A new location of local Japanese restaurant chain RakiRaki Ramen & Tsukemen is in development in San Diego's North County.
Chef and owner Junya Watanabe first opened the original Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen in the heart of Kearny Mesa's Convoy District in 2012. The restaurant became an immediate hit due to its stylishly designed menu of authentic Japanese cuisine. Watanabe took over the space adjacent to Rakiraki for the flagship location of his Pokirrito concept, which unveiled in Spring 2016, offering a counter service menu consisting mainly of poke bowls and giant sushi burritos.
A second location of Rakiraki & Pokirrito opened in Little Italy in summer 2016 and a third outpost of RakiRaki launched at 3282 Mission Street in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood in 2017. In 2020, a fourth branch of RakiRaki opened in Mira Mesa. Watanabe also operates a Rakiraki stand in Liberty Public Market. In early 2021, Watanabe converted both Pokirrito eateries and RakiRaki Little Italy to become The Yasai, a fully-vegan Japanese restaurant. He also opened and closed a Japanese hand roll concept called J/Wata Temaki Bar.Watanabe is working on opening a new RakiRaki location within a small retail plaza off Carmel Mountain Road in Rancho Penasquitos. Like other branches, expect a menu of curry, tsukemen (dipping noodles), rice bowls, a variety of ramen soups, ramen burgers, specialty sushi rolls, and delicious fried chicken karaage.
RakiRaki is anticipated to open on April 24 at 9995 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite B6, in San Diego Rancho Penasquitos community. For more information, visit rakirakiramen.com.
