“So, I was on the hunt for a spot in El Segundo that could dish out some authentic flavors and offer a great vibe for New Year's Eve. Lo and behold, Japonica came to the rescue. The parking situation? Surprisingly painless. Considering the holiday buzz, it was manageable - nothing compared to the Friday or Saturday night madness, I reckon.Now, let's talk eats. We kicked things off with the crispy rice, and let me tell you, it was genuinely crispy - almost like a high-end hashbrown. Then came the carpaccio trio - bluefin tuna with balsamic, yellowtail with garlic ponzu, and Scottish salmon with onion ginger dressing. Fresh and tasty, exactly as promised on the menu. The mix of flavors made the whole dining affair a delight.On to the rolls - Kyoto Kryptonite, Citrus Sakura, and White Lightning. My personal winner was the White Lightning, a sushi roll with garlic butter, a first for me. Seared albacore and tempura white fish - it was a flavor bomb. Kyoto Kryptonite appealed to my spice-loving side with its spicy tuna, and while Citrus Sakura brought some traditional vibes, it wasn't my top pick given the other vibrant choices.Now, about the joint itself - a medium-sized setup that handled the holiday crowd like a pro. The food took a tad longer to arrive than expected, and our waiter was on an apology spree. Lucky for us, we were deep in conversation, so time flew. But the waiter's vibe low-key hinted at placing an order sooner rather than later.An interesting note: Our dishes were delivered and checked on by different folks. I'm guessing the waitstaff doesn't claim specific tables, but hey, it worked smoothly.All in all, Japonica left me pretty darn satisfied. I'll happily roll back for another round. Cheers to good eats and a chill atmosphere!“
“Japanese ramen chain in the Century City Mall. Came here for dinner with a friend and had no reservation, but we were able to get seated immediately. Credit cards accepted. You pick out your customized ramen via a piece of paper and you can also opt for appetizers. A vegetarian option is available. We got edamame to split and I opted for the red king, which had a good amount of spice. Compared to the Manila location, the portions were on the smaller side, but we still left satisfied. You can customize the spice level, noodle type, and the toppings. Service was a bit rushed but still friendly. Overall, it’s a good spot to have a meal on a cold night.“
“I come to LA from the east coast once or twice per year and I make my travel schedule around eating at Moto once per visit. The tan tan men ramen is absolutely the best ramen I have ever had. The broth is pure perfection... The side dishes are solid as well and the sushi is simple, but out of this world fresh and tasty. Sam is a great host. See you on my next trip Moto!!!“
“YOOO, this place is BOMB!! I got the Curry Ramen with Egg and I couldn’t believe how good it was. GREAT curry broth - well-spiced but not spicy. Nice noodles and meat too. Wish it had a bit more meat though. I’m from Hawai’i and grew up on Japanese Curry and Ramen. It really tasted like home. They were playing some good reggae music when we were there, so it sounded like home too.Went here because the other ramen place we wanted to go to down the street was an hour wait. So glad we did! We (party of 3) were seated right away on a Saturday night.We sat outside in the covered area. It was a cold night out but their heaters were so good that I took off my jacket and was wearing a short sleeve shirt. Nice waiters - did a great job at checking on us in case we needed anything. DEFINITELY coming back the next time I’m in the area. Will be bringing more friends along too.Parking: Parking sucks at night on the weekend, but that’s common in this area. I got free street parking as I parked after the time you have to pay. I wanna say past 8?“
“I actually really like these noodles. Different than ramen. Noodles and broth served separate. Dip the noodles. Dip dip dip. I like that. The pork is tender and the soy egg is delicious. The serving is pretty good. It’s expensive for what you get but it’s good. You’ll like it. Trust me.“
“Sweet little takeout soot with pleasing mod interior design & thoughtful touches throughout. We enjoyed the two vegan options and they each had very distinct flavor profiles, the spicy one being quite hot by default but still delicious. Really nice service and kind people. Highly recommend!“
“This was my first experience with mazemen and it did not disappoint. It was a recommendation from my buddy who lives locally and I will absolutely return. The vinegar adds a delicious change in flavor profile and compliments the egg yolk and the fatty flavor and umami taste and mouth feel. This was one of my favorite things I’ve eaten in the last year to be honest. Fantastic food. Great little atmosphere and great service. Totally decent pricing too.“
