Just came back from a 2 week vacation in Japan and ate all kinds of ramen . I was craving tsukemen dipping ramen because it's been a warm summer. This place is legit! The broth has tons of umami flavor and the noodles have the right chew and texture. Will definitely be back for more.
My daughter had the spicy white miso and it was too spicy for her. She'll have to go for the regular one next time.
The place is very cozy with just 4 tables and a counter. Show up early or expect to wait.
Tony Chen
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July 07, 2026
Ramen & Tsukemen TAO definitely lives up to its reputation. After eating here, it’s easy to see why they’ve been recognized by the Michelin Guide for four years in a row.
We ordered the Red Miso Ramen and the Tsukemen with a side of chicken. Both broths are rich, thick, and on the saltier side, making them incredibly satisfying if you enjoy bold, concentrated flavors. The noodles had a great texture and paired perfectly with the hearty broth.
One tip: don’t skip the garlic. We added a couple of scoops into the ramen, and it completely transformed the bowl. The garlic brought everything together and made the flavors explode in the best way possible.
Jason Sasaki
-
May 02, 2026
We stopped in for dinner the other night. Parking can be tough since the shopping center they are located in is very small. There is street parking nearby. The restaurant is also very small and can fill up very quickly.
We started with a homemade matcha and limeade drinks. Both were refreshing and helped offset the rich dashi.
We got a small beef bowl and a small takana bowl to start our meal. The beef was so tender and flavorful. The takana took me back to my childhood.
We also got chicken with their special ginger sauce. The chicken was tender and the ginger sauce paired perfectly with the chicken.
For our mains, we got a regular size red miso ramen. This was so filling. The softboiled egg and the noodles were so good. The dashi was rich and delicious. Depending on the ramen or tsukemen you order, they have a different noodle to go with the dashi.
We also got a regular size chashu miso tsukemen. Once again the softboiled egg and noodles were perfect. The dashi was thick and rich. At the end of the meal you can get a soup wari. It is a piping hot light broth that you add to the remainder of your dashi to make it more of a soup and a perfect way to finish your meal.
Amazing food and wonderful service will make this your go-to ramen and tsukemen restaurant.
Yurisa
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March 13, 2026
Tao is the real deal. The white miso chashu ramen is incredibly rich and flavorful, the chashu is tender and delicious, and the portion is seriously generous. For the quality you get, the price is totally reasonable. The vibe inside is great too, the kind of place you actually want to sit and enjoy your bowl. Highly recommend!
James Lin
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December 11, 2025
**4.6/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ Ramen & Tsukemen TAO: Boutique Michelin Magic in a Bowl**
Tucked away in a nondescript Torrance plaza, **Ramen & Tsukemen TAO** feels like a secret Tokyo ramen-ya smuggled into SoCal—minimalist wood counters, soft lighting, and only 20 seats that book out weeks in advance 🍜✨. This isn't your average noodle joint; it's a Michelin Bib Gourmand darling that treats ramen like fine dining without the pretension. The open kitchen hums quietly as Chef Tao crafts each bowl with monk-like focus.
The **signature black truffle tsukemen** is pure artistry: springy house-made noodles served cold alongside a rich, pork-chicken-seafood broth that's been simmering for days. Dip, slurp, repeat—the umami explodes with earthy truffle depth, balanced by yuzu zest and perfectly medium-boiled egg. Even the **shoyu ramen** elevates classics: crystal-clear broth with layers of smoked oil, tender chashu that melts, and noodles with that ideal al dente bite 🥚🔥.
What sets TAO apart is the **boutique experience**—every detail curated, from the ceramic bowls to the complimentary barley tea. The menu is small and seasonal, encouraging trust in the chef (go omakase-style with add-ons). Service is warm yet precise; staff explain dishes without hovering.
Only docking 0.4 because the no-reservation lunch rush means a potential wait (line up 15 mins early), and portions lean refined rather than belly-busting. Parking's easy in the lot. TAO proves ramen can be sophisticated without losing soul—Michelin got this one spot-on. It's not just dinner; it's an event. Already craving my next visit; the truffle tsukemen haunts my dreams.
