Welcome back, my favorite Trojans, also known as the readers of Dining Dollars! We are just starting the fourth week of spring classes, but, unfortunately, this will be the last first issue of my column for a new semester. 

As a senior, I’m currently having my own regrets and revelations as I’m wrapping up my time here at USC. But before I go, I want to ensure the Dining Dollars legacy is solidified with restaurants serving consistent, quality, affordable prices and unique reflections of the diverse Los Angeles landscape. 

Especially with the neighboring Metro stations outside campus and more lines being built for the 2028 Summer Olympics, exploring the city has never been easier. So as a parting gift, I’ll be dedicating this article and a few of my next toward spotlighting some of my L.A. staples that I have grown to love and kept a secret for my four years here — although Tsujita’s renowned tsukemen is hardly a secret. 

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Tsujita Artisan Noodle is a Japanese restaurant with two locations in L.A., specializing in ramen and tsukemen — a dish that involves dipping thick noodles into a saturated, savory broth with a saucy consistency. 

Tsujita was established in 2003 and originated in Tokyo, with several branches spread across the United States; the restaurant has received praise from various publications, including the Los Angeles Times and Eater LA.

The closest Tsujita location to USC is situated in the Arts District, just about a 20-minute Metro ride from campus. The closest Metro station stop on the E line is in Little Tokyo/Arts District, offering various shops and sights to check out before heading toward the restaurant. 

Open from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and from 11:30 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday, Tsujita Artisan Noodle serves hot bowls of ramen, flavorful rice bowls and decadent dipping noodles around the clock, with regular and large sizes available for the tsukemen exclusively. 

For those who swing by before 3 p.m., Tsujita offers a special lunch combo: tsukemen, a mini appetizer and a drink for $16.45 — an unbeatable price for recipes straight from Japan and a 10-hour simmered broth. 

My boyfriend and I typically pop in during the weekdays around lunch time with usually no wait, sometimes having the restaurant all to ourselves. The dining space itself is minimalist and modern, with industrial-style architecture and an exposed service window into the kitchen. 

Despite the less-than-bustling crowd at times, Tsujita Artisan Noodle’s tsukemen not only lived up to media expectations but, dare I say, exceeded the reviews tenfold. 

Our food was plated with two separate bowls, one filled with large udon-like noodles topped with thick cuts of chashu, a runny, soft boiled egg and a piece of seaweed for a full, hearty meal. The second, smaller bowl housed a saturated, saucy broth with chunks of chashu mixed throughout for an elevated savory palette. 

Customers have the choice between warm or cold noodles when ordering. But for me, the tsukemen’s match between the thick cold noodles and the rich broth was a unique blend of comforting yet refreshing flavors and textures unlike any other dish I’ve tried before. 

Between the big heaps of perfectly chewy noodles and soup spoons available to truly customize how much broth you’re eating, Tsujita’s tsukemen is both fun to eat and has quality you can taste in each bite. The broth may be intense at first, but the smooth consistency and high savory saturation is a recipe that I would fly to Japan for, if I had to. 

Tsujita Artisan Noodle also offers spicy and pescatarian versions of the tsukemen dish for those who may want something a little different. Not feeling noodles? The restaurant serves various rice bowls, from a salmon + ikura bowl to a chashu bowl — the spicy tuna is my personal favorite. 

If you’re eating with a friend or partner, my boyfriend and I’s favorite “hack” is to order a large chashu tsukemen and a rice bowl to share. It’s perfect for those with big appetites and usually costs less than $20 each. 

Whether you’re seeking a solo lunch exploration or a dinner date with someone you want to get to know better, dipping and slurping tsukemen at Tsujita Artisan Noodle in the Arts District is a delicious way to break the ice without breaking the bank. 

Jason Pham is a senior writing about affordable eating and restaurants in his column,“Dining Dollars,” which runs every other Monday.