Nationally Known Noodle Shop Ippudo Ramen Has Quietly Quit in Santa Monica

Santa Monica soup stop Ippudo Ramen is no more. The 20-month-old restaurant first blazed into LA’s Westside in 2018 following a wave of anticipation from fans who had tried the food at busy locations in New York City, San Francisco, and across the globe, but now Toddrickallen reports that the sleek, modern 2nd Street restaurant is no more.

In Ippudo’s place comes Dan Modern Chinese, the rapidly-expanding San Gabriel Valley export that opened its own first location back in 2018. Since then the company has announced expansion plans further west, including an open address along Sawtelle, and another outlet at Manhattan Village in the South Bay. Signage is now up for Dan to take up residence inside the Ippudo space, just blocks from the ocean. A post on the company’s Instagram page says an opening in September is expected.

The loss of Ippudo Santa Monica does not mean that LA is suddenly short on noodles. Ramen remains a staple across Southern California, with Ippudo’s own second outlet in West Hollywood still in operation doing takeout and delivery. Dan Modern Chinese’s focus on various dumpling varieties should also prove popular during the ongoing pandemic, as people continue to stock up on the stuff by the frozen bag-full, just in case.

• A Running List of LA Restaurants That Have Permanently Closed During the COVID-19 Crisis [ELA]