- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Asa Ramen
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
18202 S Western AveGardena, CA 90248
Neighborhoods: Torrance, Harbor Gateway
(310) 769-1010
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 6 pm - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Aiko S. said: "Their soba is very good. The broth looked thin first, but it actually had very good taste. Kayaku gohan is a must^^ The rice has very good texture and taste. Customers were mostly Japanese (including me) when we visited. A Japanese…" read more »
334 reviews for Asa Ramen
Review Highlights
-
"Kotteri shoyu ramen was absolutely excellent." In 49 reviews -
"i love takoyaki and this place always makes it right." In 118 reviews -
"The noodles were perfectly cooked and the broth." In 153 reviews
Loading...
334 reviews in English
-
Review from diane l.
Gardena, CA
5/25/2012
First this place is f***ing hard to find. It is located in the east section of the mini mall with no discernible signs.
I'm not crazy about ramen but this was pretty good and my husband has been stuck on ramen ever since we got back from Japan.
I got the salt ramen and the weird spicy paste, man that stuff is spicy. It was good! And, of course, gyoza. You can never go wrong with gyoza.
...I'm more of a cup 'o noodle gal... -
Review from Lisa K.
Torrance, CA
5/22/2012 4 photos
Asa Ramen used to be 5 star but ever since the ownership changed, unfortunately their ramen quality went down. :(
Although I've never tried Daikokuya, my ramen connoisseur friend said she liked Asa Ramen better than Daikokuya. I agreed with her deeply. Their kotteri broth was rich and flavorful and their ramen noodles were made just right. I did like the assari shoyu's chijire men (squigly noodles) better though so often times I asked the waitress for kotteri shoyu and replace the noodle with chijire men.
But now that the ownership has changed, the soup taste a bit watery and a little bit off. I cannot exactly pinpoint what it is but it seems like the new owner isn't using the right ingredients or he's not taking his time cooking the broth.
Sadly my friend and I will never set our foot again in Asa Ramen unless the old owner will be back. :T -
Review from Andy N.
If you aren't Japanese, you may have trouble finding this place as I did. It's tucked in a little lot with other Japanese places in the area. I came here after Wango Tango at the Home Depot center. I've read about this place before and had to give it a try. I got here around 11pm at night. This spot is open till 2am which is insane. The menu is straight to the point and simiilar to other ramen restaurants.
I ordered the Kotteri ramen with the marinated egg, spicy sauce, and extra green onions. For myappeitzer I went with the pork gyoza. These gyoza's were some of the best I ever had. They were lightly fried and looked to be steamed before it. The outershell was nice and soft. I really loved it. I wish I could say the same for the ramen. It was not that good. The egg was cooked pretty well almost near runny. The noodles were asked to be cooked hard but came out normal. The spicy sauce damn near ruined my meal. It tasted like some Mexican verde sauce that was extra hot. Even without the hot sauce the broth itself didn't have any punch to it. For the ramen this place is eh.. for the Gyoza it's a YAY!
Recommendation: GYOZA! -
Review from Kristen Q.
Torrance, CA
5/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Asa ramen, you're alright.
Like your price at $6.75 for a bowl of ramen and that you offer the option of thin or curly noodles, since I always prefer the thin straight noodles and not all ramen joints offer this (that's where I provided you a 3rd star). Your pork meat could use some improving in having that 'meat literally melting in your mouth' effect that many ramen joints have since the meat has been marinated in broth for quite some time.
Your dumplings are only okay as well.
I won't return, unless required by a party. -
Review from Alyssa P.
Some of the best broth i've had...even at 1am, 2 minutes before last call!
The ramen comes out at the perfect temperature so you can dig in right away...hot enough to feel it going down your throat, cool enough so that your taste buds are intact!
They close pretty late, 2am and have last call at 1. The place has about 5 tables and counter top so i'm sure it gets pretty busy in the day. Definitely try it out, I liked it more than Shinsengumi. It may be hard to spot bc its written in Japanese, but its a red sign with white writing, check out the pictures to see the outside of the shop! Also they must have recently renovated because a whole other side was just opened which means more seating!
The only thing I would improve is offering more than just one measly napkin along with my chop sticks...they are pretty small and easy to go through! -
Review from Aryan O.
3/21/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Hidden spot for sure. Wouldn't have guessed that this place was a hole in the wall Ramen spot. Even more, I wouldn't have guessed this this spot because all the lettering was in Japanese (i think). Not sure if I would come here during the day, traffic could be a you know what and the lot for parking is pretty small.
