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Akatora Ramen

4.8 (53 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:30 PM - 12:00 AM (Next day)
Updated 2 months ago

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Lunch special: small tonkotsu ramen and salmon poke bowl
Christine Z.

We wanted ramen after a night of drinking, and I decided I should branch out and try somewhere new instead of going to the same ramen spots I always do. Stumbled upon Akatora and saw it was relatively new, so we decided to give it a shot. We came on a Monday for lunch and there were only a couple of other parties inside. The interior was clean and modern. They had a weekday lunch special going on where you could get a small bowl of ramen and rice bowl for only $15, so I opted to order this and picked the tonkotsu ramen with the salmon poke bowl. The poke bowl was fresh, and the tonkotsu broth was creamy without being overly heavy like some places make it. Parking might be difficult depending when you come, but that's to be expected since they're located in K-town. Overall, a great spot for some ramen or rice bowls, and their lunch special is a steal!

NyShawnn S.

The food was some of the best I've had in a very long time. Everything was absolutely amazing, and I honestly have no complaints. The owner, Kyle, was incredibly gracious, welcoming, and polite, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The ambiance of the restaurant was lovely. We were seated in a cozy booth with curtains that could be closed for privacy, which made the evening feel extra special. We will definitely be returning! And a special shout-out to Kyle's wife, Hannah, the chef. Chef's kiss! Hannah, you did an outstanding job. Every dish was excellent. Keep up the great work!

Lamb chops, shrimp, Gyudon, and special sashimi.
Esther K.

It was amazing dining experience, especially lamb chops, shrimp and sashimi crude. Great service too. Best izakaya in Korea town.

Classic Shio Ramen
Eugene A.

This is my second time eating at Akatora Ramen. My first time eating here was during a private event that was hosted by one of my favorite content creators on social media. (Thanks to him for introducing me and many followers to this lovely ramen spot.) I am fond of the modern ambiance with semi-dark wooden chairs and tables that complement the semi-dim lighting. This time, I ordered a Classic Shio Ramen which was my first time trying it. My order was ready in less than 10 minutes and it came out very warm and fresh. The ramen noodles were fresh and the chicken and pork slices were soft, tender and not overcooked. Although I am not used to some seafood flavor on my ramen, I still noticed the garlicky umami taste. Next time, I would love to try their tonkatsu ramen and other items. While I arrived early for dinner, it wasn't as busy as I expected on a Friday night. I am confident that Akatora Ramen has so much potential to become a trendy place for fresh and tasty ramen in KTown. I would love to visit again whether I'm solo or with a group of family and/or friends.

Estele K.

Food 5/5: rich yet balanced ramen, who wouldn't like it? Very natural taste with enough seasonings. Meats melt in your mouth and love the citrusy in chicken. Service 5/5 Ambiance 5/5: very clean. You can park in the lot and valet is only $5 for 3 hours on Saturdays. Highly recommend!

Karaage Rice Bowl
Lauren L.

My friend and I tried Akarora Ramen on a Saturday afternoon around 12pm. It relatively empty, but we decided to give it a shot considering it recently opened. We didn't order much, but here's a run down of our experience: Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen: My friend and I both ordered this. The spice had some kick, but not much! If you're sensitive to spice, I'd order the regular version of the dish. The broth itself was pretty flavorful though. The noodles were thinner than my usual liking, but the portion size was pretty generous. Overall, a very good dish. We'd recommend trying. Karaage Rice Bowl- Very decent size and shareable between two people! After we finished our ramen, we split the rice bowl. The chicken itself was very well seasoned. I especially enjoyed the sauce that coated it. It was very zesty. If you're a lover of lemon/ lime, you'll enjoy it. Overall, it was a great experience. The restaurant itself was very clean, and the aesthetic was very chic. Ultimately, I would come here again to settle my next ramen craving.

Cíc
Siv S.

Cute place on the corner. Ordered the Tokyo Classic. Broth was clear, light, and flavorful. The egg was soft and yolk was jammy. The noodles had a nice bite and texture. I was a little surprised by how thin the noodles were but it complemented the broth and tender meat well. The cucumber salad was a refreshing bite. Washed everything down with a sparkling sake. Service was excellent. Fun fact-We found out that Akatora is "red tiger". Owner's husband was born in year of the tiger. Enjoyable experience.

Edamame hummus with crispy nori chips
Rachel P.

