Best Cheap Eats Ramen Restaurants in Los Angeles
20 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Susuru Ramen Bar
Extremely rich tonkotsu broth with Thai-fusion khao soi variant that brings authentic Southeast Asian flavors to traditional ramen
Notable Picks
8.6
Thai-owned ramen shop serving intensely flavorful tonkotsu with a silky, almost overwhelming richness that balances beautifully with their Thai-influenced spice levels. The signature khao soi ramen reimagines Northern Thai curry as a luxurious coconut milk broth with crispy fried noodles, while the menu extends to sushi, rice bowls, and katsu sandos for those wanting variety.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen, Khao Soi Ramen, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
What Makes it Special: Extremely rich tonkotsu broth with Thai-fusion khao soi variant that brings authentic Southeast Asian flavors to traditional ramen
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Chibiscus is a compact strip-mall cafe where a ramen-heavy menu, kimchi fried rice, and brick toast draw a steady neighborhood following. The tonkotsu and spicy miso bowls are known for punchy, comforting broth, with plenty of options for gluten-free and vegan diners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tonkotsu Ramen, Spicy Miso Ramen, Kimchi Fried Rice
What Makes it Special: Strip-mall ramen cafe with robust broths, generous portions, and flexible dietary options.
#3
Ramen Hood
8.3
Inside Grand Central Market, Ramen Hood serves entirely vegan bowls built on a creamy sunflower-seed broth that eats richer than many pork-based versions. It’s a downtown staple for quick counter-service ramen with a strong following among plant-based diners and curious omnivores.
Must-Try Dishes:
OG Ramen, Garlic Ramen with Vegan Egg, Spicy Ramen
What Makes it Special: Vegan ramen with cult-favorite broth and egg inside Grand Central Market.
#4
Ramenya
8.3
Ramenya is a longstanding strip-mall spot beloved for its affordable, generous bowls and remarkable consistency over the years. With standout shoyu and miso ramen, this local fixture's straightforward menu and cozy interior provide a relaxed setting for solo and family dining. Expect efficient service and the crowd-favorite Asiana Tantanmen, drawing repeat visits from devoted regulars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Asiana Tantanmen, Miso Ramen, Fried Chicken
What Makes it Special: Classic counter-service ramen with decades of steady quality
8.2
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Since 2015, chef Eric has perfected thick, creamy tonkotsu broth after traveling through Japan, creating a fully customizable ramen bar where diners build their ideal bowl with homemade noodles and extensive toppings. The bar-style seating and late-night hours draw USC students and night owls craving rich pork broth with options for vegan and chicken bases.
Must-Try Dishes:
Slurpin Ramen with Fatty Pork, Sesame Chicken, Garlic Edamame
What Makes it Special: Koreatown's tonkotsu specialist with DIY customization and 1am closing time
8.1
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Eagle Rock Ramen is a small counter-service shop beloved for classic tonkotsu and shoyu bowls priced under $15 and an unfussy, quick-dining vibe. Reviewers cite robust broths and springy noodles, along with efficient staff making it a go-to for solo diners and quick lunches. Though located in a strip mall, the food consistently delivers comfort and quality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shoyu Ramen, Tonkotsu Ramen, Spicy Pork Ramen
What Makes it Special: Affordable ramen, speedy service, consistently flavorful broths.
#7
Gushi
8
Gushi is a long-running Korean walk-up in Westwood Village where charbroiled plates, fried rice, and budget-friendly ramen bowls feed UCLA students late into the day. The ramen here is straightforward—beef, chicken, egg, or kimchi—but combined with big portions and low prices, it’s one of the most relied-on hot-soup stops near campus.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Ramen (choice of beef, chicken, egg, or kimchi), Kimchi Pork Belly Plate, Kimchi Fried Rice
What Makes it Special: Korean counter-service spot where affordable ramen joins huge grilled plates.
#8
Mr. Ramen
8
A curry-ramen-forward counter shop that has held its corner of Little Tokyo since 1993, with walls papered in three decades of customer napkin art the owner refuses to take down. It runs as a late-night refuel stop where the portion-to-price math stays honest and the crowd skews young and local. Expect a tight room, no frills, and a bowl of curry ramen that has outlasted most of the block.
Must-Try Dishes:
Curry Ramen, Fried Chicken Ramen, Bento Box
What Makes it Special: Little Tokyo legacy since 1993, with walls covered in three decades of customer napkin art the owner has preserved.
Worthy Picks
#9
Daikokuya
7.9
Little Tokyo's ramen anchor since 2002—the tonkotsu broth simmers nearly 24 hours, and the kotteri option adds back-fat richness for those who want it heavier. Five locations now exist but the original retains pilgrimage status. Wait times persist; service moves fast once seated. The shredded pork rice bowl quietly competes with the ramen for best order. Cash-only policy remains.
Must-Try Dishes:
Daikoku Ramen, Daikoku Ramen with Kotteri, Spicy Miso Ramen
What Makes it Special: Little Tokyo ramen institution with tonkotsu broth simmered nearly 24 hours
#10
IPPA Sushi Ramen
7.9
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
IPPA Sushi Ramen is a casual Atlantic Avenue spot where locals come for big bowls of tonkotsu-style ramen alongside a long sushi roll lineup. It leans more neighborhood hangout than destination, but offers one of the only dedicated ramen menus in the 90201 ZIP with reliable broths and hearty portions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Pork Belly Ramen, Spicy Chicken Ramen, Crunch Roll
What Makes it Special: Dedicated ramen-and-sushi menu in a casual strip-center setting along Atlantic Avenue.
