Ramen & Tsukemen TAO

**4.6/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ Ramen & Tsukemen TAO: Boutique Michelin Magic in a Bowl** Tucked away in a nondescript Torrance plaza, **Ramen & Tsukemen TAO** feels like a secret Tokyo ramen-ya smuggled into SoCal—minimalist wood counters, soft lighting, and only 20 seats that book out weeks in advance 🍜✨. This isn't your average noodle joint; it's a Michelin Bib Gourmand darling that treats ramen like fine dining without the pretension. The open kitchen hums quietly as Chef Tao crafts each bowl with monk-like focus. The **signature black truffle tsukemen** is pure artistry: springy house-made noodles served cold alongside a rich, pork-chicken-seafood broth that's been simmering for days. Dip, slurp, repeat—the umami explodes with earthy truffle depth, balanced by yuzu zest and perfectly medium-boiled egg. Even the **shoyu ramen** elevates classics: crystal-clear broth with layers of smoked oil, tender chashu that melts, and noodles with that ideal al dente bite 🥚🔥. What sets TAO apart is the **boutique experience**—every detail curated, from the ceramic bowls to the complimentary barley tea. The menu is small and seasonal, encouraging trust in the chef (go omakase-style with add-ons). Service is warm yet precise; staff explain dishes without hovering. Only docking 0.4 because the no-reservation lunch rush means a potential wait (line up 15 mins early), and portions lean refined rather than belly-busting. Parking's easy in the lot. TAO proves ramen can be sophisticated without losing soul—Michelin got this one spot-on. It's not just dinner; it's an event. Already craving my next visit; the truffle tsukemen haunts my dreams.

Fabulous ramen with Michelin guide recognition! The noodles get coated with the broth so nicely. We ordered the Chasu White Miso Ramen (delicate, savory, umami) and the Spicy Red Miso Ramen (rich salty flavor with buildable spice). Our waitress was nice and explained how to add the spicy tao and garlic. The place is small (only about 14-16 seats total) but we did not have to wait when we came at noon on a Saturday. They also do take out. WARNING: The parking lot is small with very compact spots. There is also some nearby street parking

I’m here for their tsukemen and it didn’t disappoint. The broth is thick, dense and salty with lots of tasty men ma (preserved bamboo shoots) that was pretty enjoyable, the noodles however are not the type of thicker chewyer ones that i prefer but that’s okay it is just how it is. The residual water in the ramen bowl is a little too much though, if the kitchen can clear out the water in the bowl completely before serving that would make perfect. Thank you for the hospitality, loved the authentic tsukemen experiences!

First time I visited this restaurant it was when it was still new and before it got Michelin recommendations and it was pretty amazing. It is now still amazing, ramen taste very authentic and the flavors are amazing. My only complaint is that the sides aren't that great. Gyoza didn't taste good and fried tofu was cold and not very flavorful. Bun was okay but also not up to par with the ramen.

I’ve been here almost ten times, and I always get the Red Miso Ramen. It’s honestly the best ramen I’ve ever had in my life. The broth is rich, and the noodles are perfectly chewy. If I had to point out one thing, it’s that it’s quite salty — but other than that, it’s absolutely perfect.

Came here Friday night for the first time. I couldn't find any available spot so I parked across the street. The are limited number of seats inside the restaurant. We waited for around 20 minutes to get seated. We ordered the Chasu miso tsukemen and the summer special dan dan cold noodle. The broth is the tsukemen is amazing. With the squeezed lime it is even better. It is a hot summer day, so eating tsukemen is a bit heavy, the cold dan dan noodles is actually more enjoyable, but it's up to your preference. The noodles are freshly prepared and chewy. The pork, however, it's not as tender as I expected, doing it inside the broth helps a little.

This is the best ramen I’ve had. I hate the miso ramen and I added the spicy bao. I came around 6 pm and I waited an hour but understandably so. The staff is hardworking and amazing. 🤩 can’t recommend enough

Small shop has Michelin Bib gourmand recognition four years running. I've been obsessed with finding ramen to knock me out. Despite the extreme heat, they were surprisingly packed , with hardly any tables staying empty for long, and a brisk takeout line of orders being prepared the entire time. I got the "best deal" regular white miso ramen. This dish had five or more slices of very tender char shu roast pork. Comes with a soy hard boiled egg ( sweet salty and perfectly soft yolk), a ton of crisp green onion and menma (fermented seasoned bamboo shoots). The noodles are a no egg Sapporo style noodle, I enjoyed the texture and flavor immensely. I ended up only eating half of the bowl! It's very filling and delicious. My daughter opted for the large charshu spicy miso Tsukumen (thicker noodles are separate from the sauce - that was rich and SPICY!) Not featured on the regular menu was a summer cold Dan Dan noodles topped with chopped meat and available with or without chili oil. We also got the smaller kids plate : comes with its own bowl of ramen plus same toppings of chashu and menma, and a calpico drink and packaged sweet jelly. The gyoza was itself also very well done, good filling and a just right thickness on the wrapper. Served with a dipping duo of soy sauce and chili oil. They use an old style clipboard for seating ( we waited about 15 minutes tonight). Green matcha tea served hot or cold, I got myself a limeade. Small parking lot shared with a Korean restaurant and 7-11 store (we got Lottery tickets while waiting).

