There's something ultra-satisfying about digging into a warm bowl of ramen, and you can find brilliant takes on this Japanese dish across America. Whether you're a ramen purist – think classic tonkotsu ramen with a pork-bone broth – or you prefer your noodles served with a twist, we've got you covered. Read on for our pick of the best bowls of ramen in every US state.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Birmingham is affectionately known as 'the dining table of the South', and its fizzing food scene includes some great Japanese spots. Among them is Shu Shop, loved by locals for its handmade ramen. Situated in the city's fun theatre district, it doles out favorites including an umami-packed shoyu ramen that's heavy on the soy sauce, with a rich pork-bone broth and plenty of chashu (braised pork belly).
This down-to-earth spot in Anchorage will satisfy all of your cravings, and then some. There are minimal frills here, but the food speaks for itself. It focuses on Japanese specialties, and the ramen really sings. Top of the menu is the house specialty Naruto ramen, with chashu pork, seafood, and a chicken broth. It's finished with a boiled egg and beansprouts for added texture.
The favored ingredient in Ramen Kagawa's dishes is time – the creamy broth is cooked for more than 12 hours, and it shows. You order at the counter, and the menu is crammed with classics. The standout option is the Spicy Miso Tonkotsu Ramen, which features perfectly cooked pork belly, lots of vegetables, and lashings of pork broth with a spicy miso kick.
There's plenty of choice on the menu at Aji Ramen Bar, a chilled-out spot in Arkansas' most populous city. Its most crowd-pleasing dish is its chicken broth ramen, with chunks of tender chicken and vegetables, including sweetcorn and scallions. You can get classic pork ramen, seafood options, and fried chicken too.
Tsujita, now with a scattering of locations across LA, has a cult following, and for good reason. Fans rave about the tsukemen, or 'dipping noodles' – a take on ramen that sees pork broth served separately from the rest of the dish. The rich, intense flavor of the broth is achieved by 60 hours of low and slow cooking.
The Mile High City has a roster of great Japanese joints, including this hip offering in Denver's uptown neighborhood. Ace Eat Serve doubles as a ping-pong spot, although the menu is the real star here. Get the spicy pork ramen, which is loaded with punchy Sichuan pork, charred sweetcorn, plenty of wheat noodles, and a poached egg.
Imaginative names are given to the ramen dishes at this modern, chic sushi and noodle bar in Granby. Tiger Belly Noodle Bar offers a small menu, but it's one that's packed with delights – including house favorite Darkness Ramen. The tonkotsu (pork-bone) broth is cooked for more than 25 hours, and the dish is stuffed with pork belly, garlic, enoki mushrooms, and a glug of black garlic oil.
With handmade noodles served al dente, and a tasty broth that's cooked for a day, Ramen Kumamoto takes its dishes seriously, with chefs hailing from the Kumamoto region of Japan. Customers rave about the Spicy Ramen, a Berkshire pork-bone soup with a chicken and seafood broth, and say the noodles have 'a bounce after each bite'.
In a departure from tradition, the ramen at Miami's Momi Ramen is finished with a generous helping of Peking duck, which the joint promises is 'roasted to perfection'. A more conventional pork belly tonkotsu ramen is also available, served with housemade noodles and a hearty bone broth.
Head to Midtown Atlanta to get a taste of this contemporary noodle bar, which has won its fair share of accolades. Both the pork ramen and the lobster ramen have won awards, and the latter is a house favorite. Expect delicate chunks of lobster and a creamy broth, with plenty of sweetcorn, scallions, noodles, and a soft-boiled egg.
This down-home noodle shop in Hawaii's capital promises ramen that's 'created from scratch with lots of love', and the Tonkotsu Tan Tan Men is no exception. Made with organic chicken and Kurobuta pork bones, and with a rich sesame broth that's simmered over two days, it's the best-loved ramen on the menu.
With a giant menu of sushi, poke bowls, and teriyaki plates, Island Sushi and Ramen has something to satisfy every diner – but the ramen is a fail-safe option. Customers love the spicy miso, tonkotsu chasu, and shrimp ramen. The latter is served up with a generous helping of juicy shrimp, and your choice of soup base.
Japanese-owned Ramen Wasabi, on the Windy City's Milwaukee Avenue, has been pleasing Chicagoans with housemade ramen for more than a decade. You can't go wrong with the original tonkotsu: pork bones are boiled for days to create a flavor-packed broth, which is then poured over tender Berkshire pork belly, black wood ear mushrooms, scallions, and garlic oil.
