2008 GO RAMEN! RANKINGS!!

I can't believe 2008 is already over! Looking back, it truly was a great year of slurping--one that will not be easily forgotten, ever. I was fortunate enough to visit Japan not only once, but twice and although you won't see any of those ramen-ya's in this ranking, they have greatly refined my ramen expectations. So what can we expect in 2009, you ask? Well, that's a great question! Two words: Ramen Rampage. Hopefully, you'll stick around to see...

This year's ranking consists of 72 restaurants in and around Southern California (2 in NV) that either entirely serve ramen or have some type of ramen on their menu. This ranking is based solely on my own opinion, so whether you're a seasoned veteran when it comes to noodles or have never even tried real ramen before, I hope this list can serve as a guide to building your own ranking. All comments are welcome! Enjoy!! (Last year's rankings are in parentheses.)

1. Foo-Foo Tei - Hacienda Heights, CA (2): The food itself deserves this #1 ranking. Add in a cool and friendly staff with a crazy, imaginative, culinary genious at the helm and you get an unbelievable combination that defines how a ramen-ya can thrive in the U.S. With 31 different types of ramen, several appetizers & entrees, and THE BEST Japanese curry in quite possibly the world, Foo-Foo Tei is without a doubt my favorite!
   


2. Asa Ramen - Gardena, CA (3): Inconsistent or not, you won't find a better kotteri shoyu on this side of the Pacific. It's as close as you can get to Tokyo while remaining in LA.
   


3. Shin Mama Ramen - Torrance, CA (4): Because my mama STILL says so! And because I say...SHINASOBA!
   


4. Umemura - Gardena, CA (1): Last year's #1 may have dropped a few spots, but it's still going strong with an unbelievably soulful Umani Ramen.
   


5. Daikokuya - Los Angeles, CA (5): Do I need to explain this one? Rock solid, it remains at #5.
   


6. Shin-Sen-Gumi - Gardena, CA (n/a): Kaedama please! No not the noodles, I'm talking about the girl in the YouTube video...hahaha. This Gardena location is the best of the 3.
   


7. Gomen - Stanton, CA (37): Most improved! And best in OC! A rather bland gomoku ramen kept them out of the top 5, but their tonkotsu-shio more than makes up for it.
   


8. Shisen Ramen - Torrance, CA (8): Shisen Ramen then a beer...no complaints here.
   


9. Chabuya - Torrance, CA (n/a): Better than the original (LA that is), it makes me feel all "kara kara" inside.
   


10. Santouka - Los Angeles, CA (n/a): What? Top 10? The West LA location left quite an impression.
    


11. Ramenya - Los Angeles, CA (6): No longer the best of the west-side, but runner-up ain't that bad either.
    


12. Kohryu - Costa Mesa, CA (11): It's definitely improved, but so have others. The love-hate meter with Kohryu is currently leaning towards love. Let's see how long that will last.
    


13. Shin-Sen-Gumi - Fountain Valley, CA (9)*: Top 15 for sure.
    


14. Kairakutei - Tustin, CA (10): If only my dad had owned a ramen-ya in Japan too...
    


15. Ebisu Ramen - Fountain Valley, CA (14): Aaah, Ebisu. Takeda-san, I have a new hero and sometimes they call him Doraemon.
    


