Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo

Ramen restaurant · Historic Core

Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo

Ramen restaurant · Historic Core

132 S Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA

Highlights

Customize your ramen with customizable broth, noodles, and toppings.

132 S Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA Get directions

shinsengumigroup.com

@shinsengumi_littletokyo

$10–20 · Menu

@onthegrid

On the Grid : Shin Sen Gumi Hakata Ramen

"Of the two schools of (ramen) thought, one is to perfect a single menu item, and the other is to provide a mind-bogglingly diverse array of options that ensures ordering is akin to a convoluted logic problem. As you step into the bustling interior, the entire staff will yell, yes yell, salutations in Japanese, and will do so again upon your departure. But before you leave, you’ll second- and triple-guess your combination expertise as you decide what varietal of mushroom, flavored butter, type of seaweed or form of pork to add to your broth. The most authentic of its kind in LA." - Sandwich Video

https://onthegrid.city/los-angeles/little-tokyo/shin-sen-gumi-hakata-ramen

View Postcard for Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo

@infatuation

The 18 Best Ramen Spots In Los Angeles

"Build-your-own ramen is a concept that sounds pretty gimmicky, but Shin-Sen-Gumi works—the ramen is great and the operation is well run. By build-your-own, we don’t just mean you get to throw a few green onions on top. From the thickness of the noodles to the richness of the broth, you can customize your bowl to any degree you want here, and that’s the kind of power that keeps people lining up." - brant cox, sylvio martins, nikko duren, garrett snyder

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-ramen-los-angeles

View Postcard for Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo

@infatuation

Shin-Sen-Gumi - Review - Little Tokyo - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Build-your-own ramen is a concept that sounds pretty gimmicky, but Shin-Sen-Gumi works—the ramen is solid and the operation is well run. By build-your-own, we don’t just mean you get to throw a few green onions on top. From the thickness of the noodles to the richness of the broth, you can customize your bowl to any degree you want here, and that’s the kind of power that keeps people lining up." - Brant Cox

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/shin-sen-gumi

View Postcard for Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo

@onthegrid

"Shin Sen Gumi Hakata Ramen, Little Tokyo. Of the two schools of (ramen) thought, one is to perfect a single menu item, and the other is to provide a mind-bogglingly diverse array of options that ensures ordering is akin to a convoluted logic problem. As you step into the bustling interior, the entire staff will yell, yes yell, salutations in Japanese, and will do so again upon your departure. But before you leave, you’ll second- and triple-guess your combination expertise as you decide what varietal of mushroom, flavored butter, type of seaweed or form of pork to add to your broth. The most authentic of its kind in LA."

Los Angeles

View Postcard for Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo

RivailsLogan

Google

If you're in LA, particularly in Little Tokyo, Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen is an absolute must-try. This place originally launched its first bowls in LA, and it’s become a local favorite for good reason. One of the unique aspects of Shin-Sen-Gumi is the customization they offer. You can tailor your ramen exactly to your taste with options for your preferred noodle firmness, broth richness, and additional toppings. Whether you like your noodles firm or soft, your broth light or rich, they've got you covered.

Will Hsieh

Google

It’s tastes so delicious! And when I finished order to I got all my meal, just in 10 mins, very fast !! Very recommended to come here to try some Japanese food !

Lorenzo Warfel

Google

BLAND RAMEN... it's more of a tourist trap than anything. Definitely wouldn't recommend this, my friends from out of state wanted to come here and I was fairly hesitant. Turns out I was right to be! I got the Yaki Ramen and it had the most top ramen taste ever. It had some meat which was okay but the sauce, noodles, and overall taste could not save this. Service was actually pretty good, the servers were nice which is why I can't totally knock this place down. It's a good place for bigger groups. There's a long wait time so if you're living on the risky side and want to try this place you might be doubly disappointed. The place attracts lots of first-time con-goers when AX or LACC are around so I would definitely stay away during those times. Note: There's NO AC which sucks during the summer!

Vy H.

