Koreatown’s New Instant Ramen Bar Is the Quirky Budget Spot We Need | Eater LA
"I visited a cook-your-own ramyun restaurant in Koreatown that opened on January 2, 2024 on the first floor of an office building along a busy stretch of Wilshire. The tight space features a wall of instant Korean ramyun—like higher-end Shin Black and super-spicy Buldak—and a menu of fresh smoothies and juices to help tame the heat. Ordering is self-serve: pick a ramyun package from the wall, take it to the counter to get a bowl and choose toppings, and specialized machines from Korea largely automate the cooking; a free toppings bar includes chopped scallions, cilantro, jalapeño, lime, and sliced onions. Ramyun is priced between $5.99 and $6.99 with optional add-ons of egg, corn, and white rice costing $1 to $3.50, and the Shin Black (with an added egg and scallions, of course) is a great place to start—its first bite of steaming broth and chewy noodles delivers a nostalgic hit. Owner Liliane Lee, who runs the shop with partner Ho Jae and has lived in Koreatown for more than 20 years, opened Slurp & Sip to offer an affordable, convenient self-serve option amid rising neighborhood prices, and they are already planning a second location; it’s open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m." - Rebecca Roland
