I've visited Kouraku a handful of times over the years, and it remains a reliable spot for Japanese comfort food. They're open late, making it a great option for satisfying those evening cravings. The menu is incredibly extensive, featuring just about every Japanese comfort dish you can think of. From omurice and ramen to curry katsu and much more. With so many choices, sometimes it can be a little overwhelming to decide what to order. This time, I kept it simple and went with the shrimp omelet over pork fried rice topped with gravy. It was comforting, satisfying, and exactly what I was in the mood for. Our friends ordered ramen and an oyakodon, and everyone seemed happy with their meals. Kouraku also serves alcohol, making it an easy spot for a casual dinner with friends. The service was friendly, and the food definitely hit the spot. They accept credit cards, and I even spotted a robot helping deliver some of the dishes. read more

Kouraku - shrimp omelet over pork fried rice topped with gravy - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I came after some event and tried a few food items from the gravy omelette to some of my friend's pork tonkatsu curry (not pictured). The curry was actually pretty amazing. It had a deep and robust flavor. I don't think I've had that flavor of curry anywhere else but it was deeply heartwarming and satisfying. I really did enjoy this dish a lot. However, the pork cutlet isn't wasn't the best cutlet I've had. I would put it in the middle range of tonkatsus out there. While good, it didn't have the crisp flakiness you'd find in a specialty restaurant that specializes in just tonkatsu. However, it is still good. Next up was the omelette with gravy with fried rice that had both shrimp and pork. I feel the egg of the omelette was well made. It had that texture and consistency you would really want from an omelette of that nature. The pork and shrimp fried rice tasted a little light in the seasoning and flavor, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The gravy was also lighter than a heavy gravy as well. When the food came out, I thought the meal would be deeply heavy due to the quantity and the gravy, but it still felt a bit light and manageable, which was kind of outside of my expectations, so that was pretty interesting. I do like the chicken soup this comes with. It has a nice flavorful broth where you could tell it was made well too. The service here is pretty good and attentive. The ambiance is nice but pretty busy. Also, if you come on the weekend, expect to wait a bit because a lot of people do want to eat here and the line can become a bit backed up. read more

Kouraku - Chicken soup that came with omelette - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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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 read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

Kouraku - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

Kouraku - Our 2 bowls of ramen - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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. read more

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Lot of options in Little Tokyo but this one stands out. Nice classic spot. Had the chicken with curry and the ramen. Both were delicious. You can see why it's the country's oldest ramen spot and still thriving. read more

Kouraku Japanese Restaurant is one of those OG Little Tokyo spots that's been around forever--and for good reason. I've been here years ago and recently came back with my wife, and thankfully, it still delivers. The ramen was flavorful and comforting, just as good as I remembered. Rich broth, well-balanced, and exactly what you want from a classic spot like this. The katsu curry was also cooked well. The pork was crispy, tender, and the curry had great depth and flavor without being overpowering. The only downsides are the usual Little Tokyo struggles: limited and expensive parking, plus a long wait during busy hours. That said, once the food hits the table, it reminds you why this place has been around for so long. If you're craving classic Japanese comfort food and don't mind the wait, this spot is still worth checking out. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

Kouraku - Teri steak plate which comes with salad and potato salad. Shrimp omelette on pork fried rice. On the side Mini beef katsu and gyoza. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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. read more

Kouraku - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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* 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 read more

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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 read more

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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. read more

Kouraku - Pork Katsu Curry Rice / ポークカツカレー - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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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 read more

Kouraku - Tension Chahan / チャーハン - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I usually only come after odd hours like after 9 PM on random weekdays but that's because of training BJJ down the street and needing a quick meal here before heading home. Always been seated within 5-10 minutes and the ramen is good. No frills, huge portions, good service, fast and easy. Miso Yasai ramen with the draft Sapporo. Thank me later. read more