We saw some things on the wall talking about Tsujita so I'm a little unsure if they're related or not. But while they're not Tsujita, TAO is a really great OC substitute for Tsujita! The broth is really flavorful and if you want more pizazz, they have a whole jar of garlic for you to add as you please. I got the spicy tsukemen and added an egg. I also got the spicy tao to add more spice. Service was pretty good but the restaurant is pretty tiny. I'll definitely be back if I'm in the area!

This ramen shop was recommended by one of my friend's clients, so we decided to stop by for a quick dinner. Ramen & Tsukemen TAO is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant and earned the designation in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The owner and head chef trained at Tsujita in Tokyo for 10 years (yes, it is the same Tsujita as the one in Sawtelle near Santa Monica) before opening his own restaurant. Apparently their broth is takes 40 hours to prepare. [Parking]: The parking lot is tight with limited spaces available. [Waitlist]: The restaurant uses a paper waitlist. We waited less than 10 minutes for a table for a weekday dinner. Limited seating with about 20 customers at a time. [Menu]: Their specialties are Miso Tsukemen (dipping noodle) and Miso Ramen. Miso Ramen are available in white miso or red miso options. Customers can choose between regular or large sizes. *** Miso Tsukemen (regular, $16): Maybe I am just not be the biggest fan of tsukemen in general as I found the dipping broth to be slightly saltier than other tsukemen broths I've tried elsewhere. With that being said, I was a fan of their thick and chewy noodles. *** I wouldn't mind visiting this ramen shop again to try their miso ramen instead of tsukemen, but I thought their tsukemen was just okay and parking was not convenient during the busy dinner hours. P.S. - The second Gardena Store is apparently closed.

Always busy but for good reason. If you come and see people outside you likely will need to wait between 20-45 min. Food is delicious and service is quick. This is our favorite ramen spot in the area. My only complaint is not about the restaurant but rather the customers! There are 16 seats in this restaurant and we have seen groups of customers that are sitting there, done eating, scrolling their phones or just sitting there talking for upwards of 30 min after they've eaten and their bowls have been cleared. Meanwhile, a dozen or more people are standing outside waiting for tables. On our most recent visit, there was a couple already sitting when I checked in. We waited 40 min for a table, ordered, ate and paid (with children in tow). When we left they were still sitting there chatting! The waiter checked on them several times to give them the hint hint nudge nudge but they didn't catch on! We will still come back as this is our favorite ramen in the area but wish some customers would be more considerate!

I've been enjoying the food here for years. Tao is well known for its miso and tsukemen ramen. If you like miso-style ramen, this place is for you. Although I have to watch my sodium intake these days, I occasionally treat myself to a heart-warming bowl or one of their rice bowls. My go-to ramen is the tsukemen, which has cold, thick noodles and warm, miso-savory broth. The Chashu Red Miso Ramen has a flavorful, bold broth and thick noodles. The chashu slices have a meaty texture, and have tender fat ends. If you like food with a kick, check out the spicy options. The regular-size ramen is also filling and more than enough for me to finish. The chicken ramen is also a delicious option if you prefer a lighter yet flavorful broth. The thin noodles and chicken slices were cooked well. Combos are also great options if you are hungry. The gyoza and karange are my favorite starters. Don't sleep on the rice bowls! My favorite is the Beef Bowl, reminiscent of the Japanese-style gyudon bowls from the most popular franchises in Japan. It features thin-cut meat with fatty pieces, sauteed onions, and a flavorful sauce that seeps into the rice. The staff at Tao has been consistently kind and accommodating every time I've dined here. Despite the limited dining space, the service and food quality make it worth the visit. It reminds me of a local ramen joint in Japan. I'm glad there are more top-rated ramen options in OC. The story behind the chef and shop is also interesting and available on their website.

