New Ramen & Yakitori Concept Coming to Carmel Valley

The Village at Pacific Highland Ranch in Carmel Valley is shaping up to be quite a hub for food and drink, where the beer and bar-centric WESTROOT tavern and the Mediterranean-inspired Crudo Restaurant opened earlier this year.

By early December, it will have even more draw when Wokou, a Japanese noodle house and barbecue concept, opens in the complex. Building out a 3,000-square-foot space next to Crudo, the eatery will include an 800-square-foot patio; inside, an island bar will hold 20 taps of beer and feature a full spirits program with a focus on Japanese whiskey.

Installed within the bar will be a yakitori grill for cooking up skewered meats, seafood, and vegetables, with equal focus on ramen variations; the menu will also extend to Japanese izakaya-style small plates.

Serving lunch and dinner, Wokou is a new offering from Social Syndicate, the San Diego group behind The Local, Wonderland Ocean Pub, and The Rabbit Hole; the concept will launch in Carmel Valley with possibility of other future locations around the city.