Google

Came here recently for dinner Tuesday night—restaurant is small with lots of people, but luckily they had two open spots at the bar area. Got the Hakata Ramen—was so good! Paid extra to add a bunch of toppings (soft flavored egg, corn, shrimp wonton & pork belly chashu). Also got the Pork Cutlet on the side. The noodles and toppings soaked up a good amount of the broth so I had to order more broth for $4.50. The basic Hakata Ramen is $12.50 but once you start adding more toppings, it can get pretty pricey—mine came out to be over $30! Geez. For dessert, the Green Tea Ice Cream was good.

Joshua Lamb

Google

Staff were on their game and fantastic. The servers were quick, attentive and knowledgeable about the wide range of noodles, flavors and add-ons. The vibe was nice and it's got plenty of seating. Some of the cons only refer to the price for the amount of broth and noodles given. Now I got the Hakata normal with is fairly priced, but after adding a couple add-ons, it sky rockets it for little pay off. The broth was just mediocre and noodles were average. I mean the broth did have a consistency of a well done broth, which may be why they place importance on add-ons. Its not bad, I think I was expecting more from such high reviews. Let me say though, Ramen is a preference thing and no one style is as fairly rated as burgers or pizza. So each would enjoy a restaurant as they love their flavors. I just want to give it 3 stars as I eat a lot of Ramen and compare it to other local restaurants.

Issa

Google

Everything about this place screams comfort and delivers perfectly. I adored the way each person could customize their ramen, and each of the toppings and elements were done to utter perfection. The servers and the overall relaxed atmosphere made for a lovely experience, I came away with a warm feeling.

Chris

Google

I've been going here basically almost as long as they've been around. I'm a self admitted shin-sen-gumi fan. I've been to nearly all their restaurants, past and present, and SSG LT still sits as my second favorite of their Hakata Ramen restaurants. The Ramen can speak for itself with how flavorful the broth is. While the default toppings are good enough in their own right, it's always recommended to customize your own experience. I almost always add an egg, and pork belly to pack the protein and enrich the flavor. Pair it with a giant blmug of draft Sapporo and a plate of their perfectly round and crispy takoyaki, and you're in for a great night.

Sweet Kitty

Google

Food ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Service ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ambience ⭐️⭐️ After a walk in Little Tokyo in LA, we decided to have lunch at this restaurant. The establishment was not very spacious and appeared to be a bit disorganized, with some areas being untidy and greasy. We noticed that the napkins in the napkin box were stained and seemed unclean, possibly having been soaked in soup before. Despite the condition of the restaurant, the waitress who served us was very friendly and attentive. The food served was good, but it was a bit too salty and oily for our taste. We weren't very hungry at the time, so that may have affected our experience there. The portion of food was fairly large.

Moises C.

Yelp

Good food & great service Keep up the good work Yessssssssssssssssssss Need more characters to post this review!!!

Christina C.

Yelp

Delicious ramen and goma ae every time! The space can get a bit tight so prepare to get cozy with your dining neighbors. The service is consistently quick and friendly. The parking is a bit tough as expected in DTLA.

Adam K.

Yelp

A great place for a taste of solid ramen in the heart of Little Tokyo! One of the OG ramen shops here, you can't go wrong with it. The lines can be crowded, but do yourself a favor and sign on the Yelp waitlist to avoid the hassle of waiting long! Plenty of table and bar seating inside, and despite how busy it is service is quick and attentive. Ordering from the diverse menu is straightforward, with the ordering sheet giving you full customization of broth strength, oil amount, and noodle doneness. The original hakata ramen is the way to go here. Noodles, a couple pork slices, ginger and green onions. Very simple and to the point, even by itself it gets the job done. It doesn't get any better than that!

Karen C.

Yelp

Parking in the nearby lot is free with validation. Food came out slow, with appetizers coming out after the ramen. Service wasn't good, they don't check on you at all after your order is put in. So during the meal, we had to flag down a different server than the one assigned to us to get a refill on noodles and flat down another server to get the check. Foodwise it's the standard Shin Sen Gumi quality of ramen. Ramen done hakata style with thin noodles and rich pork broth. The appetizers seem to be more varried at this location with promotional items like Teriyaki squid.

Donny V.

Yelp

I've meant to write a review for this incredible ramen spot for a while. My family and I have been coming here for years and never disappointed! The food is really top notch! Incredible ingredients, arguably one of the best. The service is always great, the people are friendly - give this place a try and if you're a ramen fan I'm sure you'll be happy.

