Post overview: where to find the best ramen in New York City
Ramen has seen a boom in popularity over the last decade, and it’s not hard to see why. Each broth is methodically prepared and simmered, often for hours, to be topped with perfectly tender meats and slurp-worthy noodles.
But in a city with so many options, it’s hard to know which restaurant makes the best ramen in New York City. Whether it’s vegetable or meat based ramen the competition is stiff, so I’m here to point you in the right direction.
As a local I have spent years hitting the pavement in search of the best New York City ramen restaurants, and feel confident these twelve will more than satisfy.
But alas, I know you’re stomach is growling (mine is, just typing this) so let’s get right to it.
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Best Ramen New York City
Mr. Taka
Mr. Taka is the first and best ramen restaurant in New York City I bring out of town guests to. The small but cozy vibe makes enjoying a hot plate of ramen, steam still rising, all the more enjoyable.
With just one bite (or slurp) you’ll understand why Mr. Taka’s ramen was rated one of the 20 best ramen restaurants in Tokyo by the Michelin Guide. When the company moved to New York City in 2015 I enjoyed a bowl, and we’ve had an inseparable love ever since.
They keep the menu simple, and it’s hard to go wrong with any of the ramen options. I’m partial to the Spicy Tonkotsu but my wife loves the Yuzu Shoyu. No matter what you choose rest assured, you’re enjoying some of the best ramen in New York City.
Address: 170 Allen St, New York, NY 10002
Tonchin
Tonchin is a family business, founded in Japan in 1992 by brothers Katsuhiro and Motohiro Sugeno. When Katsuhiro’s son opted to take the business international heaven rejoiced, because ramen this good shouldn’t be gate-kept.
Every dish at Tonchin is prepared fresh daily, but the specialty is the tonkotsu ramen. The broth is made from scratch and the noodles are made in house too, so it’s no surprise this is the best ramen New York City has to offer.
In fact, I’m not the only one who considers Tonchin some of the best ramen in New York City. The Michelin Guide has given them a Bib-Gourmand rating, which is given to good value restaurants.
Address: 13 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018
Ichiran
The best ramen in New York City for those dining alone has to be Ichiran. This is thanks to the restaurant’s focus booth style seating, where you essentially sit in a private booth that encircles the kitchen.
The booth is meant to allow customers to focus on the flavor of their food without the over-stimulation of a bustling restaurant. It’s actually quite cozy, and strangely enough I think it works.
When you arrive you’ll get an order-form, and once you fill it out you press the call button. This is where things get interesting, once the cook takes your order they make your dish following the 15 second rule.
The rule is that once the water boils the cooks have to serve you the ramen within 15 seconds. This way you get the perfect texture before they expand too much. Talk about commitment to making the best ramen in New York City!
Something to note: Ichiran makes some of the best ramen New York City has to offer so there is often a line. Unfortunately the restaurant does not take reservations, so my suggestion is to arrive at opening.
Address: 3 locations in NYC
ROKC
ROKC is an acronym for ramen, oysters, kitchen and cocktails and I’ll be the first to say the restaurant does not disappoint. Every dish here is executed to perfection, but let’s be honest – you’re after the best ramen in New York City.
The Harlem hangout holds its own among the best New York City ramen joints, and so it should come as no surprise that there is often a line out the door (no reservations, unfortunately).
Made with all natural ingredients and offering a rotating seasonal menu, this New York City ramen restaurant has options. Expect to find flavor-filled bowls including my favorite, the Kyoto ramen made with a soy sauce flavored chicken and fish broth that’s chef’s kiss.
Address: 3452 Broadway, New York, NY 10031
Totto Ramen
Just like their sister restaurant Yakitoro Totto, Totto Ramen has an emphasis on chicken. While most other New York City ramen joints focus on pork-based broth, the chicken base at Totto provides a distinct taste.
With a dedication to using fresh and local ingredients, the chefs at Totto Ramen have grown a base of loyal customers who swear it’s the best ramen in New York City.
The signature paitan ramen is loaded with flavor thanks to the bone broth that takes more than five hours to make. However, if you’re looking for a more unique bowl consider the fried chicken ramen, which tastes just as good as it sounds.
Address: 2 locations in NYC
Suram
Suram is a named after the two specialty dishes offered, sushi and ramen. The restaurant doesn’t even have a website, but that just makes it all the more of a hidden gem.
Small but mighty, Suram is packed with flavor thanks to some of the best ramen in New York City. I’ve never had to wait to be seated (but maybe I will once word gets out), and the service is some of the friendliest in NYC.
My go-to is the shoyu ramen, which is made with a soy-sauce based broth – it has the perfect tang. And although you may come here for the best ramen in New York City, you can’t leave without trying the crispy rice.
