10 Postcards
This bustling Little Tokyo outpost of the beloved ramen chain serves up rich, flavorful tonkotsu and miso ramen in a down-to-earth, no-frills setting.
"Dish: Daikoku Ramen Why settle for Top Ramen (no offense) when there are three Daikokuyas in the city? Located in Little Tokyo, West Hollywood, and on Sawtelle Blvd., this is where you go when you want to experience the mother of all LA ramen. There are a few variations on the menu, but we recommend keeping it classic with the Daikoku Ramen. It comes with a silky tonkotsu soup base and is topped with tender pork belly chashu, a marinated boiled egg, bamboo sprouts, green onions, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. This is the noodle soup equivalent of riding in a 1970 Corvette Stingray, or watching Gilda Radner in her prime." - brant cox, kat hong, nikko duren, sylvio martins
"If you were sentient during the early aughts, you’re likely aware of Daikokuya. This ramen legend remains one of the neighborhood’s most popular spots (expect a line) and a visit to the original Little Tokyo shop is a journey every ramen disciple should take. Daikokuya’s tonkotsu packs in a ton of flavor: tender pork belly chashu, a soft-boiled egg, and the requisite vegetable toppings: bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, and green onions. You might fall asleep afterward, but it will have been worth it. " - nikko duren, brant cox, kat hong
"You can't miss this spot due to the constant swarm of hungry patrons waiting under the yellow awning. The ramen here never disappoints, whether it's the ever popular Tonkotsu ramen, the perfectly spicy miso ramen, or the extra fatty and savory Koterri ramen. If you're looking for the perfect lunch combo, add a bowl of Tuna sashimi, and they'll throw in a cabbage salad with their signature Kewpie dressing. The atmosphere offers little frills, but that only adds to the charm of this Little Tokyo gem. Come during off hours to avoid long waits. Cash Only." - Sandwich Video
"Daikokuya is the mother of LA ramen and the main reason we transitioned from that sad, microwaveable version in our dorm room to the real thing. With five locations across the city, Daikokuya is definitely a bit of a chain these days, but a visit to the original Little Tokyo shop for one of their traditional bowls is a pilgrimage every ramen disciple must take. The lines can get long, but the old-school, no-frills space is the exact setting where you want to be housing a bowl of noodles." - brant cox, sylvio martins, nikko duren, garrett snyder
"You’ll deal with the crazy wait here because the ramen is worth it, and because it’s just a quick drive away from USC. It’s also open until midnight, so go for a late-night noodle study break or to avoid the long waits." - katherine lewin