Ramen Ray is the go-to spot for warming bowls of Sapporo-style ramen in Indianapolis. Diners really wax lyrical about the joint's spicy miso ramen, which has a robust heat and satisfying umami flavor. It's finished with pork, a soft-boiled egg, and plenty of vegetables. The cooked-to-perfection gyozas (pan-fried dumplings) are a must-have side too.
Ramen Belly's excellent Yelp score is a testament to its delicious food and comfy interiors, which have traditional Japanese-style accents. The signature house ramen is the main event. It has a pork and miso broth base, which is cooked for 24 hours, and you can choose to add pork, beef brisket, or grilled chicken, layered up with baby bok choy, sweetcorn, and beansprouts.
Snug Aoyama Ramen is the place for your fix of Japanese cuisine in the leafy city of Olathe. You can feast on pork buns, perfectly crisp gyoza (pan-fried dumplings), and generous bowls of warming ramen. The spicy tonkotsu ramen comes out on top; the creamy pork-bone broth is flavored with soy and a kicking house spice paste, then finished with noodles, chashu pork, a soft-boiled egg, and vegetables.
Louisville's Ramen House describes its spicy miso tonkotsu as its 'number one dish', and customers agree. The pork broth is seasoned with a spicy miso sauce, and you can choose your meat – although diners say the pork is so tender that it melts in your mouth. The dish has just the right amount of spice too.
Nomiya opened in 2017 and describes its mission as 'bridging the gap between quintessential New Orleans cuisine and Japanese artistry'. It's located on chic Magazine Street, and it's got a trendy, buzzy vibe to match the location. The food here is excellent, serving all the classics, but its innovative vegan curry ramen has won fans. It has a creamy, spicy broth, and can also be topped with braised pork or a fish cake.
A bright, down-to-earth stop for noodle bowls, spicy chicken wings, and gyoza, Umami Noodle Bar has become a Bangor staple. You can build your own ramen bowls, but we recommend you stick with the tried-and-tested Woodland Forager. Egg noodles are drowned in a beef broth, then topped with pork tenderloin and shiitake mushrooms.
Occupying a prime spot in Baltimore's inner harbor area, Ramen Utsuke is a minimalist space with traditional touches. The sizeable menu gets a big thumbs up, with a large range of ramen dishes to choose from. Diners love the imaginative Oriole Park Ramen – ramen noodles and chicken chashu doused in a silky chicken broth, with black garlic oil, sweetcorn, and a boiled egg.
Cool Cambridge – home of Harvard University and a creative food scene – is the location for this funky noodle bar, known for its bright decor and long communal tables. When it comes to food, Yume Wo Katare keeps it simple. The regular ramen gets our seal of approval – three pieces of tender roasted pork are layered over ramen noodles and a pork broth. Customers praise the thick, al dente noodles and flavorful broth.
Local beers, sake, and a roster of inviting ramen dishes are on the menu at this ramen bar in Royal Oak. The offering is imaginative, with bowls including a seafood broth and a full duck leg, but the most talked about is the Bold Ramen. It's built on a spicy miso pork broth, with pork belly chashu, chili oil, and pickled bamboo sprouts. Diners love the creamy, flavorful soup and the bountiful portions.
Tori dishes up ramen with a twist, eschewing traditional pork broth in favor of a silky chicken soup, and loading up bowls with extra vegetables and al dente noodles. The Bali Bali option has earned the most fans. It's a combination of poultry broth, tahini, and ground chicken, plus Sichuan (or Szechuan) pepper and chili oil for an extra kick. It's rich and full of flavor.
The ramen craze hasn't quite taken off in Mississippi, but you can get your fill in capital Jackson at its trendy Cultivation Food Hall. It offers up everything from sushi to tacos, yet it's the ohashi (chopstick) bowls that draw in the crowds. You can't go wrong with a classic pork bowl, made with a tasty pork broth and pork belly, plus a fish cake and plenty of scallions. Extra toppings include kimchi and marinated eggs.
If you're after a quick meal, you can't go wrong with this counter-service spot. The menu is big, with a long list of ramen dishes and small bites. The ramen of choice is the roasted black garlic tonkotsu, praised for its depth of flavor and comprising braised pork, minced onions, and nori (dried, edible seaweed).