“Overall experience it was good! The wait wasn’t too long. I think we came around the lunch time rush hour on a weekday with 40min wait?Dipping sauce was good and creamy. I was so full afterwards! Worth trying it again. The pricing was on a higher side.I also got the iced matcha. I really didn’t like it. It tasted like powered matcha poured with ice cold water. Highly don’t recommend getting the drink. Wasted my money.Paid street parking only. Paid $2 street parking for max 2 hour parking.“
“For the price it’s a 10/10 meal!!Service: 10/10Note: make sure to put ur name on wait listWhat I ordered:Scallop sashimi - 10/10, fresh, vibrant flavours.Nigiri sampler- 9/10 very fresh and good quality fish. A little too much rice for me.Burnt garlic ramen- 8/10 I’m more traditional in my flavours. But it’s peoples favourite.Tuna crispy rice 10/10. Can’t complain“
“I really love ramen, Can't get tired of eating anytime I find a good spot, and this is one of those places, whenever I'm nearby. Personally I highly recommend the slurping ramen combo, and chashu bowl. Price is very reasonable.food is delivered pretty fast, workers are very friendlyParking: Is a big lot with many business as well, but Parking shouldn't be an issue to enjoy a great ramen“
“The woman who attended me was amazing!! I really loved the strawberry milk and the pork belly was very delicious. I was just a little disappointed in the egg since it was warm on the outside but really cold in the inside which made me lose my appetite. The noodles also tasted too much like eggs in which I don’t really enjoy. The soup was really good though and again the pork belly tastes amazing!!“
“Service was great with attentive server and bringing out dishes. The lunch omakase was by far the better one compared to the dinner set. Fun interactive experience for the lunch omakase with different dipping salts, and making your own sushi with rice, seaweed, and assorted season sashimi pieces. Dinner set was nicer in terms of presentation, but not as satisfying with the amount of food provided and cuts of fish offered. Great place to try though for lunch if you're a fan of aesthetic and sushi!“
“DAMN! The best killer noodles! The noodles can go as hot as you want, from a scale of 1 through 6. My limit is 3 but I'm more comfortable with a level 2. Even at 2, I'm sweating. Every now and then, when I'm in a mood to torture myself with amazing spices, I go here. Try it, you will understand!“
Japanese • $
“I’ve been coming here for well over a decade now, and it remains remarkably consistent. The ramen is delicious, the topping choices are vast enough to never run out of potential combinations, the service staff are always friendly and enthusiastic, and the vibe is always bustling with life. The spot continues to thrive for this long for a reason – it’s a definite stop for anyone that enjoys ramen and Japanese food generally.“
“I love the ramen at Jidaya, especially their tonkotsu - it’s thick, rich and tasty. They’re very consistent, too. But to be honest, I thought about giving it 2 star so it doesn’t get too busy but post pandemic, everyone restaurant could use the business.“
“Aah so Delicious! Fresh yummy Sushi. I am very glad I gave it a try, we tried a bunch of items and it did not disappoint. Also they have their own smoked soy sauce that’s a hit. The food did take some times to come out. Cant wait to come back.“
“Never had ramen broth that wasn't made from pork. The taste was amazing, light, refreshing and less oilier than tonkotsu. The noodles were boiled to perfection, chewy and delicious. The TanTan Men were tasty as well, the peanut broth wasn't too overpowering. I will definitely go back again in the near future.“
“Found this spot last week when a storm passed by Los Angeles. It was all seats taken but I was able to do a take a take out. Wasn't really expecting something just something to eat when we got home. It was good. Unique flavor. I tried the miso and soy ramen.Today I brought the whole family we had a lot to eat I wanted to try the menu. We will be taking out some food for tommorow but I'm happy with the food.“
“This place shook me to my core. I ordered the spicy miso ramen level 4 spice and it was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever put in my mouth. I cried. Definitely my new favorite ramen joint!!! I wanted to thank the chefs but they were so busy I didn’t want to bother. I would recommend this place to everyone I know! They need a bigger location.“
