Nakazo Ramen Bistro
… STORE HOURS. Mon-Sat 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM Sun 11:30AM-2:30PM, 4:30PM-8:30PM. 2120 S FREMONT AVE, ALHAMBRA, CA 91803 (626) 872-6721. © Nakazo Ramen 2024.
AC9
This ramen spot is legit right by the freeway. So let’s see if they’re pretty good eh or ew. The owner was super sweet and let me try their karage, fried brussel sprouts, cha shao rice bowl, and carnitas ramen. These karage pieces were probably the biggest I’ve EVER scene. Pretty crisp and juicy too. The sauce wasn’t really for me tho. Very mayoy. The fried brussel sprouts were really good. nicely crisp and seasoned. The cha shao rice bowl actually had a good amount of tender, sweet meat with rice that soaked up all the extra flavorful marinade. The carnitas ramen was also REALLY GOOD. Rich, savory, comforting broth. Tender, umami packed carnitas. Noodles that soaked up the yummy broth. A perfectly jammy egg and crunchy radish, onion, cilantro, and lime to help cut through all the richness and add a nice brightness. Love to see these fun fusion dishes. I also like how they wrapped the broth container in a plastic bag in case of spillage. So thoughtful. This place is pretty good.
… moreBy yours truly
Small corner restaurant by the freeway. It’s my first time coming here and it did not disappoint! I ordered Las Carnitas Ramen and some gyoza for a side, the ramen was fresh and packed full of flavor, I liked the slight mexican infusion to it. Definitely will make you return for more.
… moreDavid Kha
Food is amazing here!! I ordered through doordash and food is amazing and tasty!
The have refreshing drinks too!
This is the rice bowl with pork belly
… moreAlina
Found this place randomly on a Friday night and I’m so happy I did! Service was fast, think “Fast casual”. Pay first then sit down. Place was on the smaller side like 3 tables and 2 long bar seating area, but comfortable. I got the rustic soy ramen and the chasu was immaculate perfectly portioned meat and fat. Broth was not overly salty, just perfect. It’s right by the 60 fwy if you’re ever craving a quick bowl of ramen! Would come back again 🙂
… moreAztecDrag0n
Small place right next to the freeway is a gem!!! First time coming here and I was impressed with how good the ramen is. I had the “carnitas ramen” and it did not disappoint! I also got some vegetable gyoza and the karaage and both were delicious as well.
… moreGabriel “RaffiBoi” Torres
First time eating here. Experience was a great one. First off the restroom was very clean and well stocked. My family and I enjoyed the food very much. I ordered the pork chashu bowl and gyoza. My wife had the chicken chashu bowl and spam omusubi and California omusubi and fries that she shared with our son. We all tried a little bit of each other’s food so we could get a little taste! There was honestly nothing that we didn’t like! Everything tasted very fresh and well cooked!! Hats off to the chef!! Also, a special shoutout to the fries, they were crispy and well seasoned!! We will definitely be coming back and I can’t wait to try the ramen!! I know its funny to say but we came and didn’t try the ramen!! Next time!! I recommend this place!! Very friendly staff!!
… morelin phoebe
This is the best ramen I’ve ever had in LA, even better than what I’ve had in Japan and Taiwan. The broth is rich and flavorful, and everything – the noodles, meat – is perfectly cooked.
Their takoyaki, fried chicken, and char siu rice are also must-tries and incredibly delicious.
The service is great, the restaurant is clean, and the presentation of the food is impeccable. This is a 100% perfect restaurant that you have to try.
… moreCharlene Gardella
The food was pretty good. My partner really liked the carnitas ramen. My favorite was the chicken teriyaki chashu fries. Service was friendly. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I noticed the restaurant puts a preference on pickup orders than dine in customers. The inside was clean. Mostly inside is bar stools and few seats so be mindful of that.
… moreKevin Wang
Oct 2024 update: Nakazo has removed all rice balls except for the Spam musubi. They have been replaced with sushi rolls that are 2 to 3 times the price of the previous rice balls. I have ordered the sushi roll and the amount of food you get is very similar to the rice ball (about 4-5 pieces per order) yet more than double the price. They actually taste a bit worse because the sushi has very thick rice layers. Because of this new update I have changed my review from 5 stars to 3. The Spam musubi still remains at the previous price point and is still good, but the other rice balls were my preferred items as they were more unique and better to eat than just spam and a thick slab of rice. I am not sure why they removed such a popular item from their menu, but I am likely not coming back anymore now.
Is it crazy to have come to a ramen restaurant multiple times over the years and have never ordered the ramen itself?
Then I remember I’m having amazing rice balls/omusubi and sides that I stop worrying about it. The rice balls are very fresh, very filling, and very good! The furikake seasoning on the rice is plentiful so it doesn’t taste dull, and the fillings/toppings are generous. These are not the cold rice balls you see at Japanese markets. They are at least twice as good, and less than twice the price.
Their poke bowl is also actually quite good. I also enjoy the chicken karaage and fried brussel sprouts.
I keep meaning to try the ramen, but always get pulled away by the other things! Sometimes I’ll have enough will power to stop myself, haha.
This is a gem of a restaurant hidden in a small strip mall off the highway. It’s such a weird place for a great Japanese restaurant. I can only hope they stay open for a long time so I can keep eating here.
… moreMiguel June
Yummy local ramen spot. Look at their unique hours. Ample parking. Small inside. While I was eating there was a lot of pick up orders.
When I got my food I realized why they were so busy. Broth if my ramen was delicious. Karage was good. I chose The las carnitas ramen. The carnitas was sliced to a small cube. The unique flavors adding cilantro, reddish and onion made my plate that much better. Try it for yourself.
… more