This ramen chain from Japan, which gained a following in Orange Country before it opened in a Torrance shopping plaza, is our go-to when we need a change of pace from the super-rich tonkatsu ramen that dominates LA. Kitakata’s flavorful shoyu broth is light and balanced enough to drink a full bowl’s worth, but we also appreciate the curly yellow noodles, fatty slices of chashu, and optional green chili oil, which adds lip-numbing heat. Head here for a quick lunch—service is fast, they offer ramen combo sets with gyoza or karaage, and there’s a Yelp waitlist you can join before arriving to cut down on any wait time.