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Kouraku

3.9 (1.4k reviews)
ModerateJapanese
Open 11:30 am - 3:00 AM (Next day)

Order Kouraku Takeout or Delivery

Kouraku Photos

KOURAKU ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Happy hour specials

Recommended Reviews - Kouraku

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Reviews With Photos

Rest of restaurant facing toward the front
RICKEY G.

Back for more exquisite delicious cuisine. I'll start with the excellent attentive service. Always with a warm welcome. I ordered the Spinach Garlic Itame, Gyoza, Chahan Fried Rice (with Pork, Chicken, Shrimp) with a side of Gravy. All were delivered promptly, very scrumptious, flavorful, and a delightful experience for my palate which I enjoyed immensely. My beverages of choice were a nice frosty mug of Sapporo accompanied by cold Sake One Cup Ozeki. Both paired well with my meal which I slowly savored and enjoyed. Well, everything was pleasantly enjoyed as I remembered during past visits. The great consistency over the years has remained. I recommend those who have been here return and those looking for a great dining experience for the first time stop by and give them a chance. You won't be disappointed. To more exciting culinary experiences

Storefront
Allison P.

Ordered online, which allowed me to pay by credit card. Ordered a single serving of Katsu Pork, which had a thin and even coating, but was a little tough. Also had the Ramen with wontons, which was packed in a bowl that kept the liquid separate from the solids so you could mix them together when ready. Broth was very light on flavor, but portion was hearty. Also ordered the potstickers, which were great after adding the sauce packet.

Jann B.

Came in for a late lunch. Restaurant was clean and staff were kind. Got to experience the cute robot server too! All the food we got were delicious and fairly priced. Pudding was pretty good as well!

Levis K.

A classic, historic restaurant deeply rooted in little Tokyo village. This restaurant has been here for many years and for many good reasons. The food is delicious and consistent, the workers are friendly and the service is always quick. The restaurant is commonly busy so expect a wait, but it's always worth the wait. I've gone here for years and will continue doing so whenever I'm in town. Easily a 10/10 spot and will definitely keep recommending to friends and family! Photos of the menu (and the chicken katsu curry rice) were taken February 6, 2026.

Tonkotsu Ramen / 豚骨ラーメン
Zachary M.

I felt like I was back in Japan. I'll definitely be back. Service was great and helpful, the flavors of the ramens were so authentic, pork was tender, noodles were so good, wings were fried perfectly, gyoza's were tender, flavorful. I got the chance to eat with my family, and they enjoyed also.

Exterior
Henry L.

We love Japanese food through and through. From the street stands all the way up to Michelin starred Omakase counters. In between that range are the old school, traditional mom & pop shops that function as the bridge between them all and are classic comfort food joints. Nowadays they are getting harder and harder to find in Los Angeles so we all need to keep supporting the ones that are persevering. Kouraku keeps on going and I hope they flourish so we will always have them around. It's Japanese comfort food and it just hits all the right notes when you crave it. Nothing is flashy and everything is familiar. It's a place you may visit only once a year but when you sit down and the friendly staff greets you, you feel like a regular. It's the old school diner ambiance with the right amount of nostalgia to not feel dusty and past its prime. Can't wait to visit again.

Our 2 bowls of ramen
Ed L.

Located In Little Tokyo in LA, this place serves top notch Japanese comfort food at reasonable prices. With a warm decor inside the restaurant, it is inviting to everyone who visits! What I mean by comfort food is that the food is what you have seen so many times on most Japanese menu; nothing fancy or even IG worthy...however, this place serves it just the way i like it and with generous portions too. My daughter an I both ordered a bowl of ramen and they really hit the spot on a cold winter night. With lots of pork and stir-fried veg as toppings, we ate a satisfying bowl of well-made ramen with balanced nutrition. Staff is friendly and most speak Japanese. I would have liked to try other dishes so hopefully I get to come again soon!

Pork Katsu Curry
Sydney C.

We went to Kouraku, a spot in Little Tokyo that seems to have been around forever. It's got a nostalgic, late-night diner energy with cozy booths. Service was friendly and efficient. We started with a trio of appetizers: Gyoza (12 pieces): classic pan-fried pork dumplings. Crisp bottoms and juicy filling. Comforting, though not particularly memorable. Menchi Katsu: a deep-fried beef cutlet with a satisfying crunch and savory center. Croquette: mashed potato mixed with a bit of pork, fried to a golden crisp. Light and fluffy inside. For mains, I ordered the Jya Jya Men, described as spicy ground pork stir-fried with miso paste, green onion, bamboo shoot, and sesame over hot ramen noodles. The first few bites were flavorful, rich, and umami-packed. About 2/3rds through, the flavor became pretty monotone. It wasn't the traditional black-sauce version I expected (usually with onions and a deeper sweetness), but rather their own spin. Interesting, just not something I'd crave again. My boyfriend went for the Pork Katsu Curry while my brother had the Oyakodon. Both were solid, hearty comfort dishes...nothing groundbreaking, but they hit the spot. Overall, Kouraku feels like the kind of place you stop by when you're already in Little Tokyo and craving something filling and familiar, not necessarily a spot worth making a special trip for.

