Ichimiann Bamboo Garden - Torrance

If you looked up "hole in the wall" in the dictionary, you'd probably find a picture of Ichimiann. Tucked away on a random Carson Street off-shoot in a quaint, quiet corner of old Torrance, you'll find low-cost, high-yield bowls of steaming soba and unassuming udon.

The "Best Seller" combo seemed like the best of both worlds. The classic Tanuki hot soba is a sampling of chewy soba taking a light, soupy swim. The Cod Roe and Bonito Bowl is a blend of concentrated fishy-flavor grains and crunchy bonito flakes with only hint of fish.

The Unagi hot soba is topped with a full-sized slab of eel, warmed and softened by the soup. Just try to eat it before it loses all its sauce.

The Niku hot soba is the same thing with a side of thinly-sliced, slightly-marbled beef that savors it up.

Don't expect high-impact innovation when you go to Ichimiann. The sobas won't be sweep you off your feet or set you raving like ramen, and the flavors are as obscure as the restaurant is recondite. But there is something to be said about a more subtly satisfying soba, and so far, I'm a fan.