A Legendary Slurp - Gone But Never Forgotten It is a true tragedy 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! ! read more

I'm heartbroken to find out that my favorite ramen spot has closed down. I wish I had known so I could have gone back one last time. The Black Devil and God Fire were my favorites. Both had such a rich, deep flavor. I haven't had a broth as good. The chicken karaage was also slept on. It came with just salt and mayo, and it was simple, juicy, and crispy. One day, I'll go to the Torrance location and try Hakata again. Until then... read more

Ikkousha is one of the better hakata style tonkotsu chains in the US. So sad this location closed. If anyone is wondering why, it's because the landlord would not renew their lease. To survive, they did patio dining during the pandemic shutdown against the landlord's wishes. read more

I was completely unaware 10/26/25 was the last day this location was open so I feel very blind sighted 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. read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Black Devil Ramen - Spicy Level 1 (Top) & Spicy Level 2 (Bottom) - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Delicious!!! 10/10 recommend. Came here the other day and wow -- this place is so good! The ramen hit the spot perfectly. Portions were just right -- not too much, not too little. We got seated super quick, but of course I'm sure wait time is crazy during dinner rush , and you already know the food's gonna slap when the place looks a little old-school inside. That's always a good sign. I also love how you can either fill out an order sheet or just tell the waiter what you want -- super chill and easy. Overall, Hakata Ikkousha Ramen was amazing! Great food, fast service, and cozy vibes. Definitely coming back soon! read more

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I've had ramen at this location multiple times over the past few years, and always considered it a must-visit whenever I flew back. It was fairly empty when we strolled in on a Thursday evening at 8PM ish so we were seated immediately. It's $17 for the Black Tonkatsu ($14.50 base price) + standard plus (adds chashu and flavored egg). I was hoping that this bowl of noodles would hit the spot, but it didn't quite hit the same as I remembered. The broth wasn't as rich as before - Heavy, but in terms of flavor, not very rich. I always get my noodles very hard and still enjoyed it this time around, so that hasn't changed. Egg was alright, not as jammy as I'd like. Chashu however was super tender and melted right in my mouth. Will I return again? Probably. It's still a really satisfying bowl of ramen, but I'll opt for a different broth next time. read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - my order - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Came on a Saturday night and was seated right away. You fill out a piece of paper to order and customize everything to your liking. I ordered the black garlic tonkotsu with the additional toppings and it was alot of food. Definitely could've shared. Broth wasn't amazing to me but did its job. read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Black Tonkotsu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Went around 8 PM with a party of 6. One important note: they won't seat your party until everyone is there, so my girlfriend and I waited around 5-10 minutes for the rest of the group to arrive. Once we were seated, the process was smooth -- they have a paper ordering system where you can customize your ramen down to broth type, noodle firmness, and add-ons. I really like that level of personalization. I got the God Fire broth (spice level 1) with regular taste, normal noodle firmness, green onions, and all the standard toppings. We also shared gyoza and regular chicken karaage for the table. The ramen overall was solid. I loved the ratio of veggies to meat -- as someone who likes a 50/50 or even 60/40 split, this bowl made me happy. But if you're someone who prefers a protein-heavy ramen, I'd suggest ordering extra chashu because there wasn't a ton by default. The broth itself definitely had a kick, even at spice level 1, but it didn't carry much of a tonkotsu flavor. Since I chose God Fire instead of the regular pork broth, I think next time I'll go with the classic to get more of that deep, creamy tonkotsu richness. The noodles were cooked perfectly. Veggies-wise, it's mostly just cabbage and bean sprouts -- not a huge variety, but I didn't mind. The karaage was one of the stars of the night. Super crispy, flavorful, and good even without sauce -- but warning: it stays burning hot for a while after coming out, so give it time before diving in. This place was a solid ramen experience, and I would definitely go back, especially to test out some other broth combinations and appetizers. read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I was craving some ramen so I stopped by here on my way home. The moment I entered the doors of the restaurant, I felt like I was transported to a restaurant in Japan. It's a different way of ordering as you sit down and pick on a piece of paper of what you would like. I picked the black tonkotsu ramen. The noodles were just the way I personally like them, and broth not salty at all. It was overall a nice meal on a cool afternoon. Service was also great! read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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3.7 stars. Small shop in a strip mall. We came later on a weeknight and all the tables were filled. Just got a regular tonkotsu ramen with thin noodles and normal texture. It was a solid bowl of ramen but not completely satisfying. Felt like a quick ramen meal rather than a specialty ramen that I intentionally came out to eat and the latter is what I expect. The broth was fatty but lacked some depth. The noodles and chashu were the right texture though. read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Tonkotsu Regular Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Closed? But why? This was my favorite ramen spot... black devil with extra egg and a pitcher of Sapporo

