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ZipPicks Awards
Best Ramen in Culver City
Master Critic Review
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
7.6
A Hokkaido-born chain operating since 1988, specializing in a slow-simmered shio broth that carries a milky richness uncommon in LA's ramen landscape—the toroniku pork cheek topping is the signature order for a reason. Tucked inside the Mitsuwa Marketplace food court in Mar Vista, it runs as a quick solo-dining operation where you order at the counter and focus on your bowl amid the lunch rush. The polarized review spread suggests execution can swing between excellent and disappointing, so manage expectations accordingly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shio Ramen, Tonkotsu Ramen, Toroniku (Pork Cheek) Ramen
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Hokkaido-born ramen chain renowned for its rich, milky shio (salt) broth simmered low and slow, a style rarely executed at this level outside Japan.
Who should go: Ramen purists and solo diners craving an authentic Hokkaido bowl
When to visit: Weekday lunch to avoid long weekend waits
What to order: Get the shio ramen with toroniku pork cheek upgrade, add an onigiri on the side — the rice balls are a sleeper hit.
Insider tip: Order the toroniku (pork cheek) upgrade on any bowl — it's melt-in-your-mouth tender and the single best add-on on the menu.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free lot at Mitsuwa Marketplace fills up fast at lunch—street parking on Centinela is the backup and usually available
Noise level: Food court buzz—not quiet, but you're focused on your bowl, not conversation
Weekday lunch: Expect a line at the counter—moves quickly but finding a seat in the food court is the real bottleneck
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Dedicated Vegetarian Ramen with soy-based broth, menma, mushrooms, wheat gluten, and umeboshi; also edamame and green salad
Vegan options: The Vegetarian Ramen is labeled vegan—soy-based broth, no animal products; edamame also vegan-friendly
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? No - this is a counter-service ramen stall inside the Mitsuwa Marketplace food court. You order at the counter, grab a number, and sit at shared food court tables under fluorescent lighting. The atmosphere is functional, not romantic, and the noise level of a busy food court makes intimate conversation difficult. Great for a casual, low-pressure hangout, but not a date-night destination.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes - there are no reservations. It's a food court counter where you line up, order, and wait for your number to be called. During peak lunch and dinner hours (especially weekends), expect a 10-20 minute line at the counter, plus a few minutes for your ramen to be prepared. Off-peak, you can walk up and order immediately. Finding a seat in the shared food court can be competitive during busy times.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - the casual food court setting is naturally kid-tolerant. Noise and mess blend right in. Ramen comes in small, medium, and large sizes, so smaller portions are available for kids. High chairs are available in the Mitsuwa food court. The quick turnaround (order to bowl in about 10 minutes) keeps antsy kids from getting too restless. A dedicated kids menu has not been confirmed - call ahead to verify.
Is it good for groups? Manageable for small groups of 3-4 who don't mind food court seating. Larger groups will struggle to find enough adjacent seats during busy times since the food court has mostly smaller tables. There are no private rooms or large-format tables. Everyone orders individually at the counter, which actually makes splitting checks a non-issue. For groups over 5, coordinate arrival during off-peak hours to secure enough seats.
Is there outdoor seating? No dedicated outdoor seating. Santouka operates inside the Mitsuwa Marketplace food court, so all seating is indoors in the shared food court area.
Best For
Better for: Solo ramen runs where speed and quality matter more than ambiance—order at the counter, grab a seat, and slurp in peace
Skip if: You want a sit-down dining experience or need menu variety beyond ramen and a few rice bowls
Hours
Monday11am - 8pm
Tuesday11am - 8pm
Wednesday11am - 8pm
Thursday11am - 8pm
Friday11am - 8pm
Saturday11am - 8pm
Sunday11am - 8pm