Absolutely fell in love with this spot! America's oldest ramen shop, and it definitely did not disappoint. While i didn't try their ramen, i absolutely would come back (regularly if i could) just for their Tenshin Chahan Annkake (shrimp Omelet over fried rice in a plate of gravy.) it also comes with a side of broth. Super filling and the portions are great! Service was great, friendly staff and accommodating to my party's needs. Parking - street if you are lucky! If not, there are a couple of paid parking structures around. I was too distracted by the food to ask if they do parking validation. Worth a shot to ask! read more

Kouraku - Tenshin Chahan Annkake - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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! read more

Kouraku - Miso soup - cabbage salad - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This is my go to "comfort" food restaurant since the 80's. Ramen + Gyoza is the best! It fills the spot and warms you up. Friendly staff and chefs greet you with "Irashaimase!" (Welcome!) and you feel you arrived home :) Took my nephew there and he ordered Chicken Katsu Curry and he loved it. I went with my usual Miso Ramen + gyoza (3) and it was delicious! Lunch crowd on a Saturday was busy. We wrote our name on the waiting list and waited a few minutes. The crowd moves quickly and we were sitting at a table within 5 minutes. This place has history. Pictures on the wall reminds us of their place in the 60's. I call this "home" to my culinary delights. Thank you! read more

Kouraku - Miso Ramen and Chicken Katsu Curry - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Nice late night spot to go to after watching a show at the Ahmanson Theatre just 5 minutes away. Ordered: Pork Dumplings, Katsudon & Menchi Katsu Curry. Food was great! Watch out for cute cat robot that will bring your food out too! read more

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The oldest ramen shop in America is located right in my backyard in downtown LA. Out of historical interest and my brother's strong recommendation, we stopped here for a late dinner after a soccer game. The ramen was good, but it was not extraordinary. I liked the chashu, for the perfect cut of the meat and the way it was prepared. The broth was rich without being too salty. Even though all the components came together nicely, it was still not the perfect bowl of ramen that I was hoping for, especially considering its reputation. The decor inside the restaurant is interesting and does have a retro homey vibe. What really caught our attention was the robot cat server that delivered the appetizers to each table. I don't think it's necessarily more efficient than a human server, but it was certainly amusing and entertaining. It's unusual at this downtown location because they stay open until midnight. read more

Kouraku - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Once again came here and ordered take out and was initially ignored until I walked up to one of the waitresses. I placed an order and waited 20 mins. After a while I asked for an update on my order and they told me it will come out soon. Stood around for another 10 mins and gave up and finally asked for a refund. The waitresses at least kept apologizing. I believe they just forgot my order. I would not recommend Kouraku anymore. The new ramen shop one block north or any of the other half dozen ramen shops in the area are much better. read more

Had a late night dinner here at Kouraku after a concert in Downtown LA. We already knew that we wanted to have japanese curry and since our hotel was so close to Japan town, there was no other choice : ........besides the we're open late. So we ordered the beef curry and we weren't disappointed. The flavor of the curry was perfect and the beef was tender. A perfect dish when you're hungry at 1100 at night. It even came with hot miso soup! read more

Kouraku - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We enjoyed our experience here. It has such that old school feeling and the staff who wait on you are definitely Japanese, in addition to a cute robot that delivers food. I tried the Tenshin Chahan to see what the hype was about, with the gravy on the side. It was tasty and something I had never heard of before. My girls got chicken katsu curry and my husband got oyakodon. We liked everything. Prices were on the high side but this is probably due to the location in Little Tokyo. The place was busy but it wasn't hard to get a table. read more

Japanese restaurant in Little Tokyo with bar seats, booths, and tables. Servers were very friendly and service was great In terms of the food, I was not the most impressed to be honest. The taste was fair and not bad, but did not blow me away. I ordered the Pork Katsu Curry Rice which came out to be over $20 after tax and tip. The flavor is fair and standard to other curries I've had. The portions are honestly quite small. It comes with miso soup and salad that are also fair, but nothing crazy. My friend had the Tonkatsu ramen and thought it was fair as well but nothing super special. Rating (0: absolutely terrible, 5: middle of the pack, 10: absolutely stunning best thing in the world): Overall, I'd give this place a 6-6.5/10. Service is nice and fast. Food is a little lackluster and not cheap either. I had a positive experience and no real complaints but unfortunately do not think I would frequent this place read more