Wow I felt like I was back in Tokyo eating here! I ordered the Spicy Miso Tonkotsu Ramen. I loved how customizable ordering was. You can specify the additional toppings, spiciness level, noodle thickness, etc., so you can create the perfect bowl of ramen to your liking. The spicy miso tonkotsu broth was rich, flavorful, spicy, and garlicky. I personally like ramen noodles a bit thicker, so being able to specify was great. The chashu pork was tender. The other toppings included were an egg, bamboo shoots, corn, and green onions. Overall, this was a perfect bowl of spicy miso tonkotsu ramen! I'm going to visit again when I'm in OC and try the other Tonkotsu Ramens and appetizers like the karaage. I can definitely see why it's an award winning tonkotsu ramen! read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Spicy Miso Tonkotsu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Not sure why this restaurant doesn't have a higher rating. I thoroughly enjoyed my ramen and crispy gyoza. The restaurant was packed during Sunday lunchtime. It has a snug interior with barely enough elbow room or pathways to walk around. The air is a bit stuffy and the volume of other customers talking or eating feels like I am eating with everyone at the table. The restaurant is dimly lit too. The service was prompt, polite, and efficient. I have zero complaints. Would love to visit again in the future when I am in the area. read more

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Hakata Ikkousha Ramen is a great local ramen chain in Costa Mesa. This little spot sits next to South Coast Plaza in a small but popular plaza. Do be warned that the parking situation in this plaza is sometimes pretty bad. The servers are all pretty nice but nothing spectacular. They definitely are trying to get people in and out as quickly as possible. The food itself is pretty good, as the ramen is very customizable. I really like the flavor of the broth, as it is never too heavy while still being flavorful. Their lunch combos with fried rice is one of my favorite things to get. Overall, Hakata Ikkousha Ramen is a great ramen spot to check out! read more

Overall, was pleased with this place! I've been on the hunt for authentic ramen since coming back from japan and this wasn't too far off! I really enjoyed the gyoza and the texture of the noodles. Overall happy with my meal but still on the hunt for a ramen that reminds me of japan. read more

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Perfect ramen with excellent service. Walked into Spitz playing with a diverse customer base and we knew we were in good hands. I tried the basic tonkotsu ramen with everything set to normal with the extra egg/chashu and it was delicious. The egg was slightly overcooked, but that didn't stop me at all from enjoying the rich ramen broth. Friendly fast service. Thank you! read more

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At 5:30 in the evening, there weren't many customers yet, so the service was extremely fast-all the dishes were served in less than five minutes. The large Karaage Curry was crispy, and unlike at other places, the fried chicken was served with curry rice. I liked this even more than ramen. The Miso Ramen came with bamboo shoots and seaweed. The sliced pork was just okay. I chose the normal noodle firmness, and they were pleasantly chewy with a slight softness. The miso pork bone broth was rich in flavor, but a little too salty. My right big toe joint was in pain overnight - my gout had flared up again. Sigh, although this kind of rich, high-purine broth was delicious, I should have had just a few sips instead of finishing the whole bowl. The seaweed salad was so-so. The two of us ordered one side dish, one bowl of rice, and two bowls of noodles. With a 15% tip and tax included, the total was $59.54, or $29.77 per person, which was quite affordable. 傍晚五點半客人還不多，服務超迅速，所有餐點不到五分鐘就上桌了。 大碗炸雞咖哩飯酥脆好吃，和別家不同的是，炸雞是配咖哩飯吃的。我喜歡這更甚於拉麵。 含蔥/筍乾/海苔的味增拉麵。肉片口感一般。麵條硬度選正常，軟中帶彈，不錯。味增豬骨湯味道濃郁，但有點過鹹。 隔夜右大腳趾關節痛，痛風又犯了。唉，這種高嘌呤濃湯雖味美，但以後還是嚐一兩口就好，別整晚喝光了。 前菜涼拌芝麻海藻一般。 兩人點一份小菜，一碗飯，兩碗麵，15%小費含稅$59.54，平均每人$29.77，算便宜。 read more

