Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

"Most food court meals aren’t anything special, except if you’re at Mitsuwa. It operates the same as most food courts (order and then wait for your number to blare over the loudspeaker), but here most of the stalls are occupied by fast-casual chains from Japan. Santouka is the most ancient of the all —open since 2006— and also the greatest, with their consistently light Hokkaido-style shio ramen that’s long been our go-to meal after a shopping trip next door. The small, medium, and large ramen sizes mean you can either feast on a mountain of thin, chewy noodles, or just get a few bites in, before wandering around the aisles to stock up on mochi and boxes of Pocky." - Cathy Park

"Inside Mitsuwa lies the hidden ramen powerhouse, Santouka. Get there early and claim a table before the lunch rush starts to swarm. We recommend the #31 (spicy miso) but have a back up t-shirt unless your color is orange." - Italic Studio

"Santouka has been open since 2006, which makes it practically ancient on the local ramen circuit. It’s also pretty basic, but in the actual basic sense, not in the person who only wears sweatpants and Stan Smiths sense. Inside the Mitsuwa food court in Mar Vista, you line up, place your order, and wait for them to call your number over the loudspeaker. You should be getting the Hokkaido-style shio (salt) ramen, which is a little lighter than other bowls around. Make sure you also leave time for roaming the Japanese market and stocking up on every flavored Pocky you can find." - brant cox, sylvio martins, nikko duren, garrett snyder

"COVID-19 Update: Open for pickup and delivery. This now global Japanese chain offers absolutely nothing in the ambiance department—but no bother, as they serve incredible ramen. COVID-19 Disclaimer: We are working hard to keep our listings as up to date as possible (deliveries, outdoor dining, etc.), but given the evolving nature of local COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend double-checking the information in this guide with any business you plan on visiting. Also, please note that we have not vetted any businesses listed within our guides for their compliance with applicable safety regulations."

"Santouka Ramen, Mar Vista. Inside Mitsuwa lies the hidden ramen powerhouse, Santouka. Get there early and claim a table before the lunch rush starts to swarm. We recommend the #31 (spicy miso) but have a back up t-shirt unless your color is orange."