Asahi Ramen

I am not a big noodle/pasta eater. It just isn’t something I ever think about making or eating even though it is so easy, yummy, and inexpensive. I also never lived the cup o’ noodles / packaged noodles lifestyle that is popular in college. So when my boyfriend recommended going to Asahi Ramen restaurant many months ago, I was intrigued. We fortunately were able to be seated immediately after we walked into the small and busy restaurant. A polite waitress came over to our table and dropped off complimentary tsukemono (pickled cucumbers) and took our drink order.

I naively found the menu to be comprehensive for a restaurant that is all about noodles; I never had thought about the different ramen combinations available by mixing and matching different broths and toppings. All these choices made it hard for me because I wanted to try everything. Feeling as if I needed something more filling than “soup,” I ended up not ordering typical ramen and instead ordered the soupless Yakisoba (pan fried noodle dish with vegetables and chicken). When it came to the table, hungry eyes from a table nearby spotted my dish and contacted their waitress immediately to change their order to “what she has.” These noodles were everything I wanted that night: tasty and filling. It was also a large amount of food for a small amount of money ($8).

In a battle between eyes and stomach, I had also ordered Gyoza, pan fried potstickers, for the table ($3.50). Potstickers are also a dish that I never really have eaten much of in life. These have changed my ways, I now love potstickers. And they are the best I have tried, even though I have a limited potsticker experience.

It was a wonderful feast of food. I have been back to Asahi quite a few times since this recorded visit. Sadly, I never have taken a picture of their ramen, which I find to be just as wonderful as the soupless noodles. I am constantly changing my ramen order and don’t have a favorite merely because everything I order has been good. However, I usually add in wontons as an extra topping (for $2.25 extra) because it is the same dough used for the potstickers. I recommend! They do use MSG, unless you make it clear in your order that you do not want that in your meal. Helpful tips: It is usually always crowded during dinner “rush”, they only accept cash, and they are closed on Thursdays.

Asahi Ramen
2027 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 479-2231