Tonkotsu Ramen
Slow-cooked pork-bone broth, simmered for hours until rich, creamy, and full of soul. Three signature bowls, served late nightly across Los Angeles.
What is Tonkotsu Ramen?
Tonkotsu (literally pork bone) is a ramen broth made by simmering pork bones at a hard boil for many hours — sometimes a full day — until the collagen, marrow, and fat fully break down into the liquid. The result is a thick, milky-white broth that is deeply savory, almost creamy on the tongue, and unmistakably rich.
Tonkotsu originated in Kyushu, the southwestern region of Japan, and the most famous regional style is Hakata tonkotsu from Fukuoka. At Tatsu Ramen, our Old Skool bowl is a direct nod to that Hakata tradition. Our Bold and Red bowls take the same slow-cooked tonkotsu base and finish it with house-blended seasonings — a Tatsu twist on a classic.
Done right, tonkotsu cannot be rushed. We start with whole pork bones, simmer them for hours every day, and finish each bowl to order. That depth is what people mean when they search for real tonkotsu ramen near me.
Our Tonkotsu Bowls
Three takes on slow-cooked pork-bone broth. Each bowl is fully customizable — choose your noodle type, spice level, richness, and toppings.
Bold Ramen
Slow-cooked Tonkotsu (pork) broth, finished with a perfect blend of 11 bold ingredients. Thin noodles served with Tatsu Egg, scallions and fried onions.
Old Skool Ramen
A true classic inspired during our trip to Kyushu. Slow-cooked Tonkotsu (pork) broth, finished with smooth Hakata Tonkotsu dashi. Thin noodles topped with kikurage mushrooms, scallions and sesame.
Red Ramen
Slow-cooked Tonkotsu (pork) broth, spiked with our secret umami RED sauce. Thin noodles topped with ground beef, sesame and scallions.
Where to Find Tonkotsu Ramen Near You in LA
Tonkotsu ramen is served at all four Tatsu Ramen locations across Los Angeles. Same recipe, same hours, same soul.
Tatsu Ramen Melrose
7111 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Late Night (Open until 3 AM Fri-Sat
View LocationTatsu Ramen Sawtelle
2123 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Late Night (Open until 1 AM Daily
View LocationTatsu Ramen Pasadena
319 S Arroyo Pkwy #9
Pasadena, CA 91105
Late Night (Open until 2 AM Thu-Sat
View LocationTatsu Ramen Arts District DTLA
427 S Hewitt St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Late Night (Open until 2 AM Fri-Sat
View LocationTonkotsu Ramen FAQ
What is tonkotsu ramen made of?
Tonkotsu broth is made by simmering pork bones for many hours until the collagen breaks down into a thick, creamy, milky-white liquid. At Tatsu Ramen, we slow-cook our tonkotsu base daily with whole pork bones, then finish each bowl with house-blended seasonings, fresh noodles, chashu pork, scallions, and your choice of toppings.
Where can I find the best tonkotsu ramen near me in LA?
Tatsu Ramen serves slow-cooked tonkotsu ramen at four Los Angeles locations: Melrose (Fairfax), Sawtelle (Little Osaka), Pasadena (Old Town), and the Arts District in DTLA. All four locations carry the same three tonkotsu bowls and the same late-night hours. Find your closest spot below.
Is tonkotsu ramen spicy?
Tonkotsu broth itself is not spicy — it is rich and savory. At Tatsu Ramen, our Bold and Old Skool bowls are non-spicy by default but you can add chili oil or extra spice level when ordering. Our Red Ramen takes the same tonkotsu base and spikes it with our umami Red sauce for a deliberately spicy profile.
What is the difference between tonkotsu and shoyu ramen?
Tonkotsu is defined by its broth base — pork bones simmered until milky and rich. Shoyu (soy sauce) ramen is defined by its tare, the seasoning sauce that flavors a clearer chicken or fish-based broth. They are different styles. Tatsu Ramen specializes in tonkotsu plus chicken broth and a vegan broth — we do not currently offer a shoyu-style ramen.
Are you open late for tonkotsu ramen?
Yes. Tatsu Ramen is one of the few late-night ramen options in Los Angeles. Sawtelle is open until 1 AM nightly. Melrose runs until 1 AM Sun-Thu and 3 AM Fri-Sat. Pasadena is open until midnight Sun-Wed and 2 AM Thu-Sat. Arts District DTLA is open until 1 AM Sun-Thu and 2 AM Fri-Sat.