Tatsu Ramen

Tatsu Ramen Review I recently visited Tatsu Ramen and was impressed by its overall quality and value. Here's my review: Highlights: - Delicious Food: The ramen was rich in flavor and cooked to perfection, with generous portions at reasonable prices. - Clean and Modern: The restrooms were spotless, and the modern, contemporary venue was welcoming and well-designed. - Friendly Staff: The staff were attentive and friendly, although some guests might appreciate a bit more proactivity in their service. Room for Improvement: - Kiosk Issue: One of the kiosks wasn't working, which caused some inconvenience with promotional rates. Fun Touch: I loved the "go bags" that told the story of Tatsu Ramen's beginnings - a nice touch that added to the overall experience. Rating: 4.5/5 stars ⭐️ Overall, I'd definitely recommend Tatsu Ramen for a tasty, satisfying meal in a modern setting.

The best part of this establishment is definitely the service. Although this is more of a scan-menu-order establishment, they still make sure to treat you well and bring your order in very quickly. The broth itself is not bad, the noodles however are too dry, at least for my liking. Another consideration is the value, which isn't great either, especially compared to the other nearby establishments. This is also probably your only ramen option after 10PM for the immediate area.

The ramen here is amazing as always, atmosphere is nice. The workers here though, for the last 3 years they’ve always been fantastic. Recently stopped by to pick up food late at night, took it to-go, and they gave us what I assume was leftover mini freebies. God it’s always great to come here. Love it.

Food was great (3rd or 4th time I've been here), but Josh was the true star. His customer service skills are top-notch and he truly went above and beyond in everything. The new gyudon bowl is truly worth it. The Old School Ramen is what I had and my parents had the Birria Ramen, both were fantastic. Portions are big and the prices are reasonable.

It’s hard because there’s so much good ramen in LA, but u thought it was very mid. The actually noodles were very thin and seemed like top ramen. The broth was kind of bland. It wasn’t bad but it was the blandest ramen I’ve had in LA

I'm very ambivalent about Tatsu Ramen. I believe this ramen is easily the tastiest I've had, but the prices are astronomical. For basic "Cheeky Ramen" with chicken, it cost around $25 without drinks. Located in a strip mall, the atmosphere is to nothing to write home about. Parking can be difficult in the small parking lot.

Dissapointment. Excessively expensive for what you receive. We ordered the traditional ramen. Surprised that a lot of the toppings that you will receive in the majority of the ramen restaurants have extra cost. The base soup is already expensive and if you add basic toppings, you might end with a 35+ dollars soup. To be fair the soup and the ramen noodles were good. It is really not worth it, when there are other ramen restaurants that can serve same (or even better) rMen for almost half the price. I used to love this place years ago. Now, I am sorry bit I cannot recomend this restaurant.

A decent choice for ramen in the area, if a bit overpriced. Easy lot parking, moderate amount of seating, clean and welcoming atmosphere. Friendly staff. Ordering is smooth and seamless with the kiosk. Food comes fast. I’ve tried ramen a few times from here, overall too salty for my taste, but it could be the soup base I ordered. The Birria ramen is a Mexican Asian fusion that’s creative, but I personally thought the flavors didn’t work well together. If you like strong flavors definitely try their soul (tonkotsu) ramen, it’s very rich and hearty.

The ordering process is fairly easy as everything is done through a self ordering kiosk. Despite this, workers still come around to offer assistance for anyone needing help.. which I think offers the perfect balance of being able to self serve while having limited interactions with people (perfect for someone introverted like me). As someone who has a pork free diet, it is hard to find ramen shops that serve pork free options. The menu offers choices that cater to all kinds of dietary restrictions (vegetarian/vegan, pork free, Gluten free) which I love. I ended up with the Cheeky ramen which was very rich with an unexpected subtle taste of yuzu and a small order of fried rice (no pork) that had a good balance of sesame flavor to it. Personally, I do not reach out for ramen during the colder seasons, but it was so comforting to have during a day of rain.

Tatsu Ramen is one of those places you can always count on. Consistent, comforting, and satisfying when a craving hits. The bold ramen delivers every time, rich broth, great noodles, and all the right toppings. The chicken gyoza and chicken rice rounded everything out perfectly. It's reliable, flavorful, and exactly what you want when you're in the mood for ramen that truly hits the spot.

