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Iki Ramen
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Iki Ramen
8.2
Iki Ramen elevates the genre with house-made broths and humanely sourced meats, delivered in a welcoming izakaya setting since 2019. The focus on ingredient integrity and modern Japanese technique attracts both ramen purists and newcomers. Locals return for soul-warming bowls and a compact menu of comfort sides.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Tonkotsu Ramen, Shoyu Chicken Ramen, Spicy Miso Ramen
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Artisan broth and ethically farmed meats set it apart.
Who should go: Ramen lovers, comfort seekers, casual date night diners
When to visit: Weekday evenings for lively vibe, less wait
What to order: Tonkotsu, Spicy Miso, craft Japanese beer
Insider tip: Ask for extra chashu—portioned generously on request.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited, especially after 6pm—budget extra time or use paid lots nearby.
Dress code: Casual is fine, but trend-conscious attire fits the Wilshire Center crowd.
Noise level: Moderate—energetic but still easy for group or date conversation.
Weekend wait: Expect 30-45 minute waits during prime hours—reservations recommended for groups.
Weekday lunch: Rarely a wait—walk-ins are usually seated promptly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several broths and sides use no meat, and a vegetarian ramen is featured.
Vegan options: Somewhat limited—1-2 vegan ramen options, plus edamame and vegetable sides.
Gluten-free options: Yes—gluten-free noodles available on request, but cross-contamination possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—warm lighting, personable service, and shareable plates make it comfortable for casual romance without feeling too formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Most times, yes—expect a short wait at peak dinner hours, but bar seating is often available for small parties.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for most ages—high chairs are available and the menu appeals to adventurous eaters, but space is somewhat tight for strollers or toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Iki excels at balanced, soulful broths and a polished but relaxed vibe perfect for comfort-seekers and date night diners.
Skip if: If you need lots of menu variety or strictly vegan/strictly gluten-free options, other spots may suit you better.
Iki Ramen
8.4
This Koreatown izakaya balances innovation with tradition, offering light citrus-forward yuzu shio ramen alongside rich tonkotsu, plus brothless mazemen topped with Santa Barbara uni. Co-founded by the former general manager of n/naka, the restaurant doubles as a quality sushi destination with fresh sashimi and hand rolls that rival the noodle offerings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yuzu Shio Ramen, Uni Mazemen, Kaisen Don
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Rare ramen shop with equally impressive sushi program and innovative broths
Who should go: Ramen purists and sushi lovers seeking creative Japanese fare
When to visit: Lunch for quick bites, dinner for full omakase experience
What to order: Yuzu shio for brightness, uni mazemen for richness, any hand rolls
Insider tip: Order the yuzu ice cream by the pint to take home
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only - competitive after 6pm. Arrive 10 min early or use paid lot on 6th/Normandie ($8-10)
Dress code: Casual to smart casual - counter seating works in jeans, but most diners lean slightly dressy
Noise level: Intimate and conversational - wood interior absorbs sound, easy to talk across the table
Weekend wait: 30-45 min walk-in wait typical (6-8pm peak). Reservations strongly recommended
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait - usually seated within 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - vegetable gyoza and edamame available, but ramen broths are meat/fish-based
Vegan options: Very limited - side vegetables only. This is not a vegan-friendly spot
Gluten-free options: Challenging - traditional ramen noodles contain gluten. Sashimi and some appetizers work, but inform server of restrictions
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice - intimate counter seating creates natural conversation, sophisticated enough to impress without being stuffy, and the $30-40 per person price point hits the sweet spot
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible but risky for dinner (especially weekends). Lunch is more forgiving. If you walk in for dinner, arrive right at 5:30pm opening or after 8:30pm for best odds
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children - no kids menu, intimate setting better suits ages 12+. If bringing tweens, stick to lunch when it's more casual
How long does a meal take? Quick ramen lunch runs 30-40 minutes. Full dinner with sushi adds up to 60-75 minutes. Counter service is attentive and efficient
Do they take parties of 6+? Difficult - small space works best for 2-4 people. Parties of 5-6 may be split. Call ahead for larger groups
Best For
Better for: Skip Tsujita and come here when you want the full Japanese experience beyond just ramen - the sushi program and uni mazemen are league-leading. Also superior for dates due to more polished atmosphere than typical ramen joints
Skip if: You want traditional tonkotsu only (go to Daikokuya), need strict dietary accommodations, or are bringing a large group 6+. Also skip if you're seeking the absolute cheapest bowl in K-town
Iki Ramen
8.3
This izakaya-style ramen shop brings thoughtful broths and humanely-raised proteins to Koreatown. Each bowl follows Japanese cooking philosophy with distinct flavor profiles highlighting ingredient integrity. Beyond ramen, the menu ventures into creative territory with signature uni pasta and solid sushi options, making it more versatile than typical ramen specialists.
