Delivery
Yes
Tanpopo Ramen and Sake Bar in Albany
Categories
Location on the map
Albany, Albany County, New York, US
Service options
Takeaway
Yes
Dine-in
Yes
Health and safety
Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Yes
Highlights
Great tea selection
Yes
Popular for
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
No
Wheelchair-accessible seating
No
Offerings
Comfort food
Yes
Healthy options
Yes
Late-night food
Yes
Quick bite
Yes
Small plates
Yes
Vegetarian options
Yes
Dining options
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Amenities
Toilets
Yes
Atmosphere
Casual
Yes
Cosy
Yes
Crowd
Groups
Yes
Tourists
Yes
University students
Yes
Phone: +1 518-451-9868
Site: http://www.tanpopoalbany.com/ind...
Site: http://www.tanpopoalbany.com/ind...
Opening hours
- Monday:11AM–10PM
- Tuesday:11AM–10PM
- Wednesday:11AM–10PM
- Thursday:11AM–10PM
- Friday:11AM–10PM
- Saturday:11AM–10PM
- Sunday:12–10PM
Comments (199)
Stopped here as a rest stop on a long drive for lunch and so glad we did! The ramen was so tasty and really filling as it was a huge portion! The flavours were great and really reasonably priced. The waitress was also really friendly, welcoming and helpful. Would definitely stop here again if passing by.
I can start by saying I found my new favorite ramen place! I placed an order for a pick up , the packaging was very good ! The food taste delicious! And will give a shout out to the server who works there unfortunately didn’t ask for his name! But for the few minutes i was there to pick up my order he was really nice! Highly recommended!
Delicious flavorfull Ramen. We got the Curry, Spicy Miso and the seafood ramen. All were very tasty and the portion sizes were great for the price. Will definitely be going back
Before and after pics , omg tanpopo sooo good , the ingredients , the broth , the noodles , the eggs , the spicy , the ice cold beer , BOOM !! 😩🥰 5 stars !
It was our first time eating here last night and were sure it wont be our last! We started with the pork buns, and let me just say, you havent lived until youve tried one! The super soft bun contrasts perfectly with the crunch of the pork. Then we both got the miso ramen and it was the best weve ever had! I highly recommend Tanpopo!
Stopped here on a whim while passing through to Saratoga. Took a risk on a place neither of us had heard of but had noticed good ratings for on Yelp and Google. We ended up blown away by the flavor and atmosphere. The spot is in what appears to be an old school diner with a few new school alterations. Cozy atmosphere and awesome food. We had the oyster buns and pork buns to start. The buns were soft and fluffy with awesome flavor inside. We then had Tonkatsu Ramen and Miso Ramen with seasoned eggs (bursting with flavor). Portions were huge and filling. Our server was amazing and ran the whole restaurant singlehandedly. Fast, kind and courteous service. A++. 10/10 would recommend.
First time visiting the place, and I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences Ive had at a ramen place. The food was amazing, and the service even better. The prices were also quite reasonable.. Cant wait to go again!!!
The place is very nice looking and easy to find. The ramen was great quality and so were the appetizers, so I would definitely recommend it to anyone. The only issue I had tonight was with my added egg. When I got it, it was way overdone and unfortunately had no flavor. As a $2.50 extra I kinda expected it to be better.
Even though theyve got sake and a Japanese name, this is a Chinese style ramen. The noodles were a little overdone, but the flavor of the broth is on point. This place is not afraid to be spicy! I cant always have red meat, and they let me substitute the Lemongrass Beef with pulled chicken instead. I just wish the chicken had seasoning or flavor. They give you a large portion, but its very bland and barely salted.
Delicious and nostalgic as restaurant is located in an authentic railroad car. Many moons ago it was the Miss Albany Diner. The interior is configured a little differently so there is more seating. I had a pork belly bun and a spicy pork belly bun, both were delicious. I ordered a special off the chalkboard with no additions and it was excellent! The bathroom is still the one from the train car, its TINY. TINY. It can be very very busy at dinner and late after the bar kinda thing. Getting ramen to go from here means everything is separate and you need a bigger bowl or container to put it all in. I wish I had known this before I ordered to go so I am letting you know.
Came in for the first time not big fan of this type of food but i loved it definitely will come again !
This place’s decor and design is great! You have to check it out for yourself! I got the tokotsu ramen and no extra added.. I felt the bowl was really hot which I like, but nothing special about the ramen.. maybe if I got more add on it would be better.. I would come back and try the other bowls tho..
This is one of Albanys cultural gems. Everything here is delicious. The wait can be long and the seating is not great... but somehow the ambiance just works. Cant really say that its the best Ramen place in the area, because in my mind, it is the only ramen place in the area 😄
This food is Chinese ramen and dumpling not Japanese ramen and Gyoza.... but taste is mot bed but not good and too heavy. I normally eat up it but I couldn’t eat up
Definitely good, would go one more time and try all of their ramen👌🏻
The tastiest ramen in town. No matter how special or how casual the occasion is, you cannot go wrong by taking a seat at this quaint little restaurant. A vintage American diner turned high-quality ramen restaurant is a unique clash no one knew worked so well until now.Take a seat, enjoy a pint of some Japanese beer with your ramen, and take in the well preserved vintage nature of the place. Youll be happy you did.
The outside looked aged and grungy. The inside looks the same too. Clearly converted an old diner to ramen spot. But it has lots of character inside. Like a 50s diner crashed into a ramen spotThey have various sake and beers on their menu. But we went for the apps and ramen. We had the Takoyaki which was pretty good. The eel sauce and spicy Mayo drizzled on it was tasty. A bit small but tastyWe ordered the curry ramen and the tanpopo spicy ramen. The curry ramen stole the show. It was so good. Full curry flavor and curry heat to it. Broth was so thick and oily, it went very well with the noodles and extra pork and bamboo shoots. Spicy but tasty. Def one of the better broths I’ve had, and I’ve been to many ramen spots in NJ and NYC. I have never seen curry ramen before so I was excited to try it and it did not disappoint
I ordered to go. It looked like a 20 cent pack of noodles in water and onions, which costed $16. It looked very cheap. $30 for to 20 cents pack of noodles, in a pile of onions. This is not the real vietnamese soups. These are cheap nasty terrible ramen noodles. I was like how they get away with this poor man expensive, cheap, meal. There is a real soup place across the street from City Hall in Schenectady on Jay st that charge the same, and the soup taste and look 5*. My co-workers was like aughhh.
