Akuma Ramen & Sushi Bar — Restaurant in West Hollywood

Will not be returning here ever again wish a shame because the food is good. We ordered here many times during 2021 but always got takeout as we were not ready to eat in public yet. Fast forward to Saturday night and we decided to dine in. We walk in about 750pm no one acknowledges us and the restaurant is super busy. I am understanding bc I know its a saturday but I also felt it was rather rude but I chalked it up for them being overwhelmed with saturday night crowd. While standing waiting to be acknowledged, not one not two but 3 separate parties crowd in small waiting area. No acknowledgement to anyone. Finally at 807 bc I was looking at the time. A man comes over and starts to write down names in order. We are told 20 minute wait. My partner heard 10 but I didnt argue bc he was already ready to leave after lack of acknowledgement. I still wasnt upset bc again, busy saturday not ok I get it. About 10 minutes after this a waitress very rudely said "everybody needs to wait outside" nobody moves for a split second I imagine bc she said it so rudely and there are seats right by the entrance. Nobody was sitting in them probably bc they are right next to bathrooms but this indicates waiting inside is available. It was cold outside. There were no chairs for waiting outside. But fine we move. This is where I became upset bc it was stated so rudely. A simple "Im sorry everyone its really crowded could everyone please wait outside" would have sufficed. At 830 we are told a table is available. Idk if they were going to seat us inside bc my partner asked for an outside table immediately. We are sat outside and immediately brought water, menus, wasabi and ginger and then....nothing. We waited until exactly 847 so 17 MORE minutes on top of all this with no acknowledgement, no waiter, no nothing. Nobody came back. Well my partner had it at that point and even while I was trying to find another place to go, he didnt want to sit there another second. So to recap. We were there for a full 50 + minutes with no food and no service. It was handled so poorly we both said never again and again we have eaten here many times but only takeout. They clearly do no...

Akuma Sushi and Ramen in West Hollywood is a spot I genuinely enjoy, even if I cannot quite give it five stars. The atmosphere is cool and fun, with a lively vibe that makes it a good choice for casual nights out. The outdoor patio is one of the best features, perfect for people watching and enjoying the weather. Inside the decor feels a bit dated, but the energy of the place keeps it from feeling tired.

The sushi itself is really not bad. In fact, it is quite good, especially considering the price point. In a city like Los Angeles, where A+ sushi restaurants set an incredibly high bar, Akuma holds its own as a very solid option without charging the sky high prices of the elite places. Rolls like the crunchy spicy tuna and baked salmon roll are satisfying and fun. The sashimi is fresh, and the specialty rolls are creative without being over the top.

Their ramen is also worth trying, with the tonkotsu being rich and flavorful. The happy hour is another strong draw, offering discounted rolls, appetizers, and drinks that make it a great value.

I have been here multiple times and will definitely go back again. It is not trying to compete with the most exclusive sushi spots in town, and that is exactly its appeal. You get good food, good energy, and good value, which makes Akuma a solid choice in West...

Don't let the kitschy anime murals fool you. Flavorless ramen is your only reward at Akuma.

Tonkatsu ramen (pork broth) - the most flavorless broth I've had in a decade. Consistency is fine, but flavor just isn't there. Cheap, thin noodles also no flavor of their own. The char shu (pork) was okay in flavor, but was thick with cheap or overcooked meat. Underwhelming topping ingredients, basically just bean sprouts and cilantro. Even the seasoned egg.. wasn't.

Akuma special - very very spicy, as promised, but the underlying flavor has the exact same problem as the pork broth. Simple, under-flavored, with nothing appetizing about it at all. Same cheap noodles, pork, and toppings.

The side plates like sushi and especially the gyoza were half decent (though the gyoza had some soy/teriyaki abomination sauce instead of a ponzu-based one). But this nowhere close to redeems this abomination of a...