The bustling streets of New York City offer a variety of cultural delicacies from just about every corner of the world. The sheer abundance of options can be overwhelming, making it difficult to pick out which restaurants are the best. If you’re looking for a great bowl of noodles, look no further than our list of the top 15 ramen shops in NYC. Whether you’re in the mood for traditional tonkotsu, rich miso, or even some vegan ramen, there’s something for everyone. Delicious and comforting – these restaurants serve up some of the freshest and tastiest Japanese-style ramen in the city.
Introducing the Best Ramen Shops NYC
- Totto Ramen
One of the most beloved ramen shops in NYC, Totto Ramen is a preferred spot for midday meals. Offering their signature bowl of Totto Ramen, the restaurant also boasts plenty of options for customization, allowing patrons to experiment with different flavors and toppings. Head to their Hell’s Kitchen location and immerse yourself in the warm, inviting atmosphere.
- Momosan Ramen
The mastermind behind Momosan is world famous chef and restaurateur, Masaharu Morimoto. The ramen menu features three core options: a pork base, a miso base and a veggie base. The ramen is flavorful, yet subtle, a perfect balance of flavors. The restaurant is decorated with Morimoto’s memorabilia and other Japanese-inspired elements making it a truly Japanese experience.
- Ramen Lab
This Lower East Side ramen joint hooks up some of the greatest ramen you’ll find in New York City. Specializing in Shio ramen, the Ramen Lab offers a tasteful twist of familiar flavors. Their ramen features chicken, pork, and seafood, complemented with a variety of toppings such as kimchi and poached eggs. The expertly crafted broth is both light and shio-y with hints of bonito, kelp and sardines.
- Bassanova Ramen
This Greenwich Village spot has been praised more times than we can count for its unique and delicious style of ramen. The restaurant’s creamy broth is made with a combination of pork and beef, simmered for hours adjacent to glass noodles for a noodle like no other. The menu also includes a variety of treats like the agedashi tofu, tonkotsu gyoza, and more.
- Ippudo
A favorite among ramen lovers, Ippudo’s perfected the art of ramen. From the simple yet robust akamaru modern to the rich and savory karaka-men, the flavorful choices never seem to come to an end. The restaurant often has long lines filled with hungry diners, so if you’re looking to get your hands on some Ippudo ramen be sure to arrive early.
- Rai Rai Ken
Rai Rai Ken has been a long-time favorite amongst locals. From the flavorful and rich shoyu broth to the generous add-ons like tamago and pork belly chashu, the combinations are sure to leave you with a full belly. Be sure to try their unique truffled ramen, where the rich and earthy aroma of truffles is sure to leave you wanting more.
- Ichiran
A haven for ramen lovers, the famed Ichiran is easily recognizable from the bar-like counter where you can enjoy your ramen solo and undisturbed. Using a unique ordering system, the concealed staff prepare your ramen within minutes. Enjoy their signature tantan-men, a spicy bowl of milky tonkotsu ramen filled with vibrant noodles, a flavored pork broth, and a hit of chilies.
- Mu Ramen
This Long Island City spot helmed by chef Joshua Smookler is your go-to spot for traditional Japanese ramen. Situated within the MoMA PS1 museumn, the restaurant serves up a variety of ramen dishes, but Mu Ramen is the go-to bowl. The bowl is filled with pork or vegetable broth, pork belly, Buddhist onions, and cabbage. Topped with a poached egg, this is ramen sprinkled with some NYC flair.
Local Gems for Delicious Ramen
- Minca Ramsey
This “low-key ramen shop” is a great spot for ramen connoisseurs. Specializing in Tokyo-style shoyu tonkotsu ramen, the bowls come with a unique blend of pork and chicken broth, plus a soft-boiled egg. For those looking to spice up their ramen, the Minca Ramen bowl also packs a punch. The house special features a spicy miso-based broth with pork and bamboo shoots adding just the right amount of zing.
- Setsugetsuka
This quaint Upper West Side ramen shop offers the real deal. Their ramen comes in both shoyu and shio variations. The former is a thick tonkotsu-style broth and the latter a light and wheat-y tonkotsu crafted from dozens of ingredients. Both of them are great options for ramen fans, so take your pick!
- Soba-Ya
Soba-ya is known for its traditional yet modern spins on soba noodles. Here you won’t find ramen, but rather a delicious array of soba options. Whether you’re looking for the classic zaru soba or the healthier vegan zaru soba, there’s something for everyone. The restaurant also offers vegan sides and desserts, offering complete pleasure in a single bowl.
- Kambi Ramen
One of the newer ramen spots to hit Manhattan, Kambi Ramen has been creating an exciting buzz since its debut. Serving up classic ramen with a twist, the restaurant offers an array of novel options. Go for the Kambi Black which comes dressed in a sticky black garlic sauce along with pork belly and egg.
- Woorijip
This Korean eatery doesn’t serve the typical ramen, but rather a unique type of ramen-meets-rice-bowl. The restaurant’s signature dish is the ramen bibimbap with roasted pork and shiitake mushrooms. Though it doesn’t have the milky consistency of traditional ramen, the bibimbap adds a fun twist for ramen enthusiasts.
- Gansevoort Market
This food-hall style hotspot is the perfect destination for ramen hunters. Enjoy ramen from some of the city’s top ramen spots all in one spot. The market offers delicious selections from Ramen Lab, Kitsune, and Bonmi in addition to numerous local favorites.
- Ramen Sandwich Shop
Despite the name, this sandwich shop serves some of the best ramen in NYC. Boasting a wide selection of ingredients and a flavorful broth, the ramen here is totally delicious. Taste the signature “Ramen-wich” or go for the classic pork kakuni ramen. No matter your pick, you’re sure to satisfy your noodle craving.
No matter what your flavor preference is, there’s a ramen spot for you in NYC. From traditional ramen joints to ones that give it a twist, the city is full of excellent options. The list above only touches the surface of the wide selection of ramen shops located in the city, so feel free to explore and find your favorite. Bon Appetit!