The appetizers were delicious! The ramen was tasty and fresh. The Sake was not great, but the 9 pin cider made up for it. Servers were very friendly and good.
Driving through, and this was a really great find - a ramen shop in an old historical diner. Very friendly and prompt service. The veggie ramen was very flavorful.
Always great food. The Ramen is pretty close to some of the best I have ever had. I was stationed in Tokyo and there was a truck stop there that is the bar this place comes very very close to that.The Pork Gyoza is darn good as well. Service is always good, servers are light hearted and fun
Phenomenal food. Pork belly is amazing.
Great service. Good food too. I visited on a weeknight, as I was passing through Albany. The set up is pretty neat, but, I imagine, it can get crowded very easily. They even found space for a bathroom, which is big enough. But, I wouldnt want to get the table facing the rest room.The food: they ran out of the duck ramen, my favorite. So, I wasnt thrilled. I only had one night in Buffalo, a weeknight, yet, they ran out of what I wanted. So, I am taking off one star. I hope that they arent resorting to gimmick by creating shortage, to boost demand and to add mistique. This is a good place, I dont think they need gimmick to attract customers.Second choice: veggie ramen. It was good. The broth had a hint of smoke in it, which, was surprisingly good, because, it added complexity to the dish. The egg was a little flat, not well seasoned. They only had two mushrooms in there. Cmon! Can I get more than one shroom? Anyways, Id recommend this joint in a heartbeat. Just make sure that you show up early enough before they run out of your favorite dish.
Ramen was tasty but the conditions of the place are very old, dirty, and broken. It was hard to be there. Again. The soup was good. But I kept wondering about the conditions and couldnt help myself thinking about the germs in the kitchen and around us. Is the kitchen as dirty and greasy as everything around us? The bathrooms were ridiculously small. How can you (or waiters) clean yourself there?
I love this place. My husband and I go often and we usually are able to sit in the same booth every time. Sometimes it gets crowded on a Friday night but thats to be expected. I enjoy the food, the atmosphere, the beer, and the service. Weve brought friends and they loved it too.
Excellent ramen definitely worth the drive into Albany. I got the miso option and will definitely be back to try some of the spicier options as well. Despite being a small space it doesnt feel cramped or rushed and the service while I was there was excellent.
Best ramen in Albany. Sometimes the broth seems a bit bland and could be stronger but the ingredients are always fresh.
This place was just from the moment we sat down until we left. We sat at the bar and the 2 women waiting on everyone were very friendly and efficient. The pork belly buns were fantastic and the ramen was filling, flavorful, and a tad spicy- excellent. So many restaurants are lacking in service and quality, but this restaurant is damn near perfect!
I love this restaurant every time we go. The pork belly bao and tonkotsu ramen are both delicious.
Phenomenal! Great food. I had the chicken ramen, it was seasoned to excellence. Portioned perfect. I WILL BE COMING BACK. If you haven’t been, you should!!!
Stopped by while passing through for work. Super good food and large portions. Service was friendly. Good selection of Sake and Japanese beers as well.
The original and the best. Hey tell Schenectady to spice up the spicy ramen. This place is awesome. Killer bone broth and awesome service. I would give this place 6 stars if I could.
Perfectly balanced with taste and recipe. One of the best Ramen I ever tasted. Good service and maintenance. I tried shredded chicken with think rice noodles
I love this little hole in the wall so much! The best ramen place around and servers are always friendly. Food is mouthwatering every time.
I got the curry ramen and its freaking delicious. I totally get why Naruto lived at ichirakus cuz Id be happy af to eat here daily. Friendly service as well
I the middle of nowhere, industrial park near Albany, is this old diner converted to ramen , and sake restaurant, lets start with the drive home. We are from Bennington and made this a special Sunday evening dinner trip. I realized on the way home I still tasted the ramen in my mouth. What is a great compliment to the chef. We started with the steamed buns, and for our main course we had ramen with chicken for my wife and duck for me. Excellent. The service could be more with a little smile, but other then that it was a great experience. We are going back.
Had spicy beef Ramen and a seaweed salad. Both were very good. Very unassuming but I would bet all the locals know it exists.
Best ramen Ive ever had. We travel over an hour to get here at least once a month. My favorite is the curry ramen and the fried pork dumplings!
My favorite place for ramen in the area. Their broth has incredible depth of flavor and isnt overly salty. The noodles are perfect. I also really enjoy the chicken teppanyaki dish.
Great ramen and gyoza, especially the Spicy Tanpopo Ramen! Incredible atmosphere with friendly and quick service.
Love Tanpopo. Fantastic ramen and the the pork belly buns are delicious. The venue is also unique and the staff is friendly.
I always get the duck ramen and duck buns. Best and only ramen game in town. Nothing comes close to this place in the quality of and deliciousness of the cuisine. Everything is homemade from scratch the waitresses are super nice and friendly and the crowd is always laid back. Great atmosphere in a charming ,cozy location. You will be back again and again.
Food is great but the last 3 times I ordered take out they messed up the orders somehow. Missing appetizer (which they gave for free the next time) missing toppings, wrongs toppings etc.Very frustrating since I like the place.
The atmosphere and staff were delightful. The chicken ramen tasted more like American chicken soup, just ask for soy sauce to fix that.I recommend the Nigori Sake, an unfiltered milky white sake thats delicious and on the sweeter side.Great spot for ramen idk what else you can ask for!
The best pork buns Ive ever had, the beef stew ramen was out of this world. The wait staff was super friendly and helpful. It was a bit of a wait for our order, but well worth it. Would certainly eat here again. $67 dollars for 3 bowls of ramen, 2 appetizers, and 3 drinks.
