We ordered ramen with the light broth, which came with tender chashu pork and thin noodles. The soup base was flavorful, and the noodles--wow! The texture was spot on, perfectly firm with a great bite. They paired so well with the broth and green onion toppings. We also tried the gyoza dumplings, which were delicious--crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The Tatsunoya Roll was a pleasant surprise! I wasn't sure I'd like the mayo topping, but the Japanese mayo is much lighter and less creamy than the typical kind, and it balanced nicely with the hot sauce on the table. The chashu and fish eggs added great texture and flavor. The garlic shrimp was a standout dish--grilled perfectly and seasoned just right, though a bit on the salty side. It came with some lettuce and a nice sauce underneath, and the pepper strings on top added a great kick with every bite. The restaurant itself is small but modern and clean, and the service was quick and friendly. Overall, a great experience with delicious food that's definitely worth coming back for! read more

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Food tastes great. Gyoza is awesome made fresh. Several types of Ramen and you can control the level of spice. We got spice on side. Highly recommend this place. read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Inside view from street side booth - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

My friend took me out for a birthday dinner treat. I typically don't finish my bowl of ramen but with this one, I was able to. The soup is rich, noodles is soft, as well as the pork. I had a fun dining experience and hoping to come back again with my husband. The line gets long but it is still easy to get seated. The staff are accommodating and the service is fast. Place is clean. read more

3.5 rounded up for best dumplings/gyoza/mandoo in all of LA in my opinion- including San Gabriel valley. My fiancé and I both enjoyed the gyoza over the ramen. I typically am not a fan of anything in the gyoza family but I loved this dish. It was like soup dumpling meets pan fried mandoo. Very unique, savory, heartwarming, 10/10! The ramen wasn't spicy enough for me- even with spoonfuls of the spicy paste they have had every table. Chashu was good, very thick cut portions. Staff is efficient in serving and seating. There's always a line outside, but they do a good job seating everyone and maximizing space and everyone's place in line. I would come back just for the gyoza! read more

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We got there around 11:15am. They open at 11. There were a lot of customers inside already. Service was good and fast. - Gyoza 5/5 Small pieces of pork and chive(?) dumplings: it's crispy on one side and soft on the other. It's juicy and delicious. - Spicy Miso Ramen 4.5/5 It's really really rich for a miso ramen. It's only slightly spicy... so if you want more spice just add the red sauce on the table. Comes with thick noodles and you cannot switch for thin. - Koku Ramen Extra Chashu 5/5 Very rich but also not as thick as the miso ramen. It has a flavor of black garlic in the broth. It's really really yummy. The umami taste is strong. Comes with thin noodles and you cannot switch to thick. $2 egg is soft boiled, cold in the center. Parking is street parking. Pay w passport app. read more

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Good ramen especially on a rainy day. I deeply enjoyed their spicy broth. There are a lot of counter seats so a lot of people moving in and out. Is more of a place for a quick meal, especially if you get seated at the counter. They are often overwhelmed with customers so it might take a minute to get an attention of a server. Took me a while to get the check and pay. read more

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great staff, good and fast service. ramen broth, noodle texture, and overall taste 5/5 read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Jun Tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

Best ramen in Pasadena. Service was okay, but the waitress rang up the wrong bill to my credit card smh. She resolved it. Other then that, nice restaurant, tight seating, lively atmosphere and food was on point. Perfect spicy ramen, gyoza and roll. Very delicious and I will be back for a 4th time soon. read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Spicy tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

I've been to many ramen spots but this is far the best. The soup are deeply cooked so they are thick and deep in taste. Spicy tonkotsu is my favorite and will continue to go till I have a chance to try everything on the menu. In addition, the service and ambiance top notch. read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Really needed a noodle fix and found this place off of Colorado and fair oak. The place is super clean and I sat by the bar side facing the chefs who were preparing the noodles. Service was quick and fast and ready to provide the noodles right away. I immediately ask for the thin noodles ramen and order extra noodles on the side. Portion size it's enough for me to feel full and satisfy my tummy during the cold winter. Thanks for the ramen! read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Jun Tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

