Discover “Kota Ramen” in Hollywood, Ca

First of all, I want to personally tell my story of how I started to become part of the Kota Ramen family. Back in 2019, April, I was working here and there (4 jobs) and for the goal of wanting more experience in food industry for the aim to become a manager. I am a Business Major Graduate who came from mid-west and trying to find a job where I can start from scratch and work my way up to be a Manager. To make the story short, I was managing a other restaurant and working as a server to other 3 restaurants as part-time to also learn more about customer service and to help out my amazing bosses especially during Pandemic. I wanted to find a work that near my other jobs and near where I live to save trips, money, time, and energy. And also I can use my hours to earn money so I can afford living in L.A. with one child. I came across to the job posting of Kota Ramen online and so I gave it a shot thinking I have enough experience as a server. And so I applied April 2019 and got hired on my Birthday June! (I always get hired on my Birthday!) I was so happy. After long anticipated opening with this restaurant, I met and the other employees, managers, and the owner named Kevin Fung.

On the first day of meeting the other workers at Kota Ramen, we get to introduced ourselves to each other. A short ice breaker that at least we get to know each other’s personality and see how we were selected to be part of the team. Just very interesting to me! Lastly, the owner of Kota Ramen has been introduced to us and Mr. Kevin Fung did a short introduction about himself of how he started his ramen businesses. He told us about him started from being a busser, server, and even learned the kitchen before he became a business owner which I got inspired of. I took business Major in college for a reason that I wanted to have my own business in the future but I didn’t know that life would take me to the food industry were I didn’t really expect. I founded G.I.Y.N. Back in 2015 that focuses on retailing fashion accessories and merchandise that I personality make, and doing retailing other products using online platforms. Though it ended up unsuccessful for so many personal reasons, I put everything on paused and started looking for jobs that pays me even a little to start saving up again to revive my own independent company in the future.

I got into working to food industry and have to learn about customer service from the very bottom. It was hard to find a Manager position jobs when I clearly know I do not have experience in food industry. Though I have years of experience in food industry from my other jobs before as supervisor, I guess it was quite different being in California. I got to admit, every job i have has different policies and procedures that I know I have to do some adjustment of how they do things at kota Ramen. It’s been so interesting for me of how I thought I was doing things right but then being corrected of how to do things right. People who know me know how much I want to have my own business in the future and so, I have decided I have to work hard to achieve my own goal and this job working along with my Kevin Fung, I told myself, I want to learn more. So I started as a server at Kota Ramen as part time after my other job in the morning, I would take a walk to come to Kota Ramen to work. It was hard for me to be honest working with customers and seeing how other servers make it seems very easy. I had to learn how they do customer service by following their procedures, policies, and protocols. It was interesting and I did make a lot of mistakes and got corrected every time. I wasn’t that good enough for my job, but I really wanted to learn.

Kota Ramen opened around 2nd week of December back in 2019 and it was busy but fun to work with cool people. Unfortunately, some quit, but I guess that’s how it is. If one does not like the job, one quits. I stayed though for few hours of work a week trying to maintain my schedule and work routine everyday in a week. I believe that the food at Kota Ramen is good because I am a ramen lover myself. Unfortunately, end of February, most restaurants closed down due to the Pandemic including Kota Ramen. It was rough time for everybody and everyone has to go separate ways. Kota Ramen opens on and off during Pandemic for “Take Out Only,” but it was a rough ride because we never really get to introduced Kota Ramen much that people are skeptical when it comes to ordering food online and get delivered to their houses. Regardless, Kota Ramen is holding on for the strong believe that we can serve the best food and experience to the people in Los Angeles.

I’ve been wanting to write a blog about Kota Ramen and have to ask a permission to share its history and what Kota Ramen has to offer and why it worth to check it out not just for ramen lovers but for foodie people who likes to enjoy food and knowing what’s good about it. So let me give you a brief summary about Kota Ramen and why it is different from the others.

Specialties

Serving handmade, all-natural noodles, organic meats, and preparing all menu items with non-GMO, MSG-free ingredients. Our authentic Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen is composed of traditional, hand-prepared Tonkotsu broth. The flavor is extracted from Kurobuta Pork and bones. This unique process creates a milky white broth as the marrow and collagen are pulled from the bone. accompanied perfectly by our full bar serving Japanese whiskey, handcrafted cocktails, beers, and sake.

History

Kota Ramen is Established in 2019. At Kota Ramen, they use their authentic, traditional cooking techniques to bring genuine, organic, healthy and natural products straight to the heart of Los Angeles. Kota Ramen was inspired by Kevin Fung, an entrepreneur, and chef by profession but an environmentalist at heart. Kevin Fung is the mastermind behind the widely-popular and successful Montreal restaurants: Ichigo Ichie Izakaya, Yokato Yokabai, and Imadake Izakaya. Kota Ramen is eco-friendly and serves organic, sustainable food. We use non-GMO, MSG-free, organic produce, which we prepare ourselves to craft wholesome, delicious Ramen noodle dishes. Our authentic Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen consists of traditional, hand-prepared Tonkotsu broth from a recipe passed down through the ages. This broth is simmered until all of the divine flavorings have been extracted from the meat and bones of pork, a process that takes our experienced chefs roughly 12 hours of dedicated focus.

