Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai

Now boasting over 50 ramen shops in Japan and eight U.S. locations – four in Orange County – Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai offers nine different types of the classic Japanese noodle soup, including three miso variations, two shio (salt broth) variations, two chashu pork ramens, a spicy tan tan, and tsukemen (dipping ramen). Fried karaage chicken, gyoza, and steamed buns are also available.

The chain’s soft and unusually wide ramen noodles ensure that you’ll have a great texture experience regardless of the broth flavor you select. We ordered their super tender fried chicken and three ramens (chashu, green chili shio, and miso), which were all tasty, with miso standing out as the best – atypical of our experiences at other ramen shops, where fatty tonkotsu pork broth tends to lead the pack.

Kitakata’s first Orange County location opened in Costa Mesa in 2014, and was followed by Buena Park, Irvine, and Fountain Valley shops. Thanks to loyal customers (and relatively small dining rooms), the Costa Mesa and Irvine restaurants continue to have fairly long waits during evening hours, and sometimes during lunches.