Umenoya

Reviews

• Jerline H.

  star star star star star 4 June 2026

  I was never a big ramen fan until Umenoya. Now I want Umenoya all the time- Even if it isn't past midnight and other ramen shops are still open. I told my dad, "It's called ume no ya because it's the tasty house." He said, "No, that's umai. Ume is a plum" with overt disappointment.
  
  The first time Virgil brought me here it was past midnight and it was the only ramen place open. I got the shoyu and he got the tonkatsu ramen.
  Let me tell you that the shoyu ramen is hands down the best ramen I've ever had, ever. Santouka, Hakata Ramen, and all those shops in Japan don't even come close.
  The soft boiled egg is perfect and still runny.
  And I never, ever eat chasu if I can help it (I will usually give it to my eating partner). I discovered at Umenoya it was soft and juicy. Now I never share my chasu when I'm here.
  If I don't order the shoyu ramen I am ordering the level 1 shoyu ramen, which is the spicy, secret menu shoyu ramen. I made the mistake of ordering level 2 (three total levels) the first time and nearly burned a hole in my stomach - after all, I order "extra spicy" at Cho Dang all the time.
  
  + Service is prompt and so nice
  + Usually if you come with a party of two you will be promptly seated
  + Credit card is $15 minimum on card
  + Order shoyu ramen or level 1 shoyu ramen. Don't advance until you know you can handle level 1.
  + Gyoza challenge is fun!
  + Parking is in a little plaza but I have parked across the street and walked over before, once
  
  I tried hustling Virgil into going to Umenoya for the third time in three days and he absolutely balked, but I was still into that shoyu. Highly recommend!

• Annah I.

  star star star star star 4 June 2026

  I have cruised through many ramen joints in many areas of LA, and it always comes back to Umenoya.
  
  There's just something about the firmness of their noodles, the depth and richness of their tonkotsu broth, the quality of their chashu, that dank gyoza and their fantastic karaage...
  
  Even though they still don't and probably will never do takoyaki, I still want to give them the max amount of stars. You have my heart forever, Umenoya, and I thank you. Honestly, never change.

• Mika J.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 24 May 2026

  We've been here numerous times before. Even tho that lady was rude. We were able to live with it. So coming here with a discount pass is a completely different story. Her unreasonableness just went to a different level!
  We came here trying to take advantage of the ramen pass for 50% off ramen. She first of all she required every ONE to order a food item, baby included. She said that's the condition of the ramen pass. So we were forced to order 1 large rice bowl for the baby!! Honestly even buffets let kids under 2 free.
  Then she said cash only (since when??) because we are using the pass. For that it's not stated anywhere as the terms and conditions for the pass. She probably just made it up. Then we asked if she'll take $100 bill because that's all we had was the 1 $100 bill. She said "no, go to another store to break it". So the hub went to sharetea to get a tea and break the bill. Came back and she said "no outside food allowed"!! We said we are not going to drink it. It's just sitting here sealed. She asked us to move it so "no one can see it". Who's going to care honestly?
  Like other reviewers said. This lady is worst ever! Even worse than the rude Chinese servers in SGV :P
  
  Now that I've posted this review the next time I go she would spit in our food.

• Janet L.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 23 May 2026

  I can't complain about the food. Being honest, food was good. Ordered the 4 side plate & a chasu bowl. Both hit the spot.
  
  Now, about the service. The guys in the back gave a friendly smile when coming in, which was nice so no complaints there.
  
  However, the Asian lady was so rude.
  
  First, we came in to grab a quick bite around 11 pm. We had maybe 30 minutes to eat a quick bite because we had to go somewhere, but were ravenous.
  
  We decided ramen would take too long and probably be too much to eat so fast right now. And, they don't let customers do take-out.. so we decided to order a chasu bowl ($5-8 depending on size) and the 4 plate appetizer ($6-7). We put down our order and were told to sit at the end of the counter at the corner.
  
  I see in the corner of my eye, the older lady giving us dirty looks. I'm like... what happened?? What did we do?? I had to use the bathroom and when I got back, my bf told me the older lady came over to him and complained that we weren't allowed to order an entree and an appetizer only. We looked around.. the restaurant wasn't even half full.. If you look at the menu, the "appetizer" was more expensive than any entree under the rice bowl section on the menu and we chose the sm chasu bowl (which was cheaper than the appetizer). She didn't like it and wanted us to order more, thought we were cheap (even though her math didn't make sense).
  
  Long story short, she let it "slide" this one time, but told us we need to order more food next time, with an annoyed look on her face. We really considered leaving and giving our business elsewhere with better and friendlier service, but we were running tight on time so we just stayed.
  
  We went to grab a menu to see what the fuss was all about.. as we took a menu, lady gave us a dirty look again. We looked at the prices. Appetizer more expensive than the entree, lady. If we both ordered an entree, you would've gotten less profit from us, but whatever, lady.
  
  Bf told me later that he came here a couple times and always got unfriendly service and said he was upset one time when he introduced his friend here (because not many places close so late around the area) and the same lady was particularly rude to his friend for no reason. He said he thinks it might have been racist stereotyping..
  
  It was my first time here. I'm tormented because the food here was undeniably good and since they offer late night meals, I would've definitely have come back, but with that service, I would rather go somewhere else. In-n-out isn't too far out and they always have excellent and friendly service. Now, whenever I think of this place, I can only see the lady's rolled eyes and dirty looks in my head.

• Yanan G.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 16 May 2026

  Had late dinner with my husband and my little one. I ordered a large bowl to share with my daughter because she wasn't that hungry. The server told me that it's their rule that everyone has to order something even including baby! I explained that she is not hungry and she cannot finish a dish on her own. That's why I ordered a large size to share. The rude and aggressive lady (manager or owner) approached us and said NO! everyone has to order something above $4 and NO EXPECTION!! We ended up to be forced to order extra food for my daughter just because of the stupid rule!!! The broth is super salty and greasy! One star was gaven to the other waitress only.