Ramen Burger sets up permanent shop in Koreatown, to open Aug. 1

Any die-hard L.A. gourmand still on the quest for the elusive ramen burger can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Keizo Shimamoto’s Japanese hybrid burger is headed to L.A., but this time, it’s sticking around.

Shimamoto will start selling his ramen burgers in Koreatown Aug. 1. As if you weren’t already wondering what the burgers would taste like post-drunken karaoke session.

The ramen burgers will be served out of a walk-up window formerly called Stall 239, adjacent to the Koreatown bar Lock & Key, reported EaterLA. The window will now simply be called Ramen Burger, and you can either sidle up to the window, or order the burgers in the bar.

“We are opening a brick and mortar in L.A. and chose none other than Koreatown because of its history and reputation of being the food mecca of L.A.,� Jeffrey Shimamoto, Keizo’s brother, who also serves as his unofficial press manager, told The Times in an email. “Roy Choi and Kogi got started here, so why not the Original Ramen Burger?�

If you need a refresher, the original Ramen Burger comes with a ground beef patty topped with scallions, baby arugula and secret shoyu sauce sandwiched between a bun made of ramen noodles. More than 1,000 people stood in line to get a taste last year when the burger made its West Coast debut.

The original will be sold for $8 at the Ramen Burger in Koreatown, or you can try a veggie ramen burger made with a veggie patty and the handmade ramen buns for $9. If you’re into spice, Shimamoto is also serving a spicy Ramen Burger for $9.

And if you want to be in the know, the kitchen will not cut your Ramen Burger for you, so don’t even ask.

But if you’re in the mood for a few extra toppings, you can opt to add white American cheese ($1), crispy bacon ($2) or a fried egg ($2) to any of the burgers. And of course there will be plenty of fries. The Shaka Shaka fries ($3, or $2 with purchase of burger) come seasoned with red miso, aonori seaweed and sea salt, shaken in a bag.

Shimamoto will also be selling Ramen Burger merchandise with T-shirts, key chains and phone charms.

The location will be open from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Thursday to Saturday. After Sept. 1, it will also be open Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 p.m. to midnight and Thursday to Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Shimamoto says he and his brother are thinking about opening for lunch during the week in the future.

Ramen Burger is planning on hosting a grand opening event Sept. 2., but if you need to get your fix before then, Shimamoto says the original Ramen Burger will be available at the L.A. County Fair from Aug. 29 to Sept. 28 and at USC home games at the Coliseum.

Ramen Burgers will also become a permanent fixture in NYC and Honolulu this year.

239 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, www.ramenburger.com/

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