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    Kouraku

    3.9 (1.4k reviews)
    ModerateJapanese
    Open 11:30 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

    Order Kouraku Takeout or Delivery

    Kouraku Photos

    KOURAKU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Kouraku

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    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.

    Teri steak plate which comes with salad and potato salad.  Shrimp omelette on pork fried rice.  On the  side Mini beef katsu and gyoza.

    This is the absolute perfect spot for the late night Los Angeles Japanese food vibes. Large menu and all of it is good. Large mugs of Japanese beer. Just don't find many spots like this anymore.

    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.

    Outside of Kouraku
    Karl M.

    * The Stir-Fried Motsu was piping hot and the incredibly fresh - the tripe was very tender and seasoned with a strong amount of garlic, onion, and bamboo shoots * The Tenshin Chahan Ankake was deliciously addicting - the creamy, savory combo of the gravy, rice, and egg quickly vanished spoonful after spoonful * Overall, Kouraku is an amazing spot with quick and friendly service, late open hours, and outstanding comfort food that makes it a must-try spot for Little Tokyo

    Menu
    sanjana m.

    Food was good. Service was good, staff was super friendly and nice. They have robots to bring you your food. Ambiance was decent, very cozy. Gyoza 4/5 Chicken katsu curry rice 4/5 Gomoku yakisoba 4/5 Miso soup 3.5/5

    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

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    Page 1 of 34

    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/

    View All 6 Questions

    Marugame Monzo

    Marugame Monzo

    4.4
    (5.2k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Late-ish lunch on Juneteenth. Of course there was a wait. 8…read moreparties down so we had plenty of time to pursue the menu. QR code at sign in. It's a typical sized place for a restaurant on First St. (I.e. small & narrow). They do make use of every space though. Parking is...Little Tokyo...sigh. IF you're lucky enough to get street parking, go buy a lotto ticket on your way home. Parking structures near by. We shared: Agedashi eggplant: Japanese eggplant beautifully "fan" sliced. Dashi was VERY good. Generous amount of grated daikon. Assort. Tempura: Saw this being served while waiting. Looked really good and it WAS! Large shiitake mushroom. Fan cut Japanese eggplant, kabocha pumpkin, shrimp tempura & two (2) shiso leaves. All VERY crisp not oily. Warm dashi side had deep umami rich flavor. Probably made the legit kombu & bonita flake method. #1 ordered the Miso carbonara: garlicky carbonara served with their signature house-rolled out udon. Wonderful dish. Portion sizes were adequate. #2 ordered the Uni carbonara: same garlicky carbonara with uni bits strewn about. Estimating one whole uni broken. This actually works for ease of eating. Plus, uni ranges in the $18/oz on the low end to $60 or more/oz on the higher end. Yes we love & appreciate their gonads. Udon noodles were chewy, bouncy & worth the wait. Yeah yeah....the dough is purchased. Not house made. But, seriously you've seen the YouTube videos of restaurants specializing in Japan? Yes there are places in LA who make their dough & roll it out. It's Hella lot of work! Yamachan produces large scale udon/ramen in San Jose. It's fine. Let them work out the dough to water ratio. Also portion size was decent since we shared a couple apps. Might want to consider the option of extra noodles. The table to our right full of younger male co-workers were there to socialize. They probably all grabbed an afternoon snack. Was it worth the 30-40 min wait? ABSOLUTELY! Michelle 2025 Star. Yes it's worth the wait even with the sucky parking. Got so excited forgot to take photos of our udon. That's ok. Just take a look at the 3,000 photos.

