Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle Annex

15 Delectable Restaurants in LA’s Sawtelle Japantown

"Located across the street from Tsujita, the Annex location has become just as popular as the original. With thicker noodles and an ultra-rich broth that's chock-full of garlic and pork back fat, this isn’t a noodle soup for the faint of heart. The dippable tsukemen tinged with a vinegary kick is always a good bet." - Matthew Kang, Mona Holmes

"This all-ramen restaurant features a signature bowl with thick noodles and a dense broth that’s chock-full of garlic and pork back fat. The tsukemen’s broth is tinged with a vinegary kick and served with flat noodles that work well for dipping and slurping. Add a spoonful of chile powder for a dose of heat." - Matthew Kang

The Los Angeles Art & Architecture Guide

@goop

"COVID-19 Update: Open for takeout. This L.A. outpost of a popular Japanese restaurant is somewhat of a mecca for noodle snobs: Made all the more elusive because Tsujita only serves their artisanal ramens at lunch (come dinner, it’s traditional Japanese fare). Fortunately, they just opened an Annex on the opposite side of Sawtelle, where you can get bowls of Tsukemen-style ramen all day long. COVID-19 Disclaimer: We are working hard to keep our listings as up to date as possible (deliveries, outdoor dining, etc.), but given the evolving nature of local COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend double-checking the information in this guide with any business you plan on visiting. Also, please note that we have not vetted any businesses listed within our guides for their compliance with applicable safety regulations."

Tokyo’s Michelin-Starred Shop Tsuta Ramen Will Open in Glendale - Eater LA

"When Tsujita launched Tsujita Artisan Noodle and Annex on Sawtelle, it brought a new sense of ramen authority to the City of Angels." - Matthew Kang

Анастасія Харитон

Google

My impressions are really controversial. First of all, I want to start with good things: - broth and beef are really good, extremely tasty; - workers are friendly. That’s it. Now about bad things (and it’s just only my subjective opinion): - noodles are too thick and when you dip them in a broth and eat you feel a taste of dough and chew them hard; - broth is tasty but it’s not that kind of broth you can eat with spoon, it’s too strong, you can only dip noodles in it; - atmosphere is horrible, this place needs more space, it’s difficult to move between tables, almost impossible; - this restaurant looks a bit cheap with plastic cups, disposable chopsticks and wobbly chairs. The restroom inside is horrible and dirty, there was a ladder near the toilet and I don’t know why; - the waiter confused our order, and when we said that she said we need to go outside and wait again until they call us, it pissed us off because we already were waiting for a long time outside. So, this place can be good just for one visit. I hope you will have better experience here

Peter Babida

Google

Really enjoyed my bowls of the Annex Deluxe ramen and the Garlic ramen. The Deluxe has A LOT of everything you want even if you doing size up. The Garlic is a really good size and honestly I think the flavor is a lot more distinctive and satisfying versus the Annex Deluxe. You can't go wrong with either bowl given Tsujita quality.

Bryan Hartanto

Google

The food is nothing special. Had better ramen elsewhere. The whole bowl has this weird monotone taste. I didn't like the deluxe nor the dry noodle. Won't return nor recommend to anyone.

Xiaoxing Qin

Google

My significant other heavily recommended this place and I was very excited to try it. I'm sad to say I left so disappointed. Pro tip: Go to their OG spot across the street instead of the Annex!!! What we ordered: - Chashu Ramen; the broth was way TOO garlicy, and incredibly salty. If I was a vampire, I'd be feeling pale and sicky. 🧛‍♀️ The chashu was great, albeit a little too fatty for my liking but it melts in your mouth. The egg was cooked right. I left having heart burn from the salty broth. 1/5 Service & Atmosphere: - The service is good. The staff is attentive. - The atmosphere of the annex feels a little cramp. It's a small space and the way the 2 people table is set up is a tight squeeze. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this ramen place. If I were to come back, I'd go to the OG Tsujita across the road. They are NOT the same quality, or so it seems.

Jennifer Kang

Google

The noodle place to visit if you're into thick noodles like I am! I had the chasu tsukumen and the soup was just filled to the brim with broth, fat, chasu, and bean sprouts. A little bit of broth goes a long way. Both my partner and I are big foodies but neither of us could finish our bowls with their generous servings. Highly recommend to visit if you love thick noodles 🥰

G Pe Be

Google

Tourist trap! Can this even be called ramen? This is stage food made for Instagram and people who don’t know better. Piled high with soggy limp bean sprouts, thick square noodles that taste like playdoh and the pork broth is both flavorless but somehow gamey and stinky. Green onions that were obviously chopped days ago were dry and woody on top, the toasted garlic was stale, hard and flavorless and the chashu pork had no flavor, just cheap fatty bacon for show. The server was delightful and it’s not the kitchen’s fault. Drives me crazy that even with all that it looks good in the picture (I know) but that’s why I think it’s prop food. The recipe isnt it.