Adriana R.

Yelp

Every time I come here food never disappoints. The service is amazing. I love going between 3-5pm the atmosphere is very nice.

Dirk W.

Yelp

After a tight basketball game at the Terasaki center we hoofed over to SSGH. The fried green beans were crispy and paired perfectly with a light creamy horseradish dipping sauce and a mega pint of Sapporo. The fried rice was great. Surprisingly, the gyoza were Lilliputian. In Japan, 12 regular sized gyoza cost $6. The ramen were consistent and high quality . Arigato

Anhvy T.

Yelp

Checked this place out after seeing all the reviews. Honestly, I was really disappointed because the ramen was not anything special. The meal was not memorable and I would not come back again. Ramen itself was $13.75 and came with 2 pieces of cha siu, additional toppings costed extra and that adds up fast. I got their gyoza as well and it was very small, the picture does not depict how small it was in real life. Nothing was really special....

Jacky V.

Yelp

It's been a while since coming here for ramen but I alway know that when I do coke it'll always be enjoyable and delicious. After picking up my niece I'd thought I'd bring her for noodles and she slurped them all. The service is always great and the ambience is a nice chill vibe. Always a favorite place to get ramen!

Trisha S.

Yelp

Unfortunately the vegetarian ramen was super below average :-/. It lacked a lot of flavor and spice. The ramen just fell super flat and didn't have that comforting feeling/taste. I think you can tell by the image, it pretty much was bland and does not come with much. The egg rolls were okay though.

Zach C.

Yelp

There is only one reason I will brave LA traffic and paid parking ON PURPOSE to come to Little Tokyo: Shin Sen Gumi. If I am ever craving ramen or Japanese curry, this place is my go-to. I love the customization options for the ramen since my friends all like their noodles cooked differently - everyone ends up satisfied. The curry bowls are pretty large, and the curry/rice combination is absolutely delicious. I also come here for small poke bowls when I'm feeling snacky but not super hungry! The service here is also top-notch; the waiters could win Olympic medals for being the fastest in cleaning up used napkins and refilling water. They are always extremely patient when explaining the customization menu to new customers, and make the entire restaurant feel very welcoming. My only tiny issue with this location is that the space houses only a few tables for small groups. Every time I've gone with a group we've been seated at the large shared table, sometimes making conversation less intimate. However, if you're here just for food, the ramen or curry will be the only thing you converse with. Shin Sen Gumi remains one of the top restaurants on my list for small plates, large bowls, and great service. Hopefully will be back a couple more times this year!

Lorenzo W.

Yelp

Lilian H.

Yelp

The ramen was amazinggggg. I like their concept of customizing the noodle texture and soup richness. The lunch hour is especially nice since they have the lunch combo where you can get ramen and a side dish! I went with my boyfriend so we got a wonderful spread. Tip: if you park in their lot next to the building you can get your parking validated!

Dev R.

Yelp

Absolutely love the atmosphere. Quick service, unique menu items, and amazing value overall. Don't order too many rice bowls! Go for the ramen or yaki ramen, both quite cool dishes. Spicy tuna bites were also amazing (limited). Overall super cool menu and great vibes! Would definitely come here again, but would definitely order differently than I did this time around. The small tuna bowl is about 5-6 thin slices of tuna atop rice, probably hard to make two small bowls into a meal. Pork rice was a bit drier and blander than I was hoping.

Thomas K.

Yelp

Shin Sen Gumi is a staple in little tokyo. They typically sweep the floor in volume. Their prices are typically more affordable than other ramen shops because they focus on customization than pre-fixed ramen toppings. Shin-Sen Gumi is really good at keep taste uniform among all their stores. The ramen and broth are all made in their central location in Gardena and distributed to all their chain stores across Southern California. The Little Tokyo location has been open since 2011. I have been going to Shin-Sen Gumi for decades! The staff is always friendly and they have lots of promotions throughout the year. They change the menu to accomodate the season or try something new. My current obsession is the Tonkatsu Curry which has been filling the void for me sine Mr. Curry closed down.

Daisy A.

