America’s oldest ramen restaurant celebrates 50th anniversary in LA

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A Little Tokyo ramen restaurant is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a block party.

Kouraku, the oldest ramen restaurant still operating in the U.S., hosted the Kouraku Matsuri 50th Anniversary Fest Sunday featuring complimentary dishes, carnival games, and a hidden bar.

The Koshin Taiko drumming ensemble and a dragon dancer performed during the festival. On the side, chefs also taught visitors how to fold gyozas.

The restaurant offered a series of complimentary tastings of mini portions. Guests picked up colored wristbands at an information booth for priority access to the food, according to the restaurant. Wristbands and tastings were limited to available supplies.

Chef Juan, who’s been working at Kouraku since 1991, prepared food that was served during the 50th anniversary celebrations.

Mini shoyu ramen was served first, with wristband pickup from 11 to 11:30 a.m. and service starting at 11:30 a.m.

A mini chahan, or fried rice, with three gyoza followed, with wristbands handed out from 11:30 a.m. to noon and food served starting at 12:15 p.m. Mini tonkotsu ramen closed out the schedule, with wristbands available from 1 to 2 p.m. and service beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Organizers also offered carnival games, original Kouraku merchandise and activities for all ages, along with a timed gyoza-folding challenge.

Inside the restaurant, a “Secret Kouraku Bar” served drinks to guests 21 and older. Entry required drink tickets purchased at the information booth and a valid ID.

“We are very happy to celebrate 50 years of Kouraku with everyone,” owner Mamoru Tokuda told MyNewsLA.com ahead of the event.

Tokuda took ownership of the restaurant in 2023. According to organizers, he had previously served as a consultant to the former owners and their family during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City of Los Angeles installed a monumental marker at Kouraku on January 30, 2025, recognising the establishment as America’s oldest operating ramen restaurant.

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