Taipei Ramen Chain Hits LA
Taipei's 4.5-star ramen sensation Ramen Chikumo has launched its first LA outpost in Sawtelle with $2 Sapporo beer specials and tori-paitan (rich chicken broth) focus. The aggressive pricing and international pedigree are expected to make Chikumo a destination for ramen enthusiasts and trend-watchers.
Ramen Chikumo, though headquartered in Tokyo, forged its reputation in the bustling, competitive ramen market of Taipei. It operates three locations there, earning the nickname "Taipei's Ultimate Late-Night Destination" for serving bowls until 3 or 4 AM. The brand boasts consistently high ratings, with over 10,000 reviews across its Taipei outposts averaging 4.7 stars or higher. The restaurant's specialty, tori-paitan, is a creamy chicken-based broth, a departure from the pork-based tonkotsu that dominates the Los Angeles ramen scene. Chikumo's version is a product of a 12-hour-plus cooking process using whole chickens to build a rich, natural umami flavor without MSG or other artificial additives. Each bowl features a unique combination of toppings that include both low-temperature cooked pork and chicken chashu, chicken meatballs with cartilage, and a hint of grapefruit zest for a citrusy counterpoint to the rich broth. The restaurant also serves tsukemen, a dipping-style noodle, and uses custom, egg-free noodles. The choice of Sawtelle for its first U.S. location places Ramen Chikumo in direct competition with some of LA's most established ramen shops, such as Tsujita, known for its tsukemen, and Daikokuya. To stand out, besides its unique broth, the new outpost is offering 90 minutes of validated parking, a significant perk in the notoriously difficult-to-park neighborhood. The promotional $2 price for a 16oz Sapporo draft is a steep discount from its regular $8 price.
