Daikokuya - Sawtelle Reviews

A Little Tokyo classic, Daikokuya is likely the best ramen shop in LA, simply based on the merits and authenticity of the food. From the classic broth to the spicy style, Daikokuya's ramen is legit and as good as what you'd find in Japan. They have excellent side dishes as well, like takoyaki (squid balls), eels rice bowls, tonkatsu, and roll-style sushi. There really is only one drawback here and that's the wait. Daikokuya is so popular that there is regularly a line up, and on weekend and during peak meal times you can be standing around for an hour. It's definitely worth the try, and multiple visits honestly. But try to go around 3pm on a weekday to avoid the wait.

First thing, there's a few nice bars on this street so be prepared to go there because most will wait, went after Clippers game and the wait was around 45mins-1hr or so. On to the food, I'm not sure what the other attraction here but just go for the Ramen, the spicy miso ramen and it went down a treat. Slightly sad I may never find something like this in London but will search for it. Great service, super fast and efficient. Excellent stuff.

Bomb Ramen, Bomb Broth, Bomb Bowls, really really really good overall. The place looks really cool, being that it looks like the outside of a city inside of the restaurant. Its if not as good, almost like the Los Angeles Location

We went to this place based of the reviews...we are not from Cali we're from Florida and don't have many authentic Japanese places back home. When we got there the place was packed but they do their best to seat you immediately. I've had Japanese in NYC and enjoyed it very much but man the noodles in this place were A M A Z I N G..&& the prices were very reasonable for the portions the gave you.

You wont go here to linger - there is no ambience per se, the service is professionally adequate and you probably have to queue for half an hour but the food is outstanding. we all had the Ramen with some extras to throw in and tried several starters between us - all to die for (possible exception was that the tempura was a fraction oily). All for what by LA standards is very cheap - four of us were so full we were hurting and we had beers and saki - all for 160 USD all in.

Trust me, the wait is sooooo worth it! Even if you're so hangry you can't decide if you're going to faint or want to gnaw at your arm. The house ramen is perfectly rich, delicious and has a great mouth-feel.... the noodles perfectly chewy and springy and the accoutrements inlcuding the egg & cha siu... deeee-lish! *sigh* why can't Edmonton, Canada have a killer ramen noodle shop like this?! Now if only I liked LA enough to come back... which sadly I don't after this recent visit.

As soon as you arrive here, make sure you put your name on the clipboard list inside the restaurant. I don't think there was ever a time I didn't see a line outside (my room faced this restaurant and I checked frequently to see when to head over). There is some seating insdie to wait for your name to be called. I waited about 25 minutes for 1 but it was totally worth it. I am a TOTAL ramen girl and try ramen places when I travel. Had their specialty and the noodles were chewy and a bit firm, the pork was very tender and moist, the egg was a bit over done for my liking and the broth was fairly good. I like my Tonkotsu broth with a more richer flavour...like you know they've been making this broth for a few hours. I enjoyed how you can choose how much ginger to add to your dishes (they have them on the tables). After reading reviews, I also decided to tyr the gyozas. They were very different from ones I've had elsewhere...not really in dumpling shapes but flat like how eggrolls are wrapped. They were pretty good...and tasted good the next day cold as well!

Amazing ramen. The cha shu was so good and the broth was amazing. YEs there is a line up ( i recommend being dropped off to sign your name in immediately) and then finding parking and walk around. Loved their combo with the sashi and rice as well.

The Skinny: Parking- Metered Street or Parking Structures ($6-$8) Decor- dive Service- friendly Food- great ramen Coke Factor: good carbonation, plastic glass, too sweet, free refill I love ramen and trying a new place is always a pleasure. My friend and I came here right after they were open at 11am and the place was already packed. We luckily found 2 spots at the counter. This place is not fancy and barely clean so don't expect much in that way. You eat, slurp, and move on! I ordered the regular ramen and an order of gyoza. The noodles were perfectly cooked and the pork was amazing. The broth was rich and had the right amount of green onions, sprouts, and bamboo shoots. I was less pleased with the gyoza. They were perfectly pan fried but they were cold and the stuffing was too much in size with the dumpling skin. I was disappointed in the taste of the gyoza as well. My friend had the fried spicy tuna which she liked and also the spicy ramen (also agreed the broth was delish)!

It's easy to walk past Daikokuya and not realize how special it is. The outside looks like a normal store-front in a row containing a Panda Express, a Starbucks, and other small eateries. But step inside and it's like being on a tiny Japanese street! The best part isn't the decor, though - it's the ramen! The broth is super-rich, the noodles tasty, and the experience worth every slurp. (Go ahead - it's considered polite in Japan!) The downside is that it - like so many places in Japan - is REALLY TINY. But the food is worth it!

the wait is worth it. just get the daikoku ramen (w/ kotteri if you choose) because its the best ramen in los angeles.

I saw this ramen shop on top of the list so I went to one of their locations in west LA. I ordered signature Daikokuya ramen and gyoza. Ramen was served in a big bowl. I found the soup quite salty, not hot enough. They use thick noodle which I personally don't like much but I ate better thick noodle elsewhere. My disappointing is gyoza. This is the worst I've ever had. Gyoza skin is thick. I don't know how they cooked but I found it not crispy at all instead a bit hard. The stuffing also not good. Very bad experience. I tried to finish two pieces and packed the rest to go. This meal left bad feeling to my stomach for a few hours. This may be my only personal taste because this place got very good review. I am a ramen lover but don't think this one suits my personal taste.

I really enjoyed this place. Reasonably priced. Great service and really friendly too. Would recommend the gyoza, ramen and chashu-don. One word of advice - get there early. There is usually a waiting list which you will need to put your name on. Can always pop across the road to Bar Nirvana for a cold one whilst you wait!

I ordered tsukemen but I don't really feel this is the best in LA. 結構評判が良かったので行ってみました。美味しかったし、雰囲気も面白かったけどロスで一番とは思いませんでした。たこ焼きは美味しかったです。ラーメンはパンチが無いというか。。。普通に美味しいだけでした。ただ、セットの丼とか美味しそうだったので今度行った時はそっちも頼んでみたいと思いました。

Getting there at 1630H, we only had to wait for around 10 minutes. Once seated, we were attended quickly and the waiter was very helpful. Had the gyoza, takoyaki and their daikoku ramen. I really like the ramen’s broth, it was rich and not too salty. The takoyaki was also a pleasant surprise! The flavor is good and the octopus is well cooked. Definitely worth a visit.

How many ramen restaurants actually ‘cook’ their eggs the proper way? Daikokuya is one of the only ones I’ve come across so far! Their broth isn’t as salty as many other places and their noodles were perfectly firm as requested! These guys know what they’re doing!

We had Daikoku Ramen (it looked like most others also had it); it was outstanding. Place was very busy on this Sunday night. Servers were friendly and excellent. Would definitely return.

A place to have good food and wait for food food along with the crowd. Its really worth the wait. A nice place to go if you are a foodie with demanding taste buds.

Quick summary: (FYI, we went to the new location of Sawtelle Blvd in West LA. Much closer to get to if you're at Santa Monica or Venice and easier to access via local roads than by taking the highway, especially for dinner with that terrible LA traffic!) The takoyaki was one of the best takoyaki that I've ever had. PROS: -size: bigger takoyaki balls, takes me 3 bites to finish one versus my normal two bites - worth the price. CONS: none. The butadon bowl was not what I expected. PROS: -perfect size for snack eaters or small eaters -lots of flavor CONS: -pork is too thinly sliced: the pieces of pork were sliced super thin so there isn't as much fat content as anticipated. Not like the "chasiu" style pork slices at other ramen places. - not for someone who wants a MEAL unless you're a small eater. The daikokuya ramen was by far the best. PROS: -incredibly creamy and rich broth. - can tailor your soup to your salt desires! You can make it more salty or less salty by letting the waiter know beforehand. They will even let you cater it after you have received your bowl if you find that it is not salty or in their words, "savory", enough. - HUGE portion! I honestly think that for light eaters, it can easily feed two, maybe three with other appetizers. - egg was not overly seasoned and not too salty, perfectly cooked for ramen. CONS: - pork slice: one big fat slice, not thick (like butadon). They were incredibly generous, but it was one huge piece of thin pork belly. Total bill for two with pretty much 75% butadon and 1/3 ramen as take home leftovers was $25!!! Recs: -go early or make an rsvp, place gets crowded by 630pm. We got in with only a party of 2! - take local roads to get there or get stuck forever on the 10. - tiny tiny place, don't bring huge purses if possible - great service! very attentive, possibly because it was before the mad rush at 7pm. Lots of people had to wait outside because there is no inside wait area really. - parking is non-existent unless you drive around or are willing to pay for it thru the butt. Would definitely go again when I'm in LA! SUPER tasty!

