Ah, ramen! A quick and savory bowl of happiness. Luckily, Los Angeles is noodle-icious and has some of the best ramen spots your taste buds could ask for. In fact, Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo is where the roots of ramen began; Kouraku was the first ramen restaurant in the United States. Now you can find ramen everywhere.
Ramen lovers want authentic flavor and spice. Noodles in ramen should also be a harmonious blend of salty and tangy. If you want the best ramen, your search ends here. Check out some of the best ramen restaurants in Los Angeles.
1. Ramen Nagi
This authentic, Tokyo-born ramen shop is always bustling with ramen lovers looking for a great bowl of thin or thick noodles. Customers will love their spicy tonkotsu ramen (Original King), which is made from pork broth. Other delicious ramen bowls at Ramen Nagi include bowls made with spice (Red King), basil (Green King), and blackened garlic with calamari ink (Black King).
Ramen Nagi’s appetizers are amazing, too. For instance, we absolutely love the pan-fried snack gyoza (it won’t be on the list, so ask them). These delightful snacks come in a crispy dumpling skirt, which adds to the experience.
Address: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd Ste. #2850, Los Angeles, CA 90067, United States
Map: Ramen Nagi
Hours: 11 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm, Monday – Friday; 11:30 am to 3 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm, Saturday – Sunday
2. Silverlake Ramen: Sunset Blvd
Silverlake Ramen is a popular spot in Los Angeles, bursting with rich, flavorful broths and springy noodles. You can start your ramen journey by ordering one or a few of their savory appetizers, such as handmade juicy pork dumplings, marinated pork belly, or spicy chicken karaage.
Some signature dishes include the Blaze Ramen, which is made with spicy and creamy pork broth. Another standout dish is the Garlic Truffle Ramen, made with a blend of creamy pork, vegetable broth, and truffle oil. Silverlake Ramen rice bowls also tantalize the taste buds with options including pork bowls and spicy tuna bowls. If you plan to visit Silverlake Ramen, get ready to try some of the best ramen Los Angeles has to offer!
Address: 2927 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026, United States
Map: Silverlake Ramen
Hours: 11:30 am to 10 pm, Monday – Friday; 11:30 am to 11 pm, Saturday – Sunday
3. Afuri Ramen
Afuri Ramen is the perfect pick-me-up after a long day at work. Warm saki and a bowl of ramen await you in LA’s arts district. Their signature yuzu-infused shio ramen is light and refreshing, with a vibrant citrus punch from the yuzu (a Japanese citrus fruit).
They offer translucent broth that seems to glisten with every bite. Thin and springy noodles are a delight to slurp. Unlike other heavy ramen broths, you can easily finish a bowl without feeling weighed down.
Address: 688 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90021, United States
Map: AFURI Ramen + Dumpling LA
Hours: 11:30 am to 10 pm, Monday -Thursday; 11:30 am to 11 pm, Friday – Saturday; 11 am to 9:30 pm, Sunday
4. Menya Tigre
Forget waiting in line for a standard tonkatsu ramen. Menya Tigre’s service is fast, and their curry tsukemen are quick to capture the hearts of ramen lovers in Los Angeles. Menya Tigre offers a unique twist on Japanese curry ramen. Menya Tigre’s top dishes feature a rich and flavorful blend of curry spices and chicken stock.
Many dishes are topped with braised pork chashu, crunchy bean sprouts, and green onions. Menya Tigre is the place to go if you want something hearty and satisfying, served with deliciously thick noodles.
Address: 2012 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
Map: Menya Tigre
Hours: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 9:45 pm, Monday – Friday; 11:30 am to 9:45 pm, Saturday – Sunday
5. Tonchin LA
This chic spot on Melrose is a haven for traditional tonkotsu ramen lovers. Tonchin LA is one of the best places to slurp a decadent bowl of Smoked Dashi Ramen. Tonchin LA’s ramen has high-quality ingredients like thick homemade noodles, melt-in-your-mouth roasted chashu pork, and a perfectly runny egg.
Tonchin isn’t just about the ramen; if you are looking for some of the best cocktails in Los Angeles, their extensive list of Japanese whiskies, sake flights, natural wines, and signature cocktails offers something for everyone.
Address: 5665 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038, United States
Map: TONCHIN LA
Hours: 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm, Monday – Friday; 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Saturday; 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Sunday
6. Kazan
Prepare to splurge a little at Kazan, an upscale Beverly Hills ramen shop serving some of the city’s priciest (but yummiest) ramen bowls. Kazan’s ramen uses a lighter, saltier soy-based chicken broth, making it lighter than other dense tonkotsu dishes.
