There's something ultra-satisfying about digging into a warm bowl of ramen, and these wholesome noodle soup dishes are doled out across the States. Whether you're a ramen purist – think classic tonkotsu ramen with a pork-bone broth – or you fancy tradition with a twist, then we've got you covered. 

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, which is loved for its handmade ramen. Situated in the city's fun theatre district, it doles out favourites including an umami Shoyu Ramen heavy on the soy sauce, with a rich pork-bone broth and chashu (braised pork belly). 

This down-to-earth spot in Anchorage will satisfy your ramen cravings. 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 Naruto Ramen, with chashu pork, seafood and a chicken broth. It's finished with a boiled egg and beansprouts.

The favoured 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 Spicy Miso Tonkotsu Ramen as it features lashings of pork broth with a spicy miso kick, pork belly cooked to perfection, and lots of veggies.

Check out this easy-to-make miso ramen recipe 

There's plenty of choice on the menu at Aji Ramen Bar, a chilled-out spot in Arkansas' most populous city. Its crowd-pleasing dish is ramen based on a chicken broth, with chunks of tender chicken and veggies that include sweetcorn and green onions. You can get classic pork ramen, seafood options and fried chicken too. 

Tsujita has a cult following for good reason which has resulted in a scattering of locations across LA. Fans rave about the tsukemen, or "dipping noodles", which sees the pork broth served separately from the rest of the dish. The rich, intense flavour of the broth is achieved by 60 hours of low and slow cooking.

The Mile High City has a roster of great Japanese joints, such as this hip offering in Denver's uptown neighbourhood. Ace Eat Serve doubles as a ping-pong spot, although the menu is the star of the place. 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 one that's packed with delights, including house favourite Darkness Ramen. The tonkotsu (pork-bone) broth is cooked for more than 25 hours and comprises ingredients 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". The more conventional Pork Belly Tonkotsu Ramen is also available, all served with housemade noodles and a hearty bone broth.

Feeling inspired? Try this miso cod ramen recipe at home

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 lobster ramen are award-winning, and the latter is a house favourite. Expect delicate chunks of lobster and a creamy broth, with plenty of sweetcorn, green onions, 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. It's the best-loved ramen on the menu, with a rich, sesame broth simmered over two days and made from organic chicken and Kurobuta pork bones. 

Check out this tasty Tonkatsu ramen recipe

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 prawns 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 flavour-packed broth, which is filled with tender Berkshire pork belly, black wood ear mushrooms, spring onions and garlic oil.

Ramen Ray is the go-to spot for warming bowls of Sapporo ramen in Indianapolis. Diners really wax lyrical about the joint's Spicy Miso Ramen, which has a robust heat and moreish umami flavour. 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 perfect 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 has been cooked for 24 hours, and you can choose to add pork, beef brisket or moreish 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 cockle-warming ramen. The Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen comes out top. The creamy pork-bone broth is flavoured with soy and a kicking house spice paste, then finished with noodles, chashu pork, a soft-boiled egg and vegetables. 

Louisville's Ramen House describe 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 it melts in your mouth. The dish has the right amount of spice as well, according to diners. 

Nomiya opened in 2017 and describes its mission as "bridging the gap between quintessential New Orleans cuisine and Japanese artistry". It is located on happening, 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 is recommended with braised pork or a fish cake.

A bright and 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 and topped with pork tenderloin and shiitake mushrooms. 

Occupying a prime spot in Baltimore's inner harbour area, Ramen Utsuke is a minimalist space with traditional touches. The sizeable menu gets a big thumbs up too, with a large range of ramen to choose from. Diners love the imaginative Oriole Park Ramen – ramen noodles and chicken chashu doused in a silky chicken broth, alongside 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 flavourful broth.

Local beers, sake and a roster of inviting ramen dishes are on the menu at this Royal Oak ramen bar. The offering is imaginative, with a vegan miso choice and bowls including a seafood broth and 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, chilli oil and pickled bamboo sprouts. Diners love the creamy, flavourful soup and the bountiful portions.

Tori 44 dishes up ramen with a twist. The food joint eschews traditional pork broth in favour of a silky chicken soup and loads up bowls with extra veggies and al dente noodles. The Bali Bali option has earned the most fans it seems – it's a combination of poultry broth, tahini and ground chicken, plus Sichuan pepper (also known as Szechuan pepper) and chilli oil for an extra kick. It's rich and full of flavour. 

The ramen craze hasn't quite taken off in the state of 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 Ohashi Bowls that draws in the crowds. You can't go wrong with a classic pork bowl, made with a pork tasty broth and pork belly, plus fish cake and plenty of green onions. Extra toppings include kimchi and marinated eggs.