Lorenzo W.

BUSTLING TOURIST CAFE with mid-tier Japanese offerings and robot service. Kouraku touts its long history in Little Tokyo as the oldest ramen shop in America. It's got a lot of historic vibes inside but it doesn't quite hit the mark when it comes to their noodle game. I ordered seaweed Yakisoba, a few of their Japanese meatballs, and a water. The Yakisoba was decent, but I think the sauce was a little too salty, I'm guessing it's the seaweed's fault? I also found the meatballs to be too salty, those didn't have seaweed. I suppose they need to moderate their seasonings and sauces. I paid a pretty penny for just myself, almost $50, I'd expect better quality. I was seated quickly and beat the massive tourist dinner rush. If you're looking for something more authentic I'd look elsewhere or else you're most likely going to have to wait outside and mark your name on the waitlist. There's NO Yelp reservations or waitlists here. Note, the wait can be long as seating is VERY limited inside. I only spotted a few tables available along the narrow shop. The staff were decent, but not very personable. Only one younger Japanese waiter was sweet. He was under a lot of pressure but still held it together. If you're a major fan of this spot, merch is available at the front of the shop.

Pork Katsu Curry Rice / ポークカツカレー
Finno W.

This is one of the oldest restaurants in Little Tokyo, and you can really feel it from the interior--but in a good way. The place is nice and clean, with a classic, old-school charm. I had the pork curry, and it was delicious. It came with miso soup and a salad. The pork katsu was super tender and perfectly paired with the curry. The curry itself was just right--not too salty and not too spicy, very well balanced. The service was friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. Overall, a comforting and satisfying meal. I will definitely come back.

Tension Chahan / チャーハン
Tanat M.

Oishi I come to this restaurant more than 25years plus and never never let me down about their food one of my favorites Japan in Little Tokyo Town in Los Angeles

Menu
Alyssa A.

We've visited Little Tokyo many times, and it was finally time to make it to America's oldest ramen shop still in operation. We came later at night during the week and had no issues getting seated right away. They have a pretty extensive menu with (of course) different ramen as well as other Japanese dishes. Gotta say, we were a bit disappointed in their ramen, but their Katsudon and Katsu Curry were both delicious and hearty and dishes we would definitely return for. Prices are a bit higher. Parking can be iffy as with most places in Little Tokyo. We parked a few blocks away, walked, and enjoyed Little Tokyo along the way. As disappointing as it is to say, I don't think we were return for their ramen but would come back for their rice bowls and curry.

Miso soup - cabbage salad
Rickey K.

If Hayao Miyazaki made a film about LA, I would like to imagine that Kouraku would make an appearance. The food looks and tastes like a Studio Ghibli animation, no joke. Came in today and had their curry combo plate of shrimp, menchi and pork katsu. Season it with some of the red/green pepper and chili oil and you got some good comfort eats! Super fast friendly service. The quickness is why I love this spot! Satisfaction always!

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1 month ago

Amazing Atmosphere, Wonderful service. Food tasted wonderful, and the menu was well organized and full of options!

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Kouraku Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Kouraku

Is there outdoor seating?

no there is not outdoor seating

Do they accept cash and credit or just credit? I'm going tomorrow with my friends.

Yes, we pay with credit card very often. Cash is also accepted as well.

Hi. I happen to be near little Tokyo later tonight. I never been there. I'd like to visit this restaurant. What's the best way to park my car? I'm coming from San Diego and have no idea about the parking situation there.

There is limited metered street parking in Little Tokyo, and several parking lots. More info: http://www.golittletokyo.com/map/

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Kopan Izakaya

Kopan Izakaya

4.3(121 reviews)
4.0 miKoreatown, Wilshire Center
Free parking
Kitchen open late

POV: you found a Tokyo-style izakaya in the middle of Koreatown…read more Hidden inside Madang Mall, Kopan Izakaya is giving low-lit, cozy, authentic Japanese vibes... the kind of spot you accidentally stay at for hours What we ordered: Ginza Sushi (12pc chef's choice) -- fresh, buttery, melts instantly Yuzu Miso Black Snapper Crudo -- citrusy, light, perfectly balanced Negitoro Donburi + fresh uni -- rich, creamy, elite combo Crispy Rice w/ Spicy Tuna -- crunchy + spicy = no notes Geisha Roll -- seared salmon + shrimp tempura, packed with flavor This is your sign to level up on your Ktown sushi

