Tony Fu

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

Bruce Yeh

Super authentic! Broth noodles toppings. All three spicy selections are fantastic! Can't go wrong with pretty much anything on the menu.

Kevin Valerio

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

ProGamerLim

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

Morris Saypanya

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

Andrew Sawyer

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

Jimmy Si

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

Kimberly Rae Woods

Excellent ramen, worth the 1+ hour wait! This quaint restaurant had very friendly and courteous staff and the noodles, gyoza and fried chicken were excellent, we will return!!! Great addition to SoCal!

Super authentic! Broth noodles toppings. All three spicy selections are fantastic! Can't go wrong with pretty much anything on the menu.

+5

Delicious food, AWESOME staff, good size portions!!

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

+2

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

+6

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

+6

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

+6

Delicious ramen with a great and smooth service experience! If you let the server know, you can customize the firmness of noodles and richness of soup (stronger or lighter) which was nice.

ordered the tan tan ramen-broth was full of flavor. its medium spicy. chicken karage is crunchy and juicy. such good umami flavor even without the sauce. friend ordered the chicken katsu he states its good. service- very attentive and friendly. i enjoyed eating here.

I was pleasantly surprised a Ramen Ban Nai opened in Torrence. This is a popular chain in Japan serving light broth ramen intended as a breakfast food. The ramen is quite reasonable at $14. Wonton ramen- was a special. I tried that. $17.50 for regular. The style of wonton was more like the one with small amount of meat and large wrapper. It tasted good. The Ban Nai ramen I was was as I remembered it in Japan. Although it was slightly saltier than I recall. I will order the soup slightly less salty. The ramen itself was exactly as I remembered it. It was perfectly chewy, full to the bite and thick. That was so good!

+6

J J

The broth here is well balanced, not overly salty like Josui Ramen or The Ramen Joint. You can actually enjoy the flavor without feeling overwhelmed. The noodles are firm and cooked just right, which sets them apart from the other two places where the noodles were noticeably overcooked.

Ben Quach

I've been eating here for over 9 months now, sometimes once a week, sometimes more often. I didn't write a review cuz I want to make sure it's deserving of my 5* review. Long story short, it is. I am a ramen lover. Obviously I've been to Japan many times, so to compare the ramen with Tokyo/Fukuoka may seem unfair, but this is as close it gets to Japan. Americans seem to only understand Miso/Shoyu/Tonkotsu, but not Shio. I do not know why. Chefs know Shio. It's the hardest to make and balance. The reason is w Miso/Shoyu/Tonkotsu, you can hide some tastes w MSG or whatever. With Shio, it's pure and basic, no where to hide. The taste profile either erupts or diminishes. My fav: Green Chili Shio Ramen. "Katame" (かため / 固め) I am not a Michelin food inspector, but I ought to be. This is 1 of my 3 favorite ramen in the area. The other 2: Josui & Ikkousha. Don't' bother w Shin-Sen-Gumi, they've lost their ways.

Dan Pencoske

One of our favorite chains when we lived in Japan. We were stoked to see them in Chicago earlier this year while traveling to see relatives, and when we planned a SoCal visit we had to add this one to the list. There's not a ton of seating at this one so there may be a wait if you're a party of 3 or more. Staff coordination could be improved, as they had maybe three people rotating between bussing tables and manning the entrance, so it wasn't always clear if a table had been waited on or not. Not that it's a huge problem to have someone checking in every few minutes just to be sure. Food's great but can get pricey, especially with add-ons. The pork's rich flavor stands out and reminds me of Japan. The miso ramen has a lot of toppings, too, a mound of bean sprouts and corn for an extra pop, and some sweet contrast to the richness of the broth. I'm just sad that the soup fills me up and I can't also have the amazing-looking karaage that I kept seeing emerge from the kitchen.

Sai Baba

Vegan miso ramen was very delicious; my only criticism is that there was only 1 vegan ramen choice which is a given, but I wish it had a bit for toppings for the price like green onion and maybe some corn.

Peter Babida

Yes, the Kitakata ramen is really good, the broth is clear and delicious, the chashu has a good level of crunch, if not a tad too salty, and then noodles were unexpectedly different and good! But the real star, to me, is the fried chicken! I know!? Crunchy, flavorful dark meat, with the bones already removed! You really need to try it!

