Wandering Chopsticks: Vietnamese Food, Recipes, and More: Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Gardena

The first time I tried Shin-Sen-Gumi's Hakata-style ramen was at the Fountain Valley location when it first opened about a decade ago. I thought it was fine, but nothing revelatory. I also tried ramen at this location and at Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Rosemead. Again, all good, but nothing special.

That didn't happen until I tried Daikokuya Original Noodle & Rice-Bowl - Los Angeles (Little Tokyo).

Somewhere along the way, I must have rejiggered my tastebuds. That, or I learned the nuances of porky tonkotsu-style broth.

So when cousin Q's college friend was in town and he didn't want to drive down to Gardena alone, I tagged along.

The difference with Shin-Sen-Gumi versus the other locations is that you can choose soft, medium, or hard noodles and light, medium, or heavy broths. Hakata-style is tonkotsu broth, pork bones that have been boiled for hours to release the creamy appearance, but also with thin, straight ramen noodles, so says Rameniac, and I figured he would know best.

I ordered medium broth and soft noodles, $6.95. Just right. Tender pork. Flavorful broth. Soft noodles. A decade and many bowls of ramen later, I enjoyed this trip to Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen much more than my first, second, or third time around.

Cousin Q got hard noodles and heavy broth, $6.95. Too heavy for me! It tasted like the dregs of the bowl, way too concentrated.

Obligatory close-ups of my noodles.

And the pork.

It's a good thing I didn't write it off completely since fourth time's the charm.

Other ramen posts:
Aji Man Japanese Restaurant - San Gabriel
Daikokuya Original Noodle & Rice-Bowl - Los Angeles (Little Tokyo)
Daikokuya Original Noodle & Rice-Bowl - Monterey Park
Santouka - Costa Mesa
Santouka - Los Angeles
Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Rosemead

Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen
2015 W. Redondo Beach Blvd #C
Gardena, CA 90247
310-329-1335
Monday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 11:20 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 11:20 p.m.

*****
1 year ago today, how to chop and prepare sugarcane.
2 years ago today, egg rolls with salmon and avocado.

3 comments:

weezermonkeyMay 9, 2010 9:07 PM
It is a shame that Rosemead's isn't as good! :(
ReplyDelete
perfectsimplicityMay 10, 2010 8:32 AM
Glad you finally liked it! Come down to Torrance again so we can eat. :)
ReplyDelete
Wandering ChopsticksAugust 22, 2010 6:27 AM
WeeMo,
I wonder why that is?

Keri,
I know! Or come up so we can eat! :)
ReplyDelete

Add comment

Thank you for stopping by. I try to respond in a timely manner, but am not always able to do so. I do read every comment, however, and eventually respond to each and every one. If you're awaiting a response, check the post in which the comment is made or click the "Subscribe by email" option.

If you're not a blogger and you'd like to leave a comment, you can do so using your Google/Gmail account. I believe the act of signing off with a name, real or made up, makes people more accountable for what they say. Plus, I plain old dislike not knowing who said what, no matter how innocuous the comment. Therefore, all "anonymous" or "unknown" comments will be deleted, regardless of content. If you made one of my recipes and wish to be linked or want to share something with me, then please email me the info instead. Because of repeated Spam, all comments with links will be deleted, regardless of content.

I welcome questions, discussions, and feedback, but please be mindful that this is my home online. It has always been just me cooking, photographing, writing, and editing everything. This is not my full-time job. My blog is my happy place; I reserve the right to delete any comment that is anonymous, offensive, or promotional. Thank you for reading!