About Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai – Costa Mesa
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Ramen for hangover! KitaKata Ramen BAN NAI has been specializing in the authentic Japanese Ramen over 30 years in Japan and it is an American outpost of the Japanese chain. There are tasty appetizers like pan fried Gyoza, crispy outside, soft & tender inside. This Gyoza is highly recommendable. Noodles have a smooth mouthfeel with a light chew. If you prefer a firmer chewy noodle, you can ask your server at ordering and he can adjust it. The soup has deep taste and is very refreshing. The flavor level of the soup can also be changed. If you prefer a milder (less salty) soup, please let the server know and the kitchen will accomodate it. It's been a few weeks, but it's the one I want to visit to eat again.
Overall, ramen tastes inferior to what was served 4 years ago. Quite a letdown. Service is pretty good.
Flavor town. I ordered the cubed chashu bowl and it was probably one of the best Japanese rice bowls I’ve ever had. Chashu bits simmered in a sweet and spicy soy base over a bed of Japanese short grain rice was heavenly. Not to mention, the onsen egg (perfectly cooked) added just the right amount of creaminess to the dish 🤌
Small ramen location of a large chain. You start with a basic ramen lacking the seasoned egg and seaweed. By the time you add these options in, the basic tonkotsu ramen is close to $20. While the flavor is good, it is more expensive because if the nickel and diming with the options. The green tea tea bag here is $3.75 each, while Ai Restaurant charges $0.95 for the same.
Usually there is a long wait to get in to dine here. So try to use the yelp waitlist online if you can. Secondly the parking lot here is too small for the number of popular restaurants inside this strip mall. I think it is worth the wait for the ramen being served. They offer tonkotsu, shoyu, shio, and miso stock ramen. Also they have a tsukemen version. Lastly they have curry rices as well. I had shio ramen and karaage. Both were quite good. Although the ramen was great the wait is not convenient. Since the seating area is small you will need to expect the wait. Have a beer at the nearby bar or restaurant while you wait is my recommendation.