“So, I was on the hunt for a spot in El Segundo that could dish out some authentic flavors and offer a great vibe for New Year's Eve. Lo and behold, Japonica came to the rescue. The parking situation? Surprisingly painless. Considering the holiday buzz, it was manageable - nothing compared to the Friday or Saturday night madness, I reckon.Now, let's talk eats. We kicked things off with the crispy rice, and let me tell you, it was genuinely crispy - almost like a high-end hashbrown. Then came the carpaccio trio - bluefin tuna with balsamic, yellowtail with garlic ponzu, and Scottish salmon with onion ginger dressing. Fresh and tasty, exactly as promised on the menu. The mix of flavors made the whole dining affair a delight.On to the rolls - Kyoto Kryptonite, Citrus Sakura, and White Lightning. My personal winner was the White Lightning, a sushi roll with garlic butter, a first for me. Seared albacore and tempura white fish - it was a flavor bomb. Kyoto Kryptonite appealed to my spice-loving side with its spicy tuna, and while Citrus Sakura brought some traditional vibes, it wasn't my top pick given the other vibrant choices.Now, about the joint itself - a medium-sized setup that handled the holiday crowd like a pro. The food took a tad longer to arrive than expected, and our waiter was on an apology spree. Lucky for us, we were deep in conversation, so time flew. But the waiter's vibe low-key hinted at placing an order sooner rather than later.An interesting note: Our dishes were delivered and checked on by different folks. I'm guessing the waitstaff doesn't claim specific tables, but hey, it worked smoothly.All in all, Japonica left me pretty darn satisfied. I'll happily roll back for another round. Cheers to good eats and a chill atmosphere!“
“Japanese ramen chain in the Century City Mall. Came here for dinner with a friend and had no reservation, but we were able to get seated immediately. Credit cards accepted. You pick out your customized ramen via a piece of paper and you can also opt for appetizers. A vegetarian option is available. We got edamame to split and I opted for the red king, which had a good amount of spice. Compared to the Manila location, the portions were on the smaller side, but we still left satisfied. You can customize the spice level, noodle type, and the toppings. Service was a bit rushed but still friendly. Overall, it’s a good spot to have a meal on a cold night.“
“I come to LA from the east coast once or twice per year and I make my travel schedule around eating at Moto once per visit. The tan tan men ramen is absolutely the best ramen I have ever had. The broth is pure perfection... The side dishes are solid as well and the sushi is simple, but out of this world fresh and tasty. Sam is a great host. See you on my next trip Moto!!!“
“YOOO, this place is BOMB!! I got the Curry Ramen with Egg and I couldn’t believe how good it was. GREAT curry broth - well-spiced but not spicy. Nice noodles and meat too. Wish it had a bit more meat though. I’m from Hawai’i and grew up on Japanese Curry and Ramen. It really tasted like home. They were playing some good reggae music when we were there, so it sounded like home too.Went here because the other ramen place we wanted to go to down the street was an hour wait. So glad we did! We (party of 3) were seated right away on a Saturday night.We sat outside in the covered area. It was a cold night out but their heaters were so good that I took off my jacket and was wearing a short sleeve shirt. Nice waiters - did a great job at checking on us in case we needed anything. DEFINITELY coming back the next time I’m in the area. Will be bringing more friends along too.Parking: Parking sucks at night on the weekend, but that’s common in this area. I got free street parking as I parked after the time you have to pay. I wanna say past 8?“
“Tsujita La Artisan Noodle Annex is the best Dipping Ramen ( Tsukemen ) in LA , closest noodles I’ve felt in Japan. Here the noodles are thick and springy, they kept separate from garlicky and flavorful broth to maintain the chewable. It’s perfect for me!“
“Sweet little takeout soot with pleasing mod interior design & thoughtful touches throughout. We enjoyed the two vegan options and they each had very distinct flavor profiles, the spicy one being quite hot by default but still delicious. Really nice service and kind people. Highly recommend!“
“I absolutely adore their mazemen and usually get the Tokyo option. I don’t even mind the wait if I happen to come at a busy time. The food is well worth it! The servers are so nice and it’s a chill place to sit and eat. Easy parking on Olympic.“
“Overall experience it was good! The wait wasn’t too long. I think we came around the lunch time rush hour on a weekday with 40min wait?Dipping sauce was good and creamy. I was so full afterwards! Worth trying it again. The pricing was on a higher side.I also got the iced matcha. I really didn’t like it. It tasted like powered matcha poured with ice cold water. Highly don’t recommend getting the drink. Wasted my money.Paid street parking only. Paid $2 street parking for max 2 hour parking.“
