Taipei's Ramen Chikumo Hits LA

Ramen Chikumo enters a Los Angeles ramen scene largely defined by rich, pork-based tonkotsu broths. Sawtelle's reigning ramen king, Tsujita, is famous for its 60-hour simmered tonkotsu and its tsukemen dipping noodles. Chikumo's focus on tori-paitan, a creamy chicken-based broth, offers a distinct alternative in a neighborhood crowded with pork-centric options. Tori-paitan, which translates to "chicken white soup," achieves its milky consistency by boiling chicken bones for an extended period, allowing the collagen to emulsify into the broth. While tonkotsu is known for its heavy and funky pork flavor, tori-paitan is generally described as clean, creamy, and rich with chicken umami, offering a lighter yet still deeply flavorful experience. The Tokyo-headquartered brand built its reputation in Taipei, where it operates three locations that have garnered over 10,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.7 stars. In Taipei, Chikumo is known as a go-to late-night spot, with its locations often operating until the early morning hours. The Los Angeles outpost is the brand's first expansion outside of Taiwan. Ramen Chikumo prides itself on a "no MSG" or artificial additives approach to its ramen. Their signature tori-paitan broth is the result of simmering whole chickens for over 12 hours. The restaurant also serves its ramen with custom-made, egg-free noodles designed to complement the rich chicken soup.