Happened to come across this restaurant in an old industrial area that seems to be attempting a revival as a hip residential area. Small diner turned ramen noodle shop. And what an excellent job they did. The ramen is well done, both the noodle and the broth. Fellow diners said the pork dumpling was excellent, too.
Super good food and really friendly and attentive staff! Got to try it if you like to find unique places!
Consistently great food, can always get a table even when its busy. Wouldnt get ramen anywhere else.
Ordered a fair amount of food and it was all exceptional! %100 flawless service and quality! Highly recommended!
Tanpopo offers amazing food and has a very cozy interior! I love stopping for a quick bite there or taking something to go. The portions are massive and its easily the best ramen in the area. Definitely would recommend to anyone!
On our way to Killington from NJ, we were looking for a place not far from the Thruway. We saw this place and it looked interesting as we love a good ramen and this place got pretty good reviews. However, this place was just ok. The food was ok but a little on the heavy, fatter side. The ramen noodles were slightly over cooked and lacked any real flavor and bite. Parking is on the street.
As someone who is part Japanese I can say that this ramen place is better than most similar ones I have eaten at in the US. Of course it is not the same as ramen restaurants in japan but the quality of food was surprisingly good here (we usually have low expectations for ramen places).Miso ramen is great, spicy curry ramen is also good and will make your face a little red, and I like how they do their fried rice.
Probably the best ramen in Albany, seriously fast service, friendly staff and great menu. Also pretty decent spot and atmosphere in here during the busier hours. I recommend the beef noodles!
Visit this place during our road trip, and really want some ramen so found it on yelp. Ramen is pretty good, broths is pretty decent. But feel missing some special touch.
Normally loved this place. Me and the 5 other people with me all got food poisoning from here- we are on 12/26/21. And all got sick at exact same time on 12/27. The wait was also over an hour and a half.Unfortunately will never ever ever go back
Good service5 stars for spicy ramen amd hibachi beef with rice4 stars for seafood ramen and miso ramenoverall great place to visit for authentic japanese ramens
Decent surroundings, good drinks, adorable tiny bathrooms. Delicious ramen.. Gyoza were also great.
Over rated. Not the best ramen. I had better.Unprofessional staff on weekdays.
The ramen is always very good here, but there was an issue in the kitchen as it took over an hour from order to serve. I am ok if there is an issue, whatever it may be, if it was explained to us by the server. We have been many times before with no problem.
Very tasty ramen at a reasonable price. Staff were also friendly.
Went for dinner tonight for a double date and was incredibly disappointed with the service and duration it took for the food to come out. We ordered a single serving bottle of plum wine that took 15 mins to receive. Our pork buns took about 40 mins to come out…let along our ramen bowls. The couple next to us received their food way before we did, even though they had ordered 15-20 mins after we did. It came off as if our order was forgotten or not rang in. Food was okay but felt like much of the stuff in the ramen was skimped out on when it came to the protein or anything outside of the noodles and broth… The first time we came a year or so ago it was a great experience and it just feels like the last several times since have declined since then. Unfortunately won’t be trying this place again anytime soon:(
Awesome ,generous serving. Good service
We like the food and the atmosphere however we thought service could have been better. The staff did not make us feel welcome but overall we would go again.
Spicy is a bit more like mild at this restaurant, and a lot more noodles than you’d expect in a bowl that said had a lot of other ingredients like meat and vegetables. It’s a little cramped in this restaurant and there is really only one person who knows what they’re doing at the front of house. Really loud during dinner hours and food was mediocre.
Amazing service, great ramen, delicious sake :P
100% legit Ramen. Have been to many ramen places in NY and Boston and this is right up with the best of them. The cool diner vibe only adds to the charm. Go! BTW had the spicy ramen with pork and corn and ate every spoonful.Need to add that I visited here again (6/22) and the food was even better, this is crazy good Ramen in an unsuspecting location, GO GO GO!
Ive always loved coming here. The service is great and the food has never disappointed until recently. Im not sure if its just the Curry Ramen that has declined in flavor, but for the past two times Ive gotten it, there was something off. I noticed the prices went up and the flavor went down so Im just a little upset and wondering if anyone else is experiencing this??
Food is always so fresh and delicious! One of my go to restaurants 💕
Good place for ramen in Albany and they have Sapporo on tap.
Best Ramen in albany!!! First time there and ill be there 3 times a week . Been looking for Ramen spot and its modern sleek looking nice atmosphere. From the outside look like an old moms and pops diner. Inside feels like you in eastern side of the world .
Its a cozy restaurant and comfy ambience. Food tastes amazing. Absolutely love it.
Very good ramen...Rich broth, excellent seasoning and spices. Tried in Albany first and then a newly opened branch in Schenectady, both are excellent!
Small intimate place to eat ramen at a fair price. Extra ingredients also available to order. Broth is delicious and meat is tender. Could use more noodle. Better to come with 3 or 4 people if you want the booth when it is busy. Very cozy and perfect in cold weather. Waitresses polite and service is quick. Ordered spicy tonkatsu ramen and it is mild.
Tampiyaki shrimp and rice, and vegetable ramen
Wonderful noodles and their pork steamed buns are delicious! Will be back!
Great authentic ramen. Spicy pork buns were out of this world. We enjoyed our meals very much. Great atmosphere
Had the Veggie Ramen, soooo good and fresh. Service was great!
Dumplings are homemade and fantastic. The ramen is good and the optional spiced egg is interesting with a strong soy sauce and sesame flavor. Service is excellent and the overall value is decent. This place is in an old train car, the history of which would be interesting to know. Its set in the old warehouse district which is a little sketchy, especially after dark. I wouldnt go for a walk there after a nice meal.
Surprisingly delicious ramen. Couldnt help but also order an appetizer since they looked very good each time a waitress came out the kitchen with a dish. Paid $11 for a Pork Tonkatsu Ramen, and $6 for a large order of Crab rangoons. So less than $20 not including tips. Great deal for quality food. The pork slices had a delicious flavor of Chinese 5 spiced seasoning and that hit the spot. For reals. Come check it out.
