A major name in Japanese ramen has officially entered the Southern California dining scene. Tenkaippin, founded in Kyoto in 1971, has opened its first North American location in Little Tokyo at 333 East 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
The brand is best known for creating Kotteri ramen, a style defined by an exceptionally rich and thick broth. The term Kotteri describes food that is dense and hearty. When founder Tsutomu Kimura introduced his chicken based broth in the early 1970s, it stood apart from traditional pork based ramen. Its depth and texture were unprecedented, prompting customers to nickname it Kotteri ramen.
Over time, the nickname became the official identity of the dish. In Japan, referencing Kotteri ramen is widely understood to mean Tenkaippin’s signature bowl.
Unlike lighter ramen varieties, Kotteri broth has a concentrated consistency that adheres to noodles, delivering bold flavor in every bite. The distinctive profile helped Tenkaippin grow from a modest street stand into a nationwide chain with more than 200 locations throughout Japan.
The Little Tokyo restaurant brings that legacy directly to Los Angeles. Business hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11:00am to 12:00am, and Friday and Saturday from 11:00am to 2:00am. The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays. For additional information regarding hours, customers may contact the restaurant at 213 341 1951.
As ramen continues to evolve in popularity across Southern California, Tenkaippin’s arrival represents the introduction of a historically significant style from Kyoto. For diners seeking authenticity and culinary heritage, Kotteri ramen offers a taste of a Japanese classic that helped redefine the genre.
