Ramen is booming in the San Fernando Valley, and Jessica Xing adds a unique spin on the genre at Gokoku Vegetarian Ramen Shop, which opened on Studio City’s eastern edge in September 2016. She also owns nearby 77 Asian Kitchen in North Hollywood and now serves vivid vegan ramen bowls with bold flavors in a colorful setting.

The corner space with a blue façade previously housed Hans BBQ Teriyaki. Inside you’ll find blue tables, wood walls, an L-shaped wood bar and a blackboard menu.

Jessica got repeated requests for vegetarian ramen and pho at 77 Asian Kitchen, and Gokoku is her strong response. The menu is entirely vegan, except for the possible addition of a soft-boiled egg. She said the business name refers to a wide variety of seeds that can be found in the forest.

Mayu Garlic Jalapeno is Gokoku’s top seller. This bowl rates three chile peppers out of three on the menu and comes topped with black beans, fibrous jicama, wood ear mushrooms, baby bok choy, fried garlic and roasted jalapenos (seeds and all). Other ramen options include mushroom, pineapple, tomato and curry.

Build your own ramen for $12.99. Choose from classic, spicy miso, tomato and kabocha soup base, either classic, whole wheat or gluten-free noodles, and a choice of three toppings including bok choy, broccoli, kale, black bean, shiitake mushrooms, jicama, carrot, pineapple or fried onion.

If ramen isn’t your speed, Gokoku also serves rice plates like bibimbap, a vegetable medley with kabocha squash gravy and more vegetables slathered with spicy yellow curry. Bento boxes come with steamed white rice, stir-fried vegetables and a choice of spicy miso eggplant, sautéed mushrooms or “pokemon” tofu. Gokoku also serves “small cold dishes” like cucumber & seaweed, hard tofu & black bean, radish & carrot and onions & wood ear mushrooms.

4147 Lankershim Blvd., Studio City, 818-505-8113