Warm up your palate with a Kazan salad, made with red cabbage, Persian cucumber, and a blend of enoki and shiitake mushrooms. Move on to their “Signature #1” dish, packed with homemade soba noodles, tender chashu pork, and pork and shrimp dumplings. Wash it all down with a smooth Le Grand Courtage Brut Rose glass and call it a day.
Address: 111 N La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, United States
Map: Kazan Beverly Hills
Hours: 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Saturday-Thursday; 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Friday
7. Iki Ramen
Iki Ramen may be one of the best ramen places in Hollywood. This ramen shop is best known for its savory tonkotsu made from pork bones, creating an exquisite creamy broth. Their standout dish is without question their tonkotsu filled with shoyu (soy sauce)-seasoned pork bone stock, scallions, and nori. For ramen lovers looking to try something “outside the box,” their seafood-studded donburi rice bowls are a must-try.
Address: 740 S Western Ave #115, Los Angeles, CA 90005, United States
Map: IKI RAMEN
Hours: 12 pm to 10 pm, Monday – Friday; 12 pm to 3 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm, Saturday – Sunday
8. Jidaiya Ramen
This Gardena strip mall gem offers a unique twist—chicken-based ramen! Jidaiya Ramen is owned by the people behind the praised chicken spot “Torihei.” The Tokyo Yatai ramen is a standout. This savory and lighter-style shoyu ramen features a perfectly seared piece of chashu, a slice of pink fishcake, and a soft-boiled egg.
They also offer unique ramen styles like garlic tantanmen (spicy sesame) and soy butter-tossed “monja” noodles (made with cabbage). Don’t forget to try their pan-fried “UFO gyoza,” dumplings cleverly linked together like a single flying disc!
Address: 18537 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90248, United States
Map: Jidaiya Ramen Dining
Hours: 11:30 am to 9 pm, Monday – Sunday
9. Josui Ramen
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South Bay might be ramen heaven for Angelenos, and Josui Ramen is a local favorite with good reason. This cozy and always-busy spot offers a variety of ramen flavors and excels at all of them. Their house ramen features a perfectly balanced pork, chicken, and fish broth, creating a kaleidoscope of fun and interesting flavors.
They also offer options infused with homemade garlic or chili oil for those seeking an extra kick. Vegans rejoice! Josui boasts some of the best vegan ramen in LA, including vegan miso ramen and tofu-topped vegan shoyu. Fantastic, authentic ramen served in a strip mall? Josui Ramen proves that great ramen can sometimes be found in the most unassuming places.
Address: 2212 Artesia Blvd Ste b, Torrance, CA 90504, United States
Map: Josui Ramen
Hours: 11:30 am to 2:15 pm, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Tuesday to Sunday; Closed on Monday
10.Hakata Ikkousha
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This popular tonkotsu ramen chain from Hakata, Japan, has locations scattered across LA. Their standard tonkotsu is a crowd-pleaser, packed with toppings like kikurage mushrooms, scallions, and a perfectly seasoned marinated soft-boiled egg. Feeling adventurous? Try the mentaiko ramen. This dish is a twist on the classic with the addition of savory fish roe and a touch of chili paste for a delightful surprise.
Hakata is very popular, so expect to wait, especially on chillier evenings. Luckily, they have a nifty virtual queue system that lets you reserve your spot without physically having to wait at the restaurant.
Address: 368 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Map: Hakata Ikkousha Tonkotsu Ramen Little Tokyo
Hours: 11:30 am to 3 pm, 5 pm to 9:30 pm, Monday through Thursday; 11:30 am to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm, Friday; 12 pm to 10:30 pm, Saturday; 12 pm to 9:30 pm, Sunday
Happiness Is a Warm Bowl of Ramen in LA
Ramen isn’t just a snack; it’s a bowl of adventure that can satisfy a hunger pang in a matter of slurps. Fortunately, some of the best ramen can be found in Los Angeles. Los Angeles has something for everyone, from traditional Japanese ramen to international fusions.
Next time you venture out to find a ramen bowl with some killer noodle and mouthwatering broth, make sure you bring your appetite. Rich, creamy, spicy, tender, and salty—it’s all waiting for you with a bowl of hot ramen in LA.