    Sometimes you just want a simple well made meal…read more I love coming by to watch the udon masters make the udon, so freshly made! I love getting a kake udon, just great handmade udon with really flavorful broth and some green onions as complements to the noodle soup. Amazing!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Agedashi Eggplant ($6)
    Agedashi Eggplant ($6)
    Miso Carbonara ($17)

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    Miso Carbonara ($17)
    Izakaya Osen

    Izakaya Osen

    4.3
    (2.2k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$$
    Kid friendly
    Wheelchair accessible

    Izakaya OSEN in Silver Lake brings that intimate, late night Tokyo vibe with a menu that actually…read moredelivers. The space is cozy, dim, and stylish perfect for a slow, flavorful night of yakitori, small plates, and sake. The sushi is clean and high quality, the skewers come out smoky with that perfect char, and the wagyu dishes are the kind that make you pause mid conversation. Their sauces and marinades lean bold, and the plating always feels intentional without being pretentious. Service is warm, pacing is smooth, and the whole experience feels like a neighborhood gem that knows exactly what it's doing. A refined but relaxed izakaya with standout flavors, great energy, and a menu worth exploring bite by bite.

    If you're ordering skewers, the scallop, sea bass, and prime beef kushiyaki are absolute standouts…read more The scallop is incredibly tender, while the sea bass is the must-order. Even if don't like seabass, you must try this one! it's buttery, perfectly charred and melts in your mouth. The prime beef is equally impressive: tender, packed with rich umami flavor, and cooked to perfection. For a larger dish, you can't go wrong with either the sea bass or blue crab hot pot. It's so rich and comforting, the fish is always perfectly cooked, and it's more than enough food for two people. Be sure to order a side of seaweed and make your own hand rolls at the table. The kabocha salad is also unexpectedly delicious and pairs well with the other indulgent items in this order. They recently moved next door and they may be overbooking themselves so expect to wait quite a while- even if you have reservations.

    Photos
    Izakaya Osen
    Izakaya Osen
    Izakaya Osen

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    Kopan Izakaya

    Kopan Izakaya

    4.3
    (124 reviews)
    4.0 mi
    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

    Ambiance is as described, modern and cozy. The 18pc sashimi plate look as if it was decent quality…read more The Ramen was tasty but lack luster. There are many more flavorful authentic options throughout LA. The service was, well, nonexistent. The server never checked up on our table after the food was served. There's a strong possibility we would've ordered more food, definitely more beverages, had he checked on our table. At one point, a woman who appeared to be manager/owner walked into the restaurant, and her and server went to a booth at the back of the restaurant, closed the curtains and left the restaurant with no discernible servers for the duration of their "meeting". It took over 20 mins to simply pay for the meal. Overheard a table over confronting the server over a discrepancy over the tip amount, the 20% amount on the pay machine actually being more than 20% of the bill. This tracks with what others have cautioned. Location and ambiance is lovely, but not enough to warrant a revisit.

    Photos
    Kopan Izakaya
    Kopan Izakaya
    Kopan Izakaya

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    KazuNori | Downtown LA

    KazuNori | Downtown LA

    4.4
    (3.6k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    pretty perfect! I get the 5 roll set usually and I wouldn't change a thing…read more The price is great for what you get tbh My fav is the crab roll Better parking than koreatown

    After having lunch with my peers today, I was met with rude Customer Service from the…read moremanager/supervisor of the restaurant. It started off with me observing the way the ankimo hand roll was being made right in front of me. I saw that they added some type of sauce and once it was placed in front of me, I politely asked if this roll contained any soy sauce, which I am allergic to since I have celiac disease. It was confirmed that this role had soy sauce, so I refused the roll, and at first the manager/supervisor was able to rearrange my order to regular 6 hand rolls. The ankimo that wasn't touched by me I asked her if I should give to my peers instead of throwing the handroll in the trash. She said yes. After my 5th roll they asked if we want to order anything else. I said I am still missing one roll. And she said you had 5 and the ankimo. I said I didn't eat the ankimo. And she said your friends did .... So she charged me the extra one that was going to the trash because I didn't want to waste food ... Throughout our conversation, it was not confirmed that the handroll I gave to my friend was supposed to be a part of the six hand rolls upgrade that the manager had offered me. It would've been best if she gave me some clarification so that I was not kept waiting for an extra handroll that I was able to eat due to my medical condition. I thought they would have been understanding, but unfortunately, I was wrong

    Photos
    Available Starting Aug 6th.
    Available Starting Aug 6th.
    Lobster Hand Roll
    Lobster Hand Roll
    KazuNori | Downtown LA