The Kotteri Shoyu Ramen was really good! The broth is what sold it for me, one of the best Ramen I've had. If coming from LA going south more, I would visit this place for some late night eats. The prices are pretty inexpensive and the Ramen is, well, good!
Most definitely coming back for this stuff. Hopefully it ain't busy because it's such a small place. -
Review from Raniel S.
Carson, CA
3/25/2012
Hole in the wall. Reasonable dinner special. And really really flavorful ramen here's why:
The ramen is freshly made and springy.
The broth for the asa ramen is perfectly seasoned
and my favorite part is the cut of beef that they serve is full of flavor its smoky taste tells you they spent time in rendering the beef until ready to serve.
I also had the fried oysters which I was dying to try because ive never had fried clamlike food. It was alright...
Overall great experience and I would definitely come back! -
Review from Tony L.
This is one of those hole in the wall place you probably will never find if you didn't know where it was. Since they LITERALLY have no sign at the door unless you're looking very carefully. It's located next door to the bar with a random door entrance and a blank chalk board at the door. Look for the green chalkboard with black hand writing for the ASA sign. This place is usually pretty packed during peak hours but we came on an off night surprisingly on a Friday night so got seated immediately to an almost empty restaurant. But i guess we were the early crowd since this place does open from 6pm to 2am!
The menu pretty much has 2 items, Ramen and Yakitori. The Kotteri ramen and the lighter Assari Ramen. Sadly they no longer give you that yummy hard boil egg with the soft yoke as a complimentary topping?!?! So we had to order them for $0.50 for half or $1 for a whole egg. :( The soup base is definitely tasty full of miso flavor! But if you want a lighter (less salty) definitely go with the assari ramen. Or if you want something without miso see if they have the Salty ramen as a daily special on the white board in the back.
Overall it's definitely one of the top 5 ramen places in LA. So if you're in the area or feeling up for a drive definitely check this place out! -
Review from Jennifer L.
Torrance, CA
5/3/2012
Came here with my friends with no one but the chefs and waitress. Great atmosphere and great food which left the three of us happy. Ordered Kotteri (as always) and made to perfection and forgot to mention that the edamame we had was very addictive. One of the best ramen places in the South Bay.
-
Review from Ellis S.
Torrance, CA
3/6/2012 5 Check-ins Here
Would give 4 stars for food and being open really late, but I gotta drop the score all the way down for the minimum charge on the credit card.
20 dollar minimum for a place that serves 6 dollar ramen is kinda ridiculous. The last time I was here, I was 2 dollars under the minimum, and asked if they could just let it slide. With tip, it would have definitely been over 20 and it's, it's just a couple bucks difference what's the big deal?
Instead, they insisted that I needed to meet the 20 minimum. What they would have done if I refused to order more I'm not exactly sure. Instead of letting it slide and keeping a loyal customer, they had to be stingy about getting their 2 bucks and made a patron leave with a bitter taste in his mouth.
Will only come back if I'm truly craving ramen at 1am, and have ample cash on hand. -
Review from Elaine K.
Updated - 2/24/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I've come to appreciate this place a lot more.
Just came back last night and had their Kotteri ramen ($6.95) and gyoza ($4.50).
Both were pretty good.
I was sad that they aren't serving Takoyaki though. Yes, they're still out. It's been almost..a month now?
Anyway!
Credit card minimum charge is $20!
Major cross streets are 182nd & Western.
Hope this helps!1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/17/2011
Walk in, get greeted and seated.
Doesn't take too long; party of 2, I went in around 6:30pm
Come in a… Read more »
-
-
Review from Michelle R.
Bell, CA
3/13/2012 2 Check-ins Here
My ramen ranking:
Santouka
Daikokuya
Mottanai
Asa
Hakata -
Review from Edgar P.
Gardena, CA
3/12/2012
Never a die-hard fan of Ramen until I found this place, it made me a fan of Ramen and constantly crave Asa. Their Kotteri Ramen is the best choice, the broth is just right not too salty and flavorful. Gotta try the Gyoza/pork dumplings (Pan fried, it's better) and the sauce it comes with is great for it, too bad it's only five pieces per order.
Their menu is simple and not complicated at all.
Yeah, the $20 minimum card charge is a bummer, but you can reach that limit with a few Sapporo's or any of their other Japanese beers they offer.
