Nakazo Ramen Bistro — Restaurant in Alhambra

Oct 2024 update: Nakazo has removed all rice balls except for the Spam musubi. They have been replaced with sushi rolls that are 2 to 3 times the price of the previous rice balls. I have ordered the sushi roll and the amount of food you get is very similar to the rice ball (about 4-5 pieces per order) yet more than double the price. They actually taste a bit worse because the sushi has very thick rice layers. Because of this new update I have changed my review from 5 stars to 3. The Spam musubi still remains at the previous price point and is still good, but the other rice balls were my preferred items as they were more unique and better to eat than just spam and a thick slab of rice. I am not sure why they removed such a popular item from their menu, but I am likely not coming back anymore now.

Is it crazy to have come to a ramen restaurant multiple times over the years and have never ordered the ramen itself?

Then I remember I'm having amazing rice balls/omusubi and sides that I stop worrying about it. The rice balls are very fresh, very filling, and very good! The furikake seasoning on the rice is plentiful so it doesn't taste dull, and the fillings/toppings are generous. These are not the cold rice balls you see at Japanese markets. They are at least twice as good, and less than twice the price.

Their poke bowl is also actually quite good. I also enjoy the chicken karaage and fried brussel sprouts.

I keep meaning to try the ramen, but always get pulled away by the other things! Sometimes I'll have enough will power to stop myself, haha.

This is a gem of a restaurant hidden in a small strip mall off the highway. It's such a weird place for a great Japanese restaurant. I can only hope they stay open for a long time so I can keep...

Having this corner already changed twice in the past several years, I kinda hope this ramen shop sticks around a bit longer than the other restaurants. It looks almost the same as the previous places, but with a nice japanese flair decor inside now. We tried out several dishes to try and get a feel of whats good here. The classic tonkatsu ramen bowl had some really flavorful chashu that melted always pretty easily when you bit into it, though the broth was a bit different. You could taste the pork, but it definitely had a bit of a vegetable flavor to it. Personally I'd prefer it to be more savory, but it wasn't bad. We also tried some karaage, but honestly it wasn't that tasty and a bit tough; sauce was good though. I did like the omusubis, having tried their chashu omusubi. Overall, solid 4 out of 5. I think I'll be returning to try out some of their other menu items.

Edit: After coming here for a while now, I'll upgrade to a 5. I've basically tried everything on the menu now and I really love the pork chasu bowl and the Las carnitas ramen bowl. Plus the staff was really...

First time eating here. Experience was a great one. First off the restroom was very clean and well stocked. My family and I enjoyed the food very much. I ordered the pork chashu bowl and gyoza. My wife had the chicken chashu bowl and spam omusubi and California omusubi and fries that she shared with our son. We all tried a little bit of each other's food so we could get a little taste! There was honestly nothing that we didn't like! Everything tasted very fresh and well cooked!! Hats off to the chef!! Also, a special shoutout to the fries, they were crispy and well seasoned!! We will definitely be coming back and I can't wait to try the ramen!! I know its funny to say but we came and didn't try the ramen!! Next time!! I recommend this place!! Very...