In celebration of JAPAN HOUSE’s current exhibition, “The Art of the Ramen Bowl,” JAPAN HOUSE created Ramen Discoveries, a delicious popup series showcasing the diverse flavors of Japanese ramen. Now through July, guests will be able to pair their visit to the exhibition with a trip to their fifth-floor restaurant space to experience world-class ramen.
JAPAN HOUSE occupies two floors in the popular Ovation Hollywood entertainment complex and brings various aspects of Japan to American and international audiences. On the second floor are an exhibition gallery and a sub-gallery suitable for intimate gallery talks and smaller exhibitions. The fifth floor features a library and a multi-purpose event venue.
For approximately 14 weeks, seven different ramen concepts will represent a variety of regional ramen types (including Tokyo, Kumamoto, Fukushima, and Yokohama) and other ramen styles popular throughout Japan. To further bring the exhibition to life, they serve their ramen in authentic Mino ceramic donburi bowls, similar to those showcased in the gallery from a region famed for its ceramics production for over 500 years.
I attended their opening day, where they featured Miso Ramen ($15) from Tsujita Misonosyo from Tokyo. I selected the “set” ($23), which adds extra pork belly chashu, egg, and ice green tea. The noodles are thick and chewy, and the miso broth is slightly sweet, rich, and more complex than the broths I’ve experienced in LA. They also include slivered onions and green onions. I also discovered bits of ground pork at the bottom of the bowl.
This unique popup is a terrific opportunity to experience different styles of ramen without visiting Japan. For more information, please visit japanhousela.com/restaurant/ramen-discoveries
The Lineup
May 6-8, 13-15 | Tsujita Misonosyo
Miso Ramen (a sweet and savory Tokyo-style miso ramen)
May 20-22, 27-29 | Keika
Keika Ta-Ro Ra-men (a rich, pork Kumamoto-style ramen)
June 3-5, 10-12 | Bannai Shokudo
Kitakata Ramen (ramen with wide curly noodles and tender pork chashu)
June 17-19, 24-26 | Mengyo
Snapper Ramen (a new genre of ramen; the soup uses the essence of snappers fished in Uwajima, and the noodle is made of 100% Hokkaido wheat grounded by a millstone)
July 1-3, 8-10 | Butayama
Wild Pork Mountain Ramen (a new genre of Jiro-inspired ramen with a strong broth and rich soy sauce)
July 15-17 | Aburado
No Soup Umami Fresh Oil Ramen (a new genre of ramen; Tokyo abura soba, a soupless, dry noodle dish with egg yolk, pork, and green onion on top)
July 22-24, 29-31 | Machida Shoten
E.A.K. Ramen (Yokohama Ie-kei Ramen with thick noodles, pork, and soy sauce)
Pro Tip:
- Enter the parking garage on Johnny Grant Way off of Highland Ave.
- Take the escalator up to P2, and walk south towards Hollywood Blvd.
- Take the elevator just south of Forever 21 to the fifth floor.
Ramen Discoveries at the JAPAN HOUSE (located in Ovation Hollywood), 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood CA