Atch-Kotch Japanese Restaurant

Since seeing the movie Ramen Girl (Brittany Murphy gem!) last Fall I have been dying to try an authentic Ramen dish in Hollywood. I know there are many good ramen places further south LA but let's face it, I am a Hollywood girl and hate to go any farther then 5 miles! I had first read about Atch-Kotch in a Japanese magazine and it got great reviews but when I looked on other review sites, it was a mixed bag so I hesitated. Big mistake! Last week I finally got my bowl of Ramen (soy sauce broth, boiled vegetables, kitsune, seaweed)! OMG it was better then I could have imagined! The broth was hot and balanced with a perfect soy blend. The vegetables were firm and plentiful. The kitsune (fried tofu) was slightly sweet and crispy. It cost about $10 which for the amount of food was well worth it. You may get ramen cheaper in other areas but then you would be out of Hollywood and out of luck! Pros: authentic ramen, good takeout Cons: small interior, crowded parking lot more

I love Atch Kotch. The service is always wonderful, as it is run by a husband and wife duo who are always very welcoming and friendly. The food always comes quickly and though I've eaten there dozens of times, it has never been anything less than extremely delicious. The ambience is not spectacular, particularly if there are large parties. It is small and the seating is a bit tight, so when it's crowded you can really hear what neighboring tables are saying. That being said, the food is excellent and reasonably priced. Try the Spicy Garlic Tofu bento box - you won't be disappointed! Pros: great food, quick/good service Cons: very close seating, hard to park at times more

The important thing to remember here is that this is NOT a sushi place. They have some sushi, but it's not what they do well, and you'll be dissapointed. It's casual here, there's certainly no romantic lighting, but the food's terrific! Stick with the noodles (fantastic), or the bento daily specials (even more fantastic), and you'll be happy. The place is run by a couple who are very friendly, helpful if you've not had ramen before, and genuinely delighted to see a new customer come through the door. Every time I eat here, I have a great meal, I'm made to feel welcome by the staff, and I always come back. I'm certain that if you did bring your kids here, the owners would be happy to see them and would make sure that they recommended something that kids like. One of the great undiscovered spots in Hollywood. Pros: food, staff Cons: parking more