Best ramen in Los Angeles

56 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/FoodLosAngeles

Most people recommend Ramen Nagi, and many name it a favourite or a top pick. Some point to its vegetarian ramen, one likes how far the bowls can be customised, and one recalls its rotating themed bowls. Many who name a branch mean the Century City mall one. Caveats: one commenter finds it a bit rich, and one felt it was overhyped on a first visit.

Century City

41 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/pasadena, r/AskLosAngeles, X

Most people recommend Tatsu Ramen, and a few point to its chicken ramen, with some also recommending the vegetarian option. A few say it works for late-night ramen. Tatsu has several outlets, so people name different ones: the Sawtelle shop gets praise from several commenters, and the Melrose and West Hollywood shops also come up. Caveats: one diner says it can be among the best when on form but has had off visits, and another was disappointed by a single Melrose visit.

Sawtelle

40 people recommend, 6 warn against itvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/ramen, r/AskLosAngeles

Most people who name Tsujita recommend it, and many single out the tsukemen, a dipping-style noodle dish. This listing is the original Tsujita LA on Sawtelle; the Annex across the street is a separate shop that people also recommend and is not covered here. Some commenters say quality can be inconsistent, and others are less enthusiastic: one has had a few underwhelming meals, one finds it middling next to Bincho, and one does not like the regular branch.

Sawtelle

39 people recommend, 8 warn against itvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/AskLosAngeles, r/ramen

Most people recommend Daikokuya, and many who name a branch mean Little Tokyo; some also mention a Sawtelle branch, and some say the Little Tokyo one beats the others. A couple point to the kotteri-style bowls, some to its vegan creamy ramen, and some mention long waits for a seat. Several are less impressed: one stopped going because it felt underwhelming, one did not enjoy it, one reports mushy noodles, one found a branch disappointing, and one says the Jiro-style special falls short of the real thing.

Little Tokyo

36 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/FoodLosAngeles

Most people recommend Santouka, and some rank it as their top ramen in LA, with some also praising its shio. It is a food-court counter inside the Mitsuwa market, and commenters point to the Mitsuwa on Centinela in West LA; Santouka is also found in other Mitsuwa markets, including the one on Centinela in West LA. Caveats: one commenter calls it bad ramen, and one says it does not nail Sapporo-style miso.

Culver City Japanese Market

34 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/ramen

Most people recommend Rakkan Ramen, and many point to its vegan and vegetarian options, with some calling the vegetable-based broth light. A couple say the broth tastes like pork even though it is not. Many who name a branch mean Little Tokyo and one calls it outstanding. Caveats: one commenter found it underwhelming, and another found the shio adequate but short of top spots in Tokyo.

Little Tokyo

33 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/FoodLosAngeles

Most people recommend Afuri, and many praise its yuzu-based dishes, including the yuzu shio ramen and yuzu tsukemen. Several single out the hazelnut tantanmen or hazelnut broth, and several mention its chicken-based options. Commenters name both the Culver City shop and the Arts District one. Not everyone agrees: a few rank its yuzu shio below the Japanese original or other LA shops, a couple found the ramen bland or unremarkable, and one dislikes it.

Culver City

31 people recommend, 5 warn against itvia r/FoodLosAngeles

Most people recommend Jinya, and many point to its spicy creamy vegan ramen, with several also naming the chicken ramens. Jinya is a chain, and commenters name different outlets: Santa Monica, downtown and Studio City all come up. At Studio City, one regular finds it decent and another says it used to be excellent but has been inconsistent. Not everyone agrees: commenters who disagree call it mediocre or doubt it is a good pick.

Studio City

25 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/ramen, r/FoodLosAngeles, r/pasadena

Most people recommend Ramen Tatsunoya, and many name it a favourite or their top ramen spot. Most who name a branch mean the Pasadena shop. A few say it holds up against ramen they had in Japan, and one praises the spicy miso tonkotsu. One person enjoys the red ramen as a guilty pleasure but doubts it is a real ramen style. Two commenters raise value concerns: one finds the bowl expensive for its size, and one says the drive makes it poor value.

