Kodaiko Ramen & Bar

First, I have to say the environment was impressive. Downstairs, underground with a beautiful bar. Looked like an old stone tunnel system turned into a ramen house. Not sure if they have wheelchair accessibility. I did not see an elevator. The only downside was the heat. On August 24, 2025 it was a hot day. They do not seem to have air conditioning. Even though we were underground, the heat made us a bit uncomfortable and when it came to eating our ramen, it made us sweat. The ramen however was delicious. I ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen and we split the Karaage which was also delicious. The karaage had some sort of lime seasoning on it and it went well with the dipping sauce. Our server was fast and kind even though they were busy. We got our food at a decent wait time. I want to come back, but maybe in the fall when it is cooler out.

Cool place, love the yummy Ramen. We also ordered karaage chicken and shrimp toast appetizers.

Food: The food here is very tasty and has a great punch of flavor. The quality is great and cooked as it should be. I got the Tonkatsu and it did not disappoint. The beef meat and flavor was the best I've had. It had a nice crisp and was well seasoned. The brother however, was a big salty to my liking and for the others I was with. Service: The service was great. We were greeted the moment we arrived and asked if we'd like to be seated. We were constantly getting refills and asked if anything else was needed. Atmosphere: Upon entering in, there is artwork along the walls as you make your way downstairs. It is more of a darker area but as you enter the actual restaurant, it is a bit brighter (which I prefer). If was very clean and looked like it got a recent facelift. If was perfect vibes for an authentic ramen restaurant. I'd definitely come back again.

Fun concept. Clam casino was surprisingly good! Chili sambal is super spicy, use in moderation.

The ramen here is fantastic. The tonkutsu and the shoyu are really good, and although the portions are not magnificent- it's decent. The karaage- friend chicken appetizer is really good- goes quite well with the mayo sauce. The shoyu was excellent- the ramen noodles perfect and the egg was really good. Inside, there is plenty of seating. It's overall pretty quiet although it does get a little warm inside and it's goes for more a dark/ambient feel. They would show International soccer (EPL/La Liga) events on the big screen so that's nice if you like sports and want to catch something around lunch time.

The Real Deal is the Kodaiko Raman and Bar which delivers on some flavor and very nice atmosphere. First let’s kick it off with the service which was ok, the server didn’t say much just what is order. This is a sit down server based restaurant with a sit-in bar. The server never filled my water which was empty half through my meal. Overall some improvement needed. Secondly the crown jewel of this place is the atmosphere which boosts a very nice sitting areas throughout the bar and separate dining area. The decor is spot on and this restaurant in a basement that is a fun walk down the stairs with lit up signs heading down. Overall fun atmosphere good music, looks like can be entertaining spot at nights. Now onto the main Event, I came for lunch and I went for the Chicken Katsu with steamed rice and Katsu sauce. The Chicken Katsu was tender and cooked perfectly needs a little more flavor in the breading but overall solid (8.5 out of 10). The rice (8.5 out of 10) was good and the Katsu sauce (5 out of 10) needs some work, less soy sauce more sweet. Overall I will come back to try some more items and I will keep you posted!!

I tried the chicken shoyu ramen and the vegan ramen — both were quite salty, so I ended up adding a lot of hot water to balance the flavor. For an appetizer, I had the chicken karaage, which was delicious. It wasn’t Japanese-style( not authentic) , but rather seasoned in a savory way that I really enjoyed. The Sapporo draft beer was disappointing. It lacked the crisp, refreshing quality you usually expect from draft beer. The staff were extremely kind and respectful to every guest, providing excellent service. The atmosphere was calm and not too loud, which made for a pleasant dining experience. However, the chairs made loud noises every time someone sat down. Adding something to the bottom of the chairs to reduce the noise would really improve the experience.

Blink, and you’ll miss it. Hidden underground on K Street, this little gem is like your cool friend who knows all the secrets. You descend the stairs, and before you even take your first bite, Kodaiko has already whisked you away to Japan. This tiny, cozy spot oozes speakeasy vibes — it feels like you're in on a secret only the cool kids know about. And trust me, you're gonna want to keep it that way. The Katsu Curry Donburi? A flavor explosion on a plate! Sweet with apples, rich, and then—bam!—that heat hits just right. Think BBQ sauce meets curry with a Japanese twist. I could eat this forever. And don’t even get me started on the Pickle Plate—we doubled up because it was just that good. Every bite was a flavor bomb, but those pickled mushrooms? Pure, sweet umami magic. I’m still dreaming about them. Now, let’s talk drinks. I’m a big Nigori fan, but I also went for the cocktail—served in a cute little ceramic kitty, because why not? The mix of rice whiskey, yuzu, and blackberry was perfection: sweet but not syrupy. Like a little piece of Japan in a glass. I could use one right about meow. The staff? Absolutely charming, knowledgeable, and more than willing to guide you through this hidden gem. It’s like having your own personal concierge to Japan. ???????? So, if you want to hit up Japan but are too nervous about your flight mysteriously landing upside down or catching fire midair, just head to Kodaiko—safe travels, no plane needed. How I break down my star reviews: 1 - No. Not if it was the last thing on DoorDash. 2 - Meh. Maybe if I’m desperate, close, and high. 3 - Mid. Not texting the group chat about it. 4 - Hella solid. Planning my next visit. 5 - Shut up and take my money. Om Nom Nom.