01Brand & History

Tenkaippin is one of Japan's most iconic ramen brands, founded in Kyoto in 1971. Growing from a humble food stall into a nationwide sensation over the past 50 years, Tenkaippin is best known for its original Signature Kotteri Ramen that features a rich, naturally creamy chicken-based broth.

For over 50 years, Tenkaippin has been celebrated and loved across Japan for its one-of-a-kind Kotteri broth, authentic Kyoto heritage, consistent quality, and a deeply loyal following.

Kyoto is home to several distinctive ramen styles. Among them, Tenkaippin's Signature Kotteri Ramen has become one of the city's most iconic culinary traditions, attracting locals and visitors alike.

Tenkaippin Los Angeles was created to share authentic Kyoto-style ramen, its famous cooking philosophy, craftsmanship, and true Japanese hospitality with guests throughout Southern California.

Little Tokyo is one of the most vibrant Japanese cultural and historic districts in the United States. This makes it the perfect destination for presenting authentic Japanese cuisine and landmarks.

Our ultimate goal is to serve an unforgettable dining experience built around exceptional quality, genuine Japanese hospitality, and recipe consistency.

02The Secrets of Our Kotteri Broth

Signature Kotteri Ramen is the heart and soul of our brand. "Kotteri" describes a rich, deeply savory broth with a thick, naturally creamy texture packed with flavor.

No. Although many guests mistake our broth for tonkotsu because of its incredible richness, our signature Kotteri broth is primarily chicken-based and does not use any pork bones.

Our broth develops its signature richness through a proprietary cooking method developed in Kyoto. The thick texture comes from cooking the chicken down naturally, not from pork bones or added cream.

No, the creamy texture does not come from dairy or cream. However, because ingredients may occasionally change, guests with severe dairy allergies should always confirm with our staff before ordering.

Yes, our Signature Kotteri broth is primarily chicken-based and serves as the absolute foundation of our ramen.

Absolutely! Many of our guests enjoy finishing every single drop of our famous broth, but how much you drink is entirely up to your personal preference.

03Ramen Options & Customization

WWe highly recommend our Signature Kotteri Ramen. It offers the perfect introduction to Tenkaippin, striking an ideal balance of richness, deep umami, and creamy texture.

Signature: Our classic, time-tested bowl delivering the traditional Kotteri experience.

Silky: Offers the exact same signature flavor profile but with a smoother, lighter finish.

MAX: Our richest and boldest bowl, featuring an ultra-rich, deeply savory broth for the ultimate Kotteri experience.

MAX Kotteri Ramen is our richest and heaviest bowl, featuring our boldest flavor and thickest broth for an intensely satisfying experience.

Silky Kotteri Ramen is an excellent choice. It preserves the core Tenkaippin flavor while offering a much lighter, smoother finish for a more balanced bowl.

Yes, our spicy ramen options add a satisfying layer of heat while perfectly preserving the complex character of our signature broth.

Absolutely! You can add extra toppings, noodles, or broth to customize your ramen bowl to your liking.

Our most frequently ordered additions include extra pork chashu, seasoned egg, green onions, bamboo shoots, seaweed, corn, and extra noodles.

Yes, every single bowl is prepared fresh to order using quality ingredients, fresh noodles, and our signature broth to deliver the best possible dining experience.

Mix the ramen thoroughly first. Taste the hot broth by itself to appreciate the flavor, and then experience how the noodles and toppings complement the signature soup.

04Sides, Appetizers & Drinks

We serve traditional Japanese-style rice bowls, classic appetizers, desserts, and rotating seasonal specials.

Yes, we offer Japanese-style rice bowls (such as our Chashudon) that pair perfectly with our ramen and starters.

Yes, you can enjoy Japanese favorites such as gyoza, karaage, and other small plates that beautifully complement your main meal.

Yes, we offer Japanese-inspired desserts to complete your dining experience on a sweet note.

Our full bar features a premium curated selection of Japanese-inspired drinks, including premium whiskies, sake, beer, and highballs.

A refreshing Japanese highball is our signature recommendation. It is specifically chosen to cut through and complement the richness of the broth. Our top sellers include the Toki, Hibiki Harmony, and Yamazaki highballs.

Yes, we offer a wide variety of Japanese sake for different tastes, alongside popular Japanese beers and non-alcoholic options.

05Dietary Restrictions & Allergens

Yes. While our signature broth is made without any pork bones, our standard Kotteri ramen comes with a pork chashu topping, and items like Chashudon contain pork.

Yes! While our ramen comes with pork chashu as a standard, we gladly offer a chicken substitute upon request. Please let our staff know your preference when ordering.

Yes, we offer vegan ramen options. Please ask our staff about current ingredients and availability.

No, all of our ramen noodles and broths contain gluten. However, a few of our non-ramen menu items are gluten-free. Please ask our team for the available gluten-free options.

No. Although some individual ingredients may not naturally contain gluten, cross-contact can occur during kitchen food preparation, so we cannot guarantee a 100% allergen-free environment.

Some menu items may contain wheat, soy, eggs, milk, sesame, shellfish, or pork.

We always do our best to accommodate our guests. Because our kitchen actively handles common allergens, please always inform our staff about your allergies or dietary restrictions before ordering so we can take proper precautions.

Some menu items may contain naturally occurring or added flavor enhancers. If you have specific dietary concerns regarding MSG, please ask our staff for current ingredient details.

Kotteri Ramen is crafted specifically to deliver a rich, comforting, and deeply satisfying dining experience. Guests with specific dietary or health concerns are encouraged to review our ingredients or speak with our staff.

06Location, Hours & Reservations

We are located right in the heart of Little Tokyo:

Address: 333 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Our business hours vary by the day of the week or by season. Please check our official website or our Google Business Profile for the most up-to-date hours.

Yes, reservations can be easily made by contacting the restaurant directly.

Yes, multiple public parking options and lots are available within walking distance of our Little Tokyo location.

Holiday hours may vary. We highly recommend checking our official website or Google listing before planning your visit on a holiday.

Absolutely! Families and children are always welcome, and we offer menu items that are thoroughly enjoyed by guests of all ages.

Yes, our warm and welcoming atmosphere is perfect for casual dates, group dinners, and celebrations. Depending on availability, we can accommodate private dining and custom events as well. Please contact us directly to inquire.

Absolutely! We proudly welcome guests from all around the world, and many visitors make Tenkaippin a staple stop on their Little Tokyo itinerary while exploring Los Angeles.

Yes! Our diverse menu includes plenty of appetizers, savory rice dishes, sweet desserts, and a full drink menu to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy.

07Takeout & Delivery

Yes, most of our menu items are fully available for takeout so you can enjoy the taste of Tenkaippin wherever you are.

Yes, delivery is available through our participating third-party delivery partners, though availability may vary based on your location.

Yes, online ordering is fast and easy through our official ordering platform as well as participating delivery services.

We are currently partnered with the delivery apps DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Fantuan.

Please contact the restaurant directly for the latest availability regarding gift cards. Our custom seasonal merchandise availability varies by location and time of year.

08Media & Collaborations

For all media, press, or interview inquiries, please contact us via the contact form on our official website.

Yes, we are absolutely open to collaborations! We are actively looking for partners and creators to help us share and expand the love for KOTTERI ramen. Please reach out to us with your ideas.

You can follow our official Instagram page at @tenkaippin_usa or visit our main website at tenkaippin.com for the latest updates, seasonal events, and special offers.