After first announcing the news back in July, HiroNori Craft Ramen—the Michelin-recognized ramen space that was born in Irvine—has officially opened its second location at Bixby Village Plaza in East Long Beach. Additionally, as first reported by Kate Katzban-Beren in the Long Beach Food Scene, a slew of new tenants have been announced for the part of the property being majorly revamped. And this is all much to the cheers of college students and residents alike in the area.
And yes, there will now be two Lunas in the complex. (Though I hope people will know that Luna Bistro & Cafe is the true local spot.)
HiroNori’s second location in Long Beach is a much-needed expansion for the brand.
For anyone who has sat in the line at HiroNori’s original Long Beach location in Bixby Knolls… Well, applause is being heard for their second location at 5718 E. 7th St., in the former Mad Dumplings space.
What set HiroNori apart from the beginning was its uncompromising commitment to quality. 24-hour simmered pork bone broths. Scratch-made noodles. Ingredients sourced locally wherever possible. Each bowl—whether the velvety tonkotsu, the savory shoyu with its soy-braised chashu, or the vegan ramen with creamy sesame miso—was a balancing act of flavor, texture, and craft. And while they leaned heavily on tradition, HiroNori’s California roots gave them the freedom to experiment. Like adding a Japanese-style vegan broth long before it became a trend.
From that first Irvine location, HiroNori quickly expanded to other California cities. Long Beach. San Diego. Santa Clar. And beyond, bringing its thoughtful, minimalist aesthetic and craveable ramen bowls to neighborhoods all across the state. When it arrived in Long Beach—along with a slew of middling options—it was and remains the city’s best bowl of tonkatsu ramen.
Much to the shock of those in the Long Beach food scene, HiroNori lost its mentions entirely in the 2024 California Michelin guide after maintaining it for the previous six years.
What are the holiday hours for HiroNori?
Wednesday 11/26
11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thanksgiving Day 11/27
Closed
Christmas Eve 12/24
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Christmas Day 12/25
Closed
New Year’s Eve 12/31
11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
New Year’s Day 1/1
Closed
The new tenants coming to the renovated Bixby Village Plaza.
After shuttering the CVS store at Bixby Village Plaza near CSULB and the VA Hospital, you might have noticed the demolition of the building and the construction of a new one across the past several months, with finishing touches now up. (It will look like the rendering above when entirely complete.)
- California Fish Grill: Already with a location at 3801 Lakewood Blvd., Fish Grill will take approximately 2,200 square feet of space in the new building. The fast-casual chain is known for partnering with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, a move that keeps sustainability front and center. The menu leans on made-to-order plates—grilled fish, hearty bowls, tacos, and salads—while emphasizing transparency in sourcing and a no-fuss approach to eco-conscious dining.
- The Melt: The Melt is a fast-casual American restaurant chain best known for its playful focus on grilled cheese sandwiches and comfort food classics, and it proudly markets its signature item as the “world’s meltiest burger.” The Melt turns nostalgic favorites into meals that appeal to both families and fast-casual eaters alike.
- LunaGrill Mediterranean Kitchen: A modern fast-casual chain built around healthy food, everything at LunaGrill is rooted in (obviously) Mediterranean flavors. Think grilled proteins. Fresh vegetables. House-made sauces. And pair that with kabobs. Gyros. Bowls… All with antibiotic-free meats and scratch-made sides.
- Urbane Cafe: With a location that opened earlier this year in Long Beach Exchange, this marks Urbane Cafe’s second space in East Long Beach. The Ventura-based chain’s owner and founder Tom Holt said that it is “important for our team to connect with our guests and to care about our community in the very same way we care about the preparation of our hearty, fresh, focaccia sandwiches and delicious, healthy salads and bowls.”