I always get the Hippie Ramen...veggie broth, ramen noodles (available in gluten free but I get them regular), green onions, bamboo shoots, spinach, an hard boiled egg, cabbage and crispy onions. For protein I choose tofu. Taking it to-go, the toppings come in separate containers and the noodles sit separately above the broth (so I can add it all to the broth right before I eat). Nice chopsticks, a ramen-style soup spoon, sesame seeds and spices are included with the order. Other toppings I could add are: corn, ginger, mushrooms, cheese, etc. Other protein choices include chicken, pork, beef. Delish!!!!!! There are many types of broths/flavors of ramen dishes to choose from. The atmosphere is cozy. The staff is super friendly and helpful. I give it 5 stars!!!!!

My wife and I were out running errands and stopped by at the last minute to hit my ramen craving. I ordered the Old Skool with pork in a velvety broth, and a perfect Tatsu Egg, plus 3 types of chili on the side with a kick that rang my bells. Definitely ramen with a soul. It was so GOOD! I also got a side of fried rice because it reminds me of the one my grandma used to make with just the right amount of everything. I also love the self order screens with all of the options to choose all of my favorite items We'll be back!

This is actually a less than 10 min walk away so very convenient location but they also have a parking lot as well. It was one of the few spots that was still open when I was hungry for something late at night after 10pm. Those are 2 big pluses. Interior is clean and they've got some high top seating and table top as well. Service was ok, didn't get checked on much and they didn't refill water proactively. They have an order pad for you to make your selections at the front so if you prefer a full service establishment this is not it. I didn't mind it tho. I ordered the bold ramen and you can make modifications to how you want it which I like since I'm not a fan of green onions. I think their add ons are way too expensive (nearly $3 each for corn and mushrooms?!) on top of a $20 base ramen? If you want egg or more meat you're looking at $4+ so your bowl of ramen could easily top $40 which is outrageous. For the quality that is where I don't think the price point matches. Can't help but compare to another ramen spot in Pasadena which has tremendous broth that is full bodied with super tender chashu pork. I would really only come back because it's still pretty decent and it's open late. But there is better ramen elsewhere and for better value.

Personally, I thought their ramen was delicious. I don't eat ramen often (except for the Korean packaged ones at home). Ramens never impressed me until I tried Tatsu Ramen. The place itself is small, but cozy and clean. You order digitally first and get seated. You can choose your ramen, broth, meat, and add extra sides. The place was busy when we went last night, but they were able to seat us right away. My daughter and I shared ramen and furikake fries. Their bold ramen with pork was SO good. Absolutely loved their broth, and their pork was nice and fatty. I also liked their noodles and flavor. Furikake fries are new on their menu, but definitely worth ordering. I could not stop eating them, they were so good. We added pork slices on top, and it was just the right touch. For the quality and taste of their ramen, I would come back and do not mind paying $20 for the bowl. It was the perfect meal for a rainy day.

Had the chicken based ramen and it was bomb. Super thick and creamy! Josh was so patient and helpful throughout our visit. He checked in on us. Not a huge joint but nice and cozy. No loud music so I was able to talk to my bestie. Thanks again Josh!

Love to hit up this place for ramen. So glad there's one in Pasadena and I don't have to drive to Hollywood anymore. And there's convenient parking, not super busy, and clean. Service is good too.

I ordered Tatsu Ramen for lunch earlier today, Fri Nov 29th 2024, and it was a delicious meal! Prices as of Nov 2024: Bold Ramen - $19.78 ($20.48 on Postmates) Slow-cooked Tonkotsu (pork) broth, finished with a perfect blend of 11 bold ingredients. Thin noodles are served with Tatsu Egg, scallions, and fried onions. - They are not lying when they say bold! This ramen is pretty rich and is on the heavier side. It is more salty than other ramen, and the broth tastes more concentrated. This was good but it is a little pricier. I just wish the noodles were a little thicker. The fried onion taste is strong and the egg was delish! My husband and I both enjoyed this and would order it again due to its unique taste. Gyudon $8.48 ($9.98 on Postmates w/ limited time BOGO!) Tender, thinly sliced beef simmered in a savory-sweet soy-based sauce served over Koshihikari rice bed. Finished with a zesty kick of pickled ginger, a sprinkle of green onion, and our secret chili powder for the perfect balance of savory, tangy, and just a touch of heat. - What a great deal on Postmates! Comes out to be $5 per side order. I've been craving gyudon and this totally hit the spot. This dish was yummy and leans on the sweet side (when compared to other gyudons). I personally don't like the pickled ginger so I had to take that out. Tip: Here is the link to order pick-up or delivery online: https://order.toasttab.com/online/tatsu-pasadena-319-s-arroyo-pkwy-9 This was actually my first time trying Tatsu out. I was impressed with the food and will be back!

