From the first sip of broth, I was hooked. The tonkotsu…read moreramen was absolutely divine and rich. Such a deep umami flavor in the broth that exceeded expectations. Understandably why they have a long wait list. It's also pretty small inside, so a lot turnover to accommodate the crowd. Food came out quick though for our table of 4. Highly recommend this place to get your ramen fix!!

I got the Shoyu Ramen for the first time, and surprisingly it was similar to the tonkatsu ramen…read more There's always soup isn't as creamy and thick and I enjoyed it a lot. It was lighter, but still had the depth of flavor. This is my go-too ramen spot because the flavors are consistent! The service was amazing, they're fast to get us seated and took our order immediately. Our food came out pretty fast! The ambiance is clean and similar to the other locations. Not a lot of seating and is more known to seat smaller parties. There's ample parking available!

Favorite chicken ramen in the area - i haven't found any other ramen place with chicken ramen that…read morecomes with chicken breast this good in OC! I love the chicken paitan DX as it comes with a grilled chicken leg which is also tasty, and it's a really good deal. Just gotta make sure to get there either for lunch or really early for dinner, as they tend to run out of the chicken legs by dinner time, especially on the weekend. The gyoza here is also decent. The only down side I have is that their bowls are good but not great. The servers here are usually pretty attentive and nice. Haven't had a bad experience so far (:

Good ramen. Especially if your on a quick lunch and need fast service and piping hot food…read more Enjoyed the tantan ramen, which is chicken based (not pork) and slightly salty. Dish is spicy by default, but honestly its pretty tame in terms of heat. Inside is colorful, clean, and air conditioned. Parking can be hectic on weekday lunch hour. Do expect to circle a bit. Servers are friendly and attentive.

Menya Hanabi did not disappoint I got the mazesoba and it was SO flavorful. The noodles had the…read moreperfect chewy texture, and all the toppings came together really well. I loved the savory, garlicky flavor and how everything mixed together with the sauce. Definitely a spot I'd come back to when I'm craving something rich, comforting, and different from your typical ramen. 10/10 would recommend!

The Original Spicy at Menya Hanabi was really good. The noodles had a great texture, the sauce was…read moreflavorful, and the spice level was balanced without being overwhelming. Mixing everything together made each bite better. The portion was filling, and the ingredients tasted fresh. I'd definitely order it again.

Honestly, this is our go to Ramen spot. They have some of the best tasting broth I have ever had…read more The seating is a bit limited, and it's one of those hidden gems you don't want everyone to find out about, but enough to make sure the business is successful and stays open! Service is solid, usually one lady who's hustles from table to table.

TLDR: Decent Japanese food at a decent price…read more Chicken Terriyaki Bowl: The portion size is okay. You get boiled veggies to fill up the bowl, well made Japanese rice, and a chicken terriyaki that's... just average or even slightly below average. I'd only get it when there is a promo, but the bowl is more than the sum of its parts. California Roll: Stock standard roll from a small to medium sized Japanese restaurant. Portion size was fine, and the rice was done well. The filling was average at best. California roll is a basic western Japanese classic, and there's nothing wrong with getting the basics right. Not amazing, but not bad. Service: I ordered to go, but the staff inside were nice. Ambiance: The restaurant seats 30-40 people and it's located in a nice area. It's clean and is a nice place to have a quick lunch or casual dinner after a workday.

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.

My husband and I love this place. The staff is very hard working and busy all the time. They work…read moretogether as a team. The ramen is out of this world. Yummy in every bite. We live in the Palm Springs area, and plan our out of town vacations near Irvine so we can get ramen.

Onaka suita? That's Japanese for: are you hungry? Well, we certainly were, and we wanted something…read moretried, true, and totally tasty. Though our local longstanding location is in Costa Mesa, we were right next to the Irvine location, so in we went! One of the many ramen restaurants in Irvine, but one of the heavy hitters for sure! We came in on a weekday afternoon to enjoy some hearty noodles! For some reason, I find it hard to resist the kara-age here, so one order of that, please! Crispy, slathered in this acidic rich sauce, nanban style. And...guys...they were offering mazemen this particular day, so I couldn't say no! I'm no better than you. I love a dry mixed noodle! Plenty of flavor coming from this guy, and umami is the star! Lot's of savory components come together to make a cohesive bowl that isn't too rich, but just seasoned enough! And they also give you vinegar and chili powder on the side if you need it! Dress it up how you want! And the tonkotsu ramen was no slouch either. When I come here, I always get either this guy or the miso ramen, but I wanted something a little more meaty, so here we are! Take a look at this rich broth. It's made even better by the addition of these veggies! See? A balanced meal...yep! Honestly though, it's a great bowl of ramen, and not as ultra-thick'n'rich if you still wanna be awake after lunch. Yes, it's a chain restaurant, but don't let that fool you! Their level of consistency is elite! Never had a bad bowl here, and we've been coming here since probably 2015! Are you feeling hungry along with the guys? Come try out Kitakata Ramen Ba Nai! Gochisousama deshita!