Felt oddly targeted when I went. Everyone was offered a "bag basket" even others sitting at the bar were offered. I was sat at the bar; no bag basket offered. I hung my bag on the seat and it was even ran into by one of the waiters but nobody offered me a basket. So definitely docking for that. Broth is good, on the saltier side (I do enjoy saltier tonkotsu) but the fact you have to add toppings and all toppings are like $2+ feels outrageous. Like you're really gonna charge for seaweed and corn??? Bowls start at 16 then you're going to make it a $26 with just some extra toppings. Chashu pieces are also on the slimmer side (I prefer mine a little bit more chunky) so obviously get the extra chashu (an additional $4 btw) Gyoza was yummy. Definitely liked the filling and that it was more like a soup dumpling rather than a deep fried gyoza. Beer I was served was also warm... Overall okay ramen but can be pricey and bad customer service. read more

Just stopped by this spot on a weekend visit in Pasadena. We just so happened to be here on their celebration of their 10 year anniversary! We walked into an amazing ambiance, they had raffles, a special visit from their owner in Japan, and a special toast with free soft drinks! The service was incredible. Everyone was so attentive, kind, and efficient. It felt almost like sitting in on a family environment. We had a blast there. And last but not least the food!! Highly recommend their ramen, it's ALL legit good. Could not recommend this place enough. You won't regret it! read more

After some shopping on Colorado, my boyfriend recommended we stop by his favorite ramen spot. We were immediately seated and quickly brought waters to start. My boyfriend said everything on the menu is great but I wanted to try their original tonkatsu. It came with the traditional pork and veggies but I requested an egg as well. I added a little bit of chili oil/paste but not much, although it plenty flavorful as it came. My boyfriend DOWNED his spicy ramen so I can only imagine how good it was lol! I hope to come back soon! read more

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This ramen place is so delicious you will find yourself craving it even as you drive home. I ordered the rich ramen and felt like I could've licked the bowl.... Almost did. My friend had the lighter version, still delish but I prefer the rich flavors. The service was great, location was great, right in the middle of downtown Pasadena. Ambiance was average. Not a big issue because who cares what things look like when your food is so amazing. Put on your rose colored glasses and dig in. read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Koku Tonkotsu (rich) - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Their spicy miso tonkotsu ramen is one of the better miso-based ramen I've had and I liked it better than their koku tonkotsu ramen. Chashu bowl with yuzu mayo was a good twist to your typical chashu bowl. I think there are better ramen spots than this but this is some of my friends' favorite ramen restaurant. Could just be a matter of personal preference. So definitely come and see for your own! read more

Tatsunoya is where my daughters discovered their love of Ramen. This small restaurant hidden in the middle of Old Pasadena carries a small, but effective menu. The Tonkotsu is solid, savory, yet not heavy, and comes in three simple tiers to choose from: rich, light, and spicy. Savory and delicious, no matter your choice. The service is fast and polite. The interior is understated and simple, as all great Ramen shops should be. The tree adds a nice touch and really ties the room together. The only critique to this restaurant is the unavoidable: it is very small, and very popular. Expect a wait during peak hours. This is by no means the fault of Tatsunoya - service is quick, friendly, and efficient. So do your fellow Ramen lover a favor - order, savor, and then depart! Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance / Facility: 4/5 Value: 4/5 read more

The best ramen ever! I got the extra chatsu, spicy ramen and wow I was blown away. Everything was so delicious, broth was amazing, chatsu was simply the best I ever had and it came with thick noodles that were so fresh and delicious, I added egg and green onion as well. Easily one of the top 3 ramen I have ever had. Service was amazing they have tables and a bar seating, great ambiance, great service and excellent food. You definitely need to try this place. Right in the alley where it is located there is a parking structure for easy parking as well. read more

Solid choice for authentic Japanese ramen. The Koku Tonkatsu ramen is the chef's recommendation and probably the best thing here. What makes the ramen so good is the broth, which is full of umami flavor. Their chashu is also excellent because it is fatty and melts in your mouth. For a lighter and less creamy broth, the Jun Tonkatsu ramen is a great option. I like that they only have a small menu where you can't go wrong with anything you order. If you come during off hours, you can get seated without any wait. During their busy hours though, there are very long lines. Whether you have to wait or not, the delicious bowl of ramen will all be worth it! read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Jun Tonkatsu - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I have lived 5 minutes away from this ramen shop since mid-2022. And it wasn't until an idyllic PTO-fueled Monday afternoon that I bothered to check this place out. In my 5 years living in SoCal, I've tried countless ramen shops and they all were great and stand out in one way or another. I've baptized ramen as "The only soup worth eating" and this shop further proves the veracity, authenticity and validity of that statement. The broth is rich, the pork chasu is cooked to perfection, the thin noodles have the right amount of chew and the gyoza is flavorful. Nothing that you could not find at any other competent ramen shop, such as Hiro Nori, but this is located at the heart of Old Pasadena, the locale gives it a boost from 4 stars to 5 stars. I do wish they also offered Tsukemen, though. read more

