Gold Coast Sushi & Ramen — Restaurant in Santa Clarita

Sorry for how long this review is. I just wanted to get across my honest reaction.

My first impression was confusion. They didn't look particularly open from the outside; the windows are very dark, and it's hard to see in. And there's no obvious posted hours. I only knew they were supposed to be open from their hours here on Google.

My second impression was excitement. The interior was very well furnished and with lovely decor. The menu was flush with delicious looking options and attractive photos. Their tableware was well thought out and sharp.

Things got more complicated as I ordered. The waitress was helpful if maybe a bit short (hurried?). I ordered the Burdock tea, which she got for me quickly and was delicious.

But when I ordered my food I made a passing question about the Arnold Palmer: "Is that a regular Arnold Palmer?" She answered it was and didn't notice I was pointing at the spelling, which is why I asked. Everything seemed to be spelled normally except Arnold Palmer which was spelled something like "Alnord Parmel". I was curious if this was a mistake or some twist on the classic or maybe a slightly offcolor joke.

Anyway, she thought I meant to order one. And I was too embarrassed for myself and for her to refuse it when she brought it a few minutes later. I didn't touch it the whole meal, at least half hoping she'd ask and we could laugh it off so I wouldn't have to pay for a second drink that I hadn't wanted. When I asked for the check, still not having taken a sip, it was there.

So anyway, since I was paying for it, I tried it. It must have been a powdered lemonade because I got some crystally grit, and gave up after one sip. I had mixed it thoroughly, but it was more bitter than sweet or tart.

So, setting aside my mistake with mentioning something I didn't mean to order, I also ate food.

I had ordered the Kara Miso Ramen. It was passable but very skimpy on the "fixings": two thin slices of lean pork and a half of a soft boiled egg. Why any restaurant would feel the need to give any less than the full egg, I don't know, but that's common enough. The noodles themselves were good, possibly more rich (eggy?) than is typical. I wasn't a fan of the corn, but it had the most character in the dish. The price point just wasn't right on the ramen. It felt like an afterthought on their menu, not given the same attention to esthetic or flavor (I assume) as the rest of their menu.

TL:DR The Ramen isn't bad but it's too expensive for what it is. The Arnold Palmer is bad, don't even ask. The burdock root tea is delicious, but I wish they'd offered me another cup or given me some hot water to try a second steep.

I'll be back at some point to try their sushi (they seem more passionate about that) and hopefully their staff asks better questions like "is your drink ok? You haven't touched it." or better yet "Can I get you more burdock tea? You seemed to enjoy that, and hot water costs us practacly nothing."

The owners seemed pretty anxious to see their customers happy as I left. I want to try again as it seems like there's a lot...

1st visit, on a Saturday night around 8 pm. Pretty empty, one waiter.

Ordered

Tonkotsu Ramen: 0/5 Crunch Rolls: 3/5 Dragon Rolls: 3/5

Here’s why

Tonkotsu Ramen: the broth had no flavor, tasted like boiled water with no seasoning just water used to boil noodles. Had 2 very thin strips of pork that were decently flavored. The only thing in the bowl that had some flavor. Became even more disappointed when even the egg lacked flavor, it’s an egg that is supposed to be soaked in the broth.

I told the waiter about my disappointment in the ramen and her response was that this is a traditional way of making Japanese noodles and that I should try another one next time if I wanted more flavor. I love ramen and have been to over 20+ ramen spots in LA, New York and around the world & either all the places I have been to have been non traditional or this is cap. My request is that the recipe be shared starting with the noodles because they tasted and looked exactly like the Maruchan brand without the flavor. Not worth the $20 for bland noodle water.

Sushi: Decent , high price with mid level value. The dragon rolls did have fresh tuna on top but the roll itself was a California roll taste and it was $20. The crunch roll was a crunch roll and was fine.

Hope they improve their quality as they are newer, not sure how many ramen fans will point out the missing flavor. Maybe it was an off day and I just happened to get the...

A Symphony of Flavors and Service.

I knew Gold Coast would be something special from the moment I opened my chopsticks. Two hard, smooth, wooden, separate chopsticks—no slivers!

The meal loved up to the promise. Each dish a masterpiece of flavor and presentation. The black snapper sushi was a revelation, with the delicately smoked skin adding an unexpected layer of complexity. The amaebi was incredibly fresh and plump, showcasing the quality of the ingredients. The mango salmon boldly married fresh fruit sticks with tender salmon and sticky rice. Even the seemingly simple cucumber avocado salad was elevated by a nuanced dressing that perfectly balanced sweet, salty, and sour notes with crisp vegetables. And the miso soup was a comforting classic executed flawlessly with a harmonious blend of green onion, soft tofu, and miso.

Highly recommended dishes: Black Snapper Sushi, Amaebi Sushi, Cucumber Salad, Miso Soup

Finally, the service was impeccable. Each staff member, from the welcoming greeter to the meticulous sushi chef and the attentive server, showed a level of care and attention that made the dining experience truly special. At one point, someone noticed I dropped my napkin on the floor and quickly replaced it.

Gold Coast sets a new standard for Japanese cuisine in Old Town Newhall. A memorable dining experience that delights the senses and left me...