Albany downtowns best kept secret. I go in here with my family and my work crew when were doing jobs in the area. It is at once both classy and informal. The ambiance of the place is like a 1950s diner on the outside but with the heart of a neighbourhood bar. Good humour good friends and good food can only come from an honest source, The wait staff and even the fellow patrons all feel like they could be part of some Joyful yet lowbrow sitcom that you get to be a part of.I would highly recommend the curry chicken bowl. If they have that special running when you are in there give it a try but you probably dont need to add the egg.
Decent ramen and buns. If you just happen to drive by and craves ramen I would definetly recommend you to come check this place out.
I’m from philly and was passing through. We decided to stop at tanpopo ramen and I can say we made the right choice. I ordered the tanpopo spicy ramen and it was sooooo good. Overall, I’m happy!
Amazing restaurant with amazing staff! the owner is amicable and cares about everyone that walks through his establishment’s doors. we always enjoy everything we try, and if something isn’t to our liking, it is corrected or replaced without hesitation. The alcohol choices boast authentic Japanese vibes and the environment adds the same feel to the ambience. I lost count after 20 visits, but I’ll be back again and will always recommend to someone looking for something new!
Most authentic ramen in the Capital region! Their gyoza and buns are very tasty too.The wait was a little longer since we went on a weekend noon, but the ramen was definitely worth it!
The Pork Buns are a must have. I got the Social if the evening Seafood Ramen and my wife got the Tanpopo Ramen. Both were really good. It is up there with Sushi Tei ramen which is a huge compliment. I would definitely recommend this place.
Alex is the greatest server and the veggie ramen is the greatest vegan ramen bowl in Albany!
By far the best place to get ramen in the area, hands down! Their appetizers are great as well, with the pork buns and takoyaki really standing out. This place is definitely just as good if not better than ramen bars Ive visited down in NYC.
Yum! Gyōza extra crispy and Tanpopo Spicy Ramen.
An excellent Ramen spot in downtown Albany nestled within an old diner. Great food and great beverages! Highly recommended.
First time and it was phenomenal..tried a little of everything ..going back for sure..highly recommend
Broth, veggies and noodles were very good, but the egg was overcooked and not marinated well.
I went here to buy a ramen to go and when i went to eat it, it had huge pieces of hair inside
I ordered the roast duck buns(peking duck) and tonkatsu ramen. I didnt expect this quality of food outside a large city with a significant asian population. I was pleasantly surprised. The duck was crispy, although it could do with a bit more flavor. The ramen broth was hearty and the pork tender and flavorful
I love this place, I come often and brought a bunch of my friends. The past few times, we have had to wait for over an hour to get our food, and for such a small place that is really unacceptable. I love the food it is always delicious, however I am disappointed and hope that this issue is sorted.
Now this is a noodle bar. Unlike the sad place I went to pre this visit.....this place rocks. Amazing noodles, can also get a beer from next door and drink inside the truck. Slurped and gulped the dish. a must do whenever you are close. 5 stars
Easy to find location, Great Rustic Diner Setting. And Delicious Food and Wonderful Hospitality. Spicy Seafood Ramen.
Really good ramen, could use some more vegan and veggie options, but really tasty noodles.
If you had ramen from some of the popular places like santouka this place is not that great. Got the spicy ramen and curry ramen. Was not impressed with either. Soup is light and not hearty. Usually the fatty pork chasu should be used but their pork was more meaty. Curry ramen had some Chinese vegetables in it for some reasons, not authentic. Overall it is probably okay for what it is but there are definitely better ramen places out there. Service was nice and plenty of street parking though
I’ve never had such delicious ramen. I’ve literally had it every day for about a week now. Their tonkotsu ramen is very filling and is so nice accompanied by sake. Staff is always very kind and attentive, even when they’re packed. No complaints at all!
Really nice flavors in the ramen and a decent price too!
Tanpopo Spicy Ramen is my favorite! Can’t beat the flavor and spice. Quick service!
I went with family last Friday and Im just going to say unfortunately, I will not be returning. The only food that was good was the fried rice and the spring rolls. I do appreciate the waiter since she was doing it all by herself minus the cook of course. I ordered the Tanpopo spicy ramen, dumplings & Funaguchi. The ramen didnt really have that much flavor. It tasted bland and it wasnt even spicy. It seems the spicy seasoning or whatever they use just sits on top. I figured it would be mixed throughout but I dont know. The Funaguchi tastes like beer to me and I hate beer, maybe I shouldve did more research. They gave us a cup of soda that was cracked and the plates that the food was served on didnt look properly washed.
One of the best places to get some hot food in Albany on a cold day. I highly recommend the Spicy Beef Lemongrass with rice noodles!
Fantastic ramen, Fills you up like a warm hug, the Duck buns were great too. The waitress serving us was fantastic.
This ramen bar is superior to any other i have been to. The broth is delicious, almost creamy. The ingredients all taste fresh and delicious. The staff are friendly and helpful, and though I havent eaten in, it seems like a nice date spot.Five thumbs up! 👍👍👍👍👍
Really good food ..definitely the best Ramen in the Albany region
I absolutely LOVE it! I believe it use to be a diner a long time ago the ramen is great the atmosphere is great and the waitresses are friendly and attentive. The location is great. Ive been 3 times and have not been disappointed. The best time to go if you dont want to wait is before 4 pm it gets packed after that and the wait time may be a lengthy one. I highly recommend trying this restaurant
The Tampopo ramen is awesome. Love going here. Great dumplings too.
Best ramen Ive had to date, and Ive sampled some quality ramen when I was in California. Their Curry ramen was delicious!
Great ramen and lovely service in an old train car - I’ll definitely be going back!
Small cozy spot. Food is always sooo good service is fair quick and the staff is nice.
Great place for 🍜 best place out of the twenty noodle restaurants I visited..
Good ramen place located in an old diner.
