This place doesn’t look like much from the outside but it’s so cute on the inside! It was an off time on Sunday afternoon so there was one other couple and myself. Service was great, menus had lots of pictures, I always love that!- and the vibe of the staff and restaurant was inviting and enjoyable. I got the combo ramen and it didn’t disappoint! Tons of flavor and everything cooked perfectly. I would opt for a little heat in my next one but it didn’t need it. I loved the way each meat was cooked leaving it tender and me wishing I had ordered double meat!! I will definitely be back! All the people I shared my experience with at the dog park later the next day said they eat here multiple times a week! I can see why. I’ll definitely be back! Thanks Pop Nigiri!!
Pop Onigiri (Ramen/Sushi/Boba Tea)
Excerpts
This place doesn’t look like much from the outside but it’s so cute on the inside! It was an off time on Sunday afternoon so there was one other couple and myself. Service was great, menus had lots of pictures, I always love that!- and the vibe of the staff and restaurant was inviting and enjoyable. I got the combo ramen and it didn’t disappoint! Tons of flavor and everything cooked perfectly. I would opt for a little heat in my next one but it didn’t need it. I loved the way each meat was cooked leaving it tender and me wishing I had ordered double meat!! I will definitely be back! All the people I shared my experience with at the dog park later the next day said they eat here multiple times a week! I can see why. I’ll definitely be back! Thanks Pop Nigiri!!
I’ve been coming here for a while now, and the quality has always been consistent. Every time I bring friends or family, they’re impressed. The ramen is one of my favorites — the broth is rich and flavorful, and you can really tell it’s been simmered for over 10 hours, not rushed or made from shortcuts. It’s comforting and satisfying every single time. The sushi is also excellent, especially the salmon, which is always fresh and clean-tasting. Their Korean fried chicken wings are a hidden gem — crispy, juicy, and seasoned in a way that’s different from other places around here. Don’t skip the milk tea. They use mini tapioca pearls that are soft, chewy, and perfectly bouncy, and the milk tea itself is smooth and well-balanced. I honestly haven’t found this texture anywhere else nearby. Overall, this place never disappoints. Easily one of the best spots in the area — highly recommend if you’re local.
I’ve been coming here for a while now, and the quality has always been consistent. Every time I bring friends or family, they’re impressed. The ramen is one of my favorites — the broth is rich and flavorful, and you can really tell it’s been simmered for over 10 hours, not rushed or made from shortcuts. It’s comforting and satisfying every single time. The sushi is also excellent, especially the salmon, which is always fresh and clean-tasting. Their Korean fried chicken wings are a hidden gem — crispy, juicy, and seasoned in a way that’s different from other places around here. Don’t skip the milk tea. They use mini tapioca pearls that are soft, chewy, and perfectly bouncy, and the milk tea itself is smooth and well-balanced. I honestly haven’t found this texture anywhere else nearby. Overall, this place never disappoints. Easily one of the best spots in the area — highly recommend if you’re local.
Pop Onigiri is a small, relaxed restaurant that serves Japanese comfort foods such as onigiri, ramen, rice bowls, sushi rolls, and hibachi dishes. The menu also includes fruit teas with boba and several unique desserts. The overall vibe feels much closer to a casual neighborhood spot you might find in Japan than the typical Americanized sushi restaurant. In Japan, small restaurants often specialize in a single item such as ramen, yakitori, or onigiri. In the American market that model can be difficult to sustain, so Pop Onigiri offers a broader menu while still maintaining an authentic feel. I was dining solo but ordered a variety of items so I could get a good feel for the food. I started with the Mango Passionfruit Green Iced Tea. It was very flavorful, though a bit sweeter than my personal preference. That is purely subjective and there was nothing wrong with it. Next time I will probably ask the staff for a recommendation for something less sweet. For an appetizer I ordered the Spicy Soy Garlic Edamame instead of the traditional salted version. This dish was excellent. The edamame came coated in a thick soy based sauce with plenty of fried garlic flakes and a spice level that enhanced the flavor without overpowering it. The beans themselves tasted noticeably fresher than the typical edamame served at many restaurants. Next was the Grilled Musubi Onigiri. Musubi refers to Spam, which is surprisingly popular in Japan and Hawaii. The menu offers about 18 different onigiri fillings along with several sauce choices. I selected the House Pop sauce. Their onigiri is served in an Okinawan style that I would describe as “taco style.” Instead of a stuffed rice ball, the nori and rice are folded around the fillings and served as a handheld wrap. Mine included grilled musubi, egg, cucumber, and greens. It was a generous portion and the flavors worked perfectly together. Then came the ramen. The restaurant offers roughly 18 varieties, and I chose the Spicy Curry Shrimp Ramen. It arrived in a large stoneware bowl with a very generous serving. The broth was outstanding. It was rich and flavorful with the depth you expect from a properly simmered broth, nothing like the thin broth associated with instant ramen. The curry flavor was classic Japanese curry and the spice level was balanced so the flavor of the broth still came through. The noodles had a fresh texture and the bowl included mushrooms, scallions, ginger, bean sprouts, corn, bamboo shoots, and the traditional half egg. This ramen was easily the highlight of the meal. For dessert I tried the Pop Special Ice Cream. It is shaped like a small mango with a mochi like exterior and served on whipped cream with fresh blueberries and thin slices of orange. The mango flavor and light creamy texture made it a perfect finish to the meal. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable with a casual Japanese vibe. Soft music plays in the background, and one wall displays Japanese collectibles and anime figures for sale. There is also a television showing behind the scenes videos from restaurant kitchens in Japan, which is a fun touch. The dining room is small with about 26 seats, plus outdoor seating on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. Service was excellent. The staff were friendly, attentive, and happy to answer questions while offering helpful recommendations. One small suggestion. There is a vertical illuminated sign in the middle of the dining room that can be somewhat bright if you are seated facing it. Dimming it slightly in the evening might make it more comfortable. Overall this restaurant earns a strong five star rating. If you enjoy Japanese comfort food and want to support a locally owned restaurant, Pop Onigiri is definitely worth visiting. Photos included.