Ramen Nagi

Famous Tokyo Chain Ramen Nagi Is Expanding to San Diego | Eater San Diego

"I'm excited that a big-name noodle shop from Japan, Ramen Nagi, is prepping to open its first San Diego restaurant early this summer at Westfield UTC, where it will slot into the mall's restaurant row between Raised by Wolves and the Winery at the Pointe. After a decade of training at hakata-style ramen shops, founder and master ramen chef Satoshi Ikuta launched Ramen Nagi as a pop-up in 2004 and has since expanded across Tokyo, other Asian countries, and the U.S., arriving in 2018 in the Bay Area and later opening outposts in Los Angeles (Westfield Century City and the Shops at Santa Anita). It's best known for its classic tonkotsu ramen and spicy red miso pork but also serves new-wave styles—from black garlic and squid ink to basil and parmesan—and a vegetarian bowl made with cauliflower purée and hashed fried potatoes; special-edition flavors like curry and lamb ramen are rotated throughout the year. Ramen Nagi emphasizes customization: after choosing a ramen base, you can add pork loin or pork belly, various vegetables and other toppings, and pick noodle thickness and firmness as well as preferred levels of garlic or oil. The menu also includes appetizers and sides such as karaage, gyoza, edamame, and chashu rice bowls." - Candice Woo