Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - Torrance

Came here last night and it’s safe to say I found my new go to ramen spot! The ramen was delicious and big portion! Had the fired chicken appetizer and wow, delicious AND I’ve never been to a ramen spot that serves a big portion of fried chicken. Our server was very kind and tentative to us and her other tables. Bathroom was also very clean. My girlfriend and I loved everything about this place. You get your moneys worth here!

I tried many Tonkatsu Ramen in USA mostly so so. This is the one tasted more like real Japanese ramen. Delicious thick broth and noodle silky .

This is the Torrence outlet of the Japanese ramen chain Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai. Great thing about this location is that there are less wait usually and parking is plenty in this strip mall. They have the salt soup base used in Hakodate and other soup base types. They have vegan option and tsukemen option too. Their seasoned pork slices are quite good. Noodle is the curly and al dente style thicker type. Lunch specials include small rice bows (donburi) at small prices. Kitchen looks very clean and well managed.

An excellent ramen — one of the best I’ve ever had in my life!! I should mention that I travel around the world quite often, and to me, this is the second-best ramen I’ve ever tasted. I highly recommend it. The kitchen is open to the public, so you can see everything being prepared right in front of you. It’s all very clean, the atmosphere is fantastic, and the overall vibe is just excellent. I truly recommend it.

2nd favorite ramen spot introduced by my colleagues Noodles are wavy and bouncy. Broth is very clean and not heavy at all The chashu slices were not too heavy or greasy

Nothing fancy, but just tasty good ramen. Very tasty and flavorful ramen and chicken! I enjoyed reading about the history of how this family began their ramen shop in Japan. My husband and I stumbled across this place which is located in the shopping center where H Mart, Salvation Army, Michael's is located. Large parking lot for all these large stores as well as these smaller restaurants. My husband and I shared the Juicy fried chicken bowl as an appetizer, but honestly this could be a meal. We took some leftovers home. I ordered the Spicy Miso ramen, which was a bit too spicy for me, but I really enjoyed it. I took half of it home for the next day. The Spicy Miso comes with lots of spinach. My husband ordered the Umakara Tan Tan Ramen and his was VERY TASTY. I might order that one next time. Service was excellent. Ramen came piping hot! This is a CASHLESS restaurant so bring your credit card.

HONEST REVIEW! (Overall good for sure) This is a new place that opened right next to H Mart. I personally and absolutely love noodle soup dishes. So I will be as detailed as possible. 1. Customer Service The important part that I review the most is of course customer service. And yes, they are definitely kind and attentive! And not too caring either (you know one of those place with people walking up to you every 5 minutes while you are eating). 2. Menu Many of good places have fewer menu options. And this place had concise, straight forward, fewer ramen options, which doesn't overwhelm you. I really like their lunch special combo. They have two pieces of chicken or gyoza or chashu bowl with any ramen. Their sides looked promising to the point where you could actually bring your toddler for their own small meal :) 3. Portion I am a heavy eater. To give you a perspective, at Saigon Bistro (Western & Carson), I can clear even broth XL pho + extra noodle without any issue. Their large portion was too much even for me! I'd say stay with regular. 4. Taste The last but not least, taste. Noodle was excellent. I was so used to Hakata Ikkousha noodle and that this place's noodle was definitely refreshing, and to be honest better than Hakata! Broth gave me mixed feelings. Overall feeling and richness were very nice. I ordered Spicy Miso (extra spicy) and my wife ordered Umakara Tan Tan Ramen. We both thought that their soup was too salty and the server kindly offered plain broth when I asked for hot water (it tells you that we were not the first customer to request the same). To my surprise, their pork broth was AMAZING just by itself. After mixing the broth, saltiness died out but came back again. Later we realized that meats were the culprit. Meat was cooked really well but I think they were marinated too salty. Next time, I would love to try either clear broth ramen or veggie ramen! Overall Take 1. Will definitely come back. Per one of servers' recommendation, I would love to try clear both ramen or veggie ramen. 2. They should really consider toning down on their meat for saltiness. This is especially since they opened next to H Mart and will draw a lot of Korean customers who like their food rich and spicy. 3. It's so happy to know that there is another great ramen place that opened in Torrance! :D 4. Do not order large size unless you haven't eaten for 2 days. 5. Definitely go for lunch special if you are eating lunch. (But be respectful and don't share 1 lunch special with 2 or more people).

