noun
ramen enthusiast; ramen nerd
Slang abbreviation of ラーメンオタク. Used for someone deeply into ramen, often knowledgeable about shops, regional styles, and instant varieties.
彼は週末になると遠くのラーメン店まで行く、筋金入りのラオタだ。
He's a hardcore ramen nerd who travels to distant ramen shops every weekend.
ラオタの間では、あの店の限定メニューが話題になっている。
Among ramen enthusiasts, that shop's limited menu is the talk of the town.