Best Healthy Japanese Restaurants in Downtown LA
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Rice DTLA
A fully gluten-free Japanese kitchen with clearly labeled vegan ramen and plates.
Worthy Picks
#1
Rice DTLA
7.9
Rice DTLA is a 100% gluten-free modern Japanese restaurant in the Little Tokyo Galleria with a deep menu of vegan-friendly ramen, crispy rice, and small plates alongside seafood options. Opened in 2024, it has quickly become a destination for diners who need strict gluten-free kitchens but still want contemporary Japanese flavors and plant-based choices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegan Ramen, Crispy Rice with vegetable toppings, Baked Dynamite Fried Potato (request vegan prep)
What Makes it Special: A fully gluten-free Japanese kitchen with clearly labeled vegan ramen and plates.
7.8
A bright, greenery-filled Japanese comfort kitchen that leans homey rather than formal. Bowl-and-plate staples land with clean, dependable execution, making it a steady weekday anchor for Downtown workers. Not showy—just reliably satisfying.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken katsu curry, Salmon teriyaki bowl, Udon noodles
What Makes it Special: Japanese comfort plates in a calm, plant-forward Downtown room.
#3
Rakkan Ramen
7.8
A plant-forward ramen shop in Little Tokyo where the vegan bowl has become the main draw, outselling traditional options by a wide margin—an unusual position for a noodle house in this neighborhood. The late-night hours and counter-service format keep it accessible for post-bar runs and solo dinners alike. With 72% of its 1,194 Google reviewers leaving five stars, it delivers reliably on a narrow, well-executed concept.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegan Ramen, Garnet, Gyoza
What Makes it Special: Plant-based ramen specialist in Little Tokyo where the vegan bowl outsells every other item on the menu by a wide margin