Andrew Surmak

Google

One of my absolute favorite places for ramen in the 🌎 - that includes 🗾🇯🇵. I would endorse the Tsukemen Chashu 🍜 as a death row meal. Servers can be a bit daft and lazy with the sole interest of moving customers in and out to sustain the flow of patrons, which was a very short wait unlike when they first opened. Last time I was there, unlike previous times, the staff was too lazy to create two checks and said that my friend could just Venmo me the difference. The server who took the order said that she could not be bothered to ask if there were separate checks and, "didn't know." Not for the staff to tell me how I should pay when separate checks were never an issue and assumed before; I did not appreciate it. Plus, the broth for the Tsukemen Chashu 🍜 is always a bit on the cold side but oh so tasty with those chewy hand-picked noodles. Despite my experience with the inept staff, I will always return to Tsujita Annex for Tsukemen Chashu 🍜.

Jessy Vasquez

Google

Came to eat here with my wife for dinner and ordered two chashu ramen with the waiter. Felt like a cool environment with the cooks and waiters joking around. We waited 15 minutes to bring one ramen. We waited another 10 minutes before asking about my ramen thinking maybe they were busy. The waiter confirms with me, "of course, two ramen" runs over to the cook and I can only assume to tell him he forgot to put the second in. Never did he acknowledge having dropped the ball. Rather he came over another 10 minutes later and smirked and said 3 more minutes. I cancelled the order and let my wife enjoy her food. Being $25 ramen I expect to have better customer service. My wife said it was ok.

Анастасія Харитон

Google

Peter Babida

Google

Bryan Hartanto

Google

The food is nothing special. Had better ramen elsewhere. The whole bowl has this weird monotone taste. I didn't like the deluxe nor the dry noodle. Won't return nor recommend to anyone.

Xiaoxing Qin

Google

Jennifer Kang

Google

G Pe Be

Google

Andrew Surmak

Google

Jessy Vasquez

Google

Allyson T.

Yelp

If garlic's your thing, Tsujita Annex has it!lots of it! I got a chashu bowl and my bf got a regular ramen. This is the first ramen spot I've been to with minced garlic offered as a "table spice". Without the garlic and house sauce added to my bowl, it would've been a 5/10, but with it?? a definite 9/10! It added so much flavor an otherwise pretty plain chashu. The serving size was also pretty small. As for the regular ramen? It was... regular! Nothing special about it and my bf says it was "okay". Overall, we're glad we tried this restaurant (we're eating our way through Sawtelle), but will we be back? mayyyyyybe!

Bugs B.

Yelp

Yeah it's true, this place has gone downhill. Unfortunately, base is watery and oily and has a weird sour after taste.... Noodles are still good but that's it.

Belinda C.

Yelp

The menu has changed, the food is still good, but the customer service was terrible. I ordered on their website for takeout and the estimated time was 30-35min. Arrived around 40min later, and the guy at the front was very rude and said he didn't have any orders for pickup. He asked to see my phone for the order. I usually just give my name, so that was weird, but maybe they implemented some new rules. Not a big deal, I show him my order and he looked around and said it would be another 10min. He completely missed the fact that there was a takeout bag ready. I pointed it out and asked him if that was mine (it was). No apology. Got to my car and checked the bag. I didn't see any chilis that come with the tsukemen, so went back and asked for them. The same guy said he already put some in my bag and if he gave me more, he would have to charge me. I checked the bag again in case I missed them (nope, no chilies). Went back and showed him that he did NOT give me any chilies. Again, no apology, just rudely handed me some without saying a word. The tsukemen was still good, but unfortunately, we probably will not be ordering again until customer service improves.

Eunice Y.

Yelp

One of the best places for tsukemen I've ever tried, and decently priced as well. My friend and I shared a large spicy tsukemen which was ~$20 and more than enough for us because of the extra noodles. The dipping sauce was SO good and had a decent amount of meat as well. It was a pretty hot day but we still sat outside in their nice patio area and had a delicious meal!

Erik G.

Yelp

What we ordered: -Garlic Authentic Ramen $20.45 I read online that most people recommend Tsujita Artsian Noodles as the go-to spot for ramen in Sawtelle/Little Osaka. I went to Tsujita thinking that Chashu was good, but extremely overrated. I read online that many people recommend going to the sister restaurant Tsujita Annex. I was very intrigued about Tsujita Annex and they were not wrong. Tsujita Annex is better dining experience in many ways. There's more seats to dine in a Tsujita Annex. They offer free boiled eggs to help yourself. They give you Japaneses mayonnaise (Kewpie?) and some chili powder and tell you to stir them together to make a little spicy sauce to dip the boiled eggs in. The service is much more friendly and attentive at Annex. The Garlic Authentic Ramen is abundance of garlic flavor as there's fried garlic chips and automatic black garlic included in this ramen. If you are not a huge fan of Garlic, you should probably stay away. Please don't order this on your first date! The garlic flavor in the ramen was ver pungent, but also overpowering at times. We often like to drink the broth of ramen as soon as we finish the noodles, but with this bowl of ramen. The garlic flavor was too overwhelming that it made us not want to finish drinking the broth. The garlic flavor works well with ramen nevertheless. I would definitely come here again and I think it is much better than Tsujita Artisan.