I've been here a handful of times. The staff are friendly and helpful, although you have to place your order at a kiosk or from your phone. The decor is modern minimalist. The restaurant is generally clean and has open seating. I like that this place is open late. It's hard to find Asian comfort food in Pasadena past 9:30pm. I usually order the Old Skool. It's pretty good, but not $20 good. The portions are small for what they charge, and I wish they were more generous with the broth. Add-ons are pricey and I've ended up paying $30 for a sub standard bowl of ramen. They also overcharge for a can of soda. I'll still come back. It's just not my top pick for ramen.

Tatsu Ramen was quite simply delicious. Came here on Friday night with the family, and you order on a tablet before you get seated. The restaurant is very clean, well-lit and spacious, albeit having a generally small seating area. You shouldn't have trouble finding somewhere to sit. I would recommend staying away from the door if it's cold out as you'll feel it every time someone enters or exits. Ordered both the chicken and pork gyoza along with pickled cucumbers. I ordered the Bold Ramen with no changes made to it and it was honestly one of the best bowls of ramen I've had. I don't know if the fact I was under the weather made me enjoy it even more, but as the slogan says, it's ramen with a soul and it made my soul feel warm and fuzzy inside. Even my toddler daughter loved the food so you know it's good when a little kid enjoys it. I would definitely come back the next time I'm craving ramen.

Honestly this ramen was beyond good. I got the cheeky chicken and completely housed it. Super easy and simple ordering process as well as quick service--ambiance is pretty chill nothing crazy but the food is amazing . Def go every time I'm in LA area.

I never have to wait to get seated when I come here which I love. The inside is cute. The Ramen is amazing a bit on the pricier side, but really good.

I didn't know that there was a tatsu in the Pasadena area, I'm very familiar with the amazing tatsu ramen down in sawtelle and wanted to see if it had the same quality. The indoor dining area was very nice, and we went at a perfect time when there wasn't any line and it was pretty empty inside. Our server was super nice and was able to explain the menu to her because it was her first time. Overall I would say that the food was good, but it wasn't the same as the one in sawtelle.

Great ramen! And -- importantly! -- none of the other reviews mention that they now do have alcohol! Beer and sake and maybe more. Open late! Vegan options!

This place is a hidden gem. I wanted some ramen and was told about this spot. I will definitely come whenever I am in the city. The service was extremely attentive and fast. The food was delicious with so much flavor. A must try. The ambiance is completely welcoming.

As a person who loves places that close really late into the night, this place is an easy add to anyones list of late night eatery. When you first enter the place, you are met with options from the get go. It's a pay first then seated second kind of establishment so you can either order with the amazing staff that greet you ever so kindly or you can use their kiosk to have more time to browse their menu. Once you have chosen where to sit, the food does not take too long to be settled in front of you. As a first timer to the place I tried their Old Skool ramen bowl with chashu and added sides of red garlic, fried garlic, egg, and bamboo shoots. The tonkotsu broth itself was exceptional, creamy, and flavorful and not too salty which was to my surprise a nice change. Most of the time when I get tonkotsu broth based ramen from other shops, it tends to be a bit on the saltier side so the broth had already started the experience quite nicely. Aside from the ramen, I also got an appetizer of pork dumpling which were cooked to a crispy yet moist in the inside perfection. All paired with a cool yet refreshing non-sweet green tea drink. This was easily a new ramen spot favorite added to my maps. (Also forgot to mention but is worth telling, the staff is A1!! Definitely deserve a raise and definitely worth tipping.)

