Bistro Miyoda Noodle House - Gardena, CA

"Have you heard of a place called Bistro Miyoda Noodle House?" These were the words written by a friend of mine while gchat-ing the other day. In which I responded, "no I haven't! let's go!" Apparently, the owner of Bistro Miyoda & Sushi Ichiriki in Redondo Beach has expanded into the world of ramen. With a handful of noodles and several fusion-ish appetizers & entrees on the menu, BiMiNoHo is looking to compete within the heavily saturated ramen mecca of Gardena/Torrance. One advantage...homemade noodles!

Tan-tan Noodles: "Our signature dish! Spicy sesame noodle soup with a hint of vinegar." Hint? Let's just say the vinegar stood out. Aside from that, this Tan Tan Men was curiously interesting. It had a great nutty flavor mixed in with a mildly spicy afterthought that flared authenticity. With so many ingredients floating around and settling at the bottom, drinking the soup felt like drinking OJ with pulp. It may not be the greatest, but for Tan Tan Men in LA it has promise. The homemade noodles taste more like thin udon noodles (which I thought was great) and complement the soup very well. If anything, I would have liked it to be more spicy.


Cha-Syu Noodle Soup: Umm...the chashu was very moist and tender, but the soup was disappointingly boring. It tasted closer to a broth that would be used for udon or soba than for ramen. It wasn't necessarily bland...it was just bleh. And the menma was meh. The homemade noodles were still impressive, but they deserve a better home.


Gyoza & Chahan: The homemade gyoza were very fresh but lacking in flavor. They just needed something more to give it that punch. Perhaps a little more garlic. The chahan, on the other hand, had plenty of flavor and I enjoyed it the most. Here's a little tip: Order the combos (#21-#26) if you want to try them with your ramen. You'll save a couple bucks.


BiMiNoHo is located in the space that Daruma Izakaya used to occupy on the west side of Western Ave just south of Redondo Beach Blvd.

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Bistro Miyoda Presents Noodle House
15915 S Western Ave Ste A
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 538-9790
Lunch: 11:30am-2:30pm
Dinner: 6pm-9:30pm
Closed on Mondays

Tampopo - Gardena, CA

15462 S. Western Ave. #102
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 323-7882
Tozai Plaza

I first met Tajima-san (the original owner) shortly before he closed the Rowland Heights Tampopo earlier this year. As we talked, he acknowledged the public's familiarity with Tampopo, the movie, and confessed his desire to build a franchise of Tampopo restaurants along the West Coast. After first opening this Gardena location, he went on to open three more in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and the aforementioned Rowland Heights. Sadly, those three are now closed and this last remaining Tampopo is owned and operated by somebody else.

What I'm about to say next might irk Tajima-san (and others), but I hope he gets to read this so he understands the reality of what's going on. The Gardena Tampopo is not at all living up to the aging movie. In fact, it may be tarnishing the name instead. Soon enough, Tampopo Ramen will no longer be associated with a wonderful movie, but with a bad taste in one's mouth. I hate to say it, but that's the truth. Tajima-san, please come back and open YOUR Tampopo before it becomes too late...onegai!!


Tampopo Ramen: Supposedly a tonkotsu base, this Tampopo Ramen tasted only like pepper. Honestly, I couldn't taste much else. It wasn't creamy, it wasn't rich, and it definitely wasn't very good.


The menma was from a can (I think I have some in my cupboard) and the chashu was borderline nasty. I swear, the scab on my knee probably tastes better.


I think I've said enough. This will be my last review for 2008. The next post will be what you all have been waiting for... |^o^|

Hakata Ramen Shin-Sen-Gumi - Gardena, CA

2015 W. Redondo Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 329-1335
www.shinsengumiusa.com

The original Hakata Ramen Shin-Sen-Gumi location in Gardena has been around for more than a decade and is still considered the best (imho) compared to its Fountain Valley and Rosemead siblings. (I just can't believe I haven't posted this location yet!) So where should I start? All Shin-Sen-Gumi restaurants have a lot of character and it probably would be unjust if I tried to explain their mission in my own words, so here's a little video in "their" own words.

Hakata Ramen: As stated in the video, you can modify this ramen to your liking by specifying the texture of the noodle, the amount of oil used, and the amount of flavor added. It's like having your own personal ramen chef! Unfortunately, you can't take them home. Anyway, like I said before, the Gardena location is my favorite out of the three. There's definitely a harmonious feeling of originality that transfers over to the soup. I've never been to Hakata (or just too young to remember), but this is probably as close as one can get in Los Angeles. Its creaminess rivals that other place and on some days may even be better. The toppings (chashu, shoga, negi) are great too. Kaedama Onegaishimasu!


Gyoza: Top 5 for sure!! I got mine with the A-set. Highly recommended!


Feel like ramen on New Year's Eve? This location will be open until 5AM New Year's Day for all post party celebrations. So get yo drunk-a** down there!

That makes me wonder...does ramen qualify for toshi koshi soba?

Umemura - Gardena, CA (revisited)

1724 W. Redondo Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90274
(310) 217-0970
Previous Review

New sign. New decor. New owner?? Thankfully not! Although I will forever miss the rusty old nostalgic sign, the newly remodeled taco-bellish building is a good sign for Umemura's future. I'd like to think I had a hand in it (see 2007 rankings), but Umemura has survived for years (long before my little blog) and it's no surprise that it still remains popular today.


As I begin to round out the year in preparation for another year-end ranking, why not start with Umemura to see if anything had changed (other than its remodel), I thought. I won't bore you on my history with this place (since we took care of that the last time), but I will say that last year's review has consistently been in my blog's top 5 most-visited-pages every month. Hopefully, you enjoyed it as much as I did.