We’ve been there a few times and have ordered the same things as we liked them! Mixed Boiled Vegetable Shio Ramen - al dente noodles, 5 slices of cha Shu, lots of veggies, lightly flavored soup with peppery taste. Aburi chashu bowl - tasty and delicious pan fried chashu on top of rice. My recommendation is to add a side vegetable like cabbages, definitely worth the extra $1. Service was prompt and friendly, the indoor only dining is clean and comfortable. Tip: cashless only!

I went for lunch here and got the special with regular bowl and a side plus the egg. (Egg is an extra cost). I ordered the green chili shio ramen and it was very light and spicy. I enjoy the copious amounts of green onions it came with. The noodles were chewy as described and it had a nice texture to it, not too soft or mushy. The broth was very good and light, the chashu was tender. The chicken karaage was very very good. It was a thick piece of nice, tender, juicy meat with good breading that isn't soggy. The staff was very attentive and nice. The atmosphere was lovely with the chefs talking and communicating with their staff.

1) service is excellent, super friendly 2) place is clean 3) food taste OK, price is really on the high side, I don't remember ever pay $20 for a bowl of noodles. And the taste is not something incredible to warrant that price. I don't think I will need to revisit this place as there are so many ramen places to choose from with decent price.

Didn't realize it was a chain until AFTER we ate there. VERY clean, feels like your in Japan. :) Electronic checkin. About 10 minute wait on a Saturday for a counter seat. Ramen about $20 per plate. Broth tasty - smooth taste. Could use one more piece of chashu but probably right for the price. NO CASH. Everything is electronic pay. Staff friendly - and most speak Japanese.

I wrongly underestimated this place. It's legit ramen! Located in the strip mall area near the end after Salvation Army and across from the rear of HMart. We ordered the Ramen wonton special and received the cute commerative 10th Anniversary magnet. Their fried chicken appetizer was perfection, enough as a meal in itself if you're not into ramen noodles. Definitely coming back with the whole fam! No reservations but they are very accommodating.

While I do love thick tonkotsu broths, more recently, I have been into the cleaner, lighter broths found at other specialty ramen shops. One of which is Kitakata Ban Nai. I love their Kitakata Ramen, which comes with a more clear pork broth and shoyu base. It has a perfect amount of umami, and the chashu in it is so tender and delicious. It doesn't come with a lot of toppings, so I usually order some extra egg, but overall it's a simple clean bowl of ramen that I don't get too sick of by the end! I also have tried their small chashu bowls, and while they're really tasty, I always regret it because I end up getting too full. Their karaage is also really good. The batter is crispy and tasty and they serve it with their house sauce, which is different from the usual Japanese mayo. I always really enjoy it. While when they first opened it was pretty crowded, I do find that they're not as crowded recently and I've been able to just walk in and sit down. On the one had, I do enjoy not having a line, but on the other hand, I do hope that they're getting enough business because I want this place to succeed!

Absolutely delicious not much to say other than eat here if your in the mood for some bomb food. Super friendly service, seamless ordering online and it looks like a nice place inside. The cost was a little steep, but honestly, these days just leaving the house is crazy expensive. Highly recommend this place for Ramen the spicy miso Ramen was just right perfectly delicious.

First off, I really like this place! Great staff, and a place my kids want to come all the time I had the summer special, along with my wife, the old tan tan summer special. I liked it but, like my wife, thought the cubed chashu was way too salty in the cold version. My kids got their regulars and loved it. Regardless, love this place and maybe will stick to the hot ramen options

Dare I say I might have found my new favorite ramen place?? My friend and I came here for lunch on a Wednesday and we were seated immediately. Servers were attentive. They had a lunch special, which I think was a pretty good deal! I got the spicy miso ramen, and made it a combo with the chicken karaage. The karaage was perfectly crispy. It came with this sesame dressing, but I honestly preferred eating it with just their vinegar - soy sauce and chili oil that was on the table. The spicy miso ramen came with so many toppings: pork, carrots, spinach, bean sprouts, cabbage... it was definitely very filling! The noodles were the best part. They're thicker and chewy. I also added a seasoned egg to my ramen, which was cooked perfectly! Definitely recommend coming here, especially for that lunch special!

A popular Ramen spot with a bunch of locations in Japan known for their lighter pork broth and thick chewy noodles. This location is pretty new as of August 2024 and is the first location in the LA area. When I used to live in Orange County a little bit less than 10 years ago, their Costa Mesa spot was probably my favorite Ramen in the area. I would say the vibe is pretty similar, but it's just usually a lot busier than that custom Mesa location probably because it's smaller too. I came in and got a friendly greeting and was sat right away at the bar. I saw that they were running a special for their 10th anniversary in the United States with some wonton ramen. It's basically their original ramen with slightly less pork slices and added dumplings (pork wonton). I haven't been to the Orange County location in quite some time, but the noodles were just as chewy and delicious as I remembered and so was that delicious broth. So glad that they open the location in LA even though it's still kind of far from where I live, lol. It's located in a pretty sizable strip mall that Ares a lot with a grocery store so parking wasn't an issue.

