Ramen Kowa

About Ramen Kowa

Ramen Kowa is a Japanese ramen restaurant on California Avenue, the main street of Palo Alto's second downtown. The restaurant sums up its mission in one line on its website, saying that Ramen Kowa represents Japanese culture, quality and taste as well as service. It focuses on three things: ramen, karaage and Japanese curries.

The address is 445 California Avenue. The restaurant's site writes it as South California Avenue, which is how some maps and mail systems list the street. Locals usually drop the "South." Either way, it is in the busy business block between El Camino Real and the California Avenue Caltrain station.

The ramen

The ramen list covers the main Japanese broth styles. The menu names a Sapporo Miso, a Tonkotsu pork bone ramen and a Spicy Tonkotsu, a Classic Shoyu flavored with soy sauce, a Traditional Shio salt broth and a Tori Shio made with chicken. Two less common bowls round it out: a Creamy Vegetarian Ramen and a Cold Tomato Ramen.

If the styles are new to you, the broth names tell you most of what you need. Shoyu is seasoned with soy sauce and is usually clear and savory. Shio is seasoned with salt and tends to be the lightest. Miso broth is richer and slightly sweet, the style Sapporo in northern Japan is known for. Tonkotsu is a cloudy, creamy broth made by boiling pork bones for hours.

The vegetarian bowl is useful to know about, since many ramen shops have no meat-free main. The cold tomato ramen is a lighter choice for a warm day. Menus change, so check the restaurant's menu page before you go.

Curry rice, small plates and dessert

Japanese curry is the second pillar of the menu. The Curry Rice section lists Katsu Curry, Chicken Katsu Curry, Curry Gyu with beef, Karaage Curry, Sausage Curry and Ebi Curry with shrimp. Japanese curry is thicker and milder than most Indian curries, with a gentle sweetness. It is served over rice. Katsu is a breaded and fried cutlet, so a katsu curry puts a crisp pork cutlet on top of the curry. Rice bowls include Chashu Fried Rice, Gyu Don, a Chashu Rice Bowl, Katsu Don and Chicken Katsu Don.

Starters cover the izakaya favorites. The menu lists Crispy Gyoza, Karaage, Soy Garlic Karaage, Geso Karaage made with squid, Takoyaki, Edamame and Garlic Edamame, Agedashi Tofu, Ebi Fry and Vegetable Egg Rolls. Takoyaki are round batter balls with bits of octopus inside, a street snack from Osaka. There are salads topped with katsu, karaage or ebi fry. Dessert is bingsu, the Korean shaved ice, including a matcha version.

Drinks

Ramen Kowa serves Japanese beer and sake. The menu lists large bottles of Asahi and Kirin, plus several sakes, among them Kubota Manju, Hakkaisan Honjozo, Kikusui Junmai, Kikusui Snow unfiltered sake and Nihon Sakari. Jelly sake and Ramune, the Japanese soda with a marble in the bottle, are on the list too.

Ordering, catering and events

You can eat in, order online for takeout through the restaurant's website or get delivery through DoorDash. Ramen Kowa also caters, with a catering menu of ramen, katsu, Japanese curry, handmade gyoza, salads and bingsu. The restaurant hosts private events too. Contact it through the website for group plans.

Who it suits and tips

Ramen Kowa suits a quick lunch, a casual dinner or a group with mixed tastes. Curry rice and fried rice give non-ramen eaters plenty to choose from. The vegetarian ramen and edamame help diners who skip meat.

• The restaurant closes between lunch and dinner every day, so plan around the afternoon break.
• Friday and Saturday dinner runs until 10 p.m., later than most nights.
• Sunday's California Avenue farmers market closes part of the street, so allow extra time to park.
• The California Avenue Caltrain station is a short walk away.

Our California Avenue guide covers the rest of the street. If you are comparing ramen shops, our directory also lists Dohatsuten on San Antonio Road.

Location and getting there

Ramen Kowa is at 445 California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the California Avenue area of Palo Alto. Our California Avenue guide covers what else is around.

The nearest train stop is the California Avenue Caltrain station, about 0.3 miles away. That is roughly a 7 minute walk.

Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).

Hours

Hours from the business's own website, checked October 29, 2026.

What is nearby

• Leaf & Petal, store, under 0.1 mi
• Kali Greek Kitchen, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
• Vin Vino Wine, food shop, under 0.1 mi
• Mediterranean Wraps, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
• Christian Science Reading Room, shop, under 0.1 mi
• College Terrace Library, 0.3 mi
• Bowden Park, 0.3 mi
• Peers Park, 0.4 mi

Other restaurants nearby: Namaste (under 0.1 mi); Lotus Thai Bistro (under 0.1 mi); Jin Sho (under 0.1 mi); Terún Pizzeria (under 0.1 mi). Browse the full restaurants list.

Before you go

• Popular dinner spots in Palo Alto fill up on Friday and Saturday nights, so book ahead where the restaurant takes reservations.
• Many kitchens close earlier than in big cities. Plan to order by about 9 p.m. on weeknights unless the posted hours say otherwise.
• If you have allergies or dietary needs, call ahead or check the current menu on the restaurant's website.

About this listing

Checked October 29, 2026 against Ramen Kowa official website; Ramen Kowa: about; Ramen Kowa menu. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions