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    Laki Ramen

    4.5 (194 reviews)
    ModerateRamen
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    LAKI RAMEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Laki Ramen

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    So Spicy Chicken Baitang (Chicken Chashu) Spicy Chicken Baitang (Chicken Chashu)
    Dawn A.

    Was looking for a ramen spot that wasn't necessarily a joke in the wall but was good. The pics made it seems like it was bigger than it was. It's pretty small inside and it is in a strip mall, however, the food did made up for it. We also had an allergy they were able to make sure to work around. The parking lot is quite small but the evening we went we didn't have a problem getting a spot. We got a variety of dishes. All were very delicious. Would definitely go back.

    Spicy Vegan Ramen
    Michael T.

    We were here on a Saturday because my girlfriend and I were checking out some museums and wanted to find something close by that we could walk to. We stumbled across this place and wanted to try it. We really liked how it had an open patio to sit at and the weather was perfect for it. It was a little busy but we were seated quickly. I ordered the spicy vegan ramen and got mild spice level. I played it safe with the spice level since we were gonna be out and about for the day. Surprisingly the mild spice level was pretty spicy for mild which I loved. The broth was flavorful and creamy. The garlic oil was a nice addition to the broth as well! The tofu was perfect in my opinion and they gave a decent amount! The one thing I would remove from the ramen is the tomato. The tomato wasn't bad but I would've gone with a different choice of vegetable. Overall a very tasty ramen and would definitely get it again! Also the staff were very friendly especially our waiter Alex! He was very friendly, helpful, and was fun talking to him!

    Vegan Ramen
    Melanie G.

    My boyfriend and I were checking out a few museums in the area and wanted something within walking distance so we wouldn't have to repark; We found this place and I'm glad we did! We went on a Saturday around 1:30 and it was moderately full but we were able to be seated right away. It's nice because they have a more open-air patio seating, which is where we sat. The colors and seating give a beach-resort feel and the branding and art on the wall is so nice! I got a vegan ramen for $18. While this is pricey, this is almost average for most ramens nowadays. Their noodles are a little on the thinner side but they were cooked well. The broth was creamy and enhanced with garlic oil. They gave a lot of little cubed tofu pieces and the green and fried onions added extra flavor. Their bamboo shorts are a little sweet. I could do without the tomato and maybe a few different vegetable choices, and would prefer cooked tofu, but it was still a good, filling and flavorful dish! Also, shoutout to our waiter, Alex! He was really helpful when it came to food allergies, attentive and kind. He was enjoyable to talk to and get to know as he made conversation with us!

    Open Kitchen
    James G.

    It was a rainy day, so I went looking for a bowl of ramen and found Laki Ramen right around the corner. The place looks new and modern. We walked in right as they opened and were the first customers of the day. You can tell they care about presentation -- every table was neatly set, menus fanned out in the same direction. I ordered the lunch special, which lets you pick one of three ramens and a side. I went with the Dan Dan Ramen and a side of curry. Both were delicious. The broth was rich, and the noodles were springy. At first, I thought the noodles were perfect, but by the time I got to the bottom, they leaned a bit salty -- still good, just a touch heavy at the end. My partner ordered the Chicken Karaage and loved it -- crunchy outside, tender inside. He also had the Pork Chashu Ramen and said it was very good, but he kept coming back to how good the karaage was. For dessert he got the Matcha Tiramisu, and the server brought two spoons. I'm not usually a dessert person, but this one won me over -- smooth, creamy, and not overly sweet. Service was friendly and quick. Any time we finished something, the server was right there to clear it without hovering. Overall, solid spot for ramen and great service.

    Karaage
    Estele K.

    Food 5/5: wow, karaage was super juicy and tasty... I got the clam chowder and wow, so unique and loved every bite of it. My husband got the mazeman and he loved it. It also came with truffle oil and tasted super unique. Wow. They also had matcha ramen, I would def try it out next time. Service 5/5: food came out fairly quick! Ambiance 5/5: clean, tidy, and modern. Highly recommend it!

    Chicken Baitang Ramen
    Maria C.

    Came here with two kids & was satisfying for the whole family! Loved that the restaurant had kiddy plates & utensils. Ramen was hearty, and delicious. Noodles were bouncy and still had a bite to it. We didn't try any appetizers but will try to make it back to explore the rest of the menu. Only downside were the seats, we got seated with backless chairs, which was a pain with two kids. Their high chair was too small for our 4 yr old.