If you feel like Karaoke or a few more beers, just walk right next door and you're in the right place, there is a karaoke/hostess bar if that's to your liking. -
Review from Hovik N.
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been fighting a cold/flu and ramen have been my secret weapon for a week. This would be my third bowl in less then a 5 days. I wanted to try a new place since I had already been to my regular spots multiple times already.
Asa ramen has a very tasty and interesting broth. Its semi sweet and with the addition of chili powder is very good. The chashu was little bit to salty for my taste but not bad.
I was satisfied but not blown away by the ramen. I will be back to try the other types of ramen offerings.Listed in: Ramenlicious
-
Review from Megan I.
Torrance, CA
4/12/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I have plenty of friends that rave about Asa ramen, but maybe I just haven't found my "it" factor? Everything about this restaurant was average and it got a little awkward when there were plenty of peoria waiting to be seated and no servers attending my table when we were clearly finished and ready to bounce. I still prefer Yamada-ya or Hakata, but take your pick because it's definitely not bad.
-
Review from Cathy S.
It has been a long wait to try this place since they do not open until 6 pm!
The anticipation was the longest drum roll I have ever experienced for a restaurant...
So... Ryan just loves this place and overlooks the thin white noodles, I did not know that until after I arrived and texted him... Am I that forgiving?
I miss the "irashaimase" being yelled at me... The decor is nice, warm with wood. Nice warm dark woods used for the tables and chairs.
We were the first people to walk in at 6 pm and was seated immediately. Menus were given and we waited approximately 10 minutes for her to come back and check on us.
Started with the Karaage geso - fried calamari. Very good and the mayonnaise was tasty.
ok... so I ordered the LARGE Kotteri shoyu ramen http://www.yelp.com/bi.... Yes, swimming in the lovely, delicious broth were the thin white noodles... I can normally overlook this, but the noodles were over cooked. Interesting since we were the first customers of the night. The broth was exquisite with the shoyu flavor coming through and the kotteri adding the umph. Chashu was thin and very flavorful, the three small slices I received in my LARGE bowl, Menma (bamboo), hmm... very tough and chewy... A little too tough for me.
Mom had the special which was the shio (salt) ramen http://www.yelp.com/bi.... She loved it! Ate every bit of it and drank the broth! She even mentioned it several times after she was done! And was quiet during the meal, must have been good!
Hubby had the Assari Shoyu ramen. Hmmm... he showed me the noodles that were clumped together. Made a comment that this was a first, especially from a Ramenya!
Didn't think too much about the broth either.
My Kotteri shoyu ramen - 4 Stars - the broth was awesome and quite unique
Shio ramen - 4 Stars
Assari Shoyu ramen - 2 Stars, big meh! Really? the noodles were stuck together!
Service - 2 Stars, meh
Ambiance - 2 Stars
I do not think I will make the drive again to specifically eat here, but if I happen to be in the area, I may stop by, maybe to try the takoyaki.Listed in: Comfort food, Nihon shoku aka Japanese food, Ramen baby!
-
Review from Corina L.
Irvine, CA
1/6/2012
Pros
+ taste wise, the whole ramen package is just average. i've had much better...
Cons
- the pork based broth is VERY salty (and I can handle pretty salty foods)
- portions are incredibly small! you get: 2 pieces of chashu, a few pieces of bamboo, a serving of hakata style ramen noodles, green onions, broth
- the "large" size is just another serving of noodles. definitely NOT worth the extra $2.50!
I ended up going to Azuma afterwards and ordered another meal while my friends got a massage... The ramen left us feeling hungry. What the heck! -
Review from Elise F.
Los Angeles, CA
2/18/2012
I really like the ramen here, but the portions are considerably smaller than other ramen places nearby (Hakata, for instance). That said, I've now been to Asa 4 times over the last 6 months and they have been closed every single time! For the record, Yelp says they close at 2am, when they really close at 1am. 1am is last call and when they stop serving food. Also, they are closed on Sunday. Tonight, they were also closed because "they were having a problem". That is exactly what the employee told me. I think this is pretty ridiculous because Asa is a good 30 minutes away from my house and I don't appreciate making the drive for nothing. I would call this place just to make sure they are open before I go here again.
Pros:
Flavorful ramen
Large parking lot
Cons:
Not a lot of flavors (only 2-3)
Expensive for the small portion that you get
NEVER OPEN! -
Review from Margaret C.
Long Beach, CA
12/22/2011
Asa Ramen had pretty good ramen.