Our go-to to-go ramen spot! We eat-in occasionally, but mostly I stop by to grab dinner which is always securely packed for the trip home. My steps at home: 1. Open the bag. 2. Open the container with topping and noodles, set the topping aside. 3. Open little tubs of garlic and seaweed & add to noodles. 4. Open the box of bean sprouts (you ordered a side of bean sprouts to add to your ramen, didn't you? That way you can claim you had your vegetables!) and add it to the noodles. 5. Open the container of broth and pour over noodles. 6. Finally! Add the topping! 7. Ready, eat, be amazed.

Located in Buena Park on Valley View, this is a Michelin Bib-Gourmand Ramen shop from a Tokyo-based Ramen chef with almost 20 years of experience. Apparently, the broth takes 40 hours to develop its rich flavor. My wife went with the white miso ramen and I went with the spicy red miso ramen, which is richer in flavor. The ramen noodles in my red miso bowl were thicker than the noodles in my wife's white miso bowl. Both were perfect on this cold winter night. I got the large bowl - it was really filling as they gave a ton of noodles. I might have been okay with the "regular" size. We also got the chashu rice bowl, which has fatty chopped chashu pork over perfectly cooked rice and topped with some nice, sweet soy-based sauce. The only drawback is that it's a small spot with twenty seats and the compact parking spots are tiny/limited, but this place is one of my favorite local ramen spots and it's definitely worth a visit!

One of my favorite ramen shops in OC serving delicious bowls of tsukumen & miso ramen! I've been going here for multiple years now and their bowls of ramen have always been delicious and filling. The Sapporo noodles they use on the white miso ramen and the tsukumen noodles for the red miso ramen are on the thicker side, are chewy & bouncy, and stick to the broth well. Between the red and white miso, I prefer the red miso since it packs an even stronger miso flavor. All bowls come with sprouts, green onion, and a piece of chashu and with or without the spice ball. Their chashu is fatty and and tender and the size is good as well! If you want more chashu, I would opt for the chashu ramen or the larger sized bowls. If you want tsukumen, their miso tsukumen with or without more chashu is simply delicious and rivals that of Tsujita up in Sawtelle. The noodles dipped into the rich broth is such a great combination Service here is excellent and the staff are quick with placing orders and food comes out quick. It's usually busy here and it feels like you are in a ramen shop back in Japan with the décor and tables. Parking is available right in front in the little strip plaza. If you want rich, flavorful ramen look no further than TAO if you are in the area!

Around 1pm on a Sunday there were about 3-4 people in front of us on the wait list. There is a sign in sheet inside to write your name, and how many people are in your party. I would say it took about 15-20 minutes of waiting. There are no seats outside. I appreciate how they give you a menu while waiting and once your table is almost ready the staff asks if you are ready to order so they can start making your order. Once we sat down it only took a few minutes and our food was ready. Super efficient and great service! Chashu Miso Spicy Tsukemen: 5/5 The noodles were thick, chewy and bouncy. Egg was jammy and marinated. Four thick slices of chasu. The tsukemen broth has a handful of menma and bean sprouts inside already. The broth was rich, flavorful and coats the noodles in one single dip. You can get the Home Made Matcha drink iced or hot. It's basically matcha powder and water. Not sweetened.

Ramen is good but I like their bowl options as well! Spicy tuna or takana bowl! Parking can be tough and might need to park on the street

Really good spot you may want to try if you are in the Cypress area. We didn't have to wait too long during peek lunch time hours. Once seated the dishes arrived within a few minutes. The flavors and aromas of the soups were reminiscent of my recent trip to Tokyo. The thick style noodles I had were the perfect texture and the soup was rich. This place is good for parties less than 4 people as it's quite tight. You won't be doing much talking because you will have your face planted in your bowl

Great place with friendly people. Michelin Star back to back. I wish some of you quit raining a restaurant because of a certain experience you had with an employee. Not everybody knows your an entitled person that wants special attention . Rate the food, stick to the topic. I'm talking to you K.N

I've heard so many great things about this spot for years and finally got to try it a few days ago. Not only is the ramen itself super aesthetic, but the cute and cozy restaurant itself is similar to the ones in Japan. My friend and I wanted to try both styles so we ordered a Spicy Miso Tsukemen and a Spicy Miso Ramen. The noodles were gorgeous and so beautifully presented when it arrived on the Tsukemen. I loved the texture of the noodles and was seriously in awe by how good it was. The broth for the Spicy Miso also was very rich and not overly salty. The Tsukemen was probably my favorite of the two because there's just something about cold noodles going into hot broth with lime and a splash of vinegar that gets me. Two bowls were super filling for us and we were stuffed by the end of the meal! Service was sort of a miss for us. From the moment we entered, to the end of our meal -- everything felt rushed.

