Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Recession Obsession: Ramen, Yes?
Ground Pork Egg Drop Ramen | Photo by Caleb Bacon for LAist
The Official Recession has enveloped us for sixteen official months. It’s still no reason we can’t enjoy life. This is LA -- we have a ton of inexpensive options! A Recession Obsession is somewhere that's truly fantastic, regardless of whether times are good or you've been downsized. We last obsessed over Guatemalan fast food, and inexpensive comedy shows. Today, we obsess...
The Official Recession continues to reach her cold, calloused hands into the wallets of many. One part of society has been acting like we've never not had a recession. College kids. Examine their “fragrant” dorm rooms and you’ll find bomb-shelter like quantities of Top Ramen (everyone’s favorite 64-cent-just-add-water-instant-ramen,) as though future employment is an impossibility.
While the kids are onto something, they’re not alright. Ramen doesn’t have start as powder. In fact, great ramen in LA doesn’t cost much (sorry, you'll have to pony up more than 64 cents.) For $5-$8 you can feast on a big bowl of tasty ramen featuring fresh ingredients and real meat. That’s why Ramen is LAist’s latest Recession Obsession.
Non-Instant Noodle Soup
Thankfully real-deal ramen can be found all around LA, and not just some remote corner of an impoverished warzone. Check out Downtown’s Little Tokyo, West LA and Torrance. Slightly closer to the Pacific than West LA's Japanese culinary playground (on Sawtelle, “Little Osaka,”) can be found Ramenya. Located in West LA (a neighborhood I hope wishes it had a better name,) Ramenya serves sizable bowls of Japanese comfort food, even if you don't need comforting.
Ramenya has about 25 kinds of ramen from which to choose. The average bowl is $7.50. In other parts of town you can find ramen as low as $5, but I’m not complaining. They also provide free barley-tea iced tea. The dish pictured above is an egg-drop ramen with ground pork. It's a wonderful, warm mix of flavors and spices. If you're looking for a more traditional broth-based bowl, Ramenya can accommodate -- enough so that you can bring your picky kid brother. But first ask, for dinner how about ramen, ya?
- Ramenya West LA | 11555 West Olympic Blvd | Los Angeles 90064 | (310) 575-9337
- Daily: 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Where do you get your ramen fix? Comment below!
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?