I've been to a couple other Tatsu locations so I was excited to try this one. We ordered through the app at our table and the food came out pretty quickly. The Bold Ramen is absolutely delicious as always but the Fried Rice fell a little flat for me. I think there was too much garlic which is crazy to say but I think the garlic overpowered the whole dish that it tasted like that's all I was eating. It wasn't bad by any means but could've been a bit better. Overall, great location!

We ordered takeout from Uber Eats and I really like how they pack their ramen for to-go orders. They separate the noodles and toppings from the soup and it's so easy and feels fresher like that! The fries were actually soooo good I like whatever sauce they put on top. Glad we ordered two fries.

Wait - 20 bucks for a basic bowl. Then up upcharge a couple of simple add-ins like spinach and an egg, and boom! You have a $32 bowl of ramen. In a tiny restaurant ... with DIY kiosks. If you're GF your bowl is pushing 36 bucks. It's delicious, no doubt, but reduced in its ramen approach. This is not you most recession-friendly bowl. Tatsu - would it kill you to charge a buck each (instead of three) for a dot of spinach and a tablespoon of ginger? It would make the bowl go down smoother .... And make us come a lot more often.

Great place to lunch Amazing service! Waiter was super attentive and very kind. Always approached us with a smile. The place was a little chilly inside but that's just personal preference, otherwise it's a cute little spot and very clean. Their ramen is delicious and the extra portions you get are big enough to share. Worth mentioning, this location has a restroom with a slide door that has a gap so it makes me hesitant to use the restroom but I would come back for ramen.

I was sadly disappointed in the Birria ramen.... Probably the worst ramen I've tried unfortunately kindly leaving this review if anyone is thinking about getting it.

Came here with family. We ordered bold ramen, red ramen, guidon bowl, and red bowl. Order using self checkout machine, came here because they open late. We tried 1 time before years back to Hollywood side, next to pink hot dog. And its was ok. This time, we were surprised spend about $20 per bowl ramen and didn't even come with egg and without any veggie. The bowls we ordered was small too. Just like miso soup size at Japanese restaurant. Taste alright but overpriced what we got.

Little surprise in a strip mall!!! Tatsu Ramen was a delicious treat on a cold rainy day. The broth was so delicious and the gluten-free noodles were better than I've ever had. Super tender chicken in the bowl!! thank you. Super cool design and they play great music!! A Little more than I wanted to spend on lunch, but it was delicious. This added next day -- though they said my noodles were gluten free, I had a HUGE gluten reaction the next morning. Buyer beware

I come to this spot pretty late at night most times but I'm always so pleasantly surprised by the quality of food and service that I legit keep on coming back. Foods always served fresh and fast, it's a cool spot to bring a decently sized group of people and the staff is always super helpful, attentive and chill. I love the little kiosk you can order right at the door at and then sit down. Random but the music is usually pretty chilled to. Cool spot to take yourself or the homies. What stands out to me about this place is the consistency of the food and service, I appreciate that this place cares about the quality control.

As someone who doesn't eat pork, I really love Tatsu's "Cheeky Ramen", which is made with chicken broth. We've ordered mostly delivery, occasionally pick up, from Tatsu for several years without incident. When you order delivery, the ramen arrives in a sealed bag with the noodles, protein, and other toppings on a shelf above the broth. Imagine my surprise when I opened the container and saw the pictured portion of broth. This is maybe half the typical amount. Shrinkflation? Mistake? Either way, I expect better for $20.... It brings me no joy to write Tatsu a negative review, but we tried to note the issue via DoorDash and weren't offered a partial refund or any accommodation for this shortcoming. It's one thing to have a bad experience, but it's extra disappointing when the restaurant doesn't acknowledge the issue and find a reasonable way to make it right.

Pretty good late night ramen spot, though best to come no later than 30 minutes before closing. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to Asian food, so the Old School ramen is still my favorite here. You order on a tablet in the lobby, but if you're technologically-challenged or a boomer or both, you can manually order from the counter too. Bit pricey, but they also give generous amounts of toppings if you order those. Would definitely recommend!

The best ramen in the world!! The "Red Ramen" is mine and my wife's go to! If you are looking for some amazing ramen, look no further. this is the best in the world!

