RAMEN NARUTO — Restaurant in Azusa

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...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Ramen Naruto, and I must say that their vegetarian ramen is simply outstanding. As a vegetarian, I'm always on the lookout for restaurants that offer flavorful and satisfying meat-free options, and Ramen Naruto exceeded my expectations.

The moment I walked in, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, and the staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating. Despite the bustling nature of the restaurant, I was seated promptly and made to feel right at home.

When it came time to order, I opted for the vegetarian ramen, and I was absolutely blown away. The broth was rich and savory, with a depth of flavor that can only come from careful preparation and quality ingredients. The noodles were cooked to perfection, and the medley of fresh vegetables added a delightful crunch and burst of color to the dish. Each spoonful was a symphony of tastes and textures that left me craving more.

What truly sets Ramen Naruto apart is their dedication to catering to vegetarians. It's clear that they put thought and effort into creating a vegetarian ramen that stands on its own, rather than being an afterthought on the menu. This attention to detail and commitment to providing a top-notch vegetarian option is commendable and greatly appreciated.

In conclusion, if you're a vegetarian or simply enjoy a fantastic bowl of ramen, I highly recommend Ramen Naruto. Their vegetarian ramen is, without a doubt, the best I've ever had, and I can't wait to return to savor it...

Solid local ramen with some nice touches. Love that they offer, pork, chicken and veggie broth options. Big win since my GF doesn’t eat pork. Chicken broth actually had a little more flavor than the pork, in my opinion. Neither of us thought our respective meats had much flavor though. Somewhat of an afterthought, which is a shame. I’m a meat lover and didn’t try to finish all mine. I ordered the Naruto 66, heat level 4 of 5, which does come with extra pork as promised and was a pretty large serving. Wasn’t that spicy in my opinion and will try the 5 next time. My GF the Tori shoyu with heat level of 2 of 5. Was probably just right for her, but spice level wasn’t much different than mine. The chicken Karrage appetizer was a winner.

Place is close by and decent enough to try a few more options and will tweak the spice level and broth options. Maybe miso will have more flavor. All in all, a good local ramen spot that will do the job when your...