For an appetizer we had the gyoza which were actually really good and huge and for my main dish I had the assari, which came with pork and salted egg and it only cost about $8. If only their service was better. Sadly, my sister, niece, and I waited a bit for our menus, to order, and for the check. For the amount of people in the restaurant, it shouldn't of taken that long. Asa Ramen is a really small place, so I wouldn't suggest bringing a huge group with you.Listed in: Asian Persuasion ^_^
-
Review from JK K.
Los Angeles, CA
3/9/2012
One of my favorite ramen places in the South Bay...scratch that...one of my favorite ramen places period! Also, a big PLUS for being open late.
-
Review from Andrea H.
Santa Clara, CA
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
I don't understand the 3-4 Yelp stars. I am talking strictly about their ramen. The verdict: stay away! If you want superb ramen, go to Yamadaya or Daikokuya.
I had the kotteri shoyu. The broth is so so, the only flavor I picked up is shoyu. It should be pork broth based, but I can't really taste any pork flavor in my soup. So disappointed! Not to mention, there were only 3-4 pieces of bamboo shoots and 2 pieces of (mostly fat) chashu (pork) in my ramen. Totally unacceptable! -
Review from Eugi H.
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Finally got to try this place on a cold night and OMG I really wish I had tried this sooner! This is such a gem! Inexpensive and hands DOWN the best broth I've had at ANY ramen place. Can I just get a bowl of the broth? That's really all I need.
Course, if you are one for more sustenance, Their chashu pork and soft boiled eggs are damn good with the soup and noodles as well. And the noodles are nice and 'Q' - yessssss. Service is quick and seating is always in high demand, so come early and don't dwaddle at the table afterwards! Make room for me when I go! -
Review from Steph C.
2/11/2012
Based on my two visits, I would characterize Asa Ramen as solidly hit or miss. My first visit, I was impressed. My second, I left thinking I didn't have to come back.
Asa is only open for dinner, so I came in twice while putting in overtime. The place is a relatively quick stop, small and casual and not too busy. When I went alone, I was in and out. The restaurant was empty and I got quick service at the counter. With a group of four, things were less orderly. Service was slow and spotty.
The ramen is good, though it loses to Yamadaya by a wide margin. The noodles are thin and springy, and the kotteri shoyu is pretty delicious. The broth is rich and flavorful, with a healthy portion of pork fat as well and the umami depths of shoyu. The ramen comes with scallions, bamboo, and a little bit of chashu, and you can add more toppings a la carte. The bamboo is great, but the chashu is kind of lean and average. I like to stick in an egg, which comes split in half with the yolk creamy and bright yellow, nestled in well done whites. Its cold temperature can be disconcerting, but it's on balance a nice addition. The pork back fat is also a good option, decadent but worthwhile if you like your kotteri more on the tonkotsu side. If you dislike heavy broths, there's an assari option, but I wouldn't recommend it. Without the added fat, the shoyu broth tastes salty and saucy, not too far from straight out the Kikkoman bottle. I tried the assari on my second visit, and I regretted it deeply.
Asa is obviously known for its ramen, but if you want some good sides, I can recommend a couple. The gyoza is quite good, with sticky thin skins and a nice, meaty, flavorful pork filling. When our party of four ordered it though, there were a couple issues. One - as they come five to an order, we got two orders, and the second came a good ten minutes after the first. That felt off. Two - one of the orders brought five gyozas that were all stuck together. I don't mind a sticky skin, but if the skin of one gyoza comes loose from the filling to stick to its brother dumping, that's a problem. That becomes one gyoza paid for and not enjoyed in full. Less of a problem, I suppose, if you're not sharing. If you're not into gyoza, I like the takoyaki. It isn't the best I've had or even close, but I so rarely have takoyaki (one of my favorite street foods, and one I enjoyed often in my time in Kyoto) that it's almost always a treat. Asa's is gooey with chewy octopus inside, but it isn't as crispy on the outside as I like. Also, katsuo, check, okonomiyaki sauce, check, mayonnaise, check - but where is the aonori?
Anyway, Asa is worth checking out if you want a good kotteri shoyu, but going off script yields few rewards. If you decide to be healthy, avoid Asa instead of going assari. Better yet, though, go to Yamadaya. It really isn't close.Listed in: Gochisousama!, Noodle Me This, When in Torrance
-
Review from Cici C.
