Mogu Mogu

Mogu Mogu is a noodle spot in West LA that requires a bit of effort on your part. They specialize in mazemen - brothless ramen - though if that wasn’t clear, the very specific instructions on the wall should clue you in. You combine your bowl of thick noodles with a variety of toppings (including a poached egg, chives, and spicy minced pork) “for about 30 seconds,” and add their Umami Vinegar midway through (and not before) to create a rich sauce. It may be a meticulous way to approach a meal, but the result is a complex bowl full of chewy noodles, flavors like briny fish powder and bright chives, and a savory sauce. You’ll probably even break a sweat, but when you’re working your way through something as satisfying as Mogu Mogu’s mazemen, it’s worth the effort.