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! read more

Akatora Ramen - Lunch special: small tonkotsu ramen and salmon poke bowl - Ramen Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This is probably one of my top Ramen places here in the LA area. It's right on Wilshire in K-Town by The Boiling Crab. Parking can be a daunting task, but I found out that this restaurant validates. I was able to find street parking and it was free. Walked in around 9pm and there were 2 other table being occupied. I did notice how warm it was inside. I wished they would have turned on the AC to make it a little more comfortable. I ordered the tonkatsu ramen and takoyaki. My wife ordered the mussels ramen and un-fried rice. Food took longer than I expected, but the ramen came out first. I did ask for extra noodles ($3). Don't make the same mistake like me as I should have asked for the extra noodles after I was done with the first round. With the extra noodles being added in, it basically absorbed all of the broth leaving me with nothing left to drink after I finished the noodles. Anyway, the tonkatsu ramen was really good and was not overly salty like other restaurants. I like the thin eggs noodles they use here. Similar to Shin Sen Gumi. The thinly sliced chasu had great flavor and a good amount of fat. I hate it when ramen shops serve thick cuts of chashu. It ends up being dry and salty. This ramen bowl was so good, I though about ordering another. But at $18 or so dollars, it was on the high side. You can get the mussel ramen with the mussels ($22) or without ($18). We got it with mussels and I like that they separate it from the ramen. I do think the mussels was overcooked a little though. The broth reminded me of a clam chowder. It had good flavor, but unfortunately, the broth did not soak in to the noodles itself. I found the noodles to be a little bland because of that. My wife also agreed with me. But you do get a good amount of mussels for an additional $4. The Un-fried rice is just rice mixed with fried shallots. It was pretty good and kind of reminded me of a Vietnamese dish that we eat that has fried shallots. It was good, but for $4, a little bit pricey. I will definitely coming back here if in the area. read more

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! read more

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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. read more

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The food & service was excellent! So delish, it was my first time being here and I'll def come back. The broth was so clean and tasty! Sides r good too read more

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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. read more

Akatora Ramen - Cíc - Ramen Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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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! read more

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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. read more

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We tried the Tokyo shoyu ramen (recommended by our waiter) and the spicy tonkotsu ramen. The spicy sauce comes on the side--I added too much and instantly regretted it. Even with the spice, the broth tasted pretty bland, almost like a watered-down Shin ramen. The tonkotsu shoyu ramen, on the other hand, was extremely salty--borderline inedible. Both bowls came with shabu-style pork belly, which was pretty underwhelming and didn't add much to the dish. The server was attentive, but it didn't seem too difficult considering we were the only ones there at prime dinner time on a Saturday. Overall, it was a disappointing experience, especially considering how promising it sounded going in. read more

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. read more

Akatora Ramen - Fried chicken karaage with two different sauces both delicious - Ramen Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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). read more

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I was pleasantly surprised how good this place was. The staff member was kind enough to suggest a combination set meal when I couldn't make up my mind on two items. Worked out fantastically with pork ramen and a side of shrimp tempura which was nicely fried! BEST part was their perfectly runny ramen egg which is the best ramen egg I've ever had in all of Los Angeles in my opinion! Ambiance interior was great and I give big points to a super clean bathroom which they have. read more

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. read more

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The food was absolutely amazing and we had a wonderful time eating here. Rachel was a fantastic server and the rest of the staff were so kind! They chatted with us periodically through our meal and overall it was a great experience. We traveled from Las Vegas and would love to come back when we return to California. read more

Akatora Ramen - Garlic Butter Mussel Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Muy buena comida y muy buena atención encantada súper rico volveré todo lo que comí estuvo muy rico y un bonito lugar read more

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Great atmosphere. Ordered the lunch combo with spicy shoyu ramen and salmon poke bowl - both were delicious. The server Minki offered great service. Would come back again! read more

AMAZING! From the ambiance, to the service, to the quality of the culinary art! It was such an amazing experience! Me and a group of family came to enjoy a nice dinner and were treated like KING AND QUEENS! Hana, the visionary behind this beautiful establishment, went above and beyond to accommodate and satisfy all of our preferences and needs! One of the best experiences at a Los Angeles restaurant, BY FAR! Would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a GREAT TIME! The KARAGE IS TO DIE FOR! And you can never go wrong with Spicy Veggie Ramen read more

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We like the ambiance and the cleanliness. Even the women's bathroom was very clean. Food was outstanding. My husband and I ordered the tonkatsu ramen+shrimp tempura and a side of takoyaki. The portions were just right and the taste was amazing. Customer service is very pleasant and the waiter was anticipating what we needed. Will definitely come back. read more

This spot needs more appreciation. I think they have the best ramen in terms of taste and quality in the nearby area, at a very reasonable price. The tonkatsu broth is flavorful and satisfying, the egg is the perfect runny on the inside and soft on the outside, and overall I was happy with my experience. Give it a try if you're in the mood for ramen read more

The food was great and very plentiful. The service was amazing, never needed anything and we were checked on often. The ambiance reminds me of a ramen place in Tokyo we ate at often while in Japan. We live close and will be returning for sure. Make sure you try the karaage. read more

