Ramen Izakaya Van Nuys — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Best ramen spot in the Los Angeles Valley or just in Valley Glen aka Van Nuys adjacent... How about in LA... Tall shoes to fill... Ramen Izakaya is the perfect fit!

This hidden gem in is a long-standing small biz with plenty of indoor seating as well as a few nice choice outdoor spots just upon the foot of the entrance.

Gliding into this Japanese fusion food paradise you are greeted within moments of walking in and able to seat yourself at an open table of choice... Perks of the roaring 2020s.

Ramen Izakaya has tons of inviting decor, mood lighting, and ambiance... From live potted plants, dark wooden tables/chairs to signed portraits of notable entertainment industry people not to mention a great assortment of bar seating and a super organized system for delivery and pickup via third-party apps like door dash and GrubHub.

Being a ramen restaurant they have a great assortment from traditional to modern styles of hot noodle dishes including two types of plant-based ramen I'm crazy about... Especially when fused together in a 50/50 style combo... Spicy Lemongrass Vegan meets Creamy Vegan for a perfect flavor of spicy sweet-savory broth that will excite your taste buds to the moon and back. Kale noods, spinach, sweet corn, lemongrass chili, bean sprouts, braised marinated tofu cutlets, and entirely overall perfection!

Izakaya also has a great assortment of apps including tofu nuggets, edamame, veggie spring rolls, dumplings, the list is endless... They offer a substitute sauce for the tofu nuggets in place of the spicy mayo though if your an mayo fan it's all the rage.

There are rice bowls, all assortments of sushi including spicy and veggie... The happy hour is pretty vast in food and drink and even their plethora of sake makes the list. Ozeki Nigori strawberry and pineapple yes, please!

Also on the list are house cocktails, wine, beer &then some! Easy to see why this Van Nuys/Valley Glen/San Fernando Valley spot is such a favorite!

Super easy parking in their spacious backlot as well as a fair amount of street parking.

Ramen Izakaya does a great job keeping the pace and flow even when busy or enduring sudden rushes of R.I. enthusiasts, local patrons, and newcomers... Super family-friendly and some of the best service I've ever had!

What are you waiting for... Take a perfect chance with Ramen...

I only ordered takeout so my review doesn't have to do with ordering in or the customer service that goes with that. (I'll update once I do actually sit down there). I came on a weekday night during dinner time and there were only about 3 tables filled. It took a moment to get someone's attention as I walked in, there is no hostess or anyone by the door. The staff was clearly less than busy, but they just don't have anyone stationed by the door as I would typically expect. After a moment, someone hollered over to me and I let them know I was ordering takeout. They came over to me and brought a notepad to take my order. The girl taking my order was kind and helpful. When I ordered my Vegan Ramen she informed me that the standard noodles contain egg so if I am fully vegan (which I am) I should sub them for kale noodles (which doesn't cost anything!) I was so glad I could sub for kale noodles with no extra cost because I prefer them and some places like Jinya charge extra for substituting them. I didn't want corn in my ramen so I asked if there was anything I could sub for it as I didn't see any add on ingredients, the girl told me I could only get extra of something that was already in the ramen (which wasn't a whole lot of stuff). I basically just wound up getting extra spinach. I wish there were mushrooms, bok choy, or some other vegetables that I could've added.

I waited at the bar while my order was being prepared and it was done fairly quickly. The ambiance is really nice, hopefully they start filling up a little bit more. There is also a "modern day jukebox" on the wall which is pretty cool even though I didn't see anyone use it. It's a pleasant surprise that they also have a decent sized parking lot in the back! I liked my ramen, but it wasn't as flavorful as some other ramens I have had. That being said, they are located only a block away from my boyfriend's house and is the only ramen place I have been to that has no wait so if I happen to be in a last minute pinch and want ramen, I will probably return.

My 3 Star rating is because of the unwelcoming entrance with a delayed greeting, the lack of ingredient options, and the mediocre food.

I do, however, have hope that they can improve! It is a brand new location and there is definitely...

We recently had the pleasure of dining at Izakaya Ramen, and I must say, it was an outstanding experience. The cozy ambiance combined with the delicious food made for a truly memorable meal.

First and foremost, let's talk about their spicy miso ramen. It was absolutely phenomenal! The broth had the perfect balance of heat and umami, leaving a lingering, satisfying spice on my palate. The noodles were cooked to perfection, and the toppings added a delightful texture and flavor. If you're a fan of spicy ramen, I highly recommend giving this dish a try at Izakaya Ramen.

Next up was the fried California roll, and it was a delightful surprise. The roll was expertly prepared with a crisp and golden exterior, while the inside was filled with fresh and flavorful ingredients. The combination of the crunchy tempura batter and the creamy filling was a match made in heaven. It was a unique twist on a classic dish, and it certainly exceeded my expectations.

Lastly, let's talk about the mochi ice cream. It was the perfect way to end the meal on a sweet note. The mochi had a delicate, chewy texture, and the ice cream filling was lusciously smooth. The flavors were authentic and delicious, with a wide variety to choose from. It was a delightful treat that left me wanting more.

I must also mention the exceptional service provided by our server, Karla. She was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. Her recommendations were spot-on, and she went above and beyond to ensure our dining experience was enjoyable. Karla's warm and welcoming demeanor added to the overall positive experience at Izakaya Ramen.

Parking is enough for 14 or more cars...