Ramen Naruto - Azusa

This ramen shop located in a non-descript strip mall makes a very good ramen with plenty of other Japanese options. My only issue was that the pricing wasn't entirely clear. The spice level seemed like it was intrinsic to the bowl, but apparently was an extra $1. Not the end of the world, but clarity would have made this a 5 star.

The quick review: Fantastic ramen, personable customer service and great value for your hard earned money! The Longer Version: I’ve been coming to Ramen Naruto for the past few months. Regardless of whether or not it was a cold and rainy winter night or a warm summer evening, the ramen here has always made me feel satisfied. While I typically don’t enjoy consuming hot soup during the hotter days of spring and summer, I always make an exception for this place as it’s always delicious. Everytime I come here, I always order the same soup: the Naruto 66. The ramen is delicious as it has a great amount of savory toppings and a flavorful broth that provides the perfect amount of saltiness. (Occasionally I’ll pivot and get their poke bowl, which is still great and gets the same amount of consideration to attention as the ramen. Other items that can compliment any ramen bowl can also include popcorn shrimp, gyoza and (my personal favorite out of all these items potato croquettes. There's just something about these croquettes that are better than, say, hash browns or fries. They’re crispy on the outside but remain fluffyon the inside. Besides the ramen, another small thing that I appreciate is the consistency of my visits every time I come here. The ramen, along with the other dishes, are always prepared consistently well and are complimented by great customer service. Shingo, the owner of the store, tries his best to come check up on us along with the other customers to make sure everything is running smoothly and that we are enjoying the food. During one of my visits when I was particularly sad since I had to put down my dog, one of the waitresses that I had seen often asked why I was sad and, after explaining this, provided me with a free dessert after my meal, which made me feel a little more cheerful! It made me appreciate the customer service even more and made this place feel like a home away from home. On top of all of this, the shop itself, while small, is pretty cool with the certain niches it contains! I love the various Naruto posters and DVD cases that are hanged around the store along with TVs actually streaming various episodes of Naruto for the diners to enjoy. Also, it feels welcoming and cozy due to its size and the welcoming atmosphere the staff provides. While some of the quirkiness of the store may not appeal to everybody (sadly , I personally enjoy it as it adds uniqueness to the dining experience that is not available at many places. Since the shop is also smaller, seating can be limited at times. Despite this issue, the shop is usually able to keep up with the increasing demand and get everybody in and out in a timely manner to ensure everyone gets to enjoy this experience. Thank you to everyone at Ramen Naruto for providing me with an excellent experience these past few months! (Side note: I’m looking forward to visiting your new location in Monrovia!

Ramen Naruto is delicious and definitely hit the spot. It's nice to not have to travel all the way to LA's Little Tokyo for decent Ramen. (Of course going to Japan would be better but this is alot closer) The staff was attentive and the restaurant is small. It being near a campus makes it a busy little joint. The food is filling and there was plenty. We probably didn't need the side dishes but wanted to give them a try. Everything was delicious. I'd say its price range is about but if you are in the area give it a try. The esthetic is nice with anime playing in the background and the food is great. Will be back again.

I ordered the Naruto 66 with a heat level of 4 out of 5. It came with the extra pork as promised and was a good-sized portion. However, I didn't find it to be very spicy, so I’ll definitely try a level 5 next time. My girlfriend had the Tori Shoyu with a warmth level of 2 out of 5. That seemed to be the right choice for her, but the spice level was not much different from mine. The chicken karaage appetizer was a standout. Overall, the place is close enough that I'm willing to try a few more options and adjust the spice levels and broth choices. Perhaps the miso will have more flavor. All in all, it's a good spot that satisfies your ramen cravings.

I feel a bit nostalgic, as it seems things have changed since my first visit years ago. Honestly, at this point, I would come here just to watch Naruto and enjoy some ramen. However, I still sense that the excitement surrounding this place hasn’t completely faded. I really loved it back when I first discovered ramen shops!