A new ramen spot just opened up in the area, so I decided to give it a try. The restaurant was busy when I went just a bit after 12:30pm for weekend lunch: you can put yourself on the waitlist touch pad outside the restaurant, or if you're just one person (like myself), you can be promptly be seated at the bar. I ordered the Umakara Tan Tan Ramen, and the food came out pretty soon thereafter. I only ordered the small (regular?) size, but portions were generous, which I appreciated. The broth was tan tan men-style, with a nice spicy kick. However, I found it was a bit too sesame paste-forward, which was on the overwhelming side, but overall, an okay broth. Interestingly, the chashu weren't sliced, but rather cut into small cubes-- they were super salty, which I wasn't a fan of. As for the ramen, the noodles aren't typical ones found in most ramen dishes, but rather "kitakata" style, meaning they're lighter, thinner, and more curly, presumably for a lighter meal. They weren't bad, but I think I would've liked to have more full-bodied ramen noodles that are chewier. Just personal preference. Overall, an okay ramen joint with generous portions and decent food. Service was nice and efficient, too. I don't know if the kitakata ramen type is for me, but I'm glad I tried it! Worth a go at least once, if you're in the area!

There's good ramen every square mile in the South Bay these days, and this one is no exception. They're quite unique as well with a versatile selection of broths. Their wavy-worm hand crumpled noodles are almost Chinese-style in softness and texture, and they pack a generous serving into every soup. Ask for your noodles cooked less if you're looking for the al dente texture. We snagged the last Mizore Yuzu Ramen of the season, and the broth is savory and full-flavored with the citrus to keep it light. Umakara Tan Tan Ramen is my favorite so far, a creamy pork broth with a spicy kick that's mildly ma-la that adds flavor without pain. The little cubes of toro chashu are so fabulously fatty. I tried a spoonful of the Spicy Miso Ramen as well, same rich base broth with more of a garlicky hit. Appetizers are good, nice Pan Fried Gyoza, the Juicy Fried Chicken lives up to its name. Every time I come here I leave wanting to try more.

We've been there a few times and have ordered the same things as we liked them! Mixed Boiled Vegetable Shio Ramen - al dente noodles, 5 slices of cha Shu, lots of veggies, lightly flavored soup with peppery taste. Aburi chashu bowl - tasty and delicious pan fried chashu on top of rice. My recommendation is to add a side vegetable like cabbages, definitely worth the extra $1. Service was prompt and friendly, the indoor only dining is clean and comfortable. Tip: cashless only!

A Ramen Adventure at Kitakata in Torrance, CA Kitakata Ramen in Torrance, CA, is like stumbling into a noodle-filled wonderland. My recent visit had me diving headfirst into a bowl of Tan Tan Ramen, with a side of gyoza and chashau that would make any foodie weak at the knees. First up, the Tan Tan Ramen. This bowl of spicy, savory goodness was like a warm hug from a very enthusiastic sumo wrestler. The broth had a kick that could wake the dead, and the noodles? Oh, the noodles! They were the perfect blend of chewy and slurpable, making me question every other noodle I've ever known. The gyoza came next, looking all innocent on the plate but packing a flavor punch that had me grinning like a fool. Each dumpling was a little pocket of joy, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I'm pretty sure I heard them whispering, "Bet you can't eat just one!" Spoiler: I couldn't. And then there was the chashau. This pork was so tender and flavorful it could probably start its own boy band. Every bite was like a melody of umami, with just the right amount of char to make it interesting. I may have shed a single tear of joy. Kitakata Ramen doesn't just serve food; they serve an experience. If you're in Torrance and haven't tried it yet, you're missing out on a culinary adventure that's as fun as it is delicious. Bring your appetite and your sense of humor - you'll need both!

Arrived early on a recent weekend and was quickly sat and greeted by a cheerful staff. Here's what we ordered... Green chili shio ramen: Excellent Chashu bowl: Very good Karaage; Fantastic Tonkotsu ramens are my favorite, but the green chili shio ramen was a nice change. The wooden seats are not the most comfortable for people like me who have a bad back and we sat in the main section where the tables are too close together . I think they just want you to eat quick and get you out of there for the next group which I totally understand. Will definitely be going back.

