“Please let it be terrible.” When I heard that a new boba tea shop had opened in Costa Mesa in the same overcrowded complex as Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai, that’s the thought that immediately rang through my head: “Please let it be terrible.” It’s not
made with pig. Before it closed earlier this year, there used to be Kohryu, a cult favorite famous for bowls flecked with its signature deep-fried, charred bits of green onion. But we don't call it Ramen Town for nothing. Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai quickly
out you're allowed to park in the overflow lot at the Newport-Mesa Unified offices behind the plaza–which is good because Ramen Town is in need of more Ramen Parking. Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai, 891 Baker St., Ste. B21, Costa Mesa, (714) 557-2947
popped up in its place. Called Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai, this is the first U.S. store of a chain that has about 60 locations in Japan. It's named after the city from which it originated. Here's the description from its website: ] Kitakata Ramen, one of the
Iide Mountain. “Ban Nai” is the most popular and well-known eatery of Kitakata Ramen with history for over half a century. With flat, wide and hand-crumpled curly noodle, clear but flavorful broth, and signature “Toro Chashu”, Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai has
just as frustrating. But the new Irvine branch uses Yelp’s digital waitlist, which allows you to check the wait times and get on the list before you leave the house. Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai Where: 14370 Culver Drive, Irvine When: Lunch and dinner daily
that sort of ramen, however, is that it can only be eaten occasionally unless you are trying to hasten a heart attack. If you want to eat ramen on a weekly basis, you’ll need something lighter. I suspect that’s why the line to get into Kitakata Ramen
St., Buena Park, 714-699-1078, ramentao.com Red miso ramen at Ramen & Tsukemen TAO in Buena Park (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) 3. Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai The original Ban Nai opened in Kitakata, Japan, in 1958. They now have
., Fountain Valley, 714-884-3124, ramenbannai.com Green chili ramen at Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai in Irvine (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG) 4. Yoshiharu Ramen This indie noodle shop began in Orange and has since expanded to Buena Park and
Irvine. The popular Japanese Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai brand adds its third location in Orange County with a new restaurant at Heritage Plaza. 14370 Culver Dr Ste C, Irvine, CA 92604 There’s a new vendor at Santa Ana’s 4th Street Market. La Vegana Mexicana
that has more ramen shops than any other in the county, Kashiwa is diametrically opposed to Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai, which favors the light and clear style of broth called chintan. Whether someone will like one over the other is purely subjective. After
., Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai, a Japanese import that came to Costa Mesa (a.k.a. Ramentown) two years ago, has now opened a branch in Buena Park. As I wrote in my review of that location, Kitakata’s noodles are “particularly bungie-like
53. Yakiudon Nikkei at Aji Limon 54. Yakitori at Electric City Butcher 55. Tsukemen at Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai 56. Ten Zaru Soba at Tanakaya 57. Pink Cloud Sandwich at Alicia's Cookery 58. Homemade Super Nachos at Taqueria Los Santos 59. Strawberry
51. Tacos al Vapor at Tito's La Especial 52. Knafeh at Knafeh Cafe 53. Yakiudon Nikkei at Aji Limon 54. Yakitori at Electric City Butcher 55. Tsukemen at Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai 56. Ten Zaru Soba at Tanakaya 57. Pink Cloud Sandwich at Alicia's