Yelp

We have been coming here for years. We did notice a slight change after Covid. The Ramen bowls seemed smaller, my seaweed salad had way more lettuce than seaweed , and the broth a bit more water down than before. My child wanted Ramen so we took off to little Tokyo. There was no wait on a weekday even though it was Valentine's Day so that was nice. I still really enjoy this place, especially since I don't typically eat Ramen, I'm not sure if the boys will want to go back though.

Andrew W.

Yelp

This was the first time coming here for lunch! I ordered a bowl of veggies noodles and it was okay experience for me. The noodle wise, it was quite soft and soggy in a bit although I ordered for the hard/al dente noodle The broth was fine and creamy one. I think once they improve the noodles, that would be great.

Robert O.

Yelp

Decent choice for ramen in the area. I want to try as many well-reviewed ramen shops in LA, and this was next on the list. The inside has a nice vibe to it. It feels like a welcoming environment. The workers greet you and check on you/available often. The outside looks like an okay option if you don't want to wait, but the tent looks a little leftover from lockdown times. There are a couple of options other than ramen, so it's good to suit diverse tastes. I do like how they give you a paper to fill out to fully customize your meal. You can add and subtract, change noodle firmness and stuff like that. You also make orders for everything else on this sheet as well. I personally had the hakata ramen. The base ramen is pretty bare bones, I believe it was noodles, chashu slices, green onion, and ginger in a pork broth. I wanted to add more ingredients, but it looked like it could get expensive really fast. Instead, I opted for a side of gyoza. From the first bite, I could already tell it was only okay. The broth wasn't very rich and flavorful. The noodles also didn't have much flavor to it. I do like firm noodles, but the texture wasn't working for me. The atmosphere was nice, along with the nice staff. But the food wasn't as good as I was expecting. It is nice that this location is open later than others, but I would want to try other places in the future.

Sharon K.

Yelp

I tried probably every ramen place in Little Tokyo and I personally think Shin Sen Gumi is on top of the list! I know it is a franchise with so many locations but I think that is why their ramen is always so consistent and good! I always opt for their Hakata ramen and an order of their curry rice or fried rice! Both have that umami taste and is perfect when paired with the Hakata ramen. I've recently tried their chashu pote sala, Shin Sen Gumi's take on potato salad and I give it a 4/5. I wouldnt order it again but it was good! It comes as a single, ice-cream scoop sized potato salad and made of chashu pork, corn, some vegetables, and potato. I couldnt taste too much of the chashu pork but it was still a decent tasting potato salad. Atmosphere is nice, very fast paced. It will be a big hard to get the attention of your server as they are constantly running around.

Carlo G.

Yelp

I got the DX curry (curry rice with fried chicken, tempura, and takoyaki and it was pretty good! Some of the best tasting and most flavorful curry I've had in SoCal. The fried food was great as well. However, I prefer chunky curry (with potatoes, carrots, onions, etc) which this one didn't have, so it felt a bit too soupy. I also wish there was more fried food for the DX Curry. The amount given felt limited relative to the amount of curry rice. I only got two pieces of chicken, one chicken skin, 2 takoyaki balls, and 2 shrimp tempura. The prices here are on the cheaper side which is nice! You can get good quality Japanese food and bigger portions for a cheaper price! This place can get crowded at times, so to avoid waiting for too long I'd recommend adding your party to the waitlist on this app when you're nearby. There's indoor and outside seating. They also validate parking.

Howard H.

Yelp

Prices have doubled since the last time I came here. But it's still worth it! I got the Combo D (Hakata ramen with Spam Musubi).

Maricela L.

Yelp

I love the Ramen here! I alsoget the overload and share with my hubby...We also tried the curry samosas they were so delicious everything was great especially for this cold weather!!

Karen N.

Yelp

Absolutely delicious gyoza and ramen. We come here every time we're in town and it never disappoints. Service is fast and efficient. Love it!

Jonathan L.

Yelp

This is my 3rd time to Shin-Sen Gumi. Each time at a different location. I love ramen and always down to check out different spots. Decided to give this place another try even though I was no impressed with the previous trips. It basically reconfirms my thoughts on the place. Ramen is okay.., don't really get the hype. Broth is okay, nothing mind blowing. Price is ok for just plain udon. It can shoot up pretty quick if you add lots of toppings though. Portions are ok. Noodles are the thin style, which I don't usually prefer. I like the thicker noodles.