Michelle S.

Yelp

The main location was closed so we were redirected here. It's a good thing because we went all the way from Universal to lunch here because we heard it's just so good! I got the Tsukemen Ramen because I am a Ramen lover. The soup was pretty thick which I always like. The meat was also pretty good and was definitely filling. We had to wait quite a while because the place was full but once we got in, the service was quick. The place was small but it was cozy enough for you to really enjoy your meal! Definitely one to put on your list! I will definitely come back!

Diana N.

Yelp

This was the best (and heaviest) Tonkotsu ramen I've ever had. It looks just like the ones in Japan. Very thick, potent with garlic and pork fat flavor. If you're looking for ramen that is quality and will most likely put you to sleep (haha) then definitely go here. I only brought my rating down because our server seemed like he didn't want us there. We showed up with a party of 10 and he "exhales" as we walked in. He refused to give us eye contact or smile. We asked him if we could push some tables together... he doesn't say a word and just pushes our table together in the slowest manner. It was so awkward that we ended up apologizing to him for eating there (the people pleasing never ends haha). AND WE STILL TIPPED GOOD ON TOP OF THAT! Whatever buddy is going through, I hope he cheers up and hopefully finds a different job that will make him excited to be there. Overall, would definitely change my rating to a 5 star next time we come back once service has improved :)

Winn H.

Yelp

TLDR: Amazing ramen, easily the NUBMER ONE of any Ramen List in SoCal. Not amazing is the wait time if you visit during lunch / dinner rush. Pro Tip: Come near 5pm, and you might not have to wait. Come at 7pm, and the wait might be 30-90 minutes. - - - - - - Ugh, where do I start? Tsujita LA (THE ANNEX) has been here for at least a decade, and I remembered it being this good 10 years ago, too! Lines out the door? Too often, so I had skipped it... But come at the right time, and there's nearly no wait! There's a small lot for parking, but you're almost always better off driving around and parking around the nearby residential neighborhood. Overall, parking is easy and plentiful. For the nostalgia of coming as a college student, I ordered their Deluxe Ramen. After all, I used to eat a ton, and I generally upgrade to large for noodle restaurants. Welp, little did I know how much food a large would be! The chashu was tasty and plentiful, the broth and garlic were chef's kiss, and the noodles were the PERFECT balance between firm and chewy. Not enough? There are also complimentary hardboiled eggs for all dine-in customers. The deluxe ramen really should be marketed as "for two" or a "challenge" because wow was that a bit of food. Appetizing - yes! Finish in one sitting? Probably not for most people unless they're SUPER hungry. I had enough for a second meal, and the best part was that it was just as good the following day.

Taylor U.

Yelp

Good ramen! Looks like I came here 6 years ago and gave this place a 3 star. However coming back today, I had all positive things to say. Parking in Sawtelle is pretty bad, this place does have a parking lot right in front of the restaurant but no one seems to park here as if it's not allowed or something. I tried to see if we can join waitlist through Yelp but they're old school by using paper and pen. Came here Saturday during lunch and there were few parties ahead of us but were seated in several minutes. Inside is extremely tiny, and not a lot of seats. As I walked in, there's a large bowl with hard boiled egg. it's free to take if you're dining in. That was a really nice gesture. They charge extra for eggs on the menu but it's free at the condiments table. I ordered the deluxe ramen, even though this place is known for its tsukemen. Portion size was large, there was a lot of chashiu meat, and everything tasted great! Lots of garlic in the ramen as well. Good ramen place. I like to drink my soup but I remember I couldn't when I ordered the tsukemen before. So I ordered the regular ramen and it was great!

Dan K.

Yelp

My entire family did not finish their Ramen. We let half of it untouched. I've eaten here 4 times spaced out by 1 year the last 3 years. When ever the main Tsijuta's line is too long we come here thinking it might be 80% as good and each time we are disappointed. The Sukomen sauce has too much salt and garlic. My teenage boy who plays sports and is always hungry, and who can usually eat 2 in-n- out burgers , couldn't even finish 1/2 of his ramen because it didn't taste good. That tells you something. Same goes for the remaining 2 others in my party who didn't finish their ramen. Server was pleasant and chefs seemed nice. Just the food is not worth paying. Not sure if I sound go here even if it was free ( I guess I would come if it was free but you get my point. )

Sylvia L.

Yelp

Prepare to wait. It is a small seating restaurant. The restaurant is cleaned and decorated minimally. You have to get there early since it takes a while waiting for the food. It doesn't seemed like much looking at the restaurant and its menu. But to our surprise, the food was good and delicious.

Kameron G.