I've visited Tao at least 20x this year alone. I've ordered extra spicy paste on 100 degree weather days. I'll drive in the 405 at 5pm just to taste the sweet nectar in the ramen. I will be a die hard Tao customer for life.

I've been dreaming of finding a real authentic ramen spot and my dreams have been answered! So good! This broth, creamy, flavorful, spicy, just delicious! And the noodles.....bouncy, has a little chew but soft. Ugh I'm hungry.

Amazing dipping ramen, service is fast had nice. Didn't have a reservation and wait time was not bad. Parking was also not bad! The ambiance is nice and clean, no frills. Dipping ramen was a perfect portion. Want to try their Dan Dan noodle next time.

Service: We were greeted and seated immediately and although there was only one server she was incredibly polite and efficient. The food came out quickly as well and there is an open view of the kitchen as your food is being prepared. Food: I ordered the standard white miso ramen with an additional charge of spice. I feel the spice was great but the ramen broth was a in need of more stock/umami flavor. There was another option for dry ramen and If I return I may try that dish instead as it comes with lime which I would hope help cut the salty flavor. There are also garnishes available. The rice bowl pictures was also good but be sure to mix in with the rice as it's also a salty dish. However the noodles were the favorite. I love thinner ramen noodles and they have noodle options as well on the back for your choosing. Inside: This was my first time trying this establishment and the first thing I noticed was how small it was. Definitely a hole in the wall but these types of restaurants are often my favorite. Very clean and tight inside and I enjoyed the wooden tables, bar, and dishes used. Very cute. Definitely a good spot to eat alone or with friends if you're in the Buena Park area as the prices were reasonable and there are dessert options nearby :)

Veggie ramen was a great option. It came with slices of tofu and vegetables. The broth was creamy and had a wonderful rich miso flavor. The thin noodles were cooked well and had a good texture/bite to it. Not soggy at all. The other folks at our table liked their white miso option with chashu, complimenting the tender pork and flavorful broth. The broth in the red miso ramen was thicker than the other broths. It's a small restaurant. They have four tables inside with enough for 2-4 people each. There is bar-like seating with five seats. The service was quick with friendly employees. Parking was limited, hard to find parking.

BEST RAMEN IVE HAD If you come across this review and are looking for ramen spots, look no further. you won't regret it (:

First time trying Ramen & Tsukemen TAO! I'm still dreaming about my meal, each bite was a delight. Don't miss out on trying their Chashu Miso Tsukemen. The menu has a fantastic selection of noodle dishes, and we each got something different from the menu and loved everything we tried. We only had good comments about the food. I can't wait to come back again! Service was quick and prompt. Thank you. I will def be back! Honorable mentions: -Accepts credit card -Plenty of parking -Small seating area inside

Heard a lot of hubbub about this place, so naturally, I had to stop by. Surprisingly there was no wait at lunchtime on a weekend. Lucky me. I got the chashu spicy miso tsukemen. Dipping the semi-cold noodles chilled the broth and made it luke-warm, but eating it together in one bite was too much as the dipping broth is overly seasoned to make up for the dipping. It was good, but I wasn't amazed. Probably because I discovered the concept of the dish just wasn't my thing. Maybe I'll come back to try the ramen next time.

I went into this ramen spot with high expectations--after all, they've got a Michelin star, so I figured I'd be in for an exceptional experience. The atmosphere was decent, though the customer vibe was just okay, and service felt a bit rushed. We barely sat down and were already being asked for our orders, which threw me off. It didn't exactly make for a relaxing start. The ramen itself was... fine, but definitely didn't live up to the Michelin hype. The broth was intense, almost too heavy, which overwhelmed the flavors a bit, and the meat came out lukewarm, which was disappointing. When you're paying premium prices, you want every element to hit, and here it just didn't. Ultimately, for what I paid, it didn't feel worth it--especially with so many ramen options out there.

Finally, I no longer need to drive all the way to West LA for Tsujita! The tsukemen here is just as good, if not better. The restaurant is small with around 4 tables and a few seats at the counter where you can watch the chefs cook. We came around 6 on a weekday and we just beat the dinner rush. We got the Chashu Miso Tsukemen (large for $21.50). This came with a marinated egg and 4 large slices of chashu that were braised to perfection and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The star of the meal was definitely the hot dipping broth - it was packed with so much flavor and umami! The noodles were thinner than the ones at Tsujita, but they still had a bouncy texture and gripped onto the broth really well. Each bite was a satisfying slurp! We also tried their White Miso Ramen (large for $16). This came with 2 slices of chashu. The miso broth had a thicker consistency and had a good flavor. Though, after a few bites, it got a bit too heavy and salty for me. The thin noodles was soaking up the broth over time so the ramen became less soupy as well. Overall, it was a solid meal. I would 100% come back here for their tsukemen, but I would pass on the ramen.

