FOOD: Ramen Tatsunoya comes to Silver Lake

From the Hakata district of the port city of Fukuoka on the nothern side of the island of Kyushu in Japan comes a particular style of ramen called tonkotsu ramen. It is made from boiling pork bones for hours on end to make a rich umami-laden broth, and adding thin noodles traditionally firm in the center. Tatsunoya Ramen comes from Fukuoka, with its first US outpost being a spot in Old Pasadena which is always mobbed. Just recently, they have added a Silver Lake location, and the secret is not quite out yet, as you can still get in without waiting. I can attest that the broth is rich, the noodles are al dente, and with some slices of pork belly, a bit of green onion, and kombu added, it is a richly satisfying and flavorful bowl. Close your eyes and you could be in Fukuoka. Open your eyes, and you're enjoying this delicious ramen on a lovely sunny terrace looking across Sunset Blvd to the murals of Micheltorena Elementary.