I checked out this place due to a recommendation from my favorite persons. I never cared about…read moreJapanese ramen before and would have never wanted to try it on my own. To my pleasant surprise, the ramen soup was actually tasty and enjoyable. Adding to that wonderful experience was the attentive, polite and completely free of any offending attitudes or behaviors from this very decent human being that was my server, and it was a female as well. I forgot her name now due to my old age but she was a tall and slender young lady around 5'7'' or so. That was very rare to see nowadays with modern human beings having such low morals and values and complete disregard for any decency in this time and age. I highly applaud this restaurant for its customer service trainings of its servers. I highly recommend it and I would definitely be back.

Chicken kaarage was SO hard, dry, and chewy. I couldn't stomach it and ended up throwing the entire…read morething away. The ramen broth is very rich but it was really bland. I got the hakata tonkotsu. Everything was bland and I've never had a bland ramen in my entire life. The thin noodles were too soft and not chewy. Tasted overcooked. This might be a good dish to order your grandparents because it is simple, soft, not too much flavor. The pork was soft and tender but it was bland so it was hard to finish the ramen. I'm really disappointed.

I had deluxe mazesoba and it was really delicious! The…read moreflavor was really savory and satisfying. Adding rice is pretty good too.

The food came really fast and tasted really good and the servers were really nice and always came…read moreto check up on us

We've been here so many times and we love it! The food is great and the service goes along with it…read more Cool murals on the wall making a great ambiance.

Food was very good, but the service was disappointing. We were one of only two tables, yet the…read morewaitress spent most of her time on her phone and wasn't very friendly. Several items we tried to order were unavailable, and I had to go to the counter to ask for the check because she never came back to the table. For a $40 bill, the experience didn't feel worth the time or money, even though the food itself was solid.

A Legendary Slurp - Gone But Never Forgotten It is a true…read moretragedy for the Orange County food scene that Hakata Ikkousha in Costa Mesa has closed its doors. This wasn't just a "ramen joint"--it was a masterclass in authentic Fukuoka-style soul food. The Broth: Liquid Gold The standout was always their Signature Tonkotsu broth. You could literally taste the 30+ hours of labor that went into it. It had that distinct "frothy" texture (the bubble of the bone marrow) that you only find in high-end Hakata shops. It was rich, creamy, and carried a deep umami funk without ever being overly greasy. The Hits * Black Tonkotsu: The roasted garlic oil (mayu) added a smoky, dark complexity that ruined all other garlic ramens for me. * God Fire: For those who like to sweat, this offered the perfect balance of heat without sacrificing the integrity of the pork flavor. * The Karaage: Genuinely some of the best fried chicken in the area. Massive, juicy thigh meat with a shattering, thin crust and that addictive spicy mayo on the side. * Customization: I loved that they let you pick your noodle firmness. "Hard" was the only way to go to ensure that perfect snap with every bite. The Atmosphere The Costa Mesa location always had a great energy--functional, clean, and unpretentious. The staff were always efficient, greeting everyone with a loud "Irasshaimase!" that made the experience feel truly authentic. It's heartbreaking to see such a high-caliber spot leave the neighborhood. If you were lucky enough to eat here, you know we lost a heavy hitter. To the team at Ikkousha: thank you for the memories and the best bowls in the city. You'll be sorely missed! Note: For those still craving that specific broth, their Torrance locations are still holding it down--definitely worth the drive to keep the dream alive. Come back to OC! !

I was completely unaware 10/26/25 was the last day this location was open so I feel very blind…read moresighted T-T The only location left is Torrance and I hope it stays open! Favorite ramen spot ever!! The Black Devil Level 2 Spice will be missed.

I noticed that the best time to come for dinner so that you don't have to deal with a long with…read moretime is around early dinner hours. Also, you should try to join the waitlist through Yelp app before arriving into the parking lot or as you are parking. I learned this after visiting a few times. But if you happened to be stuck in a long wait, there is a nice tea shop two doors down or go get some grocery shopping done at Ralph's. My favorite here is the tsukemen with the dashi shoyu dipping broth. It is so simple but holds a lot of flavor. It is a great place to come solo or as a group. When I come solo, they tend to sit me by the kitchen area and you can see the chefs cook the ramen.

ramen is still delicious! i like getting the veggie ramen bc it is filled with a lot of hearty…read morehealthy things. i do wish there was a way to get diff portion sizes of noodles. I saw they introduced a kids meal and it looked like the perfect size for someone who is a light eater (me) but its only for kids under 12. the waitress was really nice about telling me i couldnt order it though :') she told me if i wanted something small, i could get a chashu rice, but thats not the same as ramennnnn. so if kita kata is listening, pls let us order a smaller portion of noodles or let us order the kids meal. i would love that so much! (otherwise, ill probably just split a ramen with someone, which actually is cheaper than getting the kids meal...)

