Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - Costa Mesa

Food and staff were amazing, seemed like a busy night and everyone was doing their best to provide great service. Now for the atmosphere... Seems like ownership needs to make a visit during business hours. Had a woman next to me get her beer taken off her tab due to all the glasses designated for alcohol were already in use. Why are you not providing enough dishware for your staff to serve their customers? Alcohol is an great product to boost business sales, and your management team should be aware of that. By not providing proper dishware for serving alcohol, and in turn denying sales because of it, you are killing your profit. Since you don't seem to care about the well being of your employees, care about your sales and the people who pay to keep your doors open. Hope everyone there gets tipped well, and gets more dishware for their dinner service.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 5

I had an amazing experience at this ramen restaurant! The food was absolutely delicious—rich, flavorful broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and fresh, high-quality toppings. You can really taste the care that goes into every bowl.

What really stood out, though, was the customer service. The staff were incredibly welcoming, attentive, and genuinely kind. From the moment I walked in until the moment I left, they made sure everything was just right. It felt like they truly cared about making sure I had a great dining experience.

Whether you’re a ramen lover or trying it for the first time, I highly recommend this place. Great food, great people—I’ll definitely be coming back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Green chili ramen was very good. Thank you for your kind service

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I love coming to Kitakata Ramen. It's a light and delicious broth with soft and chewy noodles.

The Karaage fried chicken is my favorite. It's big juicy pieces with a yummy dipping sauce. Don't forget to put a bit of lemon on top. 🍋 🤤

Parking in this plaza can be really tough because of the small lot and tight parking spaces. I recommend coming early and checking in on Yelp for a wait-list.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I just went here today with my BF. Stopped by during the way to the beach ⛱️.
I ordered tan tan ramen (L)🍜, fried chicken, green chili ramen 🍜 and I want to try the curry 🍛😋
For me, everything looks great but a little bit too salty for me. The portion of food was perfect but I ordered a large size for myself 😂 and I can't finish it. I really like the fried chicken and the curry. They had new menus for summer like sour soups ramen 🍜.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Quintessential socal ramen experience. Iconic shoyu ramen that sets a high standard around here, but their Umakara Tan Tan ramen has gotten a grip on me at the moment.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Kitakata Ramen

Excellent food and great service

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was some of the best ramen I’ve had in OC. Delicious. Nice little spot. The parking lot is small so keep that in mind if you have a group. Maybe come early and park and walk from someplace nearby.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ramen is not that great. Wouldn’t go back.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 4

One of the only places I get my Tsukemen noodles.
Everything else are also delicious.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was absolutely delicious, especially the fried chicken, which had a perfectly crispy exterior and a tender, juicy inside. I don’t remember the waitress’s name, but she provided excellent service, as did the other staff member who brought our food. The wait time wasn’t bad at all—though we were initially told it would be between 13 and 20 minutes, our table was ready in just 10. I highly recommend this place!

Parking: If parking lot is full, there is overflow parking available across Bear Street in the education center lot. You will see solar panels.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Green Chili Shio Ramen, Juicy Fried Chicken

The Umakara Tan Tan Ramen was rich and flavorful, and the Small Cubed Chashu Bowl was a perfect side.
The staff was kind and accommodating for our group of 6, though they don’t allow separate payments.
It’s a cozy spot with Japanese vibe.
Overall, a great experience!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I recently visited Kitakata Ramen for lunch, and as always, it was an absolute delight. This place never fails to impress, and my latest visit was no exception. We ordered the Miso Spicy Ramen and the Umakara Tan Tan Ramen, both of which were bursting with flavor and perfectly executed. e Miso Spicy Ramen had a rich, savory broth with just the right amount of heat, while the Umakara Tan Tan Ramen was a harmonious blend of umami and a subtle kick of spice. The noodles were cooked to perfection—chewy and satisfying.

We also started with the fried chicken as an appetizer, and it was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and seasoned just right. It’s the perfect way to kick off a meal here.

One thing I always appreciate about Kitakata Ramen is the generous portions. There’s always plenty of food, and I often find myself taking leftovers home—though it’s hard to stop eating because everything is so delicious!

I’ve been here many times, and the consistency in quality is remarkable. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it a great spot for a casual lunch or dinner. The service is always friendly and attentive, adding to the overall enjoyable experience.

If you’re a ramen lover or just looking for a satisfying meal, Kitakata Ramen is a must-visit. The food keeps me coming back for more, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Juicy Fried Chicken, Spicy Miso Ramen

Not the best ramen. The noodles were little chewy. Broth was ok too.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Spicy Miso Ramen

Great ramen shop with a good selection of ramen, sides, and other options like rice bowls. Staff was friendly and service was quick.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5