SC
Serena Cervantes
5 days ago
I ordered the hotate scallop ramen via DoorDash from this restaurant and they forgot to include the scallops. Disappointing because the majority of the price of the dish is the scallops and I had really wanted to try that. Instead I just got noodles and soup with no scallops. The restaurant should confirm their orders are correct before packaging.
Best ramen I've ever had. I'm not much of a broth or soup guy, but when I tell you I finished the entire bowl to the last drop. The broth was delicious and everything added a long with the noddles was perfect. Can't wait to go back.
Really good ramen! All of their sides are delicious, but the shishito peppers are a must-try. I also love that they have both vegan and non-vegan options, so there's something for everyone. The staff is super friendly and made the whole experience even better. Highly recommend!
I visited Hinodeya Ramen Bar L.A. expecting a great ramen experience, especially given the restaurant’s location in Little Tokyo. Unfortunately, my experience was very disappointing.
I ordered the Tonkotsu Umami Max Ramen with the tonkotsu pork served on the side. The broth was extremely watery and lacked the depth, richness, and umami flavor I was expecting from a tonkotsu ramen. The noodles were also bland and did not add much to the dish.
I also ordered the chicken karaage and Yu-Lin-Chi, and both were very disappointing. The chicken lacked juiciness and flavor. The karaage, in particular, was the worst chicken karaage I have had in Little Tokyo: It was bland and did not have the crispy, flavorful quality I was hoping for.
The one positive aspect of my visit was the staff. They were friendly, welcoming, and provided great service.
Unfortunately, based on the food quality and overall experience, this will likely be my last visit.
EW
Elizabeth Wang
Jun 13, 2026
I’ve visited a few Hinodeya locations, and overall, I liked the Little Tokyo location more than the others I’ve tried. Compared with the San Francisco location, this one felt more polished, better organized, and stronger in terms of both atmosphere and service.
The ramen was good, especially if you prefer a lighter dashi-based broth rather than a heavy tonkotsu style. The broth had a clean, balanced flavor with plenty of umami, and the overall presentation felt thoughtful. The staff also showed good attention to detail, and the restaurant had a comfortable, modern Japanese atmosphere that fit the Little Tokyo area well.
One thing that did make me pause was the unusually high number of online reviews across multiple Hinodeya locations compared with similar restaurants. During my visit, I did not notice the staff actively asking guests to leave reviews, so I have no idea whether this comes from a promotion, a review campaign, or simply a very engaged customer base. I cannot verify the reason, but the volume did feel unusual enough that I would personally focus more on the actual dining experience than the overall rating.
Based on my visit alone, the food, hospitality, and atmosphere were all good, and this is still my favorite Hinodeya location so far. That said, taking everything into account, I would rate it around 3.5 stars rather than a full 4 or 5.