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Angelenos were pumped this weekend to try the fusion concoction known as the Ramen Burger, and braved the heat on their feet in insanely long lines to get a taste of the specialty item.
The Ramen Burger is made of two pan-fried ramen patties that act as a bun sandwiching a ground beef patty. It is the invention of Keizo Shimamoto of Brooklyn's Smorgasburg, and Shimamoto was on hand this weekend to supervise the doling out of the $8 "delicacy."
Deep End Dining's Eddie Lin headed to Mitsuwa Marketplace in Torrance on Saturday to scope out the scene, and shot this video showing the staggeringly long line of hungry, curious enthusiasts who hoped to get one of the only 500 Ramen Burgers available.
Over a thousand people showed up, and the long lines and culinary curiosity has gotten a ton of worldwide media attention. Hey, they're even talking about it in Canada!
Lin did score a burger, and here's his mini-review:
The burger itself is a 75/25 certified angus beef patty. It's pretty great. Even better with a beer, if I had one. I wouldn't wait in that Cold War, Easter Euro-line for a taste though. I didn't have to!! I'm not sure if it tastes better the longer you had to wait or vice versa.
Whether people have had one or are just hearing about it, the feedback is definitely mixed:
Ramen burger is the new best thing.. #food
— Jasmine 伍慧敏 🇭🇰🇨🇦 (@jasbern) September 9, 2013
A ramen burger looks and sounds disgusting lol
— Collin Bishop (@BISHOPDUDE) September 9, 2013
There is now a ramen burger where the patty is made out of ramen noodles #ew #fucksociety
— Jeena Deeb (@jeena_elece) September 9, 2013
Every time i hear about the ramen burger, i barf a little bit in my mouth.
— neuroscience hottie (@TexaQueer) September 9, 2013
@ahoymaetey yes! I love Ramen! I'd eat anything ramen. but still skeptical about that Ramen burger.
— Pao #WillContinueToBeAngry (@kabudelz) September 9, 2013
Ramen burger is the new best thing.. #food
— Jasmine 伍慧敏 🇭🇰🇨🇦 (@jasbern) September 9, 2013
The Ramen Burger was also offered Sunday in Pasadena.