Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - Torrance

Reviews

• PJ

  Paul Jin

  4 days ago
  5.0
  Better than what I tried in Japan. Go for it!
• DW

  dustin “DWHITT47” whittlesey

  6 days ago
  5.0
  Amazing! Hott cross bunz! Beautiful
• MM

  M M

  Sep 24, 2025
  3.0
  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.
• BQ

  Ben Quach

  Sep 18, 2025
  5.0
  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.
• BS

  Bill S

  Aug 25, 2025
  5.0
  Best ramen in LA. We’ve had the kitakata, miso, tonkotsu and vegan miso. Tonkotsu is my favorite with a side of the umami chilli.