24231 Crenshaw Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90505
(310) 530-2749
There's nothing like starting off the new year with the first ramen-ya to open in 2008. Officially open on Tuesday (1/15), Chabuya (with the success of its West LA location) has decided to bring its "real ramen" to the real ramen mecca of LA--Torrance. For those that live in the area, Chabuya Torrance is located where the izakaya Kazamidori used to be. It's also in the same shopping center as Shin-Mama Ramen but on the opposite side of Home Depot. They've been serving people for a couple of weeks now, even though they aren't officially open, so I thought I'd go give it a try before the crowds start forming. The decor is not as nice as its predecessor, but the wood furnishings and trim greets you with a feeling of old Japan. Chabuya Torrance will be a great addition and perhaps give Shin-Mama some friendly competition.
Kara Kara Ramen: This ramen is a spicy version of "The Classic" with ground chicken. I thought I'd try something different since I'd already had "The Classic" numerous times at the Sawtelle location and boy did I make the right decision. The spiciness enhanced everything about the ramen in a way that HGH enhances baseball players. What they need to do is rename this ramen to "The RGH Classic." I'm not a big fan of the thinner Hakata-style noodles but these are as good as Chef Morizumi intended. The toppings (house-made chashu, menma, negi, fried garlic, and ground chicken) were exceptionally good. I highly recommended this ramen.
Shrimp Ibushi (Charbroiled Noodles): If you go to a ramen restaurant who's mission is "to create the perfect bowl of ramen", why would you not get the ramen?? Anyway, this shio-yakisoba was just okay and only worthy of eating if you're not in the mood for ramen. I was really hoping for someone to order the okonomiyaki, but I guess we'll have to try that next time.
Pork Gyoza: If these look a little white to you then that's exactly what I was thinking. They probably needed to be cooked a little longer, but I'll just blame it on the new guy in the kitchen. After all, they haven't even officially opened.
Just a quick note: I'll be leaving for Tokyo in a few days so be on the lookout for some ferocious ramen slurping. My relatives have their favorites all mapped out for me so let's hope I can survive the msg poisoning!
I'm jealous of your trip to Tokyo but really looking forward to the reviews when you come back. Itterashai!
ReplyDeleteThanks ed! I'll try my best to post my reviews on the same day but no guarantees. Do you have any in mind that you would like me to go to? I'm staying in Shinjuku but will be all over Tokyo.
ReplyDeleteHey Keizo, there's a place in Odaiba that I just found out about. I was gonna post it this weekend but haven't gotten around to it yet. I'll try to post the info tonight (I'm working on a Sunday...yep...fun...)
ReplyDeleteThis place is right by my house and I go there at least twice a month. Sometimes four times a month.
ReplyDeleteThe kara kara is by far my favorite.
The gyoza has improved and are quite good now. My BF wants to get these every time we go here.
Another nice dish is the eta meshi rice dish.
When I first went here, the service was a litle slow, but they have upped there game in this regard, too.
And they have Sapporo on tap.
The BF and I will be having dinner here tonight: kara kara, gyoza, kimchi and a pitcher.
Perfection on a fall evening!
Hi Jill! Perfection indeed! I hope you have a great time tonight and thanks for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteThis is the one of the worst ramen place you can go to. I went only once and was so bad. Ramen soup was stinky and rice dish was joke. I even wrote a complain to the company in Japan. I never go back there.
ReplyDelete