The new outpost of HiroNori will take over the former Mirch Masala 2 Go space in the BioVista retail center in Sorrento Valley, according to public filings. While an exact opening date has not yet been announced, the move marks another significant expansion for the rapidly growing company founded by chefs Hiro Igarashi and Nori Akasaka in 2017. HiroNori has earned repeated praise - including recognition in the Michelin Guide - for its commitment to handcrafted noodles, scratch-made broths, and a menu that balances authenticity with modern California approachability.
The upcoming Sorrento Valley shop will join an existing San Diego location in Hillcrest, which debuted in early 2019 to strong neighborhood response and long lines of ramen enthusiasts eager to try the brand’s signature dishes. That first opening helped boost San Diego’s already surging ramen culture, which has only continued its expansion over the past decade.
HiroNori’s menu remains centered around three core ramen offerings - tonkotsu, shoyu, and a vegan ramen - each one prepared with the detail that has defined the brand since its inception. The tonkotsu broth simmers for nearly 24 hours until creamy and opaque, while the shoyu ramen incorporates a deeply savory soy sauce aged for years in traditional Japanese barrels. The vegan option, which has become a standout in its own right, blends five imported miso varieties to create an unexpectedly rich and balanced broth layered with broccolini, tofu, corn, kale, and chili oil. Guests can customize each bowl with add-ons such as fresh garlic, black garlic oil, and house spicy sauce.
Since launching their first restaurant in Irvine eight years ago, Igarashi and Akasaka have expanded HiroNori across the state - including Long Beach, Santa Clara, and Tustin - while cultivating a reputation for exceptional hospitality alongside culinary precision. Their origin story has long resonated with customers: Igarashi, who began cooking ramen at 18, experienced homelessness upon arriving in the United States before working his way through the Los Angeles restaurant industry and eventually partnering with Akasaka to build a now-celebrated brand.
The new San Diego location will sit in a busy corporate and residential corridor surrounded by biotech offices, commuters, and long-established neighborhood eateries. BioVista tenants include Croutons, B.BQ Chicken, Karak House Coffee Company, and Moment Sushi. The area’s mix of weekday foot traffic and evening dining demand makes it a strong strategic fit for HiroNori, which often thrives in high-activity commercial hubs.
HiroNori Craft Ramen is expected to open in 2026 at 9254 Scranton Road, Unit 102, in San Diego's Sorrento Valley. For more information, visit hironoricraftramen.com.
Originally published on November 25, 2025. Information first reported by Joey Reams of What Now.
Originally published on November 25, 2025. Information first reported by Joey Reams of What Now.
