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Ramen Hood
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
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
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Vegan ramen with cult-favorite broth and egg inside Grand Central Market.
Who should go: Plant-based eaters and ramen fans open to non-meat broths.
When to visit: Weekday lunch before peak market crowds and lines.
What to order: OG Ramen, Garlic Ramen with vegan egg, Spicy Ramen.
Insider tip: Grab your bowl then scout the market for a quieter place to sit.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Use nearby paid garages around Hill St. and Broadway; limited metered street parking fills quickly, especially midday. No dedicated validation from Grand Central Market.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—typical food-hall attire; anything from tees to business-casual is common.
Noise level: High during peak hours due to food-hall energy; conversations possible but not intimate.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on market crowds; lines move steadily.
Weekday lunch: Usually 5–10 minutes, though popular menu items may sell out later in the day.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Fully vegetarian-friendly since the entire menu is plant-based.
Vegan options: Yes—100% vegan menu; all broths, proteins, and toppings are plant-based.
Gluten-free options: Limited—no dedicated gluten-free noodles; some sides may be gluten-free but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if the date is low-key and casual—it's a busy food-hall counter with communal or improvised seating, not a romantic setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Seating is first-come within Grand Central Market; expect to scout for open spots during crowded times.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for ages 6+ who can handle busy, loud environments; no dedicated kids’ menu, but the mild ramen works for many younger diners.
Best For
Better for: Vegan ramen lovers, quick lunches, and anyone curious about creative plant-based broths not found at traditional ramen shops.
Skip if: You want a quiet sit-down ramen experience, gluten-free noodles, or classic pork-based tonkotsu.
Ramen Hood
8.6
Ramen Hood is a fully plant-based ramen counter inside Grand Central Market serving rich kelp-and-mushroom broths, vegan eggs, and inventive small plates. Downtown workers and vegans from across the city line up for fast bowls that eat like classic tonkotsu without any animal products.
Must-Try Dishes:
OG Ramen with vegan egg, Spicy Ramen, Banh Mi Poutine Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: A fully vegan ramen counter in Grand Central Market with cult-favorite broths and a vegan egg.
Who should go: Vegan and veg-curious ramen fans craving bold flavors
When to visit: Midday or late lunch before peak Grand Central crowds
What to order: OG Ramen with vegan egg, Spicy Ramen, Banh Mi Poutine
Insider tip: Sit at the counter to eat immediately; lines move faster than the shared market seating.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Grand Central Market has a paid parking structure on Hill Street (typically $5–$15 depending on time), plus metered street parking that fills quickly during lunch hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; this is a food hall counter with no dress expectations.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak market hours; quiet enough to eat solo but not ideal for long conversations.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes at the counter during peak Grand Central Market rushes.
Weekday lunch: Usually a short 5–10 minute line, though popular items can sell out during the 12–1pm window.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—everything is fully plant-based, so it’s completely vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan options: Yes—100% of the menu is vegan, including the signature vegan egg.
Gluten-free options: Limited—broths are gluten-free, but noodles are not; substitutions are not consistently available.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date enjoys casual food hall energy; it’s great for a quick, flavorful bite but not ideal for long conversations or a romantic setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—seating is first-come in the shared Grand Central Market area, but seats fill fast during peak times. The counter is the fastest way to eat without waiting for tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes; the food hall is casual and spacious, though noise levels and limited seating may challenge families with very young children.
Best For
Better for: Excellent for fast vegan ramen with deep, broth-forward flavors and one of the most convincing vegan 'eggs' in the city.
Skip if: You want a sit-down restaurant, quieter ambiance, or gluten-free noodle substitutes.
Ramen Hood
8.2
Ramen Hood is a fully vegan ramen counter inside Grand Central Market pouring milky kelp-and-mushroom broths, vegan eggs, and snacky sides to downtown workers and visitors. For vegetarians, it delivers a true ramen experience without compromises, served fast enough for lunch but rich enough to anchor a night at the market.
Must-Try Dishes:
OG Ramen with vegan egg, Spicy Ramen, Banh Mi Poutine
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: All-vegan ramen counter where vegetarians get real tonkotsu-style depth.
Who should go: Vegetarians craving rich ramen in a casual downtown setting.
When to visit: Early lunch or late afternoon to dodge peak market lines.
What to order: OG Ramen with vegan egg, Spicy Ramen, Banh Mi Poutine.
Insider tip: Grab your bowl then snag a perimeter seat with Broadway views.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Grand Central Market does not validate; the adjacent structure at 308 S Hill St usually runs $4–$8 for short stays, while metered street parking on Broadway and Hill is limited and highly competitive.
Dress code: Casual—market attire is standard, from office-casual to weekend streetwear.
Noise level: High during peak hours; conversation is possible but expect steady market noise and music.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on market traffic; the line moves quickly because it’s counter-service.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes before noon; closer to 12:30pm can hit 15–20 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—everything is vegetarian-friendly because the entire concept is plant-based.
Vegan options: Yes—it's a fully vegan kitchen including the broth and the signature vegan egg.
Gluten-free options: Limited—no gluten-free ramen noodles; some sides may be gluten-free but cross-contact is likely in a busy food hall environment.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you're aiming for a casual, walk-and-explore vibe. Seating is communal and noisy, so it’s better for relaxed dates than intimate ones.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Seating is first-come at shared tables or perimeter counters throughout Grand Central Market.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy ramen and food halls. Strollers can be tricky during peak crowds, and seating isn’t dedicated or high-chair equipped.
Best For
Better for: Fast, fully vegan ramen with rich broth depth in a quick-service setting—ideal for solo diners, commuters, and anyone exploring Grand Central Market.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, gluten-free noodles, or a traditional sit-down ramen shop with private tables.
Ramen Hood
8.4
Ramen Hood is a vegan ramen counter inside Grand Central Market where families with older kids can slurp rich plant-based broths at the bar or nearby communal tables. Its cult-favorite vegan egg and crowd-pleasing sides make it a rare spot where omnivores and plant-based eaters can all settle on noodles.
Must-Try Dishes:
OG Ramen with Vegan Egg, Spicy Ramen, Banh Mi Poutine
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A fully plant-based ramen bar whose broths and vegan egg win over mixed-diet families.
Who should go: Families with older kids who love ramen and plant-based options.
When to visit: Early lunch or midafternoon between Grand Central Market crowds.
What to order: OG Ramen with vegan egg, Spicy Ramen, Banh Mi Poutine.
Insider tip: Scout nearby communal tables before you order so everyone can sit together.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Use the Grand Central Market structure on Hill Street or the Pershing Square Garage; street parking is limited and often metered.
Dress code: Casual; come as you are—market attire is totally appropriate.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours due to the food hall setting; quieter midafternoon.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on market foot traffic; lines can form quickly.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes, though popular dishes may sell out during office lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—everything is plant-based, so vegetarians have full access to the entire menu.
Vegan options: Yes—Ramen Hood is fully vegan, including the cult-favorite vegan egg.
Gluten-free options: Limited—broths are gluten-free but noodles are not; no certified gluten-free ramen substitution is available.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you're aiming for a casual, low-pressure meet-up. The food hall environment is lively and informal, better for quick hangs than intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Seating is first-come at bar stools or communal tables; securing seats together is easier outside peak meal times.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids and teens who enjoy ramen and food hall energy. The setting is hectic for toddlers, and seating isn't guaranteed all together during peak rush.
Best For
Better for: Plant-based ramen depth, a unique vegan egg, and quick-service convenience inside one of LA’s busiest food halls.
Skip if: You need quiet conversation, guaranteed seating for larger families, or gluten-free noodles.