Tatsu Ramen is a solid choice for late-night cravings, especially if you're looking for something comforting after a long day. I tried the Bold and Birria Ramen, both unique in flavor and very satisfying. The Bold Ramen had rich, fatty pork, while the Birria offered a flavorful twist. The noodles were perfectly al dente, adding a nice texture to the overall dish. While the food is delicious, the prices are on the higher side for what you're getting, especially when you factor in the simplicity of the ingredients. We also tried the peach yuzu soda, which was decent but not something I'd order again. Tatsu Ramen is definitely a place I'd return to for a late-night meal, thanks to its tasty options and convenient hours. It's one of the few spots open until midnight that offers quality food, even if the price point makes it more of an occasional treat than a regular stop. Service is amazing and the spot is pretty random so nothing notable

Great customer service! Such a change since the last time I've been here. Glad to have the new staff and fresh food

The place was nice and clean. They had the AC on as well so it was cool and refreshing inside too. It's not a super big space so I don't recommend huge parties. Service - Nothing extraordinary or bad. The service is relatively hands off. You order food at tablets with the option of paying with a cashier or just at the tablet with card. You pick a place to sit (unless ordering take-out) and they bring it out. Food - They do have nice options here for even a vegetarian person like me! There's also a gluten-free option for the noodles too, in case people need that. My bowl of noodles were okay. Honestly, there wasn't much flavor to it and I thought it needed some more salt and savoriness to the bowl as a whole. The main thing I got from it was a slight sweetness and the light kick of heat from the chili. The seasoned egg was nice though! Perfect on the softness of the yolk! Edamame is always good and you can't really mess it up. Garlic flavor was fragrant and yum. Disappointed with the drink I got!! But ofc this isn't on Tatsu Ramen at all. I got no fruity flavor or matcha flavor. I wouldn't recommend this one. Should've tried one of the yuzu drinks instead. Overall, this is a nice and simple place. It's decently alright food with a good place to sit and at least it's in a place where they have some of their own parking with the few other businesses by it. I would definitely come back!

Have gotten take out once. The process was easy and food was ready quickly (the text alert was helpful and accurate). We had the Old Skool, the noodles were undercooked and the broth didn't taste like anything. We also tried the Bold, which has a spicy base (you can select spice level), but the broth still lacked flavor and consistency even with the chili. Overall nothing special that would make me return considering the many other local options.

Love that this place opens late AND tastes amazing. I think it's way better than Tsujita ramen. Broth has a lot of flavor - especially really liked the strong garlic flavor in the Old Skool Ramen - and ingredients don't take away from the experience. Soft boiled egg was cooked to the right texture. Pork belly slices aren't dry. I also tried the Bold Ramen and the amount of spice was just right to be enjoyable, but the broth was a little too thick for my liking, so I much prefer the Old Skool over the Bold. The AC was on full blast and it was very cold when I went that I had to wear a jacket.

The best Ramen spot you will ever find (I mean I haven't been to Japan and I hear great things but I stand by what I said) The service is 10/10 FUEGO, I have annoying food allergies and they caught on and came over to tell me some of the stuff I ordered Wasn't it and if I wanted they could adjust to my allergy if it's an allergy and I was like BET and we lost no flavor. The vibes are calm, and just enjoyable.

I LOVE the ramen here! It's so fresh and flavorful. They made it so quickly that we almost didn't even get to talk! It is a nice temperature too. Not too hot or too cold. Just the right temperature to eat the is type of food. Maybe next time you go out to eat, try Tatsu Ramen!

Super delicious ramen and late hours too. I personally love the Cheeky ramen since I have a pork allergy. Last time I went craving it they didn't have it unfortunately, but I had a chance to try their Hippie ramen, the vegetarian one. Pretty good and I was able to add chicken and egg for my protein. Usually order takeout but dine in is nice too if there's room. I like the music they play too.

Food is good , tasty and the people here are so good ; service is always on point. It's chill in here literally and figuratively; nice.

The Ramen is inconsistent. Sometimes it's good sometimes it's mid tear. The Chashu is lacks flavor and tough to chew most times. I'd say it's two or three steps above microwave Ramen. Out of the 10 or so Ramen shops in Pasadena this is in the top two... but that's not saying a lot. Worth it, because they're open late. Though the prices are way too high, yet aligned with under overpriced ramen shops. Ramen is supposed to be a cheap dish like a burger. $7-$10 max for a basic bowl. These prices have gotten out of hand.