Food & drink 4/5 - Chicken karaage was 4/10. Batter is…read morecrunchy and thick. Chicken itself is a bit stringy and dry. Salty but lacks a depth of flavor. - The truffle sushi roll had a prominent truffle flavor (which I enjoyed, but may not be for everyone). Crunch spider roll was a favorite; just a solid classic with soft shell crab (love that an extra piece of crab is included on top of the roll). The fried onions on top of the Tokyo roll were crispy and sweet. Uni was fresh and delicious! I had uni only one time before and had a bad experience (it was incredibly fishy, and now I realize, not fresh). So I was apprehensive at first but I'm glad I gave it a chance because this uni was buttery, smooth, and briny in all the right ways. - Matcha tea was okay, medium profile matcha flavor. Not bad for the value though. Clean and refreshing. -Might be a small thing to point out, but I like how they include lemon slices automatically in the water. I also like the texture of the ice (evenly crushed and almost like a slush). Service 3.5/5 Not too long a wait for the food. Polite and professional waiters. Aesthetic 4.5/5 Traditional izakaya vibe with a relaxed, warm atmosphere. Low lighting inside. Modern layout with traditional Japanese decor.

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Kopan Izakaya
Kopan Izakaya
Kopan Izakaya

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Daikokuya Little Tokyo - Daikoku Ramen

Daikokuya Little Tokyo

4.1(9.9k reviews)
0.1 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown
$$

I'm really torn because the food was really good, but the service was seriously lacking. There were…read moresix of us, and all of us felt how rude they were. We ended up being sat next to the grill, I have a shellfish allergy so we asked to sit in their outdoor seating area (which had plenty of tables open) instead just so my allergies don't get triggered by all the vapors. As we walked to our outdoor table, my husband and friend heard three workers talking crap about me and complaining that I shouldn't even be eating there because everything had shellfish. Let's be honest it's not that hard to accommodate, plus we're giving you our business so what's the problem? Rude all the way through table service, then when we were all finished, we had barely just paid and we were finishing our drinks when the same three workers rushed into our table to clear everything out and pushed us out of our table. We're all a pretty chill group of people but every single one of us left saying what the actual f*ck was their problem?

First time visit. I feel like this place always has a wait. Fortunately for us I don't feel like we…read morewaited very long. The service was amazing. It's a well oiled machine. Seating is available inside and out. The restaurant inside is small. Open kitchen. Very cool to see the process. Hands down I highly recommend ordering the Handmade gyoza . They were juicy and flavorful. For ramen I went with the Daikokuya Ramen combination with chashu pork rice bowl. The ramen broth was rich in flavor. I added spicy oil. The noodles were perfectly cooked. The chashu pork was delicious. I would definitely come back and order everything again.

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Daikokuya Little Tokyo - Inside

Inside

Daikokuya Little Tokyo - Spicy Miso Ramen

Spicy Miso Ramen

Daikokuya Little Tokyo - Bishamon Sake

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Bishamon Sake

kodo

kodo

4.2(567 reviews)
1.2 miDowntown

This place is beautiful, with modern ambiance, perfect for both a casual meetup or for a special…read moreoccasion. Initially they mentioned they didn't have uni available, but the attentive manager came to us and shared that he wasn't completely satisfied with the quality of the uni that day, though he was still willing to serve it to me. I really appreciated the honesty and passion for quality. I came here eyeing on the uni pasta, so I had to go for it. Maybe he was right, it was just OK. It wasn't necessarily the uni itself, but the pasta and cream sauce felt slightly overcooked and a bit dry. It could've used more sauce to bring everything together. Still, no ragrets (iykyk). It's something you should try here . We also ordered the hand roll trio and toro, which was yummy. The fish was fresh, beautifully cut, and served in generous pieces. They're partnering with Death & Co, known for their craft cocktails which explains why the drinks here are so uniquely curated and well mixed. Definitely worth exploring their cocktail menu.

I really enjoy eating here because service is fast and friendly. You get a lovely meal and every…read morestaff member you meet is always so friendly. Food is delicious, drinks are good, and parking isn't hard to find if you're willing to walk a little. The design kinda dark inside, but the patio is always nice. The best part? I can be in and out in less than an hour if I wanted!

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kodo - Inside Dining Area

Inside Dining Area

kodo - Toro carpaccio

Toro carpaccio

kodo - Entrance Seating

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Entrance Seating

Kouraku - japanese - Updated May 2026

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