Practically the national dish of Japan (sorry, sushi), ramen is universally loved, and as with much of the best food in the world, Londoners have embraced it as their own. If you won’t be satisfied with anything other than the best, this list is for you. We’ve searched high and low for the best ramen in London to bring you some seriously steamy suggestions.
Translating as ‘pulled noodles’, it would seem that ramen has quite the basic description in its native tongue, but simple this dish is not. The mark of a good ramen is the broth in which it’s cooked. This can take on all sorts of guises – from rich 24-hour pork broths that are favoured in regions like Kyushu or the miso flavoured soups that are championed in Hokkaido – but they all require careful simmering of stocks to create a rich depth. Once the broth is perfected, wheat noodles are most commonly added (which are handmade and slightly undercooked if served in a traditional manner) along with all sorts of toppings and additional seasonings. Classic combos include rolled pork belly, soy sauce marinated eggs, beansprouts and spring onions, but the variations are endless.
There was a time when we were all pretty happy with a decent broth and a jammy egg, but ramen is a competitive game and London has become a city of noodle connoisseurs in the last few years. If restaurants want to survive the London ramen rat race, they'd better come armed with some seriously good ramen. So, we've pulled together the best of the best in the capital - next time you’re on the hunt for the best ramen restaurants in London look no further than the restaurants below. From quick and cheap speedy spots to more luxurious serves, they offer something for every occasion.
A short history of ramen
Despite ramen’s Japanese accreditation, it actually started out life in China. Apparently Japanese troops discovered the signature noodles in China and brought them home to make them their own. This was way back when in the 1900s, and when they got the noodles back to Japan the troops worked on giving them their own twist, thus inventing the ramen we know and love today. So, there you go, without further ado - here are our top ramen spots in London.
Shoryu
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Why: The menu at Shoryu encourages diners to tweak their ramen to their preference, offering up a range of noodle firmness options. Choose between anything from standard to konaotoshi, where noodles are only submerged briefly to remove flour dust and served crunchy. For those who don’t mind a little lingering flavour, the Dracula has an intense garlic hit from caramalised black garlic and garlic chips, while the piri piri fuses two fantastic cuisines with interesting results – a spicy, sour, salty bowl is the outcome. Elsewhere there are salt and pepper chicken wings and prawn tempura to round out your meal.
Where: Various locations across London
Book now: Shoryu Soho
Bone Daddies
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Why: Bone Daddies brought Japanese soul food to London, serving up a winning combination of authentic recipes with an indulgent edge (i.e., fried chicken). From the ramen menu choose between the variations under three broth headings: 20-hour pork, chicken bone broth or mushroom. Load up your choice with additional toppings, picking between thinks like a savoury soy Clarence Court egg, crispy chicken skin ‘scratchings’ and spring onions. Bone Daddies collabs with other restaurants to come up with cool monthly specials too, so there'll always be something different on the menu.
Where: Various locations across London
Book now: Bone Daddies Soho
Koi Ramen
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Why: This unassuming eatery started off life in Pop Brixton before opening permanent sites all over South London. Regularly voted as one of the top places to scoop a bowl of this soothing soup, Koi have a confidently concise menu. There are four choices when it comes to the main event with one creamy white pork serve, a mellow miso number, a soy sauce flavoured one and a naked ramen, which is presented sans-soup. With the most expensive dish being £8.50 (or £9 if you're eating in) they manage to hit their mission statement of aiming ‘to serve the highest quality ramen at the lowest prices’.
Where: Various locations across London
Book now: Koi Ramen Elephant & Castle
Monohon Ramen
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Why: Considering their service as a labour of love, Monohon handmake each of the three elements which go into creating their bowls of satisfyingly steamy broths: the noodles, the soup bases and the toppings. If you’re feeling adventurous plump for the Mentaiko cream ramen which infuses pork bone broth with a special sea salt seasoning and spicy marinated code roe. Or, who could turn down the extra large Big Boy Spicy Special with spicy miso pork mince? For added intrigue watch over the open kitchen as the experienced chefs deftly move around delicately creating each bowl which leaves their care.
Where: 102 Old Street, Old Street, EC1V 9AY
Book now: Monohon Ramen
Supa Ya Ramen
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Why: Longtime pop-up Supa Ya has finally found a permanent home in Dalston, and Luke Findlay’s ramen creations are as thrilling as ever, though it must be said, this isn’t a place for ramen purists. If you’re the sort of person who gets excited about the idea of bacon and egg ramen, or roast chicken and sweetcorn (pictured), get yourself over to East London - you won’t be disappointed.
Where: 499 Kingsland Road, Dalston, E8 4AU
Book now: Supa Ya Ramen
Kanada-Ya
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Why: Signature cool interiors alert you immediately to the fact you’re in a relaxed, Japanese restaurant. There’s a well-rounded ramen menu here, with around eight or nine different combinations on offer depending which location you head for. Our favourite flits between the Tonkotsu X which combines richly savoury chicken and pork broths with chashu pork and mushrooms and the Gekikara which is peppered with spicy minced pork and spring onions. For those with big appetites Kanada-Ya offer portions of additional noodles to bulk out any remaining broth at the end of your meal.