I seriously don't know why there was such a long queue outside this restaurant. Don't get me wrong, their ramen was good, but not a 30+ mins waiting good. Saw lots of tourist from China queueing for this one. Apparently it's one of those restaurants that was made famous in the Internet so tourists feel they have to come and try. After standing outside hungrily ad waiting for 30+ mins, I bet any average food taste delicious. So, unless you are one of those tourists that have this restaurant in your to-do list and have to tick it off, I wouldn't suggest you to waste your precious time here. I've wasted mine, hope you won't waste yours.

About 10 years ago, this was one of the best ramen places in LA. About all that remains now is the line. The first time I went, several years ago, I waited over an hour, and even then, I didn't think it was worth it. Maybe worth a 30 minute wait. So, the last time I went, we got in line before opening, and waited about 20 minutes. But, sadly, the quality had gone downhill. Way downhill. I think this place survives by reputation and tourists who have only had the Costco maruchan instant to compare it to.

Very good, traditional food. If u come, u have to order the Ramen Noodle Soup. Make sure to bring cash because no credit card accepted.

The ramen is far too fatty for my taste - no matter which kind you get. You feel like you're just drinking butter. The pork is also scant. Two very fatty pieces tops. It was hyped up to be so much better and there are ALWAYS crowds of people waiting. I just don't get it. There are better place nearby. Shin Sen Gumi just down the road is better.

When you list the components of this ramen: noodles, boiled egg, seasoned bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, and green onion in a pork soup it all seems like the usual ramen fare ~ but this is ramen with a difference. What's the difference? ~ A truly unique preparation and very good ingredients. Put this one on your LA ramen shop "must try" list.

Great food. Seating is pretty scarce though. Best is if you come in small numbers. Try the pork bowl. So delicious.

Since coming back from NYC, I've been craving ramen and I figured that LITTLE TOKYO would be a good place to start to find a more local ramen place. Considering there were other ramen places in the vicinity, the wait outside of Daikokuya seemed promising. There's no hostess manning the front, so you just sign your name on a clipboard with the number of people in your party & a waitress will call you. We signed in and waited until we found a waitress & asked about the wait time. She said around 45mins. That seemed doable especially with a toddler in tow. 45 mins later - we asked again how much longer & they said 45 mins. An hour and half later, we were finally seated and I understood why the wait was so long. The place is SMALL (there's like 6 booths and then a small counter top that runs along kitchen that probably seats only 10-12 ppl) Granted the ramen wasn't the best but it was good. I'm not quite sure if it was worth the wait though but it's worth trying especially if there's no line. FYI: It's a CASH only place. They have a ATM in the back but it's probably best to have cash on hand to avoid ATM fees.

There's a reason there's over 5000 reviews to this place on yelp - it's amazing, salty greatness. The only bad thing is that there's always a line, regardless of the time of day. I personally like this place more than the one in Westwood...there's a better richness in the soup.

I came. I saw. I conquered a whole lot of ramen. This place has a constant hour long wait at all times because its worth it. We ordered the Daikokuya Ramen special which is a must as well as the Shredded Beef Bowl which was delicious. Come hungry because the portions are large. Easily accessible from the Gold Line if you want to take the Metro.

if you time it right you won't have to wait in line. Very good pork broth ramen, well prepared noodles. A few other interesting dishes.

I would like firstly point that I never actually managed to get here because it was always so busy, but I was staying in the Miyako Hotel opposite and with a view onto the street and every time I looked out the window in the evening there were always people queueing. So on that basis of footfall and how busy it was when I walked by I've given it a 4 points, but my main point was to warn readers to be prepared to wait!!

Trust me !! the menu hanged up on the wall - it is sooo delightful and relax.it is the only place I have ever been that sushi rice is served warm. the menu has never great changes, this is not depreciating though. One of my favorite places in la

Daikokuya is a small restaurant located in Little Tokyo. Pros: - The food was absolutely delicious. We decided to try the Daikokuya Ramen (which is their specialty) and got a huge bowl which easily was enough for both of us, and the shredded pork to go with it. The pork was very very very tasty!! - The waiters (especially the one with the colourful shorts) were very friendly. He asked us where we were going on our trip and warned us for a road being closed - which we were aware of, but was really friendly. - The atmosphere. Sort of an American diner meets Japanese restaurant. - Free refills of our soda (I know this is quite standard in American restaurants but I really liked it cause it was so hot) Cons: - No airconditioning so quite hot because it was 90 degrees F / 35 C outside. Go here if you visit Los Angeles ! And come early to make a reservation, they put your name on the list. We were lucky to arrive early so we avoided the queue which was quite long when we left at around 7 PM.

We waited for nearly 2 hours for table of 2, we finished the lunch in less than 30 minutes once we got in. Both daikokuya ramen and spicy ramen were good. We ordered the belly slice pork, they practically melted on the mouth. Good food if you don't mind the wait. Cash only place also.

Located just short walk from City Hall. We were waiting about 30 minutes. Ordered ramen with delicous creamy broth. Would come again if we are in LA downtown. Restaurant is cash only.

I have been dreaming with this ramen since my las visit to LA. It is just delicious. Don't expect a three Michelin star's restaurant, don't expect a posh place....but you can always expect some line or queue to try the ramen and sushi of this authentic japanesse restaurant in Little Tokyo.

Bad stuff first! Line is ridiculously LONG. (Weekend was a 1.5hr wait time) parking in the area sucked $6+ anywhere you park...no just thing as free parking. Eating on at the bar bc seating was so limited that I was practically slouching as I was eating my ramen. Good stuff time! Waiting was alright bc we didn't have anything else to do so people watching along the sidewalk is always fun. The ramen itself was amazing...don't forget those little side garnishes...the white stuff is garlic! MmM salmon sashimi just melted my mouth. We split a ramen bowl and it was filling enough. Customer service was a 10/10! Loved them...friendly attitude...will definitely come back!

Be prepared to wait, not only because of customers - more so because of poor system of seating customers. There is no system at all, you write your name down and wait for a number to be called, the servers whilst could seat parties of 2 or 3 (if they have no preference) at the counter instead of booths, which would allow more efficient seating arrangements. Ramen is average, the roast pork was succulent and tender - however not worth a wait topped off with poor levels of service. Not at all child friendly, wouldn't recommend unless you have a whole afternoon to waste in LA and felt like some roast pork. Bad first impressions for our first meal in LA.

Drove 1.5 hours to have Ramen, we excitedly waited 30 minutes. Sadly it was a letdown, ramen noodle were excellent, but the pork was chewy and broth lacked flavor. Restaurant is an OG, so we expected it to be authentic, sadly it was not. Plating is weak and lacked presentation, ordered appetizers and we had to request appetizer plates, truly felt like their mission is fast food service and get you fed and out as quick as possible. Truly disappointed, we will not be back. We did have an excellent experience walking through Little Tokyo. We will come back to try another Ramen restaurant.

A must order for first-timers - the kotteri pork soup. Ramen and pork belly was just about right. The egg was slightly below expectation. But overall the delicious stock more than win my vote for being of the best outside Japan. Be prepared to wait for at least 30 minutes.

