Kashiwa Ramen

For those seeking the ultimate comfort food experience in California, particularly the warming embrace of a perfectly crafted bowl of ramen, the search often leads to the hidden gems of Orange County. In Costa Mesa, a charming establishment named Kashiwa Ramen has steadily built a loyal following, offering a highly personalized and deeply satisfying ramen journey. More than just a meal, Kashiwa Ramen provides an interactive dining experience where every bowl is tailored to your exact preferences, ensuring a truly unique and delicious outcome.

Kashiwa Ramen stands out in the vibrant Californian culinary landscape by putting the power of customization directly into the diner's hands. Through a detailed order sheet, patrons can select their preferred broth, noodle type, protein, and even the "taste" level, guaranteeing a bowl that perfectly suits their palate. This innovative approach, combined with a commitment to fresh ingredients and exceptional service, has cemented Kashiwa Ramen's reputation as a go-to spot for authentic Japanese flavors in Costa Mesa. Whether you're a ramen connoisseur with specific preferences or a curious newcomer, Kashiwa Ramen promises a memorable and incredibly flavorful dining adventure that truly exemplifies the dedication to quality found in California's best local eateries.

Kashiwa Ramen is conveniently located at 1420C Baker St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA. This address places it within a vibrant area of Costa Mesa, a city renowned for its diverse culinary offerings in Orange County. Baker Street is an accessible thoroughfare, making the restaurant relatively easy to find for both local residents and those visiting from surrounding communities.

Described as a "cozy little ramen place," Kashiwa Ramen provides an intimate and welcoming atmosphere. While specific parking details are not extensively mentioned in customer reviews, its location within a commercial complex typically implies available parking, though it can sometimes be "pretty cutthroat" during peak hours, indicating its popularity. However, the quick service noted by customers, with ramen coming out "so fast," means that even if parking is a bit challenging, the overall visit is efficient. Kashiwa Ramen also offers flexibility with various ordering options, including pickup and delivery services through platforms like DoorDash and Fantuan, further enhancing its accessibility for those preferring to enjoy their ramen at home. This combination of a central location, cozy ambiance, and convenient service options makes Kashiwa Ramen a highly accessible and appealing choice for Californians seeking a quick and satisfying meal.

Kashiwa Ramen prides itself on offering a highly customizable ramen experience, complemented by a selection of popular Japanese side dishes.

• Customizable Ramen Bowls: The core of their service involves a unique order sheet system, allowing diners to personalize their ramen. Key customization options include:
  • Broth Types: Options such as Tonkotsu (pork), Chicken Paitan (creamy chicken), Swirl (mix of pork & chicken, AKA Tori-Ton), Konbu (sea kelp and shiitake mushroom for vegetarian/vegan options), and Miso. Rich and Lite broth options are available.
  • Noodle Choices: Customers can select between "extreme thin and straight noodle" (Hakata-style) or "medium thick and wrinkled noodle" (wavy noodles), each offering a different texture and mouthfeel.
  • Protein Options: Choices often include Pork Cha-shu (thinly cut, tender pork belly with a charred flavor) and Chicken Cha-shu (slow-cooked chicken breast meat).
  • Taste/Flavor Level: Diners can choose their desired taste intensity (e.g., normal, lite). A pro tip from customers advises against the "lite" option for certain broths like miso, recommending "normal" for richer flavor.
  • Spice Levels: Ramen can be ordered with varying spice levels (e.g., LV1, LV2, LV3), and extra house-made spicy sauce can be requested.
  • Toppings: Standard toppings include a half-boiled egg, bean sprouts, corn, butter (for miso ramen), green onion, and kikurage mushrooms. Additional toppings can often be added.
• Specialty Ramen: Includes unique options like Black Garlic Ramen (mixed with homemade black garlic oil) and Tsukemen (dipped noodles served with a concentrated rich broth).
• Mazemen (Soupless Ramen): Offers a different ramen experience without broth, with options like Mazemen with Karaage or Pork Cha-shu.
• Appetizers and Sides: A curated selection of popular Japanese appetizers:
  • Karaage: Fried chicken, noted for being "piping hot and fresh," "crispy and scrumptious" outside, and "super juicy" inside. Served with a sweet chili and a lighter, spicy mayo-like sauce.
  • Gyoza: Japanese dumplings.
  • Takoyaki: Fried octopus balls.
  • Edamame: Boiled soybeans.
  • Kimchi: Spicy fermented Korean condiment.
  • Soboro Bowl: Chicken soboro with rice, poached egg, and green onion.
  • Pork Cha-Shu Bowl: Rice bowl topped with pork cha-shu, green onions, and an egg.
  • Karaage Bowl: Rice bowl with karaage, green onions, and mayo.
  • Chicken Curry / Large Curry: Japanese-style chicken curry, with a large option including karaage chicken.
• Beverages: Includes soft drinks (Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Ramune), beer (Sapporo), sake, and sho-chu.
• Dine-In, Takeout, and Delivery: Kashiwa Ramen offers a cozy dine-in experience and is also available for pickup and delivery through popular platforms like Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Fantuan.

Kashiwa Ramen has earned its reputation in Costa Mesa due to several distinctive features and highlights that contribute to its appeal and positive customer experiences.

