"A Japan-based ramen chain opening in LA (scheduled March 1) specializing in Kitakata-style ramen: wavy, chewy hand-crumpled noodles, a clear pork broth, and slices of chashu pork—an arrival of a regional Japanese ramen style to the city." - Cathy Chaplin
"The Torrance Kitakata location of Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai introduced LA County diners to Kitakata’s unique ramen style from Fukushima with fast lunchtime lines to try its historic shina soba–style noodles." - Eater Staff
"Kitakata is our go-to when we need a change of pace from the super-rich tonkatsu ramen that dominates LA. Their flavorful shoyu broth is light and balanced enough to drink a full bowl’s worth, but we also appreciate the curly yellow noodles, fatty slices of chashu, and optional green chili oil, which adds lip-numbing heat. Head here for a quick lunch—service is fast, they offer ramen combo sets with gyoza or karaage, and there’s a Yelp waitlist you can join before arriving to cut down on any wait time. " - nikko duren, garrett snyder
"This ramen chain from Japan, which gained a following in Orange Country before it opened in a Torrance shopping plaza, is our go-to when we're craving something different from the typical pork-bomb tonkatsu ramen. Kitakata’s flavorful shoyu broth is light and balanced enough to drink a full bowl’s worth, but we also appreciate the curly yellow noodles, fatty slices of chashu, and optional green chili oil, which adds lip-numbing heat. Head here for a quick lunch—service is fast, they offer ramen combo sets with gyoza or karaage, and there’s a Yelp waitlist you can join before arriving to cut down on any wait time." - brant cox, sylvio martins, nikko duren, garrett snyder
"This ramen chain from Japan, which gained a following in Orange Country before it opened in a Torrance shopping plaza, is our go-to when we need a change of pace from the super-rich tonkatsu ramen that dominates LA. Kitakata’s flavorful shoyu broth is light and balanced enough to drink a full bowl’s worth, but we also appreciate the curly yellow noodles, fatty slices of chashu, and optional green chili oil, which adds lip-numbing heat. Head here for a quick lunch—service is fast, they offer ramen combo sets with gyoza or karaage, and there’s a Yelp waitlist you can join before arriving to cut down on any wait time." - Garrett Snyder