Yelp

Probably one of my favorite ramen spots in LA. Anything you get here will be good and leave you satisfied as their broth is on the fattier side.

Nancy B.

Yelp

Wanted to try this place out due to all the good reviews and it didn't disappoint. But please ORDER WITHOUT THE FAT! The broth has tiny pieces of fat in it and the waiter said you can ask for it without. I wish I would have because it just grosses me out. But the broth in general is really rich and a strong pork taste. The noodles are thick and perfect. I ordered the regular ramen, and added chili powder and garlic that is offered on the tables. Don't skip it because it really gave my ramen that kick it needed to make it a not so spicy ramen. Not my favorite ramen place in the area but it was still good. Street parking or park at Marshall's and walk.

Will P.

Yelp

Tsujita Annex on Sawtelle is my go-to spot for Tsukemen, or dipping ramen! They have two locations on the same street, Tsujita LA Aritisan Annex and Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle. Tsujita Annex has more of a pork based broth while Artisan is more fishy. Both locations are really good but I personally like the Annex location better. We ordered the Chashu Tsukemen and regular Tsukemen. The freshly made, chewy noodles are always a highlight and the service is really good here. The broth for the Tsukemen is rich and flavorful, enhanced with garlic and vinegar notes. They both come with chashu but the Chashu Tsukemen has extra piece of chashu inside. The broth has a lot of sprouts which lightens the heavy broth for me. Portions here are generous, so it's perfect for sharing if you're not too hungry. Good vibes, good food, and good service, I'll definitely be back soon for more Tsukemen!

Arnold T.

Yelp

First time back in over a decade. I remember being "wow'ed" by the richness of flavor with every bite of the tsukemen. This time, I ordered the Deluxe Ramen, which has a tower of pork, an egg, all over a bed of thick broth and noodles. Yes, the Deluxe Ramen indeed was very filling with all the proteins and from the richness of the broth, savory and full of flavor. Caution, however, is that you probably want to walk off the meal after what seemingly is over 2000 calories in the bowl. With so many ramens in the nearby area, I'd say that this was definitely up but there not necessarily the best I've had. If you're really hungry, the the Deluxe is definite the item to order. Service was quick and friendly. The menu are on a QR code. The interior is somewhat small in comparison to the nearby shops and eateries so it can fill up quick during busy hours.

Magan C.

Yelp

I came here on a Sunday afternoon shortly after they opened. This location is small so it was pretty full already we had to sit at the bar. You can smell the thick aroma of garlic as soon as you walk in. They provide a QR code menu to scan and the server came quickly to take our order. I got the regular sized tsukemen with an added soft boil egg. The thick soup base was so flavorful and they also provide minced garlic and chili powder on the side. If you're a garlic lover they also have a garlic version, but for me this was plenty of garlic already. The chasu was soft and cooked to perfection and the bean sprouts gave a nice texture to the meal. I wish the noodles were a little hotter since I just prefer hot food in general. The noodles were super bouncy ! I would def recommend this place especially for lunch. I've been here for late dinner before and the soup base base was really salty since it was probably the boiled down end of the pot. The lunch time one was perfectly flavored !!

Zach A.

Yelp

Got the tsukemen, it was pretty good. The menu is kind of nonsensical: you can get "tsukemen" or "chashu tsukemen" but in reality its "chashu tsukemen" and "extra chashu tsukemen." No problems with the service itself but the waiter was a bit quirky. Overall we slipped in here at 9:15, had our food, and were out within half an hour so can't complain. The tsukemen itself was good and nice for a warm night. The chashu was just alright, not the best I've had. Overall I'd recommend it but there is better out there.

Marko C.

Yelp

Unimpressed. Friends wanted to have lunch here. They open at 11:00 and we got in line at 10:30. There were about 15 people in line by the time it opened. The place has 5 tables and about 12-15 bar seats. $27 for a bowl of the Deluxe Annex Ramen. Thick specialty (limited?) fat ramen noodles, 4 pieces of char siu, boiled egg, green onion, and a bunch of cooked bean sprouts My friends and I were shocked at the price of a bowl of ramen and expected a lot. It was okay, nothing special. Certainly not worth the $27 price tag. Noodles were thick - a bit too thick, the broth was strong and fatty, there was a generous portion of bean sprouts. We finished our meal and were barely finished drinking our water - and the waitress (initials E.M.) asked us to leave because there were people outside waiting. We Certainly didn't overstay our welcome. It was rude to rush us out the door when there were 4-5 bar seats and a 2 seat table open - and only 3-4 people waiting outside. 10 minutes prior to us ending our meal, I asked the waitress (Name EM) to place a to go order. She said she would take the to go order but we had to wait outside while it was being prepared. Wow. Deluxe Annex Ramen: C- Service: D Never again - expensive and not worth the hype. There are too many other amazing ramen places in Los Angeles.

Kathy X.