Torrance, CA
11/12/2011 8 Check-ins Here
Despite coming here quite often, I haven't written a review yet!
I love this place. Much better than Shinsengumi IMO. They specialize in two types of broth: assari (shoyu) and kotteri (tonkotsu & shoyu blend). Both are fabulous; the assari comes with curly noodles and the kotteri has the straight soba-style noodles. My favorite is the assari as I tend to like lighter flavors with my ramen. Their shio ramen (which they have as a special) is quite good, too. I've also been a huge fan of their garlic green onion takoyaki, which actually has a strong garlic flavor, yum.
Extra points for being open late as well. Makes late night dinners easier to decide.
I'll keep coming here for as long as they're open. Highly recommended! -
Review from Big M.
Compton, CA
3/18/2012
Good flavor. Wait, make that excellent flavor. Not too many toppings in the ramen, but still good. Small hole-in-the-wall type of place, but thats perfectly fine with me. Service is OK, friendly but they dont understand English too well. Servings are certainly filling, price is good, and they are open late. If you like late-night spots to go to after a night of drinking, this place most certainly fills that gap.
-
Review from Tiffany C.
Long Beach, CA
12/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Been craving ramen a lot lately. I needed a ramen fix. Since I'm fairly new to this whole ramen trend, I took to Yelp to find somewhere different than the places I've already tried.
Drove up and was a bit confused. Sign isn't in English, and no where in front does it actually say "Asa Ramen". Crap, are we in the right place? Only stopped because we knew we were at the right address. Opened the door, and, sigh of relief, we had come to the right place.
It's very small. A definite hole in the wall if you've ever seen one. I didn't know the difference between the two broths, but decided on the kotteri blend since most Yelp reviews raved about that one. Great portion for the price, and the broth was delicious.
I also tried the gyoza, which was good as well.
I'd hit up this place again, but before then, I think I'll do a little more exploring. -
Review from Carissa U.
Long Beach, CA
12/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
3.5 stars... Look for the red sign for the plaza that says ramen and the red and white sign above the place itself. You're at the right place. Thanks Yelp for telling me where this place was. It's super tiny and seats like 22 people. Luckily we didn't have to wait at all. Got in about midnight. Place closes at 2am, but they do like a last call at like 1am.
Okkk... as for the food we both got the kotteri, takoyaki (original), and fried rice. The takoyaki was good, very light and fresh. The fried rice wasn't too special. $5 for this small portion of green onion fried rice. I did like the broth of the soup, but I prefer the noodles to be a little thicker and harder.
Service slowed down tremendously as people came in after us. I had to flag down the waitress a few times to get water. Other than that, I would come back here for late night ramen if I didn't feel like going to LA. -
Review from Raven L.
San Francisco, CA
12/30/2011
4 (:
It's definitely a hole-in-a-wall restaurant! But many tasty restaurants are anyway.
I came here on a cold Saturday night with the bf craving some ramen and takoyaki! Since it was about 12:30 AM (they close at 2), I was surprised the restaurant was still half packed ( counter tables seated and about 3 tables) at this hour, and it smelled unusually like restaurants in Asia. That is not the best complement, because in Asia people are allowed to smoke in restaurants, however I believe the smell travelled from the bar next door. But still, the smell wasn't appetizing, guess that's -1 star ):
There was a limited choice for ramen, but they definitely had an okay list of other dishes. But I was craving ramen so I ordered a kotteri shoyu broth ramen.
If you have ever had a certain Hong Kong brand tonkatsu flavored instant noodle, the soup here tastes just like it! The broth was very flavorful, a bit salty but the flavor was very nostalgic for me, me likey! The noodles weren't too hard or too soft, they were thick (hence name kotteri), which I liked also. Along with 2 pieces of chashu, scallions and some bamboo, I was good to go! Although I thought the bowl was a tad bit small ): I'll order large next time!
*Note: The soup is fatty!!! There is definitely bits of either bone marrow or pork fat in the soup, but to me, it was mighty tasty (:
Here comes the best part: TAKOYAKI!
OMGOMG so many choices! Anyway, went with the original (octopus!!) And BAM! An order of takoyakis smothered with bonito flakes layered on top of mayonnaise and takoyaki sauce...MMM! The best takoyaki I've ever had! The special thing about their takoyaki was that it was perfectly crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. The octopus wasn't the only chewy part, the batter/dough was slightly chewy too! I've had a few takoyakis in my life so far and this one had the most pleasing texture (:
The prices were average, my ramen and takoyaki was about $12. As you can see, I left very satisfied (;
Asa ramen, I'll see you again next time!~ -
Review from Samuel K.