I've been to the one in Costa Mesa n have been wanting to go again but going to OC was a hassle. Now it's only 2 miles or so away. Great. Can't wait till they get their alcohol license. I got the regular ramen as I'm tired of the thick tonkotsu ramen shops around the area. (Not saying tonkotsu is bad, just tired of it). The noodles are their signature. They crush with hands before boiling and it makes the texture better. I got my kids the kids menu. It's alot for a kid so I think it's worth the $9. I just learned they don't take cash, so kinda sad. They did accept my cash today as I wasn't aware, but now I know. Maybe put up a large(r) sign? I wonder if it's only now they don't take cash and maybe later they do?? I would recommend to accept all payment forms tho...took one star off for that, but I'm sure I'll be ready next timel... I wonder if they only take digital tip too??

Good ramen considering there aren't a ton of quality ramen places in the area but it's not really my favorite. The flavor is on point here don't get me wrong. The noodles are just a bit different than usual, they're fatter and thicker than I like. I think I'm just not a big fan of this style of ramen. Service was good though and it's a new place so it's clean and modern inside.

Kitskata Ramen Ban Nai - Torrance is a ramen place that serves light flavorful soup with a chewy flat medium thickness noodle. Their ramen is served with thin sliced pork belly. I had a chashu ramen (13 bite sized pieces! And my eating partner had the kitskata ramen. I loved their savory clearshoyu pork broth and their unique chewy flat noodles (Typically in LA it's alkaline yellow noodles or thin hakata style). For a every day bowl of ramen that would be difficult to get sick of, kitakata style is the perfect fit. I will be back to try their Miso, green chili soy, and Umakara tan tan ramen. Also their matcha latte!

Definitely start off with the juicy chicken. This was one of the best I've had. Love the sauce that complements it so well. I think overall reflected on this place it is a different/unique ramen shop. I really enjoyed the ramen noodles as they are more chewy and thick. The broth was a bit light for me so I added chili oil and soy sauce which made it better. The chashu was tender. I also tried the tan tan ramen and I'm going to order that one next time forsure. So good a little spicy though! Service was good and the restaurant was very clean.

I was craving Kitakata's anniversary special won ton ramen, but unfortunately it wasn't available. Fortunately, Mr. Taiga was working today so I was able to ask for his recommendations. He pointed to their seasonal special, mapo tofu ramen. He mentioned the whole team tried it, so they can be prepared in the event anyone asked about it. He mentioned it has a bit of heat to it, so if you enjoy mapo tofu on rice, you'll definitely love this. He's right, it does have a slight kick, but bearable. The portion was huge, especially the amount of mapo tofu. Be aware this is a seasonal special menu item, so come quick to try it.

If you've never tried Kitakata Ramen before, then this is your sign to try it! Wavy noodles, rich umami broth, and fatty pieces of chasu make Kitakata Ramen one of my new favorite places to get ramen in the Torrance area! I loved everything we got: Chasu Ramen Umakara Tan Tan Ramen Juicy Fried Chicken Pan Fried Gyoza Iced Matcha Latte The wavy noodles are so bouncy and chewy, and their brother is light but flavorful. The chasu had such great pieces in the ramen, that had a perfect mix of meat and fat. Their Tan Tan ramen is a must try, along with both the gyoza and karaage! If you're not feeling ramen, then they have rice bowls to choose from which are just as good. If you're in Southbay LA then this is definitely a must try! They're located in the plaza next to Hmart in Torrance, and they have a great selection on their menu so something is sure to catch your eye!

Been spending a lot of time lately in Japan and after coming back to Torrance I was glad to have found this place. The Ramen was as good as I had in Shibuya, Roppangi & Shinjuku. The broth was rich & flavorful while the pork was moist & really delicious. What I really loved was their pot stickers, fried chicken & fish bun. I definitely recommend Kitakata Ramen.