I was hovering over giving it a 3 out of 5 but it's not this places fault if it always has a queue. Nothing was bad, it just wasn't excellent. I'd rarely line up for food - but when I do, I'm expecting something awesome. The pork broth is good but nothing that blew me away, noodles consistency was very good though. One piece of pork seemed skimpy and an egg (which was delicious) and a good sized portion served in a nice enough place. If there wasn't a queue and I didn't want to try somewhere else, I'd probably return but this wasn't the greatest ramen I've ever had and waiting for almost an hour, to get seated (although once seated food was with us in 5 mins) doesn't entice me back.

We got in late to LA and were scoping out food options near our hotel when we came across Daikokuya. Thankfully, they're open until midnight! Word of warning, there's probably going to be a long wait but, word of advice, wait! I love ramen, not the kind you cook in a microwave, but real, authentic, chef-made ramen and this place has risen to the top of my list! The noodles were perfect, the broth (dashi) was amazing, go for the kotteri upgrade on the broth, the half-boiled egg, and the melt-in-your-mouth buttery slices of pork were insanely good! I had to try the side of pork belly, shown in the photo, and it was just as delicious as the pork in my ramen. If you're looking for a great place for ramen and other Japanese cuisine, this is the place to visit in LA. It's not a budget-breaker, the food is excellent, and the beer (Sapporo for me) was ice cold (and served with an ice cold mug). Don't let the long long discourage you but just persevere and you will be rewarded! Enjoy!

I can't get over this broth! I recently visited a few friends in LA and they took me here. I think I'll be craving this place for the rest of my life. The ramen noodles are perfect!

Waited for 20 minutes to get in to Daikokuya and it was worth the wait. Had the original daikokuya and was very pleased. This is not your college ramen noodles. I would eat there again and would recommend to friends.

I really love this place. The tonkotsu ramen is excellent and the prices fair. You can let them know how you want your noodles cooked. The restaurant is tiny so you usually have to wait in line a little. We've had times where the broth was not hot enough, other times where the egg was either overcooked or cold.

The ramen here was delish - I had the traditional tonkotsu ramen and my friend had the spicy miso. Mine was rich and flavorful and she loved hers. Honestly, the standout was actually the gyoza, with a smooth filling, sauteed super crispy on the bottom. Fantastic. Cash only and you may have to wait during lunch and especially on weekends.

Yes the line is long but who wouldn't want to wait just to get a fix of ramen and teriyaki chicken and gyoza and other food. Its delish!!!!!

First of all, I don't eat pork (only pepperoni.. .is that Kosher?) Most everything here has pork. I guess asking for no pork on Ramen ia like a asking for no grapes on a glass of wine. I loved it and you can taste the almost créamy flavor of the broth. I recomend you do a thorough menu selection on their website prior showing up, because you are not going to have much luck asking to many questions....it's like ordering at Canters in Fairfax but with much younger servers. Order, eat it, love it and get the hell out of the place since there are probably 10 couples waiting aside to be sited....on a slow day. This place has the top Rating in LA for Ramen

In Japanese, it's called honmono - the real thing. That's what Daikokuya is, although the one I went to is on 327 1st. Street across from the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo. They have a house ramen that I would have ordered if they didn't offer Spicy Miso ramen, but both are tops. The noodles were perfect (al dente), the flavor is umai (delicious) and the cooks and waiters are all Japanese. I also heard some Spanish back in the kitchen, so along with English, they're tri-lingual. Go off hours to avoid a long wait if you can, they don't have pagers. It's a small place, they seat about 30 and it's cash only. There are other ramen restaurants nearby, so don't wait until you're ready to keel over. I waited about a half hour & felt it was worth it, hope you find the same.

Was craving for Ramen yesterday as we were in Little Tokyo viewing MOCA for the Free Socal Museum Day! Saw a long line of peeps outside the resto and told my friend - that must be good - peeps are waiting to get in line . The wait was long- very long - an hour ! The waitress who was doing the line was not very efficient in doing it - and so we were bumped several times - as there were 4 of us. Anyway it was WORTH THE WAIT ! The ramen is very flavorful!!! My friend who had colds that day was alleviated by her symptom when she drank the broth ! Mind you I am not a pork person and I did ask if they are serving beef broth which is my friend. But the waitress said they only serve ramen - kurobota style and I was pleasantly surprised how delicious it was! Soup tasted like pork crackling and the ramen is so good! Really good as I am a noodle person and can practically eat just noodles on a daily basis if I have my way. It was yummy and serving was huge! One note on the Daiko Ramen Special I bought is it did not have too much of the pork- only 3 strips of pure pork belly - which is like your regular bacon only cut smaller . Anyway food was delicious! My son did not order ramen and had tonkatsu instead which is like breaded pork chop with egg on top and he finished it so it must be good too!

*CASH ONLY* As you walk in, you can find a little charming ramen shop modeled after realistic Japanese streets! FOOD: 5/5 Daikokuya specializes in their specialty Tonkotsu ramen. ADD KOTTERI!! Kotteri is extra back fat from the pig and adds an incredibly deep flavor into your ramen. You can expect to find green onions, bamboo shoots, supeeer tender pork slices, and a perfectly soft-boiled egg. Your ramen also comes out super fast! SERVICE: 5/5 All of our servers were attentive and friendly. They were quick to serve our food with a smile! Also, the restaurant has an ATM in the back if you need cash. I hold Daikokuya close to my heart. I'll frequent this place often :)!

Listed as a must try on various websites and went to check it out. I loved it. I had their speicialty ramen which was basically just ramen with chashu. The soup was nice and thick, the noodles were al dente, the way i like them and the cuts of meet were nice and thick. The portions are big though so no need to add the extra stuff they recommend unless you're REALLY hungry.

I needed a place to feed my hungry 12-year-old before his karate class and found this fantastic little restaurant! Our waitress, Eri, it's from Osaka and couldn't have been more charming or friendly. In fact we wrote down the days that she works because my son said she was so sweet that he always wants her to be our waitress! The spicy miso Ramen was even better than my favorite Ramen in Tokyo. The noodles were done to perfection and the broth was very rich and flavorful. I like that they serve garlic and ginger on the side just like they do in good places in Tokyo. The gyoza were heavenly. I have never seen them made exactly in this fashion and they couldn't have been more delicious. The surroundings are adorable you feel like you are sitting in a movie set of a little alley sidestreet in Tokyo. We came in the late afternoon around 430 and did not experience any line but when we were leaving it definitely was getting more crowded.

Huge and delicious ramen, worthwile the waiting for the queue (dont worry they are quick)! Hosomaki great too!

My son had been wanting to take me to Daikokuya in Little Tokyo for months. So we stood in line, and waited a bit. The Ramen was good, but not as good as I expected, for all the hype. I actually like the Ramen at Mainichi (a few doors down on First St.) better, and there was no wait! I’m talking about the Daikokuya on First St. in Little Tokyo, not on Sawtelle Blvd. Can’t figure out how to change the address.

From Hawaii, the term Broke the Mouth means the food is Exceptional, and this little eatery ilives up to the description. My daughter took me here because she knows I love noodles. I am a ramen eater, and the ramen here is exceptional. You have to come hungry because the bowl of ramen is big. What i really liked a lot was that they top their ramen with lots of green onions, my favorite, and the broth is sooo good! Even if parking is a hassle, the wait is long, i wouldn't mind going back here. The prize of eating the best ramen is sure worth the hassle.

Yet again, I have not been let down by tripext users. Found this gem through their recommendation and fell in love. I was looking for a place that had authentic japanese ramen. The ramen was amazing here. I had the spicy ramen and my husband got the original. The broth was a bit on the heavy side but I didn't mind at all. The noodles were perfectly cooked. The wait time was a bit ridiculous. We went during an off hour (late evening) but even then we waited about 30 minutes. Luckily, the tripext local we talked to gave us to tip to go late rather than their peak hours. Apparently, wait times have been upwards of 2 hours! The space inside is a decent size but way to small considering how popular the place is. It's a cash only place, so I recommend you bring some cash. They do have an ATM at the back but it's not the most ideal way to get the cash. Overall, it was a great experience and would recommend it to others.

