AFURI
Izakaya restaurant · Downtown ·
Signature yuzu shio ramen, karaage, plus beer and cocktails
Signature yuzu shio ramen, karaage, plus beer and cocktails
"If you’re excited about the idea of eating ramen for lunch, but don’t want a bowl of rich tonkotsu broth to lull you to sleep at 2pm, head to Afuri in the Arts District. Everything about a meal here is refreshing, from the windows pouring tons of natural light into the industrial space to the yuzu-infused shio ramen with enough acid to cut through the salty, fatty chicken stock. Said ramen is always our order, here. Its thin noodles spring back against your chopsticks, chashu melts away, and the entire bowl is light enough to leave room for some karaage or gingery gyoza." - brant cox, sylvio martins, cathy park
"A meal at Afuri Ramen feels undeniably refreshing, kind of like wiping your face with a fancy eucalyptus towel. The Arts District spot is a roomy industrial space that looks like a tech start-up cafeteria: lots of stainless steel and big windows that let natural light pour in. Afuri’s signature yuzu-infused shio ramen is wonderfully light and bright, with strong citrus flavors cutting through the salty chicken bone stock. The translucent broth glistens just the right way, the chashu pork is tender, and we love how springy the thin noodles are. Plus, we can slurp down the entire bowl and not feel like we’re carrying a bowling ball in our gut afterward." - brant cox, sylvio martins, garrett snyder, cathy park
"If you’re someone who, in this day and age, still loves a hot bowl of ramen (for the record, we do too), head to Afuri. The specialty at this Tokyo-based chain is their yuzu shio broth—a light, acidic variety that’s unlike anything else in the city. It’s made from a combination of chicken, seafood, vegetables, and seaweed, which provides a bright umami flavor that hits the spot no matter what temperature it is outside. Plus, with a full beer and cocktail menu, Afuri is a great casual group option, especially before a night out." - sylvio martins, brant cox, garrett snyder
"Afuri Ramen arrived in Culver City in 2024, bringing with it bowls of its signature yuzu-spiked ramen, tonkotsu tantan ramen, tsukemen, starters like gyoza threaded with a crispy lace that crackles under the lightest chopstick pressure, and an uncommon — but irresistible — Basque cheesecake for dessert. The restaurant is amply family-friendly, too, with kid-sized bowls, crayons, high chairs, and sippy cups on offer." - Rebecca Roland
"Afuri’s newest location in Culver City offers everything parents of toddlers and young children can hope for. Sippy cups arrive at the table before you even ask, as do crayons and a long stretch of coloring paper (there are puzzles for the big kids). A smaller kid-portioned bowl of its yuzu shoyu ramen is available to order and the young ones will likely go wild for the tori karaage, Afuri’s version of Japanese fried chicken with yuzu kosho egg salad, furikake, and lemon. This location is in fortuitously close proximity to the Culver Steps — children in the group can let off steam before or after dinner by exploring the steps and grassy courtyard next to it." - Nicole Adlman