    Tan tan men, tsukemen, and karaage
    Rebecca T.

    Got Laki Ramen for take-out, and food came quickly. The tsukemen was tasty, on-par with Tsujita's. The tan tan men was nice and spicy, but a bit too salty-- plus, the thin noodles were a bit different from what I'm used to in tan tan men. Also got karaage, which was nice and juicy, but texture-wise, it gave off more popcorn chicken vibes than karaage. Overall, decent place for noodles, but it is pricey for the amount you get. If you're in the area, it's worth a go.

    Chicken Baitang Ramen(chicken chashu)
    Tara F.

    Came here for lunch with my co workers and didn't even realize they offered lunch specials, which were really great. The place itself is very cute and fresh. The open space really reminds me of being in Japan, even though we're in a strip mall. Our server was friendly and attentive. The food was good too. We all enjoyed it. I had the lunch special ($20), which was a ramen of your choice (chicken baitaing - she said that was the most popular), and a small bowl, and I picked the chicken curry. Very delicious and you didn't feel heavy afterwards. Will definitely be coming back to try other items on the menu.

    Tsukemen
    Christian B.

    Could not recommend this enough. Great Staff, Great Customer Service, Amazing Flavors. We got a Tsukemen, Chasu bowl, Karaage and Chasu ramen. 9/10 for sure Plus the half size option are great to be able to try them all. Would for sure be back again here :)

    Menu
    Shanelle S.

    Delicious local ramen spot with focus on chicken. Came here for dinner with a friend on a weeknight and were able to get a table with no wait outside. They were kind enough to turn on the outdoor heater upon our request. There is a small parking lot or if it's full, you can try your hand at finding street parking a couple of blocks out. I ordered the spicy vegan ramen as I wanted something a bit lighter, and it was tasty. The broth was rich without being overbearing and I had tofu for my protein. You pay inside at the register. There is one single occupant restroom available inside. Credit cards are accepted.

    Black Fried Rice
    Brian W.

    Lake Ramen is a small ramen shop in LA. This spot sits in a little strip mall that is one way, so driving in is a little hard. However, there are usually a good amount of parking! The inside of the restaurant is very cute, and I liked how many large tables there are. The service was a little slow when we went, as we had to repeatedly ask for water. They were still very friendly though. The food itself was great. The ramen was very unique! For some reason, it reminded me of freshly baked milk toast. The Karage was very good, although it was more like a Chinese Chicken Steak than a Japanese Chicken Karage. The Black Fried Rice looked super interesting, but it ended up being a little too salty for me. Overall, Laki Ramen was a great little ramen shop serving yummy food!

    Greet tea tiramisu
    Chuck S.

    My new favorite ramen spot! Just absolutely lovely, and but a mere stone's throw from LACMA and the Peterson car museums! Plus parking is very doable in the strip mall lot. But most importantly, this is truly deliciously sexy, and elegant ramen. No matter what you order, from the signature "bai tang" stock, to their vegetarian base, or even the clam chowder ramen, each style screams refinement. Maximum elegance, worthy of being awarded 7 Stella Stars this side of Eden Academy of Berlint. And the after feeling is super clean, no doubt due to the highest quality ingredients and preparation; it actually rings true of basically everything on the menu. Personally the clam chowder ramen really does it for me - the creamy comfort of clam chowder base, the briny yet gentle seafood sweetness of scallops that envelopes the palate but wraps the soul of your inner child with warmth and promise to never break your heart. The karaage, rather than chunks, are like a cutlet slit into tender strips, avec un mariage of 2 wonderfully balanced dipping sauces. The matcha tiramisu might be a bit soft-spoken for most palates, but I think it's one of the greatest. While I do think it could use more in terms of layers of lady fingers, the flavor balance is definitely my type. Especially when you dig your spoon deep into its depths, and get to the concentrated heart of oozing matcha - the kind that digs up memories of being clad in kimono in a chado ceremony - the flavor frolic of bitter and sweet of frothy matcha that takes center stage, unapologetic for it's lack of cloying sugar. Punchy, rich fatty tonkotsu, this place is not. It doesn't need to be loud and obnoxious like a Lamborghini. It's more of an Aston Martin. Understated, luxurious, yet refined. Like a woman. She is beautiful. What beautiful spot.

    Ashlie B.