Kenny Y.

Yelp

This is one of my favorite spots to dine in Little Tokyo. The food menu has many options. I like their ramen but my favorite item to order here is actually their poke bowl! It's made fresh and comes quick! I also like their frothy Sapporo draft beer, it always hits the spot especially a long walk around Little Tokyo! I never had a bad experience here. The servers are always attentive and greets you when you enter and exit. The ambiance is very Japanese. But again, I should expect anything less being in Little Tokyo! This place does get really packed when dining on weekends which is why I prefer coming on weekdays. Be sure to put your name on the waitlist first if you are coming on a weekend!

Alex Y.

Yelp

This ramen shop in Little Tokyo was delicious! I have a short and simple review for this place but there's not much more to say. The vibes were cute and homey which I liked. I parked in a nearby parking lot (and I'm not sure if I was supposed to park there but there were no signs saying otherwise!). I waited about 5 minutes on a Tuesday around 7:00pm, which was nice. I got seated at the bar for my party of two, and immediately a server came and asked how I was and if I wanted anything to drink. The server was very kind and efficient. Great service. Both of us just ordered a simple hakata ramen, and the broth was flavorful. I got normal for the noodles, soup oil and soup base, and that felt perfect for me, but it's cool that we get to customize it how we like it. The pork chasu was good. Nothing to write home about, but nothing to complain about either. I loved it. It was in walking distance of some shops, so next time I hope to go during the day and do some browsing afterwards. Hooray!

Joseph T.

Yelp

Good as always! Craving some hot broth? Craving goodness? Craving good service? Want nice ambiance and energetic servers? Want some good ol ramen? Want to be able to choose between firm or soft noodles? Want tons of toppings to choose from? Want validated parking? Stop here! This spot never disappoints

Calvin C.

Yelp

I think that the place was a bit too crowded because I was getting bumped into by a couple of diners and a couple of staff, so it might have been the seating location, but the service was good and made sure we were taken care of. The Hakata Ramen was a bit of a letdown, flavor wise, and I just wish there was a bit more to the broth but it felt lacking. The portion was good for the price and I would like to give it a second chance if I were ever in the area.

Kevin L.

Yelp

I recently dined at Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen and had a wonderful experience! We sat in the patio area with our dogs, and I was so impressed by the staff's attentiveness--not just to us, but to our pets as well. They brought out cups of water for our dogs, which was such a thoughtful gesture. As for the ramen, it was pretty good! The broth was flavorful, and the noodles had a great texture. Overall, it was a satisfying meal, and the friendly service really made it a standout experience. I'll definitely be back, especially with my furry friends in tow!

Wendy Eli R.

Yelp

OVERALL: Super complicated ordering process, decent food FOOD: we got ramen, spam, and sushi. When we were seated, we weren't told how to order there was just a form with options and a pencil. We asked a waiter and he confused us. A second waiter told us that the first waiter gave us wrong instructions and filled out the form for us with what we wanted. There were too many food options but the ramen we got was pretty good. VENUE: small and crammed. One bathroom in the back could use some work.

Geovanni M.

Yelp

Small ramen shop on the side of little Tokyo. One thing that caught my attention were how helpful the servers were. They all greeted us and the server explained the menu and how it's customizable for the ramen. The fried chicken cartilage was an immediate go for me since I love cartilage and fried food, it's exactly what you'd expect it'd taste like. Karaage was actually really crispy and had some juice to it. The spicy Dan Dan was actually at a decent spice, would've like it to be a tad more spicy. The broth itself also had a lot of rich beefy flavor which I really liked. The Hakata ramen was my favorite out of the two, just the taste of the pork ramen was ridiculous. Overall it was really good, my only complaint is that I expected my ramen to come with charsu, seaweed, and egg but that stuff you do have to pay extra for.

Katy B.

Yelp

Some of the best ramen I've ever had! The ratio of noodles to broth was perfect, the service was incredible. Our waitress was amazing at explaining the menu to us and making sure everything was good. We were able to order more noodles and they came quickly. Overall the best ambience felt like you were home and cozy! Definitely worth the wait :)

Rachel T.

