Shisen Ramen

2/28/2010 I had just finished doing some volunteer work and weather outside was really cold. Thought I'd eat here since it was on the way and after seeing all the good yelp ratings. Umm, not really a ramen afficionado, so I guess it was just ok. For most people like me, they'll probably react the same way: tastes just like the instant ramen you buy at the store! Not a bad thing really, cuz I enjoy those as well, but not worth the trip either. I ordered the garlic black ramen as it was prominently featured on their door and their wall, but quickly regretted it after seeing it was probably the most expensive thing on the menu -_- Oh well. It was good anyway. Nothing extraordinary or anything. In my haste to taste it I forgot to take a picture. It had thin noodles which tasted great, broth that was kinda salty, some bean sprouts, soy sauce floating on top, sprinkled with lots of pepper and some other little greens. It was also as oily as the middle east. For a ramen that was a few cents shy of ten bucks, I'd say it was worth at least knowing that any other ramen offered by any other store will taste similar, so in a way, this saves me time, effort and money trying out other ramen places!

2/25/2010 1 Check-in Here You wanna know why I love living in Torrance? B'coz of the plethora of Japanese restaurants to choose from. I love it even more ever since I discovered Shisen Ramen.

I'm fortunate to live within walking distance to Shisen. I'm even more fortunate they they're open until 2 AM. And I am once more fortunate the ramen is GOOD.

I don't stray too much from what I like... once I find a dish I like, I tend to stick with it. Why fix what's already working, right?? I either go with Charshu or Beef depending on my mood for the evening. You can order regular spicy or mild or extra... extra spicy is pretty good and won't burn your senses in my opinion. I like adding extra chili powder and garlic to a bowl of regular spicy ramen to get it to my perfect level of flavor.

I admit I did have one bad experience out of the dozen times I've visited. I ordered the beef ramen and maybe it was a fatty cut of meat that night, but the soup was VERY oily... not to my liking at all. It was the first time I didn't finish my dinner. I stayed away for about a week or two a tiny bit hesitant to come back... but I did, and they haven't let me down. I enjoy the food here as well as the geographic convenience. The service is great... friendly and fast.

2/25/2010 This place is exquisite for anytime eats. I found this place through my beach volleyball friends after a game one day from Redondo Beach.

Their original shisen ramen is different than other noodles, it comprises of napa cabbage, ground pork, chilly oil sauce that gives the orange color, light clear broth. Usually I find Japanese noodles pretty bland on the broth and flavoring, but this one definitely is a hit in my spot. Besides their ramen, I think their special side appetizers and happy hour specials are to be looked to. Gyoza is very delicious, in the way they prepare, the flour wrapping is very thing, soft and sweet in natural flavor of the cabbage/meat inside. Chicken karage...deep fried chicken is a must...the batter is slightly salty with the dark chicken meat sweet in its natural state dipped with mayonnaise sauce. They used to have that over sweet and sour plum sauce, but they discontinued it :(.

Next time I go there, I need to try the sweet n sour pork. Many people have told me it's a must. About the special deals, happy hour goes from 5-8pm where they have combo a: edamame, karage fried chicken, and draft beer for $12.99, combo b: orig. shisen ramen, gyoza, and porkshu rice bowl, and combo c: orig. shisen ramen, karage chicken, and gyoza.