Nojo Ramen Tavern

This Hayes Valley spot focuses on ramen with chicken-based broth, instead of pork-based versions you more commonly see around town. The broth is so creamy you’ll be tempted to shrink yourself and take a calming bath in the bowl. The noodles are thick and bouncy. The onion-packed chicken meatballs are stunners that soak up an impressive amount of soup. And there’s enough rich umami packed into every spoonful to almost forget about whatever terrible week you’re recovering from, or that it’s been foggy out for nine straight days. Another reason to love Nojo: it’s easy to walk in. So use this place for spontaneous “I-need-to-cry-into-a-bowl” dinners or date nights when you forget to make a reservation.