San Antonio, Texas, January 14, 2026
San Antonio’s ramen landscape is evolving with new restaurants opening while others close. Fresh additions like Kaedama Battleship and Tenten Udon & Tempura highlight the community’s dedication to Japanese cuisine. Despite the closures of Nama Ramen and Tenko Ramen, the city thrives with diverse ramen options, showcasing local restaurateurs’ resilience and demand for unique culinary experiences.
San Antonio’s Ramen Scene Sees New Openings Amidst Recent Closures
San Antonio, Texas – The city’s ramen landscape is experiencing a dynamic shift, with new establishments opening their doors even as others close. This evolving scene reflects the community’s enduring love for Japanese cuisine and the resilience of local restaurateurs.
New Additions to San Antonio’s Ramen Offerings
Kaedama Battleship, a new ramen restaurant from Chad Carey’s Empty Stomach Group, opened on November 21, 2025, at 122 E. Houston Street. This establishment offers a focused menu featuring ramen, beef dumplings, and sake, catering to late-night diners with hours extending until midnight. The minimalist design contrasts with the eclectic ambiance of other Empty Stomach venues like Hot Joy and Barbaro.
Hoka Hoka Fuku expanded its presence with a third location in the Med Center area at 10222 Huebner Road, which opened over Thanksgiving weekend in 2025. Known for its Japanese menu items such as ramen, udon bowls, and katsu plates, this expansion marks the brand’s continued growth in the San Antonio area.
Tenten Udon & Tempura took over the former Nama Ramen & Sushi space at 6526 Babcock Road, introducing Sanuki-style udon to the community. The restaurant emphasizes freshly made noodles with balanced broths, allowing diners to customize their bowls with selections from a self-service tempura bar. A grand opening celebration was held on December 6, 2025.
Recent Closures in the Ramen Scene
Despite the influx of new establishments, the ramen scene has seen some closures. Notably, Nama Ramen, a popular sushi bar and Japanese ramen restaurant on the Northwest Side, closed its doors after 10 years of service in September 2025.
Additionally, Tenko Ramen at the Pearl announced its permanent closure on December 31, 2022, after more than five years of operation. The eatery was the last remaining original tenant of the Pearl’s food hall.
Community Impact and Future Outlook
The opening of new ramen establishments like Kaedama Battleship, Hoka Hoka Fuku, and Tenten Udon & Tempura indicates a robust demand for Japanese cuisine in San Antonio. These additions not only diversify the city’s culinary offerings but also provide more options for ramen enthusiasts. The closures of Nama Ramen and Tenko Ramen, while marking the end of an era for these beloved spots, also pave the way for new ventures to emerge, contributing to the dynamic and evolving food scene in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Kaedama Battleship?
Kaedama Battleship is a new ramen restaurant from Chad Carey’s Empty Stomach Group, opened on November 21, 2025, at 122 E. Houston Street in San Antonio. It offers a focused menu featuring ramen, beef dumplings, and sake, catering to late-night diners with hours extending until midnight.
Where is Hoka Hoka Fuku’s new location?
Hoka Hoka Fuku expanded its presence with a third location in the Med Center area at 10222 Huebner Road, which opened over Thanksgiving weekend in 2025. Known for its Japanese menu items such as ramen, udon bowls, and katsu plates, this expansion marks the brand’s continued growth in the San Antonio area.
What is Tenten Udon & Tempura?
Tenten Udon & Tempura is a new restaurant that took over the former Nama Ramen & Sushi space at 6526 Babcock Road in San Antonio. It specializes in Sanuki-style udon, offering freshly made noodles with balanced broths and a self-service tempura bar for customization. A grand opening celebration was held on December 6, 2025.
Which ramen restaurants have recently closed in San Antonio?
Recently, Nama Ramen, a popular sushi bar and Japanese ramen restaurant on the Northwest Side, closed its doors after 10 years of service in September 2025. Additionally, Tenko Ramen at the Pearl announced its permanent closure on December 31, 2022, after more than five years of operation.
Key Features of San Antonio’s Ramen Scene Developments
| Establishment | Location | Opening Date | Specialty | Closure Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaedama Battleship | 122 E. Houston Street | November 21, 2025 | Ramen, beef dumplings, sake | |
| Hoka Hoka Fuku | 10222 Huebner Road | Over Thanksgiving weekend, 2025 | Ramen, udon bowls, katsu plates | |
| Tenten Udon & Tempura | 6526 Babcock Road | December 6, 2025 (grand opening) | Sanuki-style udon, tempura | |
| Nama Ramen | 6526 Babcock Road | Ramen, sushi | September 2025 | |
| Tenko Ramen | The Pearl | Ramen | December 31, 2022 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Kings Del Wepa to Tour California and Texas
Mavericks Snap Losing Streak with Late Victory Over Kings
San Antonio’s Culinary Scene Faces Restaurant Closures
Dallas Agency Launches Risk-Free Website Design Service
SEEK 2027 Conference Announced for San Antonio
San Antonio’s Residential Construction Market Overview
San Antonio’s Winter Restaurant Weeks Announced
Noodle Tree Ramen Restaurant Announces Closure
Jazz End Spurs’ Winning Streak with 127-114 Victory
San Antonio’s Culinary Scene Flourishes with New Restaurant Openings
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