“Unusual in that you order your ramen with toppings at the counter and they bring it to you. The presentation was probably the prettiest and it was delicious ramen. I dont know if it was a one-off but my noodles were clumpy in some parts. Not bad enough to ask for a new bowl. Overall, very good. The place is clean, casual and pretty good for groups, so you don't have to split a huge bill. I parked in the structure next door and walked over. Would come here again!“
“Little hole in the wall 5 mins from LAX serving super solid tonkotsu that wasn't too salty like some places...Don't skip the karaage chicken either, with the aioli it came with it made a great appetizer. Pro tip- when you run out of chashu in your ramen just dump the karaage inFood came out super fast too, great spot to stop before heading out LAX if you have an extra hour to spare.“
“I've been here 3 times now, and Wow, just wow.The food is delicious, the prices aren't ridiculous, service has always been very friendly, and the little venue is a vibe. So look around when you're sitting down and enjoy the ambiance.What more is there to ask?I literally started a Google maps list of "THE(my favorite) Restaurants" that I recommend to people just because I liked everything this place had to offer so much.For those who like eel rolls... The Dungeons and Dragons roll.... ✨Chef's kiss✨I've always gone and just shared among the table family style so the bill is probably a little higher for my groups, but like I said I was impressed.They've also got some good hot sake.“
“Good stuff here, always consistent quality, great service and the soul is truly well done. Deep bone broth flavors brings out the best in the ramen. I wish there's more meat for what you pay but still excellent for what it is. There's not that many seats here and all parties must be present in order to be seated. So get in line and be patient“
“My recent visit to Ko Ryu Ramen was made exceptional by the outstanding service provided by Valerie. Her warm demeanor and attentive care elevated our dining experience to new heights. With her expert recommendations and genuine enthusiasm, Valerie ensured that every aspect of our meal was perfect. If you're looking for delicious ramen served with a smile, be sure to ask for Valerie at Ko Ryu Ramen. She truly made our visit memorable.“
“Was recommended to come to this place. This is my first time here, I wanted to order everything. It all looks so good. Amazing customer service ,very fresh food. Everything served super hot. Best kimchi i've ever had. I will drive all the way back to this place. Can't wait to. To come back again and try something different“
“A lovely little place with authentic Japanese ramen and more!They were actually waiting when we came in (it was rainy and I think we were the first for the early afternoon) and yes, they ARE Japanese. My "nihongo" is not great, but the woman who welcomed us was all smiles and when I mentioned how it was KINDA cold ("chotto samui desu") she laughed and immediately started to speak in Japanese* and told us to sit wherever we wanted. She worked mostly in the kitchen area, but also took orders, while another older woman took our order but she, too, was very friendly. (*no, they speak English, you don't have to speak Japanese :-D )My wife and I started with the Chili Garlic Edamame, which is served warm and the flavor of the sauce it comes in was very tasty. We couldn't finish these because we dove into our entree's, but reheating them, at home, we finished the rest! They give you quite a lot of them!My wife got the spicy ramen and, not having had curry in quite a while, I ordered the chicken katsu curry. I will say, I was subject to LOTS of cheap ramen for a couple years, in my twenties, and it turned me off of ANY ramen, going forward... However, first my wife offered me the pork that came in the soup and it was very flavorful and the broth was great (you actually get the spicy seasoning as a little "blob" you stir into the rest of the broth) once I tasted that. So, I went ahead and tried the ramen noodles and I think I MIGHT try my own bowl the next time I go. It doesn't hurt that it was a rainy day and it was so nice, inside their place, with the warm soup... ;-)My katsu curry was great.. They actually serve the plate as rice, the katsu chicken and a japanese salad (can't remember what the greens were called) and the curry is separate so you can pour as much at a time as you want.The flavor was rich, just a little sweet, but not like some "Curry House" places that make the sweet overtake the savory. Overall it was just a great experience in this quaint, yet warm, restaurant. ** Also funny was that, while we were waiting for our food, I noticed that whatever music channel that was going was playing Miyazaki movie songs. Just added to the charm of the place for me... "Arigatou gozaimashite, Palms Ramen Yumeya!" :-)“