Yelp

Been to Shin-Sen-Gumi a few times now and it's been solid every time! And I definitely think it's one of the better ramen spots to hit in Little Tokyo in particular. Service is quick and easy, the ramen is pretty affordable, and the customizations they offer are really nice. They give you a slip of paper for you to select how you want your broth, noodles, and any additional toppings which is perfect for those who just want a more simpler dish or those who want to add a lot of toppings! Their Hakata broth is delicious and packed with flavor, but the meat portion is a little smaller than other ramen places I've been to. Definitely wouldn't say it's my favorite ramen spot in LA but it is good. I was however disappointed in their gyoza. They were small and average compared to some amazing gyoza I've had at other spots in LA. This is a more casual spot, but it gets packed very quickly so definitely come early, but if there's a wait you can easily add yourself to the yelp list outside on their ipad! There's street parking and paid lot parking in the area.

Mika C.

Yelp

Love this spot! Came here straight after my flight from Japan and felt right at home. Love the service here and I love hearing Japanese in LA

Carla B.

Yelp

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the ramen place in Little Tokyo, and let me tell you, it was a spicy sensation from start to finish. From the attentive service to the delightful array of toppings, this spot is a definite must-try for ramen enthusiasts. First and foremost, let's talk about the star of the show--the spicy ramen. It was a flavor explosion that left my taste buds dancing. The broth was rich and robust, with just the right amount of heat to give it that extra kick. The noodles were perfectly cooked, and the combination of fresh vegetables and succulent meat made each slurp a heavenly experience. If you're a fan of spice, this ramen will undoubtedly satisfy your cravings. The service was equally impressive. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable, offering recommendations based on our preferences. The food arrived promptly, within a mere 15 minutes of placing our order. This efficiency was a pleasant surprise, especially considering the demand at this popular establishment. Parking can be a hassle in many parts of the city, but not here. The restaurant offers free parking for one hour--a thoughtful touch that adds to the overall convenience. This is a game-changer, especially when compared to other dining options in the area. As for seating, the demand for this delectable ramen joint is evident. While the space is somewhat limited, the restaurant cleverly utilizes both indoor and outdoor seating options. Whether you prefer the cozy ambiance inside or the open-air experience on the patio, you can enjoy your meal in a setting that suits your mood. In conclusion, my experience at the Little Tokyo location was nothing short of delightful. The combination of exceptional service, quick delivery of mouthwatering food, and the added bonus of free parking make this ramen spot a standout in the area. If you're a ramen aficionado looking for a satisfying, spicy bowl of goodness, look no further--this place has got you covered. -Carla B. IG: @cbanksfitness

David F.

Yelp

We got seated right away on a Saturday at 1130 - nice. We both ordered the Hakata ramen. Noodles: firm, broth: light. Add-in: pork won tons. Delicious and satisfying.

Gloria H.

Yelp

I'm not sure if there was a change in ownership, but this place isn't how I remembered it from years ago. The noodle soup lacked the rich, brothy depth I once loved. Maybe it's because I've tried so many other amazing ramen spots in LA since then, but it just didn't live up to the hype I had built up in my mind.

Michi L.

Yelp

Shin-Sen-Gumi has always been a favorite of mine, especially when I want ramen. This location can get pretty crowded depending on the time you. They are pretty quick to get your order out once you submit the paper. They have other items you can order but I usually order the Hakata ramen, which is a pork base broth. You're able to customize it a bit by choosing your firmness of your noodles, your oil base and soup base. The base toppings are green onions, ginger, pork and sesame. You can choose to exclude them if you like. There are also a number of other toppings that you can also add on at an extra charge. I like to add on bamboo, the spicy miso bomb, crispy garlic chips, bean spouts, and spinach.

Esteban S.

Yelp

Great atmosphere, service and menu. The atmosphere is a fun and has a collective experience that keeps me coming back. It's a great night out spot for a couple or group of friends. The employees have great and professional attitudes that make me appreciate their work. The menu has an expansive but not excessive amount of food. Though these three aspects are great, the food quality was not among them. That doesn't mean the food is upright horrible, but it's not S tier also. This is your bang average B tier beginner ramen joint. There is nothing wrong with that. Sometimes the atmosphere, service and menu selection is all you need. But when you're craving top tier ramen a different spot should come to mind.