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The best ramen in OC and the USA!! Too bad we came on their last day today, it seems the landlord didn't want to extend their lease... really strange, maybe they're going to do this to the whole shopping area and build something new? The music is super Japanese and awesome, the staff is really nice, and the food is just stunningly authentic & amazing quality!! read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Black Tonkotsu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Delicious ramen. You constantly can hear the waiters speak in Japanese. We also see some Japanese customers. Meaning this ramen place is authentic. Too bad that today 10/26/2025 is their last day in this location. read more

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One of my favorite ramen shops in OC! The shop is small and tucked into a little shopping plaza in Costa Mesa. Parking can be tricky when it's busy, but the times I've gone with my BF, we haven't had any issues. The vibe inside is cozy and no-frills, with that delicious ramen aroma greeting you as soon as you walk in. You fill out your order on a sheet at the table, and there are photos of the menu to help you decide. Once your order's in, service is fast--your ramen comes out piping hot in no time. My go-to is the Black Devil--a bold mix of the God Fire and Black Tonkotsu broths. I usually get level 2 spicy, which hits the perfect balance of heat and flavor without overwhelming the rich broth. It's honestly one of the only ramen bowls where I slurp up every last drop. That deep garlic flavor from the black oil, the spice, the creamy tonkotsu base--chef's kiss. The noodles have the perfect bite, and the chashu is always tender and packed with flavor. Sometimes my boyfriend and I order the gyoza too--crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and a perfect appetizer to kick things off. If you're into intense, flavorful ramen with a kick, this place is a must. Definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the area--especially if you're a spicy ramen lover like me! read more

I love it here!! It's my second time swinging by after being at the beach. The tonkotsu ramen with the pork belly & egg is so good. It's just honestly packed with the best flavor and I love the texture of the noodles. I also really love chicken karaage and it honestly is a hit or miss at some places. Their chicken karaage is SO good, I ordered a large this time so I could have some to take home. It has the perfect amount of crisp. Staff has also been kind the two times we've come here to eat. There's plenty of parking & we've been fortunate enough to not have to wait to be seated the two times we have come. It's nice as well that they close kind of late so you can get in your ramen craving. :) read more

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Really good Ramen spot when you're in the area. The broth was extremely flavorful, and the noodles were cooked perfectly. The only thing I will say is that the egg seem to be a little overcooked, but this isn't that big of a deal. There's only a few people inside so I got seated very quick and The workers were all very friendly and willing to help. Overall, I will take him to this spot when you're in the area. You won't be disappointed read more

The service was great I came in and the was greeted and seated by the server and she was reasonable with me when I wanted to change up my order to the standard Plus Topping. I ordered the God Fire Lv2 spice and it was ok the only downside is that it was not steaming broth but warm. I just looked the someone else with a red bowl with steam coming out, probably it depends on which Ramen you order. The location is great and the interior looks unique carrying it's own unique style. I will come back and try it again for the meantime this is my take of the location. read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - God Fire Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Noticed this restaurant has black ramen plus the review, I immediately decided to dine in. We were greeted with Japanese music which adds authenticity in resto's vibe We were given each of us the order paper to fill out. What unique thing about this place, we can customize the noodles' textures on the ramen. Food came in very quick time, which is another plus. Black Devil is already spicy but I was adding level 2 spicy which is not recommended for anyone who cannot handle hot. My husband chose Chasu Bowl which you need to mix up before eating it due to the sauce that stuck on the base. Karaage came the last because took time for it to be deep fried, so when it served, it was really hot (temperature). Staffs are very attentive and helpful when it comes to explaining the menu. Last but important price is quite affordable! Would definitely become one of the Ramen resto in Costa Mesa. read more

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Absolutely disgusting, we were halfway through the meal sitting at the booths when my friend sitting across from me pointed out there was a bug behind me. Turns out it was a BABY cockroach, which then crawled across the whole wall. We were so uncomfortable and informed the waitress that there was a cockroach, to when she promptly did nothing. ANOTHER cockroach then crawled onto the booth itself, which made me extremely nauseous. When we went to the waitress, she acted like we were lying when we SHOWED HER PICTURES. She then got offended when we asked for a discount (should've been a meal comp), and scoffed at us when we tried to ask for her and her managers name. Rude, nasty, and obviously no care that there's roached crawling everywhere. When there's baby cockroaches, that definitely means that there's an infestation, so you can bet that it's most likely in the kitchen. Most likely going to get sick after this. Management clearly doesn't care. Don't come here. Photos are blurry because obviously we didn't want to get near the cockroach infested booths. read more