• Highly Customizable Ramen Experience: The standout feature is the unique order sheet system, allowing customers to fully customize their ramen bowl. This includes choices for broth type and richness (rich, lite), noodle style (straight thin, wavy thick), protein (pork or chicken cha-shu), and spice level. This level of personalization ensures every diner gets their ideal bowl.
• Excellent Ramen Flavor and Quality: Despite the customization, the core product remains exceptional. The "normal spicy miso ramen had great flavor," and the chashu pork is noted as "thinly cut and had a charred flavor while still being tender." Ramen is consistently described as "pretty good" to "so good."
• Crispy and Juicy Karaage: The karaage (fried chicken) is a significant highlight, praised for being "piping hot and fresh," with a "crispy and scrumptious" exterior and "super juicy" interior. This makes it a highly recommended appetizer or side dish.
• Speedy Service: For a sit-down ramen restaurant, customers are impressed by how "fast" the ramen comes out, making it an excellent option for a quick and satisfying meal, even when dining with family.
• Outstanding Customer Service: The staff receives consistent praise for being "friendly and super sweet," happy to accommodate requests, and providing "incredible service." This welcoming and attentive approach significantly enhances the overall dining experience.
• Cozy and Inviting Atmosphere: Described as a "cozy little ramen place," the restaurant offers a comfortable and intimate setting, reminiscent of traditional Japanese ramen shops, which adds to its charm.
• Family-Friendly Environment: The staff's willingness to "happily accommodated our family with 3 kids and a wild toddler" highlights its suitability for families, making it a welcoming spot for diners of all ages.
• Diverse Broth and Noodle Options: Beyond the customization, the variety of broths (Tonkotsu, Chicken Paitan, Miso, Konbu) and noodle types (thin straight, wavy thick) caters to a wide range of preferences, including vegetarian options. The "wavy noodles" are particularly recommended for their "more of a bite."
• Chef Specials and Seasonal Offerings: The restaurant frequently runs creative chef specials, sometimes in collaboration with notable figures in the ramen scene (e.g., Keizo Shimamoto), providing exciting new options for regular patrons.

While the provided customer reviews do not detail specific, ongoing promotions, external public data from online ordering platforms like Fantuan and DoorDash indicate that Kashiwa Ramen in Costa Mesa often offers various deals and incentives. For locals in California looking to get the best value, it's worth exploring the following:

• Pickup Discounts: Kashiwa Ramen frequently offers a "10% off pickup" promotion when ordering directly through certain online platforms. This is a great way to save money if you're planning to pick up your order.
• New Customer/Rookie Coupons: Promotions like "$11.5 off $40 rookie coupon" are often available for first-time users on specific delivery apps, encouraging new customers to try their delicious ramen.
• Percentage Off Deals: Occasional broader discounts, such as "Get 20% Off" or even more significant reductions like "Everything 50% Off" or "Everything 40% Off" have been seen on various platforms. These are typically limited-time offers, so it's advisable to check regularly.
• Free Delivery: Many online ordering platforms periodically offer "Free Delivery" promotions, which can be combined with other discounts to maximize savings.
• Seasonal Specials: As noted by customers, the chef often introduces "specials almost monthly that are creative and great to try." These might include unique ramen flavors or limited-time appetizers. For instance, a "dandan ramen special" and a "summer special collab" have been mentioned.
• Bundle Deals: While not explicitly detailed, restaurants sometimes offer meal bundles that combine ramen with sides at a discounted price. It's worth checking the menu sections on delivery apps for such options.

To ensure you catch the latest promotions, it's highly recommended to check Kashiwa Ramen's listings on popular food delivery apps like Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Fantuan, as well as any official social media channels they may have. These platforms are typically where their most current deals are advertised.

For those in California eager to savor a customized bowl of delicious ramen from Kashiwa Ramen, here's the essential contact information:

Address: 1420C Baker St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA

Phone: (657) 232-0223

Mobile Phone: +1 657-232-0223

These phone numbers provide direct lines to the restaurant for inquiries about their menu, current operating hours, or to place a pickup order. Given the positive feedback on their "friendly and super sweet" staff, calling ahead is likely to be a pleasant and informative experience.

For residents of California, particularly within Orange County and the vibrant community of Costa Mesa, Kashiwa Ramen stands out as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended dining destination. Its unique approach to serving customizable ramen, combined with its high-quality offerings and excellent customer service, perfectly aligns with the preferences of the local populace seeking both culinary excellence and a personalized experience.

The core appeal of Kashiwa Ramen for Californians lies in its innovative order system, which allows for unparalleled customization. This empowers diners to craft their perfect bowl of ramen, choosing everything from broth richness to noodle texture and protein. This level of control, combined with the proven quality of their broths (like the flavorful spicy miso) and perfectly cooked components (such as the tender, charred chashu pork and wavy noodles with "more of a bite"), ensures a consistently satisfying and tailored meal. The consensus among reviewers points to the ramen being "pretty good" to "our favorite ramen we’ve had in the area," which speaks volumes in a region with abundant ramen options.

Beyond the delicious bowls, Kashiwa Ramen's "cozy little" atmosphere and remarkably speedy service make it an ideal spot for the busy Californian lifestyle. Whether you're grabbing a quick lunch, enjoying a family dinner (with staff happily accommodating even "a wild toddler"), or picking up an order to go, the efficiency and comfort are highly valued. Moreover, the "friendly and super sweet" staff consistently provides "incredible service," transforming a meal into a genuinely pleasant experience. This combination of culinary quality, customizable options, convenience, and warm hospitality solidifies Kashiwa Ramen's position as a beloved local establishment that truly understands and caters to the tastes and needs of the Costa Mesa community.

Kashiwa Ramen

1420C Baker St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA