The best ramen shops in America
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Don’t settle for anything less than the best ramen every state has to offer.
Ramen — the super-delicious, savory, loaded noodle soup — has blown up across the country over the past few years.
Have we reached peak ramen? Maybe. Does it matter? Not at all, because on a cold winter day, there’s nothing that tastes quite as tasty or will warm you up quite as quickly.
Foursquare, the city guide app for discovering new places, has tracked a 25% increase in “ramen” mentions over the last year. That’s good news, because it means they’ve been able to put together a comprehensive state-by-state guide to where to get the good stuff across America.
Check out their picks, below.
ALASKA: Naruto’s ramen is all about thick and pliant slurp-worthy noodles. What makes this Anchorage favorite even better is the free custard dessert that comes with every bowl.
ALABAMA: Bamboo On 2nd’s ramen comes with a thick and creamy broth, but they’re also known for their dumplings. If you haven’t tried them, brace yourself — they’re amazing.
ARKANSAS: A bounty of veggies top KJ Sushi & Korean BBQ’s ramen bowls. But the soup isn’t the only showstopper in this local Fayetteville joint. The bibimbap is a must.
ARIZONA: Phoenix’s Cherryblossom Noodle Cafe does not skimp on the noodles. Go for the Ebi-Ten bowl, which comes with crispy shrimp tempura. Their cakes are also not to be missed.
CALIFORNIA (Los Angeles): Los Angeles ramen sensation Daikokuya was ranked the number-one ramen restaurant in the city, which is certainly no small feat. This ramen shop located in Little Tokyo is notorious for its long wait, but trust us, it’s worth it.
CALIFORNIA (San Francisco): For a rich and savory ramen, Izakaya Sozai in San Francisco is the place to go. This spot is often named the best ramen spot in the city, and if that doesn’t win you over, their fried pork belly ramen will.
COLORADO: If you can take the heat, go for the spicy chicken ramen at Uncle in Denver. Pair it with a beer to cut through some of the spice.
CONNECTICUT: Fairfield’s Mecha Noodle Bar makes a fine bowl of pho and Japanese ramen, but the menu’s hidden gem is the KFC bao. It doesn’t get much better than fried chicken in a fluffy bun.
WASHINGTON, DC: Springy noodles and gooey soft boiled eggs are the things that great ramen bowls are made of. Daikaya has all that, plus some killer gyoza and desserts.
DELAWARE: Ramen Kumamoto’s bowls are all about thick, juicy cuts of pork. Not to mention the perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg and heaps of colorful vegetables.
FLORIDA: Sapporo Ramen in Orlando proves that it’s not impossible to find an amazing bowl of noodles in central Florida. Tipsters recommend going with with the tonkotsu.
GEORGIA: Umaido Ramen is serving up creamy bowls of broth to hungry ramen-lovers in Atlanta. Don’t be afraid to try the soy-marinated egg — tipsters say it’s delicious.
Find Umaido Ramen on Foursquare »
HAWAII: Goma Tei’s seafood ramen is one of the freshest bowls on the island of Oahu. Regulars also recommend their tan tan ramen.
IOWA: Krunkwich in Des Moines is not only serving up a variety of bowls such as curry, vegan, and even gluten-free ramen, but they also have great banh mi sandwiches.
IDAHO: At Boise’s Yoi Tomo Sushi & Grill, it’s all about thick and chewy noodles. Be sure to get one of their gorgeous sushi rolls to accompany your bowl of noodles, too.
ILLINOIS: Wasabi’s ramen was voted number one in Chicago. Their tonkotsu ramen and pork belly buns are the stars of the menu.
INDIANA: Ichiban Noodles in Indianapolis is all about thick and doughy ramen noodles. The bento box is also a great deal.
KANSAS: Ramen Bowls is serves up some of the best miso in Lawrence, but that’s not the only reason people keep coming back here. According to regulars, they serve up half-priced sake and free gyoza during happy hour.
KENTUCKY: At Tachibana Japanese Restaurant in Lexington, you can sing your heart out in a karaoke room while slurping down a delicious bowl of udon or ramen. They also serve up some of the tastiest, freshest seafood around.
LOUISIANA: If you’ve ever craved ramen and pie simultaneously, Noodle & Pie in New Orleans is your place. Not only do they serve up a mean bowl of ramen (tipsters recommend the shio crab and pork ramen) but they also have some of the best pie around.
MASSACHUSETTS: Sapporo Ramen is a no-frills lunch spot in Cambridge, but don’t let the bare bones restaurant fool you — their bowls pack a spicy punch. Regulars strongly advise adding the spicy ground pork and a side of pork buns.
MARYLAND: Wheaton locals go crazy over Ren’s Ramen miso ramen, and for good reason. The broth is so rich and delicious that you’ll probably want to order an extra side of noodles.
MAINE: At Pai Men Miyake, there’s something for everyone. For vegetarians, there are some great veggie-loaded ramen bowl options. For meat-lovers, Pai Men Miyake has some of the tastiest pork buns in Portland.
MICHIGAN: For a truly incredible pork bun, Tomukun Noodle Bar in Ann Arbor is the place to go.
MINNESOTA: Elaborate sushi spreads aren’t the only thing Minneapolis’ Masu Sushi & Robata deliver on. They’re also serving up some of the best ramen in the city, complete with springy noodles and gooey soft-boiled eggs.
MISSOURI: If you want sushi with your ramen, Blue Ocean Sushi in St. Louis should do the trick. They’re known for their creative, sauce-heavy rolls, but also have a solid ramen option.
Find Blue Ocean Sushi on Foursquare »
MISSISSIPPI: Little Tokyo in Ridgeland is another sushi-centric favorite, but it also offers a mean ramen.