Newly opened to izakaya style in K-Town and it did not disappoint !! Fresh ingredients, beautifully done menu, and the vibe? Immaculate. Perfect spot for a GNO or date night!

Kelly C.

Food: 4 stars Service: 5 stars Ambiance: 5 stars I had the lunch special curry with pork katsu which I enjoyed. Others ordered lunch special Ramen, and it was either a hit or miss since not all enjoyed their broth. Would I come back? hmmmm... not sure.

Fried chicken karaage with two different sauces both delicious
Stephanie H.

I was so excited for this place to open! They re-designed the dining room and made it look very warm and inviting. There is an elevated vibe but there is also a big tv playing sports so it feels casual. The prices are really affordable, especially compared to other options in the area especially especially because of the great quality yummy food. My favorite was for sure the chicken karaage or fried chicken bowl it came with a nice little salad and rice and the texture of the chicken was somehow crispy and juicy! Service was quick and friendly! This spot feels like a secret because it doesn't look like it's very busy but don't let that fool you. Can't wait to come back to try more things on the menu.

A properly cooked soft boiled ramen egg is a must. Also the fact it keeps its consistency halfway through eating is a ramen staple!
Clarissa A.

I happened to pass by this new spot during its soft open at lunchtime so I walked in to check it out. Menu has a great variety of items from starters to a good number of ramen selections and bowls. Ramen spots in LA are plentiful but many just get it wrong with the flavor profiles, size, types of ingredients and also level of salt to cover up other things but I have to say Akatora gets it right. It brought me back to having a proper bowl of ramen in Tokyo. And how you can tell this is the real thing is in the details. I ordered the tonkatsu ramen and on the face of the presentation, it looks standard but as you start to dig into the bowl, you appreciate all the different dimensions of flavor plus you can tell the chef knows what they're doing in preparing the ramen. First, the broth. Rich and smooth, full of flavor and not overly salty... this definitely has been brewed to the point of bringing out the depth of flavor needed to support each of the ingredients, each of which are balanced and intentional. Some woods ear mushrooms and green onion with just a touch of ginger are on top of perfectly cooked ramen noodles. The noodles retain just the right amount of chewiness as is appropriate for Japanese ramen. Of course, a proper soft boiled ramen egg with the right amount of flavor and runniness is also key. This definitely passed the test! But let's take a minute to talk about the pork. Wow. At first I was surprised at how thin it was (but this is also common of what I've seen in Japan), but when you start to eat it you get the sense of rich flavor, cooked to perfection (think like you're having the best pork chashu pastrami) with the right amount of grill. It takes special skill to make pork like that and I could have eaten a whole bowl of it. All in all a great meal - right sized, not too large and also leaves you feeling full and satisfied. Ambiance is pretty casual but also appreciate the natural wood across the decor, really calming when you come inside. There is a parking lot under the mini mall where they are located (which is right on the corner).

Kevin K.

Good lunch deal! Parking is validated by the restaurant. Very cozy japanese vibe and friendly staff!

Jamie S.

Tried this place because of their good reviews and it didn't disappoint. We ordered several items in the menu and they were light and delicious!

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Kyle was absolutely amazing created the experience for me. Ramen was absolutely amazing. The apps and dessert. Thanks Kyle

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Ask the Community - Akatora Ramen

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Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo - Shinsengumi ramen hakata style with side egg

Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo

4.0(3.3k reviews)
3.5 mi•Little Tokyo, Downtown
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Food is great here delicious!!! but the customer service is not it at all no chopsticks for ramen…read morehad to get up inside and ask for some btw I dined outside no straws also had to inside to get them myself and no customer service over all only saw the waiters come out once in a span of an hour and then I have to g inside to ask for check and pay

We've been here multiple times and have also tried other locations, but this is definitely the one…read morewe always try to come back to! One of the biggest reasons is the consistency of their ramen. We've noticed that at other locations, the broth can vary slightly in flavor, and while it's not a huge difference, it's definitely noticeable. This location consistently gets it right! The kids' set is also one of the best things on the menu, especially if you're dining with little ones! We've tried so many different items, including the beef bowl, poke bowl, spicy tuna bites, Spam musubi, cheese egg rolls, and gyoza, and honestly, we've enjoyed everything we've ordered. The staff is great as well! Most of the employees we've interacted with have been friendly and welcoming, which makes the experience even better. Overall, this has become our preferred location. Between the consistently delicious food, great variety, and good service, it's a place we genuinely enjoy coming back to!