Stopped by Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai for lunch and had a great experience. Even though this spot can…read moreget busy, the Yelp waitlist kiosk made the process smooth and we were seated quickly. Parking in this plaza is always a bit of a challenge with so many businesses and limited spots, but we found one after a short loop. Inside, the restaurant is compact but has a warm, cozy atmosphere and is very clean. We ordered a spread: Kitakata Ramens, chicken curry, gyoza, Aburi Chashu Plate, cheese French fries, and the melon float. Everything arrived at a good pace and tasted fantastic. The melon float was a fun surprise - my son loved the mix of melon soda and vanilla ice cream. The ramen broth stood out: light, clean, and pure-tasting, without the heaviness some broths have. We'll definitely return.

This used to be my go to spot to take my family. However after tonight's experience I might not be…read moreback. Me and my husband and two kids waited over an hour (based on a Yelp wait time of 5 minutes). The restaurant was very clearly understaffed (2 servers on a busy Saturday night.). Tables were left unbussed for 20 plus minutes. Despite open tables in the restaurant, the wait time continued to increase. I inquired as to when we could expect to be seated and the staff was not able to give me an answer, only mentioning a large amount of to go orders. Although the food is wonderful, the ownership clearly does not prioritize customer service or treating their staff well because they were overwhelmed. Absolutely mind boggling to continue taking to go orders when you have in person customers ready to be seated. We eventually left hungry and cranky.

Had tonkotsu with just meat and egg but was too delicious ate pork before photo . Highly recommendread more

Thank you for lunch today it was so delicious! Made my day & will be coming back soon! (:read more

Shin-Sen-Gumi is a Japanese restaurant focused on comforting bowls of ramen and udon, with a menu…read morethat gives guests plenty of options depending on what they are craving. We walked into a casual, approachable space that works well for a quick lunch, a relaxed dinner, or a family meal. While the restaurant has expanded into multiple locations, it still keeps the feeling of a neighborhood Japanese spot where the focus is primarily on warm bowls of noodles and simple comfort food. The dining room is comfortable and unpretentious, with an atmosphere that feels more about the food than the decor. The ramen is one of the main draws, especially the Hakata style tonkotsu broth. The broth has the rich, savory profile expected from a pork based soup, while the noodles have a good texture and can be customized depending on your preference. We appreciated the ability to adjust noodle firmness and customize parts of the bowl, which gave it a more personalized feel compared to a standard ramen order. The ramen itself is enjoyable, though the portions and toppings can feel a little modest for the price, especially if you are expecting a fully loaded bowl. The chashu was tender and the broth had depth, but it did not feel like it was trying to compete with more elaborate ramen shops. The udon menu is where Shin-Sen-Gumi stands out the most. The bowls are hearty, comforting, and generous, with options ranging from classic udon to more unique creations. We tried the curry udon, a particularly popular choice, and it worked because the curry broth had a thicker consistency rather than feeling watered down. The combination of chewy noodles and rich curry made it a satisfying meal, especially on a colder day. Other options like the creamy uni udon and spicy miso udon offer more adventurous flavors if you want something beyond the traditional bowls. The udon noodles themselves were cooked well, with the right amount of chewiness, and the broths showed more creativity than the ramen offerings. Beyond the noodles, the side dishes help round out the meal. The gyoza is a reliable addition, and items like the pork fried rice are worth considering if you want a larger spread. We found the lunch specials to be a good way to try multiple items at once, usually combining ramen or udon with sides like gyoza or rice bowls. These combinations made the restaurant feel like a better value compared to ordering individual dishes, and the portions were generous enough to leave us satisfied. Service is one of the stronger parts of the experience. The staff was welcoming and attentive, creating a friendly environment that works especially well for families or groups. The dining room has a comfortable, casual feel, and the overall experience is more focused on being a dependable neighborhood restaurant rather than a destination style ramen shop. Wait times can happen during busy periods, but the service usually keeps things moving, and the staff handles the flow well without making the experience feel rushed. Shin-Sen-Gumi is a solid choice when you are looking for a satisfying bowl of Japanese noodles in Irvine. The ramen is enjoyable, but the udon offerings are where the restaurant feels most unique. With friendly service, generous menu variety, and a comfortable atmosphere, it is the kind of place that makes sense as a regular spot rather than just a one time visit. The combination of approachable food, flexible ordering, and a welcoming environment makes it easy to see why it has maintained a following over the years.

I've been going to various shin-sen-gumi locations for 2 decades and enjoy that this branch also…read moredoes Udon. Their original Hakata ramen feels like it's not as consistent as some of their other branches. The restaurant has nice high ceilings and a variety of different table sizes. The lines here are much shorter compared with other locations and you can typically get a table without a wait unless you go at peak hours. There are frequently new menu options or seasonal specials that are worth trying out. On the last visit, tried the new sushi tacos. The sweet shrimp was very good, but I wouldn't recommend the beef.