
Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai is an authentic Japanese Ramen restaurant from Japan that is in business for over 30 years with 70 locations throughout Japan. Kitakata Ramen is one of the Major 3 Local Ramen styles of Japan. Kitakata Ramen is widely known and beloved in Japan for its distinctive wavy flat hand-crumpled chewy noodles, light yet very flavorful golden clear pork broth, and Toro Chashu pork that is freshly made every few hours at the restaurant with the special soy sauce that is imported from Japan. Please come try our quality, heart and history that is condensed in one bowl of Ramen at Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai!
Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–3 PM, 5–10 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Monday | 11 AM–3 PM, 5–9:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–3 PM, 5–9:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–3 PM, 5–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–3 PM, 5–9:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 4338 Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance, CA 90505
Phone: (310) 302-1900
Website: https://ramenbannai.com/kitakataramenbannaitorrance-qw7i62?utm_source=google
Menu Photos
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Reviews
Staff coordination could be improved, as they had maybe three people rotating between bussing tables and manning the entrance, so it wasn’t always clear if a table had been waited on or not. Not that it’s a huge problem to have someone checking in every few minutes just to be sure.
Food’s great but can get pricey, especially with add-ons. The pork’s rich flavor stands out and reminds me of Japan. The miso ramen has a lot of toppings, too, a mound of bean sprouts and corn for an extra pop, and some sweet contrast to the richness of the broth. I’m just sad that the soup fills me up and I can’t also have the amazing-looking karaage that I kept seeing emerge from the kitchen.
This is a popular chain in Japan serving light broth ramen intended as a breakfast food.
The ramen is quite reasonable at $14.
Wonton ramen- was a special. I tried that. $17.50 for regular. The style of wonton was more like the one with small amount of meat and large wrapper. It tasted good.
The Ban Nai ramen I was was as I remembered it in Japan. Although it was slightly saltier than I recall. I will order the soup slightly less salty. The ramen itself was exactly as I remembered it. It was perfectly chewy, full to the bite and thick.
That was so good!
chicken karage is crunchy and juicy. such good umami flavor even without the sauce.
friend ordered the chicken katsu he states its good.
service- very attentive and friendly. i enjoyed eating here.
I used to frequently visit as this place was my favorite ramen shop. However, in my recent trips, there’s been a lot to note.
First is the ramen. The noodles used to be very chewy and curly but now look more like pasta and don’t hold as much flavor as it used to. Also, the broth is never consistent anymore. Some days super salty, others super bland and watered down. It’s become almost unrecognizable. The toppings come out super watery and sad. The chashu slices and the fried chicken are also not what they used to be. What once used to be cleanly cut slices of chashu are now sometimes blocks of chashu or super thin and small. The fried chicken is either too small or way too big or even worse, burnt. A server noted to me letting me know that the kitchen staff has changed significantly within the last couple months which was the biggest factor for the food tasting differently. This is all picky differences I’ve picked up on, but it’s ignorable.
What’s worse and honestly shocking is how the cooks are allowed to behave. A girl in the kitchen could be heard openly using foul mouthed words to talk negatively about customers. Unbelievable.
The food has become so inconsistent and the behavior of the kitchen staff ruined the experience so much, I don’t think I want to come back ever. The only good that I experienced was that the servers were very attentive and friendly.
This is a new place that opened right next to H Mart. I personally and absolutely love noodle soup dishes. So I will be as detailed as possible.
1. Customer Service
The important part that I review the most is of course customer service. And yes, they are definitely kind and attentive! And not too caring either (you know one of those place with people walking up to you every 5 minutes while you are eating).
2. Menu
Many of good places have fewer menu options. And this place had concise, straight forward, fewer ramen options, which doesn’t overwhelm you. I really like their lunch special combo. They have two pieces of chicken or gyoza or chashu bowl with any ramen. Their sides looked promising to the point where you could actually bring your toddler for their own small meal 🙂
3. Portion
I am a heavy eater. To give you a perspective, at Saigon Bistro (Western & Carson), I can clear even broth XL pho + extra noodle without any issue. Their large portion was too much even for me! I’d say stay with regular.
4. Taste
The last but not least, taste. Noodle was excellent. I was so used to Hakata Ikkousha noodle and that this place’s noodle was definitely refreshing, and to be honest better than Hakata!
Broth gave me mixed feelings. Overall feeling and richness were very nice. I ordered Spicy Miso (extra spicy) and my wife ordered Umakara Tan Tan Ramen. We both thought that their soup was too salty and the server kindly offered plain broth when I asked for hot water (it tells you that we were not the first customer to request the same). To my surprise, their pork broth was AMAZING just by itself. After mixing the broth, saltiness died out but came back again. Later we realized that meats were the culprit. Meat was cooked really well but I think they were marinated too salty. Next time, I would love to try either clear broth ramen or veggie ramen!
Overall Take
1. Will definitely come back. Per one of servers’ recommendation, I would love to try clear both ramen or veggie ramen.
2. They should really consider toning down on their meat for saltiness. This is especially since they opened next to H Mart and will draw a lot of Korean customers who like their food rich and spicy.
3. It’s so happy to know that there is another great ramen place that opened in Torrance! 😀
4. Do not order large size unless you haven’t eaten for 2 days.
5. Definitely go for lunch special if you are eating lunch. (But be respectful and don’t share 1 lunch special with 2 or more people).
Mixed Boiled Vegetable Shio Ramen – al dente noodles, 5 slices of cha Shu, lots of veggies, lightly flavored soup with peppery taste.
Aburi chashu bowl – tasty and delicious pan fried chashu on top of rice. My recommendation is to add a side vegetable like cabbages, definitely worth the extra $1.
Service was prompt and friendly, the indoor only dining is clean and comfortable.
Tip: cashless only!