I am quite the ramen fan and thus was excited to learn about the new Kitakata Raman Ban Nai that opened up in Torrance. Kitakata style ramen is another type of ramen style along side Hakata and Sapporo. I've never had Kitakata ramen before and so was definitely looking forward to trying this ramen style out. I came at the restaurant right when the opened. The spot is quite small and so it does get pretty full quickly. I found service to be pretty fast and efficient despite it being busy. I chose to get the Kitakata Miso Ramen as well as a side of Juicy Fried Chicken. The Juicy Fried Chicken was delicious. Juicy is indeed the perfect description. It came to our table piping hot and was so crispy and juicy. It definitely makes it to the top of my list of favorite karaage that I have tried at a ramen shop. After the fried chicken; I definitely had high expectations for the Kitakata Miso Ramen. I was impressed with the amount of Toro Chashu they put in this ramen. It came with 5 pieces! 5 pieces is quite the amount and quite generous. They also had a lot of a green onion and bean sprouts and I when I say a lot; it was a lot. I honestly wished that they had more corn versus the bean sprouts. The broth for this was pork broth. The soup base is from pork bones that were simmered. I thought the broth was ok but not as flavorful as I hoped. Last not least was the noodles. The noodles here are thicker and flatter. Overall the ramen was ok but I may have set my expectations a tad too high. Overall I thought the star of my visit was the Juicy Fried Chicken! The karaage is really what set this meal apart worthy of 4 stars. I felt the ramen was more about 3 to 3.5 stars and perhaps I am just not used to the Kitakata style. I was honestly torn giving this new spot 3 stars but this first visit was just ok for me. I would definitely be willing to try again and perhaps try another ramen flavor.

I've tried many a ramen spot in the South Bay and this is the newest one to open. I've never had kitakata style and was excited to try it. The noodles remind me of a mix between ramen and udon and the broth feels slightly lighter than "regular" ramen which I actually preferred. At the same time, I wasn't like "omg I can't wait to come back". Unfortunately the chashu bun I would not get again, just very underwhelming, and this is usually one of my fave things whenever I see it on a menu! (Sad face). I saw a few reviews that mentioned the karaage being super good so I will def try that next time. We happened to come right when they opened for dinner service so no wait, but a line formed outside shortly. Luckily service was fast as well and we were able to eat (without feeling rushed) and free up a spot. Overall, is it worth a try? Yes. Would I come back? Yes. Is it in my top ramen spots? No.

Service was great and food was solid. All was good but one con - I would say the price is on the steep side for a regular spicy miso ramen being $17.45 So all in would be $20 for a regular sized bowl.

I love the ramen and the rice bowls here. The service is quick and it helps to check in beforehand using Yelp. The ambiance is nice, very clean with pleasant music.

THIS PLACE IS PHENOMENAL!!!! It's always so clean and nice looking inside- they have Great and good variety of food and SUCH a friendly staff. Love coming here (:

I've heard good things about this ramen place plus saw good reviews that I just had to check this place out myself. We went on a Friday night- it was decently busy but I loved the option where you could join the Yelp waitlist from your phone. We got the karragae, miso ramen, spicy miso ramen, veggie ramen and chashu pork bowl. Everything was really good except the chashu pork bowl was very salty... maybe too much seasoning and sauce? The broth for my veggie ramen was more on the heavier side when I was hoping for it to be lighter.. but overall it was still good and I would go back to try other things on their menu!

Interesting ramen soup taste in a big serving Tender juicy so good cubed chashu Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside fried chicken Friendly staff Clean restaurant

Solid new ramen spot serving a style of ramen that's a bit uncommon in South Bay. Ban Nai's ramen is a pork broth style ramen, rather than the tonkotsu milky white broth, which gives it a lighter mouth feel. If you like a bowl that's more in flavor, then the miso is the way to go here, and it is actually my favorite. The toppings here are all very good, with very good chashu. Sadly, egg is not included so it'll be an extra add on. The Aburi chashu rice bowl or the kaarage are good options if ramen's not enough! Still want to try the Green Chile Ramen and their curry. I've seen a few people order curry and it smells pretty good! Price-wise, it definitely adds up if you add additional toppings and sides. On weekdays, they do have lunch combos so take advantage of that if you can. Typical service expected of ramen restaurant. Quick and efficient and they were good with refilling waters as needed.

There's a new gem in town and her name is Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai. I didn't even realize this opened until I did some H Mart grocery shopping. So right next to H Mart is this splendid ramen shop. If you love ramen, great, if you want kitakata ramen, come here. I don't know what it is but this broth was both light and savory. What do I mean? It's like rich in flavor but light and refreshing and you don't feel like you're drinking pure oil. The noodles though, they're not like your typical ramen, it's more thin and flat and makes for an amazing noodle to go with the broth. I thoroughly enjoyed the ramen here and would come back again and again (the price is pretty nice too). The fried chicken is clutch too. It's in the name: Juicy. Fried. Chicken. No more words needed. Here we go, yummy ramen and bites to eat if H-Mart's food court is getting too boring for you.

