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Thursday, April 16, 2009

Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Gardena

Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Gardena 1

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.


Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Gardena 2

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.


Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Gardena 3

Obligatory close-ups of my noodles.


Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Gardena 4

And the pork.


Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Gardena 5

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:

  1. It is a shame that Rosemead's isn't as good! :(

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you finally liked it! Come down to Torrance again so we can eat. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. WeeMo,
    I wonder why that is?

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

    ReplyDelete

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