Tokyo's Acclaimed Mensho Ramen to Open First U.S. Location in the Tenderloin

San Francisco's recent influx of ramen spots (like Orenchi Beyond, Hapa Ramen and The Ramen Bar) has just gotten a big shot in the arm with the announcement that Tokyo's Mensho Ramen (also known as Menya Shono) will open its first U.S. location in the scenic Tenderloin. Inside Scoop reports that the stateside ramen shop, which has five locations in Tokyo, will be called Mensho Tokyo and plans to open at 676 Geary Street, conveniently located within the bar corridor that houses Bourbon & Branch, Rye, and Tradition.

The menu will be identical to that of the Tokyo location, though chef-owner Tomoharu Shono plans to add a few small plates to the SF version. In addition to his ever-present and very popular tonkotsu ramen, Shono is also known for his gentei bowls, with rotating, limited-edition options like a foie gras tsukemen.

Shono told Inside Scoop that he chose San Francisco because it's "most suitable as a place to send culture of the ramen to," which is high praise indeed. The opening is currently set for May; stay tuned for updates.