Best Instagram Worthy Wonders Ramen Restaurants in Downtown LA
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Afuri
Tokyo import specializing in yuzu shio—a bright, citrus-forward broth built from chicken, seafood, vegetables, and seaweed, unlike the heavy tonkotsu dominating LA's ramen scene.
Notable Picks
#1
Afuri
8
A Tokyo transplant built around yuzu shio—a citrus-forward, chicken-and-seafood broth that runs deliberately lighter than the tonkotsu-heavy LA ramen field. The Arts District location draws groups and couples to communal tables in an energetic, high-volume room, so plan for noise over intimacy. Worth the trip when you want clean, bright flavors instead of the usual rich-and-heavy bowl.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yuzu Shio Ramen, Tsukemen, Buta Gyoza
What Makes it Special: Tokyo import specializing in yuzu shio—a bright, citrus-forward broth built from chicken, seafood, vegetables, and seaweed, unlike the heavy tonkotsu dominating LA's ramen scene.
#2
Mr. Ramen
8
A curry-ramen-forward counter shop that has held its corner of Little Tokyo since 1993, with walls papered in three decades of customer napkin art the owner refuses to take down. It runs as a late-night refuel stop where the portion-to-price math stays honest and the crowd skews young and local. Expect a tight room, no frills, and a bowl of curry ramen that has outlasted most of the block.
Must-Try Dishes:
Curry Ramen, Fried Chicken Ramen, Bento Box
What Makes it Special: Little Tokyo legacy since 1993, with walls covered in three decades of customer napkin art the owner has preserved.
Worthy Picks
7.8
A newer Little Tokyo outpost specializing in delicate dashi-based broths built from bonito and kombu, offering a lighter but deeply layered alternative to pork-heavy styles. The room is clean and modern, and the menu leans thoughtful with strong seafood and vegetarian options. Still early in its LA run, but execution is already firing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hamaguri Clam Ramen, Spicy Miso Butter Corn Ramen, Green Gyoza
What Makes it Special: Seafood-dashi ramen focus that tastes elegant and light.