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It's absolutely delicious! The owner makes the broth from scratch without using MSG, so it's easy on the stomach and has a clean aftertaste. Tonkotsu ramen is amazing! Incredibly tender meat and the perfectly soft-boiled egg elevate this ramen to a whole new level of sophistication. Also, the signature Mussels ramen and Shoyu ramen were must try!! The interior is warm and cozy, and the staffs are friendly and welcoming! It's a completely different vibe from the other restaurants I've been to recently. You absolutely have to try it! You'll fall in love with it! read more

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I ordered the cucumber salad, tofu bites, and the spicy tonkatsu ramen. I asked for it extra spicy, and they definitely delivered. The service was warm and friendly, and the whole experience felt welcoming. This spot is a true hidden gem and honestly, as a ramen lover, I'd rank it in my top two ramen places in Koreatown. I will be back. read more

This is a great spot to grab lunch. I always get the combo sets because it's such great value. All of the ramen they have is good. My favorite right now is the Shoyu Ramen. Combine it with the Salmon Poke Bowl and it's even better. read more

The most delicious curry ramen I've ever had! Def recommend and the staff is so nice. Perfect way to end my day on a rainy Saturday!! read more

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Ramen was fantastic! Their broths are unlike any other ramen spot in LA. I highly recommend their Tokyo Classic Shoyu ramen, it's incredible. The ramen noodles are nice and thin, they soak up the broth so well. Their agedashi tofu is also always a must order. read more

I just ate at Akatora Ramen, and the Shoyu Ramen was very good. The restaurant is clean and well maintained, the ambience is welcoming, and the staff -- including the owner -- were genuinely friendly. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area. Highly recommend -- you won't be disappointed. read more

Amazing ramen and great service! Would highly recommend. Very nice staff and flavorful Takoyaki!!

Not a huge fan of shoyu based ramen but this was exceptional. Light but flavorful broth that's not too salty. The chashu had a smoky and grilled punch that's nicely contrasted with the citrus seasoned chicken. The egg was perfectly cooked and added a bit of creaminess to the broth. 10/10 experience if you're craving a shoyu based ramen. read more

You should try a mussel Ramen~~ I never seen before. I never tasted it before it's amazing. And staff are very kind great service. read more

My friends and I stumbled upon this place while studying in the area. We came here not expecting anything crazy but we were mind-blown by how good the food and service was. The ramen tasted like hand-made noodles and the egg was a perfect soft boil. The salmon bowl was extremely fresh and did not skimp out! This is definitely one of the best ramen spots I've tried by far. The ambiance and cleanliness are all superb as well. I definitely recommend if you're ever in the area and are craving a delicious and well-priced heart-meal! read more

Akatora Ramen - Shoyu Ramen, Salmon Poke Bowl, Shrimp Tempura - Ramen Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This place is amazing. I'm sure you will love the interior and service on top of that food is awesome as well, I will definitely come back with my family in the near future. I really recommend. read more

Great food and service! I liked that this soup was not too oily as some others so was easy to finish but still had the great creaminess of the tonkotsu broth. + beautiful interior design! read more

Akatora Ramen - Spicy tonkotsu ramen - Ramen Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Excellent food, stellar service. Beautiful, very clean and new. Partner ordered a spicy ramen and was overwhelmed by the spice (we are white wimps) and they brought out a glass of milk and an off-menu sweet. Would recommend highly! The food was delicious and turnaround time was quick. Just don't pour all the spicy sauce in at once :) read more

The food here is exceptionally outstanding! The best ramen we've ever had, and my daughter agreed 1000%. We ordered tonkotsu and the taste was just perfect. Not too salty, just right. We also ordered the salmon bowl and takoyaki and tofu and they were delicious! The service was wonderful as the friendly chef took the time to say hi. The ambience was nice. The only regret we have is not living closer by the restaurant We live in West Covina. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time. read more

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Atmosphere is nice, restaurant was clean. We tried spicy shio, spicy shoyu, tonkotsu, garlic mussel, spicy tuna bowl, and the mentaiko bowl. All four ramens were pretty solid but not "wow amazing". It was good to try the spicy tuna and mentaiko bowls but probably would not order again. Overall solid. read more

Food is great, freshly made. The food and taste was amazing and service was good. Everything great

The food and service was excellent. Clean broth and fresh ingredients. Place was clean and love the decor. Will come back again!

The food and service were top notch. I downloaded Yelp for the sole purpose of leaving this 5 star review, that's how incredible the experience was. The Karrage Don was particularly delicious. The owner Kyle has cultivated an amazing vibe, from the ambiance to the amazing employees and food; everything was absolutely perfect 11/10 recommend. read more

Absolutely phenomenal food. Got the Tokyo ShoYu ramen and it was heavenly. the meat was perfectly cooked and the egg and the broth was so flavorful. Love the ambiance in the room. It's so cozy and great for pictures. Service was impeccable. Food came out super fast, still hot, and was seated very quickly. Stumbled upon this place when looking for ramen to eat after studying and it is a great pick me up. read more