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Very friendly service staff and the wait was not long, even though it was busy. I got the spicy miso ramen with the egg and green onions. It was delicious and rich. Not too spicy, just the right amount of heat. The pork was also very tender. Great lunch experience for our day visit to Pasadena. read more

One of my top 2 authentic ramen spots in LA - comparable to Tsujita, depending on your preference. It's the closest to Japan as you'll get in the Los Angeles area. Great chasu, great toppings. I do wish they have beni shoga as a topping option (red ginger), but that's just me. Highly recommend! read more

This is hands down my favorite ramen shop. Has the best ramen and that crispy chashu wrap is amazing. I forgot to take a picture of the wings, but god dam they were great. Service is top tier. Ambiance is like I'm back in japan. I found out about this place when I was in Shinjuku, Tokyo Japan and noticed they have a location here. On par with the Japan restaurant, too good read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Edamame Crispy Spicy Chashu Wrap - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Fun ambiance on the inside and the food is delicious. Highly recommend the gyoza and the tonkotsu ramen, the broth is delicious and the meat as well! It does get busy, got here around 6pm on a Saturday and it filled up quick and there was a line out the door by the time finished read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Koku Tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

Came here on sunday lunch time with less than 5 minute wait. The broth was flavorful and noodles had a great texture. Plus, extra noodles are $2 with free topping! read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

BRING BACK THE CHILI PASTE. It was the best part. The powder is like trading in a Ferrari for a Honda. read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Bring back the chili paste - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

If you've ever walked past Ramen Tasunoya and seen the line snaking down the block, it's there for a reason. This place is hands down the go-to ramen spot in Pasadena. Locals know that if you're craving real Japanese ramen, this is where you go. Their tonkasu ramen broth is rich, deep, and layered with flavor that only comes from hours of slow simmering. something about slurping that hot, umami broth. Rare find these days. read more

An amazing spot to eat at when you're in the mood for ramen, food was so tasty had the Spicy miso tonkotsu, & teriyaki wings they were delicious Service was top tier, they were closing & didn't feel rushed at all When you walk in you see a nice vibe like if you were in japan Special thanks Satosuya (hope your name's spelled right) read more

Great little gem in Pasadena. Quaint restaurant if you're in need for some good ramen. Service is quick and fast. Menu is simple, quite self explanatory. 3 different tiers of ramen ranging from rich, light and spicy to choose from. I had the koku tonkotsu which is normally my go to. Rich and savory broth with chasu cooked to perfection. There's ramen sides that you can add on for a price. Only complaint is that they don't offer bamboo shoots on their list of ramen sides. read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Koku Tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

Serious ramen. No frills. Just good basic ramen in a cozy place. Sit at the long high tables and meet new friends who also go there for the great food. read more

Being Japanese, I'm quite picky with my ramen. Ramen is my comfort food, so I have a bit of a biased opinion in thinking that my childhood association to how ramen should taste is the best. Of course, I understand that everyone has their own preferences, but I must say that this bowl of tonkotsu ramen came pretty close to what I refer to as "comfort" ramen. But I'll cut to the chase on why I couldn't give it a full star rating... The gyoza was too burnt on the bottom, hence the burnt flavor was quite overpowering. That was a real bummer, as I wasn't able to enjoy the gyoza at all. But when it came to the ramen, I was very satisfied. I always judge the broth first. It's the first thing I eat when my ramen is placed in front of me. Tonkotsu is a heavier/thick broth that's quite salty, and that's how I like it. It was definitely that, and had a nice, fatty flavor. Next, I move my chashu (meat) to the top of my bowl, and push it in the broth slightly to keep the favor coating. I leave that to the side for now. Next I try the "men" (noodles). It was consistent, a good thickness, and easily slurpable. I mean, you can't eat ramen without slurping! Yes, slurping is usually rude in most cuisines, but not in ramen!! Now I get to my chashu. I eat half, and leave the other half coating in broth. Chashu is a bit too fatty for me, but this had a good meat/fat ratio. What usually distinguishes "good" to "great" ramen is the umami egg. It needs to have been marinating for a while, and needs to have a yolky texture. I was SO pleased that this place had a "great" egg! It really just brought the whole bowl together. Other than the burnt gyoza, this was a solid meal! read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Tonkotsu ramen with corn - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I've been here a few times with friends, and the food is consistently tasty. I've had the koko tonkotsu probably three times now, and it's been great each time. The chasiu is soft, and the broth is very fatty. I also order the soft boiled egg with my ramen every time, and the egg is packed with flavor with a perfectly jammy yolk. There is often a line out the door, but the service is quick so the line moves quickly. There is a decent amount of seating, but it can be a bit tight. My one issue with the food here is that every single time I've come here, myself and whoever else I was with had very painful stomach pains that would last throughout the night. It could be due to the incredibly high fat content of the broth, or perhaps every single one of our bodies just can't digest fat well, so be conscious when eating here if you think eating too much fat may negatively affect you. read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Koku Tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

