I first heard about Orochon Ramen through a friend, who completed the Special 2 challenge over a year ago. After an appearance on the show Man vs. Food, everyone I knew started talking about this place. As someone who can handle spicy food, I decided I had to check this place out and see what all the buzz was about. I stopped in for a quick lunch a few days ago and even at 1:30 p.m., the place was packed with a short wait. After I was seated, I noticed that many diners were chugging water and sweating profusely. Not wanting to dive into the deep end, I played it safe and ordered in the middle of the road.
Food
Miso Ramen 3 Impact Orochon
7.45
The bowl of ramen is huge. The miso broth ramen came with sliced pork, wood ear mushrooms, an overwhelming amount of bean sprouts and bamboo shoots topped with green onions. The miso broth is ordinary with an strong salt flavor. The soup did not taste spicy to me, but others who have ordered a 3 have told me they it is the most they can handle. The pork is tough and dry and the noodles do not have the smooth consistency I enjoy. It was a disappoint bowl of ramen, especially after the butter miso ramen at the Umaimono Fair and the Daikokuya Ramen with kotteri.
I think this place gets a lot of hype because of the special 2 challenge and the wall of bravery for those who finish. For good ramen, I would go to Daikokuya.
Orochon Ramen
123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St Unit 303
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Parking
Very limited street parking and the underground parking lot can fill up quickly. The restaurant will validate up to an hour.
I would say I crave Daikokuya at least twice a month. I discovered this place after hearing about it from a co-worker and since my first visit, I have been addicted. Daikokuya is wedged in the middle of a block packed with Japanese restaurants, but one look and you'll noticed, it is the thriving business on the block. The restaurant is first-come first-served and they have a clip board for patrons to sign in. There are usually people standing outside waiting to get in for a bowl of the highly desired ramen. This visit, we waited less than 30 minutes and were seated at the counter.
Food
Salad
Complimentary with purchase of combination
Ordering a combination is the way to go. You get the same size bowl of soup which is 8.50, plus your choice of a delicious side such as fried rice and various teriyaki bowls and a cabbage salad, which is my favorite. The sliced cabbage, carrots and green onions are topped with a creamy dressing packed with flavor. It always leaves me wanting more. This is the best side salad I have had at a ramen restaurant.
Daikoku Ramen Kotteri with small Chicken Teriyaki
10.50
We were seated at the counter and we were fortunate enough to witness the cooking and assembly of the noodles. The noodles are cooked for 1 minute and 45 seconds in boiling water. Once the noodles are ready, they are poured into large bowls and topped with broth, kotteri (extra pork fat), slices of pork, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, boiled egg, green onions and a few shakes of sesame seeds. This combination creates one of the most delicious ramens dishes I have tasted. The broth is full of flavor and while sitting at the counter, we noticed a carton of soy milk being poured into the large vat of broth. The pork is sweet, tender, incredibly flavorful and melts right in your mouth. Although a huge bowl of ramen, I always find myself finishing every last drop. We discovered that there is a larger bowl option for those who aren't quite satisfied with the regular size.
Perhaps next time?
Although the main attraction at Daikokuya is their ramen, everything else is also very good. The chicken teriyaki is not over sauced like some places, the chicken is cooked perfectly and the rice is just right. I will definitely order this again.
Daikokuya is one of my favorite ramen houses in Los Angeles county. I've never had a disappointing meal and always leave more than satisfied. There is usually a wait and it can become quite long depending on the time and day you go, but definitely worth a 30-45 minute wait. Bring good friends and the time will pass quickly. If you do go, don't skip over the kotteri option for the ramen.
Daikokuya
327 E 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Parking
There is very limited street parking, but plenty of parking in near by lots.
