Reviews & Ratings for Orochon Ramen

Citysearch Editorial Review

by Melissa Gage

The no-frills atmosphere and frequent waits don’t deter folks from flocking here for giant bowls of assari-kei-style ramen that’s served in seven levels of heat. On warm days, eating a hot bowl of broth in the somewhat cramped, steamy dining room can be a bit much--snag a table outside instead, and watch people pass through the outdoor court three floors below. Ever since being featured on the Travel Channel’s “Man Vs. Food” with Adam Richman, thrill seekers have been flocking here to try the famed Special 2 challenge--finish the chili-spiked inferno of ramen topped with jalapenos in 30 minutes, and your Polaroid will be featured on the “Wall of Bravery.” For those who actually want to enjoy their ramen, choose a base broth—salt (shio), soy sauce (shoyu) or the thicker miso—then select your heat intensity and toppings. Heat levels range from mild to flat-out painful, with labels like “Impact,” “Hyper” and “Extreme.” While standard orders are minimally topped with onions, sliced bell peppers and a bit of pork, you’ll have to spend a little extra for additions like garlic, corn, butter, egg, a slice of cha-shu pork or extra noodles. Popular sides include fried rice and gyoza. To drink, fortify yourself for the Special 2 challenge with some sake, or opt for an ice cold beer.

Oooooooo spicy!!

Contributor

Very good ramen indeed. Only downside is the long waiting time.

• Pros: Example: best croissants in town
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

Such a Big Disappointmen I'm MAD!

by Sheauen

It was not AS SEEN ON TV. Super crowded at 9pm on a Saturday night, even though it was an hour before closing there were still crowds of people waiting to get in. So what is the hype all about? Service was slow (this was as expected), they forgot our fried rice order and then wouldn't let us cancel it when it didn't come out before the noodles. CAN I HAVE SOME NOODLES WITH MY VEGGIES...big freaking bowl of soup...A LOT of bean sprouts and bamboo shoots, a small handful of noodles, and a few slivers of char siu/pork. NOT worth the wait, NOT worth the crowd, NOT worth the $$$. I'm sticking with Hakata Ramen.

• Pros: featured on man v food on the travel channel
• Cons: bad parking, long wait, crowded, mediocre food

ITs OK

by mustcop

its okay. the pork (swine) was delicious. the broth was ok. its ok. its ok its ok. pretty packed but was seated in less then 10 minutes

• Pros: charsu pork, broth
• Cons: noodles

Editorial Review

by Contributor

Japanese soup spot in Little Tokyo's Weller Court is known for ramen specials of varying spice, fun atmosphere.

Not bad!

by multi

Decided to dine her because Daikokuya was packed and we were REALLY hungry! I have to say if it weren't for Daikokuya being so crowded I wouldn't have stumble upon this place which is just as good! I had the shio soup ramen SO GOOD! However, what I don't like about it is that the ramen doesn't really come with anything you have to add on stuff like chasu, egg, etc...The price just keeps adding up, but I guess it is OK if it taste good.

• Pros: Broth
• Cons: Add-ons

Super spicy ramen, as hot as you dare

by jflux

Tucked away on the third floor of a mall in Little Tokyo, Orochon Ramen attracts ramen-lovers and thrill-seekers alike. Ramen lovers love the flavorful broth (miso, soy or salt flavor), fresh and chewy noodles and 'order 'em as you like 'em' toppings like bean sprouts, corn, butter or a thick slice of roast pork. Thrill-seekers (or should I say 'fire-eaters'?) love that Orochon offers 7 degrees of spicy fire in their broth: from 7 (not spicy) to the hyper-hot special no. 1 and no. 2. How hot is it? I watched a hapless diner next to me literally dripping sweat as he tried to finish his bowl -- and try mightily he did, despite his obvious discomfort, because it's not just hot, it's tasty. Orochon challenges any comers to finish a bowl of special no. 2 in 30 minutes to earn a place on the "wall of fame" e.g. a polaroid photo commemorating their accomplishment. My only complaint is that the servers (mostly young Japanese expats) are somewhat scattered -- I waited for a while to get my order taken -- but they were very apologetic when they discovered their oversight. It's not a fancy place, but it's clean and down-to-earth. I saw a fair amount of families, college kids on dates and groups of friends -- all are welcome at Orochon. Just expect a wait on the busier lunchtimes on the weekend as the secret is gets out...

• Pros: super-spicy & tasty ramen broth, fresh noodles, casual and fun atmosphere
• Cons: sometimes a wait for a table, somewhat scatterbrained service

No More Cup-O-Noodles for me!

by mike13241

This was my first experience with "real" ramen, stepping away from top ramen/cup-o-noodles. I can't believe I've been fooled for so many years. Orochon has by far some of the best ramen I have ever tasted.

Ordering is simple. Choose what broth you want: Miso, Soy, or Salt. The soy is a great choice because the taste is between the two. Then pick a number for the spicy factor. This ranges from hottest (Special 2) to weakest (7). If you can finish the Special 2 under 30 minutes, you get your picture on the wall! But believe me, there not joking with how spicy it is.

When you put your order in, youll get an enormous bowl with ramen noodles, the broth, and a thin beef strip. First taste and youll head home and toss all the instant ramen away in a ceremonial bonfire. You will not regret coming here.

• Pros: not too pricey, big portions
• Cons: can get crowded, sodas come in cans

Excellent japanese ramen noodles

by amiabilita

3 types of their flagship ramen dishes

Salt/ Soysauce/ Miso

Salt - not so heavy, cleaner (?) taste

Soysauce - in between Salt and Miso, but closer to salt

Miso - white/yellowish colored soup with miso - heavier taste

each of them comes with some veggies and thin tri-tip ish meat in them

the noodles are good and fresh in general. You can tell that by how thin it is and it's chewy. If the noodles are fat and doesn't have the chewy texture, it's not as good.

you can also include additional items such as Cha-shu (pork neck meat - yum), corn, more veggies, bamboo shoots...etc.

and also choose the spicy level.

Overall, this place is solid. As long as you get good noodles I mentioned, you'll love it.

there are other dishes (cold/hot) but i think those are just whatevers... go here for ramens folks.

• Pros: good noodles, great soup
• Cons: funky music, mediocre service, not as cheap

One of the Best Ramen in Downtown

by mochamoto

This is one of the best ramen in downtown. If you like it SPICY, this is definitely the place to go. There are three different soup bases to choose from, many different toppings, and the noodle is always firm with good texture. There are nine different level of spicy-ness to choose from and if you can finish the entire bowl (soups included) of "Special II" within 30 minutes, your picture is taken and placed on the "Wall of Courage". This is first come first serve, no reservations.