By ELLEN ENDO
RAFU SHIMPO
Ramen, the noodle dish with dozens if not hundreds of variations, owes its local popularity to Kouraku, a Little Tokyo-based restaurant that opened in 1976.
On Jan. 30, the City of Los Angeles recognized the eatery as the oldest continually operating ramen restaurant in the U.S.
City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado presided over the unveiling of a marker designating Kouraku’s historical significance. It was her first monument dedication since taking office in mid-December.
Referencing her background focusing on preventing the displacement of API renters and small businesses, Jurado stated, “Honoring Kouraku is one of the best things I could be doing.”
“Fifty years is a long time for a small business and a restaurant to survive,” stated Bill Watanabe of the Little Tokyo Historical Society, adding that the first ramen shop in Little Tokyo was Sapporo Ramen, which was located on First Street and is no longer in existence. “(Sapporo) opened up around 1962, but in terms of a continuously operating business, that (distinction) belongs to Kouraku.”
Consul General of Japan Kenko Sone asked those present to consider the challenges that Japanese restaurant owners must have faced in the 1960s, when Japanese food was not as popular in America as it is today.
Sone commended current owner Mamoru Tokuda for continuing the business, upholding the traditions while also bringing something new.
Hiroshi Yamauchi assumed ownership of Kouraku in 1986. His mission: Introduce Americans to the style of home cooking he learned growing up in Tokyo.
He lived out his dream for the next 34 years until his passing in 2020. Today, Tokuda is honoring Yamauchi’s memory by continuing the culinary tradition begun by his predecessor while also adding contemporary features such as a robotic server.
“The identity of this restaurant is very strong, and it will be a great boost for our business in the future,” said Tokuda, who then introduced four Latino members of the restaurant staff who each have worked there for 20 to 30 years.
He expressed appreciation to Yamauchi’s widow Mihoko and daughter Haruka, saying, “Thank you for trusting us to take over the business for the future. I am happy but at the same time I feel a strong (sense of) responsibility.”
Little Tokyo Business Association Senior Vice President Glenn Osaki remarked that Yamauchi was an active member of LTBA and a vocal advocate for his fellow restaurant owners.
Kouraku’s extended hours — open until midnight except Friday and Saturday night, when it’s open until 2 a.m. — coupled with its menu of homestyle meals continue to attract a diverse range of customers from office workers to police officers to celebrities and an occasional athlete. Sone pointed out that visiting Japanese politicians find the hours convenient for late-night snacking and sake.
Despite stiff competition from the nearly 100 food and beverage establishments in Little Tokyo, ranging from boba shops to fine dining, Kouraku is poised to stay open for another 50 years.
Previous：Time for the Matsuri!
First Presbyterian Church Hosts Fall Festival
The 35 best limited series to binge
Between Memory and Forgetting
Goldfish, released into the wild, are somehow surviving in saltwater
Feeding Little Tokyo
Rapper B.o.B. is raising money for satellites to show him if the Earth is actually round
History Unheeded
Best travel deals: Save on luggage, vacation packages, and more
Harris, Duckworth, Hirono to Introduce Resolution Condemning Anti
NYT mini crossword answers for August 17
THROUGH THE FIRE: Musician with a Purpose
Wordle today: The answer and hints for August 17
Best smartwatch deal: Get the Google Pixel Watch 2 for its lowest price yet at Amazon
Earth sends Cassini a whole lot of love after the mission comes to a bittersweet end
Open for Business in Torrance
Chicago Sky vs. Los Angeles Sparks 2024 livestream: Watch live WNBA
Google just dropped a new AI camera update — and you don’t need a new Pixel 9 for it
Wordle today: The answer and hints for August 18
Heroic defeat NAVI to qualify for Group B Final
Phoenix Mercury vs. Indiana Fever 2024 livestream: Watch live WNBA
Air frying french toast sticks, per a viral TikTok, makes no sense. Just use a pan.Stop boiling eggs. Throw them in the air fryer.The bitter, banal, and bizarre YouTube circus of Depp v. HeardMinions makes $125M because Gen Z is obsessed with itHow to use TikTok for business: Tips from the Sani SistersThe 10 best and funniest tweets of the week, including a NOT haunted chair and a recycling binMemes and jokes about the new picture of our galaxy's black hole are predictably great'The Book Of NonTiktok's viral air fryer bagel is a sweet nightmareHomemade air fryer chicken nuggets are a must Chinese battery maker Gotion sets targets to boost overseas shipments in 2027 · TechNode Jet Age Capitalism Redux Subsidiary of New Oriental saw stock price slide nearly 20% after livestream dispute · TechNode Best Apple deal: Save $100 on the Apple Watch Series 10 at Amazon Huawei to launch HarmonyOS on PCs next year · TechNode TSMC chairman Mark Liu to retire in June 2024 · TechNode China raises threshold on tax Best streaming device deal: Get the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD for $20 Get the noise Apple launches Shazam Viral Charts to track those overnight blowout hits
0.2295s , 14162.078125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【laughing sex video】City Recognizes Kouraku’s Role in Popularizing Ramen,Global Perspective Monitoring
