Ramen in
Los Angeles.

The essential list

10 bowls worth the journey.

1. 01

   Illustrated

   Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle

   Order: Signature tsukemen

   Tsujita helped introduce Los Angeles to a dedicated tsukemen format: thick noodles served separately from a deeply concentrated pork-and-seafood dipping broth. The long-simmered soup and noodle texture are the point of the visit.

   Order this

   Signature tsukemen

   Why it matters

   Tsujita helped introduce Los Angeles to a dedicated tsukemen format: thick noodles served separately from a deeply concentrated pork-and-seafood dipping broth. The long-simmered soup and noodle texture are the point of the visit.

   Before you go: Taste a noodle plain, then dip lightly; the broth is intentionally intense.

   Read the full story Open in Google Maps
2. 02

   Illustrated

   Daikokuya Little Tokyo

   Order: Daikoku ramen

   Daikokuya became one of Little Tokyo's defining ramen institutions by making the modern ramen-shop experience part of Los Angeles dining. Its rich pork broth, soy seasoning and pork belly make the original address a neighborhood pilgrimage.

   Order this

   Daikoku ramen

   Why it matters

   Daikokuya became one of Little Tokyo's defining ramen institutions by making the modern ramen-shop experience part of Los Angeles dining. Its rich pork broth, soy seasoning and pork belly make the original address a neighborhood pilgrimage.

   Before you go: Expect a wait at the Little Tokyo original; verify which branch you are navigating to.

   Read the full story Open in Google Maps
3. 03

   Illustrated

   Men Oh Tokushima Ramen

   Order: Tokushima ramen

   Men Oh brings a regional style from Tokushima to Little Tokyo: sweet-savory pork-and-soy broth, tender pork and a fuller, more seasoned profile than a standard shoyu bowl.

   Order this

   Tokushima ramen

   Why it matters

   Men Oh brings a regional style from Tokushima to Little Tokyo: sweet-savory pork-and-soy broth, tender pork and a fuller, more seasoned profile than a standard shoyu bowl.

   Before you go: Choose the Tokushima-style bowl to understand what distinguishes this shop from neighboring tonkotsu counters.

   Read the full story Open in Google Maps
4. 04

   Illustrated

   Ramen Nagi

   Order: Butao king

   Ramen Nagi's Manila outposts brought the brand's customizable, assertive tonkotsu style to a broad local audience. It is useful when you want intensity and control over spice, garlic and noodle texture.

   Order this

   Butao king

   Why it matters

   Ramen Nagi's Manila outposts brought the brand's customizable, assertive tonkotsu style to a broad local audience. It is useful when you want intensity and control over spice, garlic and noodle texture.

   Before you go: Start near the recommended settings before customizing aggressively.

   Read the full story Open in Google Maps
5. 05

   Illustrated

   Tatsu Ramen

   Order: Bold Ramen or the signature brothless Naked Ramen

   Tatsu makes customization part of its Los Angeles identity, letting diners adjust noodle style, spice and richness. Its Naked Ramen is a deliberate brothless preparation tossed in seasoned sauce rather than a soup bowl.

   Order this

   Bold Ramen or the signature brothless Naked Ramen

   Why it matters

   Tatsu makes customization part of its Los Angeles identity, letting diners adjust noodle style, spice and richness. Its Naked Ramen is a deliberate brothless preparation tossed in seasoned sauce rather than a soup bowl.

   Before you go: Decide whether you want a broth bowl or the brothless Naked Ramen before customizing toppings.

   Read the full story Open in Google Maps
6. 06

   Illustrated

   Santouka Ramen

   Order: Shio ramen with toroniku pork cheek

   The Hokkaido-born Santouka is known for a milky, long-simmered broth and a restrained salt-seasoned bowl. The tender toroniku pork cheek is its most distinctive upgrade when available.

   Order this

   Shio ramen with toroniku pork cheek

   Why it matters

   The Hokkaido-born Santouka is known for a milky, long-simmered broth and a restrained salt-seasoned bowl. The tender toroniku pork cheek is its most distinctive upgrade when available.

   Before you go: Ask whether toroniku is available at the specific Los Angeles branch; menus vary by location.

   Read the full story Open in Google Maps
7. 07

   Illustrated

   Hakata Ikkousha

   Order: Special tonkotsu ramen

   Ikkousha deliberately preserves the assertive aroma of old Hakata tonkotsu. Its two-pot broth system layers fresh and mature soup, creating depth, pork sweetness and a distinctive fermented edge.

   Order this

   Special tonkotsu ramen

   Why it matters

   Ikkousha deliberately preserves the assertive aroma of old Hakata tonkotsu. Its two-pot broth system layers fresh and mature soup, creating depth, pork sweetness and a distinctive fermented edge.

   Before you go: This is for diners who want full pork character; do not judge it by aroma before tasting.

   Read the full story Open in Google Maps
8. 08

   Illustrated

   Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen

   Order: Hakata tonkotsu ramen

   Shin-Sen-Gumi brought a customizable Hakata ramen style to Los Angeles, where diners can tune noodle firmness, broth salt and aromatic oil. That hands-on ordering ritual is part of the restaurant's identity.

   Order this

   Hakata tonkotsu ramen

   Why it matters

   Shin-Sen-Gumi brought a customizable Hakata ramen style to Los Angeles, where diners can tune noodle firmness, broth salt and aromatic oil. That hands-on ordering ritual is part of the restaurant's identity.

   Before you go: Keep the first bowl close to the recommended settings, then use kaedama if you still have broth.

   Read the full story Open in Google Maps
9. 09

   Illustrated

   Iki Ramen

   Order: Mentaiko mazemen or A5 wagyu ramen, depending on the current menu

   IKI is a modern Los Angeles ramen-and-sushi restaurant with handcrafted broths, premium ingredients and a chef's tasting format. Its mentaiko mazemen shows the menu's creative side, while the wagyu ramen is a richer special when listed.

   Order this

   Mentaiko mazemen or A5 wagyu ramen, depending on the current menu

   Why it matters

   IKI is a modern Los Angeles ramen-and-sushi restaurant with handcrafted broths, premium ingredients and a chef's tasting format. Its mentaiko mazemen shows the menu's creative side, while the wagyu ramen is a richer special when listed.

   Before you go: Check which location and tasting format you are booking; seasonal menus can differ between Hollywood and Koreatown.

   Read the full story Open in Google Maps
10. 10

    Illustrated

    Jidaiya Ramen Dining

    Order: Jidaiya signature ramen

    Jidaiya frames its ramen as a meeting between the many regional styles that developed in Japan and a nostalgic Los Angeles dining room. The house signature is the best way to read that broad, comfort-led approach.

    Order this

    Jidaiya signature ramen

    Why it matters

    Jidaiya frames its ramen as a meeting between the many regional styles that developed in Japan and a nostalgic Los Angeles dining room. The house signature is the best way to read that broad, comfort-led approach.

    Before you go: Use the Gardena-area listing and check the current menu; the restaurant's menu has changed over time.

    Read the full story Open in Google Maps