Yes, the Kitakata ramen is really good, the broth is clear and delicious, the chashu has a good level of crunch, if not a tad too salty, and then noodles were unexpectedly different and good! But the real star, to me, is the fried chicken! I know!? Crunchy, flavorful dark meat, with the bones already removed! You really need to try it!

Vegan miso ramen was very delicious; my only criticism is that there was only 1 vegan ramen choice which is a given, but I wish it had a bit for toppings for the price like green onion and maybe some corn.

One of our favorite chains when we lived in Japan. We were stoked to see them in Chicago earlier this year while traveling to see relatives, and when we planned a SoCal visit we had to add this one to the list. There's not a ton of seating at this one so there may be a wait if you're a party of 3 or more. Staff coordination could be improved, as they had maybe three people rotating between bussing tables and manning the entrance, so it wasn't always clear if a table had been waited on or not. Not that it's a huge problem to have someone checking in every few minutes just to be sure. Food's great but can get pricey, especially with add-ons. The pork's rich flavor stands out and reminds me of Japan. The miso ramen has a lot of toppings, too, a mound of bean sprouts and corn for an extra pop, and some sweet contrast to the richness of the broth. I'm just sad that the soup fills me up and I can't also have the amazing-looking karaage that I kept seeing emerge from the kitchen.

Character limit reach... see Yelp for full review. Tip: Use Yelp "Join Waitlist" during lunch/dinner rush, though a single diner is less likely to have any wait issues. Food Order: Large Green Chili Shio Ramen (pork broth, shio base, 5 toro chashu, green chili, nappa, Asian chives, green onion, sesame oil) $17.45 A Combo Set: Cubed Chashu Bowl $2.50 Soft Boiled Egg $1.00 Bamboo Shoot $2.00 Seasoned Tofu (5 pcs.) $2.90 Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai is located in Vista Plaza (southwest of H-Mart), replaced defunct Sub Club Italian Deli. Kitakata Ramen is well-known in Japan, & is considered one of the "Big 3" regional ramen styles along with Hakata & Sapporo. What sets them apart in the South Bay is their distinctive high-hydration, flat, wavy noodles (Kitakata-style) & golden clear pork broth. There's plenty of parking at the plaza with a couple of prime spots at the restaurant's entrance. Upon entering, I was warmly greeted & seated at the bar, which is my preference since there's an open kitchen. I love watching how my order is prepared when I'm dining alone. There's a couple of booths on the left with a medium bar (seats 6) flushed against the open kitchen, & 2-tops that line against the wall that can be adjusted for large groups. Taped to the bar's short wall, there's an info card about Ban Nai Noodles & Soup, weekday deal lunch special menu, & QR code for their menu (didn't ask what happens if you're without a phone). A server asked if I had questions (nope), & brought a glass of water while I waited. My order was ready pretty quick since there were only 2 other tables, & they had already ordered. The bowl of ramen teased my senses with its aromatics & beauty that it was slightly challenging for my camera to eat first. LMAO Once the obligatory pics were finished, I dove in & have to agree that the perfectly al dente noods makes for a most satisfying chewy & springy texture while soaking up the delish shio, pork broth -- damn, good mouthfeel! Throw in that perfectly cooked soft boiled egg... wowza, adding a savory, jammy contrast to clean noodles. The golden yet clear broth is new to me since most pork ramen broths are thick, fatty-rich; this is light & savory broth is reminiscent to a flavorful consommé, but with a hit of green chilies. I added bamboo shoots for some texture, & its flavor seems to complement the rich shio broth. I had the seasoned tofu on the side so its "seasonings" doesn't get diluted in the broth or meld into the broth. I slurped some ramen & added a spoonful of tofu, which cut through & balanced some of that spicy, salty broth. I ate a few more bites, alternating between the 2, then saved a tofu square to polished off. While I grew up using chopsticks, I'm not skilled enough to maneuver the soft tofu without breaking it; surprisingly, I kept most of the pieces intact. Whew! The chashu has good flavor & tender, but I prefer Santouka's toroniku (you know what I'm talking about). I went out of my way once to combine their pork with my fav ramen shop's noods & broth; Kitakata Ramen is tempting me to do the same. Hehehe... While both are "toro" pork, one is focused on the pork jowl (cheek) & the other is broader in the pork belly & other fatty cuts. I was pretty stuffed from the ramen so it was a slight push to eat the Chashu Bowl. The chashu was tasty & mostly tender, but a tad dry (maybe overcooked?), & I get a bit of pork belly in every bite. It would have been a perfect meal if this was executed better. Still, I was stuffed (full tilt!) & will likely fall into a food coma. LOL The menu is short: appetizers, ramen, rice bowls, & toppings ($1.00 - $6.50), with moderate to moderately high price points in comparison to its local competition. I like that they give you the option to upgrade the portion size (ramen) for $1.50. Friendly & efficient service... though the server didn't check back once my order was executed; luckily, I didn't need a water refill. If you want to try something different than hakata ramen, Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai is definitely worth a visit! おいしいです (oishii desu)!

