HiroNori Craft Ramen — Restaurant in Pasadena

As a ramen enthusiast, I recently embarked on a culinary journey to HiroNori Craft Ramen in Pasadena, eager to explore their renowned Tonkotsu ramen and sample some of their popular sides. Here's a detailed review of my experience:

Tonkotsu Ramen: The star of the show, HiroNori's Tonkotsu ramen, did not disappoint. From the moment the bowl arrived at my table, I was enveloped in the enticing aroma of simmering pork bone broth. The broth itself was a masterpiece - rich, creamy, and packed with umami flavors that danced on my palate with each slurp. The noodles were cooked to perfection, boasting the ideal balance of chewiness and tenderness. Toppings such as tender chashu pork, marinated soft-boiled egg, crispy bamboo shoots, and fragrant green onions elevated the dish to new heights. It was a soul-warming bowl of comfort that left me craving for more.

Pork Bun: While the Pork bun showed promise with its generous filling of succulent pork belly and vibrant garnishes, it fell short in execution. The bun stuffing itself was disappointing, lacking the distinguished flavor and fluffy texture that would have complemented the savory pork filling. Despite the flavorful combination of ingredients, the overall experience was hindered by pickled Onion, leaving me longing for a more flavorful and assorted counterpart.

Crispy Chicken: In contrast to the Pork bun, the Crispy chicken was a revelation. Each bite revealed a symphony of textures - the satisfying crunch of the golden-brown exterior giving way to tender and juicy chicken inside. The seasoning was spot-on, enhancing the natural flavors of the chicken without overpowering them. Paired with a zesty dipping sauce, this dish was a delightful indulgence that left a lasting impression.

Ambiance and Service: Beyond the culinary delights, HiroNori Craft Ramen provided a welcoming and cozy ambiance, perfect for enjoying a satisfying meal. The service was attentive and friendly, with staff members eager to ensure a pleasant dining experience for...

I find there are two schools of looking for good ramen - one school is doing something unique, and one is doing the thing that everyone's going to like exceedingly well. Hironori falls firmly in the latter camp, serving up a classic thick pork tonkotsu, but don't let that make you think it's mundane; it is one of the very best in the city, and it's the details that make it stand out.

While I could believe there'd be a line here on weekends, weekday dinner is quick to be seated, and quick to be served, our meals arriving in 5 minutes or so. Realistically you're either going to order the vegan ramen or the tonkotsu depending on your taste in pork - but both seemed good. Having had the tonkotsu myself, it's everything you'd want in your typical ramen - thick hearty broth, soft smooth egg, choice of thick or thin noodles. But the chashu really stands out - being of medium thickness but cooked to perfection with the edges crispy and the inside melt-in-your-mouth soft. Between those two opposite textures, somehow, the meat feels neither overcooked nor undercooked, and it's this perfect balance which makes it one of the best chashus I can recall.

The prices are standard for ramen - 11.7 for the tonkotsu - but one stand out feature is that hironori eschews tipping for a standard, included 15% gratuity. This makes payment easy and allows the peace of mind that the staff is being well compensated, which certainly shows in the service, which is not just quick but attentive and friendly.

Beyond one fair warning that the shop does NOT validate for the parking downstairs (which is rather exorbitantly priced), this is pretty much everything one could ask for from a quality good-for-everyone tonkotsu ramen restaurant. And when most other shops of its level also sport interminable lines, this should shoot to the top of the list for any self-respecting ramen...

We tried HiroNori and loved the ramen. We’re Asian from LA and lived in Tokyo, Korea and China for 20yrs. So we appreciate fresh made craft noodles. This place is legit. High quality ingredients. Good broth. Great Pork. Good flavor. Had Tonkotsu and Shoyu Ramen. Both superb. The one reason I’m giving this a 3 instead of 5 is cause just after we started eating, the wait staff sprayed the table next to us with disinfectant cleaner, blowing towards our direction. Thing is there was no one sitting on the opposite side. It makes more sense to spray that way instead of towards us. We could feel the spray breeze approach our bowls and tried to cover it. This should never happen to begin with. Japanese restaurants are known for high standards and basic etiquette. It’s built into the culture. And when I looked at the waiter with discomfort and realized what he did, he should have offered to change the food as a result. But we trooped it out and chose to eat the food rather than call it out. I’m not sure what they use to clean, but disinfectants aren’t a good ingredient on any craft ramen. Efficiency of cleaning up after a guest leaves should not precede interrupting the dining experience of another which results in a negative experience. And even if they say it’s a “non tipping” restaurant, which is the norm in Japan, nonetheless, a 16-18%? service charge is added. Which is… a tip for service. But in this case I would’ve chosen not to add a tip nor want to be billed a service charge given the circumstances above. We know times are tough looking for service staff. But we sincerely hope this gets fixed. Because we love us a good ramen. Especially this winter. And want to come...