Dashi, a Japanese ramen shop and pub, will make all your ramen dreams come true. Don’t forget to ask for their pages-long menu of options for whiskey lovers. The izakaya space upstairs is cozy and comforting, serving small plates and the full ramen menu around a full bar. For a special occasion, book one of the monthly omakase dinner events with seasonally rotating ingredients and themes.
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Hours:
Monday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Food is decent quality. Ive loved everything- small dishes, apps, deserts except for the ramen. Ramen its not terrible, but definitely the worst of the 5+ ramen places ive been to in the triangle. Just poorly balanced and 50% of the time its too salt. For the quality and small portion I cant say it's really worth it.
Service had much to be desired. Half the time Im not provided utensils or napkins and have to grab my own anf end up using the tiny cocktail napkins instead. Additionally, I sat for around 20 minutes after finishing a meal waiting to get checked out and was completely ignored (even after pushing all my dishes to the side to indicate I wanted to leave). Not super fun after working a long day and wanting to get home quick after eating out.
I dont think it was the bartenders fault though. Having 1 person man a bar that size and prepare cocktails is horrible. The poor service is on management, the tender was doing moving non stop the entire time making drinks for the up and downstairs and trying to take orders for 8 people. Really felt for thr guy and ended up still leaving a good tip cause I could tell he tried his best.
Atmosphere is fairly nice.
Amanda Paradis
Nov 29, 2025
5
Went here last night and we got the wagyu sliders, which were amazing, and tonkotsu ramen. Tonkotsu is my favorite, and I could say a lot of good things about the broth, noodles, and egg, but I'm really here to rave about the pork belly. It was crispy, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth perfect. Literally the best pork belly I've ever had. The atmosphere was great and everyone working was super nice. Highly recommend if you're in downtown Durham.
Emily Eichenlaub
Nov 12, 2025
5
One of the best restaurants in Downtown Durham, and THE best ramen in the area hands down. Staff are always incredibly friendly and the vibes in both the ramen bar downstairs and the izakaya upstairs are so aestheticly pleasing. We love Dashi and can't wait for our next date night here!
PS: Yes, you DO want another egg in your ramen. You're welcome.
-Emily with Offline
Kelsey Hathaway
Sep 27, 2025
4
Dashi nails the balance between cozy ramen shop and lively izakaya. We started with kimchi (bright and spicy), duck skewers (smoky and tender), and wagyu sliders (rich, juicy, and topped with kimchi — a must-order).
For ramen, the chicken bowl was light and clean with silky broth, while the tonkotsu was creamy, porky comfort with charred belly and a jammy egg. Both were excellent in their own style.
The warm bar vibe and crisp cocktails tied it all together.
Andrew Turnbull
Jul 24, 2025
5
Best traditional ramen around. Sit upstairs got a different experience. The wings are spectacular. Sam was an amazing server who offered superb guidance and helped make our evening extra special. We love this place.
Darrell Annas
Apr 24, 2025
5
Nice little restaurant, a couple blocks from DPAC. The food, drinks, and service was awesome. It was a great place to eat dinner before our show! I would definitely go back again.
Emily G
Apr 4, 2025
5
A Durham must! The ramen is so good and well priced! There is only one vegetarian option and it’s good. The appetizers and house-made drinks were delicious, as well! Seating can be a bit limited but when we went on a weekday night there was no wait although a large group might have a harder time. Overall, a fantastic experience!
Patrick Turner
Mar 18, 2025
5
Dashi Ramen is a gem in downtown Durham, offering a cozy and inviting atmosphere perfect for a casual meal. The space is charming, with a warm, intimate vibe that makes you feel right at home.
The service was friendly and attentive, adding to the welcoming experience. Sitting at the bar gave me a front-row seat to the action, where I watched my meal being freshly prepared. Everything was made from scratch, and the attention to detail was clear in every bite.
The food itself was fantastic—rich, flavorful broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and fresh ingredients that elevated the dish. Despite the lunchtime rush, my order came out quickly without sacrificing quality.
If you’re in Durham and craving top-notch ramen with great service, Dashi is absolutely worth a visit!
Imisha Debuka
Feb 15, 2025
4
Would recommend the tofu buns (the tofu is extra chewy than usual) and dumplings (part of their special menu). I had the vegetarian mazemen which I liked. The vegetarian ramen was not that flavourful. We had sake which was really nice and the vibes were great.