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This ramen joint has locations across Montana and beyond. In the beloved Bozeman joint, eye-popping artworks and chic decor create a quirky feel, but the food is the real reason to come. The house favorite is the spicy ramen, which has a hearty pork and chicken broth, packed with garlic, ginger, and chili, and topped with grilled pork. You can choose the spice level – just know that the 'hot' packs quite a punch!
With hip industrial decor and a prime spot in Omaha's Capitol District, this laidback Japanese restaurant is a must-visit. When it comes to ramen dishes, there's a roster of solid options too. Creative takes include a vegan dish with silken tofu (also known as Japanese-style tofu), while the staple spicy miso ramen gets the most love from diners. In traditional style, it features a pork broth spiked with kicking miso and roasted pork.
In a departure from tradition, it's the curry ramen that takes the prize at this casual Las Vegas Strip spot. The thick, curry-style broth is vegetarian, although it's typically loaded with crispy fried chicken, plus noodles, spinach, and shredded cabbage. Diners comment on the large portions and quick service too.
There's a lot more on the menu than ramen at this sleek, chic Japanese restaurant in Nashua, but it still serves up some of the best steaming noodle bowls around. Dishes are ultra-traditional, and the miso ramen really hits the spot. Expect a silky broth packed with umami flavor, plus delicate slices of pork, nori (dried, edible seaweed), and vegetables.
A swish spot for classic ramen, Ramen Nagomi is full of bold Japanese-inspired artworks and exposed brick walls. The quirky restaurant specializes in 'assari' ramen, meaning the broth is light, and slow-cooked in small batches. Everything on the menu is loved by diners, but they've a particular penchant for the burnt garlic tonkotsu with slow-braised pork belly. Add the house chili paste for extra spice.
A laid-back vibe and delicious menu keep punters pouring into this ramen shop in Albuquerque. It serves up all the classics, but the enduring favorite is the chicken ramen. You can choose the spice level of the flavor-packed broth, which is layered with golden fried chicken and vegetables. Come for the ramen, but stick around for the Asian beer selection and fun sides like ninja chips.
New York spoils its ramen lovers, with traditional options as well as funky modern spots dishing up twists on the staples. Ramen Nakamura reigns supreme, with crowds coming to taste house chef Shigetoshi Nakamura's offerings. The moreish XO Miso is the thing to order; the rich miso broth, with soy sauce, cabbage, scallions, and Szechuan pepper, is tipped as the best around, and it's vegetarian too.
Cool, industrial decor and colorful Japanese-inspired paintings set the tone for this modern Japanese restaurant in Charlotte. The menu is small and considered, with fried chicken and tasty gyoza joining a handful of traditional ramen dishes. Plump for the spicy miso ramen, which is hailed by diners as the best around. Pork chashu (braised pork) is paired with a chicken and dried seafood broth, lifted with a homemade soybean paste.
Another restaurant that makes a mean spicy miso ramen is Slurp Ramen. It's got an apt name, as diners can't get enough of the joint's hearty noodle soups, warmed through with classic Japanese spices. The delicious miso option comes with a housemade broth, chashu pork, ramen noodles, and shredded black fungus mushrooms.
If you're not a ramen purist, then the offerings at Meshikou Ramen in Ohio's capital might be for you. The brothless Yuzu Soy Mazemen is a perfect pick, featuring noodles drizzled with a sweet Japanese yuzu (sometimes referred to as ponzu) soy dressing, and then finished with pork and shredded seaweed. There's a range of ramen dishes built on a savory chicken broth too.
Bold murals, a light-strung courtyard, and plenty of counter seating make this a cool spot to hang out in Oklahoma City – and the food packs a punch too. King of the menu is the tori paitan (creamy chicken soup) ramen, which diners love for its garlicky flavor. It's made up of a chicken broth, pork belly, fried garlic, beansprouts, and a marinated egg. Pair yours with a craft cocktail.
The chef at this ramen bar is Japanese-born Kayoko, who hails from Osaka and has been cooking since childhood. Nothing is rushed here. The Askari-style soups are slow-cooked daily, and the noodles are a labor of love – it took 47 tries to get the recipe 'just so'. The Black TanTan Tsukemen is the most popular choice. You select your spice level for the broth, which is flavored with a sesame paste, and you can opt for either ground pork or tofu.
Blow off the cobwebs with a kicking bowl of spicy ramen from Terakawa Ramen. It takes the chefs, who originate from Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan, two days to finish the ramen broth – and you can taste it. The best dish is the spicy ramen, which centers on a pork-bone soup, with egg noodles, roasted pork, kimchi, and a marinated boiled egg.