We usually come here for dinner every other month because of the distance. We live in Ventura County. It has always been worth the drive. I recommend that you check it out if you're in the area. read more

We have eaten several times- it's about time I place a review! Perfect noodles, perfect broth, perfect gyoza, perfect edamame... every time. Something about ramen: great on cold winters evenings of course; but equally satisfying on a hot summer night when you are finally hungry at the end of a long day drinking iced drinks and forgoing foods. We both recommend if you wanna crank the spice up, request the hot chili paste. I usually add a marinated egg cuz the flavor is so delish. The tables are often full-up during dinner hours; never fear, the staff is efficient and the food is so soon ready that customers can enter and leave full within the hour. I rarely observe guests waiting overly long before being seated. Ambiance: charming, fun, laid back- the clientele are an array of guests including students, locals, professors, tourists- and all are comfortable here. The tree artwork in the center of the room provides a subtle sculptural presence that can inspire calm as your tummy rumbles at the steamy allure of rich broth wafting past with each delivered bowl. read more

Our server was terrible! Lol. Savannah was terribly rude, condescending, and has an idgaf attitude towards dietary restrictions or even just simple questions about it. At least she was consistent in being mean. Why even go into the food? You can have the best ramen in the world (which this place definitely does not) but if your server brings the mood down everytime she comes by, who cares. read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

Ordered the Jun Tonkotsu. Flavorful broth, and the pork was amazing. Great service too. Would recommend.

Very friendly staff, food was hot, fresh and came quickly. Location is on the smaller side, parking is nearby paid public parking. Had the gyoza, tonkatsu ramen and spicy miso ramen. Price was reasonable and average for a decent bowl of ramen. Would go back again when in the area. read more

Never had a bad bowl of ramen or bad service or anything bad here. It's the best place for ramen ever! Here is a pic of my ramen. Wait,,, it gone cause it was soooooo good!!! read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - Wanted to take a pic of the ramen but I ate it so fast cause it was sooooooooo good. - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

Oh how I love thee Ramen Tatsunoya with your unctuous most succulent broth, perfectly fatty pork belly, and most decadent chewy slurpy noodles. Uhhhh, comfort awaits you my friends, and the staff are always friendly and ready to assist in every way they can! Be ready for your warm greeting upon entering as you'll hear, "Irasshaimase" shouted with joy, which essentially means, "Welcome" or "Please come in". Their greeting extends way beyond the simple acknowledgment of your presence and actually is an expression of sincere gratitude for choosing to dine with them. I've learned from my Japanese friends how it actually sets the tone for your entire dining experience, instantly making you feel valued and appreciated. How beautiful is that!? In turn, the correct response is, "Arigatou gozaimasu," which translates to "Thank you very much", which actually is what hubby and I say! Although traditionally tipping isn't expected in Japan, those principles don't apply here throughout the US, and my Japanese friends tell me that the amount you leave reflects how well they met your needs. Also expressing your gratitude with "Arigatou gozaimashita" (Thank you very much) is a sincere and heartfelt gesture, or a warm hearted "thank you" will suffice too! Enjoy my friends! read more

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Jun Tonkotsu 3.5/5: Standard, average ramen. Spicy Tonkotsu 3/5: Also standard. Strong flavors & pretty salty Nice service, checked up on us often & food came quick read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - bottom: Spicy Tonkotsu top: Jun Tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California

Excellent ramen. Koku tonkatsu. Rich, umami broth. Delicate, thin noodles (wish there were a little more). A little heat, just right. Melt in your mouth pork (also wish there was a little more). Lots of green onion, mushrooms. Price is fair - $16. Service is friendly. Atmosphere is inviting, minimalist. Sat at booth by the front window and watched the world go by as we slurped. Highly recommend. read more

Ramen Tatsunoya - koku tonkatsu - Ramen Near Me - Pasadena, California