Yukino Ya Ramen - City of Industry

Ramen time! Ramen is such a strange infatuation. You can buy it in stores for less than a dollar, and yet we still go out and look to restaurants for the perfect ramen.

I am still no expert, but slowly I'm figuring out what I like when it comes to ramen, and what the different subtleties are.

Ramen Yukino Ya is located in a strip mall in City of Industry, CA; in a very busy, Asian infused area of town. this Sunday afternoon, the parking lot was packed beyond capacity, but where were all the people? Granted it was a little warm weather wise for Ramen, but this place was only little over half full, we got an immediate table. Remember, this is a typical ramen place, and its small, seating for about 30 people max, if that. They do have a counter you can sit at also. No communal table here.

The menu here is simple, especially when it comes to ramen. Pick shoyu, shio or miso and then pick one of two different versions, the yukino-Ya version or the regular version. Difference being price (1 dollar) and quality, (black pork belly, nori, organic egg versus regular pork, no nori, regular egg), also the noodle is different, one is wavy and the other is straight.

Today, both wife and I went for the Yukino-ya Shoyu ramen, mine in a combo with pork rice. The ramen broth was rich and tasty, the ramen noodles a perfect al dente, the pork fatty and tasty, melting in your mouth. The organic egg was ok, although I think I would prefer a regular egg. It is cooked "easy" boiled, so still a little wet in the middle.

The pork rice was pretty standard but tasty, garnished with ginger, scallions, and nori pieces,

Overall I would have to say this place matches my top ramen places I have been to, Santouka Ramen in Torrance, and Kintaro Noodle in Vancouver, Canada. The broth falling somewhere in between the two (Santouka on top), and the noodles falling in between the two also (Kintaro Noodle on top).

My wife says she prefers Santouka better, she has not been to Kintaro in Vancouver. So its 2nd best on her list which also includes Ajisen, Daikokuya, and Foo Foo Tei.

Overall 4.5/5 stars. As always a little pricey for ramen, but when you have to boil it 10 hours, I can definitely understand the economics of it.