16. Tamaya - Hacienda Heights, CA (16): Tamani (sometimes), it surpresses the need for nearby Foo-Foo.
    


17. Gardena Ramen - Torrance, CA (7): Shhh...it's a secret.
    


18. Chabuya - Los Angeles, CA (13)*: Still love the environment.
    


19. Tajima - San Diego, CA (n/a): Best in SD! Don't worry, it could be worse.
    


20. Santouka - Costa Mesa, CA (15): Yeah, that's probably more like it.
    


21. Ducks - San Gabriel, CA (n/a): If you listen closely, you might hear a QUACK.
    


22. San Sui Tei - Los Angeles, CA (n/a): A decent alternative to Daikokuya, but why do you feel the need to have sushi?!
    


23. Togoshi Ramen - Las Vegas, NV (n/a): Dude, a ramen-ya in Vegas? Awesome!
    


24. Mentatsu - Costa Mesa, CA (39): Yes, you're not the worst in OC. Congratulations.
    


25. Koraku - Sherman Oaks, CA (17): The best ramen near my work. Mabo is my favorite.
    


26. Koraku - Torrance, CA (n/a): I still have the right to remain silent. You can talk to my lawyer.
    


27. Men-Bei - Torrance, CA (12): Don't get it without MSG. It's a necessary ingredient here.
    


28. Kiraku - Gardena, CA (20): Much better than that sorry place next door.
    


29. Santouka - Torrance, CA (n/a): Perhaps the competition is intimidating. I wasn't very impressed.
    


30. Hanaichimonme - Los Angeles, CA (26): Superballs, transformers, and ultraman. All great memories from my past.
    


31. Kinchans - Los Angeles, CA (18)*: It's not that bad, actually.
    


32. Asahi Ramen - Los Angeles, CA (19)*: It is that bad, actually.
    


33. Orochon Ramen - Los Angeles, CA (32): The challenge still awaits me. Or should I say eludes me.
    


34. Tamaya - Alhambra, CA (n/a): Freshly opened this year, SGV needs a place like this.
    


35. Ramen Nippon - Reseda, CA (21): C'mon, just call yourself Ramen Valley.
    


36. Daikokuya - Costa Mesa, CA (n/a): It's sad, but it's still maturing. Get rid of the diapers already!
    


37. Kokekokko - Hacienda Heights, CA (22)*: Still hits the soul.
    


38. Koraku - Los Angeles, CA (24)*: Still around and still fading.
    


39. Teri Café - Oceanside, CA (25)*: I'll need to revisit in 2009.
    


40. Santouka - San Diego, CA (n/a): Hey, at least you got a Santouka!
    


41. Maruyu - Santa Ana, CA (n/a): What a disappointment. My last visit felt like I was slurping transmission fluid.
    


42. Hanashima - Rowland Heights, CA (28): I'm confused, an island on a flower?
    


43. Shin-Sen-Gumi - Rosemead, CA (33)*: At least you're not called Shin-Sen-Gomi.
    


44. Joy Mart - Los Angeles, CA (n/a): Why do I feel so happy?
    


45. Café Koraku - Jean, NV (n/a): Dude, a ramen-ya on my way to/from Vegas? Awesome!
    


46. Oki Doki - Costa Mesa, CA (41): Okee Dokee.
    


47. Mr. Ramen - Los Angeles, CA (34)*: Hi mister, let's meet again in 2009.
    


48. Honda-ya - Los Angeles, CA (35)*: Izakaya, beer, yakitori...no ramen.
    


49. Sushi To Sakedokoro - Anaheim, CA (n/a): Only this low because their ramen has not yet been perfected. It could be next year's most improved.
    


50. San Sui Tei - Temple City, CA (36)*: Still yearning for more.
    


51. Tokyo Table - Arcadia, CA (n/a): Not a place for ramen.
    


52. Gyu-Kaku - Pasadena, CA (n/a): Not a place for ramen, either.
    


53. Chopstix - San Diego, CA (n/a): I don't know what to say. Nothing memorable here.
    


54. Rockstar Noodle Bar - Rowland Heights, CA (n/a): Stick to the teas and appetizers. Rockstar's don't really eat ramen, anyway.
    


55. Mitsuru Café - Los Angeles, CA (38)*: Reminds me of my grandma.
    


56. Eboshi Noodle Bar - Lomita, CA (30): Do I smell ammonia?
    


57. Kyushu Ramen - Van Nuys, CA (27): Down, down, down. Hachoo. Bless you!
    


58. Katana Sushi - Hacienda Heights, CA (23): A once great tamayu ramen has now been bastardized by multiple ownership changes.
    


