Daikokuya

12/07/09

One word: M'eh.

by WORX4FUDE at Citysearch

After all the hype it received, I was soooo stoked to go to Daikokuya for authentic Japanese-grade ramen. I was so let down, it was just heart-breaking.

I've eaten a lot of ramen in my day, much of it in Japan, from Kyoto and Nagasaki, to Hiroshima, Osaka, and Tokyo. Daikokuya may simmer their broth for 18 hours, and yes, the broth is rich, but not worth the hype. Perhaps it was because the soup was room temperature, or that my friends ramen was a bundle of over-cooked starch, but whatever the reason, I was seriously disappointed in this apparent "ramen mecca."

So, the soup was "M'eh," the gyoza was sub-par, and I was horrified to find that the traditionally crispy "Katsu" was slathered in egg and thick sauce (NOT the tonkatsu sauce I've been rasied with). Whack.

I will NOT return, and I will do my best to avoid any of my other acquaintances from making the mistake of shelling out their cash for this (and this is a very large compliment, if you ask me) "on-par" ramen. I'd rather go to Marukai, Mitsuwa, or Ramenya, ANY day of the week.

• Pros: Cute decor
• Cons: Over-rated, Over-hyped, Over-priced, It's in Downtown

01/13/09

Best Ramen in CA.

by Elderp at Citysearch

I have eaten a lot of Ramen in my day and this is definately some of the best. By far the best Ramen in CA and it beats even a few Ramen shops I have eaten in Japan before. Gyoza and the speciality Ramen are highly recommended. The texture of the noodles are slightly more "al dente" than what most westerners are used to and a bit thicker. The speciality of the house is pork ramen in a pork based broth. The noodles are mixed with green onions, a marinated egg, and been sprouts. Very simple, but after having eaten a lot of Ramen, apparently hard to replicate.

As far as negatives go there are two . The first one will show itself to you when you get to the door. That will be the line out the shop. Be sure you sign up on the sign in sheet as early as possible. If the noodles run out (and they could), your out of luck. The second negative is the shop itself. It has a B rating for a reason. It is a bit run down, they said it got a "refurbishment" when we were there, but I think it could use another one. Not much seating in the restaurant, so if you don't want to have to wait you can ask to sit at the bar and could get in faster.

If the restaurant was decorated a bit better and a bit cleaner I would give it full stars. Then again you don't really go here for the ambiance, you go here for the noodles. Small details aside, you will not get better Ramen in CA. Depending on your travel situation, you may not ever experience better Ramen then this (I know of a really good place in Hokkaido, Japan, but I am not telling you about it). If you have the time and $9.00 for that bowl of Ramen, go for it! The menu is quite simple, but if you can draw the crowds they do, why do something else?!

• Pros: The best Ramen in CA, fast service, and a friendly staff.
• Cons: Small seating, dirty restaurant, and long lines (no reservation system).

11/19/08

Best ramen place in LA ever

by lesterhung at Citysearch

I go to Daikokuya with my gf at least once every month. There is only 1 kind of ramen here -- the daikoku ramen. The ramen is too good that it worths the 1+ hour wait. I've tried most of the famous ramen restaurants in LA and this is definitely one of the bests.

btw, this place is called Daikokuya instead of Dakokuya

• Pros: awesome ramen
• Cons: parking, and long line