If you're after a quick meal, then 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 flavour, comprising braised pork and nori (dried, edible seaweed) to finish. 

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This ramen joint has got locations across Montana and beyond. In the loved Bozeman joint, eye-popping artworks and chic decor create a quirky feel, but the food is the real reason to come. The house favourite is Spicy Ramen – it has a hearty pork and chicken broth, packed with garlic, ginger and chilli, and topped with grilled pork. You choose the spice level – just know the "hot" packs 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 option with silken tofu (known as Japanese-style tofu), but 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 they still serve up some of the best steaming noodle bowls around. Dishes are ultra-traditional and the Miso Ramen hits the spot. Expect a silky broth packed with umami flavour, 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 specialises in "assari" ramen, meaning the broth is light and slow cooked in small batches. The menu is well loved by diners, but they've a particular penchant for the Burnt Garlic Tonkotsu with slow-braised pork belly. Add the house chilli 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 favourite is Chicken Ramen. You can choose the spice level of the flavour-packed broth, which is layered with golden fried chicken and veg. 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 offerings 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, spring onions and Szechuan pepper is tipped as the best around, and it's vegetarian too. 

Industrial decor sets 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 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, which is lifted with a homemade soyabean 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, with noodles lifted with a sweet Japanese yuzu (sometimes referred to as ponzu) soy dressing and then finished with pork tenderloin or belly and shredded seaweed. There's a range of ramen dishes built on a savoury chicken broth too.

Bold murals and plenty of counter seating make this a cool spot in Oklahoma City, and the food packs a punch too. King of the menu is Tori Paitan Ramen, which diners love for its garlicky flavour. 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. Nothing is rushed here. The Askari-style soups are slow-cooked daily, and the noodles are a labour 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 flavoured 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 Spicy Ramen – centred on a pork-bone soup with egg noodles, roasted pork, kimchi and a marinated boiled egg.

This cool ramen and donburi (tasty rice-bowl dish) restaurant has earned plenty of fans. Tori Tomo holds its own with a tempting list of classic and adventurous ramen dishes. The best of them is Ichiraku Ramen, which has a creamy pork broth, roasted pork and a traditional fishcake called narutomaki. If you fancy a change, try the Tomato or Kimchi Ramen.

Menkoi Ramen House in Downtown Columbia serves all the traditional ramen bowls, from a creamy Tonkotsu to a moreish Chicken Ramen. Yet, the Spicy Ramen, topped with roast pork, vegetables and nori, takes the crown again. 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 speciality – Bison Bone Ramen. The slow-simmered broth is made with bison bones and topped with tender bison brisket, sunflower seeds for extra crunch, spring onions, soy sauce and a boiled egg. The venue is low-lit and filled with colourful artworks.

East Nashville is packed with trendy restaurants, drawing in a hip local crowd, and izakaya (Japanese pub) and ramen house Two Ten Jack is no exception. The decor is cool and the menu creative. One of the star dishes is vegetarian option Yasai Shoyu, which has a delicious vegetable broth and is finished with burnt sweetcorn, collard greens and pickled ginger. 

This 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, and the thing to order according to diners. It's got a creamy pork-bone broth with roasted pork, finished with wood ear mushrooms and sesame seeds.

This Salt Lake City venue is very cool, with exposed brick walls, low-lighting 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 favourite with students in this college town. It was opened by a trio of friends and Japanophiles in 2016 who are committed to bringing top-quality ramen to the US. A small menu of rice bowls and ramen is dished up and the Chicken Shoyu (meaning soy sauce) has won the most admirers. It's made up of chicken broth and chicken chashu, with bamboo shoots. spring onions 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 (which are fermented bamboo shoots), half a seasoned egg and vegetables like bok choy (a type of Chinese cabbage). Diners recommend you add a glug of chilli oil for extra flavour.

Seafood fans will love the offering at Yoroshiku – a sophisticated spot in Seattle's Wallingford neighbourhood. 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. Diners really love this break from tradition. 

Check out this easy-to-make salmon ramen recipe

Morgantown has some foodie finds, including Yama Japanese Restaurant, which is 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 fish cake, which is described as "well balanced". There are veggie options available too. 

Diners are spoilt for choice at this cheerful Madison ramen restaurant in Wisconsin's capital, which also has locations in Chicago, New York City's East Village and more. The menu is organised by location, 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, stating it's full of "flavour 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 diners' favourite. It's layered up with pork belly, egg and nori, and customers say it's "a sure bet". 

Now check out these easy Japanese recipes you can make at home