“My teenagers and I were impressed with the simplicity of flavors of all our dishes. We started off with an assorted sashimi plate that had 3 pieces each of tuna, salmon, kampachi, and Japanese scallops and a plate of scallop carpaccio. It was soo yummy that we ordered another plate of scallop carpaccio and then we felt like we just had to try the kampachi carpaccio. Sooo good and the scallops just melt in your mouth! For our main dishes, we decided to share the Spicy Tonkotsu with extra bamboo shoots and the Truffle Butter Tonkotsu. The broths were very flavorful, the noodles fresh, and the chasu was delicious. For dessert, the friendly staff recommended the house-made Shio Koji ice cream with black sea salt to help cleanse our palates. It was very light and definitely refreshing. And I also tried the Genmaicha tea which was very light, aromatic, and soothing. All in all this place is a must go-to when you're in Ktown. The staff was very friendly, attentive, and very helpful for suggesting menu items. This is definitely our family's favorite find of the year!“
“I really love ramen, Can't get tired of eating anytime I find a good spot, and this is one of those places, whenever I'm nearby. Personally I highly recommend the slurping ramen combo, and chashu bowl. Price is very reasonable.food is delivered pretty fast, workers are very friendlyParking: Is a big lot with many business as well, but Parking shouldn't be an issue to enjoy a great ramen“
“The woman who attended me was amazing!! I really loved the strawberry milk and the pork belly was very delicious. I was just a little disappointed in the egg since it was warm on the outside but really cold in the inside which made me lose my appetite. The noodles also tasted too much like eggs in which I don’t really enjoy. The soup was really good though and again the pork belly tastes amazing!!“
“Pictured are the Tokyo Style with Soup and the Downtown Style with Soup (more red with chilli oil on top).The base of both these bowls is pretty much the same. I think the only difference is the ratio of certain ingredients. I prefer the Downtown version because it's more balanced overall. I think there was way too much nuts flavor in the Tokyo version. I didn't understand why they added so much ungrinded sesame seeds. I think fine-grinding the sesame seeds would've added similar flavor while making it much smoother to slurp. Or perhaps the Tokyo version with no soup would've been a better choice ?“
“Service was great with attentive server and bringing out dishes. The lunch omakase was by far the better one compared to the dinner set. Fun interactive experience for the lunch omakase with different dipping salts, and making your own sushi with rice, seaweed, and assorted season sashimi pieces. Dinner set was nicer in terms of presentation, but not as satisfying with the amount of food provided and cuts of fish offered. Great place to try though for lunch if you're a fan of aesthetic and sushi!“
“This place is so good !! Everyone is always polite. Also for 2 appetizers, 2 ramens and 2 drinks everything came out to 54-55 dollars !! That's literally cheap compared to other ramen spots that be coming out to 70 etc dollars! On top of that it's good decent ramen. My boyfriend and I were craving ramen but didn't want to spend so much money and this place is definitely budget friendly“
“I was in the neighborhood and accidentally discover Jidaiya. Being the first time dining there, I was pleasantly surprised. We had the Tonkotsu shio ramen and the broth flavor was intense and rich, just the way I like it. Also had generous portion of topping and veggies. I especially love the sheets of seaweed and spoonful of toasted sesame that added the crunch, flavor and texture to the ramen. The only minor imperfection were the thinly sliced chashu. Sadly they were not my favorite as it's slight on the lean, tougher side. Please improve on the chashu, other than that, it's an awesome bowl of ramen! The noodles were cooked el dente. I'm a ramen snob and this place is pretty legit! We also order a side of takoyaki. These were one of the largest takoyaki, with a nice outer crunch and soft, gooey filling with plenty of octopus. If you're very hungry, they offer a combo with the order of ramen. The combo are very fair priced and lot of selection to choose from. Friendly service, proactive about asking if we needed 2 smaller bowls as we were sharing a bowl of ramen. The ambience is dated but feels homey like a true mom and pop shop. Though the dated feel didn't bother me much since the food is pretty good. I mean, come on, where can you find a bowl of decent ramen that still cost under $15!! Talk about value and good food. Regarding napkins, there were boxes of tissues. Which I thought it was a nice gesture as it's soft. With the hot bowl of soup, I appreciate the little touch of soft tissues. It's an odd thing, but it was thoughtful. I highly suggest this place whenever you're in the neighborhood. It's hard to be a small business especially in this economy. Let's support them and keep them going. Thanks for having us. Food's is delicious! I know we'll be back.“
Japanese • $