This ramen and donburi rice bowl restaurant, with its striking wall art and giant wooden tables, has earned plenty of fans in Providence – a city well-known for its foodie credentials. Tori Tomo holds its own with a tempting list of classic and adventurous ramen dishes. The best of them is the Ichiraku Ramen, made up of a creamy pork broth, roasted pork, and a traditional fishcake called narutomaki. If you fancy a change, try the tomato or kimchi ramen.
There's nothing fancy about Menkoi Ramen House in Downtown Columbia, but the food more than holds its own. All the traditional ramen bowls are served up here, from a creamy tonkotsu to a classic chicken ramen. However, the spicy ramen, topped with roast pork, vegetables, and nori, takes the crown. Some diners even say it's the best they've ever had, with just the right amount of heat.
In true South Dakota style, Bokujō Ramen has an unusual house specialty: bison bone ramen. The slow-simmered broth is made with bison bones and topped with tender bison brisket, crunchy sunflower seeds, scallions, soy sauce, and a boiled egg. The venue is low-lit and filled with colorful artworks.
East Nashville is packed with trendy and imaginative restaurants, and izakaya (Japanese pub) and ramen house Two Ten Jack is no exception. The decor is fashionable – all bare brick and fairy lights – and the menu is creative. One of the star dishes is vegetarian option Yasai Shoyu, which has a delicious vegetable broth finished with burnt sweetcorn, collard greens, and pickled ginger.
With five locations across Austin and one in Houston, this fun, contemporary ramen joint is taking Texas by storm. It offers a simple menu, with eight ramen bowls and a wide choice of extra toppings, from tofu to Brussels sprouts. The OG is a straightforward, no-fuss tonkotsu ramen – a creamy pork-bone broth with roasted pork, finished with wood ear mushrooms and sesame seeds.
This Salt Lake City venue is uber-cool, with exposed brick walls, low lighting, neon signage, and a well-stocked cocktail bar – and you can pair your tipple with a wholesome bowl of ramen. You can build your own bowl, but diners love the Umami Bomb. In a subtle twist on traditional tonkotsu, it's a velvety pork-bone broth topped with spicy ground pork, roasted seaweed, and shiitake mushrooms.
Gaku Ramen is a favorite with students in this college town. It was opened in 2016 by a trio of friends committed to bringing top-quality ramen to the US, and it's been a Burlington mainstay ever since. A small menu of rice bowls and ramen is dished up here, and the chicken shoyu has won the most admirers. It's made up of chicken broth and chicken chashu, with bamboo shoots, scallions, and a boiled egg.
The light vegetarian shoyu ramen gets plenty of love at this minimalist Japanese restaurant in Charlottesville. With a broth described as 'creamy', the dish is based on a soy sauce soup with braised tofu, menma (fermented bamboo shoots), half a seasoned egg, and vegetables like bok choy (a type of Chinese cabbage). Diners recommend you add a glug of chili oil for extra flavor.
Seafood fans will love the offering at Yoroshiku – a sophisticated spot in Seattle's cool Wallingford neighborhood. The popular Fisherman Ramen is packed full of seafood, including local clams, octopus, sockeye salmon, and scallops. It's built on a tasty miso broth and finished with sweetcorn, egg, and nori.
The green little city of Morgantown has some surprising foodie finds – including Yama Japanese Restaurant, known for its excellent ramen. It's a down-to-earth place with pared-back decor and a no-fuss menu of traditional dishes. Most diners opt for the soy sauce-based shoyu ramen, packed with sliced pork, spinach, and a fish cake. There are veggie options available too.
Diners are spoilt for choice at this cheerful ramen restaurant in Wisconsin's capital, which also has locations in Chicago and New York City's East Village, amongst others. The menu is organized by origin, from Sapporo-style miso ramen to Kyushu tonkotsu ramen (with its super-thin noodles). If you're looking for something different, diners love adding spicy crab to their miso ramen, as it's full of flavor and spice.
There's a large menu at Jackson's Noodle Kitchen, which is a fashionable stop for sushi, rice bowls, Japanese-style sides, and ramen – but that doesn't mean it skimps on quality. You can get a top-notch pork or miso ramen, with the former coming out as a fan favorite. It's layered up with pork belly, egg, and nori, and customers say it's a sure bet.
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