World Famous Ippudo Ramen Opening in Santa Monica

One of New York City’s best ramen shops, Ippudo, is expanding westward to Santa Monica in the former Taberna Arros y Vi. The news was first picked up by Toddrickallen after the blogger discovered a California Coastal Commission notice on the window. Eater reached out to Panda Express Restaurant Group, which has partnered with Ippudo’s American expansion plans and they confirmed that this will be a full service ramen shop. In addition to ramen and other signature small bites like an excellent Momofuku-style pork belly bun, Ippudo plans to serve full liquor at this Third Street Promenade-adjacent space.

In terms of opening, Ippudo Santa Monica will likely open some time next year, though the company has a shop in Berkeley that should debut before the end of the year. With news that Pingtung will become a new ramen shop, plus the duo of Ramen Room and Oh Man! Ramen opening in the Valley, it looks like the Japanese noodle trend is making inroads into parts of the Los Angeles area that weren’t traditional landing zones, such as Sawtelle, South Bay, and Little Tokyo.

• Ippudo Restaurant Bringing Famous Ramen To Santa Monica? [Toddrickallen]
• Ippudo and Panda Express Hatch World Domination Plan [ENY]
• All Ippudo Coverage [ENY]
• LA’s 16 Essential Ramen Shops [ELA]