Ramen • $
“Hakata Ikkousha is one of the staple ramen places in Torrance and one that I love a lot. I really love the ramen and the broth as well. However, this ramen is super heavy, though. The broth is really strong and not super clean like other ramen, so if you like stronger more oily broths, this would be the place to go. Really good karrage as well.“
“This spot nails it with awesome ramen and killer fried shrimp. The ramen’s got this tasty broth and noodles just right in texture, while the shrimp are all about that crunch with a juicy kick inside. It’s the kind of place you’d go for both the vibes and the eats, served up with a smile. Definitely a go-to for anyone looking to chow down on some real-deal flavors.“
“This Umemura ramen is very busy too crowded in the afternoon especially weekends. Open everyday closed on Tuesdays. I enjoy eating kanitama fried rice & chashu ramen. The table & the counter is nice, clean & convenient. The service & the atmosphere is great. This Gardena location wins. Japanese,many Asian, Hispanic & American people visit frequently. 100% recommended. Unfortunately nor credit or debit cards aren’t accepted. CASH ONLY.“
“1st timer visiting the bestie. Was in need of some really good soup for losing my voice and found this gem!Since 1994 was all I kept seeing and let’s say that broth proved why they have been around for so long! DELICIOUS broth!GLUTEN FREE noodles - rice noodles. Ordered two different ramens gluten free to go and enjoyed a hot green tea while I waited.PARKING IS TERRIBLE - it’s a small lot and very hard to park but hopefully you find a spot.The ramen is worth it.Opens at 5pm - could get packed.“
“I have been to Golden Gai in Shinjuku in Tokyo and let me tell you that the inside of this place is designed to look EXACTLY like an izakaya alley like that. So needless to say, the vibe is great. And thankfully they were playing j-pop too. But most importantly, the Ramen was totally on-point. Great broth, tender pork chashu, and fresh-tasting noodles. I also like the insulated steel mugs they served the beer in. Great place. A must-try in LA.“
“My partner and I have been coming here nearly every 2 weeks for a long time and they have never let us down!! The staff is friendly and attentive, and the food is always delicious. Lots of great vegetarian and vegan options as well! We recommend this place to everyone we know, 10/10!“
“I was looking for ramen with a parking a this spot is amazing. You can park inside the building. Mild spicy is really mild spicy and I appreciated it. Thin noodles and the soup is amazing. Tried the Thai tea for the 1st, it goes really well with the bowl I took.I’ll visit again for sure“
“Went there for my first time last night around opening time, very friendly customer service experience. I enjoyed my 'Fire Bowl Ramen' (Intermediate / 2nd Spice level) so much that I drank most of the broth. The general atmosphere felt like I was in Japan again, it may not be everyone's liking, but I personally enjoy dimly lit ambiance for a dinner setting.“
“First time here. Got their Fried Chicken Curry and the Shischo Ramen to go. Both were outstanding! Perfectly done noodles backed up by broths that bring the flavor for days! For the first visit we went with the lowest heat levels. For my wife, the level one Curry was hot enough. For me, I'm looking forward to ramping up the heat next time! Not a large establishment but worth the wait...Parking: Have you battle the parking for the other restaurants on this end of the parking lot, plus the madness from the In-and-Out lines.“
“Very cozy, personal Japanese restaurant that has a wide menu selection and many extras, house specials, that are listed on the walls only... Fried rice, Kara age chicken, mapo tofu on rice, big huge bowls of ramen ?, most everything I have tried so far is ?Vegetarian options: You can always ask them about whether they use strictly vegetarian broths for certain dishes, if yes, then just add more vegetables, or withholding the meat for certain dishes may be all that's needed...Wheelchair accessibility: A bit difficult, as it is a small place ...there are two or three tables outside though, for those who really want to try it...“
“Great ramen! Pork broth was very porky and the cha shu was perfectly salty and sweet. The vegetable broth had a surprising amount of flavor. The noodles were bouncy and just the right thickness. Clean dining room. Cute set up. Will be returning!“
“"I consistently have a fantastic experience at Gushiya. The staff goes above and beyond to take care of me and my family every visit. Not only is the service exceptional, but the food is consistently amazing. It's clear that they prioritize customer satisfaction, making each dining experience memorable. I highly recommend [Sushi Place] for their outstanding service and delicious sushi."“
