America’s Oldest Ramen Restaurant Is Still Open—And Still Delicious

In the heart of Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo, tucked between neon lights and the scent of simmering broth, stands a restaurant that’s not just serving food—it’s serving history. Kouraku, a humble ramen shop that first opened its doors in 1976, has officially been recognized as America’s oldest ramen restaurant still in operation. And in a time when trendy pop-ups and TikTok-famous eateries come and go, this milestone feels especially meaningful.

Kouraku Ramen LA Photo From: kouraku_littletokyo Instagram

While ramen might now be a staple in food halls and college dorms alike, it wasn’t always so mainstream. Back when Kouraku opened, the concept of slurping down a steaming bowl of shoyu ramen outside of Japan was still pretty novel. Yet here it was—in downtown LA—helping introduce Japanese comfort food to a post-war America that was just beginning to explore Asian flavors in earnest. Nearly five decades later, Kouraku is still going strong, fueled by its legacy, loyal regulars, and a new wave of food lovers craving authenticity.

The official unveiling of Kouraku’s new historical marker took place on Thursday, January 30, just steps from the restaurant’s front door. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado (District 14), current owner Mamoru Tokuda, and award-winning historic preservationist Mariko Lochridge led the celebration. Fastened to a street post on Gilbert Lindsay Mall, the plaque reads: “KOURAKU America’s Oldest Ramen Shop Still In Operation”, along with the address and founding year.

The first 50 guests to show up were treated to a complimentary bowl of ramen and a commemorative keychain—a small but meaningful way to honor a big legacy.

“Being officially recognized as the oldest ramen shop in America is an honor and goes to show the commitment of our longtime employees that work tirelessly. This will strengthen our identity as not only a business, but also as a community by bringing in more people to experience Little Tokyo,” said Tokuda ahead of the ceremony.

The event was made possible thanks to the Little Tokyo Service Center Small Business Program and their energetic “Small Biz Hype Squad,” who played a big role in turning a quiet legacy into a city-wide celebration.

As Lochridge shared: “In 2023, when members of our Small Biz Hype Hype Squad discovered that Kouraku is America’s Oldest ramen restaurant we knew this had to be recognized and celebrated. Our community members have created a thoughtful campaign which includes videos featuring Kouraku’s longtime back of house employees as well as a physical zine to share the rich culinary history of this local favorite. It’s wonderful to see the city recognizing those efforts and our community-based small business with a monumental marker.”

Heavy hitters from the neighborhood showed up in support—Bill Watanabe (founder of the Little Tokyo Historical Society), Kristin Fukushima (executive director of the Little Tokyo Community Council), and Glenn Osaki (senior VP of the Little Tokyo Business Association), to name a few.

For locals and tourists alike, this is more than just a nod to good ramen—it's a reminder that stories live on through places like Kouraku. It’s about the generations of staff behind the steam, the comfort in every bowl, and the community that kept it all going.

Next time you’re in LA, make your way to 314 2nd Street, pull up a chair, and taste a piece of culinary history. Kouraku is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to midnight—long enough for lunch, dinner, or a soul-warming midnight slurp.