Solid 4 stars! +located in same plaza as H mart and Sprouts on PCH. Plenty of parking available. +has yelp waitlist stand so you can put your name and phone number and it'll alert you via text when your table is ready! This allowed me to go browse H mart to kill some time. You have 5 mins after your notification or else you'll lose your spot so don't stray away too far! +I enjoyed kitakata ramen! The soup base is light and noodles are a bit on the fatter side and it's squiggly which is what I like! +I also usually like tsukemen and love that they offer it here. Haven't tried it yet but this is on my radar for next visit! -it was my first time trying tan tan ramen. It has sesame taste and it's good but it had lots of diced chashu and it just wasn't my cup of tea. I'll stick to kitakata ramen or will try their miso ramen or tsukemen next time!

Tasty as always! We usually visit the Buena Park location, which almost always has a line, but we were in the Torrance area and decided to try out this location. This location seems to be quieter and has a different vibe, but the food quality remained the same. The service was great, but I did notice our food took longer to arrive despite it not being busy. If you're looking for Kitakata Ramen without the wait and noisiness of other locations, I highly recommend this location!

We got on the Yelp waitlist before we left the house and we were able to get seated when we arrived. The restaurant is small so if you're a party of 2, you'll get seated much faster. We got a miso ramen with 2 side rice bowls. The ramen was good but I do think it was on the saltier side. I thought the rice bowls were better, especially the aburi chashu bowl!! It's such a great portion for kids or if you're not super hungry. Service was hit or miss. We never got served waters until we asked for it but the table next to us got waters right away. They are card only too. Located in the Hmart plaza, plentiful parking. Definitely worth a try.

Great tasting ramen! I love that you can get ramen with lots of vegetable. Kids meal is an awesome deal with a lot of variety.

I got their special which is some sort of yuzu ramen, but can't remember the name of it and didn't take a picture of it! But it's got a lot of shredded green onions in a broth with chashu pork. The broth is slightly tangy and not salty and, in my opinion, better than what my husband got (the Chashu Ramen). The noodles are thicker than normal ramen noodles and there's a degree of bounce to it that you don't really find in ramen shops. I think they are delicious. The chashu slices were thick and not all fat, which is important to me when paying almost $15 for ramen. They also give you a generous amount (two slices are not the norm here!). I got their matcha, which I asked if they could modify for me - I asked for 5 grams of sweetener and a side of the syrup in case it needed some more. Our server was very nice and made me the perfect matcha drink. Parking is plentiful outside as it shares a lot with H-Mart, Joanns, and other restaurants and shops, but can be very busy during peak times (lunch and dinner).

This ramen place recently opened up in Torrance. It's located in a large shopping plaza next to an H-Mart so there's plenty of parking available. Since it recently had its grand opening, Kitakata has been a popular spot to hit up so it's been packed. I put my name on the yelp waitlist and was seated within 5 minutes, just after the lunch crowd on a busy weekend. My server immediately pointed out that they are completely cashless so all payments are via credit or mobile. Perfect, I thought, since I never have cash on me. lol Their menu is viewed online via a QR code. The ramen is made with ban nai noodles, which have a higher water content so the noodles are smoother, giving it a lighter chew. I ordered their limited time special, the Mizore Ramen (pork broth, shoyu base, toro chashu, yuzu chili paste, daikon radish, green onio), minus the chili oil. The noodles were definitely softer and the broth had a really nice flavor profile that wasn't overpowering. I really enjoyed the ingredients of the mizore ramen, the yuzu paste gave it a hint of tangy sweetness. I also ordered the matcha latte. It's made with lactose-free milk and it was creamy delicious. They also offer weekend lunch specials with various ramen combos with chashu bowl, juicy fried chicken, or pan-fried dumplings. Will be back to try some of their other staple items.

You can never have too many ramen spots! Love this new addition to Torrance. Great location right next to H Mart with plenty of parking. Service is super friendly and the inside is cute! They have a waitlist system that texts you when your table is ready too so it's super easy. I've tried both dine-in and takeout, and they do a great job with both. The ramen noodles are chewy and fresh. Plus they give you tons of noodles and toppings. I also thought their takoyaki was good and they have other appetizer options as well.

Kitakata owes me an egg. I ordered to-go and their egg came in a foam container. The shell was still on. I cracked it open and it spilled all over, including on my pants. The inside was all liquid (see photo). I was so upset that it made a mess. They just gave me a raw egg. I ordered tan tan men with a side of cubed chashu rice bowl. The noodles came in a plastic which was weird. Also the noodles were cold when I got home, like refrigerator cold. They store their to-go noodles in fridge. I want my noodles soaked in hot water before given to me. My egg was all liquid and raw. They didn't include any napkins, chopstick, or spoon in my to-go order. Really bad experience ordering to-go.

