Kajiken Opens New Abura Soba Spot in Santa Clara
The popular ramen chain brings its signature brothless noodle dishes to the Westfield Valley Fair shopping center.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Japanese Food
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Kajiken has officially opened a new location at Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, offering South Bay diners its specialized style of brothless ramen. The new space features 40 seats for customers to enjoy the chain's traditional abura soba dishes.
Why it matters
The expansion reflects the operator's goal to reach a wider South Bay audience after successfully introducing the concept to the California market in 2023. This opening brings a global brand with over a decade of history to one of the region's major retail hubs.
The new restaurant offers eight signature bowl options with prices ranging from $16.50 to $26.95. The menu includes protein choices such as Wagyu roast beef, chashu, and fried tofu.
The players
Kajiken
An international restaurant chain founded in 2010 that specializes in abura soba, a style of brothless ramen.
Timothy Lu
The operator who brought the Kajiken brand to California after discovering the dish during a visit to Japan.
The details
Diners at the new Santa Clara site can choose from eight signature bowl options, which are prepared by mixing a savory sauce pooled at the bottom of the bowl with noodles. The menu highlights Japanese-style ingredients including Wagyu roast beef, chashu, and fried tofu.
Timeline
Kajiken launched its first location in Nagoya, Japan, in 2010.
Owner Timothy Lu first discovered abura soba in Japan in 2011.
The first California Kajiken location opened in San Mateo in 2023.
The Westfield Valley Fair restaurant opened on October 23, 2026.
Culture Shift
The arrival of Kajiken underscores the growing consumer demand for authentic, niche regional Japanese cuisine in the South Bay. This move signals a departure from generalized ramen offerings toward more specialized, category-specific culinary experiences.
Shoppers at Westfield Valley Fair can now access the specialized noodle bar as a quick dining option during their visits. With 40 seats available, diners should anticipate potential wait times during peak shopping hours at the new mall location.
The takeaway
When eating abura soba, remember to thoroughly mix the sauce at the bottom of the bowl with the noodles before taking your first bite. This ensures that every strand of noodle is properly coated for the authentic experience intended by the chefs.
Further reading
Find more coverage on local dining trends in our Japanese Food section.
More information
To view the full menu or learn more about the restaurant, visit the Kajiken official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Chronicle.
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