July 9, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Food Review: New Ramen Spot is Much Needed Addition to Montana Avenue Dining Scene

Kai Ramen opens first Westside location

By Kerry Slater

A new ramen spot on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica–the first on the Westside for the restaurant–may not knock your socks off but still offers a solid Tonkotsu broth that is a much-needed addition to the area’s dining scene.

Kai Raman is not new to the Los Angeles dining scene, with eight locations across the county. A few weeks ago, however, the restaurant opened its first Westside storefront on Montana Avenue between Lincoln Boulevard and 7th Street. I popped in for lunch, order a classic Tonkotsu ramen for take-out (the restaurant does not yet have an outdoor setup), paid ($13 plus tax & tip) and walked out less than five minutes later with my food. On the Westside, an area where waiting an hour for ramen is not unheard of, getting served so quickly was a pleasant surprise. Also on the Westside paying $13 for ramen is reasonable, especially on Montana Avenue.

The ramen came in a disposal bento box. Not only does this prevent the noodles from getting soggy, it is also a great bento box that I will reuse for other things. After assembling my ramen in a bowl and taking a photo, I began by taking a sip of the broth followed by a bite of pork and was not disappointed.

It was not the best ramen I have ever had. That award goes to Tsujita on Sawtelle. It was not even the second-best ramen I have ever had. That honor belongs to Ippudo (formally in Santa Monica). But it still checks off all the boxes for a solid bowl of ramen. The broth packed full of umami yet not too salty and slightly sweet. The two slices of pork belly were hearty, thick and crispy (thanks to some flame torch action). The flavored egg traveled surprisingly well while ample mushrooms and greens were provided, adding some great texture to the bowl. The weak link was the noodles, not because they were bad, but just because the take-out process deprived them of any al-dente bite. After I was full, there were still leftovers but I still found myself wanting to eat more, a true sign of a good bowl of ramen.

Overall, Kai Raman is a much-needed addition to the Montana Avenue dining scene. Not only does it serve a solid bowl of ramen, it also offers other Japanese options, a type of cuisine missing in the area amid the array of Italian restaurants, cafes and healthy eateries on the street. This is not a place to go on a romantic date, this is not the place to take a visitor to, but it is definitely a place to stop by for a quick, tasty bowl of ramen that is sure to hit the spot.

Taste 8/10
Value 7/10
Quality 7.5/10

Overall: 7.5/10

in Dining, News
<>Related Posts

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

(Video) Hundreds of Drones Light up the Sky for Palisades to Celebrate July 4th

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Event Marked One of the First Large Gatherings Among Palisadians Since the January Wildfires. The Event Marked One of...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Santa Monica Home Defies Convention: Architect Eric Owen Moss Debuts Shape-Shifting Design

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Pistachio-Colored Marvel Boasts Curving Walls, Sharp Angles, and Challenging Design A striking residence in Santa Monica is turning heads with...