New ramen joint! Love it! Good location next to H-Mart. Apparently they're known for how they make their noodles. Their process makes the noodles thicker and extra 'crinkly'. This gives it body and bounce. I was actually pretty impressed with the 'bounciness' of it. I felt they were pretty filling too since a regular bowl filled me up. Juicy Fried Chicken (5): Got these expecting your standard karaage fare. Pleasantly surprised with large crispy chunks of juicy chicken. They have a slightly sweet glaze on them which reminds me of korean fried chicken. Their sauce and lemon was the perfect contrasting compliment to it. Great app! Umakara Tan Tan Ramen (5): I could have used a little more spiciness, but it was decent. Great broth flavor and the chunks of chashu worked well. Broth had a good consistency and body to it. Flavors with all the toppings paired with the bounciness of their noodles made this a winner for me. Glad we got to try this place out. Their heating instructions for takeout worked well. I don't feel like I need to rush home to eat it hot since it heats up nicely. We'll definitely be back to try more of their menu.

Yum! I came to Kitakata with my family. We had a party of 9 and called around 12:30pm on a Saturday to get on the waitlist. They let me know that they can seat us closer to 2pm. We took our time getting there and arrived around 1:45pm and our table was ready for us. We started with the plain Edamame. I inquired if their Spicy Garlic Edamame was vegan. The waitress checked with the kitchen and let me know that the sauce contained fish. So we stuck to the plain Edamame instead. The Vegan Miso Ramen had some fun surprises! For instance, it contained ban nai noodles - a curly noodle with a lighter chew. I was also impressed with the tofu. Whatever they did to season, or possibly marinade, the tofu was very flavorful. It had a hint of sweetness to it and I appreciate that they gave about 5-6 hearty pieces. I also like the amount of veggies (cabbage, spinach, and carrots) included. The broth didn't exactly wow me but it was good enough. I opted for spicy which had some heat to it without being overpowering. I shared the large size with my mom which was more than enough for the two of us. I still had enough leftovers for a next-day meal. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kitakata-ramen-ban-nai-torrance-torrance?select=iyhg_QHSLw-NYvoUBNEK5w The restaurant itself is fairly small and the dining area was busy the entire time we were there. Kitakata is located in the same shopping plaza as H-Mart, Salvation Army Thrift Store, Michael's, and Sprouts. Though the parking lot can get busy, there's plenty of parking if you're willing to park further away.

What's good on a rainy day, or any type of day, really? Ramen, of course! Hubby & I came to try out this new restaurant today. I asked a server when they opened and he said, "Yesterday". We arrived and signed in on the Waitlist kiosk outside. It projected 90 minutes wait. We walked in and saw a bunch of empty tables, so we asked and we were seated immediately. No wait! TIP: You can also use the Yelp App to join the Waitlist before you arrive. We were told to scan the QR Code for the menu. We were also told that this is a Cashless Restaurant, so don't bring cash! This restaurant is located in the Vista Plaza near the HMart area. Although it was fairly busy, we did find a parking space right up front. We were asked multiple times if we were ready to order. It took us a bit to decide. When we were finally ready, we got the Juicy Fried Chicken ($8.25), Chashu Bun ($5), Kitakata Miso Ramen ($15.45 + $1.50 for large), and Spicy Miso Ramen ($17.45 + $1.50 for large), Seasoned Egg ($1.50), & Corn ($1). We really enjoyed the Juicy Fried Chicken with the dipping sauce. We would get that again! The Chashu on the Chashu Bun was delicious, but we didn't eat it properly and was left with some empty bun. Oh well! LOL We usually share a bowl of ramen, but opted to try two different bowls. For $1.50 more, you can get a large portion. Turns out, we didn't need the extra. It was unbelievable how many noodles were in the bowl! My Kitakata Miso Ramen seemed mild in flavor to me. I think it might be because I'm so used to eating a Spicy Miso Ramen. I liked the Chashu pieces. Hubby got the Spicy Miso Ramen with a side of Seasoned Egg & Corn. The noodles have a nice chew & texture. They are thicker than the noodles in other ramen, like at Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen. We're used to Hakata Ramen, so I'm not sure if that plays into our opinion of the Kitakata Ramen. I wish this restaurant much success!