Jon S.

Yelp

Authenticity confirmed. Highly recommended by a close friend in Japan. Then bright a new friend for Japan here and they also praised it. Noting that the Noodles are imported from Japan and rich in flavor. So what do I think? I definitely enjoyed my meal. Lots of selection and combo options. Decor was very trendy. I love the vibe and location. The place was also busy which just shows their popularity. Rocky our server was excellent and definitely took care of my party of 7. The place is small and they only have one big table for bigger parties. Parking with validation in the adjacent lot. Clean solo bathrooms. Public restrooms are hard to find in Little Tokyo. So eat here and freshen up while you enjoy the rest of Little Tokyo. Until next time, keep on slurpin'!

Christina Y.

Yelp

One of the many ramen restaurants in Little Tokyo that are delicious and have good service. My partner and I love visiting Little Tokyo on the weekends. During this past weekend, we decided to make a stop here for lunch. We were seated immediately and ordered two bowls of ramen: the Spicy Dandan Men and a dry ramen entrée. Customers have the option to order additional sides and toppings with their ramen by checking them off on a paper menu. Service was also good, and the restaurant was clean overall. Maybe we'll visit here again when we come back to Little Tokyo!

Kim T.

Yelp

The service was quick. I went on a weekend here in the afternoon. The ramen were okay and not much to be said. For the gyudon, in my opinion, I wish it had some more sauce. The meat was pretty good, though.

Selene S.

Yelp

Got the Hakata ramen again but tried it as a combo with 6 pieces of gyoza for $15.75. We came at noon but there was no wait time for a table inside. Service was quick with both the iced water and food. The gyoza was smaller than pictured and expected. You can finish them easily in like 10 minutes. The dipping sauce was really good though! Complemented the gyoza really well. A salty sour taste. Ramen was yummy as usual. Good pork broth and decent portion of noodles. The slices of pork was good too. No complaints here.

Chong Y.

Yelp

PROS: - Located in Little Tokyo right next to a big parking lot. - The service staff is great! They even provide little water bowls for your furry family members. - Dog friendly (outside seating) - Ramen is decent. - The extra noodles option is always great! CONS: - All the extras you have to order on the side, really add up. I mean come on, you have to pay $2.50 for the spicy paste??? - IF you're seated outside, you will occasionally see the crazy transients walking by and get a whiff of their scent. - Skid row is just a couple of blocks away.

Jennifer G.

Yelp

After a fun night out with the girls, you get ramen. I was surprised how amazing this was. Got the Spicy Dandan, splurged a little and added dumplings, and it was the perfect ending to our night out. I have tried a good amount of ramen around LA and this is easily one of the best. I'm just happy they have multiple locations, so I can get some more wherever I find the night takes me.

Christine D.

Yelp

FLAVOR (2/5): You get to customize your own levels within the ramen and I ordered the veggie ramen. However the broth was way too salty, I even asked for less oil but the sodium really killed the soup. For most places a vegetarian ramen would have tofu or additional ingredients to complete the dish but this one was just cabbage, bean sprouts and noodles. Pretty disappointed. INSTAGRAM WORTHY (3/5): Standard ramen restaurant in Little Tokyo! Nothing about the shop or food looks wise blew me away. SERVICE (4/5): Heard service is a hit or miss there! We got there for early dinner so there was no wait and we ordered via QR code. Everything came out relatively quick. TAKEAWAYS: Stay away from the veggie ramen here!

Kelly L.

