#1 Tonchin LA
5665 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Tokyo-born Melrose ramen with housemade noodles—Classic Tokyo Tonkotsu, Smoked Dashi, Spicy Tan Tan, plus plum sake and house cocktails.
Reserve →Photo · Tonchin official website
Experiences · Worth Fighting Traffic For
Best ramen in LA & Japanese comfort food
When the craving is broth, gyoza, or karaage—not omakase theater—these are the comfort counters worth the miles. Little Tokyo dens, Melrose Tokyo tonkotsu, South Bay Hakata, and Sawtelle-adjacent late drinks: Japanese comfort without the tasting-menu tax.
Ramen, not omakase
This guide is for broth, gyoza and karaage, not tasting menus. Start with Tonchin LA on Melrose or Men Oh Tokushima Ramen in Little Tokyo.
Questions
What is the best ramen in Los Angeles?
Our ramen picks start with Tonchin LA, Tokyo-born ramen with housemade noodles on Melrose; Men Oh Tokushima Ramen in Little Tokyo; and Hakata Ikkousha’s Hakata-style tonkotsu in Torrance.
Where should I go for omakase sushi in LA?
This guide is for ramen, gyoza and karaage, not tasting menus. For a dressed-up Japanese-leaning night, see Date Night Worth Dressing For; a dedicated omakase page is not live yet.
The ten ramen and comfort picks, in order
#2 Men Oh Tokushima Ramen
456 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Little Tokyo Tokushima-style pork-and-soy ramen on East 2nd—focused noodle pilgrimage.
Photo · Official website
#3 Hakata Ikkousha
21605 S Western Ave, Suite J, Torrance, CA 90501
Hakata-style tonkotsu in Torrance/South Bay—broth-forward counter; confirm the open address before the drive.
Photo · Official website
“Hakata-style tonkotsu in Torrance/South Bay—broth-forward counter; confirm the open address before the drive.”
On Hakata Ikkousha
#4 Mr. Ramen
341 1/2 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
No-frills Little Tokyo ramen on 1st Street—straightforward bowls for a quick Downtown noodle run.
Photo · Official website
#5 Kouraku
314 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Little Tokyo ramen-and-grill hybrid—broth bowls plus grill plates.
Photo · Official website
#6 Gyoza Bar
1501 Sunset Blvd, Unit A, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Gyoza-focused counters in Echo Park and West Hollywood—pan-fried dumplings and noodle bowls.
Photo · Official website
#7 BOX Chicken
2352 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Japanese-inspired fried chicken takeout near Westwood on Sepulveda—karaage-forward boxes.
Photo · Official site
“Japanese-inspired fried chicken takeout near Westwood on Sepulveda—karaage-forward boxes.”
On BOX Chicken
#8 Gran Blanco
80 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Venice izakaya-and-cocktails under the Windward sign—Japanese bar food with late lounge energy.
Reserve →Photo · Official site
#9 Millet Crepe
330 E 2nd St Unit C, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Little Tokyo millet crepe counter spanning sweet and savory—walk-and-eat between gallery loops.
Photo · Official site
#10 Hermanito
2024 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Sawtelle Japanese-Mexican cocktail bar—drinks-forward evening comfort with a focused food menu.
Photo · Official website