M M

I was excited to try this place since there aren’t many shoyu based ramen options in LA. The menu offers a good variety including miso, tonkotsu, tsukemen, and plenty of sides. The atmosphere was family friendly with many parents and kids dining together. I ordered the standard Kitakata Ramen with chashu, green onions, and bamboo shoots. The soy sauce broth was flavorful and the portion size was generous. However, the noodles were much too soft for my taste, which was a bit disappointing. The gyoza was decent, and the dipping sauce was tasty. Service was friendly, attentive, and even in fluent Japanese, which made the experience pleasant. Overall, a nice and comfortable spot, but the noodles being overly soft kept it from being great.

I was excited to try this place since there aren’t many shoyu based ramen options in LA. The menu offers a good variety including miso, tonkotsu, tsukemen, and plenty of sides. The atmosphere was family friendly with many parents and kids dining together. I ordered the standard Kitakata Ramen with chashu, green onions, and bamboo shoots. The soy sauce broth was flavorful and the portion size was generous. However, the noodles were much too soft for my taste, which was a bit disappointing. The gyoza was decent, and the dipping sauce was tasty. Service was friendly, attentive, and even in fluent Japanese, which made the experience pleasant. Overall, a nice and comfortable spot, but the noodles being overly soft kept it from being great.

+6

Not sure what to make of this place anymore. I used to frequently visit as this place was my favorite ramen shop. However, in my recent trips, there’s been a lot to note. First is the ramen. The noodles used to be very chewy and curly but now look more like pasta and don’t hold as much flavor as it used to. Also, the broth is never consistent anymore. Some days super salty, others super bland and watered down. It’s become almost unrecognizable. The toppings come out super watery and sad. The chashu slices and the fried chicken are also not what they used to be. What once used to be cleanly cut slices of chashu are now sometimes blocks of chashu or super thin and small. The fried chicken is either too small or way too big or even worse, burnt. A server noted to me letting me know that the kitchen staff has changed significantly within the last couple months which was the biggest factor for the food tasting differently. This is all picky differences I’ve picked up on, but it’s ignorable. What’s worse and honestly shocking is how the cooks are allowed to behave. A girl in the kitchen could be heard openly using foul mouthed words to talk negatively about customers. Unbelievable. The food has become so inconsistent and the behavior of the kitchen staff ruined the experience so much, I don’t think I want to come back ever. The only good that I experienced was that the servers were very attentive and friendly.

JB

Not sure what to make of this place anymore. I used to frequently visit as this place was my favorite ramen shop. However, in my recent trips, there’s been a lot to note. First is the ramen. The noodles used to be very chewy and curly but now look more like pasta and don’t hold as much flavor as it used to. Also, the broth is never consistent anymore. Some days super salty, others super bland and watered down. It’s become almost unrecognizable. The toppings come out super watery and sad. The chashu slices and the fried chicken are also not what they used to be. What once used to be cleanly cut slices of chashu are now sometimes blocks of chashu or super thin and small. The fried chicken is either too small or way too big or even worse, burnt. A server noted to me letting me know that the kitchen staff has changed significantly within the last couple months which was the biggest factor for the food tasting differently. This is all picky differences I’ve picked up on, but it’s ignorable. What’s worse and honestly shocking is how the cooks are allowed to behave. A girl in the kitchen could be heard openly using foul mouthed words to talk negatively about customers. Unbelievable. The food has become so inconsistent and the behavior of the kitchen staff ruined the experience so much, I don’t think I want to come back ever. The only good that I experienced was that the servers were very attentive and friendly.