Came here today to grab some ramen due to needing some comfort food for an upset stomach and heyyy why not ramen! There's self service kiosk, I placed my order and upon pick up initially had a hiccup, but they quickly resolved the issue with my food. I was greeted by Emma who had great energy and good customer service. She was pleasant and checked on me which was really nice. I love great customer service, I feel like so often people are quick to complain about an employee, but don't give praise or credit where credit is due, so I just wanted to shout Emma out. The place itself is simply decor, and also has community seating.

Always like to order their dry ramen, it's one of the bestseller ramen. The soup ramen has very thick broth and creamy.

Service is good. Food is good. Clean place. Price is decent. It's a great grab and go place for ramen but also good for dine-in. Staff is courteous and helpful.

Tatsu has been one of the most famous ramen places in LA for the past decade. They are located in 3 different areas: Sawtelle, Melrose, and Pasadena as their latest addition. While I have been coming to Tatsu for the past 10 years, I do not come very often. Mainly because their ramens are very overpriced! It's a whopping $18 for a bowl of ramen on average. However, when I am craving for it, I would come over to get some ramens. Two of my favorites are their naked ramen (which is a dry style ramen) and the cheeky ramen. The Naked Ramen is like overpriced Indomie (indonesian instant noodle), but I still love it nonetheless. I always get extra spicy with either of their meat (pork, chicken, or tofu) since all these meats are actually very tender and delicious. As for their cheeky ramen, it is very unique since their chicken broth is very thick and fragrant. Definitely something that not a lot of places can beat! Another highlight on their dish is their soy egg! Their yolks run very soft and this is why I love Tatsu! As for their services, they are mainly excellent. Many of their staffs are trained to be very attentive and patient towards their customers. However, the restaurants tend to be small and does not fit too many people, which can be a bummer during rush hours. And for this specific location in Pasadena, parking has not been a problem since they are located in a rather empty plaza near the 110 freeway.

First ramen place I actually really really liked. The broth is filling and packed with flavors, plus the service is super fast and the staff are very friendly.

Lots of ramen spots in Pasadena, but for me you can put this right up there with the best of them for a couple of reasons: no hassle transaction and superb broth. Tatsu is located inside of strip mall several blocks away from Old Town Pasadena. Lots of parking out front and on the street, so no worries really. Inside is no nonsense; they sacrificed all the unecessary floof for utility. It's spaced out pretty well, too, with tables and bar-style seating facing the kitchen. There's no waitstaff. Instead, you got order kiosks out on the side of the wall that's pretty easy to use. They've got a few assorted options for your ramen base, and a lot of the usual add-ons, some of which are extra. I ordered the Cheeky Ramen, which has a creamy chicken broth base. I'll break it down: - Broth - 9/10: wow, so rich and creamy as if they added milk to it. But it's bone broth that's been flavored and simmered over hours. Not overly salty, just flavorful and rich. Superb. - Noodles - 8/10: chewy with some bite and a tad bit al dente, which is how it's done. Not soggy at all. Portions are decent and will fill you up. - Add ons - 8/10: pork was tender, and they used the fatty cuts. Lean cuts just don't work for me in ramen. The soft boiled egg was as described: warm on the outside and gooey on the inside. - Price - 6.5/10: this is my only gripe about this place. It's not cheap at all. It's pricey for ramen. But you're getting quality food for sure. I will be coming back to check everything else out for sure.

Tatsu Ramen is an effective, if somewhat corporate, chain fast-food Ramen shop. On entering you can order your meal through a touch screen and modify it to your liking, choosing a base type, and then specifying the amount of garlic, greens, and the like. While disqualifying the shop as a true restaurant, this level of customization makes ordering efficient, personal, and ideal for takeout or ordering for a group. The Ramen itself is average to good. While nice to customize the order to my liking, I question if the casual diner can judge the best way to prepare Ramen; call me a Omakase snob, but the best Ramen shops are led by a chef who knows what is best, and gives you nothing less. Treat me, good chef, for I know not. The service is standard. The limited seating area and quick ordering system reflects that this is a chain Ramen joint, and their emphasis is on ordering and take-out. There is nothing wrong with this, but I would sooner order Tatsu for delivery to the office than bring the office to it. My biggest criticism for Tatsu is value. While the food is good, it does not command a $20 price tag, especially with limited service and seating. Food: 3.5/5 Service: 3.5/5 Ambiance / Facility: 3/5 Value: 2/5