One of my Albany favorites! If you want authentic ramen in the Capital Region, this is the best place to go to in my mind. The atmosphere is very cool, despite the somewhat cramped dining area. If you dont mind being a little squished - when its busy, that is - then youll love it here!
One of best ramen places Ive been to. Broths are rich, sake menu is diverse, and Chinese buns are also very good
As ramen goes, this is the best bang for your buck in the county of Albany.
I like the pork marrow Ramen. It is so yummy. And I love the duck. And their crab Rangoon are one of the best Ive ever had. I need to expand my repertoire of order. Its in the Old Miss Albany Diner so its definitely got a lot of fun atmosphere. The staff is friendly. I normally get things to go. I did eat there one time I think the windows were open and it was very nice. Parking is off Street.
I loved the Tanpopo spicy ramen! Really good for a great price. Service was friendly and checked on us a few times throughout our meal. We got a table immediately since it was Friday lunch but since it’s a pretty small restaurant I can imagine wait times might be longer on the weekends and evenings. Loved the set-up in the old rail car too.
Food was good. However, I am rating this establishment one star due to the cashier charging me the wrong amount ( double of what my meal was supposed to be ) and me still not receiving my money back as of yet. If you chose to go to this place , do yourself a favor and pay in cash to avoid “mistakes”.
Very tasty and very creative! The placed seemed like it filled up often and fast! We were some of the first customers there on a Sunday morning and about 30 minutes later the place was full! Get there early and the wait and worth it! They also had a pretty decent selection of beer from the area.
Absolutely delicious! Seats are a little uncomfortable, hard solid wood booths or metal stools. I only mentioned because my husband has back issues and was ready to leave as soon as we finished. Weve been looking for good Ramen closer to home and we certainly found it!
Finally some tasty miso Ramen! So good I rolled away stuffed. Pork buns were tasty too. Well be back
Great ramen spot ! The soup is really awesome they have a great selection of sake and fun appetizers! The only thing the was not perfect was the overcooked egg ... also the fact that the egg is an option.Nevertheless it service is stellar and quick .Enjoy
Heres my opinion for what its worth... so Im a vegetarian so its always nice to have a ramen noodle soup place that has a vegetable broth. And this one is actually quite good. And, there were several other remarks about good beers on draft. Pretty good. I would agree. And about thats where my thumbs up and. If youre like me, and you like to eat in cleanliness, I wouldnt give this place a very high score. But the staff was very sweet and the prices were good. You take it from there.
Best Ramen around hands down. Decent drink selection as well between the Sake and craft beer. Place gets packed but its worth any wait, and the staff is always friendly. I recommend adding the boiled egg to whichever Ramen you choose.
Very very good. Get the curry. Dont Google it just get it.Your welcome.P.S. Try the matcha tea beer, also good.
It is a calm spot in the middle of a little party section of my city..This restaurant serves AUTHENTIC asian cuisine and is most famous for their very REAL ramen.Their sake is bombastic as well let me just tell you...then again Ive never had bad sake sooo...This place has a very very caring staff and it has been so since I began eating here which is now 3 years ago.My favorite dish on the menu is the beef ramen.They put little orange slices In it...oh it is just so ding dang special.They deliverOffer take out...But if you adore the culture your gonna wanna dine in, because it bares the asthetic of a classic old style vintage subway car.With loveKat
Food is delicious and plentiful, you will take some home. Waitress is super friendly. Hlad we stopped in on our travels. Will recommend and go back. Photo is the chicken ramen.
Delicious ramen in an old train car, its a lovely place. The roast duck ramen is absolutely delicious, but I did have a heck of a time trying to get the bones out myself (which was a challenge with just a soup and chopsticks). I will say, the food was outstanding, extremely reasonable prices, as well as an awesome atmosphere, and I look forward to returning soon.
Wonderful service. Staff is very friendly and attentive, especially Samantha! They do have vegetarian options, and vegan options with substitution ( such as rice noodles instead of egg noodles). They have some good draft beers and a pretty good selection of saki. The place is small and gets packed on a cold night, so be ready and willing to wait for a table. Although small, they are able accommodate large parties if the space is available when you arrive.
The food was delicious, they also have gluten free noodles! they were able to accommodate a group of 10!
This is one of the best places in town for ramen, the servings are large and filling but for the price you really cant beat it. The student discount makes going here affordable for those in school, and the staff are nice quick and friendly. My friends and I have never had bad food or a bad time here. I even love taking out of town family in for a bite.However on the weekends evenings expect long waits, as this place is small with limited seating.
Small so can get crowded quickly. Appetizers are amazing, could just sit there and live off those. Noodle dishes are flavorful and different. Check the additional toppings and add them on for another dollar or two. Large list of Sake available. Best of all the price is reasonable.
For a good spice and some hot food, this is the place to go in Albany. The spicy beef lemongrass is unbeatable.
Love love love the place so cute, clean, great service and AMAZING RAMEN !!!!!
This place is small, has a limited selection, and is in a weird spot. That being said, the prices are comparable to other shops in the area and the food is great! I had one of the ramen bowls - Im a big fan of this places seasoned boiled eggs and will return there for them alone.The place is super small though so watch out for busy times - you may not get a seat.
If you are looking for a good ramen dish in Albany look no further. First you will want to start with a good appetizer, and let me tell you everything on the menu is a win. I think I could just fill up on appetizers if I didnt also find the soup so tasty. They have a good range of soups for anyone who might be instead in coming. The place is a nice cozy restaurant. I could see it coming quickly but I have never had a problem getting a seat.
The spicy ramen and seafood ramen was delicious!
Another Friday lunch adventure. Always try something different. This was a good choice. Atmosphere was eclectic. But good was great. I had the spicy noodle ramen. Just enough kick to be spicy but not a lot of heat. Definitely come back again
Ive been hard-pressed to find a good noodle bowl where the beef wasnt overcooked. TANPOPOS BEEF RAMEN. IS. DIVINE. END OF STORY. The beef melts in your mouth, the noodles are great, the bamboo in the soup is nice and tender, its just an all-around treat.