Pasadena

23 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles

Many people recommend Iki Ramen, and some point to its chicken, fish and seafood broths, including mazemen options. One ranks its yuzu shio above Afuri's, and one loves its vegan ramen. One diner calls it the best, and another puts it close to their top pick. One commenter calls it their closest pick but found the yuzu shio had bitter notes and was not quite at Tokyo shio standards.

18 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/AskLosAngeles

Most people recommend Tonchin, which is on Melrose, and several praise its smoked dashi ramen. One recommends the miso ginger ramen as spicy yet light, and one suggests its vegetarian ramen. Two diners did not care for what they tried, one the tsukemen and one the tonkotsu, though both liked the noodles.

18 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/FoodLosAngeles

Most commenters recommend Ippudo, and several praise its vegetarian and vegan bowls. People name both the West Hollywood shop and the newer Culver City branch; one calls the Culver City one their favourite ramen right now. The main complaints are price, which several find steep, and the thin noodles, which some find unsatisfying, though one says thicker noodles can be requested. One commenter calls a bowl a letdown compared with Ippudo in Japan.

Culver City

15 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/ramen, r/AskLosAngeles

Many diners recommend Laki Ramen on Wilshire, and several describe its bowls as chicken-based. One says the paitan is fantastic, one likes the clear-broth chicken ramen and the dan dan ramen, and one enjoyed the clam chowder version. One diner who ordered the spicy chicken ramen found it delicious but says the broth includes some pork bones, and one calls it an under-the-radar pick.

Wilshire

15 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/ramen

Most people recommend Killer Noodle, and one calls its Tokyo-style peanut ramen amazing. One who visited says the dry ramen is excellent and another found the Tokyo tantanmen pleasantly spicy. A couple of commenters see it as a different take on ramen, a couple point to the vegetarian version, and one says the heat and numbing can be adjusted. People name the Sawtelle shop.

Sawtelle

15 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles

Most people recommend Red White Boneless Ramen, and most who name a location mean the Studio City shop. The menu is plant-based, with no chicken or pork, and a couple of commenters call the broth rich, one noting a smoky infusion. One diner who prefers meat says they keep returning, and one commenter names the truffle and garlic versions.

Studio City

15 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodLosAngeles

Most commenters recommend Ramen Hood, and many point to it for vegan ramen. Several describe the broth as rich, creamy or flavorful, and a few non-vegans call it very good. People name the Grand Central Market stall and one calls it their top ramen pick downtown. One commenter is less impressed and finds the soup weaker than mid-tier ramen spots.

Grand Central Market

14 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/AskLosAngeles

Many people recommend Men Oh Ramen, and several rank it among the best ramen they have had, including one who calls it the best Tokushima-style bowl and one who says its spicy tonkatsu ramen is the best of its kind. Some name the Little Tokyo shop and one names the Arts District one. One says it packs components separately for delivery. Caveats: one likes the broth's richness but says components sometimes arrive cold, and another found it underwhelming apart from the spicy tonkotsu and rice dishes.

Little Tokyo

12 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/ramen, r/AskLosAngeles

Many diners recommend Torisoba Sumiya, and several point to its chicken ramen. One who visited calls the grilled chicken excellent, another finds the bowl smoky with a flavorful broth that is not greasy, and one thinks it may serve the best bowl in Sawtelle. One more says the side dishes were top quality. One diner recommends the torisoba but suggests skipping the charcoal chicken.

Sawtelle

12 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/AskLosAngeles

Most commenters recommend Hachioji Ramen, and those who name a location mean Little Tokyo. Some mention the duck, with one strongly suggesting the duck-topped combo and, in their view, the shio is one of the better ones in LA, and some point to its vegan options, one praising the spicy bowl. One commenter calls it the best bowl they have had locally.