Expected 1 hour wait (even at 3 in the afternoon). Went across the street to the Buddhist temple to get horoscope (year of the ram) and prayer-bead wristlet (hope for calmness and compassion for the new year).

you might find yourself waiting an hour or more as the restaurant is very small and a lot of people want to get in to the deliciousness waiting inside. Make sure that whatever you order comes with the house salad. Its super simple, pretty much sliced cabbage but the salad dressing is amazing. They sell it by the bottle and if you bring your bottle back they refill it cheaper, what this stuff does to cabbage may be illegal. I like to order the combo so I can get my ramen on have some salad and still get a bowl of the shredded pork which is so tender and tasty that if I don't watch my kids will scarf it down before I even get a taste.

First time eating at Daikokuya. Late night right before it closed and there was still a long wait. If you don't mind the log wait then I would definitely recommend this place. Small restaurant but amazing food! We ordered the Spicy Miso Ramen and added a small pork cutlet bowl/small shredded pork bowl. We couldn't have been happier and full! The broth was rich, the eggs were on point, the pork belly chashu was soft and the noodles were cooked perfectly. Ate everything!

The place is unassuming, small and not in the greatest locations. But the Ramen is unbelievably good, the soup is bursting with flavors and the pork just melts in your mouth. There was at least a 15 minute wait for seating but it was all worth it in the end.

If u ever visited little Tokyo, in particular at dinner time, u would alway see the long line-up before the gate of daikoku, which, perhaps the best, traditional ramen in the town. But merely excess-average I think. There is no more choice than house and miso edition, you will not disappoint and come again--maybe for another Which is different with your first attempt

A small max 30 person ramen shop in Sawtelle Japantown. Great quaint cute Tokyo alley decor. Excellent food. We love the Daikokuya ramen and cha shu rice. Tight seating. The food came pretty quick and was great. Only hiccup during our visit was our extra sides for ramen were not added till we asked. We still waited 20mins at 4pm on a weekday. Easy garage parking.

Very rich fat-heavy broth that taste like concentrated pork. I've tried the spicy miso too, which is pretty good but not as decidant as the regular. They stay open through out the day, which is cool, since many other Little Tokyo joints close between lunch and dinner.

We came here on a weekday 30 mins past opening time and there was already a line waiting. We had to write down our names and waited about 20 minutes to be seated. Atmosphere was the traditional ramen place you would find in Japan. Service was speedy and polite. We got the Daiko ramen and it was very delicious! Broth was creamy and rich in flavor and the egg was cooked just right with the not too runny yolk. We also tried the gyoza as an appetizer. Not too impressed but thought the fried egg on top was unique. Overall, a definitely must try place if you are visiting LA!

- Noodles are top notch - Broth is heavenly - Pork is tender and even the egg is amazing Everything about this restaurant is amazing. They truly make an authentic bowl of Japanese noodles. The only hassle about the restaurants is the wait times for dinner but if you can accommodate and visit them during the weekdays you are fine. I would suggest allowing customers to order takeout as an option. I used to live close by and would have eaten there more often if I could just stop by and pick up my noodles and eat them home.

We came here as our last stop during our trip to LA and Orange County. The restaurant is a little small, but makes the atmosphere quite cozy (in a good way). The interior makes you feel like you've stepped into Tokyo and away from the LA hustle and bustle. The food selection is good and the spicy miso ramen was delicious. Definitely one of the best ramen places that I have been to recently. We also had an order of gyoza to start and was very impressed that there was actually quite a bit of meat in the gyoza (instead of mostly vegetables in other restaurants).

Best Ramen bowl I've eaten in many a year. Long lines to get a table at this little hole in the wall place but the wait is worth it. Interesting to discover that their large bottle of Asahi beer is a "Product of Italy" 🙄

We went to this Japanese restaurant for dinner because my Lonely Planet talked about it. A number of people were waiting to be seated when we got there. We put our names on the waiting list on our own. We didn't wait for long because the food preparation was fast. The food was so yummy but the prices were so low. The Japanese BBQ pork melted in my mouth. The texture of the noodles was still good even it'd been soaked in the soup for some time. There was a lot of choice on the menu. We had a ramen and small tonkatsu rice combo plus two appetizers. We also had two bottles of Asahi. The total was not more than USD$40. A good choice for budget travelers. Great value for money! We walked to there at night from Union Station. A guy working there told us that we just had to keep walking along Los Angeles Street and we would get to 1st Street and see the restaurant. If you were going there as how I did, just stay on Los Angeles Street. The Union Station guy advised us not to turn into any small streets for safety reason. We saw a number of beggars when we were getting there. Be careful.

Really authentic Japanese Ramen spot. Great ambiance, food and service. Usually overcorwded. The queue moves super fast.

When you arrive you put your name on a list. This is because there is nearly always a line. Wait times vary depending on when you go but usually between ten and fourty minutes. Looking into the place you may think it's not worth it. the place looks like exactly what it is a hole in the wall noodle bar. Seating is limited hence the wait but it is so worth it. The food is great, the noodles cooked to order the broth creamy porky goodness. They also have great Miso....moving on from the soups their shredded pork is fantastic and the salad dressing is totally worth taking space away from the great soup.

We went and had the Raman. Spectacular. Service was great. We were worried about the wait time but the line ahead of us moved very fast. Just amazing - hot, filling, fresh and vibrant flavors, just memorable.

I lived in LA around 2000s. Back then, Daikokuya was my go-to place for delicious, authentic donkotsu (pork-bone soup base) ramen. A decade later I am visiting LA again, and I go to Daikokuya for ramen. Albeit the much increased price, the ever crazy wait line, the ramen is every bit as excellent as I remember. Definitely worth a visit to find out what they have to offer. What a time-proven gem.

We had to do over an hour of wait but it was worth it. Loved the dumplings as well as the noodles. Place is a bit crowded and no waiting inside.

Very good flavorful ramen! And the takoyaki was amazing!! Felt that the waitress could’ve been a little more attentive (esp since it was kind of slow the night we went) but she was friendly when she did come by to check on us. Would def recommend based on the food!

It was a great experience. They only had to options ramen wise, but the one I chose was so good. I was a bit scared because I'm not a big fan of pork, but they made it taste amazing. The portion was also very big.

I have been here about four times and always get the ramen because it is so good. I have only tried the ramen and the pork belly, both which I really like. I go when I am in the area for business. When I go with friends I will have to try other items on the menu. Te bowls are large and I always end up with leftovers. The restaurant will be packed with a wait list within 5 minutes of opening. Service is quick. I have only been to the location in little Tokyo, food is always good.

Daikokuya is one of my top ramen places on Sawtelle. The spicy miso ramen is my go to dish. The broth can sometimes be a little too heavy, but usually just fatty and tasty. It is definitely mild spicy but there is chili powder readily available on the table to add more spice. The noodles are perfectly cooked al dente. I usually ask for light bean sprouts to enjoy the taste of the noodles more. The cabbage salad helps to cleanse the palate and is pretty refreshing. I like to order an iced green tea to help cool me down while eating the ramen. The interior of the small restaurant is really cute with random Japanese decor, it makes you feel like you're eating ramen in Japan. The wait times can be pretty long if you go during peak hours, so be prepared to wait outside. Parking is free and easy with a large parking lot right next to it. If I'm feeling like having a lighter ramen, I usually go to Tatsu instead.

Found this place on tripadvisor as we wanted a quick bite in little Tokyo. Food was exceptionally good and cheap. However....service was rude. Asked 3 times for a spoon and never got one. As I was in the middle of finishing my bowl of rice, the waitress started to clear my table. Not really a subtle way of telling customers to f***ed off. I don’t think we were slow eaters. Ordered quite a lot and finished all in about 15 min. Could see how other customers were treated around us too. Maybe it’s the language barrier as none of them seem to speak English very well.

