March is National Noodle Month:Taste KTown’s Best Bowls
March is National Noodle Month, a celebration of one of the world’s most popular foods. And if you love these delectable dishes as much as we do, there’s no question that Koreatown is a noodle nut’s paradise. Whether you’re roamin’ for ramen, hankering for hand-pulled udon, or you’re a fool for Pho, The Pearl is just a slurp away from some of the best bowls in town, and we’re not just noodling around. Check websites for in-person dining updates, pick up & delivery.
3450 W 6th St. #105
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Ever since its first appearance as a popular dish some 400 years ago, Japanese ramen has been evolving with influences by Japanese chefs throughout Japan and America. To that point, Kai Ramen’s founder Chef Nishimura trained in Tokyo when he was growing up, and eventually moved to Los Angeles to bring his delicious recipes and methods here for us to enjoy. Kai Ramen prides itself on using in-house ingredients to provide ramen you’ll be craving well after you leave. The broth is always freshly produced and contains no instant packaged soup for a taste that’s always authentic.
3500 W 8th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Situated in the heart of Koreatown, Slurpin’ Ramen was created with the goal to bring authentic Hakata-style, rich, thick and creamy tonkotsu ramen to California. Slurpin’ derives from Japanese culture in showing respect to your ramen chef with a loud “slurp” sound from eating the noodles and broth. Loud slurping may seem different in the US, but in Japan it is considered rude not to slurp. Aside from the savory, unique broth, Slurpin’ Ramen adds homemade ramen noodles with a huge assortment of different toppings to create an unforgettable ramen pairing and slurpin’ experience.
869 S Western Ave #1
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Ma Dang Gook Soo specializes in gook soo, the signature noodles of Korea. Gook soo are flat and slightly stretchy, about the size of fettuccine, and knife-cut from a thin sheet of rolled dough. The restaurant’s basic gook soo is served in a broth based on dried anchovies, garnished with seaweed, kimchi or bits of meat, and a few chunks of boiled potato. You can eat the gook soo as is, or spike it with the restaurant‘s smokin’ chile-scallion condiment. For a tangy change of pace, try the Kong-guksu, noodles served in a cold soy milk broth which pairs well with a kick of kimchi.
974 S Western Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
Expect to be treated like family by owners KT and Helen, who are excited to share their authentic home style Vietnamese cuisine their customers. Using only the freshest ingredients, every dish strives to achieve that elusive, cuisine-defining balance of sweet, salty, and sour. Start with the namesake Pho, a classic Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat, primarily made with either beef or chicken. Or try the Bun, a healthy plate of vermicelli-like noodles, fresh herbs, vegetables, peanut, traditional Vietnamese dressing, and choice of pork or shrimp.
338 S Western Ave. Ste D
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Can’t decide which noodle you love the most? How about a Korean-Sichuan restaurant owned by an ethnic Korean born in China, who speaks fluent Korean and Mandarin and Korean? Adding to the fusion confusion, Odumak’s Chinese culinary roots are hot and spicy Sichuan, about as far away form Korea as you can get. And the Odumak BBQ is actually Korean yuksu bulgogi, thinly sliced beef in a soy-sauce based broth with julienned vegetables and glass noodles. Other standouts are the sweet spicy potato noodles on a rack and the moist, cumin-spiked toothpick lamb. Order online HERE
3470 W 6th St. Suite 9 & 10
Los Angeles, CA 90010
This popular restaurant specializes in Kalguksu, a Korean noodle dish consisting of handmade, knife-cut wheat flour noodles served in a large bowl with broth and other ingredients. The name comes from the fact that the noodles are cut, not extruded or spun. Choices include Spicy Seafood Kalguksu, Chicken Kalguksu, Kimchi Kalguksu, and Yeolmu Bibim Guksu (thin noodles with sweet and spicy sauce, young radish kimchi, cucumber and 1/2 cold boiled egg). Plain and non-spicy versions are available.
3630 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Formerly known as Myung Dong Kyoja, the easier to pronounce MDK has the same carb-laden menu of knife-cut noodles, pork dumplings, and chewy spicy cold noodles called jjolmyeon. The restaurant opened in the US in 2005 in the heart of Los Angeles’ Koreatown. Since its inception, MDK quickly gained a reputation for serving some of the most delicious kalguksu noodle soup and dumplings, made from scratch daily with the freshest and finest ingredients picked up every morning. Outdoor seating is open but everything can be taken to go as well.
3033 W 6th St Ste 104-105
Los Angeles, CA 90020
According to the late LA Times critic Jonathan Gold, Yuk Dae Jang is spectacular. The first American outpost of a large Korea-based chain, Yuk Dae Jang specializes in yukgaejang, a spicy beef soup with slippery cellophane noodles. A hearty Korean soup that warms you from your head to your toes, yukgaejang is full of meat and vegetables – fiery red, bold, and spicy.
966 S Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
Located in the heart of Koreatown, The Dragon Restaurant has been a popular place to go for Korean-influenced Northern Chinese cuisine for over 30 years. Established in 1980, this family owned restaurant is a testament to its commitment to high quality ingredients, delicious food, and excellent service. Try the Chachiang Mein (also known as jjajangmyun), a Korean-style Chinese noodle dish topped with a thick sauce made of chunjang, seafood or diced pork, and vegetables. They also have a delicious selection of hot and cold Chinese noodle dishes.
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Slurpin’ Ramen Bar
Photo #2: Kai Ramen
Photo #3: Slurpin’ Ramen Bar
Photo #4: Ma Dang Gook Soo
Photo #5: KTown Pho
Photo #6: Yelp
Photo #7: Hangari Kalguksu
Photo #8: MDK
Photo #9: Yuk Dae Jang
Photo #10: The Dragon Restaurant