Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen

From the late 20th century onward, ramen has been considered synonymous with Japanese culture. Los Angeles picked up on the gourmet ramen trend a few years ago, and with the recent renaming of West LA’s Sawtelle corridor to ‘Sawtelle Japantown’ comes even more restaurants to cater to the tastes of every kind of ramen aficionado. Here are the top places in the area to get your fix.
If you don’t like green onions or you’re not a fan of spicy ramen, that not a problem. Tatsu allows you to order your ramen exactly the way you like it. Customers line up at the door to place their order on an iPad and search for a seat in the restaurant or outside on the patio amid others eagerly waiting for their bowl of made-to-order ramen. Seven different styles of ramen are available to order, ranging from the traditional Tonkotsu-style bold ramen to the naked ramen, which is served without broth. With corn, garlic, and seaweed toppings always free for customers, it’s hard not to go overboard.
2123 Sawtelle Blvd. Los Angeles, CA, USA, +1 310 684 2889
A bowl of ramen at Daikokuya is the ultimate Japanese comfort food on days when it’s gloomy or raining outside. The original Daikokuya ramen is flavored by a thick, rich broth, and the spicy miso version has just enough spice to heat up your insides on a cold day. The interior décor and the atmosphere of the restaurant bring to mind a street somewhere in Japan, and they liven up the experience for many who choose to eat there. Luckily, the place is open until 2am every day, so those hit with a bout of late-night hunger can satisfy their appetite here.
2208 Sawtelle Blvd. Los Angeles, CA, USA, +1 310 575 4999