The ramen is legit and the karaage!! It's hard to find karaage done right like the way they make…read moreit. I went to Kitakata closer to where I live and their ramen was disappointing. So not all have the same level of quality. This location was good though.

Service was great when we sat down. There was a bit of a wait if you show up around 6-7pm. Pretty…read moresmall seating inside. Was recommended to come here from a few people. There ramen is made fresh in house. The flavors of the broth weren't my favorite. I've had better ramen before.

The spicy cold dipping noodles were SO good and exactly what I wanted with it being so hot out…read morerecently. Super flavorful, the right mix of crunchy chewy and jammy, and the spice level was perfect. This location can get pretty busy (like all the HiroNori locations), but it's always worth the wait. The staff is really nice and helpful with recommendations every time I come in. Definitely one of my favorite local gems in Irvine.

Very pleasantly surprised. I was looking for ramen in the area and thought I'd give this place a…read moreshot. I got the shoyu ramen and it was soo good. Genuinely the best egg ever. The plaza was very open and I got to sit under the shade, so especially with the heat that was nice. Will and Kassidy had amazing service they were so quick with everything, I'd 100% come again.

I think this place is great. First off, the beer prices are…read moreawesome! I enjoyed a Japanese draft beer for $5.00 My order was beef udon, and it was very good. Their menu is extensive but easy to understand. I have not tried the ramen, but it must be good. Good food, good beer, good times. The prices were reasonable. I do recommend the place.

I visited this ramen restaurant recently and had a mixed experience. It is located in the Woodbury…read moreTown Center. Food: The menu offers a wide selection of Ramen dishes, udon dishes, and appetizers. My miso butter ramen tasted delicious. However, they gave plain ramen at first. They gave me some miso butter to add to my ramen. I liked the pork chasu as well. Service: The employees here are friendly. However, our server took my dad's order and walked away without taking order or my mom's order. Ambiance: The decor inside is nice and modern. The Seating is comfortable.

Mango bango still one of my fav desserts. Tried the new chicken skin chips. Wish some pieces were…read moremore crispy. I think frying them another time would've been perfect. Great service and chicken karaage this time was the juiciest and most moist we've had here. Think changed sauce it comes with as it's yuzu aioli now which I prefer but I could be wrong

Not around the area, but in town for vacation. First time visiting this place and it was great!…read more The service was fast and the staff were friendly. Our waitress was always there when we needed her and would check up on us consistently! The place is very spacious, music was lively, and overall great atmosphere. Bathrooms were clean and it had a mouth wash dispenser including the cup As for food and drinks, everything was so delicious! Yuzu Lemonade was very refreshing and was a nice mix of the flavors. The yuzu and lemonade didn't overpower each other, and a nice touch of the mint leaf! Kei Coconut Ube had a nice taste to it. The sweetness was nice, super purple in color, and worth trying at least once. Drink definitely does not look or taste like a beer so think of it as a sparkling Ube drink when you try it. Beef Tongue appetizer was very tasty and the appearance was pretty. The sauce was very delicious with a hint of citrus. Beef Bowl Udon was delicious as well. The udon noodles are in the middle of the thickness level. Broth was nice and refreshing, and the beef belly was super soft and tasted amazing. Seafood Tom Kha Ramen was really good. Seafood in it were shrimps, scallops, and squid/calamari. Not too spicy, but had a nice kick to it. Veggies were nice and mixed well with the seafood ramen! Unfortunately, the eggs do not come with the udon or ramen, but they do have free unlimited ramen noodles!!! They let you get it for the udon broths as well! Would definitely come back to this place when I'm back in this part of town!