I love bargain hunting, especially stores like Marshalls or Ross. They’re like super organized thrift shops but without the musty smell of used clothing. The Marshalls on Ventura (in Studio City) is just a few blocks from my house, so I frequent that location the most. My first stop is always the kitchen goods, and I’ve picked up some beautiful Le Creuset pieces (at half-price) over the years.
Last summer, I noticed a new ramen shop had opened just across the way from Marshalls, but didn’t take time to stop in for a bite, until I read Jonathan Gold’s review in July (link below).
Jonathan wrote:
“Best of all was an odd, strong-smelling tonkotsu ramen, whose pork broth had been pumped up with industrial quantities of dashi and dried fish, a broth on steroids, a broth that seemed to be trying to establish the record for the most umami per milligram. Can tongues pant? After a few bites, you may feel as if yours had just run a half-marathon without bothering to notify the rest of your head.”
I know. He’s genius. And now I’m hooked on Jinya…
Tonkotsu Ramen: Pork Broth, Chashu, Flavored Egg, Green onion
Spicy Ramen: Chicken Broth, Chicken meat ball, Spicy bean sprout
Chashu Ramen: Choose chicken or pork broth, Chashu, Egg, Green onion
Jinya Ramen: Chicken Broth, Chicken meat ball, Spinach, Green onion
Tokyo Premium Tonkotsu Ramen: Pork Broth & Bonito Soup, Flavored Egg, Spinach, Green Onion
HAKATA ～ Pork Premium Rich Flavor ～ Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen
Vegetable Ramen: Chicken Broth & Japanese soup stock, Mushroom, Baby leaf , Spinach
Ramen Jinya
11239 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
Tel 818-980-3977
Website
UPDATE: Jinya is on Jonthan Gold’s 99 Essential Restaurant List!
my last bite... 
When I finally drop off your barbecue, I’m grabbing a bite at Jinya! Say you’ll join me?
Let’s do it!
I wish there was one of these in my neighborhood. Looks soooo good! (Guess I’ll have to venture over to your ‘hood.)
Yes! Let’s shop and EAT.
I need to get in thurr.
I think that spicy ramen might be just the thing to help me increase my spice tolerance! Yum!
For sure! They’ll spice at any level.
: )
Hell no, I’m going with you first. Julie brought some of this for me when I was sick, great stuff.
I like to think of soup as a big sloppy hug.
Every culture has its own kind of hug. Mexico and Italy have their varieties (Italian Wedding Soup, Tortilla Soup, Minestrone, Albondigas, etc.). Those are some of my favorites. When you eat them, it feels like Mom is giving you not only a loving embrace, but a fat, wet kiss on the cheek.
For some reason, the Asian variety always seems unique. Maybe they really know how to hug (and love)! Looking at these pictures, it reminds me of every single bowl of Pho, Ramen, or Hot Pot that has made an indelible impression on me. For every bowl of soup I’ve eaten, only the Asian variety (usually ramen of this caliber) has burned a picture in my memory that I have a hard time forgetting.
Thanks for sharing this, Jo. It’s a reminder that soup is truly soul food. Even looking at pictures of bowls of noodle soup is enough to make you feel like you’re a step away from a reassuring hug, and a warm, nourishing, comforting meal. And as we enter the colder and wetter months, it couldn’t come at a better time.
I popped in once and was served abominably bad attitude, which makes me not want to eat there. Your post may be changing my mind.