This spot has been on my list for awhile so I was excited to try. The shop itself is small and welcoming with bar seating and a few tables. I'm a big tsukemen lover and this did not disappointed. The noodles are the star and out of this world but the broth was delicious and rich too. Service was friendly and I can't wait to go back!

Small restaurant that could fit roughly 18-20 people, they do have small amount of seating outdoors too. I would give this place a solid 4-4.5 stars, being on the Michelin Bib Gourmand, I had higher expectations. Got to try the Spicy Red and White miso ramen. The noodles are definitely 5 stars so silky, smooth, and tasty. Same with the chashu, tender but not too soft, and was very flavorful. The broth was delicious on the first bite, very rich and flavorful. But halfway through, the broth just tasted extremely heavy and salty and just started to become hard to eat. I have extremely mixed feelings on the broth. Overall, I did definitely enjoy my meal! If they can somehow offer an alternative broth like a pork tonkatsu broth and perfect that, I would be here a lot!

I want to say I normally come to eat here with friends and recommend it to alot of people. However the last few visits it seems to have missed the mark. The 2 previous times when I ordered take out the restaurant forgot the egg (which I was charged for). Which I checked before pulling out of the parking lot---which there was no apology for the mistake or acknowledgment, just a grab and throw in the bag the egg they have forgotten. But this time was a little too much for me, I had a to go order and there was a brown/black hair that was mixed in with the bamboo. I wanted to honestly call the restaurant, but what was the real solution? They have me drive 20-30 minutes one way to get it changed out and then 20-30 minutes just to go home again? I just really hope that they can be more careful and mindful to their customers; overall coming to eat and support this place has always been one of my favorites, but enough is enough with these take out orders missing the mark.

This message is for the Owner, which I will be looking to get a hold of tomorrow. I am a local here and have been coming here when it was LaMen (owned by a husband and wife) and have supported TAO since they opened. I remember when the Owner and Head Chef used to operate this Buena Park location and he would make our ramen and always so polite and happy and was excited to open his restaurant. And the small staff of 2-3 people were so appreciative and genuinely so nice. And it continues to be that way. Until today when I was served by Ely. She was rude and awful and has a mouth on her. I was the only person in the restaurant around 2:45pm and I sat at the bar area (is that is what you call it). I placed my order and when the cook brought the bowl out and placed it on the counter, I asked for soy sauce and vinegar. Ely came by and said "tell me, don't talk to him" and I thought that was rude so I told her "hey, you could have said it differently and much nicer, what you said and how you said it was very rude and that's not how you address your patrons concerns" to which she said "he doesn't understand English and I'm your server so you talk to me if you want something." I replied with "he made my ramen, there is no one else here and what's the difference from asking him or asking you" and she said "you don't have to eat here. As a matter of fact, I heard you on your phone and you were rude to your friend!" Excuse me? The nerve of this lady. I was in shock and would have left if my food was not already at my table or of I didn't respect this local establishment, a place I've supported from the beginning. Since when can patrons not speak to the restaurant staff, especially when sitting at the bar area and especially if the person is handing you your bowl. I've sat at this bar area many times and have chatted with the staff. The staff behind the bar and working in the kitchen have brought me condiments and handed them to me over the bar top. Ely has an attitude and I am most patient with the staff when dining out. But this is surprising to be talked to when you're dining in at a restaurant that has no one inside except you, the only diner! Why was she listening to my personal phone call? What did she not take open feedback from a patron? When someone asks you for something at a restaurant and it's your job to be helpful, you don't respond with "talk to me, don't talk to him" because that is downright RUDE! And in reading reviews, there are a few reviews of staff here being RUDE! And one also calls out Ely. So good to know I'm not be one who is making stuff up. Ely - perhaps the food and hospitality industry is not for you. You're too young to be this upset and grumpy. People who dine out are looking to be treated nicely and to enjoy their meal. You've made it very difficult for locals like me want to come back and support when I know Owners and Management value their guests since I've always enjoyed dining here until today. Yoshi and the other females working here are extremely awesome! I won't let one person ruin my experience to enjoy delicious ramen!

This is the most delicacy authentic Ramen in SoCal I've ever seen since I got back from my Japan trip! The rich and salty taste of broth combined with the chewing handmade noodles is the perfect duo! This place deserves to be known more! Located in a very sketchy and compact area which could be easily missed! Parking could be tough sometimes! They only provide a few tables indoors and couple bar spots so it could get full very fast! However, the flow is speedy with an excellent service skills!