    The food was amazing, I'm very picky with ramen and not easily impressed but I'll start with atmosphere it's soft and just as light as it's ramen it almost has a beach vibe to it the restaurant is vary clean and the workers are attentive , the bathrooms clean For our starter we got the Karaage super crunchy outside with a soft juicy inside the chicken was executed beautifully the sauce that comes with definitely there is very well, We also got the mío ( sparkling water sake, which on its own was very nice a little sweet ) and pour it into our lemonade, Matcha We got the clear chicken Ramen with special toppings if you like a light Ramen, I would highly suggest grabbing that one if you like something a little bit more creamy their signature Ramen is to go for both are very light and airy both filled with amazing broths three well portioned it doesn't feel like an overwhelming amount of bras to Ramen. It also doesn't feel like a very heavy meal which is something I also look for going forward I would highly recommend this place and it's amazing service

    Chicken Baitang Ramen(chicken chashu)

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    10 months ago

    Solid ramen spot. Get the karaage and truffle mazemen. Those plates hit different. Service is great. Vibes are chill.

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    5 months ago

    I love Laki Ramen. I just feel there are so many better places in Los Angeles. I wish they were a little more experimental with their menu.

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    Ask the Community - Laki Ramen

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    Daikokuya Little Tokyo - Daikoku Ramen

    Daikokuya Little Tokyo

    4.1(10k reviews)
    7.2 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown
    $$

    Daikokuya is a long time staple of Little Tokyo, whenever I'm in town on business or vacation I…read moremake a point to visit. Their ramen noodles are always cooked perfectly (I like them a little firm) and their broths are super flavorful, their eggs cooked perfectly. I usually enjoy their spicy or black garlic broths which add extra kicks. Daikokuya can be busy throughout the day, but there servers and kitchen staff work hard to turn around orders and tables relatively quickly. Anytime is a good time for ramen from Daikokuya.

    Daikokuya is a solid ramen franchise from the Bishamon group. I miss how close the Hacienda…read morelocation one back in the day, and now the closest one to me is the MPK location, but if any of my out of town, out of state, out of country friends are visiting and they have a hankering for ramen with a strong, but not super heavy kotteri flavor. The location isn't super big and it does get super busy with people putting their names on the wait list and people queueing busily outside (overflow of people waiting for many of the other restaurants along this part of the block too). Overall the ramen isn't bad, chashu is nice and fatty and tender. Ramen is rich and filling. It's nice that it already comes with an egg too and you don't have to add another one. Lots of other side dishes and combos too if someone in your party doesn't want ramen. However, with the increases in prices, the fact that there's many other options in LT, and the fact that there are other Daikokuya locations, it's an alright LT option.

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    RAKKAN Ramen - DTLA - SPICY GARNET is made with an original blend of spicy miso. Enjoy with our Spicy Beef Gyoza for an extra kick!

    RAKKAN Ramen - DTLA

    4.2(1.3k reviews)
    7.3 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown
    $$
    Vegan friendly
    Kitchen open late

    Didn't sit inside as it was stuffy, so we sat outside which was warm but at least there was air…read more Our server was great and helpful. Vegan TanTan Tsukemen (5/5 stars) - it's not easy find a ramen place that has good vegetarian ramen let alone vegan, this one was delicious, very refreshing, and I'm glad I got the broth cold since it was so hot, the broth is a miso soy milk combo and it works super well in having flavor and creaminess Overall, great vegan ramen!

    It was my second visit here. The first one was OK. This time it was just passable. There are…read moreseveral really good ramen restaurants in Little Tokyo so I don't see a 3rd visit happening. I was craving ramen and ordered the Ruby, with a miso-based broth. The description says, "Chicken chashu and perfectly seared shrimp create the perfect pairing, while bamboo shoots, green onion, and a seasoned egg add layers of texture and taste." The broth was indeed very good, and almost hot. Everything *in* it was not very warm: I think they left it to the broth to heat up the chicken, the egg, the noodles, and even cook the shrimp. The broth couldn't do all that. 10 minutes in, the egg halves and the chicken were still very cool inside, and the shrimp were still translucent. As you can see in the picture, they were not seared at all on arrival as per the menu. I told the waitress they weren't cooked; she said they were, but I took her up on her offer to have them "toasted." They came back w sear marks on top and still translucent underneath. The chicken is very tender, but it wasn't "chashu" as the descriptions says, either: just plain white poached chicken with no particular flavor. With this I got a melon float. It was delicious, but no spoon for the ice cream, so I used my ramen spoon. And I got the bill while I was involved with this process -- there was nobody else in the restaurant at this point, so there was no reason to hurry. Even though the waitress said "take your time"... it's hard not to feel rushed when they push the bill on you while you're still eating. Altogether not a nice experience. Next time I'll go back to Hachioji, Mr Ramen, or Shin-Sen-Gumi, which have been consistently great.