Where: Various locations across London
Book now: Kanada-Ya St Giles
Tonkotsu
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Why: Tonkotsu's signature serve is a comforting bowl of pork broth that is enriched with the powerful flavour and texture of a little lardo. This is all complimented and completed by fine hand-cut noodles and roast pork as well as various toppings – including burnt garlic oil and a savoury soy-seasoned egg. Elsewhere there are chicken, seafood and vegetarian options as well as a moreish menu of sides that includes a fresh cucumber pickled salad to temper the richness of the soups, and crispy fried gyoza. And best of all, Tonkotsu has locations all over London now, so you're never too far from a good ramen.
Where: Various locations across London
Book now: Tonkotsu Soho
Yokocho
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Why: Colourful Yokocho is inspired by the alleyways of 1970s Tokyo - it has a retro-futuristic slickness and vintage cool that certainly puts it among the most entertaining ramen spots in London. Thankfully the ramen is great too - the signature Yokocho ramen is a delicious soy-based chicken and pork broth with bamboo shoots, fish cake, nori and nitamago egg, but there are other regional Japanese ramens too, all done well. Vegan diners are catered for too, and there’s a nice range of alternative udon and soba dishes, bao buns and crispy sides, as well as Shochu cocktails, sake and Japanese draft beers.
Where: 35a Panton Street, Soho, SW1Y 4EA; 8 Heddon Street, Mayfair, W1B 4BU; Ichiba 0220 Westfield, Shepherd's Bush, W12 7HB
Book now: Yokocho Leicester Square; Yokocho Mayfair
Ippudo
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Why: Hailing from Japan, this global chain started out life as a small independent shop back in 1985. Having found its way to our shores, via New York, Ippudo is now a favourite of those in the know. The menu ranges from light chicken combinations to garlicky pork soups, but the signature London dish is not to be missed. Only served at the chain’s Villiers Street branch, the Hakata Niku Ton takes the original stock base and adds noodles plus a completely moreish soft sweet and spicy pork mix that melts into the soup for an unusual flavour that is unlike anything else we’ve tasted. The finale comes in the form of a secret ramen seasoning added to your bowl which gives off rich umami notes.
Where: Various locations across London
Book now: Ippudo Central Saint Giles
Nanban
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Why: Headed up by MasterChef champion Tim Anderson, Nanban was first setup in Brixton Village, but now has a central London home in Soho’s Seven Dials Market too. At Nanban global influences are celebrated rather than dismissed through dishes like the house special; an Indo-Caribbean leaning ramen invention made with low and slow cooked goat and Scotch bonnet pickled bamboo shoots. Elsewhere there are more traditional combos on offer demonstrated in concoctions like a chicken soy marriage and a garlic and pickled ginger pork bowl. Don’t skip the sides here, the soft-shell crab and fried chicken are too good to miss.
Where: 426 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LF; 35 Earlham Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9LD
Book now: Nanban Brixton; Nanban Covent Garden
Ramo Ramen
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Why: Japanese ramen with a Filipino edge, Ramo has taken the building blocks that make ramen great - tasty broths, bouncy noodles and toppings - and injected a little Filipino flavour. Creamy chicken ramen comes with chicken adobo and crispy Filipino-style pork scratchings, oxtail ramen sits in a rich beef and peanut broth, or you can go all-in with a half grilled lobster in crab and coconut broth. Ramo started in Kentish Town, but the more recent Soho location also has an exclusive cocktail menu.
Where: Kentish Town and Soho
Book now: Ramo Ramen Kentish Town; Ramo Ramen Soho
Okan
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Why: Okan has been a longtime fixture in Brixton Village, but now has three small south London sites which each serve up a range of authentic Japanese dishes, from okonomiyaki pancakes to a select ramen range. Interiors have the achingly cool twang of a startup, all chipboard and vintage Japanese signs. There are of course the usual suspects here, with pork options the menu’s mainstay, but for something a bit different why not try the tan tan minced chicken topping, which comes accompanied by a richly marinated egg with a golden soft-set yolk and plenty of punchy spring onions.
Where: Unit 39, Brixton Village, SW9 8PR; 338 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8QH; County Hall, Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 7PB
Book now: Okan Brixton Village; Okan Brixton East; Okan South Bank
Hakata
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Why: Hakata’s no-bookings policy goes some way to proving its popularity, it simply doesn't need to rely on pre-made plans and the restaurant is always filled to bursting – with punters happy to share the communal tables. Usually an afterthought, Hakata arguably offers the best vegan ramen in London, certainly in terms of choice - pick between vegan tonkotsu broths with fried tofu and soy or miso serves with mushrooms and soy mince. For carnivores there are five options that showcase meltingly sweet belly pork and soft poached chicken. Extra toppings can be added to give your bowl an individual twist and noodle firmness can be dictated too.
Where: 177 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, SE1 3UW
Book now: Hakata
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