What’s Hakata Ramen?
Another regional style of ramen you say? From the opposite end of Japan? Well sign me up for a bowl. Literally, it seems like half of LA waiting was outside of Shin-Sen-Gumi. The other half was waiting for Daikokuya, a place I’ve eaten many times. This place, however, was new for me. It opened in Little Tokyo after I moved away. And when did Little Tokyo get so hipster busy?
Inside, it was an open layout. Communal table on one side and and open kitchen on the other. There’s also normal tables all around including kitchen seating. The staff shouts out welcomes and orders as you sit there wondering if there’s something you’re missing. I couldn’t worry about that, I had to figure out the ordering system. There are various steps from ordering the size, to the firmness of the noodle (awesome!), amount of oil, and even the strength of the soup. This was all before your “toppings” (see below), which they have plenty of. And the food comes out at a good pace, 10-15 minutes for our bowls.
To the untrained eye, myself included. It looked like any other bowl of ramen. “Okay, tonkatsu broth. I had that before.” But if you pay attention, you’ll see that the noodles are much thinner, there’s a generous amount of green onions, and the broth was pretty light. The last part though, may have been my doing since I lightened up the oil and the strength of my bowl. Regardless, it was a solid bowl of ramen. And their recipe for success works. Yeah, there’s so many variations you can do here starting with the soup itself, combine that with their wide range of toppings, and you got yourself experimenting for months. That was, if you could deal with the wait. I was staying in Little Tokyo on this trip and hadn’t seen this place without people waiting outside. Yeah, even before it opened up for lunch.
Hakata Ramen Shin-Sen-Gumi
132 S Central Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
+1 (213) 687-7108
www.shinsengumigroup.com
Verdict: Yes, I’ll be back. And this was even after my lackluster choice of toppings. Going to try what my friends put together.
Sometimes you forget to look up. I didn’t, but unfortunately I saw this menu after I ate. Then again, it was my first time here. Should try out their baseline ramen before getting adventurous. Next time!
Here’s my bowl of ramen, complete with three add-ons – crispy pig ear ($1.50USD), miso flavored butter ($1.50USD), and poached egg ($1.50USD). Not the most ideal combination. My friend’s seemed better and one highly recommended the green chilli butter bomb. It’s not to say my bowl wasn’t good. On the contrary. It was good. Noodles were thin and firm to my order and the broth, it wasn’t too heavy, even with the butter. The disappointment were the pig ears and egg. First, the ears aren’t as crispy as the description notes. More on the chewy side. Should have gone with bacon. Second, the poached egg, not the best addition if you wanted texture. Only good thing was the yolk that made your spoonfuls a heart clogging delight. Come to think of it, bacon and egg yolk with this buttery broth. Oh what have I missed out on?? Still, the staple charshu and green onions hit the spot. $6.95USD
We sat at the bar and had front row seats on how things were done. Pretty direct service when you sit up here. The kitchen staff takes your order and brings everything directly to you here. I wouldn’t mind opting for this all the time when I sitting around looking pathetically hungry. “Can I get the next bowl? Please?”
Here’s something a little different. This place serves the additional toppings separate, not in the bowl. It’s actually a really good idea when you’re with friends who share. Mine didn’t quite. As soon as the ramen bowls came out, everyone was dumping stuff into their bowls. I’m guilty of this. We only managed to share a few things, like the garlic chips and crispy pig ears.
Don’t judge me! I was very hungry and most of all, I didn’t know you can get extra ramen noodles for just a dollar more. If I knew ahead of time I wouldn’t have ordered this. I didn’t even finish it. Wasn’t too great. The beef wasn’t too well seasoned or maybe there wasn’t enough sauce. It just didn’t deliver for an appetizer or even as a compliment to my soup. But you have to remember, this place specialized in ramen, not rice bowls. $3.50USD