The last few years have been big for ramen. The “ramen boom,” which started in the early 2000s, has really picked up the pace since the pandemic—largely because, in its instant form especially, ramen is comforting, tasty, convenient, and cheap. And it’s only set to keep rising in popularity. According to MarketResearch.biz, the global ramen market is set to exceed a market value of $94 billion by 2033.
But while many people love packaged ramen, restaurant ramen is hard to beat (especially when it’s vegan). In the US, especially, sitting with friends and ordering a steaming bowl of nourishing noodles and broth is a popular pastime. The country is home to more than 1,430 ramen-dedicated businesses, which combined, bring in a revenue of around $1.6 billion.
Ramen restaurants can be found right across the US, but if you want the best, most ramen aficionados agree: you’ve got to go to Los Angeles. The sprawling city might be the center of the world’s movie industry, but to many foodies, it’s also best known as the place to go for unbeatably delicious, flavor-packed, nourishing noodles.
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Why Los Angeles is the ramen capital of the United States
Ramen is now known as a Japanese dish, but it actually started its life in ancient China, where its predecessor, lamian, was created during the Tang Dynasty. It wasn’t until the 19th century that ramen was actually introduced to Japan, according to Otaku Ramen.
“The first known instance of ramen in Japan occurred in 1859, when the Chinese ambassador to Japan, Zeng Gongliang, presented the dish to the Japanese Emperor,” reads the popular ramen brand’s website. “Ramen quickly gained popularity in Japan, and by the early 20th century, it had become a staple food in the country.”
It was the Second World War, in particular, that drove up ramen’s popularity. After all: the noodle dish is not only warm and tasty, but also incredibly filling, and, most importantly, cheap—essential during wartime.
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, Japanese people also started to move to the US, and by 1910, Los Angeles was home to the highest percentage of Japanese descendants in the country. Today, the city is still home to a number of Japanese Americans, as well as Little Tokyo, one of only three official Japantowns in the US.
So it makes sense that Kouraku, the first Japanese-owned ramen shop in the US, was eventually opened in Los Angeles in the 1970s. The restaurant inspired a wave of similar restaurants, in Little Tokyo and beyond, and now, as data from Pogogi confirms, Los Angeles is home to the most ramen restaurants in the country, which, of course, makes it worthy of the coveted title: ramen capital of the US.
Where to find the best vegan ramen in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home to many, many different types of ramen, from miso to shoyu to tonkotsu. There is fusion ramen (like curry ramen, for example), breakfast ramen, and even dry brothless ramen. And good news: many of these dishes are plant-based.
We consulted the VegNews team and searched through comments and threads to find some of the very best places to find vegan ramen across Los Angeles, and we’ve listed some of them below. Chopsticks ready, let’s go.
HiroNori
1 HiroNori’s Vegan Ramen
Everything at HiroNori Pasadena is made from scratch, including the noodles, stock, and sauce. The menu is packed with different flavor-laden ramen dishes that you can pair with sides like edamame and green salad, but without a doubt, its Vegan Ramen dish—which features a sesame miso broth, broccolini, tofu, corn, bean sprouts, baby kale, chili oil, and soy meat—is hard to beat. It comes recommended by the VegNews team, and Reddit reviewers also can’t get enough of it. One Redditor declared the restaurant’s plant-based dish “the best vegan ramen I’ve ever had,” while another added that they “will always happily drive over an hour for this stuff.”
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2 RedWhite Boneless Ramen’s Yuzu Sesame
There is plenty of plant-based ramen to choose from at this popular spot, which is a favorite with VegNews editors because the menu is entirely vegan. If you like a fusion dish, opt for its Ginger Curry ramen with vegan meat, tofu, corn, onions, and arugula, or maybe its Sweet Chilli version (which comes without soup). However, the Yuzu Sesame is one of its most highly rated ramen dishes. “I don’t usually get vegan ramen because of the lack of richness and flavor in the broth. However, this place makes the broth so good you forget it’s plant-based. I got the yuzu sesame ramen and it’s so flavorful and thick!” said one Redditor, for example.
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Rakkan Ramen
3 Rakkan Ramen’s Garnet Vegan
Another VegNews team pick, Rakkan Ramen’s dishes are hearty, nourishing, and authentically delicious. While all of the dishes are made with plant-based broth, they’re not all totally vegan, as some are made with pork and eggs, but the Garnet Vegan is totally animal-free and full of flavor. “Was recommended here by a Japanese friend who lives in the area,” said one Happy Cow reviewer. “The creamy vegan ramen I had was super tasty.” Another said: “There’s a fair amount of vegan ramen available in Little Tokyo now, and this one did not disappoint! I love a creamy broth and this one delivered, the flavor was fantastic and rich.”
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4 Afuri Ramen + Dumpling’s Hazelnut Tantanmen
According to VegNews editors, Afuri’s Hazelnut Tantanmen—which comes with spicy sesame miso tare, hazelnut broth, leeks, bok choy, mushrooms, sesame chili oil, and miso cashew crumbles—is a truly delicious ramen dish. But just take our word for it, because Redditors agree, too. One user who tried the same dish in the chain’s Portland locations said: “This was fairly magical—first time in a while I’ve had a ramen that had really wanted me to push on to something greater in my own creations.”
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Silverlake Ramen
5 Silverlake Ramen’s Veggie Ramen
Popular ramen chain Silverlake, which has several spots in Los Angeles, has plenty of delicious options on its menu, including appetizers like Spicy Garlic Edamame and Impossible Buns with panko-fried Impossible meat. But for the main, the Veggie Ramen is a must-try. Served with vegetable broth, bean sprouts, avocado, red cabbage, tofu, and so much more, it’s packed with flavor and nutrient-dense goodness, too. While some say the ramen is not as flavorful as dishes from other ramen restaurants, it’s still a hit with a lot of reviewers. One Happy Cow user said: “I ordered The Veggie ramen. It was so good I just couldn’t help but almost finish to the last drop! Super friendly service!” Another added: “The veggie broth is rich and fatty tasting (this is what you want!). The service was quick and the employees friendly.”
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Hachioji Craft Ramen
6 Hachioji Craft Ramen’s Vegan Red Ramen
Start your meal at Hachioji Craft Ramen with vegan gyozas, garlic edamame, and spring veggie rolls before moving on to the real scene-stealer: the Vegan Red Ramen, which is served in a delicious mild soup made with Hokkaido miso. According to the noodle spot, it’s the most popular vegan dish on the menu. “Excellent vegan ramen,” said one Happy Cow user. “Both the red and creamy broths are great, but I liked the red a little more.” Another added: “We ordered gyoza, vegan miso (red), and vegan tonkatsu (white) ramen. Everything was excellent!”
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Ramen Hood
7 Ramen Hood’s OG Ramen
Some traditional ramen is served with egg, but for obvious reasons, this isn’t included in the plant-based versions in most restaurants, with the exception of Ramen Hood, that is. This popular Los Angeles spot offers a vegan egg option with most of its dishes, including its OG Ramen. “The OG has an amazing flavourful broth and is by far my favorite but the others are also very tasty,” said one Happy Cow reviewer. Another added: “Hands down my favorite vegan ramen spot in LA and that is saying a lot. I’ve had my fair share of vegan ramen in the last few years and coming to Ramen Hood just brought a huge smile to my face.”
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
