TATSU - RAMEN WITH A SOUL
Website: www.tatsuramen.com
Address: 2123 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025![DSC01511.JPG]
This gem is on my favorite street for Asian food in LA… SAWTELLE!!! I have been coming to Tatsu for years and I have never been disappointed. I mean come on… its ramen with a soul…everyone one can get with that! I went with my lovely girlfriend, Lina, for a throw back date; we used to frequent this place when we were still in college.
SAWTELLE STREET
THE LOVELY LADY LINA
@JAWILDER (ME)
THE RUN DOWN
The crowd tends to be college age (UCLA is minute away) and while the prices have steadily been going up over the years this meal will not break the bank. There is outside and inside seating and the decor is trendy (but not obnoxiously so... which is good...because places in LA can be like that). The wait can be 45 minutes to an hour during Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights so don't plan on sitting down right away. The cool thing about this place is that it is open to 2 am every night (or something like that) so its good for anything from a first date to a respectable after hours drunken eatery. This place is a little different from most ramen restaurants because it offers different versions or ramen (most places only have one style you can chose from)... so that cool.
HOW IT WORKS
Step One: Order what you want on the the ipad. Pick your style of ramen and any additonal add-ons in this step. Then you pay.
Step Two: You are assigned a number and you wait to be seated.
Step Three: They seat you and give you ADVANCED PURIFIED WATER. I AM NOT KIDDING THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL IT LOLOLOLOLOL**
Water review: It is delicious. Maybe it is advanced purified water.
Step Four: EAT THAT RAMEN, MAAAAAAANNNN!!!
We both got the "Red Ramen" (highly recommended). Other good options are the "Bold Ramen" and "Soul Ramen".
It comes with corn for free. Lina orders like 16 orders of corn ... they only ever bring her one...I tell her to stop but she insists. She is an optimist.
THE FINAL WORD
Obviously I am a repeat customer and a fan of this place. The ramen has always been quality and the the wait is a testament to this restaurant's product. This is by no mean a fancy place but it is in young fun area with a generally happy crowd. And on the off chance that you don't feel like ramen when you arrive the whole street is lined with Asian restaurants...so there is a plan B, C, D, E, F and G. But hey, don't just take my word for it; If you like ramen and are in the LA area give this place a try with a date or with friends. I have a feeling you will be happy that you did.