Plant-Based Ramen Restaurant Opens in West Hollywood

From vegoutmag.com

ippudo V brings world-class ramen to LA 

Japanese ramen restaurant group, Ippudo, is set to open a plant-based concept in West Hollywood on May 11. Ippudo V will be the group’s first fully vegan venture on the West Coast. The parent restaurant was founded in 1985 by Shigemi Kawahara in Fukuoka, the birthplace of Tonkotsu ramen, one of the most popular ramen styles from Hakata, Japan. While Ippudo’s brand recognition on the West Coast is still growing, it remains one of the most historic and renowned ramen groups from Japan, with 140 international locations across 15 countries.

                                                                                                       Courtesy of ippudo V

Japanese Ramen Restaurant Group Expands to US

In 2008, Ippudo made a bold move by opening its first overseas location in Manhattan, New York. By successfully demonstrating that authentic Japanese ramen could thrive in the States, Ippudo played a significant role in popularizing Japanese ramen in the US. Since then, Ippudo has extended its reach to the West Coast, opening restaurants in San Francisco and Berkeley, California.

“Our success has always been rooted in authentic flavours and traditional craftsmanship,” said Kawahara. “But we also know our customers’ tastes are always evolving. That’s why we’re committed to keeping our menus fresh to reflect that while staying true to what makes Ippudo, Ippudo.”

ippudo V to Open in West Hollywood

Ippudo’s West Hollywood location, ippudo V, will serve a vegan-only menu to meet the increasing demand for plant-based options. Standout ramens, among others, include Pla-Ton, Ippudo’s plant-based take on Tonkotsu; Daichi no Miso, a savoury miso-based variation; Shojin, a traditional shoyu ramen made with a broth extracted from Hokkaido Rishiri kelp and Kyushu dongko shiitake mushrooms; and Hakuna Matata, which swaps wheat noodles for house-made carrot fettuccine paired with spicy miso and a 48-hour marinated mushroom tsukudani.

ippudo V’s extensive menu features plant-based appetizers, sushi rolls, and dessert options, with a focus on its vegan sushi. The restaurant will incorporate fermentation, smoking, and innovative adaptations of traditional Japanese techniques to elevate the flavours of some of its dishes. Highlights include Matilda with LEON, a marinated beet roll paired with cucumber, vegan mayo, and micro herbs, as well as the Super Mario Bros with mushroom and asparagus tempura, marinated carrots and red cabbage, drizzled with teriyaki sauce.

                                                                                                         Courtesy of ippudo V

West Hollywood's New Japanese Ramen Spot

ippudo V is slightly smaller than the restaurant group’s recently opened (non-vegan) Culver City spot, accommodating 56 guests, with 30 seats inside and 26 on the patio. Located at 8352 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, hours will be Monday through Thursday from 11:30am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:30am to 11pm, and Sunday from 11:30am to 9:30pm.

For more details, visit IppudoUS.com or follow @ippudo_california on Instagram.

https://vegoutmag.com/news/plant-based-ramen-west-hollywood/