Garden Grove, CA
11/20/2011
I came here for dinner with 2 of my Japanese friends who knows good ramen. They recommended this place over Daikokuya and Santouka. This place is hidden in a plaza. Thanks to YELP's pictures I was able to recognize the RED restaurant sign.
The interior is pretty puny. I don't think they can hold over 15 people inside. Anyways, I ordered the Kotteri ramen with no extras. Fellow Yelpers were right, the serving was pretty petite. But once I slurped the broth, I was a believer! It was rich, thick and very flavorful. The noodles were just right and the tender pieces of pork just melted in my mouth. Since we were going to another restaurant right after this, I didn't order extra noodles, which is only a buck more.
Overall, extremely impressed with the taste, quality and presentation of the ramen. I will definitely be back. -
Review from Johnny L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/8/2012
Forgot to write a review a while back but this is a favorite of mine I don't get the chance to visit much! Tonkotsu here has a nice roasted flavor and not too rich. Kara-age is pretty good as well and a decent portion size. Only problem is that it is open only at night and it is really hard to find in the dark considering they didn't have an English sign at the time I went. Seriously don't worry it's all good find it, eat it, love it.
Listed in: SoCal Ramen Rankings!
-
Review from Mare R.
Carson, CA
9/15/2011
Asa Ramen, I'll be back for more!
Definitely one of my favorite places to go for ramen away from Little Tokyo. The kotteri ramen was amazing. I had cha siu pork with mine. The noodles were perfectly cooked and the broth... oh, the broth was the best part. Very flavorful but not too salty where it would leave your taste buds crying for water.
We also had the original takoyaki. The texture was simply delectable. One bite and it just melts in your mouth. Mmm...
Asa Ramen's definitely a place to try if you're in the South Bay area. Just look for a red banner above a door right next to a Union Bank. :] -
Review from Cecilia K.
Cerritos, CA
8/18/2011
Nom Nom Nom
A pretty darn good bowl of koterri ramen...even better when the broth is served piping hot.
As everyone has mentioned...small little hole in the wall. Easy to miss if you're not looking for it. Look for the red sign in the shopping center with Union Bank.
Simple easy menu with two types of ramen (koterri and asarri). The Koterri is better out of the two in my opinion. They also have takoyaki and other side dishes.
Servers are nice, service is quick and food is good. What else do you need? -
Review from Kheng C.
Anaheim, CA
We came here after watching a soccer game at the Home Depot Center. It's a small but cute little ramen restaurant. We both got the Koterri Ramen and shared the plum takoyaki and the Japanese style pork sausage. The ramen was perfect, I didn't have to add anything to the it. The plum takoyaki was a little salty (I should of expected it already) but still good. You MUST order the takoyaki when you go there! They have about 5 different kinds, I have tried the original and the plum and they're both good. This place is on my best ramen places to eat ^_^
Note: The business sign is not in English. -
Review from Dogz B.
Cerritos, CA
9/2/2011
I was literally looking for the "ASA RAMEN" sign and I could not see it! Did my GPS fail me again?! I picked up my phone, yelped and checked out the photos...... I should have looked for the red sign! It was almost an FML moment. So people of the world when you're trying out this place for the first time, please note that the RED SIGN marks the spot.
The place has a homey feel when you enter. The lady server was nice, greeted me and gave their menu. Ordering their ramen was as simple as 1-2. Yes, One-Two. Either you get their Kotteri Ramen (1) or Asarri Ramen (2). Shio or Shoyu - it's all up to you. I got the Koterri with additional chashu and I enjoyed it. The broth had a well balanced flavor, not too salty and bland. It was really in between and was never overpowering. The chashu on the other hand, is a bit on the salty side but still compliments the broth. The noodles were thin but perfectly firm.
I've tried Santouka, Daikokuya, and Hakata Ramen Shinsengumi. I would rate Asa Ramen above Daikokuya and Hakata Ramen Shinsengumi but below Santouka Ramen. This place is definitely worth a try especially if you're out partying the whole night and you want a piping hot ramen before you go to bed. They're open until 2:00 am on Mondays thru Saturdays. I will come back to try their Asarri ramen and takoyaki.
Food - 4
Service - 4
Atmosphere - 4 -
Review from Terrance Y.