“I’ve been coming here for well over a decade now, and it remains remarkably consistent. The ramen is delicious, the topping choices are vast enough to never run out of potential combinations, the service staff are always friendly and enthusiastic, and the vibe is always bustling with life. The spot continues to thrive for this long for a reason – it’s a definite stop for anyone that enjoys ramen and Japanese food generally.“
“after a photo shoot in UCLA, a friend recommended us to get our grub at Ramenya in Sawtelle. Had to park on a near street, and had to do a little walk to the shop. wait time is bearable. got a table for four and we were greeted by a welcoming host. we were recommended to get tantan ramen. however, we got more than that-we got daikon salad, shrimp fried rice, and 2 ramens. my favorite was the fried rice-i could eat those everyday. tantan ramen is delicious too. all in all, it was a great visit and a great meal. there will be a next time once we ever get lost in los angeles area.“
“Never had ramen broth that wasn't made from pork. The taste was amazing, light, refreshing and less oilier than tonkotsu. The noodles were boiled to perfection, chewy and delicious. The TanTan Men were tasty as well, the peanut broth wasn't too overpowering. I will definitely go back again in the near future.“
“This place shook me to my core. I ordered the spicy miso ramen level 4 spice and it was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever put in my mouth. I cried. Definitely my new favorite ramen joint!!! I wanted to thank the chefs but they were so busy I didn’t want to bother. I would recommend this place to everyone I know! They need a bigger location.“
“Details... there are many Sushi spots but Japonica has someone experimenting.The Soy Sauce on the table is an example of this. This option of a Smokey flavor on some dishes gives a different complexity than normal Soy Sauce. Then Dessert.... try the Mochi Strawberry ? I would return just for this reason. Then Service.... fast during Happy Hour and attentive. Japonica for me continues to be on my top 5 places to try in Los Angeles. I can go on but I have to finish my dessert.“
“Little hole in the wall 5 mins from LAX serving super solid tonkotsu that wasn't too salty like some places...Don't skip the karaage chicken either, with the aioli it came with it made a great appetizer. Pro tip- when you run out of chashu in your ramen just dump the karaage inFood came out super fast too, great spot to stop before heading out LAX if you have an extra hour to spare.“
“Unusual in that you order your ramen with toppings at the counter and they bring it to you. The presentation was probably the prettiest and it was delicious ramen. I dont know if it was a one-off but my noodles were clumpy in some parts. Not bad enough to ask for a new bowl. Overall, very good. The place is clean, casual and pretty good for groups, so you don't have to split a huge bill. I parked in the structure next door and walked over. Would come here again!“
“This is the best ramen I've ever had. The taste of the food covers the many shortcomings of this establishment, the biggest of which is the long queue. The last time we waited 1 hour and 20 minutes... Therefore, take the electronic queue in advance, or by QR code.The restaurant itself is extremely small, the tables with windows to the kitchen are blocked by partitions and you get the impression that you are in prison waiting to talk on the phone through the glass. But despite such a strange decision, it is quite convenient for the staff, and the staff here is very friendly and fast.“
“I've been here 3 times now, and Wow, just wow.The food is delicious, the prices aren't ridiculous, service has always been very friendly, and the little venue is a vibe. So look around when you're sitting down and enjoy the ambiance.What more is there to ask?I literally started a Google maps list of "THE(my favorite) Restaurants" that I recommend to people just because I liked everything this place had to offer so much.For those who like eel rolls... The Dungeons and Dragons roll.... ✨Chef's kiss✨I've always gone and just shared among the table family style so the bill is probably a little higher for my groups, but like I said I was impressed.They've also got some good hot sake.“
“Was recommended to come to this place. This is my first time here, I wanted to order everything. It all looks so good. Amazing customer service ,very fresh food. Everything served super hot. Best kimchi i've ever had. I will drive all the way back to this place. Can't wait to. To come back again and try something different“
“I have eaten at a variety of the ramen spots in the nearby Sawtelle Japantown (formerly Little Osaka ). This place is better than any of them. The broth is superb and the noodles perfectly cooked. Recommend trying it for every ramen lover.“
Ramen • $
“A delicious ramen shop that even foreigners line up.The tonkotsu was bubbling.A tonkotsu ramen shop with strong beliefs and quality.I put all the toppings on top, but I thought it might have been better to put the toppings on a separate plate without sacrificing the quality of the ramen, so I recommend using a separate plate if you want to put the toppings on a separate plate.I thought it was a waste.I just lined up in the same line as I did the first time I went.There is a machine at the entrance that issues reservation tickets, so start there.Otherwise, you won't be called even if you wait.be careful.Wheelchair accessibility: There were some people eating in wheelchairs, so I think it's easy to come.“