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The presentation and quality of the food were amazing. If I had to mention one downside, it would be the two-person table setup -- it felt a bit too cluttered. As a right-handed person, my side was especially cramped- the same could be said for anyone sitting in front of me -their left would be cramped. Considering this is the only location in the entire United States, expanding the seating area could really enhance the dining experience and benefit the business. I'd also recommend establishing a dining time limit to help manage seating flow. read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Cluttered table. Limited space - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We came here on a Saturday afternoon and we came with a rather large group. We were accommodated right away. And we place the order via the little paper handout that they give you. We opted for the hakata God Fire, spice level 1, the miso tonkatsu, a large spicy Karage, and a small regular Karage. The food came out pretty quickly. Our karage came out first, and not long after all the ramen came out as well. The Karage is delicious, the regular one is not spicy, cooked well, and came with 2 different dipping sauces, mayo and chili flakes. The spicy Karage was also cooked well but it was already coated in a sweet and spicy sauce, it's more sweet than spicy, I think. Both are delicious, it comes down to preferences. The God Fire ramen came with the thinner noodle and at level 1, you can already smell the spicy and anticipate the spice as you lift up those noodles into your mouth. The miso tonkatsu ramen came with what looked like egg noodles. The broth is rich and felt it got more and more saltier as I made my way to the bottom of the bowl. The noodles were cooked nicely, it was bouncy and does pair well with the broth. The meat cut was thin and a bit harder than I would like, but overall it was a good bowl. The place can get crowded, but people generally leave after they eat, so there's always room, our server was friendly and our group had a good time here, enjoying good food. read more

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One of the best places for Hakata Ramen, I'm sad to see it close in Costa Mesa, the only remaining spot will be in Torrance which unfortunately is too far from my location to enjoy often. The manager and staff at the location will be missed. 素晴らしい食事をありがとうございました read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Large Karaage - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Hakata Ikkousha was a pleasant surprise. While my friend had been a long-time enjoyer, this was my first time. We sat down and shared gyoza and the karaage appetizer. The gyoza was okay, one of those "make at home from frozen" type of feelings. The karaage though, had a nice crunchy outside and a very soft interior, flaming hot of course (not spicy), so exercise caution on that first bite! For ramen, I'm a traditional Tonkotsu Ramen kind of guy... but with so many pictures and reviews featuring the God Fire or Black Tonkotsu Ramen, I knew i had to try the best of both worlds, so I tried the Black Devil Ramen medium spicy with premium toppings. Now, this was a surprise because the garlic broth of the Black Tonkotsu was difficult to hate on. The God Fire half was met with hesitation; I like my broth, and spicy is not something I enjoy... but the medium level was appropriate and tasty. Between every bite, I also indulged in cup after cup of water, and the staff were quick on refills and in checking in. The Black Devil was in fact that good, though heavy in seasoning. There was a good amount of each ingredient, and it was difficult not leaving full after just their regular portion of ramen! Chashu - premium is good enough portions. Egg? Perfect, though less runny / soft boiled than expected. Wood ear mushroom and green onions? Yes, I'll be enjoying that crunch crunch! Generally, I do finish the broth, but with the Black Devil this heavily seasoned, I left it as is. At the end, we also tried the Japanese pudding, though it was not a texture I enjoyed. A lightly sweetened flan, but who can blame 'em... If I had another stomach, I'm sure this would have been a tad more enjoyable. But my friend really enjoyed it! read more

