Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - Costa Mesa
About This Spot
Nestled in a compact corner of Costa Mesa, Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai greets visitors with an inviting sense of warmth and familiarity. The space feels thoughtfully arranged—small yet unpretentious—where the hum of softly clattering dishes and quiet conversation blends into a comforting rhythm. This is a place where time slows just enough to savor a comforting bowl and the simple pleasure of shared moments.
Stepping inside, you’re embraced by an atmosphere that’s both relaxed and purposeful: the pace is steady but never rushed, with a flow that speaks to the care taken behind each dish. The aroma of rich broths mingles subtly with the faint scent of toasted sesame and fresh green onions, setting the stage for a meal that is quietly satisfying.
The heart of the experience resides in the nuanced layers of their ramen. Each bowl arrives as a balance of textures and flavors—soft noodles with a tender chew, broths that range from light and spirited to deeply savory, and toppings that add freshness or a touch of indulgence. Whether you are coaxed by the gentle kick of spicy miso or the clean brightness of a shio-based broth, the flavors feel thoughtfully measured, inviting you to linger and explore.
Beyond ramen, the kitchen offers neat little delights—crisply pan-fried gyoza, golden fried chicken that carries a juice and lightness not often found, and subtle hints of citrus that freshen the palate. It’s easy to notice the care behind each preparation, crafted with a sense of respect for tradition and a quiet enthusiasm for honest flavors.
The staff’s efficient presence adds a layer of ease to the visit. They navigate the cozy space with quiet competence and genuine attentiveness, making the experience feel personal without crowding the moment. Though popular and often busy, the rhythm here manages to remain welcoming, a lean neighborhood retreat for those seeking a dependable, thoughtfully made bowl of ramen and a warm pause in their day.
Whether you’re a longtime enthusiast or a curious first-timer, Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai offers a space where the art of ramen is approached with quiet passion—revealing itself one satisfying slurp at a time.
What’s Available Here
-
Kerbside pickup - No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Fast service
- Great tea selection
- Serves local specialty
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Seating
- Table service
- Toilet
- Casual
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Family friendly
- Tourists
- University students
- Usually a wait
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
Location & Hours
| Monday | 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM , 05:00 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Tuesday | 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM , 05:00 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM | |
| Thursday | Closed | |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM , 05:00 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM | |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
Guest Reviews
Share Your Experience
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Jenny Liu 22 Dec 2025
Kitakata never disappoints when it comes to their ramen. The quality of their ramen is always a 10/10. I've been coming here religiously for the past 8 years whenever I visit Orange County. My go to ramen is the green chili shio ramen. I love that the broth is light and it has a kick from the fresh green chili. I like it extra spicy since I like the burn so I would ask for extra of the green chili. Their chashu is always a nicely sliced even layer and if you're big on meat, they have a ramen option to get more meat (chashu ramen). I also really like the texture of their ramen. It's flat and thicker than normal ramen noodles. I feel like today's service was kind of slacking a bit. They forgot our extra chili that we ordered and when asking for extra napkins, they forgot about it. Parking is limited when it gets busy and during rush hour, there will be a wait time so make sure to join the waitlist on yelp if you're in the area before arriving to cut down on wait time.
VINH LE 18 Dec 2025
This ramen shop is a true local favorite! Though small, the space is perfectly cozy and efficiently organized, creating a warm atmosphere. The food is consistently the main attraction—always delicious, perfectly prepared, and offered at a very reasonable price point, making it an incredible value. Beyond the fantastic bowls, the service is outstanding. The staff is remarkably efficient and expeditious, even with new team members, and they genuinely ensure every single customer leaves happy. This spot nails the perfect balance of great food, great value, and great service. Highly recommended!
Javi R. 28 Nov 2025
I recently visited Kitakata Ramen for lunch, and as always, it was an absolute delight. This place never fails to impress, and my latest visit was no exception. We ordered the Miso Spicy Ramen and the Umakara Tan Tan Ramen, both of which were bursting with flavor and perfectly executed. e Miso Spicy Ramen had a rich, savory broth with just the right amount of heat, while the Umakara Tan Tan Ramen was a harmonious blend of umami and a subtle kick of spice. The noodles were cooked to perfection—chewy and satisfying. We also started with the fried chicken as an appetizer, and it was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and seasoned just right. It’s the perfect way to kick off a meal here. One thing I always appreciate about Kitakata Ramen is the generous portions. There’s always plenty of food, and I often find myself taking leftovers home—though it’s hard to stop eating because everything is so delicious! I’ve been here many times, and the consistency in quality is remarkable. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it a great spot for a casual lunch or dinner. The service is always friendly and attentive, adding to the overall enjoyable experience. If you’re a ramen lover or just looking for a satisfying meal, Kitakata Ramen is a must-visit. The food keeps me coming back for more, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit!
Steven Zych 13 Nov 2025
Online order was ready right when I arrived. The team at this location is amazing, they work in such a small space with people coming in and out and always are so happy and polite. It’s a nice place to have a warm meal.
Cecilia Nguyen 07 Nov 2025
I love coming to Kitakata Ramen. It's a light and delicious broth with soft and chewy noodles. The Karaage fried chicken is my favorite. It's big juicy pieces with a yummy dipping sauce. Don't forget to put a bit of lemon on top. Parking in this plaza can be really tough because of the small lot and tight parking spaces. I recommend coming early and checking in on Yelp for a wait-list.
Tom Vo 06 Nov 2025
Came here to try the Kitakata style of ramen and wasn’t disappointed. Very tasty broth and ramen was just right.
Amy Kanjana P. 05 Nov 2025
I just went here today with my BF. Stopped by during the way to the beach . I ordered tan tan ramen (L), fried chicken, green chili ramen and I want to try the curry For me, everything looks great but a little bit too salty for me. The portion of food was perfect but I ordered a large size for myself and I can't finish it. I really like the fried chicken and the curry. They had new menus for summer like sour soups ramen .
THANG THAI HOA PHAN 18 Sep 2025
We joined the waitlist and the staff was new they missed us for more than 1hr. We need come reminding them. The food was worth of waiting, I specially like the noodle, it’s not at every ramen shop to have. The noodle size is a little bit bigger, but it was al dente cooked, even it stayed long in the broth, it didn’t soften itself.