Shin-Sen-Gumi – Irvine

Tl;Dr: The service here has never been worse last Sunday. Left a bad taste in my mouth that ruined dinner. Avoid getting seated at the window side bar.

I come here almost every month but this most recent one was so bad I might not come back to this location (at least for a while).

Just as the dinner rush was dying down we got seated by the window bar. This was a mistake and you should definitely avoid this, especially if it's busy.

As the restaurant emptied out on Sunday, for some reason we were continually forgotten in this corner of the restaurant and service was virtually nonexistent. Even after finally locking eyes with someone and asking for waters or other items, they were still forgotten multiple times or never came. I also noticed other customers along this bar constantly waiting extra long or getting their orders wrong repeatedly. Just an extremely frustrating and disappointing dinner. If I knew I would get service this bad and wait this long I would just have ordered to go.

The ramen though, was still great and for 12.50 is always such a great value. I highly recommend getting the noodles firm:)

Food: 9/10
Service: 1/10
Atmosphere: 2/10
Value: 5/10

Pretty decent choice of ramen and toppings, although a bit on the pricier side compared to what you're getting.

Delicious udon at fair pricing in large bowls. Definitely get the regular size. The large size is just the regular with extra noodles. The udon was chewy in the best possible way, the tempura freshly fried, and a warming soup. Takoyaki was also plump and flavorful. Looking forward to coming again to try the ramen.

The service was fast and kind. The ambiance was lively and had a sense of community!

Ramen and its soup are delicious but don't forget to try its curry udon. Size of dish is just right for an adult.

We got to this place by accident, and we totally don't regret it. The food was delicious, the service was great. Very very happy with this place.

Shin-Sen-Gumi in Irvine has won my heart with its authentic Japanese cuisine and charming ambiance. From the moment I walked in, I was enveloped in a cozy atmosphere that transported me to Japan.

The ramen was a revelation—a steaming bowl of comfort that warmed my soul. The broth was rich and flavorful, and the noodles were cooked to perfection. The customization options allowed me to create a bowl that suited my preferences perfectly.

The attention to detail extended beyond the food. The friendly staff and efficient service added to the overall positive experience. They ensured that every aspect of my meal was enjoyable.

Shin-Sen-Gumi Irvine is a hidden gem that offers a genuine taste of Japan right in the heart of Irvine. If you're seeking a delicious and authentic Japanese dining experience, this restaurant deserves a spot on your must-visit list. It's a star establishment that delivers on taste, ambiance, and hospitality

This is a store I always stop by when I come to Irvine.
The tonkotsu ramen is good, but the recommended one is the curry udon. The soup stock is very effective and it is very delicious.
Eat the leftover soup with rice
If there is a store in Japan, I would go there
Personally, I'm addicted to the "Creamy Mentaiko Udon". It looks like a soup spa, and it may look strange, but it's delicious

We went on Sunday and had to wait a little but got seated soon. The Hakata soup base is Tonkotsu pork with think noodles, which is my choice. You can ask for different noodles with extra charge. I really like their pork fried rice, it's a must to try next time you go there, delicious

Came here for lunch. No wait.sat down. Ordered lunch set, udon soup & takoyaki. Food came pretty quick.

Overall a great experience! The food was amazing and the time between the food was very short! My partner never tried black sesame dish before but absolutely loved the sesame spinach. They also have vegan options for people like me, the vegan poke dish was amazing!

Great ramen with lots of options and specials. Hakta broth is a great base and the offer tons of customizations. Highly recommend!

Soup has unnecessary high fat content. Pickled ginger doesn’t go with ramen. Need more Vege and spice.

Definitely was better in the past. It was not busy, but took forever to get our food. There was hardly any beef in my beef rice bowl. We had to remind server twice that we had not received our entire order and they kept bringing us the wrong dishes.

Quality control is pretty bad. Got a barcode sticker in my veggies.

They also got my ramen wrong. I ordered hard noodles. When they brought it out, I asked if the one he gave me was hard or if he gave my wife the hard noodles. While he went to ask, I mixed my noodles. He came back with a bowl of hard noodles for me and gave my bowl to the customer behind me. Very unsanitary.

I’ve been loving SSG for 20 years. This location is nothing compared to the original Fountain Valley one, from service to their food quality! Such a bummer for SSG reputation.

Absolutely the worst want to be Japanese food I’ve ever tasted. Ramen and fried rice were sour, gyoza were unbelievably bad and the prices were high for such garbage. I will never, ever even consider returning to this horrible non Japanese restaurant and I highly suggest you NEVER COME HERE. I lived in Japan for 5 years and I know Japanese food. This isn’t even close. It’s absolutely the worst Asian restaurant I’ve been to in Irvine. Maybe all of America. STAY AWAY FROM HERE. I’m very sad for any other reviewer who likes this place. You’ve clearly never had real Japanese food and you’re missing out!

Something has changed since the last time I went there. At least the size of the ramen has become smaller than I once remembered.

Great, great ramen. Loved it. Best I've had outside of Kyoto, Japan. Will definitely go back when I'm in the area next.

Ordered 2 hakata ramen via Checknow and Toast. Checknow only allows ordering of toppings and doesn't allow cancelation. Ordered through Toast and actually got the ramen and soup. Why would there be an app for ordering just the toppings without the noodle or soup? For $15, I got 6 small sauce containers of pickled veggies.

Dining area is small but clean. Dinner time is pretty packed.