WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA – After months of anticipation and a complete remodel with a full interior teardown, the brand-new Marufuku Ramen in Walnut Creek, California, is finally opening this week.
I got to stop by the night before it opens to the public to try out the food.
Along with my wife and our three kids, we enjoyed a veritable mountain of ramen, dumplings, Japanese starters, drinks, and much else.
Here’s what stood out, and what you need to know about Walnut Creek’s buzziest new ramen spot.
The Buildup
Marufuku Ramen is one of America’s best ramen places. The chain started in Japantown in San Francisco, where the flagship store still often has waits in the 2–3 hour range. I made a pilgrimage to the original location in advance of the Walnut Creek one opening…