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Hachioji Craft Ramen - Hachioji Shoyu Ramen w/ Duck

Hachioji Craft Ramen

4.2(466 reviews)
3.4 mi•Little Tokyo, Downtown
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One of our must-go ramen shops whenever we visit LA! It was really hot in LA this time and we were…read morealready sweating like crazy but that didn't stop us from eating some good ramen! We usually order the same ramen but my husband and son decided to try something different this time. My husband ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen and my son ordered the Shio Ramen. Mine was, of course, delicious as always but I tried theirs too and they were both very tasty! Our only complaint was that it was also very warm inside the restaurant. We were hoping to cool down a little while we ate but unfortunately, that wish was not granted. LOL We still really enjoyed the food, though! And my husband definitely enjoyed his cold beer!

TLDR: Go for gluten free experience, avoid for other dishes…read moreThe only positive part of this experience was that they offered gluten free noodles and specific gluten free broths for my brother with Celiac who hasn't had ramen in years. They were very knowledgeable in what was gluten free and what wasn't. The only unfortunate part is that all the meats are marinated in a sauce that is not gluten free. So you can only get tofu or no protein. Even if you select no protein, it comes out to be the same price. Other than the gluten free ramen, we ordered a karage bowl, dry spicy ramen, and spicy tuna roll. The karage bowl had chicken that was NOT fried. I'm not sure how it's cooked but the chicken came out slimy. I was very disappointed as I was looking forward to crunchy karage. The dry ramen had noodles that were way overcooked. The flavoring was okay. Nothing to be impressed about. The spicy tuna roll was probably the best thing there. They had pickled yellow radish that we thought was interesting.

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Marugame Monzo - Red Dragon Rice -with ground pork

Marugame Monzo

4.4(5.2k reviews)
3.4 mi•Little Tokyo, Downtown
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Marugame Monzo really knows how to make a great bowl of udon! The noodles have that perfect chewy…read moretexture that makes them so satisfying, and there's a nice variety of dishes to choose from. Whether you're in the mood for something rich and creamy or a more traditional bowl of udon with a flavorful broth, there's something for everyone. The Ankake Mushroom Udon with seafood was my personal favorite. It's generously loaded with mushrooms, giving the dish a deep, earthy flavor, while the seafood adds another layer of savory richness without overpowering the mushrooms. The combination is beautifully balanced, with the delicate flavors of the seafood complementing the earthiness of the mushrooms. It's a wonderfully satisfying bowl with plenty of depth and character. The Miso Carbonara Udon is easily a standout. It was incredibly rich and creamy, with a velvety sauce that beautifully coated the thick udon noodles. It definitely leans indulgent, but the savory miso gives it a wonderful depth of flavor that elevates it beyond a Japanese interpretation of creamy pasta. It's an excellent choice for anyone craving something decadent and comforting. The Beef Udon is much more straightforward, but in the best possible way. Tender beef, fresh scallions, thick udon noodles, and a warm, savory broth come together in a bowl that's both simple and deeply comforting. It's the kind of uncomplicated dish that allows you to appreciate the noodles themselves rather than having their flavor overshadowed by a heavy sauce. The restaurant itself is casual, cozy, and unpretentious, with an open view into part of the kitchen that gives it a little extra character. It's almost always busy, which initially makes the line look more intimidating than it actually is. However, the turnover is impressively efficient. We visited on a Friday evening and waited less than 10 minutes before being seated. Needless to say, this probably isn't the place I'd choose for a quiet, leisurely dinner since the dining room can get pretty lively when it's full, but that honestly feels like part of its charm. There's something inviting about the bustling atmosphere, the comforting bowls of udon, and the simplicity of a restaurant that lets its food speak for itself. Come hungry, expect a crowd, and don't let the line discourage you!

We ordered over the phone for pick up. My boyfriend went to pick up the food…read more I was craving udon. As a vegetarian, I really enjoyed my veg udon. It was the only vegetarian option but it was creamy and hearty. I loved it. My boyfriend was surprised by how good their udon is.