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    RAKKAN Ramen - DTLA - Healthy and Tasty, Our ramen is made with 100% plant-based broth. (QUARTZ Vegan)

    Healthy and Tasty, Our ramen is made with 100% plant-based broth. (QUARTZ Vegan)

    RAKKAN Ramen - DTLA - Vegan Gyoza are crunchy, crispy and packed with delicious vegetables like edamame, cabbage and carrots!

    Vegan Gyoza are crunchy, crispy and packed with delicious vegetables like edamame, cabbage and carrots!

    RAKKAN Ramen - DTLA - Kanikama Sushi Bites come topped with savory teriyaki sauce and crunchy fried onions!

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    Kanikama Sushi Bites come topped with savory teriyaki sauce and crunchy fried onions!

    Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo - Shinsengumi ramen hakata style with side egg

    Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo

    4.0(3.3k reviews)
    7.3 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown
    $$
    Casual dining
    30 years in business

    We came here around 1:30pm to grab lunch thinking we will get skewers, but then found out they only…read moreserve it after 5pm on weekdays. Nevertheless they still had curry and ramen options we wanted to try. Tue interior of the restaurant was super nice, as it recently opened. It was clean and nicely decorated with Japanese artifacts. We ordered the karaage curry rice and eel combo set. Took about 10 minutes for the dishes to come out. The curry was so tasty. Chicken karaage was excellent. Loved the flavor of the eel, it was cooked perfectly. Prices of the dishes were good for the quality and the portion. Service was excellent. Our server greeted us in Japanese, was very friendly throughout the lunch. We found out he was from Fort Lee, NJ, so we also had extended discussion on current state of Fort Lee and NJ.

    Every time I come eat here, the employees are always so friendly and helpful! I usually get a…read moreHakata Ramen (consistently 10/10), but today I was craving some rice! Today, I got their Pork Cutlet Bowl; it features pork cutlet topped with mayo and tonkatsu (?) sauce, shredded cabbage, red ginger, and rice. For me, it was a decently good bowl. The flavor was good, but the pork was a little dry. Overall, not too bad!

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    Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo - Rainbow (salad) ramen: cold noodles & julienned vegetables.

    Rainbow (salad) ramen: cold noodles & julienned vegetables.

    Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo - Fried pork rice (my favorite)

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    Hachioji Craft Ramen - Hachioji Shoyu Ramen w/ Duck

    Hachioji Craft Ramen

    4.2(463 reviews)
    7.2 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown
    $$

    One of our must-go ramen shops whenever we visit LA! It was really hot in LA this time and we were…read morealready sweating like crazy but that didn't stop us from eating some good ramen! We usually order the same ramen but my husband and son decided to try something different this time. My husband ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen and my son ordered the Shio Ramen. Mine was, of course, delicious as always but I tried theirs too and they were both very tasty! Our only complaint was that it was also very warm inside the restaurant. We were hoping to cool down a little while we ate but unfortunately, that wish was not granted. LOL We still really enjoyed the food, though! And my husband definitely enjoyed his cold beer!

    TLDR: Go for gluten free experience, avoid for other dishes…read moreThe only positive part of this experience was that they offered gluten free noodles and specific gluten free broths for my brother with Celiac who hasn't had ramen in years. They were very knowledgeable in what was gluten free and what wasn't. The only unfortunate part is that all the meats are marinated in a sauce that is not gluten free. So you can only get tofu or no protein. Even if you select no protein, it comes out to be the same price. Other than the gluten free ramen, we ordered a karage bowl, dry spicy ramen, and spicy tuna roll. The karage bowl had chicken that was NOT fried. I'm not sure how it's cooked but the chicken came out slimy. I was very disappointed as I was looking forward to crunchy karage. The dry ramen had noodles that were way overcooked. The flavoring was okay. Nothing to be impressed about. The spicy tuna roll was probably the best thing there. They had pickled yellow radish that we thought was interesting.

