kai ramen sherman oaks

I hadn’t been to a local ramen place before so we pulled up google maps and seen what was in the area. Immediately after getting there the parking was mid but not surprising giving it was located in a small plaza. The customer service was mid at best.
The hostess smiled and was relatively polite but wasn’t actually interested in her job.
I walked up to the door and decided to take a look at the menu before officially settling on this as our diner location, and the hostess aggressively attempted to rush me to be sat, without offering to answer my questions as I specifically said “oh I need a moment I’ve never been here, I want to look at the menu and be sure I can eat here”. For the record I wasn’t convinced but my dinner partner, insisted! So the food, I ordered the spicy chicken ramen (black Kai ramen or something) and he ordered the regular.
I honestly wasn’t impressed.
The flavor profile was ok, the presentation was nice which was a little deceptive as I assumed it would be delicious since it looked so nice! It was hot (temperature) and the perfect amount of hot (heat) but it just wasn’t that good.
The broth wasn’t rich and flavorful rather more on the bland side. The ambience is quaint, very small space, but homey feel.
I loved that the tables were small but big enough for my dining partner (6’6) but we were definitely sat at a family (4 top) table and not the standard 2 top. Overall I think I’ll try another ramen place to find “my local spot”.
However, the price point was decent.

This was an excellent meal.
Merci the hostess who served me and took my order was very nice and attentive. The food itself, excellent.
The salad that I got was sooo good.
The dressing is some kind of sesame dressing and it was fabulous.
Usually restaurants treat their salads as an afterthought and give you something basic with ranch, but not Kai ramen.
The salad, wow. The ramen was also excellent.
The broth was great and full of flavor and was nice and warm (temperature and heat wise, I got medium).
The dish had a lot of different ingredients which kept it exciting throughout. Excellent experience, will be back again! (Parking lot fills up quick and is small, plan accordingly)

Love this place.
It's a little small but cozy and warm.
I visited here many times and kept coming back.
Lots of local people and loyal customers.
Always busy, wish means food is fresh.