Yelp

I ordered the chashu Tsukemen ramen, and the broth is fantastic, pork belly is so tender, AND there's a bunch of pork belly in the broth too! The noodles are al dente and the soy sauce egg is perfection too! This is one of the best ramen places in the area Service is always really prompt and polite here too!

Chloe R.

Yelp

Unfortunately unimpressed. Food preparation is incredibly slow (only one person plating the bowls, you can literally watch them take 40 minutes to do it in the open kitchen layout) and the chashu, although tasty, is served slightly cold as if frozen and then just heated up. The noodles are a great consistency and texture and you can't go wrong with the broth, they also have extra garlic and chili condiments.

Ethan N.

Yelp

Long wait but dipping noodle was okay. Not bad but the noodles were slightly colder than expected and a but too salty - although this is a saltier dish

Michael D.

Yelp

Walk in, order on a tablet, pay/tip. First time, felt a bit uncomfortable because the girl server loomed over me while ordering/paying. There's bar seating and a single table at the front of the store that can hold up to four people. Got the deluxe ramen total was $27. You can customize how well-done your noodles are cooked. The ramen is pretty standard, and I enjoy noodles that are the same thickness to udon. The broth wasn't overly pungent either. However, besides the mountain of bean sprouts, garlic broth, thick-cut chashu, and extra fat, there wasn't anything particularly impressive that would make me want to come here more often. Honestly, it's skippable ramen place. There are better places elsewhere.

Darian G.

Yelp

Dry noodles were very good. Something different from the regular dipping noodle. Would def come here again. Reminds me of a dish back home. Its a better version than mogu mogu imo

Magaly J.

Yelp

IT IS GAS CENTRAL: After eating here, the both of us were FILLED WITH GAS. I do not recommend eating here if you have a party to go to or are meeting up with other unfamiliar people post-meal. We know it was this food because we both had leftovers and when we ate our leftovers, the flatulence began again. Also, this was the only out of the norm food we had that day. USE QR CODE MENU: Use the QR code that they have at the front of the restaurant because the menu that is on their website is outdated. The menu on their website does not have the Deluxe Ramen as an option. FOOD: #1. Deluxe Ramen ($25.45) - I would recommend this one. I really enjoy the broth flavor and overall taste. The meat portion is generous and overall very filling. #2. Annex Dry Style ($16.45) - I enjoyed eating this one as well. I added some vinegar and chili to elevate the flavor. This one does NOT have any broth (hence the "dry style"). LOCATION OFFER RESTAURANT ALTERNATIVES : This is 1 of the 3 Tsjuita restaurants on the Sawtelle strip; it's next to Black Market. If you're looking for a place to meet up with someone, this restaurant is in an excellent location because you can go eat elsewhere should the line here be too long. BATHROOM: The one stall bathroom had a broken door that I had to lift to open because I think it was coming off the hinges. The toilet and sink itself were well serviced and clean.

Sonya K.

Yelp

Every time I am in LA and looking for a place to eat, I always think of Tsujita's Tsukemen. It's so good! I've been coming for many years. Get the Tsukemen without spice and option to add an egg. Then when the Tsukemen comes, add one scoop of homemade spice and one big scoop of garlic. It's perfect! The amount of noodles they give is very generous. And the chasiu is thick. You will definitely leave with a full belly!

Claire S.

Yelp

This place is popular so be prepared to wait a bit for a table. We put our name on the list outside and someone came out to take our order before we sat down. Our food came fairly quickly and portions were generous! I got the regular size ramen and it was huge. I love that there are thick noodles. You won't leave here hungry. Definitely recommend coming here for food. There is limited seating as the inside of the place is small but it is nicely decorated. I like that they labeled the sides on the table so that we knew what each one was.

Michelle Y.

Yelp

I'm sorry - I just don't love this place. I did like the dry style though! I went for the second time this week so I could make a fair judgement before writing a review but my stance stays the same. The most recent time I went was on a Saturday at 4pm and it was practically empty but it started filling up as the night went on. Our server was nice and attentive to our needs. Party of three ordered the dry style ramen, tsukemen, and the deluxe ramen. I think my main qualm about the Annex location is that the ramen noodles are very thick. I like my noodles on the thinner side so this could just be personal preference. I really liked the dry style ramen as it was very flavorful, garlicky, and the portions were huge. The ramen and the tsukemen were okay - the tsukemen broth was way too fatty and you can even see large pockets of fat floating to the top. This kinda grossed me out so I didn't love it. The place is clean, the service is good and if you like big portions and thick noodles, this is the place for you. Unfortunately, it's just not for me.

Bomi K.

Yelp

Literally my fave place for ramen. Their house made spice and the annex sauce is to DIE for. The soup is so rich, noodles are perfect, lots of toppings perfectly cooked. The heaps of garlic you can add to your bowl is unmatched. Portion is huge and your soup will stay warm till the end. Be sure to try it with the sauces! It's a tiny place so be prepared to wait during rush times, but the space is cute and welcoming. Staff are friendly!