#11
Moto Ramen
7.9
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Comfort Food Classics
Okinawa-inspired neighborhood ramen shop from the team behind Ramen Yukinoya, featuring black garlic tonkotsu, spicy tan tan men, and vegan options. Established in 2020 with a local, laid-back vibe and covered patio seating, offering generous portions with flavorful broths and attentive service from owners Sarah Kim-Jenkins and Yuki Nakamoto.
Must-Try Dishes:
Black Garlic Tonkotsu, Spicy Tan Tan Men, Chicken Karaage
What Makes it Special: Locally-owned Okinawan-style ramen with black garlic tonkotsu specialty since 2020
#12
Noodle Art
7.9
Inside the Original Farmers Market, Noodle Art specializes in hand-pulled Xi’an-style noodles with several brothier bowls that scratch the same itch as ramen. Bowls come generously portioned and customizable, making it a practical noodle stop during a 3rd and Fairfax run.
Must-Try Dishes:
Qishan Style Soup Noodle, Braised Beef Stew Brisket Noodle Soup, Chinese Spicy Cumin Beef Hamburger
What Makes it Special: Hand-pulled Xi’an-style noodles and soups served out of a busy farmers market stall.
#13
Ramen Melrose
7.9
A late-night ramen counter built by veterans of Ippudo, Jinya, and Tatsu, running a dual-track menu that gives the vegan lineup the same seriousness as the pork-based bowls. The kitchen stays open until 3 AM, which makes it one of the few credible ramen options on the west side of Hollywood after midnight. Strip-mall setting with tight parking—order with purpose and expect a no-frills seat.
Must-Try Dishes:
Creamy Vegan Ramen, Pork Garlic Lovers Ramen, TNT Ramen
What Makes it Special: Built by alumni of Ippudo, Jinya, and Tatsu Ramen, with a dedicated vegan ramen line and kitchen open until 3 AM
#14
Fukurou Ramen
7.8
Family-owned neighborhood ramen station established in 2014 offering solid traditional bowls with generous portions at remarkably affordable prices. The cozy space features anime playing on screens and free parking in back, creating a calm environment where the focus stays on well-executed basics like tonkotsu and miso ramen alongside vegetarian options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tonkotsu Ramen, Spicy Shrimp Ramen, Heart Attack Ramen
What Makes it Special: Outstanding value with combo deals like 2 ramen bowls for $23 and an unpretentious family atmosphere
7.8
A Hakata-style tonkotsu specialist where you dial in noodle firmness and broth richness to your specifications—the customization is part of the ritual. The boisterous call-and-response service matches traditional Japanese ramen house energy, making it a better fit for hungry groups than quiet dinners. Late hours and Little Tokyo proximity make it a reliable post-event landing spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Takoyaki, Spam Musubi, Curry Rice
What Makes it Special: Authentic Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen with customizable noodle firmness and rich pork broth
#16
Sushi 101
7.8
A takeout-first sushi counter built for quick neighborhood meals and delivery. Rolls are straightforward, portion sizes are friendly, and the kitchen keeps a consistent hand on the classics. Best when you want no-fuss sushi that’s fast, affordable, and reliably fresh for the tier.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy tuna roll, Salmon teriyaki bowl, California roll
What Makes it Special: Fast, budget-friendly sushi with dependable basics.
#17
Ramen Maruya
7.7
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
A Japanese Village Plaza counter operation that runs a wide lane—ramen, bento boxes, tempura, takoyaki, eel—with the speed and price point tuned for a Little Tokyo lunch crowd. The draw is covering multiple Japanese comfort formats in one stop without waiting or overspending, which makes it a practical default for anyone already walking the plaza. Expect mall-adjacent energy and tight seating, not a lingering experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bento Box, Tempura, Takoyaki
What Makes it Special: Japanese Village Plaza counter spot covering ramen, bento, and izakaya snacks under one roof with fast turnover
7.6
A Hokkaido-born chain operating since 1988, specializing in a slow-simmered shio broth that carries a milky richness uncommon in LA's ramen landscape—the toroniku pork cheek topping is the signature order for a reason. Tucked inside the Mitsuwa Marketplace food court in Mar Vista, it runs as a quick solo-dining operation where you order at the counter and focus on your bowl amid the lunch rush. The polarized review spread suggests execution can swing between excellent and disappointing, so manage expectations accordingly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shio Ramen, Tonkotsu Ramen, Toroniku (Pork Cheek) Ramen
What Makes it Special: Hokkaido-born ramen chain renowned for its rich, milky shio (salt) broth simmered low and slow, a style rarely executed at this level outside Japan.
7.6
Nishi Poke & Ramen Bistro offers a casual, quick-service experience blending poke, sushi rolls, and hearty ramen for a budget-friendly feast. Widely praised for friendly staff, reliable food quality, and hidden gem vibes, it stands out for accessible sushi and inventive bowls ideal for lunch or quick dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Miso Ramen, Poke Bowl, Chicken Karaage Rice Bowl
What Makes it Special: Mix of sushi, poke, and ramen with fast, friendly service.
7.6
SanSai’s Westwood location is a fast-casual Japanese grill where made-to-order rolls sit alongside teriyaki bowls, salads, and combo plates. It’s a reliable option for students and office workers who want customizable plates with a couple of sushi rolls on the side rather than a full sushi bar experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken and sushi plate, Baked salmon nigiri, Sushi burrito
What Makes it Special: A budget-friendly Japanese grill where you can tack on simple rolls to hearty combo plates.