59. Aji Man - San Gabriel, CA (n/a): Now accepting applications for umami.
    


60. Hamada Orient Express - Los Angeles, CA (n/a): The finest airport ramen in the U.S.
    


61. Igosi Ramen - Rowland Heights, CA (40)*: It's actually not ramen, but ramyun.
    


62. Takaraya - Irvine, CA (42)*: Hey, at least they were open on Christmas.
    


63. Yokohama Kaigenro - Los Angeles, CA (43)*: I would still hate to see them be evicted.
    


64. Tampopo - Gardena, CA (n/a): This is that sorry place next door.
    


65. Fuji Ramen - San Gabriel, CA (n/a): Even though the ramen I tried at Mt. Fuji wasn't much better, at least that ramen was from Japan.
    


66. Ajisen Ramen - Temple City, CA (44)*: Still not for me, regardless of location.
    


67. EZO Noodle Café - Irvine, CA (45)*: E-Z-O, E-Z-O, E-Z-O. It's only fun to chant its name.
    


68. Noodle World - Pasadena, CA (46)*: Don't even bother.
    


69. UCC Café Plaza - Walnut, CA (n/a): The biggest disappointment of the year! Stick to the coffee.
    


70. Sakura - Los Angeles, CA (n/a): Needs to be replaced with Santouka, badly.
    


71. Sushi Pia - Fullerton, CA (47)*: Su-su-su-sushi pia.
    


72. Mountain - Rowland Heights, CA (48)*: For as long as Mountain stays open and serves their gnat-infested ramen, they will continue to pad the bottom of this list.
    

Wow, I didn't realize the list was so long. Anyway, I hope you had as much fun as I did in 2008! Hopefully, I'll be able to complete the SF ramen-ya's in 2009, as well as check out some more cities across the U.S. and Japan.

Be safe and have a very, very Happy New Year! Don't forget to eat your toshi koshi soba!!

(*Based on 2007 ranking.)

2007 Go Ramen Rankings! (Top 48)

Shinnen Akemashite Omedetou-gozaimasu!! Happy New Year!!!

The year has finally come to an end and in looking back; I can't believe I ate so much ramen! What started out as a simple way to keep busy while the company I was working for went through bankruptcy, slowly turned into an obsession that ignited a crazy addiction for the slurp. Bob Sylva might have said it best when he described my passion as being "never sated." Thanks to all who managed to keep me company during these ramen expeditions. And thanks to those of you who have taken the time to actually read and enjoy my blog. Here's to a happy and healthy 2008.

On to the rankings! I'm still deciding on whether to start a ratings system. And from the looks of my poll, I'm still not sure if you really want one. One reason I choose not to have one is because restaurants can be so inconsistent these days and plus, my mood may not be very consistent either. Anyway, the best I can do right now is rank all 48 ramen-ya's that I've been to in the past 7 months. This was extremely hard to do so I hope no one is offended if their favorite ramen-ya is not where they think it should be. Let me know what you think in the comments. Here it goes!

1. Umemura - I'm definitely biased since I have a history with Umemura, but it still impressed me the most and any ramen-ya that's lasted this long should surely deserve the recognition. Congratulations!
   
2. Foo Foo Tei (Hacienda Heights) - Great ramen, great gyoza (the best!), great staff! The location is horrible but they still manage to pack the house everyday. That's just admirable.
   
3. Cafe Asa - The latest ramen-ya to open has you experiencing the giddiness of a new relationship. I really hope this one lasts.
   