Great light dinner choices, we enjoy the ramen choices specifically. Very easy to notice from the road. Very small inside with limited seating. Off and on street parking. Prices are fair for the quality of the food. Service is fast and accurate.
Service was great. Got take out. Beautiful waitress brung food out to my car. Got the curry ramen, it was ok. Reused left over curry too make my own. 😊
Love this place. Both for lunch and dinner. Hole-in-the-wall feel. Unpretentious and really good food.For appetizer I recommend the pork belly buns.I usually have the spicy ramen with egg. It’s truly sublime. I have referred multiple friends and colleagues to this restaurant. - all has come back for more.
Honestly the best ramen spot for miles. After leaving NYC I couldnt find a good spot. I ldrive an hour from Mass just to eat here. Duck buns and spicy ramen are the go-tos
I had a great experience and the food was amazing! I got the roast duck ramen and it was my first time trying duck. The duck was succulent and tender, though trying to pick the bones out was a bit of a pain. The noodles had a nice texture to them and were neither over nor undercooked, in my opinion. The broth was the best part for me. It was very flavorful and savory, while not being too salty. Also tried the spicy pork buns and the pork dumplings. They had good flavor as well and tasted freshly made. I will definitely be returning here in the future.
The ramen is so good. The broth alone is delicious. The teppanyaki rice and chicken or steak are also delicious and generous portions.
Fried pork pot stickers were amazing with the dipping sauce and the spicy chicken ramen was some of the best Ive ever had. Right in the warehouse district and a perfect place to grab some food before or after hitting the nearby breweries.
The he broths are GREAT, as is the egg. Service is hit/miss: they try hard with service; they often try hard to provide good service; but sometimes try hard for bad...When a gluten free patron [allergy] specifically orders *rice* noodles (confirmed by server on order), getting the wheat noodles is not expected; when theyre returned to kitchen because of error, the chef taking out the wheat and adding the rice noodles to the same broth also is unexpectedly poor kitchen response. Would be also helpful to be offered a drink refill instead of the wait staffs back while they were on their phone..
Great ramen spot that generously accommodatesmeat-free eaters who enjoy a spicy ramen with a choice of great beers. Service was great, veggie gyozas were delicious, the edamame was perfectly salted and the ramen was full of flavor
Tried a few apps including the Fried pork Dumplings, Crab Rangoon, and Roast duck buns. All of which were delicious and exemplary quality. Simple presentation with complex and indulgent flavor. I had the Tankotsu Ramen for my entree and it rivaled top ramen restaurants in NYC. I also enjoyed some sake with my meal and was happy to find they had a reasonably diverse selection of imported sakes. 10/10 would definitely eat here again
Good food. Interesting atmosphere. Could be more clean.
Im no connoisseur of ramen, but the soup here is fantastic. The menu is varied and there is a nice selection of drinks, focusing on sake and (American) beer. The only downside is that the place can be chilly (50°F) in the winter.
Great food but there needs to be a better system for seating people and keeping track of the wait list for tables.
It’s in a pretty old diner car, I enjoyed looking around at the old diner decor such as the speakers, bathrooms, booths, tiles, and fixtures. The fans on the ceiling looked well dusted and it seemed cleaner than most places in Albany. The food was derishious, but it was 15f degrees in Albany tonight and it was super cold in tanpopo. The windows are extremely drafty and although there’s heaters in every booth, it was still freezing. Besides that everything was very tasty. I could live off the pork fried dumplings and pork buns.Pork buns - light, simple, not too much sauce. Super yummy.Pork fried dumplings - hot sweet sauce served cold to dip was great, flavorful meat, and a nice crispy outside.Beef stew ramen - tender beef, scallops, broccoli Rabbi, chunks of tender melt in your mouth fat, other greens, verrry flavorful.Chicken ramen - shredded chicken, onions, scallions, greens, cilantro, Super refreshing.The staff is very friendly and helpful, and move fast. It was crowded at 7pm tonight (Friday)but total weight time was only 20 minutes. Thry don’t list all the drink options but they have local draft beer selections, warm and cold sake, hot tea, Pepsi products, and wines. Definitely a place worth stopping at.
This place is amazing! The pork dumpling is hand made there and is absolutely delicious. I may not be too helpful because its really hard to get anything else when I love their spicy tanpopo ramen too much. Buy I also happen to know that the duck ramen is quite delicious. Great sake, great service, really cool atmosphere and just and overall cool place to be.
Great food! I try to come as often as I can. When ordering ramen for takeout it is weird because it comes in separate To-go containers ( for a good reason) but you don’t get the full flavor of everything because not all the food and broth is mixed together. THE FRIED RICE IS THE BEST FRIED RICE I HAVE EVER HAD
Ive been here 3 times. Its not far from the highway; a convenient stop on my way back from home to where I live in Binghamton.I have almost always ordered the same thing from the straightforward menu: pork buns and spicy tonkotsu ramen with an egg added. This is not a very cheap meal at around $20, but its almost as much as I could ever eat. This is among the best ramen Ive had. Its like ramen should be: fatty and flavorful. I wish we had something like it in Binghamton. The pork buns and dumplings (which I accidentally ordered on my most recent visit) are excellent too.Ive always been seated right away and waited less than 15 minutes for my food, though I have come at off times (often Sunday afternoon). This is despite it being a small place. Some customers might be unimpressed by the age and first-glance cleanliness and be off-put by the facility e.g. the tiny bathrooms, but I find all of this part of the charm of the place, and the place really is kept clean - its just old.The service during all of my visits has been attentive and pleasant. Im usually in a hurry to get back on the road and not in the mood to talk. The one time I ordered dumplings instead of buns by accident, the server was understanding and offered to have the buns made anyway, though I said no thanks.Their parking lot has been under construction for a while, but I always find street parking nearby. Im not a local, but the surrounding neighborhood doesnt seem great. That said, Ive never had any issues.I plan to continue my tradition of stopping into Tanpopo on my way back from New England. What a great place!