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    Men Oh Tokushima Ramen

    Men Oh Tokushima Ramen

    4.1(1.5k reviews)
    7.3 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Kid friendly

    We were looking for a place to eat for lunch and we haven't had ramen in a minute so we decided to…read morestop by before we head back home to Bakersfield. If you have not been to this ramen spot, you are missing out! I still remember that broth like it was yesterday..... so flavorful, so rich, delicious umami flavors. There's not a lot of seating here and there's also not a long line; however, weirdly when we visited people came exactly when another person was leaving. I don't know if it was just timed perfectly or what, but this place definitely stays busy. If you're not afraid of garlic then I would highly recommend the black garlic for sure and of course don't forget to order your extra egg for good luck! You have to pay for the parking area to get into the gated area, but it's not too bad. They won't let you in the gated area if there's no parking which is probably how they have consistent guests but also kind of timed perfectly. I mean, there are other restaurants nearby also that are as busy, but that's what I noticed when I came. I'm always in the area and there's too many delicious food spots in Southern California, but I would love to come back to this one. The staff was also really nice and gave us our space. Restrooms were okay, we came in the afternoon so it wasn't spotless, but it wasn't too bad either.

    This was my first time trying this place out. 1. Staff were…read morefriendly and attentive. 2. Ramen Soup broth was amazingly tasty, best part was that it wasn't too salty. 3. Chicken Karaage was very good. I ordered the Black Garlic Ramen and Chicken Karaage. The Chiasu was tender and cut thick. I really enjoyed having lunch here. While I was there, people were coming in and out, and the place fills up. The manager/owner was Japanese and was very friendly.

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    Men Oh Tokushima Ramen
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    Maruya - Chirashi

    Maruya

    3.7(956 reviews)
    7.3 miLittle Tokyo, Downtown
    $$

    Every time I come to little Tokyo, this is the place I go to eat. Amazing Ramen bowls, fresh…read moresushi, and great Japanese spirits from rice beer, to sake, to shochu. This is the place to eat in little Tokyo!

    Little Tokyo Ramen Crawl: Maruya Some days you just get a…read morecraving. Not a specific one, not a "I need this exact dish" kind of craving -- just a deep, nagging need for a bowl of noodles. That's the mood that pulled me into Maruya in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. I ordered the chashu tonkotsu, the classic go-to when you want to judge a ramen shop by its bones. And the verdict? It was... fine. Not bad, not memorable -- just okay. The kind of bowl that doesn't offend you but doesn't linger in your memory either. No standout richness in the broth, no chashu slice that made me pause mid-bite. Just noodles, doing their job. This is actually the second ramen spot I've tried in Little Tokyo, and I'll admit -- I'm starting to feel a little underwhelmed by the neighborhood's ramen scene so far. For a pocket of the city with so much culinary history packed into a few blocks, I expected to be a bit more wowed by now. Two tries in, and I'm still searching for that bowl that stops me in my tracks. What did stand out, though, was the service. The staff at Maruya were genuinely warm and helpful -- attentive without hovering, quick to check in, the kind of hospitality that makes you want to root for the place even when the food doesn't quite deliver. It's the kind of detail that softens an otherwise middling meal. So, Little Tokyo ramen crawl: two down, verdict still out. The people have been great. The noodles? I'm still waiting to be impressed. On to the next bowl.

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    Tsujita Artisan Noodle - Chashu Ramen

    Tsujita Artisan Noodle

    4.1(174 reviews)
    7.5 miArts District, Downtown
    $$

    There is no better place to get dipping ramen than Tsujita!…read more The one in sawtelle always packed with a wait- this one you could walk right in! Don't bother getting anything else except the chashu tsukemen for food. It's THAT good!!! Also if you want to treat yourself- get the $6 apple juice that's won several awards. Lowkey expensive but you get why when you taste it. Best apple juice I've ever had- and I grew up in the northeast.

    I thought Tsujita Artisan Noodle was really good, though I still don't feel like I've found my…read moreperfect ramen spot yet. I ordered the spicy tonkotsu and loved the flavor, especially the chashu. I'm usually a pork belly person, but the chashu was so flavorful that I genuinely think I'll start choosing it instead from now on. Everything came out piping hot, which normally sounds like a compliment, but it was almost too hot to comfortably eat. Weirdly, we actually enjoyed the leftovers even more reheated at home. I do wish I'd tried the thicker noodles, but paying an extra $3 just to switch noodle styles felt a little ridiculous. We also tried the gyoza, which were good, but I wish they had come with a more traditional soy-based dipping sauce instead of already being dressed in chili oil. I'd definitely come back, especially to try the dipping ramen. I'd never had tsukemen before, and it sounded so good that I was already regretting not ordering it by the end of the meal.

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    Laki Ramen - ramen - Updated September 2026

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