Little Tokyo

11 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/AskLosAngeles

Most commenters recommend Bincho, and a few name the Tarzana shop. Two point to the clear tonkatsu ramen, one calling it a regular pick on chilly or wet days and another saying it comes close to what is served in Japan. A few place it among the best ramen in LA or the Valley, and one praises the potstickers. Caveats: one finds it fine but not as strong as the spots most often praised, and one says it may be a trek depending on where you stay.

Tarzana

11 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/AskLosAngeles

Most people recommend Hinodeya Ramen, and a couple call it a go-to ramen spot. Some name the Little Tokyo shop. One visitor found the house ramen with pork decent and liked the mushrooms, one says the clam-broth bowl is very good, and one urges others to try the seasonal scallop bowl.

Little Tokyo

11 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/AskLosAngeles, r/ramen

Overall, commenters recommend Mensho Tokyo, and several name its Culver City shop. Some describe the chicken broth as rich, one calls the lamb ramen life-changing, and one lists its toripaitan among their favourite noodle dishes. One commenter notes lines can run long, and one says it may have overtaken Ramen Nagi for them.

Culver City

10 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/AskLosAngeles

Most people recommend Moto Ramen, and a few name the Culver City shop; some call it their go-to. Some point to the tantanmen, with one giving the dry version an honorable mention. One notes it has non-pork options, one praises the salmon bento box, and one says it satisfied a craving for ramen. One diner found the ramen bland on their visit.

Culver City

9 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/ramen, r/AskLosAngeles

Most diners recommend Venice Ramen, and two point to the chuka soba, one saying the version with thick noodles is the pick. A few praise the chicken options, including one who ranks its chicken ramen top in the city. One recommends the tonkotsu and describes it as a small place, and one calls the veggie bowl very good. Caveats: one says the noodles are not their favourite though the broth is good, and another says quality has dipped somewhat.

8 people recommendvia r/ramen, r/FoodLosAngeles

Many people recommend Menya Tigre, mostly for its curry ramen, and one also names the curry tsukemen. Commenters place it on Sawtelle and one calls the curry ramen excellent.

Sawtelle

8 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/AskLosAngeles

Many diners rate Kazan's ramen highly, and one says its broth is addictive. Several say it is pricey, with one calling it an all-time favourite despite that. Caveats: some find it overpriced or mediocre for the cost, one calls it touristy and advises staying away, and one says it is the closest they have come to good ramen but finds the price too steep.

7 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles

Many people recommend Slurpin Ramen, and some name the Koreatown shop. A couple praise the tonkotsu, one calling it the best bowl they have had in the city so far. One suggests ordering the pro bowl with a pork belly add-on, and one who loves the broth feels the noodles fall short.

Koreatown

7 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles

Most people recommend Kai Ramen, and one says its sukiyaki beef ramen is good for fans of that style. One says the Sherman Oaks shop is the only place they know serving gyudon-style ramen, one ranks it second on their list and likes its wider range of bites, and one relays a friend's praise for its vegan broth without having tried it. Other mentions simply name Kai Ramen.

Sherman Oaks

5 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/AskLosAngeles

Five people recommend Kouraku, and one calls its ramen good. One says the ramen is solid and flavorful, with the chahan omelet dish the bigger highlight, one loves the tenshin men ramen, and one says its ramen keeps an older style rather than the heavy, garlic-oil tonkotsu of newer places. One lists it among the good ramen spots in Los Angeles.

5 people recommendvia r/FoodLosAngeles

Five people recommend Gokoku as a vegetarian ramen spot. Some name the Studio City shop and one names the North Hollywood one. One says the mushroom ramen is their favourite, and one calls the vegan jalapeno ramen the best they have tried.

Studio City

5 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodLosAngeles, r/LosAngeles, r/AskLosAngeles

Most commenters recommend Orochon, and most who name a location mean the Little Tokyo shop, and some name it for very spicy ramen. One says the top heat level is too much and usually orders the second-highest, and one says the very spicy Special No. 2 hurts but still tastes good. One notes a small menu of ramen types, and one says it also offers shoyu and miso. Not everyone agrees: one says it is not the best ramen, and another does not like its flavor.

Little Tokyo