It was a little tight in there but the atmosphere was nice. I got a booth right away which was great. We were greeted with a smile and a menu within five minutes of sitting down. We got the pork fried dumplings, crab rangoon and pork buns as appetizers. All of them were delicious. My husband got the tennapayaki chicken which to me is a fancy way to say chicken with broccoli. He liked it. I got the beef stew ramen. It wasnt bad but I wouldnt get it again. It wasnt my thing. The prices were fair. I would go back.
Really good.tiniest sink Ive ever seen .good ramen bowl though
Buns with duck was outstanding, the fried dumplings terrific. The ramen noodles with beef, broth too salty. The noodle and beef without the broth was wonderful.
If you want to go the noisiest, most annoying restaurant in the northern hemisphere, this is the place to be!!!!!!! Makes any nightclub feel like a meditation room in comparison.
Best crab ragons Ive ever had. I also had Ramen with pork. It was ok, but its not really my thing. I just went because my daughter loves the food. Im more of unsophisticated 5 guys kind of guy while my daughter is a world traveler and has sophisticated taste. Soooo, if your like me, you might not like it. If you have class and sophistication, you probably will
Tried the Gluten Free ramen and it was incredible! The broth was really flavorful and I loved that it had an old diner feel
Very tasty ramen and reasonable prices in a unique location! Though the exterior (and interior) appearance wouldn’t lead you to believe this is a ramen shop, both the food and the ambiance were great. I definitely plan to go back and try other menu items.
I like this place, They’re Ramen is a little bit expensive but the taste was good. The worker was nice too. I wish they’d have Beer menu for the table. I couldn’t see it from my seat.
I cant say enough positive things about Tanpopo! Every kind of ramen Ive tried has been delicious though I particularly love the curry and duck varieties. The pork bun and dumpling appetizers are also delicious.
Cute! In a sweet, old train car looking restaurant with antique bathrooms adds to the Japanese underground ramen feel. Food was tasty. We sat at the two-sided bar. Appetizers were good too. Did take a while to receive the ramen, but worth it!
Tanpopo is probably the best ramen you can find in the area. Like most ramen restaurants the menu is quite limited, but they always have a few specials that add some diversity.Atmosphere - Its a small restaurant so it can be difficult getting a table, but the small setup makes you feel like your in a ramen dive-bar. Its certainly unique in the Albany area, which is why I like getting there pretty often.Food - Their appetizers have been great (some of the best Rangoons in the area). Ive tried a few of the bowls and Ive like each of them. My wife is vegan has been able to eat the vegetable bowl which I think is one of their best. Again, theres usually specials that are pretty appealing.
Cute shop, ramen and steamed pork buns were tasty. Nothing blew us away, this would be a good spot for a casual lunch
Always recommend this place to my friends, and constantly come here when I can. I always order the Miso ramen with the boiled egg (favorite part) and the dumplings are to die for. Dont knock this place till you try it.P.S Park on the road since there isnt a parking lot. Also beware of the draft since the place is older but they compensate with the heaters beneath- otherwise sit at the bar (double sided)
Enjoyed visiting this little restaurant quite a bit. Be warned the parking lot in the back does not belong to them. Youll have to park on Broadway and walk to the restaurant. The servers are friendly and the food is very good. Almost completly patronized by those under 40. Only complaint, the building is a old diner trailer and the right most booth if facing inside had a draft from outside. I was a little cold while enjoying my food. Even if youre not a fan of Ramen they have other good entres.
So good! Im still craving Ramen, and of course the Sake. The staff is very friendly although it seemed that they were overworked. With a full restaurant and people waiting to be seated, it was too much for 2 people to handle. Wish they would get more help, but they still did an amazing job and took care of my friends and I very well. Cant wait to go again!
Genuine Asian food. Delicious. And a great blend of funky diner with urban re-purposed hipness.Service was fun and fast. Food, esp Pork Belly Buns, Gyoza dumplings, and Spicy Ramen was terrific! Beer selection was very interesting too.Miss Albany would be proud.
Absolutely delicious! The atmosphere is great, the food superb, and the wait staff is amazing.Definitely try the roast duck buns, they are a little pricey but worth every penny.Keep in mind it’s all street parking, so be aware of that.
The staff was very friendly and the food was delicious. I had the tonkotsu ramen bowl, and I ate every last drop. The presentation was less than perfect though. Instead of the ingredients presented on top of the ramen, everything was stirred together and submerged. I had to fish around to find my pork cuts and naruto. Still overall a good experience.
This is a place of epic noodles.Their ramen bowls are incredibly delicious. And also huge!! They have specials written up on the board. When I went, it was curry ramen and takoyaki. Both were amazing!!No parking lot though, so you may end up parking pretty far away. Also, it was pretty packed when I went there; its understandably a pretty popular place to go, it seems.
Horrible place. How the hell you call yourself a Ramen shop and dont have chicken? The duck is sold out. Dont have proper Ramen toppings. Tables look old and so does the whole place. This is NOT how a Ramen shop is. This is bootleg trash. I have been to tons of REAL Ramen resturants and this is NOT one. The waitress was nice and very helpful. She is the only good thing about this place.
Small redone diner turned Ramen and Sake Bar. This place is legit. The buns... Ohhh the buns. Please try some of both the pork belly and duck buns. They are a life changing event. The ramen is impeccable and they give you a bevy of choices like eggs, mushrooms, corn, spicy, etc. Overall it was a bit of a long wait for my large group (8) but so worth it. One of my new favorite eats in Albany.
Ordered tonkatsu ramen. Broth is good and tasty.
So Im giving this place 3 stars because its essentially the only decent ramen in the area I say that as a ramen connoisseur having been to over 30 different ramen places. Its not great it doesnt even begin to compare to the worst ramen in NYC. Though this place is always obscenely hot in the summer since theyre A/C never works. And they dont have actually ice cubes which is pretty dumb. Want water? Great have some hot tap water.