Yelp

This is still our favorite ramen shop in LA. We've been to Daikokuya, Orochon, etc. What always take us back to SSG is that they are the only ramen place allow guest to make your own ramen. It can be a bit confusing for first-timer, but the servers can guide you. First, pick your broth, hakata, dandan, or vegie. Hakata ramen is available to customize broth (more oil, light to strong flavor), and noodle type (soft to firm). We usually order hakata with normal oil, normal base, and normal noodles. Hakata broth is hearty but not too thick. With normal base, it is not too salty. We also add from their lists of add-ins like spicy chilly paste, corn, spinach, etc. Dandan and vegie ramen are not available for customized broth and noodles, but add-ins are available. I also like dandan broth, thicker base, a bit more oily and spicy but very umami. If you have weak stomachs or can't take heat, definitely this is not your choice. For $12.50, you get a good bowl of ramen noodles (green onion, ginger, 2 slides of pork). With add-ins, ranging from $1.75 to $5, you can get full with less than $20. They did not have a take-out ramen option in the past. However, since the pandemic, ramen is available for take-out, although I would recommend dining in. We also like some of their cold dishes (tuna and salmon carpaccio) and hot dishes ( gyoza, cheese rolls, etc.) Other pros: - they open every day, rain or shine, including holidays. - oftenly having promotions, happy hours, etc. - validated parking. You can park free for one hour with validation at the large parking right next door, corner of 2nd street, and S. Central.

An h.

Yelp

Food was good. Portion was super small and pricey. The topping are ridiculously expensive for the portion. A bit turned off by that.

Angel M.

Yelp

Food was amazing definitely recommend. Service was fantastic Nice and clean and was not a long way

@onthegrid

RivailsLogan

Google

Will Hsieh

Google

It’s tastes so delicious! And when I finished order to I got all my meal, just in 10 mins, very fast !! Very recommended to come here to try some Japanese food !

Lorenzo Warfel

Google

Vy H.

Google

Joshua Lamb

Google

Issa

Google

Chris

Google

Sweet Kitty

Google

Moises C.

Yelp

Good food & great service Keep up the good work Yessssssssssssssssssss Need more characters to post this review!!!

Christina C.

Yelp

Adam K.

Yelp

Karen C.

Yelp

Donny V.

Yelp

Adriana R.

Yelp

Every time I come here food never disappoints. The service is amazing. I love going between 3-5pm the atmosphere is very nice.

Dirk W.

Yelp

Anhvy T.

Yelp

Jacky V.

Yelp

Trisha S.

Yelp

Zach C.

Yelp

Lorenzo W.

Yelp

Lilian H.

Yelp

Dev R.

Yelp

Thomas K.

Yelp

Daisy A.

Yelp

Andrew W.

Yelp

Robert O.

Yelp

Sharon K.

Yelp

Carlo G.

Yelp

Howard H.

Yelp

Prices have doubled since the last time I came here. But it's still worth it! I got the Combo D (Hakata ramen with Spam Musubi).

Maricela L.

Yelp

I love the Ramen here! I alsoget the overload and share with my hubby...We also tried the curry samosas they were so delicious everything was great especially for this cold weather!!

Karen N.

Yelp

Absolutely delicious gyoza and ramen. We come here every time we're in town and it never disappoints. Service is fast and efficient. Love it!

Jonathan L.

Yelp

Kenny Y.

Yelp

Alex Y.

Yelp

Joseph T.

Yelp

Calvin C.

Yelp

Kevin L.

Yelp

Wendy Eli R.

Yelp

Geovanni M.

Yelp

Katy B.

Yelp

Rachel T.

Yelp

Mika C.

Yelp

Love this spot! Came here straight after my flight from Japan and felt right at home. Love the service here and I love hearing Japanese in LA

Carla B.

Yelp

David F.

Yelp

We got seated right away on a Saturday at 1130 - nice. We both ordered the Hakata ramen. Noodles: firm, broth: light. Add-in: pork won tons. Delicious and satisfying.

Gloria H.

Yelp

Michi L.

Yelp

Esteban S.

Yelp

Jon S.

Yelp

Christina Y.

Yelp

Kim T.

Yelp

Selene S.

Yelp

Chong Y.

Yelp

Jennifer G.

Yelp

Christine D.

Yelp

Kelly L.

Yelp

An h.

Yelp

Food was good. Portion was super small and pricey. The topping are ridiculously expensive for the portion. A bit turned off by that.

Angel M.

Yelp

Food was amazing definitely recommend. Service was fantastic Nice and clean and was not a long way

Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo

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Shin-Sen-Gumi - Review - Little Tokyo - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

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On the Grid : Shin Sen Gumi Hakata Ramen

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