This place serves very authentic food. It's quite small, so prepare to wait a bit to be seated. We had Ramen and Donburi, they were much better than a lot of hip places. Really comparable to real deal in Japan and very affordable. Will visit again on my next trip to LA. Only the gyosa were nothing to write home about. Staff is nice.

Went there today and had the Daikokuya Ramen, Spicy Miso Ramen and Gyoza. Loved the Gyoza! Very nicely flavoured and dipping sauce had a nice (rice vinegar?) acidic twist to it. Daikokuya Ramen where nice, good well balanced broth, very nice noodles and fresh egg. Couldn't finish the bowl but that had nothing to do with the taste. Spicy Miso Ramen uses a fattier broth and is not hot (just spicy), I prefer the Daikokya Ramen but that is a personal thing I guess.

daikokuya is probably the best ramen next to shin-sen-gumi if you liked your ramen on a slightly saltier and richer-broth base. daikokuya in little tokyo is the original location and offers the best fried rice compared to its chains in other locations; however, the wait there is also the longest. if you're craving for authentic japanese ramen that will knock your socks off, daikokuya is hands down going to impress anyone who appreciates ramen.

Daikokuya used to be one of my favorite ramenya in Los Angeles, with many more ramen shops setting my up shops around town, its execution and tastes seemed to be dated. The broth is quite salty now, while they have toned down the fattiness of the broth and make them less porky. Both the DTLA and this branch needs a bit of wait on weekends.

This is my third trip here & I live in Santa Fe, NM. I try to make it a stop whenever I am in LA. Get there early for lunch otherwise the wait is long, however it is certainly worth the wait. I have not had anything in the three times here that I would NOT recommend. FANTASTIC but not the least bit elegant, but who cares with food like this.

I found the place through Yelp and make a reservation. This little place tuck in the middle of Little Tokyo area. A cash only place, quick service, and really pack with people. I ordered a tonkatsu ramen. It came quick, the noodle was cook perfectly with enough chewiness, the pork belly melt in your mouth, and the broth was very rich and yummy. I will visit this place again when I come to the area.

Food: 5 stars. This is One of my favorite places to go have Ramen and I'm lucky enough to work near the downtown LA location. The regular Ramen is quite good but My personal preference is to have it koteri style. To me, it gives broth a little bit more flavor and Gives it a more silky mouth feel. I also really like the dressing they put on the side salad and they hav a few Bowl combos (beef, eel, chashu are my favs but they have a few other) you can add on to your ramen. The egg the end to the Ramen is usually slightly less than hard-boiled which is something I like because I like mixing the still runny yolk into the broth. I really do not like when places put a completely hard-boiled egg in the Ramen. I really love Ramen and I have to say that Daokokuya is always at the top of my list for the best place to go. The Bad: The restaurant itself is quite small so be prepared to wait once which name on the list. Wait times of half an hour to 45 minutes are not uncommon. The only way to get around this is to go by yourself and sit at the counter (of course not an option if you're meeting a group of friends) because you won't usually have to wait, or if you do, it will be brief. I can't think of a time I waited more than 5 minutes. Parties of two or more are usually always seated at the table. The shortest wait time for a group is usually at least 10 to 15 minutes. Also, they do not take credit cards. This is a cash only place.

What is interesting is that in the LA area, ramen has been a huge hit lately. You'll see all kinds of ramen shops popping up around town. There are quite a few of this company as well. The inside is decorated very nicely, they usually resemble a true Japanese street front. The food however is exactly what you would expect from a ramen noodle place. It tastes like ramen and has a little extra trimming in it like vegetables and beef. But other than that, I'm not so convinced it is worth the price tag. If you haven't had it before, it is definitely worth it to check out. Or if you want to have a fun lunch date.

This is the best ramen I've ever eaten. I can highly recommend Daikoku Ramen with black garlic oil if you like garlic.

The decor is fun and you feel as though you are eating outside in Japan. Service is swift but our server forgot a few things we ordered, but did not charge us for it. The restaurant is very very small so be prepared to wait. You can get on the waiting list through the yelp app. We ended up with a 45 minute wait on the app, checked in about 30 minutes early and headed to a nearby bar for a cocktail where we were then texted about 20 minutes after our assigned time. So be prepared to wait, but the food is well worth it. We had the pickled appetizer which was unique and quite good as well as the spicy tuna roll. My vegan companion enjoyed the Vegan Ramon, two others loved the spicy bowls and I had the most popular regular bowl and added seaweed for some green. The flavors were perfect and the noodles stayed firm through the meal. Be prepared to feel the salt if you are sensitive to salt like I am . This restaurant was recommended to us by our concierge and it was a great recommendation.

Been on a ramen quest and had to try Daikokuya. So glad, we arrived before opening. We were there about 10 minutes prior and we barely got seated in the first seating; otherwise, at least a 45 minute wait. Not too many seats but very fast service. Husband tried the Daikoku Ramen and I went for the Kotteri (richer broth) Ramen. He really enjoyed his bowl. The Kotteri is very rich and flavorful just what I was looking for! It was almost creamy, it's so rich. The Daikoku is definitely more subtle but has just as much flavor. Very generous portions...almost had to be rolled out of the restaurant. Daughter ordered the pork cutlet/spicy tuna bento box and she ate almost the whole box! We also ordered the gyozas and tempura spicy tuna. Both were decent but the spicy tuna was a little bit too cooked for my taste. Always a line outside whenever we pass by. Would definitely come again but early to line up!

It's the broth. I didn't understand what the big deal about ramen shops was until I tried the Daikoku Ramen, and the broth was stunning, I've never tasted anything with that richness, that depth of flavor. I'm not a foodie and most subtleties go right over my head but I tasted the difference here and I'm a believer. That being said, it's a small restaurant. We put our names on the list a little after 5 pm and waited about 20 minutes for a table, and the wait gets longer as the evening wears on. It's cash only and no take-out. If you need a restaurant with up-to-date decor and chairs that sit level and don't rock, this isn't the place. But f you sit at the counter you can see the cooking going on and it's all legit. The wait staff get food orders out in good time. And their ramen will spoil you for any others.

Stopped here after a long drive from Palm Springs with my 5 year old daughter. We both ordered the house special and she actually finished her bowl of ramen for the first time! Needless to say it hit the spot and we'll definitely be coming back next time we're in the area.

We were on a day trip with friends in this area of LA. We had selected this place based on Internet reviews. It' a really small restaurant and busy, expect to wait a little while to go there but you can list your name and also there is a seating area to wait. The good thing would be to offer something to drink while we wait, a best! Then we ordered quiet quickly and the waitress was pleasant and smiling. Drinks came promptly, but they brought the dishes as soon as they were ready and half of the table was already eating when the others were still waiting, especially the kids should be priorities. The dishes were tasty and really big portion, we really liked them and the cuisine is great. This is a reasonable restaurant with great food and managed in Japanese culture way. Nothing exceptional but I do recommend it. The restaurant is located on E1st street.

I was pleased to discover this restaurant by TripAdvisor. Good food for a fair price. When I arrived, there were more than 10 tables before mine in the list, but in less than 30 minutes, we had already sat. The service was super fast and efficient.

Each time I've been in LA and in Little Tokyo this past year, I've seen a line of patrons patiently waiting outside this little place on 1st Street. Of course, lines like this in little places like that get me curious. I finally decided to visit this past weekend, and wasn't disappointed. Daikokuya is an authentic Raman House. The insides are rustic and done up in vintage Japanese adverstising posters. There are tables or you can sit at the bar to enjoy your Raman. For newbies, I suggest the Daikokuya original Raman. Go ahead and get the large. You can order it your way (e.g. chewier noodles, etc.). The services is fast despite a very busy if not hectic environment. I also ordered the Edamame, which was steamed perfectly and only lightly salted (eat less salt, people!). There are other things on the menu, go ahead and try some donburi. Their rice is very good. Points for atmosphere, taste, service, etc. Great place!