I loved this place!!! The place itself is a remodeled old dinner that looks a little rustic and diseving on the outside, but the inside is different. Its a little family resturant on the inside. The people are lovely, our waitress was a sweetheart and made sure everything was too our liking. We ordered the shumai and shrimp gyoza for appetizers. Although I have had better shumai, the fact alone that they offered shrimp gyoza impressed me, the flavors were very well matched. Our food came very quickly. Just as we finished our appetizers. I ordered the vegetable ramen with a hard boiled egg and it was phenomenal! Very flavorful and good to the last drop! I would defiantly recommend this place to any foodie I know!!
Tiny old style diner with great service, bar stool counter,10 booths, awesome dumplings, average dinner prices $11-16. They have BEER! Cooked to perfection.
Never would have thought the best ramen Ive ever had would be found in Albany, NY. This place is fantastic. Cool atmosphere despite it being a bit crowded. Great prices!
Get the spicy ramen, it’s not crazy hot, so anyone can enjoy it. It’s realllllllly good 10/10. Not a huge fan of the duck ramen 6/10, tasted much better the next day when the flavors had a chance to settle together!
There are not enough good things to say about this place. Food- amazing! Staff- friendly helpful and fun! Try it and you wont regret it.
Good Raman, loved that embraced the atmosphere of the old Miss Albany diner.
The pork belly buns are delious. My bf and I got ramen and it was so much and taste so good. We are going back again soon.
5 stars because its the best ramen south of New York, East of LA and west of London that I have had in the past 10 years.Ive eaten a whole lot of tonkotsu, including most of what is offered riverside in Hakata and I can safely say this is proper tonkotsu ramen. The owner of this place is paying attention to their craft and im glad theyre in Greensboro. However, Ive purposefully avoided reviewing because tonkotsu ramen broth is a difficult thing to make consistently and I wanted to wait to see if this place could deliver on a regular basis. Not only has it been consistent, but it has consistently improved.The noodles seem to be the sun noodle product that many American ramen-ya are using..and thats not a bad thing at all. They also offer pho style noodles with the ramen which is incredibly strange and I cant say that I can recommend it. Unless you really like rice noodles and arent really visiting to eat real ramen. The chashu is really well made and authentic to authentic Hakata style tonkotsu ramen.The one area where Tonpopo comes up lacking is their ajitsuke tamago. Some reviewers have commented that these should be made to order. This item cannot be made to order and that is not the issue. They seem to be overcooking the egg (maybe for food safety reasons) and under marinating the egg.Overall - Tanpopo is an excellent addition to Greensboros foodscene. They make a tasty authentic product and are making subtle improvements and refinements. I think with a little more attention to detail they might get a name for themselves as the best ramen-ya south of the Mason Dixon line.
Wonderful chicken curry, great service, warm surroundings.
Total reviews rating 4.6
199 Reviews for Tanpopo Ramen and Sake Bar 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-11Stumbled across this awesome 1940s diner thats is now home to a Ramen and Sake restaurant. The steamed pork belly buns were amazing and some of the best I have had. I had the curry ramen and the was the first time I had it and that was spicy and so good, great recommendation Becky! Cant wait to visit and eat here again.
Review №2
2022-03-31Amazing ramen at reasonable prices. The restaurant has a rusty feeling. We got Tanpopo ramen and vegetarian ramen. Both tasted good. We also got the spicy pork buns and shumai dumplings. The spicy pork buns were delicious. Definitely recommend ordering them. The ramen was good and the portion size was huge. Highly recommend the tanpopo spicy over the vegetarian one. Vegetarian ramen was bland is not usually something I prefer. We were there on a weekend and didnt have to wait to get a table. Service was quick. I definitely recommend this place for the ramen and spicy pork buns.
Review №3
2022-05-20Server was very friendly & had some good suggestions for a couple of indecisive orderers (all of it looked good).Ordered the pork buns, Tanpopo Spicy Ramen, and Curry Ramen. Both ramen blew me away with their richness, depth, and satisfying bite. A bit of spicy heat with the curry was especially nice.
Review №4
2021-12-28Nice place to chill. There are beer, sake and good ramen. This was the first time I tried Curry ramen. It is delicious but spicy, not recommend if you cant eat spicy food. 🙂But if youre fan of spicy for or want something hot during cold days, it is a good choice? 👍I ordered: pork belly bun and Shrimp curry ramen (options of chicken, shrimp...)
Review №5
2022-07-10My wife & I were in town for a wedding and this place was heavily recommended by a bartender at another local restaurant. From the atmosphere, to the beer, to the ramen, it was a delicious & incredible experience. The spicy tanpopo ramen was a great hangover cure & my wife (who is vegan) thoroughly enjoyed their veggie ramen. Try the green matcha IPA if it’s available! This place is a must stop
Review №6
2022-04-10How do they make raman taste sooo good!!???I got the veggie raman and my husband got the spicy raman. We both were blown away at how good it was! Veggie raman had lots of veggies, including the best mushrooms ever.Service was great, atmosphere is fun, and portions are huge!We will definitely be going back.
Review №7
2022-01-04Ordered the recommended special for the day which was the Spicy Lemongrass Beef The broth flavor was rich and not too salty. The vibe of the ramen felt like you were in a small street car. Tamara was my server and she did an excellent job.893 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207
Review №8
2022-04-30Just love Tanpopo! The ramen is so consistently delicious! The fried rice is a total sleeper! The service is always great and it’s amazing how much yummy food they turn out from such a tiny gem of a location!
Review №9
2022-01-01I had the pork belly bun and the tanpopo spicy ramen. The pork belly bun was very crispy and flavorful. I also always enjoy the bun because of its chewy texture and slight sweetness. The tanpopo spicy broth packs a flavor punch and the noodles were very nicely cooked. The broth was a tad too salty for my tastes. Overall I enjoyed the experience.
Review №10
2022-01-01Absolutely delicious and pretty authentic Ramen!The old diner atmosphere adds to the dining experience and the servers are super nice every time we went there.Very high quality broth and ingredients, you can taste the hearty comforting Japanese flavors that make you feel good.Highly recommended!