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Place is like stepping back in time, very friendly service and quick... prices are good the food tasted even better. I highly recommend the place for a quick hearty lunch read more

Kouraku - Meatballs and beef fried dish - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This place has great, old-school ambiance that I found comforting. Friendly service. The Miso soup and the salad were both delicious. The pork katsu was perfectly cooked and the curry rich and complex. Just what I was expecting and it hit the spot. I saw the robot waiter but did not interact. It was a bit hard to attract someone's attention to get the check after I was finished, but it was getting busier at that time, so I understand. If I lived anywhere near this place, I would come back repeatedly to work my way through the menu. Recommended for comfort food served in a nostalgic and friendly atmosphere. read more

Kouraku - The Pork Katsu Curry Rice. - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Absolutely love this spot and was super delighted with the ramen I had. My boyfriend and I order gyoza on the side, and had their regular ramen. Such a cool ambiance, and the staff was very attentive and friendly. read more

Kouraku - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

It was fairly good, friendly staff, no wait to be seated. The robot was fun to see! The food was pretty good. Tried the chicken katsu and ovakodon and both were quite good. My favorite between the two was the ovakodon, it was really well flavored and constructed. The katsu was a little blander in my opinion, and the sauce wasn't as good as some I've had in the past. read more

Kouraku - Oyakodon (Chicken) - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Widely recognized as America's oldest ramen shop still in operation, Kourako specializes in no frills, home cooking, nostalgia style meals. I would recommend coming during lunch if you can, because they have some good lunch specials. And you can beat the dinner rush that happens around 7pm. read more

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Came here with my coworkers for lunch and it was so good! I got the mabo ramen because I love mabo tofu and this did not disappoint. Great service and super cute little shop in Little Tokyo; I'll definitely be back! read more

Kouraku - Mabo Ramen - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Not too busy on a Wednesday night. I had the Mabo Ramen which was like a fusion of mapo tofu and ramen. It wasn't too heavy or salty which I appreciated but I do feel like it was lacking in more flavor, especially for something like mapo tofu. It also only had ramen noodles, tofu, and ground pork, and I wish it had some vegetables or something else. Overall an ok spot, I wouldn't mind coming back to try something else if I'm in the area. Service was great. read more

Kouraku - Mabo ramen - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Officially recognized as the oldest ramen shop in America! Kouraku was established in 1976 at 240 E 2nd Street before relocating to its current location in 1986. I tried the takoyaki and yakisoba. Both very delicious! Must haves! Finished dinner with pudding, so good! The service was great! Part of the service was by human and part by robot who brought all my dishes :) Ambiance has a Japanese style diner! Please visit and support local business in Little Tokyo! This is a gem! read more

Kouraku - Pudding - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The last time I was here I didn't have a great experience. Somehow this time was different. Maybe it's the remodel that they did on the restaurant with the back booths and bathrooms. In any case, the service was much better and he actually took care of us and was on top of everything. The food is still good, but we really come here for the ambiance. Ambiance 9/10 Bathrooms 10/10 Cleanliness 9/10 Service 9/10 Food 8.5/10 Value 8/10 Will I Return? Yes, but not anytime soon read more

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Food tastes great, like the sukiyaki. Service is good . They have phone self order but better order from the staff. The place has classic OG style Japanese style which is so cute. read more

Kouraku - Sukiyaki set - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Love this old school spot in Little Tokyo! Popped in just before the rush for dinner and we ordered the curry pork mix, the potstickers, and some meatballs; everything was just the same as a decade ago. Service is friendly and the delivery robot is so cute. read more

Kouraku - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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