Let me not forget about the appetizers! Let me share the TOP 3 best Appetizers at Kota. The best Top 3 Appetizers that must try are Karaage, Ebi Mayo, and the Vegetable Tempura. And let me explain further why.

Kota Ramen offers more appetizers like Edamame Pepperoncino, Shishito Pepperoncino, Fried Gobo (which is good for your immune system), Kinoko Grilled Oyster Mushrooms, Yuzu Miso Agedashi Tofu, Goat Cheese, and Shrimp Tempura. Salads like Kale Gomae Sarada and Daikon Sarada are available. If you life fish sashimi, White Fish Carpaccio and Yuzu Tsuna Tataki are very good to pair with hot sake!

Let’s not forget about the Kota Ramen Special Cocktails! Simple. Unique . Traditionally Inspired Japanese Cocktails.

1. SUPPAI TAHM – Coated Sugar Rim Glass with Vodka, Amareto Disaromo, Yuzu, and Simple Syrup.2. MEZCAL MULE – Union Uno Mezcal, Muddled Serrano Chili Pepper, House Brown Sugar Simple Syrup, Lime Juice; Topped with Fever Tree Ginger Beer.

2. MEZCAL MULE – Union Uno Mezcal, Muddled Serrano Chili Pepper, House Brown Sugar Simple Syrup, Lime Juice; Topped with Fever Tree Ginger Beer.

3. KOTA’S TONIC – Muddled Cucumber, Tanqueray Rangpur, Grapefruit Bitters, Kobusu, and a Splash of Mineral Water.

4. KOTA LYCHEE MOJITO – Fresh Muddled Mint, Malibu Coconut Rum, Lime, Lychee Sake, Creme De Sake, Topped with Mineral Water; Garnished with Mint & Lychee Fruit.

5. MAJIN BU – Ciroc Red Berry Vodka, Malibu Coconut Rum, Lime, Splash of Grenadine; Topped with Mango Juice.

6. KUROSAWA OLD FASHION – Bulleit Bourbon, Hojicha, Angostura Bitters; Topped with Kurosawa Kimoto Sake and Garnished with Orange & Bourbon Smoked Cherries.

7. MR.MIYAGI – Johnnie Walker Black Label, Sweet Housemade Ginger, Lime; Topped with Fever-Tree Ginger Beer.

8. NIWATOKO – Ketel One Botanipal Cucumber & Mint Vodka, St.Germain, Yuzu, Apple Juice; Garnished with Lavender Sprigs.

9. TOKYO SOUR – Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Grey Goose Cherry, Hojicha, & Lemon. Topped with our best Merlot & Garnished with three bourbon Soaked Cherries.

10. LYCHEE SUNSET – Nolet’s Gin, St-Germain, Black Raspberry Liquor, Ginger Beer topped with Champagne; Served with Fresh Lychee.

11. HELLO KITTY – Kota Special Guava mixed topped with Cherry Vodka garnish with Lychee and Mint.

Japanese Beers on Draft are available such as Sapporo, Orion, Asahi, and Kirin. Japanese beer bottles are also available and a lot of selection on their menu. If you are a sake lover, there are so many good selection from house sake, filtered sake, unfiltered sake, sparking sake, and flavored sake. Don’t forget to ask your server of bartender for any recommendation which goes with whatever food you ordered! Wines, Spirit Liquors, and Japanese liquors are also available!

That all being said, Kota Ramen has HAPPY HOURS from Tue, Wed, Thu from 5:30pm- 7:00pm. For More information about Kota Ramen business hours, click https://kotaramen.com Don’t forget to check Kota Ramen on Instagram, Facebook, and Yelp. Can also order online for take outs using Ubereats, Doordash, Grubhub, Postmates, or even call the restuarants for pick-ups!

And just to update you guys, I went back to Kota Ramen as a Manager and more way better than the first time I worked here. So hopefully you come visit soon to experience the food, service, and our place! I am looking forward to welcome new faces and give you the best experience at Kota Ramen. Big thanks for all the lovely photos taken by
@by.gooddesign 📸 <———- Find him on Instagram, for more amazing photos!
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I personally strongly believe that our Ramen is the Best and so even during this roller coaster ride, we are hanging there and keeping it strong and waiting for more people to discover this place. It’s a must visit if you are in Hollywood. Sometimes we have special people coming and you never know who you meet at Kota Ramen while you are enjoying every slurp our ramen. We want to offer Excellent food, service, and experience. So if you are in the area, come by and check us out! I can’t wait to introduce what’s best at Kota Ramen where friendship through food can be built.

Thanks for taking the time to read my Blog about my venture with Kota Ramen and feel free to share and spread the word about us.