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Thoroughly enjoyed my dinner here! Loved how efficient the service was and how easy it was to customize the ramen, down to even the amount of flavoring the broth! We had some gyoza to start and they were also good. Was able to get in a quick dinner & enjoyed the food here! read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Mentai Tonkotsu Tonkotsu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I was craving for some ramen and decided to stop by on a Saturday night. The place was packed but was seated immediately. It was not too loud inside and was busy. For ramen, I got the Mentai Tonkotsu ramen. It was not spicy at all and could have added more spice if needed. There were a lot of toppings and ramen that would fill you up! I enjoyed the broth, but I wish it was a bit warmer as the toppings may have cooled it down. Overall, good ramen to go to! read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Mentai tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Immediately had trouble ordering since the sheet they give you to write down your order is missing things from their other 3 menus. Ended up getting a large karaage curry bowl and fried squid. Large karaage curry had exactly 6 pieces of karaage and the curry was watery. $15. Fried squid had exactly 4 pieces. $7. Extremely underwhelmed for a $20+ meal. Service was unremarkable. My recommendation, there is a Mitsuwa Marketplace across the street with a food court that serves the same options. I've had much better experiences there than here. read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Fried squid - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Yum!!!!! When they closed down the Hakata in Lake Forest I was so sad! We used to go there a lot. This is my first time trying the Costa Mesa location and I was not disappointed. I tried the new Tokyo tonkotsu ramen. It tasted just like the ramen in Japan. This place is giving Tsujita a run for their ramen! I tried so many ramen houses in the States, but Tsujita and Hakata are still my favorite. The servers were all really nice and attentive. The restaurant looked like a ramen house in Japan. HAPPY RAMENING!! read more

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We were looking for a spot that was open late after our flight landed, and this place hit the spot perfectly. The ramen is very authentic--everything from the ordering process to the flavors brought us right back to Japan. Super customizable menu, which we loved, but fair warning: the spice levels are no joke, so choose carefully if you're heat-sensitive. I will say my only critique was although I requested "Normal" noodles, they were quite Al dente. Considering I was debating Hard noodles, I'm glad i chose normal. Coming from Texas, the prices felt a bit steep, but the quality and service made it well worth it. Friendly, attentive staff and delicious food--definitely recommend if you're craving legit ramen, even late at night. read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We've eaten at the Costa Mesa location two times thus far. Each time, our ramen were delicious and our kids enjoyed their ramen (extra broth + extra noodle combo). The first time we went, the extra broth was complimentary, but the second time we went, they charged $7 for it. Overall, it was nice to have this option for little ones that just want something simple. Onto the ramen! We usually do the Black Devil and Godfire since we love our spicy stuff. Both are flavorful and rich, with the Black Devil having a bit of an earthier taste. The ramen noodles have a great texture, that nice bite feel to it ("ho sohng" in Canto), and the broth seems to cling to it well to give just the right amount of savory goodness. We always end up ordering an extra helping of ramen (fairly priced) just to enjoy every drop of broth. Service is always excellent and the restaurant itself is cute and cozy, although they admittedly have some blown out speakers for music. Overall, we will probably be back and visit another location in the future. read more

This was my first time trying this place and I liked it! I got the tonkotsu ramen that was good and very filling. Service was quick and easy since it wasn't too busy. I would come back since it seems like a dependable spot. read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Tonkotsu Regular Ramen and God Fire Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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If you love spicy, authentic ramen, this is a must-try! It's become a go-to spot for our group, thanks to a foodie friend who introduced us and it did not disappoint. The broth is rich, the spice hits just right, and the flavors are bold and satisfying. Don't worry if you're not into spicy food they also offer delicious non-spicy options, so there's something for everyone! read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The chicken karaage was CRISPY, JUICY, and TASTY! The tonkatsu ramen was flavorful and the noodles were my favorite part as they were thin and al dente. The restaurant was pretty busy so we sometimes had to wait for the staff to come around or go up to ask for things. It seemed like they were short-staffed due to the large number of tables they were tending to. Despite it being busy, we got our food within 15 minutes of ordering. Overall, the general experience was good, and we were able to use the yelp check-in to get a free topping on our ramen! read more

Hakata Ikkousha Ramen - chicken karaage over a bowl of tonkatsu ramen - Ramen Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The place is small but table turnover and service is quick. Food was good, would visit again read more

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In a center with a lot of other restaurants & shops like Anjin & 7 leaves. Tons of parking. Lunch specials on weekdays. Noodles was very yummy...loved the thinness and texture. I asked for "not too salty" just in case as most ramen shops tend to be a bit too salty for me. Katsu curry was filling and good. Restaurant filled up quickly after we arrived at opening time. Typical noise level for ramen shop. The server was an older gentleman. Very good experience. read more

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