Find Little Tokyo on Foursquare »
MONTANA: When seeking ramen in Montana, look no further than Iza Asian Restaurant. This Missoula spot is known for its “Tokyo Noodle Bowl” and an extensive tea list.
NORTH CAROLINA: At Dashi Ramen/Izakaya in Durham, tipsters recommend adding a soy-marinated egg to your traditional bowl of ramen.
NORTH DAKOTA: At Shing Ya in Grand Forks, you’ll find a menu spanning the sushi spectrum, with Thai food and ramen as an added bonus. Regulars like the quiet, simple atmosphere and efficient service.
NEBRASKA: Start with the dumplings at Amu Manu in Lincoln. Then progress to your ramen main: it’s a light, fresh take on the heavy dish and gets good reviews.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: The sushi at Shio gets rave reviews — but so does its ramen and yakitori options. It’s a casual, minimalist spot, but the quality is high.
NEW JERSEY: Spicy miso ramen with “melty” pork belly is the go-to favorite at Santouka Ramen in Edgewater. Located in the Mitsuwa market, patrons like that this no-frills place always delivers on flavor.
NEW MEXICO: Don’t be fooled by the adobe-style interior: this Santa Fe restaurant serves up fresh Japanese fare, specializing in precisely plated sushi, but also serving a tasty ramen variation.
NEVADA: Shoyu and miso ramen types all get shout-outs at Monta Japanese Noodle House in Las Vegas. Soothe your gambling woes with a warm bowl of their tonkotsu option.
NEW YORK: Ippudo is Manhattan’s ramen mecca. Be prepared for a long wait, and tide yourself over with an order of their melt-in-your-mouth pork buns while you sip a Sapporo at the bar. Go for the “akamaru modern” ramen when you do finally find a coveted seat.
OHIO: This kid-friendly Cleveland noodle shop serves all kinds — but is known for their Dan Dan Ramen, or the College Shio Ramen for a throwback version with sweet corn. Steamed buns are also on the menu.
OKLAHOMA: Oklahoma City may not be a culinary hotspot, but at Tamashii Ramen House, you’ll find all the classic noodle dishes you need to keep you satisfied. The gyoza are also a recommended find.
OREGON: If fried kimchi, cucumber and watermelon salad, or savory ramen sounds appealing, then you might want to check out Biwa in Portland. The trendy pan-Asian restaurant serves everything from omakase to udon, all prepared by a Michigan-born chef.
PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia’s Terakawa Ramen is known for its Tan Tan Ramen, a spicy miso variation. Customers also love their gyoza and chicken curry, and as it’s a BYOB establishment, they should come prepared.
RHODE ISLAND: Ken’s is a Providence favorite, with unusual specialties like “tsukamen” or “dipping ramen” where the broth and noodles are served separately. Choose between crispy pork belly and pulled chicken, and have at it.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Customers love the spicy options at Columbia’s Menkoi Ramen House, and the vegetarian options and gyoza are also rated highly. If you get a ramen card, you can even collect stamps towards a free meal.
SOUTH DAKOTA: A simple, local favorite in Sioux Falls, Tokyo Japanese Restaurant covers all the bases from sushi to miso soup to ramen. Complimentary egg rolls and ice cream — and sometimes even sake — sweeten the deal.
TENNESSEE: Ramen is not what you’d expect at this Southern-meets-Italian Memphis restaurant, but they serve the soup dish late night (from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on weekend evenings) to rave reviews. Their main menu features gourmet pizzas and favorites like poutine, shrimp and grits, or peanut butter pie.
TEXAS (AUSTIN): It may be a tiny shop in a strip mall, but Austin’s Ramen Tatsu-Ya is a serious hotspot, with people lining up well in advance of opening for a taste of their ramen creations in a cool space.
TEXAS (HOUSTON): This is gourmet ramen in a trendy atmosphere. Houston’s Jinya Ramen Bar will start you off with creative appetizers like tempura brussels sprouts, while its ramen variations come in many flavors, including a white and a black type.
TEXAS (DALLAS): Not just another down-home ramen shop, Tei-An takes it upscale with a rooftop patio and modernist decor. Its ramen is praised, as is its specialty white seaweed salad and curry udon.
UTAH: At Park City’s Yuki Yama Sushi, kimchi ramen comes highly recommended as a tasty spicy option. Their sashimi, specialty sushi, and mushroom gyoza are also rated highly.
VIRGINIA: When in need of ramen in Richmond, look to Grace Noodle, where pork bone ramen and spicy tan tan ramen get the thumbs-up. The simple restaurant switches it up with specials like spicy shrimp, wonton, or kimchi options.
VERMONT: At Asiana Noodle Shop, you can find everything from bibimbap to udon to curry dishes. Unusual ramen — Malaysian curry, perhaps — should also satisfy any craving.
WASHINGTON: At Kukai Ramen & Izakaya in Seattle, patrons praise the “authentic” broth — the chain is based in Japan — and the “piping hot” portions. Spicy ramen gets love, as do the extra-stuffed pork buns.
WISCONSIN: Sake cocktails and meaty pork buns should start you off in style at this Madison favorite, before you dig in to the highlight: hot ramen to keep you warm.
WEST VIRGINIA: This no-frills noodle shop gets top marks for its comfort food — namely ramen bowls and gyoza. It may be brightly lit and low on atmosphere, but fans love its consistently filling menu.
WYOMING: At this classic Southern-tinged home-cooking cafe in Jackson, you might not expect a bowl of ramen with pork shoulder and pork belly to feature on the menu right alongside pasta carbonara or Idaho trout. But the ramen is there, and it’s rated highly for its rich broth.
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