Ramen noodles isn’t that quick microwaveable dinner most likely to be found in college dorms and the homes of starving artists. In fact, real ramen is an incredibly tasty dish that can be found all over the country.
In many places ramen has become a true form of art, and the lines to the top noodle shops all over America are getting longer and longer. Yet, once you try a bowl of “Japanese soul food’ at any of these spots, you’ll be ready for more.
In this post, we’re going to highlight the top ramen shops in the U.S. Make sure to write these down so you can visit them next time you’re in these towns.
Ramen Shop
You won’t see any sort of best ramen list that doesn’t feature Oakland, California’s Ramen Shop. Three chefs from one of California’s most famous restaurants, Chez Panisse, left to form this ramen hot spot. In addition to the ramen, everyone also loves the black sesame ice cream sandwiches!
Shojo
Once you get to Boston, first head to Chinatown, and then head to Shojo where incredible ramen is served while visitors sip cocktails and listen to trendy music. Chef O’Leary first came to ramen fame by hosting midnight ramen pop-ups all over Boston.
Uncle
The Mile High City has gotten into ramen, and the locals absolutely love it. Even though Uncle is a dinner-only establishment, the rumor is they serve over 2,000 bowls of ramen every week! The broth is what keeps people coming back here, after all, it is simmered for over 16 hours.
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
You can’t have a ramen shop in Texas without a little bit of the Lone Star State’s flavor mix added in. That’s what you’ll find at Austin’s Ramen Tatsu-Ya. This place is so beloved by the locals, be prepared to wait, sometimes the line can be up to an hour long (but well worth it)!
Johnny Noodle King
Detroit is having a major comeback, and that is great news for ramen lovers. Not only is Johnny Noodle King one of the best ramen spots in the city, it’s also consistently ranked as a top 10 in the country. Locals love trying the more unique ramens on the menu like the southwestern bowl.
Ippudo
New York City has a number of excellent ramen shops, so it can be very hard to choose just one. But, you’ll usually find Ippudo appearing on lists time and time again. This place is generally packed with Japanese expats and tourists who rave about the house special, Akamaru Modern.
Aloha Ramen
Seattle is one of the best cities in the country to visit if you’re looking for a Hawaiian flair packed into traditional Asian cuisine. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that the Aloha Ramen shop does just that. Ramen is just about the perfect food to enjoy during those rainy Pacific Northwest winters.
No matter where you live across the country, chances are there is a great ramen shop nearby. Be sure to take some time to explore them the next time you’re looking for something new and different.
