Sopita Ramen & Arroz — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Review after the second visit. I want to like this place because there are good things about it. I love the commitment to the quirky hard rock/metal aesthetic, right down to the Dream Theater-esque font on the sign above the register. The location is convenient. It's different than the other restaurants around it which are primarily more traditional Salvadoran or Mexican. The staff is friendly and helpful. The ramyeon is really not very good and way too expensive, especially considering the proximity to Koreatown. The broth is extremely oily, and the beef in it was chewy and cooked to oblivion.

The noodles are instant, which is typical for ramyeon so not a point of criticism in and of itself, but given that it is instant noodles in a really basic broth and that it is a really casual store, it it should be also be inexpensive like it is in most the more traditional Korean places just a few blocks away on Olympic and 8th St.

The lemonade was advertised as "fresh" but was clearly made from instant powder and was sweet beyond all reason.

They don't offer ice water, only bottled water.

Finally, while I like the idea of a fusion between Korean and Central American cuisine, this restaurant seems conceptually confused. The presentation, the menu, the care about flavors and quality of the product are somewhat erratic and incoherent.

I may try the fried chicken at some point in the future, but based on the eponymous soups I really can't recommend this place. Like I said, I really want to like this quirky...

It may say Sopita Ramen, but it's not your traditional Japanese Ramen or Korean noodle place. True that they use packaged INSTANT RAMEN that you buy at supermarkets, but if you know Korean cuisine, the Boolgoki Ramen I had immediately reminded me of KOREAN MILITARY SOUP -- a hot pot made with broth, kim chee, rice cakes, Spam, hot dog wieners, instant ramen noodles, etc. (a hot pot stew invented during the Korean War made with ingredients that were readily available at the time, with influences from the US military with the wieners and Spam.) If you've had Military Soup, then you would be able to appreciate the ramen soup bowls they serve here.

My Boolgoki Ramen wasn't bad. It had nicely flavored broth (though with the amount of pepper us, it reminded me that the broth was made with the seasoning packet from a pack of ramen noodles. There was a decent amount of pieces of beef in it. I added the raw egg into the broth and mixed it in. Otherwise, there wasn't much else in the soup.

If I decide to come back, it would be to get the Spam or Kimchi Ramen, if i want to get a variety that is closely related to...

Usually i like to come here, even though it has a ‘B’ (should’ve been a sign) Parking always sucks, but got lucky and found a spot. Dodged the needles n such to get in the door, only to be questioned by the girl behind the counter about the loyalty card i handed her. Didn’t believe the last person to sign it was an employee?? Like I’m trying to scam a bowl of package ramen out of them lol. Really made me feel low. Decided to walk out and get some lunch down the road at Margarita Mexican Food, which rocks btw... don’t waste your time with this spot. It’s not worth the hassle. I don’t even feel like mentioning the homeless that frequently walk in to panhandle $$$/smokes/anything from you while you’re trying to eat, but what the heck. She really made me feel like i was some kind of common dirtbag. (The rude Asian girl) never going back!! You’re welcome in advance....