Must-Try Dishes:
Uni Pasta, Tonkotsu Ramen, Iki Sushi Set
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Combines traditional ramen mastery with izakaya creativity like uni pasta
Who should go: Ramen lovers seeking quality beyond typical chains plus sushi options
When to visit: Lunch for quieter experience; dinner split hours weekends
What to order: Uni pasta is the signature, tonkotsu ramen, and yuzu ice cream
Insider tip: The general manager previously worked at n/naka - expect elevated execution
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 6th or Vermont - use SpotHero for $8-10 nearby lots. After 7pm street fills fast
Dress code: Casual comfortable - hoodies to button-ups all work in this izakaya setting
Noise level: Conversational - intimate counter seating quieter than tables during rush
Weekend wait: 30-45 min peak hours (7-9pm) - counter seats turn faster
Weekday lunch: Walk-in friendly, 10-15 min max wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - vegetable ramen with mushroom broth, several appetizers, ask about miso base options
Vegan options: Challenging - vegetable ramen can be modified but limited beyond that, call ahead
Gluten-free options: No dedicated GF prep - cross-contamination risk high in ramen shop, not recommended
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes - counter seating creates natural conversation flow without awkward staring. Intimate vibe without stuffiness. The uni pasta is an impressive share plate. Skip if they're gluten-free or don't eat pork.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunch yes, no problem. Weekday dinner 50/50 before 7pm. Friday/Saturday dinner expect 30-45 min wait or arrive right at 5pm opening. Counter seats turn faster than tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for 8+ who eat ramen and can sit still. Counter seating not ideal for young kids. No kids menu but mild tonkotsu works. Weekday lunch more forgiving than weekend dinner crowd.
Best For
Better for: When you want ramen-plus versatility - the uni pasta and sushi options make it more date-worthy than pure ramen spots like Daikokuya. The n/naka pedigree shows in broth refinement and protein sourcing.
Skip if: You want bargain bowls (go Silverlake Ramen), need GF options, want late night (they close early weekends), or prefer modern creative ramen (try Tsujita Annex instead)
Iki Ramen
7.8
This minimalist noodle shop excels beyond its ramen focus with surprisingly strong sushi and sashimi offerings, particularly creative mazemen bowls topped with Santa Barbara uni. The spicy tuna donburi loaded with salmon roe and premium hand rolls make it a versatile Koreatown destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Uni Mazemen, Spicy Tuna Donburi, Iki Roll with Toro
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Ramen shop with unexpectedly excellent sushi and creative uni-focused dishes
Who should go: Diners wanting both ramen and quality sushi in one visit
When to visit: Lunch for less crowded sushi bar seating
What to order: Skip ramen, focus on mazemen, donburi, and hand rolls
Insider tip: Parking is notoriously terrible - arrive early or use ride share
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only and extremely limited - metered spots fill quickly. Strong recommend: rideshare or park in nearby lot and walk 2-3 blocks
Dress code: Ultra casual - jeans, t-shirts totally fine. It's a minimalist noodle shop vibe
Noise level: Moderately quiet - small space with good acoustics for conversation
Weekend wait: 20-30 min typical, counter seats turn faster than tables
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, usually seat immediately
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - vegetable mazemen and veggie rolls available, but fish-focused menu
Vegan options: Very limited - ask about vegetable mazemen without egg, minimal options
Gluten-free options: Challenging - most dishes contain soy sauce or noodles, ask staff about sashimi-only options
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes - intimate counter seating creates natural conversation, minimalist aesthetic is stylish without pretension, and the unique ramen-meets-sushi concept gives you something interesting to discuss. Price point ($$) won't stress anyone's wallet.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Generally yes, especially weekday lunch. Weekends can be tight 7-9pm - arrive before 6:30pm or after 9pm, or try for counter seats which turn over faster than tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Moderately - small space and counter seating isn't ideal for young kids. Better for teens/tweens who appreciate sushi. No kids menu, but hand rolls and donburi work well for adventurous eaters 10+.
Best For
Better for: Getting quality sushi AND ramen in one stop rather than choosing between specialists. The uni mazemen is genuinely unique to Koreatown. Better value than high-end sushi spots while maintaining quality on raw fish.
Skip if: You want traditional tonkotsu ramen (ironically, given the name). Also skip if you need easy parking, large group seating (6+), or extensive vegetarian options. For pure sushi omakase experience, dedicated sushi bars will outperform.