Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - Buena Park
My favorite ramen noodles, now in a new location, Buena Park.
Kitakata Ramen with Egg
Ratings
Broth
Noodles
Chashu
Egg
Toppings
Overall
Date of Visit: September 2018
What I Ordered: Kitakata Ramen with Egg
Cost: $8.50 + $1.00 (Egg)
Offers Extra Noodles: $1.00
Offers Extra Broth: $1.00
Review
The menu, prices, and offerings seem to be the same as the other location. Their bowl have an option of lots of chashu, or regular. For the price, the amount of chashu is quite generous, and easily can fill you up. There are other options available such as rice bowls, other ramen, and even a tsukemen. However, I am here for one thing. The tonkotsu ramen. I would be willing to return to try the tsukemen sometime. However, what I am here for today is a delicious bowl of ramen. From my experience of the other location, the broth is not creamy, but light and savory. The chashu is plentiful, and rich. But the noodles are the star of the show. Made in house, and cooked to perfection. Let’s see if this location can deliver the same quality of noodles that dominated over all other restaurants.
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The broth is light and delicious, served at the perfect temperature to create steam but not scorch your mouth. The flavor is distinctly pork based without being the traditional creamy tonkotsu. There are hints of green onions from the toppings as well. Despite being a non-creamy broth, it is very delicious. The flavor is light just like the broth, but at the same time, it has a great balance of salt and richness. Overall, a very good broth.
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These noodles have the magic ability to feel much thicker in the mouth than they appear. They are already what I would call a thick noodle by appearance, and have a wonderful crimp that makes them perfect to curl, and also enjoy with texture. In terms of noodle shape, I think these noodles have reached perfection. The flavor is light like the broth. There is not much noodle richness, and at the same time, does not taste like a dried noodle. It is distinctly a noodle made with lots of care, and is very well done.
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The light broth allows the texture of the noodles to shine. Meanwhile, the flavor is taken over by the broth. The noodle and broth combo work together to not be a heavy combo, but rather something that you can slurp and eat indefinitely until you burst. While I would love to try these noodles with a creamy tonkotsu broth, this is an excellent combo as it is.
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Wow, the chashu is fatty, rich, and melts in your mouth. It is the opposite of dry, and has a distinct butteriness that provides such a savory flavor. By itself and with the noodles, it is there providing that rich flavor that is a step above other chashu. I think the best way to describe these straight cut pork belly cuts is the buttery flavor that I taste. Excellently done.
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I ordered the egg to try with the bowl, as it does not normally come with it. You are served a whole egg, cut in half for you. The egg white is mostly white, and does not seem to be as marinated as other eggs. The flavor is light just like the broth. In the end, there is more of an egg flavor than there is of a soy or creamy yolk flavor. The egg is medium soft boiled. The yolk is not a cream but had a gradient through it. I think a bit more marinade and less cook time will improve this egg.
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The toppings are mostly minimal consisting of only green onions and bamboo. There are a lot of green onions, so they flavor every bite you take. The bamboo wasn’t particularly good, as they didn’t seem fresh. I don’t think that they are prepared in house. However, I do appreciate the minimal toppings, as the trinity is the star of this show.
Overall: 8/10
Would recommend. This bowl focuses on the holy trinity, and does it very well. The main bowl consists of the noodles, broth, and varying amount of chashu. The noodles are certainly the star of the show, holding the title of best noodles. Although, I think I prefer the noodles at the other location, but the only difference is perhaps the cook time as they are near identical. Maybe a little more noodle flavor can add some oomph to it. The broth is light but still flavorful. It isn’t thick or creamy, which lends itself to a refreshing bowl. Although my preference is towards creamy broth, this is undeniably delicious. The chashu is also stellar. Having a distinctive rich buttery flavor and melt in your mouth texture, have no fear of loading up with the chashu ramen dish. The egg is good, but nothing special. But for only $1, it is a great add on. All in all, an excellent bowl for an excellent price, focusing on the trinity. Kitakata maintains the title for best noodles, and is an excellent contender for one of the best chashu. Very well done.
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