Kouraku Honpo was founded by Mr. Yamauchi, who arrived in the United States in 1976 to study English, spent only ten years in the United States before purchasing Koraku with a friend in 1986 and has been the proud owner ever since. Mr. Yamauchi sees Koraku’s menu as an important factor in distinguishing it from other restaurants in Little Tokyo because it is eclectic and offers a variety of authentic Japanese dishes going beyond just sushi and ramen.
Koraku plays an important role in the Japanese community in Los Angeles and is patronized by Japanese Americans from all over the Los Angeles area. Koraku’s following has grown over the decades to include diners of all backgrounds, but Japanese Americans were the first to embrace the restaurant. Chinese and Korean Americans soon followed many of the Japanese patrons and began to frequent Koraku as well. Mr. Yamauchi takes pride in providing diners with an authentic experience of Japanese culture, from the constantly evolving recipes that his chefs prepare to the interactions that he has with his customers.
Ramen noodles are a distinctly Japanese dish that Mr. Yamauchi’s chefs continuously try to improve through experimentation with new sauces and seasonings. Koraku’s head chef is Japanese and Mr. Yamauchi employs about 24 people, some of whom are also of Japanese ancestry. Celebrities from both the United States and Japan often dine at Koraku, which attests to its growing following and increasingly well-known reputation. One major celebrity, John Travolta, was a frequent diner during the 1980’s, and Mr. Yamauchi recalls his limousine pulling up to the curb outside the restaurant.
Since Koraku is open until 3:00am, it has become a popular spot for late-night dining in the downtown area. In 2005 Los Angeles Downtown News awarded Koraku the title of “Best After Midnight Snack” for their delicious offerings. The fact that Koraku is open so late greatly increases the number of people who choose to dine there and helps further Mr. Yamauchi’s goal of sharing Japanese culture with the community. Another one of Koraku’s noteworthy aspects is its affordable menu and generous portions that allow people to enjoy great Japanese food without breaking the bank.
According to discovernikkei.org. Source of photos: internet