On my most recent trip down to SoCal I had such a hankering for ramen and this place was recommended so many times, I had to give it a try. I came in on a Wednesday evening and although it was busy, the wait wasn't bad at all. My order was placed while waiting for a seat since they were closing soon- which definitely made it a lot easier for both ends. The restaurant itself was small and dainty and even had signs on how to eat their special Tao spices (which I thought was pretty neat!) If you like the a denser and richer broth I would highly recommend the red miso and the white miso for a much lighter broth. Both were delicious and very flavorful but for personal preference I would go with the white miso. They have pretty large portions so come hungry.They also had a seasonal cold dan dan noodle dish I wanted to try but my stomach couldn't handle anymore- maybe next time!

Felt like we were in Japan. The dining area is small and intimate which further creates the illusion of being in a small, ramen shop in Japan. I appreciated the waitress cautioning me when I chose the spicy white miso. She suggested getting the chili on the side which thank goodness I did because I only used about 1/3 of the serving. The noodles were some of the best I ever had and the portion in the large size is copious. The broth is very rich and I think might be bordering on a bit salty for some. For me personally it was just at the edge and was delicious! My wife got the Tsukemen which she really enjoyed. We also had an order of gyoza that we gobbled up. With tip it was $50 which is the new $30. So their prices are what you would expect and I was stuffed to the gills. we will be back!

Went there for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon and waited about 30 minutes for a table of 4. The restaurant was small and parking can be difficult. This is definitely the place for ramen! Their ramen is even better than places n Japantown in SF and LA. Most ramen places use the same ramen on all of their ramen dishes, but here they have different types of ramen depending on your order Here is what we ordered: - White Miso ramen - 4 star - was a bit salty but we asked for additional soup to water it down and made it better. It came with your typical ramen noodles, but better. - Chicken ramen - 5 star - was surprised to learn that the chashu was made of chicken instead of pork. It was very tender and tasty. It came with the typical thin egg ramen noodle. - Miso Tsukemen - 5 star - we never had a dipping ramen before and it was a completely different experience. Since you dip the ramen into the soup, it never gets too salty. It comes with a thick noodle -- firm and chewy, but flavorful. We never had this type of ramen noodle before. We also ordered a side of Edamame and Spicy Tao -- it's not just heat, but there are flavors there that I can't describe. You only need little as it is spicy. We are definitely coming back here the next time we're in OC!

my friend and i were pleasantly surprised by the rich soup. it was so flavorful and creamy. she got the white miso (thin noodle) and i got the red miso (thick noodle with a little bit of spice. the pork belly was thick and tender unlike other ramen shops tiny pieces of meat. server was very busy, which we didn't mind bc we were happy with just our food. it was a cute little shop that felt very homey and traditional (: 10/10

I ordered miso ramen and tsukemen for my wife also ordered tofu, poke bun, chasu bowl, macha. Be honest, poke bun is good. Tofu is just nothing. Chasu bowl is so so. Macha is bad. Those ramen were fantastic. Service was awful. They need more staff at least one more. Ambience is so so.

This spot wasn't bad. I was a little surprised it was on the Michelin recommendation, but i think i was spoiled from living near sawtelle and all of the ramen options.

If you're looking for a hole in the wall type authentic ramen spot then this is the spot. Although TAO is a small and casual ramen spot it was selected by Michelin. And I can see why. Their simple menu includes white and red miso broth with their yummy house made ramen noodles. Both of their broths have intense delicious flavor. My favorite is the red miso broth which comes with thicker noodles. The white miso is also good was well and comes with thinner noodles. I like to get them spicy. They also have dipping ramen as well which I would love to try next time. The meats and egg that comes in the ramen are cooked perfectly. And they have different ingredients you can add for additional charge, such as extra green onions and corn. Besides their ramen, they also have small rice bowls. I have tried their tuna one which is really good. And the wasabi that comes in them are strong and delicious. Eating here was definitely satisfying and hit the spot. The food is affordable and the service was great. It's a great ramen house if you are looking for something casual and satisfying in the area.

It is a small casual place but the food is quite good. The prices are a bit on the high side but worth it IMHO. The service is spot on and the food is prepared in a timely manner.