Umani Ramen: The sole (or should I say soul) reason why Umemura was ranked so high last year. The Umani Ramen is definitely one of the best of its kind in all of LA and OC. Of course Umemura has seen better days, but this ramen has steadily improved over time and has remained delicious. But can it remain atop for another year? We'll see...


The thick gravy from the sauteed toppings gave the normally mellow shoyu base an injection of high octane flavor--a flavor that coated the "homemade" noodles for extra slurping power. There are too many toppings to name (pork, cabbage, mushrooms, carrots, etc...) so you'll just have to pick 'em out from the pics. I'm not sure how true their "homemade" claim is, but their crimped noodles tasted fresher than ever before and looked similar to homemade mass-produced chuuka soba that I've seen in Japan.


Half Chahan: Chahan at Umemura is a must order when visiting on an empty stomach. The fresh pork and bits of crab always impress. Today's half order of chahan was a little dry so what did I do...


...I dumped it into my remaining soup. Ahhh, now this is some good chahan! Don't be afraid to mix and match!


Hours:
Lunch - 11:30 am ~ 3:00 pm
Dinner - 5:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm
Closed on Tuesdays

Cafe Asa - Gardena, CA

18202 S. Western Ave.
Gardena, CA
(310) 769-1010

Rameniac wasn't kidding!...not that he ever does. Cafe Asa is definitely "one of the top ramen shops in town." Located in the same center as my favorite udon-ya, Sanuki No Sato, Asa explodes into the LA ramen scene with some of the best stuff on this side of the Pacific. Let's just straight out say it now--this ramen-ya is a must GO! I've waited hours to eat ramen that's far more inferior than this. I know some of you may be weary of letting the secret of Asa out, but I say we start rounding up everyone we know and start lining up at the joint! I would hate to see them disappear so soon. The only reason I say this is because the place was empty when I was there. Tell your friend's and have them tell more friend's and so on. Let's keep them in business!


Kotteri-shoyu: Kotteri or Assari...that is the question. A great way to keep it simple! Kotteri is the thicker more rich (and probably more fattening) soup base. With plenty of flavor, one sip will send you drifting away into a heavenly dream. The noodles are thin and add a delightful crispness to the whole experience. The toppings (chashu, negi, and menma) are perfect and you even get an option to add others. Need I say more...


Assari-shoyu: After tasting the Kotteri, the Assari was extremely refreshing. But I would still prefer the more intense Kotteri any day. That's not to say the Assari was bad. It still rocks and would bury most other ramen out there.


Kurobuta Wiener: If it weren't for ramen, I might have a blog entitled "GO WIENER!" Thank god for ramen...hahaha. Japanese sausages are the best. I practically grew up on these too and remember having to smuggle these into the country whenever I visited Japan. Okay enough wiener talk, let's move on.


Mochi-Cheese Takoyaki: The other Cafe Asa specialty is their takoyaki and this mochi-cheese takoyaki was surely something special. Give it a try!

Umemura - Gardena, CA

1724 W. Redondo Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90274
(310) 217-0970

Umemura has been around for as long as I can remember. My parents first took me here when I was too young to even hold chopsticks. I still remember how my mom would roll up the chopstick wrapper, place it between the chopsticks, and use a rubber band on one end to create elasticity. Those were the days. Umemura is located in an old taco bell building and as you can see from the pic above, they haven't bothered to change the sign since its opening. I even joke with friends that the bowls we eat out of now are the same bowls I ate out of when I was 6 years old. BTW does anyone remember Kotan?

Wonton-men (shoyu based): It's been years since I've been back here and with one sip of the soup, all the memories came rushing back. Natsukashii!! This ramen is exactly how I remember it. The shoyu based soup is probably one of the best I've ever had. The noodles have a perfect, crimped texture and each slurp was like traveling back into time. The toppings (wontons, spinach, and negi) complemented well. Perhaps I'm biased since I have a long history with Umemura, but this is a great ramen-ya with an extraordinary ramen!


Tan Tan-men (miso based): Full of flavor with a hint of spice that gives you a little kick. A great way to revive your senses. It's available in both shoyu and miso.


Gyoza: It's not the best I've ever had but it still pleased the taste buds. The garlic taste is not overwhelming which allows the other flavors to emerge with clarity. A must order with any ramen!


Chahan: You may want to starve yourself before you go because the chahan is also a "must order." Do not pass on this one or you will definitely regret it!

Kiraku Ramen - Gardena, CA

15472 S Western Ave
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 515-0966

There's nothing like being stranded in the Gardena/Torrance area when in the mood for ramen. The only headache involves trying to choose which ramen-ya to go to. Today I chose Kiraku Ramen House. Mostly because I passed up Umemura and wound up in the Kiraku parking lot debating whether I should go back or not. Since I knew that if I left I would be back, I decided to just park and go in and save Umemura for some other time. Upon my entrance, I was greeted and seated immediately by the waitress. A quick glance at the menu and I was ready to order the usual shoyu-ramen and gyoza.

Shoyu-ramen: The shoyu-ramen was definitely unoriginal and unexciting but overall, mildly satisfying. The soup base had a light flavor that soothed and tickled the back of my throat as it went down. If they sold just the soup in a vending machine I would probably buy it. The noodles, on the other hand, were slimy, clumpy, and slightly overcooked--a huge pet peeve of mine. The toppings were average and minimal (egg, kamaboko, menma, scallions, and two pieces of dry chashu). If I had a rating system, this ramen would not receive the highest but I would still recommend going here any chance you get.


Gyoza: So far one of the best gyoza's that I have tasted! A crispy, eye-opening flavor that leaves your mouth drooling...mmmm. Need I say more?!!