The ramen noodles at Ramen Champ, waiting to be cooked and steaming in the hot water. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
The chefs make a plate of kariage chicken at the new Ramen Champ. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
A bowl of Ramen Champ’s tonkotsu ramen, with a custardy egg. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
A half-bowl of the vegetable ramen at Ramen Champ. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
Shiny new vats and pots at Ramen Champ, in which the ramen broths and various sauces are made. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
An order of the kariage, or fried chicken, at the new Ramen Champ. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
Ramen Champ chef-owner at his new Chinatown restaurant. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
The interior of the new Ramen Champ ramen-ya in Chinatown’s Far East Plaza. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
The vats for the ramen broth at Ramen Champ in Chinatown. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
Ramen Champ celebrates the art scene in Chinatown with black-and-white murals by New York artist Mike Houston, whose ramen art has appeared in David Chang’s Lucky Peach magazine. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
The noodle bar at Ramen Champ in Chinatown’s Far East Plaza. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
Alvin Cailan at the ramen counter at his new restaurant, Ramen Champ, in Chinatown. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
Ramen Champ celebrates the art scene in Chinatown with black-and-white murals by New York artist Mike Houston, whose ramen art has appeared in David Chang’s Lucky Peach magazine. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
Condiments at Ramen Champ include sherry vinegar, garlic oil and Sriracha oil. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
Ramen Champ celebrates the art scene in Chinatown with black-and-white murals by New York artist Mike Houston, whose ramen art has appeared in David Chang’s Lucky Peach magazine. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
The interior of Ramen Champ, Alvin Cailan’s new Chinatown ramen shop. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
Ramen Champ celebrates the art scene in Chinatown with black-and-white murals by New York artist Mike Houston, whose ramen art has appeared in David Chang’s Lucky Peach magazine. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