4. Shin-Mama Ramen - Because mama said so.
   
5. Daikokuya - Early on this was the best I've ever had, but subsequent visits may have cost its number one ranking.
   
6. Ramenya - The best of the west-side. Their chahan was incredible.
   
7. Gardena Ramen - It's simplicity just makes you appreciate it that much more.
   
8. Shisen Ramen - An interesting twist at the least. A spiciness that doesn't disappoint.
   
9. Shinsengumi Hakata Ramen (Fountain Valley) - Top ten for sure.
   
10. Kairakutei Ramen House - The hidden gem of OC.
    
11. Kohryu - Probably number one in the 90's, but we all know about the ownership change. Their constant improvement (plus my hope) ranks it at #11. Please improve...onegai!
    
12. Men-Bei - The noodles were very impressive.
    
13. Chabuya - I loved the environment. Great place to relax.
    
14. Ebisu Ramen - Takeda-san is my hero!
    
15. Santouka - My apologies to rameniac, but I'm sure edjusted can back me up.
    
16. Tamaya - A great surprise! I think it could only get better.
    
17. Koraku Restaurant (Sherman Oaks) - I might favor this location since I've been working in the area, but it does have a certain uniqueness that outshines its original location.
    
18. Kinchans - I only wish it was around when I was going to school.
    
19. Asahi Ramen - It may be hard to believe but I've ranked it last on the west-side. I had high expectations so I expect them to be higher in '08.
    
20. Kiraku Ramen - The gyoza was outstanding.
    
21. Ramen Nippon - It's not the best in the valley but it still has the best potential.
    
22. Kokekokko - The best chicken ramen. It really hits the soul.
    
23. Katana Sushi and Ramen - It cuts fine, but could still use some sharpening.
    
24. Koraku Restaurant (Little Tokyo) - It's been around a long time, but it may have faded with the rest.
    
25. Teri Cafe - A great place to get away...even if it may seem far.
    
26. Hanaichimonme - My girlfriend liked it so maybe it can stay in the top 30.
    
27. Kyushu Ramen - Not quite Kyushu, but close enough.
    
28. Hanashima - Not much flavor, but I liked the place.
    
29. Tampopo - Their mabo-ramen is delightful, but it can't make up for the rest.
    
30. Eboshi Noodle Bar - A disappointment for sure, but I still look forward to going back someday.
    
31. Takeshi Ramen - Not bad if you're in the Glendale area, but competition is scarce.
    
32. Orochon Ramen - It's all hype to me. Though I still would like to try the Special 2.
    
33. Shinsengumi Hakata Ramen (Rosemead) - The youngest Shinsengumi may have some growing up to do. I'm sure it'll mature just fine.
    
34. Mr. Ramen - According to one reader, I just may have had a bad experience here. I look forward to trying it again in '08.
    
35. Honda Ya - My favorite izaka-ya! Ramen plays the part of Robin courageously, but it's still no Batman.
    
36. San Sui Tei - A great place to chill, but it still yearns for more.
    
37. Chuuka Soba Gomen - Very sorry but I still forgive you. (UPDATE: It's way better than I thought. Check out my revisit!)
    
38. Mitsuru Cafe - I can picture this place booming in the 80's but too bad it's 2007.
    
39. Mentatsu - At least their not the worst in the OC, but then again they are the worst that specializes in ramen only.
    
40. Igosi Ramen - It's the best ramyun but not quite ramen.
    
41. Oki Doki Asian Cuisine - Just Oki Doki and only worth eating toki doki.
    
42. Takaraya - The mushroom essence has renamed the place--ShiiTakeraya.
    
43. Yokohama Kaigenro - If the old Yaohan Plaza had a basement, this should have been banished down below.
    
44. Ajisen Ramen - A popular place, but just not for me. The msg content was insane!
    
45. EZO Noodle Cafe - A disappointment at best.
    
46. Noodle World - Places like this might be better off not serving ramen at all.
    
47. Sushi Pia - Not the worst but still really bad.
    
48. Mountain - The worst ever. The only time I couldn't even finish the bowl. I'm not even sure why I've included it on this list.

Well there you have it. Don't forget to GO RAMEN! in 2008!!

Keizo