I've been on a Ramen kick for the past month and a half and when I discovered TAO on Yelp back in 2023, I was really wanting to try it- I just didn't know how close it was to me! This place is located off Valley View and if you don't know where it is, you will drive right past it! It's a little bigger than a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, but it's still hard to spot if you don't know where it is. It's right next to Neighborhood Bento and the Flamebroiler. This is a casual, family restaurant with a handful of booths and tables to dine-in inside the restaurant. The decor is traditional Japanese and there are articles located throughout the restaurant that were written about TAO's phenomenal ramen, broth and food - it is an acclaimed Michelin Guide Ramen spot! I called in my order to-go for lunch so I could enjoy it after a round just up the street at Navy Golf Course. The lady over the phone was very friendly when I placed my order, and the food was ready before their estimated time - which is always a plus in my book! We ordered: vegetarian ramen, gyoza and chicken ramen with extra ramen. The vegetarian ramen had: tofu, crispy veggies that cooked a little bit when we added the hot broth, mushrooms and baby corn. The vegetarian broth was really tasty and not as savory compared to the chicken broth. The chicken ramen had chicken chashu, mushrooms and greens onions, and the chicken broth was really delicious. The chicken broth was actually my favorite part of the meal, it was very flavorful, savory and clear. The gyoza were crunchy and a wonderful addition to add to our ramen. I enjoyed the extra ramen noodles at home when I made my own ramen using my own broth and toppings - the ramen noodles were my second favorite part of the meal. Next time you're off Valley View, near Cerritos Avenue, check out TAO! Their selection of ramen is sure to please anyone and their food is so savory and flavorful it's bound to please anyone during our rainy and cold seasons.

What a gem in the neighborhood!!! We were staying at the Hyatt House and wanted to have some noodles. WOW!!! What a find!!! A 2022 and 2023 Michelin Award Recipient. How impressive!!! We drove over and the restaurant is understated on first glance. However, once inside the restaurant it was warm and comfortable and I felt a good feeling because it was busy and full of people enjoying themselves. Menu is simple and service efficient and quick. But, the piece de resistance is the ramen. Wow!!! The broth is delicious, very rich and deep and very satisfying. The noodles perfect. The bamboo and chasu delicious. I can eat like this everyday!!! Definitely coming back for more in May 2024!!!

I was surprised that a Michelin recognized restaurant was hidden hole in the wall place no reservations are needed to get to eat here. I've tried red and white broths, and they are both very rich and the noodles are perfect. The red was a little too spicy for my taste, but I love the white. I always order a large with extra chashui and split it between our two bowls of noodles. The food is tasty and comes out fast, but the only downside is that the place itself is very small and only has a handful of tables so if you arrive at prime dinner hours, it usually is at least a half hour wait. Also, I've noticed that after eating here, the broth or noodles, or something turns your urine Gatorade yellow green.

TLDR: It's a Michelin star place so it's always worth a try. It's on the higher end in terms of pricing, but not outside the commonly accepted range. The food options are limited, but they all pass the, "Should be this good for me to return" bar. The place is kinda small though, so you can't bring big parties here. Chashu White Miso (L): This is an amazing option for first timers. Visually, it's a beautiful bowl to look at and the taste isn't too far behind. It's a rich broth with generous amounts of thick cut chashu. It's a 5/5 in terms of uniqueness since I've never tasted ramen like this before. Noodle portions are good although I got the large. Chashu Miso Tsukemen (L): Cold thick noodles, chilled chashu, and a very rich and creamy broth. It's a step up for inexperienced ramen eaters but home for the more initiated ones. The broth is a mix of a pork and fish feel which gives a vastly different experience from the white miso. The noodles get coated quite easily when dipped, and the chashu maintains its own flavor whether you dip it in the broth or not. I prefer the white miso, but I can still consider this as 5 stars. Gyoza: It looks homemade, it tastes homemade. I'm a sucker for restaurants that try to keep that feeling of home cooking regardless of how big they grow. It may not be the best gyoza, but it still good enough for 5 stars in yelp. Service: Staff was polite and hearing the sounds of the kitchen was music to my ear. Ambiance: The place sits less than 20, so it simulates a small Japanese ramen shack. I'm not gonna complain about it, but parties of more than 6 might.

we are evacuated to Buena Park due to the fires. My son just had surgery and can only eat soft foods and was craving Ramen. This place was very clean very friendly and the Ramen was very very good. We visited this place multiple times during the week and highly recommend trying this place out. My son can't wait to go back to get some more Ramen.

I came here with a friend for lunch on a Thursday and was fortunate to not have to wait to be seated. It is a small restaurant, so I could imagine it being packed during peak hours. She ordered the white miso ramen (R), and I ordered the miso tsukemen (R). We both enjoyed our dishes, but they were a bit salty and had us drinking lots of water lol. I ended up taking half of my dish to go so that I could water it down a bit and add more noodles at home. I loved the noodles that came with the tsukemen; they had a nice chew and bounce to them! We both enjoyed our meal and agreed that we would come back!