Michelle Z.

Yelp

One of my favorite meals in Sawtelle! I wasn't feeling well all day but then I ate this and it actually turned my whole day around :) I'm not a huge fan of ramen so I got the dry annex style noodles (I was very excited to see this on the menu) and I'm ordering this every single time I go here from now on. It was phenomenal. It was also a MASSIVE bowl -- one bowl could (and did) feed me for like 3 days. They give you so much noodle, but they're also super generous with the amount of meat and toppings too. The homemade Tsujita spice and their house sauce are both amazing -- I'd recommend adding that to your bowl too; it gives it the perfect extra kick. If you're not a dry noodle fan, they also have various types of ramen and the classic tsukemen, all of which I've amazing things about. Loved this place way more than the Tsujita Artisan Noodles place across the street -- it's definitely a heavier meal, but so much more flavorful and comforting. Be prepared for a really long wait -- the inside seating is really limited (only 2ish tables and a long counter at the bar) but it's SO worth it.

Sandra S.

Yelp

I always thought that the annex was the exact same as Tsujita across the street but it turned out to be more like a fraternal twin store vs identical. Annex's soup base was a bit more tangy and thinner. My preference is the charsui tsukemen from the original Tsujita. I was missing the unique lime flavor. The noodles are the same and deliciously chewy. I can't quite recall, but they may give more charsui at the annex. Or at least thicker pieces. There is less of a wait though. We waited about 2 mins on a sat around 11:30am which was really fast.

Van D.

Yelp

Tsujita LA Annex is located down in the Sawtelle area in Los Angeles. They are located across the street from their sister location Tsujita LA, that I recall adoring years ago. Parking in the area is always a struggle. If you get lucky you might be able to find some street parking in the nearby areas, but be careful for permit only/no parking areas. My boyfriend and I got lucky and got here right before the dinner rush. By the time we left every seat was taken and there was a long wait outside. My boyfriend had the Ajitama Ramen ($15.45) which comes with the cha shu pork, seasoned soft boiled egg, bean sprouts black pepper, noodles and soup. I had the Ajitama Tsukemen ($16.45) which has the same ingredients but the noodles and cha shu are in one bowl, and you have it dipping style with the broth, egg and OBSCENE AMOUNT OF BEANSPROUTS in the other bowl. Who wants to eat that much beansprouts? Knowing I detest beansprouts my boyfriend tried to save me but the beansprouts were endless. If I had to sum this meal up in one word, I would pick HEAVY. Yikes. I just wanted to walk and exercise after this meal. The broth was heavy and thick. The noodles felt heavy. The pork was heavy. I really like the salted egg, definitely my favorite part of the meal. Maybe this is a great pick for college students and my younger self, but I can't handle this heavy of a meal anymore. Service was a bit all over the place, and there were staff delivering food to the wrong folks near us. Glad it wasn't my order that was brought to other people. Not to mention they were pretty slow even when we first came in before they were actually busy. I'm not in a hurry to come back.

Faith C.

Yelp

Wow. This place has amazing ramen. All pork broths with pork belly as the primary protein, followed by marinated eggs. The small menu really highlights that this is a specialty restaurant with a very slim focus and that focus is on high quality ramen. The noodles are chewy and plentiful. The pork belly was so good and just melts as you eat it. The topings were a great addition- we had the deluxe "works" bowl with added corn and black garlic oil and even added more garlic that was on the table to our dishes. It was so satisfying and filling. Once we started eating, we quickly understood why there were no other appetizers or deserts needed. I'd highly recommend this small and efficient ramen joint and I'll be going back myself for another ridiculously good bowl of ramen.

jeannette h.

Yelp

Haven't come here in a while and noticed that they did some remodeling. I usually order the annex dry style. It's really delicious and flavorful, it comes with a great sauce, veggies and an egg that you mix in with your veggies and noodles. Never seems to disappoint. Hubby ordered the ramen. At first glance, it looks like the bowls became smaller, but they are much deeper and he still ended up feeling really full. We threw in the towel and couldn't finish it. This has become one of my favorite ramen spots because the broth is always consistent and flavorful.

Lissy G.

Yelp

After trying to go to the main location (there was a 25 minute wait), we opted to try the annex instead and I'm thrilled we did! The wait was about 5 minutes and we didn't have to worry about sitting outdoors (on a hot day) because there is only indoor seating. The ramen was amazing...even on a hot day! It was flavorful and plentiful! The portion almost felt endless because despite eating nonstop we didn't seem to put a dent in the serving. The service was also great. Everyone was kind and helpful. I'm sure I'll be back for more, especially once the weather cools off.

Cynthia A.

Yelp

Been years since I've eaten here. The egg is still perfect. The menu items have decreased, but the tsukemon I fell in love with is still as tasty as ever. So lucky to find parking and a short wait on a holiday. I didn't know that they would give to give broth to turn tsukemon into a light soup! Nom!

John M.

