FAQs
There was so much excitement after we announced our event – and as expected, there were many questions that popped up. Below are the answers to the frequently asked questions, as well as some other important information. Please be aware of fake event and ticket sites, as tickets bought on fake ticket sites will not be honored.
Q: Why is it on a Thursday?
A: In order to get the most amount of ramen vendors we need to do the event when restaurants and ramen chefs are available. They don’t like losing a weekend day because that is when they do the most amount of their business. So in order for us to have quality and quantity, we need to do it when the ramen folks are available and willing to do it! Besides, pretty much everyone needs to eat on Thursday.
Q: Will the 2024 Ramen Festival sell out; and if so, will more tickets be available?
A: There’s no way to tell for sure if we will sell out in 2024. The 2022, 2019, 2018, and 2017 Ramen Festival sold out of MONTHS before the event! That’s ramen crazy! Due to fire safety regulations and capacity, we have a limit on how many people are allowed in the event. Stay tuned to the San Diego Ramen Festival Facebook page as well as our Silk Road Productions Facebook page for events and appearances where we will be giving out tickets we have pre-budgeted for giveaways and contests!
Q: Will you be selling tickets at the door?
A: This is a very popular question. If the event sells out, then unfortunately, “SOLD OUT” means exactly that – the tickets are sold out. Due to the capacity of the venue and for the safety and comfort of the attendees, we will not be selling tickets at the door if the event sells out. We would love to be able to include everyone, but for safety reasons, we are unable.
Q: Is it all ages?
A: This is an all ages event, and kids under 8 get free entry! However, ramen servings still need to be purchased if you wish to try any. However, only ONE child (under 8 years old) per ticketed adult will be allowed entry! This is for fire safety and capacity reasons. Please do not try to sneak more children in than you should – you will be putting their safety at risk by overcrowding the venue!
Q: Will there be vegan or gluten-free options?
A: There will be vegan and gluten-free options available, but we cannot confirm how many of the ramen vendors will have those options until we are closer to the event. For now, the easy answer is “no.” However, until we will not know which of the vendors or how many will have these options, if any will. We would not want you to be disappointed in having only a few options, so if this is an issue, we won’t encourage you to purchase a ticket.
Q: What does VIP include?
A: VIP is described on our VIP page but will include a great amount of awesomeness. In addition to getting your own exclusive and private VIP area, you will have access to the event for a full hour before General Admission is allowed entry – so you will be guaranteed to have faster access to the ramen vendors. You will also get specialty food and catered sushi that is exclusively made for our VIPs. The Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana, our co-presenter, will be presenting a Beer and Sake Lounge with complimentary beer and sake samples only for our VIP ticket holders. This will be the best VIP experience for the value you will find anywhere! VIP is a 21+ event only; no one under 21 years old will be admitted. VIP does NOT allow front of line privileges to any line, including ramen lines, specialty drink lines, or any other line.
Q: How does the ticket work?
A: You must have purchased a general admission ticket through our eventbrite.com link – then your general admission ticket will include three tokens, each good for one 12-ounce ramen servings. Every 12-ounce serving after that is only $5 per token and you can buy as many or as few tokens for ramen as you want! Each token will be available for purchase at our “ramen banks” at $5 each. There will be no refunds for tokens, so please buy as many as you intend to use.
Q: How does VIP work for ramen servings?
A: Upon entry, each VIP ticket holder will receive five ramen tokens to be used in the ramen area. VIP ticket holders will have different color tokens and wristbands from general admission. Each token is good for one 12-ounce serving from one ramen vendor. You can use your additional tokens for the same ramen vendor, but we encourage you to try as many ramen vendors as possible!
Q: How do I enter the ramen eating contest?
A: All registered participants will receive an email about a week prior to the event with an invitation link to participate in the ramen eating contest. You must have purchased a ticket to the event to be able to participate in the ramen eating contest. There will be three rounds, with up to ten people in each round. The fastest two people from each round will qualify for the final round, which will take place on the main stage. The person who consumes the fastest will be crowned ultimate champion of the universe and get a nifty prize.
Q: How many ramen vendors will there be and who are they?
A: Our goal is to have at have many vendors as possible, but this will ultimately depend on how many tickets are sold! We will announce who they are in the coming months.
Q: If I won a ticket from a giveaway or a contest, how do I redeem my ticket?
A: If you were one of the lucky ones to win a contest or giveaway, it is important that we have your name and email address. Any tickets that were won are admission only, meaning that it does not come with a serving token. Only tickets that were purchased come with a serving token. You will have received a confirmation email before the event and your name will be on the GUEST LIST. Go to the GUEST LIST station check in and you will come in under an admission-only ticket. Unfortunately, tickets not purchased through events.com do not get the entry token with their admission.
Q: What are the COVID requirements?
A: We want everyone to stay safe and healthy. We will be providing hand sanitizer and face masks at the event. However, we will not be requiring that people show or prove vaccination status.
Q: When will the next Ramen Festival be?
A: November 21, 2024, from 6pm to 9pm (5pm for VIPs).