LEGENDARY RAMEN NAGI MAKES ITS GRAND DEBUT IN ORANGE COUNTY, BRINGING AUTHENTIC JAPANESE RAMEN TO SOUTH COAST PLAZA IN COSTA MESA

This highly anticipated opening introduces Ramen Nagi’s award-winning cuisine, elevating the local ‘ramen mania’ and enhancing the area’s vibrant food scene
 

ORANGE COUNTY, CA (February 27, 2025) – The inviting aromas of tantalizing spices and simmering ramen broth will soon envelop the city of Costa Mesa as internationally renowned Japanese ramen brand Ramen Nagi is thrilled to announce that it will open its sixth U.S. location at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa on March 17. Led by Founder and Master Ramen Chef Satoshi Ikuta, a maestro in the art of ramen, this new location marks Ramen Nagi’s first-ever Orange County outpost, signifying the next step in its international expansion – joining its roster of existing spots in San Diego, Los Angeles, Arcadia, Palo Alto, and Santa Clara. 

As with all its locations, which have incredibly strong fan bases, Ramen Nagi at South Coast Plaza is expected to stake a claim as one of the best ramen spots in Costa Mesa due to its culinary prowess and welcoming atmosphere. 

“We heard the call from our loyal Orange County fans who drive to our other existing Southern California locations – Ramen Nagi is now in Costa Mesa! Ramen Nagi offers authentic and innovative Japanese ramen and rich culinary heritage that we believe will be a fantastic addition to the area’s dynamic food scene and culturally vibrant community. We look forward to serving the area with our genuine hospitality and delicious, unforgettable ramen bowls with superb flavors,” said Founder and Master Ramen Chef Satoshi Ikuta.

 
A NEW WAVE OF RAMEN 

Ramen Nagi at South Coast Plaza will attract longtime fans and new diners alike by offering its world-class noodles, which are crafted in-house and served with traditional and fusion broth flavors. 

Ramen Nagi offers five classic flavors, which include the Original King, made with award-winning tonkotsu pork-broth, handcrafted noodles, and classic Nagi pork chashu; the Red King, a blend of garlic, chili oil, and cayenne pepper in a velvety broth, topped by miso-infused minced pork and Nagi cayenne; the Black King, a fragrant blackened garlic and calamari ink in a silky broth with succulent chashu – finished with a ball of minced pork, black sesame, and Nagi spices that is irresistibly complex; the Green King, a marriage of fresh basil and olive oil with delectable tonkotsu broth in a truly unique combination, and lavishly garnished with grated parmesan cheese and richly marbled chashu; and the Veggie King, a plant-based option made with savory Japanese soup stock with mushroom and cauliflower purée, topped with hashed potato “chashu,” shiitake mushrooms, and spinach.

Guests can also customize ramen bowls for broth density, flavor richness, noodle doneness, chashu selection, toppings, and more – ensuring the perfect bowl of ramen to satisfy every palate. Meals are made complete with Ramen Nagi’s shareable appetizers, including Karaage Chicken, Snack Gyoza, Chashu Rice, and Edamame. 

To celebrate this opening, Ramen Nagi will offer a new Limited King as part of its “Limited King” ramen varieties. Available only during opening week, the secret variation will be revealed on opening day, March 17. Ramen Nagi has featured more than 1,000 varieties of “Limited King” ramen, which are highly anticipated and often sell out within days. Ramen Nagi will also launch a brand-new Veggie Gyoza to coincide with this exciting opening, and it will be a permanent addition to the menu, offering guests a delicious new option to savor alongside its ramen bowls.

 
THE HISTORY

Ramen Nagi was founded in 2004 by then-27-year-old chef, Mr. Satoshi Ikuta. He trained in several famed Hakata ramen shops, starting with a practice known as aida kari. His ramen journey had humble beginnings, borrowing bar space once a week to run a guerilla ramen shop which quickly gained popularity. Chef Ikuta Satoshi worked day in and day out to continually raise the profile of his ramen, first winning a contest for a spot in Tokyo’s famous Tachikawa Ramen Square noodle park. Prior to opening his shop in Shinjuku Golden Gai in 2008, he also ran a highly successful restaurant in Shibuya. Chef Ikuta Satoshi continued to gain recognition as a creative ramen pioneer, and this success culminated in Ramen Nagi being awarded Tokyo’s Best Ramen in Try Magazine’s definitive rankings. At Ramen Nagi in the U.S., each shop has the same soup concept and similar overall feel rooted in artisanal quality. Today, the brand has expanded to nearly 40 locations throughout the world. 

JAPANESE MODERNIST DESIGN

Ramen Nagi’s U.S. locations are designed by Kenichi Yano, CEO and Creative Producer of Tokyo-based Ten-nen-sha, Inc., who has designed beautiful restaurants for acclaimed chefs all over the world.

Ramen Nagi at South Coast Plaza is a generous 1250-square-foot space that was tastefully designed using quality raw materials, such as beautiful Japanese solid black cedar wood. Natural elements are combined with sleek surfaces, contrasting materials, playful artwork, and energetic Nagi red to add to the dynamic experience. 

The main dining area surrounds the open kitchen, flanked by traditional Japanese norentextile dividers — a symbolic centerpiece as a sign of welcome. The location offers indoor and outdoor dining, with 70 seats total – with bar seating, two and four-top tables, as well as communal dining for guests gathering in larger groups. With the Japanese modernist design and open-air feel unique to the restaurant’s location, Ramen Nagi hopes to create a stylish, comfortable, and colorful environment for diners to enjoy high-quality ramen in a lively setting. For guests who enjoy eating al fresco, the restaurant’s covered patio will provide an idyllic space to dine this summer and fall with family and friends. 

Ramen Nagi at South Coast Plaza is located at 3333 Bear Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 on Level 1, Crate & Barrel Wing. It will officially open to the public on March 17and will be open daily from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

 
ABOUT RAMEN NAGI

Founded in 2004 by Chef Satoshi Ikuta, Ramen Nagi has gained cult-like popularity throughout Japan and Asia, and now the U.S. This authentic ramen shop is known for its perfect noodles crafted inhouse and both traditional and fusion broth flavors. Diners are treated to a lively culinary show each time they dine. Bar seating for quick bites surrounds an open kitchen in addition to larger tables that encourage slightly longer social experiences. Ramen Nagi expanded to the U.S. in 2018 with shops in Palo Alto, at Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles, The Shops at Santa Anita in Arcadia, and at Westfield UTC in La Jolla.

 
ABOUT SOUTH COAST PLAZA

South Coast Plaza defines the luxury shopping experience with extraordinary boutiques, personal shopping services, and upscale amenities, all within a short distance of the world’s most magnificent beaches and vacation resorts. A leading international shopping destination, South Coast Plaza is home to more than 260 prominent brands, including Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Loewe, Harry Winston, Celine, Maison Margiela, Gucci, Cartier, Rolex, and Graff, as well as critically acclaimed restaurants and the adjacent Segerstrom Center for the Arts and Orange County Museum of Art. South Coast Plaza is located in Costa Mesa, California. For more information visit https://www.southcoastplaza.com.