The Former Downtown Alma Space Earns a Spiffy New Ramen Concept

There’s new life at the former Alma space in Downtown, just across the way from the Ace Hotel. A spiffy new ramen concept, of all things, is entering the address, with the curiously-spelled name DTLAmen Ramen Bar.

The shop is a new option operated by the Benten Ramen team from Tokyo, though they already enjoy a strip mall outpost in San Gabriel. Apparently they’ve been looking to get into the Downtown mix for a minute, and came upon the vacant former Alma location a little while back. Now they’ve spruced up the place — this wasn’t a full gutting, so expect roughly the same layout — and are putting in finishing touches as we speak.

Better news still: there’s an ABC license taped to the window, showing an application for beer and wine sales. As for the full menu, that hasn’t been posted publicly yet, but if the Benten name is any indication expect tonkotsu, tsukemen, and shoyu, among others.

Want in on the action more directly? This Craigslist ad shows availability for all positions starting now, basically, with an opening slated for the end of January. That arrival timeline should put them in a good position to capitalize on the growing South Park market, alongside Secret Chinese Delivery, Barcito, Mega Bodega, and a number of other destinations out that way.

DTLAmen Ramen Bar
952 S. Broadway St.
Los Angeles, CA

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