Cerritos, CA
7/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
This interesting little ramen shop is hidden next to Sanuki no Sato. By hidden, I mean it doesn't open until after 6pm. As if playing a RPG, the visitor may easily fool himself thinking this is a deserted, empty building if he enters the plaza in broad daylight. But, as the reddish sun retires beneath Redondo Beach, the visitor will soon discover lights and sounds. The store bursts into life as its late night crowd waiting for their steamy ramen.
This is an introduction to a biased review because I really like ramen. In a county that has Santouka, Shin-Sen-Gumi, Daikokuya, and Chin-Ma-Ya, is there really room for another ramen shop? Sure, why not? The more the merrier, I say. =)
My taste buds really isn't as refined as many of the other Yelpers who have commented with detail analysis of each ramen component. I simply find Asa's shoyu ramen less salty than Daikokuya but just as creamy and juicy. Now I know where to replenish my HP if I am ever hungry in Gardena... and Santouka has shut its door on me.
Asa Ramen also has a fine list of takoyaki. At the end of the day, I find the original octopus flavor the most satisfying because of its chew-able factor. After all, it IS "" (tako) yaki... ha ha... The mochi or cheese or plum all has its own unique flavor but exactly what you expect, a teensy-weensy taste of mochi or cheese or plum when you bite all the way into the steamy gooiness. That's all.
There is almost enough room for about 3 tables full of party of 4s... if even that. Oh and if you don't speak or read Japanese, be warned that the menu may not be descriptive enough for you to figure out what the dishes are. But if you google up words like gyoza, kotteri, and takoyaki ahead of time, you'll do just fine =)Listed in: Ramen
-
Review from Anj C.
West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
4/8/2012
Small hole in the wall place (and they have a Japanese only menu with extra stuff on it!) but they give a solid bowl of ramen. Comes in a variety of different broths and 2 types of noodles.
-
Review from Newton Y.
Los Angeles, CA
8/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Asa Ramen is one of the good ramen houses in the South Bay. Thanks to my friend, Jenn, for introducing me to this always good treat.
This place is always a good choice if you are in the mood for good Japanese fare.
I ordered the regular kotteri ramen with green onions, egg and cha shu sides. I love that the noodles are "al dente". I have to admit that when I make ramen that rookie mistakes of overcooking it makes it not worth eating. Asa Ramen's team of chefs do not make that mistake here. It is simply delicious. The soup is flavorful but on the very savory side. So have plenty of water around or a good beer to quench that thirst.
The menu is simple and written in Japanese and in English. If you cannot decide, just ask the friendly and good wait staff or just pick something and come back to try the other items on your next visit. It is a popular spot for the local Japanese and student population so you know it has value and is very good.
The restaurant is located in a little strip mall off in Gardena and could be hard to find.
The Asa Ramen is located right off the 405 Freeway and Western so it is worth the drive on any time of the week and twice on Sunday.
Okay, I am getting hungry writing this. Anyone for Asa Ramen? Who's in? -
Review from Papilai Y.
Redondo Beach, CA
4/7/2012
The most important thing about ramen noodles is the broth. Asa passed because the broth is up to par with Daikokuya. I used to think that Santouka was good, but not anymore because the broth is way too salty. However, the pork at Daikokuya and Santouka is a tad bit better than Asa's. Would have given it 5-stars if they included egg and gave more pork. I only got 2 slices of pork for the regular. For those with a big appetite, order the large size. Though I still managed to fill my tummy by sipping up most of the soup and munching on a side of cold tofu. Also like mentioned, it's hard to find this restuarant if you don't know where it is because there is no sign that says Asa lol. I liked that it's not packed like other places. Or maybe I didn't go during peak hours? But anyways, would definitely go back.
-
Review from Jimmy X.
Anaheim, CA
Asa Ramen is a case study in peeks and valleys. What Asa does right it does exceedingly well and what it does poorly it does so in a spectacularly thorough fashion.
As has been mentioned countless times before, Ass Ramen can truly only be found by those with the express intent of finding it. Nestled beneath a red band of the same name, Asa's only entrance is a single wooden door that is yawned out and held in place by a tented chalk board adorned with faded text welcoming patrons and stating their hours of operation. In the waning daylight, the portal into the Ramen-Ya is reduced to a gaping black maw with no discernible details taking shape, save the nasally notes of a J Pop diva polluting the air through a haze of am static.