“This spot nails it with awesome ramen and killer fried shrimp. The ramen’s got this tasty broth and noodles just right in texture, while the shrimp are all about that crunch with a juicy kick inside. It’s the kind of place you’d go for both the vibes and the eats, served up with a smile. Definitely a go-to for anyone looking to chow down on some real-deal flavors.“
“1st timer visiting the bestie. Was in need of some really good soup for losing my voice and found this gem!Since 1994 was all I kept seeing and let’s say that broth proved why they have been around for so long! DELICIOUS broth!GLUTEN FREE noodles - rice noodles. Ordered two different ramens gluten free to go and enjoyed a hot green tea while I waited.PARKING IS TERRIBLE - it’s a small lot and very hard to park but hopefully you find a spot.The ramen is worth it.Opens at 5pm - could get packed.“
“I have been to Golden Gai in Shinjuku in Tokyo and let me tell you that the inside of this place is designed to look EXACTLY like an izakaya alley like that. So needless to say, the vibe is great. And thankfully they were playing j-pop too. But most importantly, the Ramen was totally on-point. Great broth, tender pork chashu, and fresh-tasting noodles. I also like the insulated steel mugs they served the beer in. Great place. A must-try in LA.“
“My partner and I have been coming here nearly every 2 weeks for a long time and they have never let us down!! The staff is friendly and attentive, and the food is always delicious. Lots of great vegetarian and vegan options as well! We recommend this place to everyone we know, 10/10!“
“This Umemura ramen is very busy too crowded in the afternoon especially weekends. Open everyday closed on Tuesdays. I enjoy eating kanitama fried rice & chashu ramen. The table & the counter is nice, clean & convenient. The service & the atmosphere is great. This Gardena location wins. Japanese,many Asian, Hispanic & American people visit frequently. 100% recommended. Unfortunately nor credit or debit cards aren’t accepted. CASH ONLY.“
“First time here. Got their Fried Chicken Curry and the Shischo Ramen to go. Both were outstanding! Perfectly done noodles backed up by broths that bring the flavor for days! For the first visit we went with the lowest heat levels. For my wife, the level one Curry was hot enough. For me, I'm looking forward to ramping up the heat next time! Not a large establishment but worth the wait...Parking: Have you battle the parking for the other restaurants on this end of the parking lot, plus the madness from the In-and-Out lines.“
“Went there for my first time last night around opening time, very friendly customer service experience. I enjoyed my 'Fire Bowl Ramen' (Intermediate / 2nd Spice level) so much that I drank most of the broth. The general atmosphere felt like I was in Japan again, it may not be everyone's liking, but I personally enjoy dimly lit ambiance for a dinner setting.“
“I was in the area and was hungry to have a bite...saw this place while driving and decided to try the drive thru...it was all ramen and can't eat while driving and then finally found that they sell gyoza and karaage...i decided to order one of each...not at all disappointed for a drive thru...wow the karaage was moist juicy and most of all crunchy...and the fried gyoza was not dry and tasty as well...the service was also good....definitely will be visiting the place again if and when in the area...Thks for an awesome bite...“
“Very cozy, personal Japanese restaurant that has a wide menu selection and many extras, house specials, that are listed on the walls only... Fried rice, Kara age chicken, mapo tofu on rice, big huge bowls of ramen ?, most everything I have tried so far is ?Vegetarian options: You can always ask them about whether they use strictly vegetarian broths for certain dishes, if yes, then just add more vegetables, or withholding the meat for certain dishes may be all that's needed...Wheelchair accessibility: A bit difficult, as it is a small place ...there are two or three tables outside though, for those who really want to try it...“
“Great ramen! Pork broth was very porky and the cha shu was perfectly salty and sweet. The vegetable broth had a surprising amount of flavor. The noodles were bouncy and just the right thickness. Clean dining room. Cute set up. Will be returning!“
“"I consistently have a fantastic experience at Gushiya. The staff goes above and beyond to take care of me and my family every visit. Not only is the service exceptional, but the food is consistently amazing. It's clear that they prioritize customer satisfaction, making each dining experience memorable. I highly recommend [Sushi Place] for their outstanding service and delicious sushi."“
“Got into town late and was looking for something open past 9pm on a weekday and found this place closeby. Was a chilly night so hot ramen and beers to end the night was a win win for me.Parking was tight but we were seated right away, ordering the ramen set, fried rice and some beers. Service was quick, food was hot and delicious and we all left full and satisfied. 5 stars??“