Address: 21 West End Ave, New York, NY 10023
Ippudo
Ippudo was founded in Japan in 1985 and has grown to nearly 200 restaurants since then, serving more than 70,000 customers a day. Founder Shigemi Kawahara has been dubbed the ramen king, a title which is well deserved.
It’s not hard to see what propelled the success of Ippudo either, it’s some of the best ramen in New York City. The ambience is modern and inviting and the wait-staff is welcoming.
All in all, Ippudo has played a big role in the dish’s worldwide popularity. And with four ramen restaurants in New York City you won’t have to travel far to try a famed bowl of the tonkotsu ramen yourself.
If you want to try Ippudo but none of the locations are near you, consider ordering an Ippudo instant ramen kit on Amazon.
Address: 4 locations in NYC
Kohoku-Ku
If you’re looking for the best ramen in New York City but want something that won’t break the bank, make your way over to Kohoku-Ku in Hell’s Kitchen.
There are appetizers for as little as $5 and the ramen is less than $20 with portions generous enough to share. It’s impressive how such a tiny restaurant is so big on flavor! The pork-broth takes 48 hours to make, so expect to be wowed.
The New York City ramen joint has a way of transporting you to Japan without boarding an airplane. There’s Japanese juice, beer, and candy all begging you to try them.
Plus – the decor is made to resemble the Kōhoku-ku ward in Yokohama, Japan so no need to cash out those skymiles, yet.
Address: 709 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Hide-Chan
This New York City ramen restaurant is a branch of Hide-Chan in Japan and one of my favorite joints in Manhattan.
The claim to fame is the spicy-garlic ramen, which is perfect for clearing out stuffy sinuses (I’ve conducted this expirement, twice). Be sure to have a full glass of water too, because the ramen is salty but in a good way.
The restaurant doesn’t have the mob-sized lines associated with other New York City ramen joints either. That’s why Hide-Chan is one of my go-to restaurants when I’m with friends and looking for a place to eat.
And if you’re particularly hungry consider taking part in the giant ramen challenge, where you get 30 minutes to finish 4 servings of ramen, broth and all. If you finish it in the allotted time it’s free and you get immortalized in the Hide-Chan wall of fame, if you fail it’s $48 (and a full belly, so are you really losing?).
Address: 314 W 53rd Street, New York, NY 1001
Ivan Ramen
Ivan Ramen is a unique New York City ramen joint because it was founded by an American restaurateur. The owner of Ivan Ramen, Ivan Orkin moved to Japan in the 1980’s where he fell in love with the culture and cuisine.
After graduating from culinary school in the United States he opted to move back to Japan for a second time, and his wife encouraged him to open a ramen restaurant. Unbeknownst to him, his restaurant would boom in Japan.
He decided to open Ivan Ramen in the Lower East Side in 2013 and the rest is history. Today Ivan Ramen is one of the most popular ramen restaurants in New York City and a line out the door is to be expected.
Ivan Orkin’s ramen is so good it garnered him a spot on on Netflix’s show Chef’s Table. The episode reiterated something we already knew though, this is the best ramen in New York City.
Address: 25 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002
E.A.K. Ramen
E.A.K. Ramen serves a unique and specialty dish known as lekei ramen, made from bone marrow and soy sauce. The thick bone marrow broth has a way of knocking you out, because after a bowl you’ll be full and ripe for a nap!
There are also vegetarian an vegan options available, making the best ramen in New York City to everyone regardless of dietary restrictions.
E.A.K. Ramen’s restaurants also have a warm feeling to them, which makes it easy to linger. Whenever I visit I find myself having great conversation regardless of who I’m with, and all the credit goes to the welcoming vibe and the best ramen in New York City.
Address: 3 locations in NYC
Momofuku Noodle Bar
A true powerhouse in the culinary world Momofuku has variety of different restaurants under its umbrella. If you’re looking for the best ramen in New York City, Momofuku Noodle Bar has you covered.
The open kitchen design gives the restaurant a living room-esque feel, making it easy to stay for a few rounds of drinks. Plus the ramen will make it hard to want to leave, especially on a chilly day.
Although Momofuku serves some of the best ramen in New York City, you can’t leave without trying the pork buns. Pair them with a bowl of smoked pork ramen and you’ll be oinking all the way home!
Address: 171 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
Best Ramen in New York City (Post Summary)
- Mr. Taka
- Tonchin
- Ichiran
- ROKC
- Totto
- Suram
- Ippudo
- Kohoku-Ku
- Hide-Chan
- Ivan Ramen
- E.A.K. Ramen
- Momofuku Noodle Bar
Best New York City Ramen (Map)
And there you have it, folks! Where to find the best ramen New York City has to offer.
Cheers!
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