I finally got a chance to eat at this location of Tanpopo for a lunch meeting. I must say that I was very surprised to see that the place was absolutely dead. There was one other table present in the whole place. The place did honestly look a bit run down. It needs some updating and some love infused back into it. Our server was very kind and attentive. The ramen is still as good here as it is in Albany. I went for a departure from my typical selection of the Seafood ramen with a side of spicy and instead chose the Curry ramen with the extra spicy. That was a good decision! The curry ramen, although a lovely intensely flavorful broth, is quite spicy all on it's own. I also still stand by the choice to pay for a side of extra noodles for the very generous amount of broth that they give you. As an appetizer, we got the pork belly buns, which are still a stunner appetizer for me. My only complaint would be that they should come in a group of 4 instead of 2. If you're sharing, 2 is more like an amuse bouche.

I've eaten a lot of ramen this place is the real thing,seems everyone is making ramen but few have the depth of flavor.careful with the heat it's 5 alarm.

Amazing service and very good food!! I got the curry ramen and the spicy pork buns, both were very flavorful. The person who served me was very sweet, and he also offered to close the blinds for me because the sun was shining.

I had an atypical visit to Tanpopo because it was 3 in the afternoon on a blistering hot day, I needed to find a bathroom, and the bakery next door I had come to patronize was closed for Juneteenth. Also I hadn't eaten lunch so decided to make lemonade out of lemons, or dashi out of stinky fish for a better analogy, and have me a bowl of ramen. The tonkatsu ramen, my standard order, had excellent porky, fatty broth. Five stars. I need egg in my ramen though and the slices of kameboko were not a satisfactory substitute. Also instead of pork belly they use pork loin, albeit tender with a nice five-spice flavoring. I was the only customer except for a couple of takeout orders so can't review standard levels of ambience and service. The decor is like some older places in LA's Sawtelle neighborhood; it seems to be a part of an earlier generation Japanese-American aesthetic that you don't mind worn vinyl and wooden fixtures or a counter used for random repairs that is clearly in view of the clientele. I found it charming in a funky way.

Tanpopo in Schenectady is just as good food wise as its Albany counterpart. The ambience feels less cozy and colder than the Albany location. The trendy black walls and industrial decor are ok, but nothing beats the feel of the old Albany building. In Schenectady you will always typically be able to be seated and not have a long wait. It's a great place for lunch as well. Service is always wonderful there too.

I have been to Tanpopo many times and have loved it every time! I have finally decided on my favorite ramens in order as follows: 1. Tanpopo Spicy 2. Tonkotsu 3. Curry with Pork (shrimp just doesn't hit the same) Service is always decent, but nothing to write home about. When I have gone, there has been 1 waitress taking care of the whole place so I don't blame her for not being as attentive. Note: get the spicy pork buns appetizer (maybe multiple orders) because WOW those are amazing. Also, if you like sparkling stuff, I loved the Hana Awaka sparkling sake (as someone who is not usually the biggest fan of sake).

Looking for Ramen in the Schenectady area? Tanpopo is where to go. The seafood ramen is my go to, it's delicious. I also enjoy the pork belly buns and gyoza. The service is friendly and welcoming. Some booths are a bit worn, but the food makes up for a few well worn benches.

Back again to Tanpopo after a looong break, and we're delighted to say the two things we like best about this place, the delicious homey noodles and the mostly zippy, always friendly, service are just about the same. This time we went into the meat ramens, and were not disappointed. The pork was very nice and tender, braised with a bit of hoisin (we think) and it melted in the broth with each bite. The broth remains hearty and agreeably fatty. We love the choice between getting the Tokyo Wave noodles and standard thin. We sampled the house standard Spicy Tanpopo, the Beef Stew Ramen, and the Tonkatsu, plus their above-average seaweed salad and decent pork gyoza. Portions are incredibly ample and the patronage has thinned a bit, so everything comes out fast. The flaws in the place we noted when they first opened are still evident: the lighting is beyond dim, except where it's glaringly bright with flourescent lighting leftover from the previous establishment. And it's feeling a bit beat up: the fixtures are showing the signs of age and even the tableware (we had two bowls with chips in them). The slight shabbiness may add to its charm if you're of a mind, although I could really do with an upgrade to the lighting to someplace between the blackout and operating room extremes. And I confess I'm still getting used to the sticker shock of restaurants in 2023: the bill for three, with two apps and a $6 sake carafe (a good deal) came to $72 without tip, which is just under double what we paid for four people in 2019. All that said, still a great alternative, and really hearty, pleasing noodles.

WHEN: Wednesday @ 2pm It was in the heart of upper union st where all of the local businesses are located. There are plenty of street parking right outside of the restaurant. The restaurant was fairly empty by the time we arrived, the lunch rush was over and getting prepped for dinner. SERVICE Server was very friendly and welcoming. She came by a couple of times to check on us which was very good. WHAT WE ORDERED Tonkotsu ramen (Tokyo cut noodles) It was so darn delicious and fresh ramen. I recommend ordering more noodles bc I finished my noodles very quickly n there were a lot of broth left. I haven't eaten ramen at all this year, it was so great bowl of ramen to devour. Seafood ramen It was very good as well. Lots of healthy seafoods. My friend liked it a lot. Fairly decent price food menu, aside from ramen, there are Japanese appetizers like yakoyaki, Gyoza, miso soups, etc. if you don't like noodles, there are Rice bowls on the menu, like Oyakidon, gyudon, katsu don, hibachi entrees.