About Kin Craft Ramen & Izakaya
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OK going into this I was super hyped. Unlimited ramen, amazing desserts, etc. I ordered the ramen and temaki (hand roll) (tried the fried rice) and tbh both were mid. My standards aren’t that high so I’ll explain exactly what made it mid. The ramen was SO OILY, both the chashu and the broth, lacked flavor. Not worth the calories imo. Moving onto the temaki, (hand roll) the rice was sour and overpowered the taste of the salmon. I’ve had sushi rice before but it was never this sour. The salmon itself was flavorless imo and you know how usually salmon has that nice fresh sweetness? This one had none of that and I could hardly taste the natural salmon flavor. (Ate the salmon alone to ensure the sushi rice wasn’t overpowering the natural taste). I tried a bit of salmon fried rice too, which was pretty good except for the fact that it was too oily. I have a picture of the oil, just know that the black plate amplifies the oil on the fried rice. There was friendly customer service too, checked in on stuff and cleared the tables. Went into the restrooms and there was MOUTHWASH. That was so cool. Atmosphere in general gets 4 stars cause it was too hard to hear anybody. Wouldn’t recommend going here for the food however I haven’t tried the desserts and drinks (which look really good) so if you wanna try those out go for it.
Came a little after 8pm on a Wednesday and they were quite busy! A little hard to get the staff’s attention, but once the order was in, the food came out at a steady pace - I was actually surprised to see the calamari out in ~5 mins and the slowest dishes were the crudos. Happy Hour Specials: - Calamari - a bit oily - Tom Kha Chasu Ramen - nice sweet and sour broth, noodles were al dente - Hokkaido Scallop Crudo - pretty refreshing especially paired with the yuzu sauce - Truffle Salmon Crudo - the truffle was a bit subtle for me - 3 Set Yakitori Skewers (scallop, sausage, chicken thigh) - pretty decent Also ordered Fried Rice with chashu but found the dish to be oily and a bit salty - likely will pass from this next time. Appreciated the happy hour specials, but I prefer their sister restaurants in the same plaza.
1mill out of 10 love the rawmen, the place is so pretty, the Seafood Tom Kha Rawmen masterpiece it was my first time eating rawmen but the fact that its thai rawmen even better the sparkling Matcha is so good at first you just taste the soda then after a few sips you can taste the Matcha the workers were also kind, polite, and patient when we chose our food even they noticed that we were having trouble eating with the chop sticks because we don't know how to use them TvT so she asked if we wanted forks. 1mill out of 10 would recommend this place its tasty and the Sparkling matcha TRY ITTT👹👹👹
I haven't yet had the opportunity to try every restaurant in the Kei Concepts family, but Kin Craft Ramen & Izakaya is my fave so far. We visited on a Saturday evening around the dinner hour and the place was poppin'! We were fortunate not to have to wait for a table given the restaurant's popularity. The dinner menu offers everything from small plates, raw dishes including sashimi, ramen, udon, rice dishes, izakaya, beverages and desserts. We wanted to try everything so we ordered the Guava Calpico and a few izakaya to start. Our entrees included the Rainbow Poke Salad, Mabo Tofu Mazemen and the Kids Meal Box for our daughter. We closed out the meal with the Mango Bango. I could taste the freshness in every bite but in particular the truffle vinaigrette in the salad and the Sichuan oil in the mazemen were memorable. However to my surprise, my favorite item was the chicken nuggets in my daughter's meal box! Service was friendly and timely, especially given how busy it was. If you've never been, see for yourself what the hype is all about!
Kin Izakaya – Stylish Ramen & Izakaya Dining Under the KEI Group Located in the heart of Fountain Valley and part of the popular KEI group, Kin Izakaya blends modern Japanese décor with a laid-back izakaya vibe, making it a hot spot during weekday lunch hours, especially for its well-priced lunch specials. The interior is stylishly decorated with lush greenery, curated sake displays, and a cozy yet sophisticated bar area that attracts both casual diners and those looking for a more relaxing sit-down meal. The atmosphere is bright and inviting — a great setting to unwind over lunch or enjoy a low-key dinner. During lunch, Kin offers a combo special that includes a ramen and a side dish. Choices include Gyu-Tonkotsu Ramen and Chashu Tom Kha Ramen, with sides such as Beef Belly Curry, Takoyaki, Karaage, or Truffle Salmon. I opted for the Chashu Tom Kha Ramen, which was a pleasant surprise — rich, tangy coconut broth with a subtle Thai twist. The noodles had a good bite and absorbed the broth nicely. However, only one slice of chashu was included, which felt a bit skimpy. I added a shoyu egg for $2.50 — tasty, but a steep price for a single egg. For the side, I tried the Truffle Salmon, which came as three slices of salmon sashimi lightly marinated and topped with microgreens. The flavor was delicate but nothing particularly memorable. Service-wise, the staff move quickly and efficiently, though they may not be the most attentive if you're looking for more detailed help or requests. Expect longer prep times during the lunch rush — this isn't a grab-and-go spot. It’s better suited for those who can take their time and enjoy the ambiance. --- Kin Izakaya offers a refined yet approachable take on ramen and Japanese small plates, with a modern setting perfect for leisurely lunches or relaxed evenings. While portions and prices could be more balanced, the creative ramen broths and polished vibe make it a worthwhile stop — especially if you’re not in a hurry.