VIBE

Crowded, boisterous ramen den. There’s nothing that could really be described as “décor” here, other than its noodle joint vibe but no matter. It’s the generous portions of their oh-so-delish ramen soup that are the focal point. Try to score a seat at the counter so you can watch the ramen-making magic happen.

CROWD

Very varied, ranging from ramen connoisseurs and lunching office types to skint students and homesick Japanese expats.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Something comfortable and definitely not “dry-clean only.” (Your outfit needs to be able to accommodate your post-ramen tummy and to cope with the risk of ramen-broth splatter.)

GO HERE WITH

Ramen enthusiasts; friends; family; yourself

WHY WE LIKE IT

The ramen! Noodles of just the right consistency and broth–get the Kotteri broth–with just the right amount of pork depth; put these two together and you have the best bowl of ramen we’ve tasted in a long time. (Plus we have a soft spot for the bustling, no-frills atmosphere.)

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The long waits, tight space, and petite tables.

GOOD TO KNOW

The size and popularity of this ramen shop result in terrible waits. The best way to avoid this is to come during off-peak hours and with very small groups. (We went around 1:30pm on a weekday and avoided any wait.) The Kotteri broth is a must to maximize on the experience (note: this is a pork-based broth). The menu varies slightly at each location, since they let their head chefs exercise some control over the menu. Across all sites, vegetarians will be hard pressed to find something they can eat.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Costa Mesa; Monterey Park; Hacienda Heights

CLOSEST COMPS

Ippudo (New York)

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