Yelp

crazy this place isn't 6 stars broth is hefty and intense, perfect for the dipping noodles since they don't have much time to soak a broth in. if you come at the right times, you can walk right in - other times it's an hour wait. The establishment is clean and intimate, only sits a few at a time but always worth the wait. would i come here faded? : every time

Jessica Y.

Yelp

Even though there are soo many ramen options on one street, Tsujita remains my favorite one without a doubt. I've only been to Tsujita Main and usually come to Tsujita Annex because there is no wait or the wait time is significantly shorter. We asked the waitress what the difference was between the two restaurants: Tsujita Main has more fish in their broth whereas Tsujita Annex has more pork. The more you know! I got the Ajitama Tsukemen which comes with one big piece of char siu and a soft boiled egg. The Charsui Tsukemen comes with three large pieces of char siu. The prices may seem a bit high but you get so much food! For the tsukemen, the broth comes in a separate bowl. The broth is really garlick-y, so be aware if garlic isn't really your thing. The ramen noodles are a little thicker and have a great al dente texture. The broth is very rich, garlick-y, and peppery. I love how there are so many bean sprouts in the broth as well. The char siu had more of a charred taste this time compared to what I remember eating last time I was here but it was still very tasty. I do wish that it maybe included an extra piece of char siu. There aren't many places that offer tsukemen so definitely check this place out! I'll have to try Tsujita Main again to see if there is a significant difference, but if the lines over there deter you, come across the street to the Annex!

Andie B.

Yelp

(GrubHub Delivery) I haven't reviewed this place before?? Unbelievable! The broth of the ramen I order is so delicious! The only reason I don't order often is because the broth is pork-based and thicker. So more cholesterol, but of course, more delicious. The ramen I've been ordering is called Tsukemen*. According to their website, their tsukemen is Jiro-style ** and served with beansprouts, cabbage, and thick charshu slices. I was so grateful yesterday because at almost 9:30 pm, Christmas Day, this was the only place that was open for delivery. And a delicious place to boot! Thank you, Tsujita, for staying open relatively late. P.S. Tsujita also provided chopsticks. This is notable because many of the places I order for delivery do not provide utensils even if I checked the box for utensils. * Tsukemen is a type of ramen where the noodles and the broth are served separately (aka Dipping-Ramen Noodles). The noodles are usually thicker and chewier than traditional ramen noodles, and the broth is thicker and much more flavorful. The noodles are normally served either cold or at room temperature. It is a popular summer dish in Japan, whereas traditional ramen is preferred in the winter. ** Jiro Style - "It's ridiculously heavy and fatty. It uses cheap, easily-sourced ingredients. The bowls are thrown together hastily, rather than assembled with care. Portion sizes are enormous" -- from Ramenbeast

Isabela M.

Yelp

It is the coziest and most intimate out of the Tsujita spots. I got the veggie ramen and it had such great flavor and huge portions! Gave me two meals worth of food, definitely will be returning.

Steve C.

Yelp

They used to be perfect. something has shifted here over the years, maybe over covid times. This place used to set the bar for perfect ramen for me, but now, they're staunchly in the "solid" category. Dont get me wrong, they're still a gem in the landscape of LA ramen, but they're no longer perfect. I was impressed when i noticed that they used to heat their bowls before serving to help the ramen maintain temperature longer. that was an indicator that everything else was well attended to. The flavor of the broth, the quality and cook of the noodles, everything seems to have shifted away from my first handful of visits here and have me looking for a new "go-to" joint.

Juo-Chin Y.

Yelp

Tsujita never disappoints! I have come here multiple times and this time we noticed several new menu items that we decided to try. The garlic ramen and the Annex dry style mazemen were both really good! I really love their noodle, it's on the thicker and chewy side, which was my favorite type of noodle! The mazemen is absolutely refreshing. Only downside is that they removed the outdoor seating so there are very limited indoor spaces. It gets full very quickly at meal time so plan accordingly.

Shauna S.

Yelp

Been coming to Tsujita Annex for years, so this review is long overdue. Ordered the Tsukemen and added a soft boil egg at an extra cost. The noodles are Sun brand noodles. They are perfectly chewy and thick, kinda like a cross between ramen & udon. The broth is ultra rich, saturated with pork shoulder fat & deliciously salty. The bean sports add a good crunch. And the port belly is tender and sliced thick. I did notice the quality has dipped this past time I visited. The pork wasn't as tender as the past and the slices weren't the largest. Still one of my favorite ramen in LA, just hope the quality gets better again.

Amber S.

Yelp

I came here on a weekday evening around 9:30 pm, found parking right outside, and was able to get a seat immediately. I got the ajitama tsukemen. Their menu is pretty small (maybe 5-7 main courses) so the choice becomes that much easier, which I appreciated! The serving sizes are quite hefty so the value is fair. My one complaint is that the noodles get cold fast. I had this issue at the other Tsujita location across the street too, and I'm not sure if it has something to do with how it's prepared or whether the bowls they use lose heat quickly.

