It’s a little weird that one of the best ramen places around also happens to be located inside of a supermarket food court. And yet here we are. Located in the Japanese market Mitsuwa, Santouka is an authentic ramen shop that usually monopolizes the business of all the other food establishments in the immediate vicinity. I almost feel bad for the other places, since the only business they’re getting is the runoff from Santouka of people too impatient to wait in line. And, yeah, the lines can get a bit long. They were pretty bad at the Costa Mesa location, but they just recently opened up an Irvine Mitsuwa where the ramen lines are a bit more reasonable.
The ramen noodles and soup base are pretty damn good at Santouka, but my biggest complaint is that they don’t do the soft-boiled egg. I judge a ramen place based almost solely on how well they do their soft-boiled egg, so the fact that Santouka doesn’t do it at all is a huge disappointment. They’re so good at everything else though it almost doesn’t matter. Plus they’re more of a fast food ramen joint so they get a little more allowance. Unlike me, when I was a kid, who didn’t get any allowance. If I wanted that new comic book I had to get it the only way I knew how: murder. No, wait, I’ve said too much.
Santouka Ramen
14230 Culver Dr
Irvine, CA 92604