Food is just fine. Nothing special. Fills up your tummy just fine. Need a quick fix? This will do...

Daikokuya has been around Little Tokyo for years. They are popular for their Tonkotsu, but I've had this many times in different restaurants in the US and Japan. Daikokuya's broth is average. The place is a dump, it feels like a dive restaurant.

I finally got the chance to brave the long line and try its ramen noodles. The soup was good but salty, too salty for my taste. It`s actually a health risk to eat this much salt on a regular basis. The ramen was just regular. I don`t understand all the hype. I ordered extra pork slices, and wasn`t not able to eat all of it. Maybe I was not that hungry but the reality was, it wasn`t that good. The temperature inside the restaurant is so hot I was sweating on both my arms while waiting for the noodles to be served.

We came in here on a Sunday. After a Saturday night full of drinking we figured a bowl of ramen will fix the hangover. We came in and was told to seat ourselves, we ordered 2 bowls of ramen and hot tea. The ramen came out first and the tea took over 20 mins to arrive. By this time, I was confused as to why it would take so long for tea. I asked the server and at first he forgot our tea order, when I asked to check on the status-- he said that they forgot to boil water. Not sure if we will return after this experience, but feel free to try!

It's worth the wait! But the wait can easily top an hour, so I'd recommend putting your name on the list BEFORE exploring the nice little plaza nearby. I like to get either the tuna or shredded pork bowl side with my ramen. My ramen takes two, if not three sittings to finish. I've probably been here about a dozen times, and never once have I finished my ramen in one sitting. But I welcome you to try! The ramen makes great leftovers. Our favorite is their typical tonkatsu. Allow me to describe: the broth is thick and flavorful, a little greasy but not horribly. The eggs are dippy and flavorful. The bamboo shoots and noodles the perfect consistency. This is my fiance's favorite restaurant in the WORLD. No joke. He told me that if he were to choose a final supper, it would be either Daikokuya ramen or my scrambled eggs (I think he was just being nice with the latter option). The customer service is always fantastic. I don't know how they manage that with how busy they are. Once, my fiance accidentally forgot to ask for no bean sprouts. She hates them. When the server noticed a giant mound of bean sprouts on her napkin and her futile attempts to get them rest of the sprouts out, he offered to replace her order free of charge with a smile on his face. We didn't even have to mention anything to him, and it was our fault to begin with! And it was BUSY. I will say one thing, and this almost feels like sacrilege... The past year, I have been feeling that Daikokuya has been going downhill. It's still great; don't get me wrong. But the ramen has not been as hot, and the eggs are not as deliciously dippy as they once were. So if you like piping hot ramen, I'd recommend telling your server you'd like it extra hot!

Loved the food, the restaurant is a bit of a dive. The line was 45 minutes long, but we loved the food.

The only possible setback is the wait-line and the limited parking spaces. I have no doubt that the quality of ramen is THE BEST in LA. I liked the Shinsengui in Redondo Beach / Gardena but I could not stop driving to this place even though it took me an hour. This was one of the few "japanese places" where I could take my Japanese friends with no disclaimer like "don't expect too much because we are in LA and not in Tokyo". Only once, one of my Japanese friends commented that the broth needs more "punch" to it. I guess he meant the soup needs to be more thicker (more salt/spice etc) which seemed kind of true. However, considering that we were in LA, Daikokuya should be praised with hands down!!

Visited here as it was right next to my Airbnb and opted for the ramen as that's what all the reviews said, and they weren't wrong. I had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated, you go inside, write your name on a waiting list, wait outside and then you are called when your table is ready. I just opted for the restaurant's special ramen which came quickly and was delicious, I had a view of kitchen which was interesting while I waited. Service friendly, food great and I'd definitely go here again.

One of the best places to tickle your taste buds to have authentic Japanese cuisine. With a great service and superb ambience, the place is one of the major attractions for tourists to LA.

This was a "must-do" for me, because it had come so highly recommended via other reviews. DO NOT GO. First, the food. I ordered a Chicken Teriyaki bowl and Gyozo. The chicken I ordered was undercooked. As in it was pink (Picture 2). While the portion of white rice was huge, I was hoping for more chicken but got perhaps one chicken breast (if that). The Gyozo was burnt to a crisp and layered with green onions, which I assumed should've been used as a garnish and not a side (Picture 1). Secondly, I waited for 45 minutes outside, thinking that it would be worth the wait. With less than 50 seats, it wasn't worth it. I also happened to walk by the thermostat when I had to go get cash from their own ATM. The thermostat read that it was 90 degrees in the establishment and I would believe it. There was no air moving and it just kept getting hotter. This restaurant is horrible and I would never recommend it.

First we got the Gyoza - it was pan fried and the skin got crispy around it - probably the best I ever had. Then we moved on their classic Ramen noddle bowls. My wife got the regular and I got the spicy, which was not too spicy. The soup was creamy, came with a hard boiled egg (soft center) and pork. It was delicious and very filling. It is a small place so expect a wait.

Very tasty ramen , pretty good roast pork as a side dish. However , the restaurant is dirty, old and worn out. We came at 1:20 but had to wait almost an hour. This place is cash only and they even added 15% tip to the bill. Most likely will not return as the negatives far outweighs the positives.

I went to this restaurant specifically to try the pork based ramen. I went a half hour before they opened on a Saturday to make sure I was the first in line. It was worth the wait. This ramen is superb! The broth is like no other. I tried it with the teriyaki eel bowl. Simply more than I could eat, but a fabulous lunch!

The unmistakable entry way welcomed me to this genuine ramen house. The full house said the rest. I had spicy miso soup that was packed with flavor but not overly spicy. Noodles were done just right. Nothing came close from all my ramen forays. The best.

Always a line-- gotta eat more ramen-broth to figure it out... Always a line and it's usually out the door. Kinda scurvy and beat inside. Only takes cash (ATM in back). $10-13+ is a reasonable price. Smallish menu--- not sure why I'd have sushi at a ramen restaurant ... Anyways, ramen is way tasty. Broth is is good, noodles are tender. I can't really tell the differences with broth but gonna learn...

Came here on recommendations of various online reviews. LOVED it. The place is small, no reservations, and most importantly no credit cards -- cash only. It's a small place and you write your name on a list at the door and they seat you in that order. Since I was alone I was happy to sit at the counter and got seated within 5 minutes. I decided to go with "greatest hits" so had the gyoza appetizer and the house special Ramen. The gyoza were great and were served in a unique way I'd not seen with a kind of crust on on side. Tasted great though. The ramen was excellent. Loved the noodles and the pork and the egg. Quite authentic and delicious. Highly recommended.

This is super nice place! We where at little Tokyo and saw the line for this restaurant! What a joy. The ramen soup was authentic en full of taste! Awesome! The homemade gyoza was great as well. Must visit!!

I had to check this place out after reading some great reviews. This place lived up to the reviews. I had takoyaki, tsukemen and daikoku ramen. All were great. I would definitely come back again if I ever get a chance.

We have a great time, the staff was so nice. Sashimi was the best and the ambient is great. I love it, and I will come back.

We were looking for a place to eat after the Lakers game, and this place met all our expectations! The ramen was so good, so were the gyoza and the fried rice! The staff is great too! Just a shame that the wait was so ridiculously long!

Amazing is all I have to say. Arrive hungry as the portions are huge. Enjoyed the gyozas and bento box and it was easily the best miso I've ever had. Believe the hype - this place has got it going on.

You can grow a beard waiting! Honestly, no food in this world is worth waiting for 1.5hrs on the grungy sidewalk where young people chain-smoked, jabbered endlessly on their phones or chattered and cackled idly. To minimize the agony of waiting, we put our names on their waiting list and strolled around Little Tokyo. When we returned 30mins. later, our names only moved up 3 spots! Daikokuya may have been good at one time but now they are overwhelmed, understaffed, way too small to adequately serve the public. The place was dark, crammed, noisy, the hostess and wait staff stressed, the food the deepest disappointment. Even I, an ordinary home-maker who cooks from scratch everyday can whip up tastier meals. The Spicy Miso I ordered was way inferior to that of Santouka Ramen in Centinela Ave. & Venice Blvd. My fiancee agreed that Daikokuya has slipped terribly. You can't relax and enjoy your food with other hungry customers hovering inches from your table - very unpleasant.