Rebecca T.

Yelp

Another Tsujita restaurant I've tried! Came here when Killer Noodle was too busy, and thankfully got the last two seats inside. Compared to the other Tsujitas, Annex is a lot smaller-- similar to, well, an annex. Ordered the Annex Dry Noodle, which seems to be their signature dish. Food came out quickly, and the portions were huge. Noodles were thick and abundant, but I found it to be a bit too al dente-- now, I love a good al dente noodle, but these felt on the undercooked side. There wasn't much broth, but whatever sauce in the dry noodle was, it was very rich and umami, and on the heavy side-- it's possible to split it with two people, if you're not feeling particularly hungry. Overall, Annex wasn't bad, but I would prefer just to eat at Tsujita or Killer Noodle next time. But for a quick fix of ramen at a Tsujita chain (and with less of a wait), Annex will do the trick!

Gina M.

Yelp

Was craving ramen and a friend brought me here.....Thank you! What a wonderful bowl of ramen, I absolutely loved it. I tried the medium "Charsiu Tsukemen" and it was a lot of food. They serve it in two bowls - which is a great idea so you can eat the noodles and pork little by little while adding the broth. The broth is so rich and tasty it feels like they've been simmering it forever. The slices of pork is most generous I've ever had and the noodles - omg loved!!! - was soft and chewy and the curl scooped up the broth so well. Thinking about it makes me want to go back already!!! The place is small and there's not much to it's interiors, but it's precisely this non-pretense that makes one focus on the food. There's a big counter/bar to sit around and few small tables....it does not invite you to take your time and enjoy a leisurely meal with friends, rather, like the service, it encourages fast efficiency. Sawtelle is well known for being a slice of Japan in the west side. I'm not really a west side person so I've been intimidated to go because of the difficulty in finding parking. The area of Sawtelle north of Olympic is jammed packed with little Japanese and Asian restaurants, if you are lucky enough to find parking, you've hit a gold mine.....it is worth the effort.

Joanne R.

Yelp

It was 2pm on a Sunday and the restaurant was practically empty. The interior was very run down - gave me a feeling that the owners don't really care about esthetic and the cleanliness of the bathroom needed to improve a great deal ! Massive portion for the regular bowl of ramen with two slices of pork, tons of steamed bean sprout and very thick and chewy noodles. The broth was thick and rich. I was disappointed coz even for a regular ramen bowl there was not a piece of green onion... I would have preferred to have half the amount of bean sprouts and replace with a bit of green onion. The ramen was a bit underwhelming given their reputation was supposed to be super good. Don't think I'd return in future.

Danni R.

Yelp

great environment. both locations are good but the look and feel in here is best for me bc all the wood and other aesthetics makes it feel like japan! the broth on the side item is good and fun bc it's different but i like a good ol chasu ramen. the broth is done really well and it's rich! and bowls are still under $20 in this economy. really cool! they're high tech and it used to be cash only. now it's all digital, thank goodness. full review can be found on my ig blog @losangeles4everybody :)

Justin M.

Yelp

Compared to last time and the previous time before, overall it is going down. I learned that they no longer serve alcohol at this location. The staff is nice, but unorganized. Once we sat down and placed our order, another staff member asked to take our order not knowing that it was already done. This happened again during our meal as well as when it was time to pay for our check. The food tasted better in that it was not too oily/rich as it was before. Unfortunately, we had asked the broth to be hot. The server replied that it was already hot and he would make sure to let the chefs know to make it extra hot. When we got our food, our broth was barely warm. When it came time to pay, he left the machine at our table, so I had to go through the option of making the payment. Did not tip since there wasn't anything done above or beyond other than bringing food. I will try the other location next time and see how it has changed over the years

Rondell A.

Yelp

Tsujiata Annex is a small venue with a long L-shape bar and some flexible tables to accommodate larger parties. It's very quaint and has that Japanese restaurant aesthetic. Some reviewers have also mentioned about the noticeable and intolerable smell. I honestly didn't find it too aggressive, although, I was sitting next to the door. As for the service, it was pretty quick even though they were packed. I did have to remind them about my Honey Mint drink (not pictured), but they brought it out right away. The Honey Mint drink was alright. It was essentially mint with club soda or some sort and honey. It was difficult to drink considering the thickness of the honey. I love broth, but for some reason I wanted to be different with my order and tried the Annex Dry Style. It was delicious, but I ended up ordering a side of broth to put onto my dish. Overall the dish was great, but I'd definitely order a different dish on my next visit.

15 Delectable Restaurants in LA’s Sawtelle Japantown

The Los Angeles Art & Architecture Guide

@goop

Tokyo’s Michelin-Starred Shop Tsuta Ramen Will Open in Glendale - Eater LA

"When Tsujita launched Tsujita Artisan Noodle and Annex on Sawtelle, it brought a new sense of ramen authority to the City of Angels." - Matthew Kang