The temperature may be rising later this week (welcome back, summer!), but it's always ramen weather in L.A. This past month has seen a lot of new additions—both in terms of dishes and restaurants—in the ramen world, so we thought we'd give you a debriefing on all the ramen news fit for reporting. Just be warned: you'll be hungry after this.
Gokoku Vegetarian Ramen Shop: Every vegan's ramen dreams were answered when Ramen Hood popped up at Grand Central Market last year, but there's always room for more options. Gokoku Vegetarian Ramen Shop recently opened in Studio City, and they're already garnering widespread acclaim for their vegan bowl (for the vegetarian diners, you can add an egg to your ramen). Pineapple, tomato, tofu, mushrooms, kale, black beans and jalapeño are among the many layers of flavor in this newcomers' ramen dish.
JINYA's new Lobster Me Happy Bowl: After JINYA's latest specialty bowl—the Truffle Splash—ran its course, the ramen shop in both Studio City and W 3rd St concocted this beauty: the Lobster Me Happy, a lobster ramen dish available to only 10 diners each day until the end of the year. You'll find a thick layer of noodles topped with green onion, lobster and shrimp wontons, an egg and crispy Brussels sprouts, all swimming in a broth of lobster, shrimp and pork broth. If you have to pick just one bowl of ramen until 2017, this might be your match.
Oh Man! Ramen: Any day now. Aaaany day now. The new ramen shop from chef Luke Reyes and Scratch Restaurants group (Philip and Margarita Lee) is almost ready to go: the sign has been installed, they served up bowls of fiery noodles to concert goers at Desert Trip and all we're waiting for is the bat signal. Oh Man! Ramen will be posting up right next door to Scratch|Bar & Kitchen at 16101 Ventura Blvd, and will feature an open kitchen.
Ramen Roll: Adam Fleischman is taking his Umami Burger and 800 Degrees experience and opening Ramen Roll, a new ramen shop in Culver City that's expected to launch by the end of the year. Chef Kiyoshiro Yamamoto is at the helm—and yes, he's the guy who was caught serving whale at the Hump. Whether or not that will deter people has yet to be seen, but it's certainly an interesting addition to the neighborhood (one that has seen quite a bit of restaurant flipping lately).
Tengoku Ramen Bar: This new ramen shop opened in Arcadia a few weeks ago, and offers both chicken broth and pork broth options, along with cold noodle dishes like a chilled ramen salad. The interior is bright and airy, and for SGV residents, it's worth checking out on a blustery day.
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