Tonchin LA

This famous tonkotsu chain from Tokyo has landed in a sleek ground-floor space of a Larchmont apartment building. Here, the ramen noodles are made fresh in-house everyday. First-timers should order the signature Tokyo tonkotsu, where the long-simmered, velvety pork broth offers a surprisingly complex flavor profile, as well at least a couple of the appetizers: Of the many we've tried, none seem like afterthoughts, from the crab-rich potato salad to the build-your-own spicy maguro wraps. An excellent, well-balanced tsukemen uses springy, alkaline thick-cut noodles courtesy of Keizo Shimamoto (inventor of the ramen burger). Variations in smoked dashi, mazemen, and spicy tan tan offer just as much flavor as the original, though they can't upstage the tonkotsu—Tonchin's very-much-worthy claim to fame. And save room for dessert: There's kakigori and a delightful Tokyo banana-inspired sundae on the menu.