Japanese • $
“While the ramen is quite good, try their other non-ramen offerings. Katsu curry rice is very good here (katsu pork was prepared perfectly and curry flavorful) as well as their gyudon (beef over rice). Service as fast, friendly and attentive and the dining area was very clean. Value for the meal is excellent especially for West LA! Cannot recommend enough!“
“Kai Ramen has been the go to spot since my bf and I relocated to Santa Monica. Sometimes we eat there, but usually we order out. We have found that we get the best results when we go to the place to order for take out and just wait for the food to be ready (rather than order online in advance). The food comes out hot and we're a short drive away so our food is never sitting out waiting for us to pick up. Another benefit from ordering at the place is when we would order for pick-up, if the food is sitting for some time, the meat and egg can continue to cook while inside the container and the meat would be more cooked than we liked. We've not had that issue since we changed our method. It could be a coincidence, but that hasn't been proven yet. We've tried various ramens on the menu, but my preference is the Classic while my bf tends to like the White Ramen with some spice. You get an egg with each one, but my bf doesn't eat them so I always get 2. The owners are always very nice and polite and the food usually doesn't take long to come out. We will definitely be back for more in the future I'm sure lol“
Ramen •
“Came here because of an IG video. Michelin ramen in a supermarket? Ok I’ll make the drive to see what the buzz is all about. Upon further research, their other location is in the Michelin guide. It’s still clearly advertised as so at this location. But nonetheless, I did enjoy their tsukemen ramen. The broth was rich and hearty. Their noodles and chashu were extra thick and different from other tsukemen ramen I’ve tried previously. I could tell quality ingredients went into making this ramen. Was it worth the drive? Probably not but I had a great time at the Japanese market and left with an inflatable Pocky stick!“
“This place was kind of hidden (or I'm an air head!) but I'm so glad I persevered! It was soooo good! Staff was super sweet. Spicy garlic edamame was ??? and the Premium Chicken Ramen was out of this world! I was so happy to see a dedicated option! I unfortunately had a migraine when I went (long story) and didn't want to go, but didn't want to cancel on my friend. I'm so happy I fought thru the pain! Be aware the place is smalllll...and the shared parking lot is pretty small...so you may have to wait a minute...but 10000000% worth it!“
“Went on a Saturday mid afternoon for a late lunch. It was easy to park and I got the order right away. If you are looking for a great Tonkotsu Ramen or Poke bowl you are in the right place, it won't disappoint you. The bowl looked huge when it arrived, but 20 minutes later it was gone for good. The price is fair, great service and tasty food.“
“Possibly the best ramen in the area. Get the salt ramen. The soup has a deep richness with some hint of fermentation, possibly miso or mirin. The pork belly is tender and fresh. The toppings varied and were complimentary. Pricing is a great deal. Overall, such a hidden gem for the “
“The service was wonderful, we had a big party and came in about an hour and a half to close, the staff was so kind and gracious in letting us stay a little after close. Such wonderful prices for the quality and service, cannot recommend enough.“
“I’ve been to Orochon, Daikokuya, Killer Noodle, many other Ramen spots in LA; Nishi is by far the best I’ve had! The broth is extremely flavorful and the Spicy Miso bowl has a great kick to it.Highly recommend, owner was trained by the HiroNori founders. Probably something there that has to do with it.“
“Love this place, I've been coming for a hot minute and their chicken broth ramen is amazing! I'm always here with my girl and it's always a vibe, the surrounding area is awesome and has all kinds of spots from ramen, sushi, ice cream, boba etc. Obivously I choose to go here and the staff has always been very kind towards us, would definitely recommend!“
“Pretty good ramen at Torrance Mitsuwa near Del Amo Fashion center building Carson St (formerly Western Ave old location) halfway to Seiwa Market. I haven’t eat at new Mitsuwa food court since at old Mitsuwa food court love the ramen flavors & Hiyashi Chuka as well. Sometimes good; sometimes terrible. The service is pretty good. Tonkotsu ramen is my favorite such high quality. I highly recommend visiting there again. The parking lot is big, plenty of space. Night time is great for customers visiting to Mitsuwa Marketplace. (Yeah no homeless. Just safe.)“
“Wonderful place, I absolutely love tur vibe and atmosphere. We ate here shortly after landing in LA. I had the black garlic ramen and I found it to be smooth and full of flavor. I certainly recommend adding an egg.We also had the gyoza (only comes with 4) and the sauce was unique, a flavor I haven't had before.“