Excellent ramen. I usually go to the LA Melrose location, though this one is good too. My husband had the usual Soul Ramen and noted that there has been less and less black garlic oil in his bowl the last few visits (between here and Melrose). I had the Bold Ramen which was also good, although I prefer Soul Ramen still. The disadvantage of Soul Ramen is that it does not come with ramen eggs/ajitsuke tamago. If eggs are a must, you'll have to pay an extra $3.25 for the add on, making it a whopping $22.75. Aside from that, Soul Ramen is like classic tonkotsu but perfected with a touch of black garlic oil and gojuchang. Bold Ramen plays with stronger savory flavors (I don't have a developed enough palate to pick up on it, but it made me think of garlic, togarashi and strong seasoning/umami taste) and includes an egg. I would say the Tatsu Ramen eggs are among the best of the (limited) ramen joints I've tried. You get one marinated egg with a perfectly jammy center. The ramen here is freshly made and has a nice chew. Service was very fast and there was plenty of dining space on a Saturday night. You can order yourself at a tablet near the entrance or order at the counter with an employee. There is a very large central square table (seats up to 12) which is friendly for big groups and multiple separate parties that don't mind sharing a table. There are small private tables that seat 2 and 4 as well as the bar with high chairs with a view into the kitchen. There's a private parking lot near by, with plenty of spaces when I went. Tatsu Ramen Pasadena is a solid choice that will sate your ramen fix without being as crowded as the LA locations. It's very pricey for SoCal. Honestly, this is what I would expect to pay in the Bay Area where I live, but it is very good, better than a lot of ramen places I've tried in NorCal. Good broth requires ingredients like meat, bones, pork trotters, etc, i.e. not cheap ingredients. Also, as of 1/27/2024, checking in on Yelp will also get you 1 free chicken rice with any ramen order.

This was my first visit to Tatsu Ramen and it was a great experience! Upon entering the restaurant was very clean and we were immediately greeted by Emma who told us we had the option of ordering from the kiosk or our table. So we opted to grab a seat and relax while we placed our orders. Since it was my first time there, Emma gave me a recommendation to try the hippie based on my eating preferences. And the ramen did not disappoint! It was hearty and flavorful. I also enjoyed having the seaweed and house chili oil as an add-on. Emma was very sweet and she checked on us to make sure we were good! Then Nick came by to check on us and he was kind and gave more recommendations to try the next time I stop by! I will definitely be back to try more items from the menu and also to see Emma and Nick because they had amazing energy and they were genuine. Thanks! You have just gotten a new customer!!

Being one of the only spots open until midnight that is not bad food is a major plus for me. Came home late from a work event and was craving something soothing and Tatsu Ramen hit the spot. I ordered the Cheeky Ramen. The broth was soo creamy and delicious. I also loved the pork slices - the ratio was great. The noodles are a true Al dente so has a little bite to it. The egg was nicely cooked too and overall this was a really solid ramen. It is quite pricey just given what ingredients are in it after you factor in tax & tip ($20+). We also tried the peach yuzu soda which was alright, not super bubbly and for $6 I'd skip next time.

I pass by Tatsu a lot when I'm on my way to work and have always wanted to try it out. I was in the area for this location so I was finally able to go in. I ordered the Bold Ramen ($18.75) with the second lowest spice, regular garlic amount, pork, green onions, and the soft boiled egg. Once we ordered at the self-serve kiosk, we then took a seat at the table. If you like spice, then my medium spice was a good level that it had a kick but not overpowering. If you want to taste more of the pork broth then just the mild spicy is enough. The broth was good although I wish that the standard bowl would include some more toppings/veggies, especially for the price. The egg was also a bit too salty. The shop is pretty small with only a few tables inside so I would recommend coming in just before the rush times start to get a table. We were there a little bit before 6 on a Sunday and by the time we left it was pretty full. It's a good place for ramen and I'm glad I tried it out, but I've had better ones for cheaper that also includes more toppings. It great that they include vegan options though.