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    Budonoki

    Budonoki

    4.6
    (343 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    The food, the ambiance, the drinks...all of it so well curated at Budonoki…read more This restaurant offers Japanese style bar foods with an elevated twist. Everything we ate was delicious. My favorite dishes were the zabuton and sweet potato. For dessert you can't skip out on the soft serve.

    spicy tuna handrolls ($15) - im usually not a big tuna lover…read morebecause it's less juicy and fatty than a good old salmon but this was surprisingly REALLY YUMMMY - tuna was well seasoned with spicy mayo and the chili crisp added a fun, crunchy texture - i like the diy hand roll concept - every bite was with a nice amount of flavor, refreshing, chewy from the rice, and crunchy - a must! charred sweet potato ($12) - flavors and texture were not what i expected! - it was nicely mushy, blended with miso butter; abundance of chives on top - sweet and savory - not too heavy and i enjoy it as an appetizer or snack negima 2 skewers ($17) - this was BEYOND my expectations because i always feel like skewers are so expensive for something so short, tiny, burnt, and mid - HOWEVER, this was exactly the opposite; while it is still expensive, everything on the stick was juicy whether it was the jidori chicken or the scallion - skewer itself was already flavorful so i avoided the sauce on the plate as it was a bit too salty for my liking - a must order! It was just so impressively juicy and tender with great flavors scallop crudo ($24) - juicy! Solid appetizer although i feel like the cuts can be thicker and more fresh - i especially liked the slices of citrus pairing; it didnt feel extra but a nice complement to the smokey, strong green sauce on the side - ive had better crudo but this was pretty good still yakisoba ($19) - i love noodles omg although i dont know why the noodles here were cut very short LOL and it is on the softer side - the sauce was really yummy; sweet and savory; i believe it's okonomiyaki sauce or something similar; on the saltier side so itd be nice if they just lessen the amount of sauce - the texture was slightly crunchy with cabbage and veggie which i liked - wagyu was tender - not a must order because you can make this easily at home and for way cheaper! 6 pcs wings ($15) - i got enticed by the soy garlic hot honey flavor but the wings from bbq chicken are lowkey better - still a good, tender, juicy wing, but nothing memorable or impressive than your average wings that you can make at home rating: 4.5/5 - ordered 6 items and everything was solid! Of course there are areas for improvement but they're not anything jarring that would lower my rating for this spot - it is also extremely rare for me to like everything i order at a restaurant so the quality is definitely there - super friendly and genuine service! Server took her time to explain and accommodate us - casual date night tapa vibes; not your typical bright japanese izakaya spots but more so a dark, moody bar vibe, which is cool - would recommend and come back to try other items! IG: @nom.noms.only

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Seafood pancake
    Seafood pancake
    Tso's Octopus

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    Tso's Octopus
    kodo

    kodo

    4.3
    (568 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    The inside is low lit & gives an elevated ambiance. Service was fantastic and very attentive. We…read morestarted with the pacific oysters & spicy tuna crispy rice. The pacific oysters are a good size and I really enjoyed the yuzu-kosho ponzu sauce on it. The spicy tuna crispy rice have a good amount of spicy tuna on top & I loved how crispy they made the rice underneath. The Kodo trio comes with uni, toro, & wagyu and the Toro sampler comes with o-toro, chu-toro, akami. All of these handrolls were phenomenal & just left you wanting more. The Wagyu katsu you cook on a hot stone at the table which I liked as an interactive dish. The Wagyu cheeseburger was dripping with juice but still had those crunchy edges. The Uni pasta was beautiful & delicious. The Chimichurri prawns I could eat multiple plates of- the shell comes sliced down the middle so you just have to peel it off. For dessert we ordered the Kodo basque cheesecake & Miso chocolate torte. I love a basque cheesecake & the sesame crumble added great texture. The miso chocolate torte made me wish I ordered my own. Everything from start to finish was amazing, it's hard to pick favorites. Parking- valet $13

    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!

    Photos
    Inside Dining Area
    Inside Dining Area
    Toro carpaccio
    Toro carpaccio
    Entrance Seating

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    Entrance Seating

    Kouraku - japanese - Updated June 2026

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