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Just came back from a 2 week vacation in Japan and ate all kinds of ramen . I was craving tsukemen dipping ramen because it's been a warm summer. This place is legit! The broth has tons of umami flavor and the noodles have the right chew and texture. Will definitely be back for more. My daughter had the spicy white miso and it was too spicy for her. She'll have to go for the regular one next time. The place is very cozy with just 4 tables and a counter. Show up early or expect to wait.
Ramen & Tsukemen TAO definitely lives up to its reputation. After eating here, it’s easy to see why they’ve been recognized by the Michelin Guide for four years in a row. We ordered the Red Miso Ramen and the Tsukemen with a side of chicken. Both broths are rich, thick, and on the saltier side, making them incredibly satisfying if you enjoy bold, concentrated flavors. The noodles had a great texture and paired perfectly with the hearty broth. One tip: don’t skip the garlic. We added a couple of scoops into the ramen, and it completely transformed the bowl. The garlic brought everything together and made the flavors explode in the best way possible.
We stopped in for dinner the other night. Parking can be tough since the shopping center they are located in is very small. There is street parking nearby. The restaurant is also very small and can fill up very quickly. We started with a homemade matcha and limeade drinks. Both were refreshing and helped offset the rich dashi. We got a small beef bowl and a small takana bowl to start our meal. The beef was so tender and flavorful. The takana took me back to my childhood. We also got chicken with their special ginger sauce. The chicken was tender and the ginger sauce paired perfectly with the chicken. For our mains, we got a regular size red miso ramen. This was so filling. The softboiled egg and the noodles were so good. The dashi was rich and delicious. Depending on the ramen or tsukemen you order, they have a different noodle to go with the dashi. We also got a regular size chashu miso tsukemen. Once again the softboiled egg and noodles were perfect. The dashi was thick and rich. At the end of the meal you can get a soup wari. It is a piping hot light broth that you add to the remainder of your dashi to make it more of a soup and a perfect way to finish your meal. Amazing food and wonderful service will make this your go-to ramen and tsukemen restaurant.
Tao is the real deal. The white miso chashu ramen is incredibly rich and flavorful, the chashu is tender and delicious, and the portion is seriously generous. For the quality you get, the price is totally reasonable. The vibe inside is great too, the kind of place you actually want to sit and enjoy your bowl. Highly recommend!
**4.6/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ Ramen & Tsukemen TAO: Boutique Michelin Magic in a Bowl** Tucked away in a nondescript Torrance plaza, **Ramen & Tsukemen TAO** feels like a secret Tokyo ramen-ya smuggled into SoCal—minimalist wood counters, soft lighting, and only 20 seats that book out weeks in advance 🍜✨. This isn't your average noodle joint; it's a Michelin Bib Gourmand darling that treats ramen like fine dining without the pretension. The open kitchen hums quietly as Chef Tao crafts each bowl with monk-like focus. The **signature black truffle tsukemen** is pure artistry: springy house-made noodles served cold alongside a rich, pork-chicken-seafood broth that's been simmering for days. Dip, slurp, repeat—the umami explodes with earthy truffle depth, balanced by yuzu zest and perfectly medium-boiled egg. Even the **shoyu ramen** elevates classics: crystal-clear broth with layers of smoked oil, tender chashu that melts, and noodles with that ideal al dente bite 🥚🔥. What sets TAO apart is the **boutique experience**—every detail curated, from the ceramic bowls to the complimentary barley tea. The menu is small and seasonal, encouraging trust in the chef (go omakase-style with add-ons). Service is warm yet precise; staff explain dishes without hovering. Only docking 0.4 because the no-reservation lunch rush means a potential wait (line up 15 mins early), and portions lean refined rather than belly-busting. Parking's easy in the lot. TAO proves ramen can be sophisticated without losing soul—Michelin got this one spot-on. It's not just dinner; it's an event. Already craving my next visit; the truffle tsukemen haunts my dreams.