Stepping through the doorway, very little illumination makes itself known, lending a deliciously divey atmosphere to the dining room. Thin bamboo screens separate the kitchen from the seating area, with one or two drawn that give diners a glimpse of the sole cook, lost amid the steam and cast iron of the bustling prep areas. The decor reminded me faintly of Yokohama, little time that I spent there. Netting and rotting wood (or at least what appeared to be rotting wood) cut in strict lines around the main wall of the room and stained yellow latticed bamboo lanterns burn in electric effigy.
The tarnished white coat of a Maneki Neko keeps a steady gaze over the patrons as they eat, a familiar and welcome sign for those seeking comfort in the darkened space.
I ordered a water, gyoza and the Kotteri Shoyu Ramen with a hanjuku tamago (need to ask for it, mind). My gyoza came out quite quickly, not surprising given my impressions that follow.
The gyoza come, five to a plate, on a flower patterned earthenware plate served with shoyu....stuffed to the brim with negi. I imagine it would be asking a great deal of them to be placing the negi perhaps on the side but to be fair the negi actually added flavor to the otherwise bland shoyu sauce. The gyoza however, negi or not, did not fair as well. Obviously flash frozen and then steamed, the dumpling's dough itself was well cooked but the filling, a pleasant mixture of pork and cabbage was still molded to when it had been as solid as ice. Simply put the gyoza at Asa rank with some of the worst I've had the displeasure of consuming.
Strange, as the bowl of ramen I had next ranks up there as one of the best I've had in a long while.
Kotteri Ramen is not nearly as simple a thing as many seem to think it is. It isn't a matter of just dumping crisco into a bowl of ramen and calling it "extra fatty". I have experienced three "Kotteri Ramen" dishes so far in the Southern Californian Ramen scene, one being at Daikokuya, another at Yamadaya and the third at Asa. While Daikokuya's was disappointing and Yamadaya's variant had a charred garlic like taste, Asa Ramen's Kotteri Shoyu is as close to perfect as I've sampled outside of Japan. The fat wasn't clumped together in unappealing pools, instead it was melted just enough to impart it's richness and marry's itself to the marrow in the base perfectly.
The ramen itself was equally as splendid. Being a Shoyu base, not the oft popular and often used with kotteri tonkotsu, the mixture of tastes was both new and comforting. The base, salty with chicken and a slight pinch of shoyu was smooth but layered, hints of saccharine vegetables play through the broth and give both the chashu and tamago a lovely background. The thin Hakata style noodles were expertly cooked and gave just enough to the tooth. Crisp menma and buttery pork completed the bowl, negi free of course.
I ordered another bowl of ramen, their only other option, the Assari Ramen. A basic Shoyu base served with wavy noodles and an extremely pungent slab of nori. Sadly this ramen did absolutely nothing for me, both bland and unassuming, a complete opposite of the Kotteri Shoyu. The change in noodles was most definitely not for the better.
Next up was the famous Asa Ramen Takoyaki, variant of mochi with cheese. I was able to catch a glimpse of the cook preparing the takoyaki, most definitely a master of his trade. Expertly tending the batter into spheres within the takoyakiki, the seared aroma of tako and beni shoga filled the small dining room, the crisp dough giving a nutty presence to the kitchen. Topped with a smattering of Bonito and a thick shoyu sauce, the takoyaki was masterfully presented and prepared. The cheese, a creamy white mass dolloped to the side on the serving platter was indeed fantastic...but also exceedingly overwhelming. Takoyaki itself is a flavor intensive dish and the cheese doubles it, an interesting addition to be sure.
The happy medium of any one situation lies not within the deepest valleys or within the highest peaks. Generally, it lies somewhere within the middle. Asa proves to be closer to the valleys, geographically speaking, but proves itself a worthwhile destination nonetheless.
Generally. -
Review from kevin n.
Los Angeles, CA
10/1/2011
This place has two basic types of broth, pork and fish.
I've only tried the pork broth, which is pretty good, but it's very simple. They don't add anything extra except for a few pieces of chashu (pork) and bamboo, unless you add extra, which is an extra charge.
Their basic portion is REALLY tiny and their large portion is REALLY big. If you're coming here with 2 people or more (if you come here by yourself, you're a loser bro), you might as well just order the large portion which is only like $2 more and split it, unless you're really hungry and bench over 250lb, then you can probably finish it by yourself :).
And the best thing about this place -- they're open until 2am everyday except sunday, and there's usually no line after 11pm unless you come here on a fri/sat night.