The person at the desk of the nearby museum recommended the place "with the yellow awning" up the street. As we approached we could see the people waiting outside. There was a string of restaurants nearby but only this one had people waiting. That always says something about a place. We ordered the house special ramen & it was delicious once we got seated. Not a fancy place but worth a visit.

Headed this way on TripAdvisor recommendations and weren't disappointed. Yes, we had to wait (go inside and put your name down then you're in the system). The Gzoya were tasty - a little different from what we are used to ( rolls not dumplings). The ramen were great - the broth tasty and flavoursome (mine standard, his spicy) the noodles cooked al dente and the pork, soft egg and bean shoots just the right consistency.

no respekt, unfriendly and then discuss about 5min why we dont want to give tip. sry but not for that service

Daikokuya definitely has the best Japanese ramen in town! The Little Tokyo location is always packed; on average, you wait 45 minutes to 1 hour for dinner on a weekday (maybe a little less because a lot of people put their name down but never come back). Come early or very late (45 minutes before closing) might cut the wait short. A bowl of ramen costs around $10, and it fills one up really well! Recommend the spicy miso ramen (not spicy at all - maybe a 3-4 out of 10) and add an order of dumpling as appetizer :) Do note this place accepts cash only!!! There's an ATM inside but it charges a fee. You can get cash across the street at the Chase ATM if you have an account with it. Parking is terrible at little Tokyo. Street parking is available but always full. Again the key is to come early :)

Beautiful restaurant, excellent food and service. We were fortunate to have Victor as our server. He was extreme efficient and made sure we had everything we needed. We were lucky enough to sit at the water table which was really cool. The sashimi and sushi rolls were delicious. We will definitely be back.

I ate at Daikokuya late at night and there was still a line up of people waiting. I got lucky as I was alone and they have room for me at the bar right away. I ordered the Daikoku ramen. It came out quickly and was easily one of the best ramen I had. The chashu was tender and flavourful, and the soup base was delicious. The staff was courteous despite the place being busy.

We came for early dinner on Memorial Day and wanted to eat here due to all the great yelp reviews. One thing that was a bummer was the long wait - an hour. This is a small place, only 6 booths plus a counter. So if you have 14 names on the wait list in front of you, you can do the math, it's going to be a long time. Maybe that was due to to the holiday? There is no place to sit and wait outside on the sidewalk, only a short stairwell next door. The service though was really fast once seated, it rivals Vietnamese Pho restaurant fast - food came out w/in 5 minutes of order. The ramen was really good, chewy fresh noodles, good broth, and the serving size very generous. My sons ordered extra noodles and couldn't finish, but then we all ordered combos plus got California rolls and an order of fried rice for the table. Overall it's definitely worth a visit if the wait was shorter. If wait is that long, recommend trying one of the many other restaurants in the area. The ramen was good but we've had similarly good ramen before near our home in Orange County.

The food is really authentic. The place is in the middle of 5 other ramen places. U have to order the rich kotteri style soup.

Wow.. Best ramen in town,better than hakata.i like the noodle at daikokuya,have good texture and crunchy.not over boil.i always order combo spicy miso ramen + shreded pork bowl.both taste amazing..

The frequent long line outside the door piqued my curiosity and I had to eat here. I had the special noodles. They were delicious, so I ordered a noodle salad to take for a meal on the train. The salad was amazing. It was a huge amount of food, packed in such a visually appealing way, that added to the excellent taste and freshness. I can't wait to go back for another noodle salad!

Was itching for some noodles and heard this was the best ramen in LA. It was nice -- noodles were perfectly made, the pork was soft and tasty, and the broth had the umami flavor we were looking for. Place was nice and quaint as well -- like you were in a real ramen bar in Tokyo, had that same feel. I wouldn't say it's the best ramen I've ever had as there are many bowls in Tokyo, Osaka, and Hokkaido where I've had better, as well as those back in Manila (e.g. Santouka, Ramen Nagi, Ikkoryo Fukuoka, Mendokoro Ramenba, etc.)

This isn't just one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles. This is one of the best restaurants, period. Transcendent ramen. There is always a line out the door. So I've taken to getting there half an hour before they open. It is a credit to the owners that they keep the prices so low -- when there would STILL be a line out the door and around the block even if they doubled the price.

We saw the long line outside and figured it must be pretty special, we wrote our name on the list and proceeded to walk around Little Tokyo for a half hour. When we got back to Daikokuya we checked the list, only 2 parties ahead of us......waited another 25 minutes! All three of us had the signature Noodle Bowls, mine was suppose to be the spicier version, it wasn't spicy at all. All three of us liked it ok but were in complete agreement.......nothing special.

We visited the Restaurant on a quiet tuesday aftetnoon. With a nine year old I was a little bit worried about whether he'll like it or not but at the end we were totally satisfied. We ordered ramen combination with pork and it was the best. Also the gyoza and rice bowl for my 9 year old son was a treat. The Service is quick and the place looked awesome just like it should be in Little Tokyo.

You don't have to go all the way to Little Tokyo for awesome ramen. Now it's in the West Side w/ little to no wait, especially late nights. I enjoy sitting at the counter so I can watch the staff cook the ramen. It's a similar setting as the original in Little Tokyo, like you're in a village somewhere in the outskirts of Japan. Good food all around and now I like to order the rice bowls when super hungry, especially salmon roe bowl.

On our first night in LA we were in the mood for Japanese and so went straight to Little Tokyo and Daikokuya. The decor is great - full of Japanese kitsch - and the staff were super friendly. We ordered a couple of started - Edamame and Gyoza - to share, as well as a chicken yakisoba each. The food was good, well flavoured and freshly cooked. By no means the best, or cheapest Japanese food I've ever eaten - but I'd definitely go back!

I visited Daikokuya with a friend on a Saturday night and they were busy - really busy. There were as many people waiting outside as there were eating inside. Had I been alone I'd have left but I have no timetable when just hanging out with a friend. We added ourselves to the waiting list and then walked around Little Tokyo for awhile. More waiting when we got back - it was at least an hour from when we first arrived, but we had no other plans so we were ok with waiting. When we were finally seated at the bar the service was quick and friendly. We both ended up ordering the same combo dish, all parts of which were excellent. It cost us $40 including tip - cash only! The next time I'm in town with my family I plan to go back - hopefully at a less busy time than Saturday night.

Living in Maryland and homesick for my time in Japan, I often search out ramen places when I travel. Daikokuya gets it right. This is not a trendy ramen restaurant where you pick the broth and ingredients you want. This is a place where you'll eat what they give you, and you'll like it. And I did! I had the Daikoku Ramen and my mom had the spicy Miso ramen. Both were fantastic and reminded me of Tokyo. The noodles weren't too al dente, and the chashu pork was like butter. The broth was rich and flavorful. I would eat there every day if I lived in LA. It was worth the wait.

Been there for a late night (almost 11pm) food trip but the place has still a lot of people. Good thing we didn't wait so long. The ramen was the best!

Very delectable ramen served. The spicy miso was as good as the ones that I have taste d in Tokyo. Worth coming !

Their broth is amazing. It is definitely the star of the Ramen bowl. I rarely order anything else besides the daikokuya ramen bowl. It is a must visit if you are local or traveling. I do recommend coming during lunch hours because the wait is much more reasonable than dinner hours. They are very popular and sometimes the wait goes above 2 hours. They close at midnight.

It's in Little Tokyo and it was the highest rated ramen shop around. Place looks like a typical ramen shop. Bit crammed and full of people which is usually a good sign. Although food was quite a disappointment. It was not bad but obviously with so high ratings my expectations were much higher. Californian rolls were mediocre at best and the ramen was nothing special broth was quite simple. I don't mind that we went here but definitely did not get what the reviews were suggesting. Service was fast and ok but the queue to get a seat definitely does not worth the waif.