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Men Oh Tokushima Ramen

Men Oh Tokushima Ramen

4.1(1.5k reviews)
3.5 mi•Little Tokyo, Downtown
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We were looking for a place to eat for lunch and we haven't had ramen in a minute so we decided to…read morestop by before we head back home to Bakersfield. If you have not been to this ramen spot, you are missing out! I still remember that broth like it was yesterday..... so flavorful, so rich, delicious umami flavors. There's not a lot of seating here and there's also not a long line; however, weirdly when we visited people came exactly when another person was leaving. I don't know if it was just timed perfectly or what, but this place definitely stays busy. If you're not afraid of garlic then I would highly recommend the black garlic for sure and of course don't forget to order your extra egg for good luck! You have to pay for the parking area to get into the gated area, but it's not too bad. They won't let you in the gated area if there's no parking which is probably how they have consistent guests but also kind of timed perfectly. I mean, there are other restaurants nearby also that are as busy, but that's what I noticed when I came. I'm always in the area and there's too many delicious food spots in Southern California, but I would love to come back to this one. The staff was also really nice and gave us our space. Restrooms were okay, we came in the afternoon so it wasn't spotless, but it wasn't too bad either.

This was my first time trying this place out. 1. Staff were…read morefriendly and attentive. 2. Ramen Soup broth was amazingly tasty, best part was that it wasn't too salty. 3. Chicken Karaage was very good. I ordered the Black Garlic Ramen and Chicken Karaage. The Chiasu was tender and cut thick. I really enjoyed having lunch here. While I was there, people were coming in and out, and the place fills up. The manager/owner was Japanese and was very friendly.

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Men Oh Tokushima Ramen
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Maruya - Chirashi

Maruya

3.7(956 reviews)
3.4 mi•Little Tokyo, Downtown
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Every time I come to little Tokyo, this is the place I go to eat. Amazing Ramen bowls, fresh…read moresushi, and great Japanese spirits from rice beer, to sake, to shochu. This is the place to eat in little Tokyo!

Little Tokyo Ramen Crawl: Maruya Some days you just get a…read morecraving. Not a specific one, not a "I need this exact dish" kind of craving -- just a deep, nagging need for a bowl of noodles. That's the mood that pulled me into Maruya in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. I ordered the chashu tonkotsu, the classic go-to when you want to judge a ramen shop by its bones. And the verdict? It was... fine. Not bad, not memorable -- just okay. The kind of bowl that doesn't offend you but doesn't linger in your memory either. No standout richness in the broth, no chashu slice that made me pause mid-bite. Just noodles, doing their job. This is actually the second ramen spot I've tried in Little Tokyo, and I'll admit -- I'm starting to feel a little underwhelmed by the neighborhood's ramen scene so far. For a pocket of the city with so much culinary history packed into a few blocks, I expected to be a bit more wowed by now. Two tries in, and I'm still searching for that bowl that stops me in my tracks. What did stand out, though, was the service. The staff at Maruya were genuinely warm and helpful -- attentive without hovering, quick to check in, the kind of hospitality that makes you want to root for the place even when the food doesn't quite deliver. It's the kind of detail that softens an otherwise middling meal. So, Little Tokyo ramen crawl: two down, verdict still out. The people have been great. The noodles? I'm still waiting to be impressed. On to the next bowl.

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Kouraku

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3.9(1.4k reviews)
3.3 mi•Little Tokyo, Downtown
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50 years in business
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I stopped by during lunch since I had an errand to run in the area. I really like the atmosphere,…read moreit's very casual and the servers are quite nice! I got the green salad and the Tenshin Han which is a shrimp omelette over steamed rice with sweet & sour sauce. Eating it was like wearing a blanket on a cold day . Except the weather was hot out, but nonetheless it hit a nice cozy spot. It did come out quite hot btw, so I did have to wait a little bit for it to cool down. I would most definitely order it again if I'm ever in the area and it's colder. I also recommend eating it with the salad to balance out the salty flavor because it builds the more you keep eating it. The portions were also big, so it could be shared between 2-3 people or just one if you were really hungry like I was. I look forward to visiting again and eating it when it's much cooler !

We came here for a late dinner after a show, and the experience was a huge disappointment. When we…read morewalked in, no one greeted us or acknowledged us. Several employees made eye contact, but there wasn't a single hello, smile, or nod. While we waited patiently, we watched an employee wearing purple gloves pick up a bucket from the floor with both hands and place it on the counter. Without changing his gloves--the same ones that had touched the bottom of the bucket--he reached in with both hands, scooped out bean sprouts, and held them while the water drained. Seeing that made us seriously question the restaurant's food-handling practices. My sister and I were disgusted and left without ordering. We found a better place Tenkaippin just a 2 minute drive. This place is a lot cleaner, classier, nicer people that greet you and no waiting.

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Akatora Ramen - ramen - Updated October 2026

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