It's finally here in South Bay!! They have another location in Buena Park and so happy to see that there are here!! Everything is absolutely delicious here. Their soup broth is perfectly done, pork chashu is perfectly seasoned, and their noodle is "al dente!" Prompt customer service and love their small but cozy ambiance! Highly recommend this place!!

What a great addition to the ramen scene in the south bay. If you love ramen, it's worth checking out. I've been here 3 times already since it opened which tells you something. It can get busy at the usual meal times but you can get on the wait list on Yelp. First off, this is not a tonkotsu place. It has traditional shoyu(soy sauce), shio(salt), or miso flavored broth. Where it shines is in it's simplicity and freshness. Noodles are so delicious both the regular and the firm. I prefer the firmer side. Pork is maybe the best seasoned pork of all the ramen places I've tried. My only complaint is that they could be sliced a little thicker. Sometimes they are quite thin. Naturally then, the aburi bowl is amazing and flavorful. If you don't feel like noodles per se, this is a great option. Mizore is maybe my favorite with the yuzu paste and the green onion topping. Cost is about on par with other ramen shops, around $20 when all done.

I've been to other Kitakata Ramen location. I don't remember the tsukemen being basically soup. Usually it's thicker sauce and you can dip, but this place is was more like soup. I end up pouring the whole soup into the noodles, so basically I should have just ordered ramen instead. The noodles was still very enjoyable. Service was quick. This is newly open and the place is clean and medium size. I do like the lunch combo deals! The karaage was good! For next time, I'll just order their ramen dishes.

The newest ramen restaurant in the South Bay. Let's give it a try 1- ambiance Cool modern sheik. For a fast service place it's nice 2- service Very fast and efficient. But you do have to clearly say which ramen you want as all of them seem to be named kitakata (something) Note that it's contact less payment. No cash 3- food There are so many good ramen places. This is another. The ramen itself is good , the karaage is ok and the small chashu bowl is good So, where does it stack up? Vs the physically closest alternatives (excluding h mart. As that dining experience more cafeteria style) I'd still put ramen shack takayumiya as the top. Their karaage is better Kitakata would rank second Kotsu would rank third Of course, if you want a fusion style Japonica is awesome

kitakata is a solid ramen shop! interior is nice and clean. service is pretty fast. the food is solid. if you are looking for a filling meal, i'd say kitakata is the right choice. it's not crazy amazing ramen but it for sure is a decent ramen shop. their green chili shio ramen has a clean broth. it's got a little kick to it so if you like spicy stuff, i'd recommend that. their chashu bowl was really good too.

Very happy to have Kitakana in Torrance now! It was our first time trying Kitakana tonight and didn't know that they JUST opened yesterday. LOVE that they use Yelp waitlist so we added our names en route. Didn't have a long wait at all and they were busy. We were seated and tended to quickly. Everyone was so polite and thanked us for our patience (even though the wait wasn't an issue for us). We each got the Umakara Tan Tan Ramen and shared a fried chicken app. Loved the unique noodles which were the perfect texture! I got the large and I think my eyes were bigger than my stomach so I ended up taking some leftover home. Our waters were always filled and everyone was so attentive and friendly. We will be back! Congratulations on the grand opening! Thank you!

I saw that this was a new restaurant that opened up, and what better way to get some ramen on a rainy day. I'm glad they have a Yelp waitlist because the restaurant is pretty small. When we were sat the service was very quick and friendly. I ordered the mizore ramen and my boyfriend had the tan tan ramen. I wish that mizore ramen was a regular item on the menu because that is my favorite ramen I've had! It was a little salty and citrusy which I loved! The noodles are unique compared to other ramen restaurants. They use ban nai noodles which are flatter and had a light chew to each bite. My boyfriend said this may be his #1 ramen spot in the South Bay. They have lunch specials along and rice bowls as well. I will definitely be back to try the chicken karaage and my mizore ramen!

The green chili shio ramen is the best! I have eaten this dish dozens of times and every time I am reminded that it is my favorite food. It's best when you order an egg or two. The shio broth is clear and is clean tasting. If you are sensitive to sodium you can order it less salty. But if it is your first time you should definitely try the "full strength."The noodles are very bouncy and curly which is interesting. And yet somehow they don't get soggy. I am so happy there is a location out this way. It beats driving an hour through traffic to Buena Park location, previously the closest branch to me. This location is on the smaller side, but has super easy parking. They usually have a yelp waitlist to hold your place in line. And this location has a bar seating which is nice for solo/couples. I wish they will sell official T-shirts so I can represent Kitakata Bannai everywhere I go.