No, this was NOT on the menu

So, I’m dogsitting for two separate owner’s dogs this week. The dog I just finished watched was an ancient Bull Terrier named Stella, currently featured above with the missing eyes. This retired Spuds MacKenzie is so old, I have to carry her back to the pool so she can pee. Poor thing.

The other dog I’m currently watching, Lucky, hates the male species. So, I have to always speak in a female voice and keep my body turned sideways as to avoid a potential lunge at the groin.

In order to avoid a mauling, I accepted my friend K.C.’s invitation last night to go to our local neighborhood noodle house, Atch-Kotch, for a nice bowl of ramen. I used to go here all the time when I first moved to LA. I love it.

For those of you who haven’t been to a Japanese noodle house, this is not a sushi restaurant. They do have some sushi here, but their focus are the soups and cooked items. Three cheers for cooked items! Also, the ramen is completely different from Cup o Noodles. A thousand times better. And perhaps containing 11,250 less grams of sodium.

This place is very basic, inexpensive, and quiet. I’ve never seen more than two tables filled with people. In fact, if you go and see the place hopping, feel free to email me, as I’ll surely die of shock. The theme here is black. 80’s black. Nagel beauty shop painting black.

I ordered the small bowl of miso ramen soup. ($5 bucks, people. Can’t beat that) Now, the small bowl is not like your small bowl of broccoli cheddar soup at Denny’s. This is a big ass bowl and I’ve NEVER been able to finish the large one. You don’t want to take leftover soup home with you, the next day it’s unrecognizable. We ordered an amazing veggie tempura cake (I don’t think it’s even on the menu) and some gyoza to go with it. Top it off with a great Japanese beer and you’ve got the perfect casual friday night.

Afterwards, my friend’s boyfriend (we’ll call him “S”) needed some sour candy, STAT! So, we swung by a liquor store to quench his odd thirst. Heroin junkies crave candy, right? Hmm…

1253 Vine St Ste 5 / and Fountain
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 467-5537

UPDATE: Here’s Lucky!