Japanese • $
“For a ramen place their ramen is pretty average, would probably go again if I'm in the area and craving but wouldn't go out of my way to dine there.The ramen doesn't taste as balanced as I'd like, the spring onion taste really took over the broth but it was still quite decent.The gyoza was okay too, nothing special.“
“Got into town late and was looking for something open past 9pm on a weekday and found this place closeby. Was a chilly night so hot ramen and beers to end the night was a win win for me.Parking was tight but we were seated right away, ordering the ramen set, fried rice and some beers. Service was quick, food was hot and delicious and we all left full and satisfied. 5 stars??“
Ramen •
“Came here because of an IG video. Michelin ramen in a supermarket? Ok I’ll make the drive to see what the buzz is all about. Upon further research, their other location is in the Michelin guide. It’s still clearly advertised as so at this location. But nonetheless, I did enjoy their tsukemen ramen. The broth was rich and hearty. Their noodles and chashu were extra thick and different from other tsukemen ramen I’ve tried previously. I could tell quality ingredients went into making this ramen. Was it worth the drive? Probably not but I had a great time at the Japanese market and left with an inflatable Pocky stick!“
“Possibly the best ramen in the area. Get the salt ramen. The soup has a deep richness with some hint of fermentation, possibly miso or mirin. The pork belly is tender and fresh. The toppings varied and were complimentary. Pricing is a great deal. Overall, such a hidden gem for the “
“This place was kind of hidden (or I'm an air head!) but I'm so glad I persevered! It was soooo good! Staff was super sweet. Spicy garlic edamame was ??? and the Premium Chicken Ramen was out of this world! I was so happy to see a dedicated option! I unfortunately had a migraine when I went (long story) and didn't want to go, but didn't want to cancel on my friend. I'm so happy I fought thru the pain! Be aware the place is smalllll...and the shared parking lot is pretty small...so you may have to wait a minute...but 10000000% worth it!“
“The service was wonderful, we had a big party and came in about an hour and a half to close, the staff was so kind and gracious in letting us stay a little after close. Such wonderful prices for the quality and service, cannot recommend enough.“
“A delicious selection of everything you’ve come to love from Shin-Sen-Gumi, starting with amazing ramen with limitless option’s and toppings, they also have delicious curry with great croquet options and also Yakitori options, the sets are amazing and very affordable. Make sure to try the spicy ramen or adding the spice bomb to your ramen.“
“This place is a hidden gem! Honestly I was expecting a cute little restaurant when I first pulled up. My friend found this place on Yelp and I just put it on the GPS. I ordered the build your own regular and it came out to be about $15. The Hawaiian salmon was delicious!! This poke place did not disappoint. I've been to other poke places and they don't compare.“
“Went on a Saturday mid afternoon for a late lunch. It was easy to park and I got the order right away. If you are looking for a great Tonkotsu Ramen or Poke bowl you are in the right place, it won't disappoint you. The bowl looked huge when it arrived, but 20 minutes later it was gone for good. The price is fair, great service and tasty food.“
“Pretty good ramen at Torrance Mitsuwa near Del Amo Fashion center building Carson St (formerly Western Ave old location) halfway to Seiwa Market. I haven’t eat at new Mitsuwa food court since at old Mitsuwa food court love the ramen flavors & Hiyashi Chuka as well. Sometimes good; sometimes terrible. The service is pretty good. Tonkotsu ramen is my favorite such high quality. I highly recommend visiting there again. The parking lot is big, plenty of space. Night time is great for customers visiting to Mitsuwa Marketplace. (Yeah no homeless. Just safe.)“
“I had the crispy nasu bun which was a great vegetarian option, soft bun with crispy eggplant inside. Took a long time for food to come out. Our waiter Adrian, however, was wonderful! He was very attentive and even went to his car to get birthday candles for my friend (to put on her dessert). Great experience overall!“
“Wonderful place, I absolutely love tur vibe and atmosphere. We ate here shortly after landing in LA. I had the black garlic ramen and I found it to be smooth and full of flavor. I certainly recommend adding an egg.We also had the gyoza (only comes with 4) and the sauce was unique, a flavor I haven't had before.“