Shisen Ramen in Torrance is worth the trip if you haven’t been already. Definitely not traditional Nihon style, but the Pakko Ramen is to die for.  Rich, spicy and deep flavored broth with crispy & juicy porcine goodness. The noodles always have the perfect texture with just the right “bite” and tooth feel.  Oishi icy-cold nama-beeru, too.

Ramenya
11555 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
3105759337

::: quite possibly the best ramen i’ve ever had. kimchee ramen is highly recommended. killer gyozas too. ::

thanks guys! i’ve actually been to both of these, although the reviews are kind of buried in the archives (sorry, will make them more searchable in an upcoming site update).

http://www.rameniac.com/resource/comments/shisen_ramen_fahrenheit_310/

http://www.rameniac.com/resource/comments/ramenya_discomfort_of_the_familiar/

i think they’re both pretty decent places. last time i tried to go to shisen i found them mysteriously closed… something about doing half days for one day of the week, because they were understaffed or something. i should probably update the hours, but will need to confirm with them first.

as for ramenya, i eat there quite often actually! lately, it’s been the negi ramen to keep things a bit lighter and “healthier” lol…

Making me hungry…

Have you ever been to Kyushu Ramen in Van Nuys? My friends and I used to eat there all the time, but I’m really curious how it holds up to your standards.

thanks for the suggestion, akasha! i have been to kyushu ramen actually. that’s been on my ‘to-do’ list for a long time, but i somehow haven’t made it back over there with a digital camera yet lol.

it’s not a bad place, but not great either. a little middle of the road, i always thought. like daikokuya, they suffer from using noodles that don’t quite fit the tonkotsu (kyushu-style) soup, which i remember as being pretty flavorful. it’s like, come on, if you’re gonna name a place kyushu, the tonkotsu ramen better be the house specialty! i can’t recall the other types of ramen there, but i’ll definitely try to get back out there soon.

I was never particularly impressed with Kyushu ramen. Decent enough to grab a bite when I’m in the Van Nuys area (although, given the time and the mood for it, it’s hard to pass up Dr. Hogly Wogly’s BBQ, a few minutes away.)

One thing about Kyushu, though… As a self-admitted anime convention nut (I do at least 6-8 a year!), Kyushu was very nicely located as a place to go grab lunch with friends, during AnimeLA when the con was at its old location. Decently priced, reasonable quality, and fit the theme nicely. I can’t walk into the place without remembering a whole table full of Death Note characters…

lol… i’ve been to hogly wogly’s texas tyler barbecue too. i’m not exactly sure how it happened, haha. but i definitely had fun in a divey sort of way.

Have you heard of or been to Tamaya in Hacienda Heights?  It is in the Albertson’s plaza @ Colima and Azusa.  I personally think it’s about ok, but they have lots of sides, and it’s always packed.  Actually, I think the tonkotsu ramen is just so so but I like the Chanpon.  Even willing to pay the extra $2 for it....

rameniac - 08 January 2008 12:47 PM

lol… i’ve been to hogly wogly’s texas tyler barbecue too. i’m not exactly sure how it happened, haha. but i definitely had fun in a divey sort of way.

OMFG!!! It’s been almost 6 years since I’ve been to hogly wogly’s. Bountiful beef ribs. Man I’d so go there tomorrow afternoon if I didn’t live all the way in the far end of the San Gabriel Valley.

On another note, I went to Foo Foo Tei last week. I was pretty impressed. It defies all the conventional rules of having a business, but due to it’s loyal following and exceptional broth, I can see why it’s still in business. I had the mushroom ramen. Bomb diggity without a doubt.

Kyushu Ramen will always be a memorable place to me. It was the 1st ramen restaurant I had ever been to same 16 years ago. I admit that the food is so so, but it wasn’t always like that. Way back when the previous owner, a purple haired 60 something year old lady that looked like she stepped out of an Andy Warhol painting, used to own that place, The ramen noodle was hand made and the broth was much more savory. Now the ramen is lacking in more ways than one. For some reason, I always end up gripping my stomache after having the Gomoku Ramen.

It’s a bit far but Nippon Ramen in Reseda.
I never get sick of the Nippon Ramen.
It says its shouyu based but with a special spicy miso paste.
Not only are the noodles great,the chahan, chashu, banbanji salad, gomoku chahan, and the un bai ro (slivers of pork belly with cucumber) are excellent. 
I’ve been eating there for awhile so maybe I’m just used to it. 
I’d like to hear what people think.

I really think Tamaya in Hacienda Heights deserves an expert review.  Also when you are there, you can visit the original Foo Foo Tei (also in Hacienda Heights).  But I personally prefer Tamaya Ramen over Foo Foo Tei.

If you’re going to be in Japan Center in SF anyways, I’d like to read your review of Sapporo-Ya in the Kinokuniya building.  It’s been there for a long time, so maybe would be good to include to be comprehensive.

captain crunkd - yea need to get back to kyushu reeall soon! it’s just in a corner of town that i don’t typically have any business in. i recall their soup being pretty serviceable, although i’m not sure i’d do tonkotsu there.

zagunsousan - will need to give nippon ramen another chance and a reappraisal ^^.

wonton - i’ve been to Tamaya once before; kept thinking you meant the “tama-yu” ramen at It’s Q in Hacienda Heights (which, apparently is now “katana sushi”, but at least they still have the ramen haha). need to cover the rest of those east SGV places! just started with the OG foo foo tei this week =).

pope - will do! i need to make it up to SF next time i’m in the bay area. last time i was only there for a couple of days at my friend’s place in san jose. at least i got in a few south bay shops =).

thanks everyone! feel free to post reviews of your favorite places here in the forum as well!