Gonzo! Ramen, located in Carlsbad, CA, is a ramen shop inspired by anime and a retro, Japanese aesthetic. Unsurprisingly,it’s become a popular shop for both locals and tourists alike.
I visited Gonzo! Ramen with my husband in early January, and I was in love with everything – from the anime inspired vibe to the delicious food. We truly felt like we had stepped right into Konoha in order to share a meal with Naruto and his friends.
The ramen shop catches your attention as you walk by, with its 3-D style neon sign above the entrance, while the many paper lanterns hanging inside pull you in. From the entrance to the exit, there are anime references on the welcome sign, the menu, and even playing on the tv in the back corner.
When my husband and I visited, One Piece was playing on the tv; it was a fitting choice that matched the pictures of Luffy advertising the kid’s menu. I’m sure it was a deeper pun that I should’ve understood, but the episode count of One Piece scares me and I have yet to watch it.
Rather than sitting down and waiting for a server, you order your food before getting to your table. We started our meal off with the takoyaki.
Takoyaki – 7/10
It smelled so delicious that I almost didn’t get a picture before my husband took the first piece, and the heat from it being freshly made was a nice touch. The bite almost melted in my mouth, though some bites the texture was slightly off putting. The eel sauce and mayo toppings were tasty, but I wanted more because they were so good.
After that, our ramen came out… and once again, I almost didn’t get a picture because of my husband. He ordered the Gonzo! Red and subbed his pork chashu out for chicken karaage. I ordered the Gonzo! Black and added their “Go Spicy!” option.
Gonzo! Black – 8/10
One of my favorite small details about the ramen was the spicy paste topped on it and the ability to mix it yourself. The heat from the spicy addition was at a great level as well: it was hot enough to give me the sniffles, but not so much that I struggled to eat it.
The tonkotsu broth was creamy and rich, with the addition of the black garlic oil giving it a smokey taste. The broth went perfectly with the melt-in-your-mouth, delicate pork chashu. Altogether, there was a great ratio between the firm noodles, the creamy broth, and the savory toppings. Speaking of toppings, the bean sprouts and kikurage mushrooms gave the perfect crunch to the dish.
All in all, it was a delicious and satisfying bowl of ramen. I’m usually one who makes sure to eat every last drop, but this meal was so satisfying that at only halfway through the bowl, I was starting to get full. I was thoroughly impressed.
If you ever find yourself in Northern San Diego and you’re craving ramen, be sure to give Gonzo! Ramen a try. It’s the perfect spot if you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re a shonen protagonist taking a break after a long day of training.
Gonzo! Ramen
300 Carlsbad Village Dr
Carlsbad, CA 92008
www.gonzoramen.com
Price – $$$
