his first ramen shop there in 1993, going on to win four consecutive years at Tokyo's national ramen competition before bringing his craft to San Diego in 2017. Menya Ultra has been listed in the Michelin Guide California for 2021, 2023, and 2024, an extraordinary distinction for a ramen restaurant. Endo's broths are built on deep, slow-cooked stocks that reflect his decades of obsessive refinement in Japan, while the noodles are calibrated for the perfect chew. The Clairemont Mesa flagship serves a focused menu of Endo's championship ramen styles in a clean, efficient setting that lets the bowl speak for itself.
Neighborhood & visiting
Menya Ultra sits in Kearny Mesa / Clairemont Mesa, one of San Diego's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. The house does not publish an online booking link; call ahead to secure a seat, especially on weekends. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional ramen restaurants often close between service periods.
Why it's on Washoku Guide
- Michelin Guide California listed (2021, 2023, 2024) — exceptional recognition for a ramen restaurant
- Chef Takashi Endo won four consecutive national ramen championships in Tokyo
- Championship-caliber broths built on 30-plus years of Japanese ramen mastery
- Akita-born Japanese chef bringing a rarely seen regional Japanese ramen tradition to San Diego
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Frequently asked
About Menya Ultra
- Is Menya Ultra an authentic tokyo-style ramen restaurant in San Diego?
- Yes — Menya Ultra is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for tokyo-style ramen in San Diego: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused ramen format.
- Where is Menya Ultra located?
- Menya Ultra is located at 8199 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Ste M, San Diego, CA 92111, San Diego, USA in the Kearny Mesa / Clairemont Mesa neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at Menya Ultra?
- Menya Ultra does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular ramen restaurants in San Diego we recommend calling ahead.
- What is the price range at Menya Ultra?
- Menya Ultra sits in the ¥¥ price range — typical for tokyo-style ramen of this format in San Diego.
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