Welcome to Kai Ramen - Santa Monica
At Kai Ramen in Santa Monica, we embrace the art of authentic ramen while prioritizing inclusivity and quality. Nestled on Montana Avenue, our restaurant offers a vibrant menu, ranging from rich, flavorful ramen bowls to delightful vegan options. Each dish reflects our commitment to using fresh ingredients, as praised by locals who enjoy our signature Bomb Ramen and mouthwatering bao buns. With a welcoming atmosphere, outdoor seating, and attentive service, Kai Ramen creates an inviting space for everyone—from families to food enthusiasts. Join us and experience why we’ve become a beloved staple in the Santa Monica dining scene!
- 729 Montana Ave Santa Monica, CA 90403 United States Hotline: (310) 310-8515
Welcome to Kai Ramen - Santa Monica, where culinary delight meets Japanese tradition right in the heart of sunny California. Nestled at 729 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA, this vibrant establishment serves not just ramen, but a full experience that beckons both locals and visitors alike. With a menu that tantalizes the taste buds, Kai Ramen specializes in an array of comforting dishes, including signature ramen, hearty rice bowls, flavorful salads, and indulgent desserts.
What sets Kai Ramen apart is their commitment to quality and accessibility. Whether you're dining in or opting for takeout, the restaurant offers a pleasing atmosphere complete with outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi, and even provisions for dog lovers. Every guest can feel at home here, from solo diners to families. Especially noteworthy are the vegan options that have received glowing reviews, proving that you can enjoy authentic flavors without compromising dietary choices.
- Appetizers: Start your meal with savory Pork Gyoza potstickers or try their Takoyaki – perfectly cooked Japanese fried octopus balls. For a plant-based delight, their vegan Potato Croquette and Spring Rolls are must-tries.
- Main Dishes: The highlight, undoubtedly, is the selection of ramen. The Spicy Miso Tonkotsu Ramen is a crowd favorite, offering a rich blend of flavors with thick noodles, tender pork, and a perfectly soft-boiled egg. Or, savor the Dry Ramen, which features a unique, bold taste served without broth.
- Kai's Specials: Don’t miss the Bomb Ramen, chef’s special that boasts a mild flavor profile complemented by grounded minced pork, giving you a comforting warmth that leaves you craving more.
Moreover, patrons rave about the friendly service at Kai Ramen. Guests report being welcomed by attentive staff that enhance the dining experience with their knowledge of the menu. Reviews highlight how dishes are consistently fresh and flavorful, a testament to the kitchen’s dedication to quality ingredients and culinary expertise.
In conclusion, Kai Ramen - Santa Monica is more than just a place to grab a meal; it’s a destination for ramen enthusiasts and casual diners alike. The combination of a diverse menu, welcoming atmosphere, and outstanding service creates an inviting culinary haven in Santa Monica. Whether for a quick bite or a leisurely dinner, your experience here is bound to be satisfying. Come hungry, leave happy!

Amazing Vegan Options. The service was great and these are the best vegan buns (bao buns) I've ever had. Please come show your support to this place. You will leave with a full belly.

Such an amazing time, the soup is made in house and is yuuuummy! The server was so nice and prompt. The ambiance was magnificent. Will be coming back. Kai Ramen to the moon!

Food tastes great and fresh! The staff is super sweet and friendly. Great Ramen in Santa Monica.

I'm so glad I checked out Kai Ramen in Santa Monica! We are here to visit family and I just found my new favorite spot to eat at while visiting. We ordered the takoyaki and it was delicious! The pickled ginger was the perfect compliment to the takoyaki. I ordered the miso tonkotsu ramen and it was incredible; the soft boiled egg was spot on and the pork was cooked to perfection! Our table also ordered the cucumber salad which had a delicious dressing, a chicken teriyaki bowl and a beef ramen that was equally as delicious! Service was amazing, our server was kind and attentive. The atmosphere was comfortable and fun, music was great but not overwhelming.

Ramen spot with vegetarian friendly options. There are non-ramen options as well including rolls and rice. Came here for dinner on a weeknight and we had a quick meal. We got the Tokyo Bomb and the Classic Tonkatsu. The food came out fairly quickly and it's a fair portion. Prices are a bit higher but it makes sense since it's in the Westside. Service was quick and credit cards accepted. Indoor dining available.

WOW! 10 out of 10! BEST VEGAN RAMEN IN LA!!! We had no idea how incredible this place was until we googled ramen spots in Santa Monica. Some nation wide chains came up and so we decided to go with Kai Ramen because it was a local place and because of their vegan options. We had never been here before but it exceeded our expectations. The staff was so attentive and sweet! Greeted us immediately! We ordered the Garlic Potato Fries(MY FAVORITE)- the garlic taste was unreal! YOU MUST TRY IT! The vegan bao buns were INCREDIBLE TOO! And the Ramen was DELICIOUS! THIS IS OUR NEW FAVORITE SPOT!

Tried my neighborhood ramen spot for the first time - Absolutely loved the food here! We ordered Kai's buns and bomb ramen, and both were really good. Kai's buns - the chicken was crunchy and well cooked, I liked the cabbage slaw on top Bomb ramen - that was my favorite. We ordered mild spice, and it was perfect. The vegetables and toppings were delicious and I would highly recommend getting this anytime you come here. The service was really good and I felt welcomed by the host. I will definitely come back!

Kai Ramen has been the go to spot since my bf and I relocated to Santa Monica. Sometimes we eat there, but usually we order out. We have found that we get the best results when we go to the place to order for take out and just wait for the food to be ready (rather than order online in advance). The food comes out hot and we're a short drive away so our food is never sitting out waiting for us to pick up. Another benefit from ordering at the place is when we would order for pick-up, if the food is sitting for some time, the meat and egg can continue to cook while inside the container and the meat would be more cooked than we liked. We've not had that issue since we changed our method. It could be a coincidence, but that hasn't been proven yet. We've tried various ramens on the menu, but my preference is the Classic while my bf tends to like the White Ramen with some spice. You get an egg with each one, but my bf doesn't eat them so I always get 2. The owners are always very nice and polite and the food usually doesn't take long to come out. We will definitely be back for more in the future I'm sure lol