Gokoku Vegetarian Ramen Shop — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Regrettably, I had the singular most negative experience as a Uber Eats driver at this establishment out of 2,323 deliveries I have completed over the course of the last 15 months (where I currently hold a 100% customer/vendor satisfaction rating as a driver).

At approximately 9:00 p.m. on Monday 7/5/21 I arrived at Gokoku to pick up a small order of one ramen + a cucumber salad for their customer Victoria.

I was repeatedly advised by various staff that the order was forthcoming "in 10 minutes", "almost ready", "they're packing it up now"..... after 35 minutes, the owner finally approached me to see whether I had been helped (during which time a large party of 7 also experienced their order failing to be placed despite already waiting for 30 minutes).

When I expressed to the owner for a second time my frustration at having been misled regarding the status of the delivery, the owner's wife who runs the kitchen actually took time out from all the orders she had thus far failed to serve up and peeked over her partition while pointing to the door demanding: "YOUR ORDER IS CANCELED! WE WILL NOT SELL TO YOU! GET OUT! IF YOU HAD EVER WORKED FOR SOMEONE YOU'D KNOW HOW TO BEHAVE!"

In his attempt to minimize the fallout with other patrons, the owner stated to a couple while shaking his head snickering: "... and she's JUST a Uber driver, HA!!!"

I advised the owner I will remain on the premises while on hold with Uber Support to report the unprofessional ill treatment I received and he was free to call the police if my presence was a problem for him - and he did as such.

The owner's spouse fails to understand that delivery drivers are not employees under her command to abuse, but essential business partners who facilitate her relationship with her paying customers. By the time I spoke with Uber Support, there were 3 missed calls from the very hungry customer whose order Gokoku accepted but failed to complete.

The owner himself fails to realize that delivery drivers are not "JUST A UBER DRIVER", but they themselves are consumers in the neighborhood with family, friends and colleagues who will receive either an endorsement or a complaint about their business - the best (free) advertising (or negative feedback) for any business is word of mouth.

The owner fails to realize that this "just Uber driver" is a semi-retired former restraunteur (who dines out every single day) and is a current owner of multiple shopping centers who has Jersey Mike's, Shake Shack, etc. as her tenants (one center locally in NOHO). The arrogant superiority of "she's just a Uber driver" is not only abusive and defies common decency and courtesy, it made a forgivable situation in a poorly run business inexcusable.

EDIT: Response to Owner/Shanshan,

I am pleased to know there is video record of my experience at your establishment. Your account confirms the fact that a delivery service provider contracted by YOUR customer to facilitate your business with her is characterized as a trespasser and is "just a (lowly) Uber driver". My post is a 100% accurate description of what transpired during my attempt to perform this service where 45 minutes later, you showed utter disregard for my time, disrespect toward me personally and your customer was left hungry without the food for which she had tendered payment.

As stated, it was I who reported your business to Uber Eats for investigation and requested the police be called. Ultimately, it did not deserve any more time investment on my part at the scene, and even less so now. You have a good day as well. I hope you come to the understanding as I conveyed at the time of pick up that by virtue of being your customers' designated representatives, we "just Uber drivers" ARE your customers. The appropriate response for your failure to deliver as a business and wasting people's time and money is "I apologize", not...

Gokoku Vegetarian Ramen Shop or simply just Gokoku is a savory spot for quality plant-based eats.

Their flavorful ramens, epic sushi rolls, beautiful bentos, ravishing rice places, nom nom noodles, desserts and more are all things you should explore.

At the corner of Lankershim Blvd & Aqua Vista Street - running just above the Los Angeles River, a few skips from Universal Studios Hollywood.

Dine inside at a table, the bar or on their cozy patio. Enjoy excellent portions and vegan friendly everything!

From the custom rolls to the rice dishes to the variety of ramen options including curry, mushroom, hard tofu, beyond meat and so many others.

They offer outside seating a provide you with everything you'll need and want for your meal.

Out of this world flavors for sure at this super delicious North Hollywood adjacent/Studio City restaurant/ramenry/vegan sushi bar.

For foodie must. These rolls are essential: Beyond Meat Roll KimBop Hand Roll Vegan Popcorn Roll Spicy Vegan Tuna Roll Spider Vegan Roll Swallow Sand Roll Vegan Popcorn Roll One more Spicy Vegan Tuna Roll Volcano Vegan Roll and another Vegan Popcorn Roll lol (soooo good).

For the all so starring eats (all the ramen): The Mushroom, Beyond and Tantan Men are my personal favs, but the Hard Tofu Ramen, Mayu Garlic Jalapeno Ramen, Pineapple Ramen (savory plu sweet for sure), and Tomato Ramen are enjoyable much like the Gyoza "Dumlings" with chili oil, Vegan Baos... fried Garlic Noodles.

Miss their Banana Rama Roll (sushi dessert), but there's honestly so much to enjoy here including gluten free chocolate cake. Love coming here with bae (non-vegan), on a solo outing and with friends (chosen fam) as well as the bio fam when they're in town.

Soy sauce, sanitizer and most essentials at the table.

They bring out everything else and keep the beverages refilled, especially on warmer days #GratefulforGokoku

Great for dine in, take out or...

I could tell this was more than just another vegan spot—it was something thoughtfully crafted, deeply flavorful, and refreshingly welcoming.

I kicked off my meal with the Bulgogi Vegan Bao Buns, and wow—pure magic. The smoky barbecued wood ear and shiitake mushrooms were masterfully done, and the way they paired with the pillowy softness of the bao was next level. The crispy cabbage tossed in Panko bread crumbs gave it a satisfying crunch that I didn’t even know I needed.

The cucumber salad with seaweed and vinaigrette came through like a refreshing wave—light but umami-rich. The added dried wood ear mushrooms added an earthy texture that made the dish pop. It’s the kind of thing I’d usually order on instinct—and this one exceeded my expectations.

The Dynamite Roll—jalapeños stuffed and oozing with cheese and tuna, topped with crispy fried shallots and a mystery red sauce—was a flavor bomb. The sauce was very spicy but deliciously addictive. I’m still trying to figure out what’s in it, but I’m not mad at the mystery—only more eager to return.

Then came the House Yaki Udon—stir-fried udon noodles tossed with cabbage, bell pepper, broccoli, bok choy, and onions in a savory black sauce. Every vegetable had its moment to shine, and the combination gave me flashbacks to a beloved vegan spot that unfortunately closed down. This dish filled that void and then some. (in-store only item 😁)

On top of the flavor-packed menu, the service deserves a shoutout. The staff was incredibly attentive—each time I finished a dish, someone was right there, not in a rush, but just perfectly timed. It made the experience feel personal and cared for.

Without question, I’ll be returning—and bringing guests. Goku Vegetarian Ramen has become my new go-to for bold, inventive vegan eats that...