Just as there are probably a thousand methods used to cook noodles, people can celebrate National Noodle Day in Pasadena on Tuesday, October 6, in many different ways.
Or to make options less complicated, choose between the two main cultures that use noodles in their food: the Japanese, with their different types of ramen, mostly determined by the type of soup base that is used in each, and Italians, who are renowned for their noodle-based pasta options, classified depending on the size and length of the noodles used, as well as the sauce they go with best.
Fortunately, in Pasadena, one can easily find both great ramen and pasta deliziosa among the city’s many Japanese and Italian restaurants.
Here are some of the best ramen places from which people can either order for delivery or pick-up curbside:
Ramen Tatsonuya, 16 N. Fair Oaks Ave., specializes pork-based tonkotsu ramen, with its rich yet light tonkotsu broth that’s simmered for over 15 hours at a high temperature to achieve the maximum umami, providing both a bold richness and a mildness at the same time.
Their noodles are made exclusively by a local artisanal noodle company just for Ramen Tatsunoya, using the original recipe from Kurume City in Fukuoka prefecture.
For orders, visit www.tatsunoya.revelup.com/
King of Ramen Pasadena, 2391 E. Colorado Blvd., offers King Ramen, with its tonkotsu plus miso in a unique flavor, as well as spicy king ramen, spicy minced pork ramen, vegetable ramen, and curry ramen on the menu. For orders, visit www.kingoframenpasadena.com or call (626) 421-6688.
KOPAN Sushi and Ramen of Pasadena, 245 E. Colorado Blvd., offers take-out only, with kara miso ramen, kuro mayu ramen, shoyu ramen, vegan ramen on the menu, and ramen customized the way you want. The restaurant also offers sushi and roll sets as well as kopan combo sets which can be beef, pork, chicken, or salmon. Visit www.kopantogo.com/food-items to order.
HiroNori Craft Ramen, 163 S. Lake Ave., boasts the best craft ramen in Pasadena, with choices like shoyu, and vegan ramen for delivery or limited outdoor dining. Visit www.hironori.com/pasadena-
Tatsu Ramen, 319 S. Arroyo Parkway, customizes their ramen to personal tastes and preferences, such that meat lovers, vegan, and gluten-free foodies can happily enjoy them with a choice of ramen side by side. Order for pick-up or delivery through www.doordash.com/store/tatsu-
Now, for Italian pasta on National Noodle Day, here are some of the restaurants in Pasadena taking pick-up and delivery orders. Some are open for limited dine-in as well.
Gale’s Italian Restaurant, 452 S. Fair Oaks Ave., has a variety of spaghetti, fettuccini, and linguini dishes available for curbside pick-up and delivery available, plus other Italian fare. Visit www.galesrestaurant.com to order, or call (626) 432-6705.
Il Fornaio, 24 W. Union St., is open for outside dining as well as to-go, offering artisan pasta from Gragnano, Italy, and housemade fresh pasta from their kitchen, with gluten-free options available. To order, visit www.ilfornaio.com/pasadena-
Maria’s Italian Kitchen Pasadena/Hasting Ranch, 3537 E. Foothill Blvd., is also open for dining at the outdoor patio, as well as pick-up or delivery orders. Noodles on the menu include spaghetti marinara, spaghetti arrabiata, spaghetti primavera, angel hair pomodoro, and fettuccine Alfredo, plus other Italian favorites. For more information, visit www.mariasitaliankitchen.com/
The Kitchen Italian Cafe and Pizzeria, 78 W. Union St., has all kinds of pasta varieties on the menu, including spaghetti marinara, fettuccine Alfredo, penne Pomodoro, as well as ravioli, tortellini, and manicotti recipes. They’re open for outdoor dining as well. To order, visit www.thekitchenpasadena.com or call (626) 796-9802.
Celestino Ristorante and Bar, 141 S. Lake Ave., is now open for lunch with outdoor patio dining, takeout, online ordering, and curbside pickup from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Find in their menu traditional Italian pasta such as spaghetti con polpette Di Carnes, which is spaghetti and meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce; linguini with clams, bay scallops, and shrimps in spicy tomato sauce; and fusilloni with morel mushrooms, fresh fava beans, and pecorino cheese. To order to go and for curbside pickup, call (626) 795-4006, or visit www.celestinopasadena.com.
