People from the Bay Area know that ramen is much more than just a dorm room staple, and Ramen Parlor is regarded as one of the best places around to get this popular Japanese noodle soup. Located in the heart of Central San Mateo, Ramen Parlor serves up steaming bowls of Japanese-style ramen, fusing multiple flavors into rich, fragrant broths.

Go for a classic bowl of pork-topped ramen with mushrooms and vegetables, or try a bowl of the house specialty curried shrimp ramen. Regulars suggest you also take note of the “parlor style” choices, which feature lobster as the central ingredient accompanied by garlic, miso, or soy. Whatever you choose, you can be sure that it’ll be fresh and prepared to order. You may have to wait for a table at peak times, but the Yelp reviews suggest that it’s time well spent to work up an appetite.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Happy Tummy