Incredible ramen and tsukomen that's authentically Japanese. The food rivals that of the offerings at Little Tokyo, Sawtelle, and Torrance. I had the Red Miso Ramen and my partner had the Spicy Miso Tsukomen. Both broths were rich and creamy. All the ingredients tasted fresh and was filling. Many of the staff were Japanese and had good service. The interior of the restaurant felt very Japanese. Lastly, the mochi ice cream was a nice touch after the entrees. The mochi had a nice and chewy texture on the outside.

This is so ridiculous, i love the chasu meat here thats why i ordered many times at this place. However they are super stingy on the broth, i have to order extra broth everytime. Extra broth wasnt cheap either and they gave me like less than half the container. The amount is same with the dipping ramen broth and this is just regular broth (plus i order size L) The meat i got today is full of fat, 80%fat and 20% meat.

Maybe it's because I'm comparing it to Tsujita, but the tsukamen is just okay here. The noodles are flat and square, which I didn't expect. They were okay, but not as bouncy as Tsujita. Maybe I came on an off day. I'm not a fan of the miso broth, but glad I tried it.

Was here about 2 weeks ago, didn't have time to leave a review but I'm able to now. I will say it is small, but you do feel like you stepped in a small piece of Japan. The look and feel of how this shop is. The food, the Ramen and the Tsukemen (I've tried both) its soooo good! The broth was very rich and soo much flavor! Service was really good, however something that did leave a sour taste in my mouth at the end was the servers comment. Soo I paid on the portable POS system. There was a place to leave a tip, and yes I did leave a tip. Then when I left, the server asked "oh so no tip?!" and I said yes I did when I paid. That was kind of annoying as accusing me of not tipping. (Yes I know I tipped cuz I checked my bank statement) Food is great just please advise your servers to think before they speak.

I walked in early afternoon to get takeout before I went to see my favorite fish of a human. I was greeted promptly and the cute staff member made sure she knew of my presence as she cleared up tables--so I didn't have to do the awkward head bob or the shaky "excuse me"/wave. They had a menu at the host stand, but as an anxious person on the go, I knew I was going to get the chashu bowl and an egg. I took my chashu bowl to go, less than 10 min wait. And I drove away, very happy about my interactions (good job Miho, you talked to ppl). When I got to my human's house, I ate the egg first like some crazy beast, and it wasn't super runny, but the yolk was soft and flavored well. Just how I like it!!! Agh The chashu bowl was wonderful, heavy on the sesame oil, but it's a ramen shop, sesame oil is a staple. My partner also had a few bites and enjoyed the sesame oil. I'll probably go back to eat some ramen/tsukemen tho. My Japanese blood craves tsukemen sometimes and they have 3 or 4 types of noodles!! DIFFERENT NOODLES FOR DIFFERENT SOUPS!!

Ramen & Tsukemen TAO was a little gem I found when looking for ramen near my area. You would never suspect this cozy, home-away-from-home restaurant would be tucked away in a random plaza that I drive by almost daily. There isn't much parking or seating, so beware if you come with a large group or during peak meal times. We came on a Sunday evening, and were lucky enough to be seated right away. Our waitress was the only worker at the front, so she handled all of the hosting, ordering, and more - so please be conscious of that if there are higher wait times. I'm honestly not a big ramen connoisseur, but this spot hit! My partner and I both enjoyed our picks and would definitely return :)

I went to Ramen and Tsukemen TAO on a Wednesday around 4pm and didn't have to wait, although I probably would have had to if I came on a rush hour because the restaurant only has ~4 tables and a bar. The older woman serving us was very kind and attentive. We ordered the miso tsukemen and spicy miso ramen. Although flavorful, I feel as though the broth in the miso tsukemen was not hot enough. After a few minutes, it was room temperature. As for the spicy miso ramen, there was simply not enough soup. Both tasted excellent though, which is why this place is on the Michelin guide in the first place. Something I might skip next time would be the gyoza since they were not crispy like pictured. The plaza is small with limited parking. Prices are reasonable.

A local bib gourmand spot to try. Our party of 3 snagged the last table on a rainy Saturday at 11:30am. I'm so glad we got there when we did because there was a continuous stream of people walking in shortly afterwards. We were greeted and seated right away. Food: We ordered two regular Chashu Spicy Miso Tsukemen (added baby corn to one) and a large Savory Chicken Ramen (added an egg). The ramen noodles were long, had great texture with satisfying chew to it and perfect for honoring my son's birthday. The noodle to meat ratio for the regular size is adequate, but for the large it's not as balanced. Flavor-wise though, the dipping soup and ramen broth evoked happy comfort food feelings. Overall, good food with friendly service. Tips: Recommend dining early. Due to the size of the restaurant they may not be able to accommodate parties larger than 4 right away. Parking is very limited.