Traveled from SC, but grown up in HI. Tasted many ramen shops but this was a good one! Many locations throughout the LA area the ones we visited were very delicious! Long lines (even late nights) but worth the wait! Will be back!

Was here a few times while I was in L.A. Tried the basic ramen, tsukemen, fried rice, and gyoza. Everything was pretty good and tasty, good portion size, could get really busy, be prepared to wait.

One of a few Ramen places in LA that is totally legit. Great broth, smooth and fllavorful and will make you want to go back again and again. Just be prepared for long lines!

The pulled pork side was the best part of the meal! Very tasty! The ramen was tasty as well. There is a bit of a wait here. Parking is right across the street, $10. If you park further away about half the cost.

The best Asian food 😁we love this restaurant and continue to come for lunch and dinner. Better location and state.

I was worried there would be a long wait, but when we came in at 1800 on a wednesday evening we got a table right away. They only had three Ramen courses on the meny. We both ordered the "House ramen" which was excellent.

Waiting for 30 minutes with the family was worth for having a meal at this restaurant even at 11.30pm. Great taste and friendly staff make a big difference. Daikokuya ramen is a speciality that is worth trying with a small bowl of beef.

Still the best ramen on the West Coast in my very humble opinion. The rich and creamy pork broth is what edges out the competition. So flavorful and smooth. The noodles are perfectly fine, but nothing to write home about. Make sure you bring plenty of cash, as they don't take credit cards!

Great food and good prices in a very beautiful neighborhood. I ordered three dishes and all of them were amazing: Daikokuya Ramen, Fried Rice and Gyozas.

Good food, fast service BUT the wait time is very long because the place can only accommodate few ppl

I am a Ramen snob as I stated before! Daikokuya and "Tsujita LA artisan noodle Anex" along with "Tatsu" Ramen are my absolute favorites. Shin Sem Gumi is a close second another honorable mention is "killer noodle". Shin Sem Gumi rivals Daikokuyas side of rice ( I can't decide which one is better, they are a must when you come here to get the side of rice) You can see all my reviews for those. I love the little Japanese theme in here. It's a small place and usually has a wait! The rice here is sooo good I always order extra and take it to go. I get the regular ramen meal because I love that salad it comes with ( my favorite salad out of all the salads at any ramen place) and of course their rice. Their spicy miso ramen is great as well. I sometimes add some chili oil in the regular ramen for some extra spice. The noodles here is a medium thick noodle. The Goyoza is great as well. Small space, but I like it, makes me feel that I'm on a little street in Japan! Usually a wait but worth it. Good service. My favorite Ramen in order and extra tips: to be honest 1-3 are all really in a tie for 1st place, but if I had to choose... 1. Daikokuya- I get the regular ramen. It has medium noodle size. Also they have the best side of fried rice and my favorite side salad ( it comes as a meal) amazing Gyoza also 2. Tatsu- The bold Ramen is my favorite! Small to medium noodle and they have the BEST Pork Bun I have ever tried. Their side of fried rice is also good just not as good as Daikokuya or Shin Sem Gumi. 3. Tsujita Annex- The fattiest broth I have ever had in a ramen, but that's what makes it so amazing and special! Thickest noodle I've had in a ramen and great! I didn't really like any side dishes here, but no need the ramen is it's full experience on its own. They have my fav seasoning here called Onikasu I can't find it anywhere and I add it to the ramen by the spoonfuls! 4. Shin Sem Gumi- I get the original ramen. Think noodles like angel hair. They have a great side of miso paste that I add to the ramen. They have one of the best sides of fried rice just like Daikokuya and they have THE BEST fried chicken with Goma sauce and yuzu pepper sauce ( ask for both sauces) 5. Killer noodle- Tokyo style with soup is my favorite! Then their Downtown with soup style ramen my second fav of theirs! Great and amazing ramen

I really like the rich pork based ramen. Its the best ramen in little Tokyo. It is a long wait which is worth it if you haven't been before but tiring upon the 3rd or 4th visit. The menu is a bit big but offers lots of options. If its yor first time get the Daikoku Ramen.

The Daikokuya staff certainly knows how to make ramen! It was just delicious. The portions are quite large and very tasty. Service was fast and friendly; this is one of the top ramen places in LA for sure.

The place to go for Ramen in L.A., get one of the combinations and that will be enough to leave happy

We weren't planning to spend the night in downtown LA. but we had a great lunch at Daikokuya. Very busy place, even at lunch. the California roll was excellent. The tempura shrimp was fabulous. service was good, very reasonable prices.

I was in LA for 3 days in late April, and my friends said that I have to try Daikokuya Ramen. It was in Little Tokyo. I went there around 1:30 pm on a Monday afternoon and there was a wait. I had their signature Tonkotsu Ramen with the extra fat. I thought the broth was flavorful. I found the Charsiu very soft, it was probably because of the Kurobuta pork. I actually prefer my Charsiu to have a bit more bite to it. Granted that I have never been to Japan and tasted "authentic" Ramen. I thought some of the Ramen places in the SF Bay Area is on par or better than this place. If you are in the neighborhood or your hometown does not have a nice Ramen place, then go and try it. Otherwise, I would skip it.

Amazing food here, the best Ramon in town. The service is fast and friendly. A must when in LA. I recommend the spicey miso add chilli oil if you want that extra kick.

We enjoyed our ramen. The food was just amazing! Let me be clear, you need to go... Note: Know that you will be waiting in line.

It's good but it's not Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle. It's just like any ordernay noodle place but it's great to try.

Worth the wait! Lots of choices- we enjoyed the cabbage salad; plate of pickles -tsukemono (kim chee, squash, radish) and delicious broth, noodles, egg and pork in Daikoku ramen, Spicy miso ramen; and Tsukemen- bowl of broth with noodles, pork etc on the side- Beer and good service and reasonable prices!

I've been here twice because I love to try most of their dishes. The food is good and menu offers good choices. It is crowded sometimes but have to wait to get seated. Service is ok. Will come back for another dish again when in LA.

Perfect Japanese experience! The ramen incredible and the rice pork amazing. I recommend this place a hundred times. Is very busy so you’ll be lucky if you have a place fast.

The gyoza and ramen were incredible! Fresh, hot, authentic...I highly recommend this place! Expect a wait - they got packed really quick at dinner time.

We were warned in advance of the lines and they were no joke. We got there about a half hour before the place opened and we were at the beginning of the line. At the time the restaurant opened the line was all the way down the block. We were directed to the booth in the far back which is held together with duct tape. We ordered the steamed dumplings to start. They said they were filled with pork and vegetables. When I bit into the first one it tasted like fish. The whole thing very obviously had fish in it which I really did not enjoy. My husband and I both ordered the teriyaki chicken. I was really disappointed. The chicken was in really large chunks that were impossible to cut and they were extremely fatty. I don't like fatty meat so this was really irritating. I could barely eat any of my food except for the rice so it was a disappointing meal. Our friends both had the ramen. One of our friends ate all of his and then had to eat his wife's because she couldn't eat much of hers either. She didn't say much but I could tell she didn't like it. I would not return here.

Wished I had my photos but this was a great delicious spot for ramen. My favorite so far in Los Angeles. I will always return here whenever I stop by la.

I came here for some good ramen knowing how good the Downtown LA branch is. I don't know what was so different here, but it certainly wasn't as spectacular as the original. The pork broth is a bit different and did not taste as rich as I expected. If you want a better ramen and don't mind being on the waiting list just as long as you would here at Daikokuya, go north about 1/4 mile and you'll find Tsujita LA on the opposite side of the street. Not to be confused with Tsujita Annex (same owner, but the soup base is different).

Be prepared to wait for the authenticity and the nice decor that the shop has nicely put together. We waited for about 50 mins on a Friday night but the noodles didn't fail us. Highly recommend if you want some Asian fix in the States!