Discover the Best 9 Ramen in New York City: Top-Rated Restaurants

It is common knowledge that ramen is not exactly a health food, but it is delicious, filling, affordable, and heaven-sent especially during a cool fall or cold winter’s day. While you may think that ramen is a Japanese dish, it was adapted by the Japanese from wheat noodle soups first created in China. The name “ramen” comes from the northern Chinese word “lamian”, which is a hand-pulled noodle. Ramen noodles are cut instead, but to a slurper a noodle is a noodle, right?

Since originating in the Chinatown of Yokohama, Japan early in the 20th century, ramen has evolved into hundreds, if not thousands of incredible iterations, and now include brisket, wagyu beef, vegan options, and any combination of ingredients imaginable.

In a city the size of New York, there are hundreds of ramen outposts throughout the five boroughs. Here is our list of what we believe to be some of the best in Manhattan or just across the East River in Brooklyn.

Okiboru House of Tsukemen

Ramen afficionados often line up outside of this Lower East Side (LES) hotspot at Orchard and Delancey streets. The restaurant does not accept reservations, so be prepared to wait for a table, especially during peak dining hours. Okiboru is the only tsukemen recipient of a Michelin rating in the world, making for an authentic ramen experience you will surely remember.

Unlike most ramen dishes, tsukemen is a Japanese dish with scallions, lime, nori, pork, or chicken which is served with cold, thick udon noodles and a separate bowl of hot broth for dipping them into. This makes Okiboru a refreshing ramen option during warm weather months.

The traditional ramen, served steaming hot, is equally wonderful in our estimation. Consisting of a blend of pork and chicken broth, thin noodles, scallions, and egg, with your choice of pork or chicken, Okiboru delivers a stand-out ramen no matter how you want it prepared. While the menu is a bit limited, anything you choose will be fabulous.

The cozy and very casual restaurant is open for lunch until 3 p.m., then re-opens at 5 p.m. for dinner.

117 Orchard St., Lower East Side

Kohoku-Ku Ramen

Named for a ward in the city of Yokohama, this small, popular spot in Hell’s Kitchen (Midtown West) is distinctively decorated with brightly colored paper lanterns and Suntory beverage crates that have been repurposed for seating. Easily walkable from Times Square and most Midtown hotels, the neighborhood is still non-touristy and within minutes of many Broadway theaters.

The ramen here is rich and fresh, with the pork broth requiring 48 hours before being served. The chicken broth is smooth, flavorful, and made fresh daily. In addition to their namesake Kohoku-Ku Ramen, they serve unique variations including Vegetable Tempura, Kumamoto (concentrated pork and black garlic broth), and Mackerel ramen.

Kohoku-Ku offers an extensive menu beyond ramen with yakitori skewers coming in a dozen varieties, gyoza and edamame appetizers, curry rice dishes (donburi), and tasty side orders ranging from kimchee to tofu, rice, and bok choy.

Wash it all down with a delicious Japanese soda, sake, or one of several Kyoto Beer options.

709 9th Ave. (48th-49th St.), Hell’s Kitchen/Midtown West

Ramen Ishida

If you don’t mind close quarters while dining on their incredible ramen, Ramen Ishida is a place you should check out. This teeny tiny restaurant only has eight (8) seats, but we have learned that the wait for a dining spot is rarely more than 10 minutes. The food here is so good that customers slurp or chow it down quickly.

Chef-owner Yohei Ishida used to cook at Ippudo (reviewed later in this blog post), opening his LES shop in 2017. His goal was to introduce New Yorkers and out-of-towners to ramen prepared with chicken broth as it is preferred in his hometown of Tokyo. He was of course aware that most ramen restaurants serve their bowls with tonkotsu broth which comes from white pork. His belief, and his success proves it, that clear chicken broth is no less flavorful than a pork broth. Ishida, after much experimentation has developed what he believes to be the perfect “umami”, or savoriness, with his flavorful dishes.

In addition to their Tokyo-style Shoyu Ramen which comes with thin or thick noodles, and chicken broth in a vegan-friendly vegetable broth, Ishida serves Miso, Spicy Mushroom or Tofu, and a Classic Shio Ramen served in a combination chicken/fish/pork broth. If you are looking for more than a bowl of ramen, add-on some pork buns, fried chicken Japanese-style, or gyoza as an appetizer.

Ramen Ishida may be small, but it provides diners with big, delicious flavors that are so aromatic and soothing. Combined with a Japanese soda, tea, or a variety of beers and saki will make for a full stomach and satisfying meal.

122 Ludlow St., Lower East Side

Rockmeisha

This East Village mainstay may only serve one type of ramen, Hakata style which originated in Fukuoka, but that does not make the rich, creamy, milky broth here any less delicious. Made by cooking pork bones, onions, pork fat, and ginger and bringing the concoction to a boil, continuing to cook it for several hours, the ramen at Rockmeisha will rock your world. In fact, you can smell the richness of the broth just by stepping inside, and that speaks volumes to ramen lovers.

The thin, white noodles come with all the toppings that you are looking for (no options), so ordering the ramen here is simple. Owner Toshiaki Kondo had a ramen stall in his hometown of Hakata, Japan, so he knows all about making the perfect bowl of ramen.

You may be here primarily for the amazing ramen, but don’t overlook the rest of menu. The lengthy list of tapas choices includes grilled yuzu chicken, octopus pancake, yaki curry, pork buns, a pork skewer, yellowtail carpaccio, and Hakata’s own version of a cheese steak sandwich. Beer and sake are also served at Rockmeisha.

But again, it’s the ramen that we keep coming back for, and you surely will too.

351 E. 14th St., East Village

Zutto Japanese Ramen Sushi Bar

Since opening in Tribeca in 1985, Zutto has been one of New York’s hotspots for an immersive Japanese food experience. With the addition of a NoLita (north of Little Italy) location in 2022, this popular and lively spot is now convenient to both east and west siders in Lower Manhattan.

The ramen here is served in tall narrow bowls, adding to the uniqueness of dining here. The noodles are thicker than those found at many other restaurants, and the combos offered are nothing short of amazing. Bear in mind that while the food here is fabulous, this is not traditional Japanese dining. Zutto’s concept is to provide family-style dining where everyone can dig into the Omakase Sushi Box and Kimchi Ramen to get a taste of everything that the table has ordered. They also offer American comfort food someone in your party wants ramen or sushi, but someone else is craving a Wagyu burger or pan seared salmon.

But it is the wide-ranging ramen and sushi (15 different rolls) dishes that will have you wowing as you check out the menu. Before determining your toppings, you get to choose your broth from Tonkatsu broth (pork), daiyu and mushroom (shoyu), Tonkatsu/fish, chicken, spicy chicken, miso, vegetable, fish, and the aforementioned Tonkatsu with Kimchi paste. Then pick from five distinct kinds of noodles, including spinach for the vegetarian diner. The toppings list includes marinated bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, corn, tofu, kimchi, and swirled fish cake.

As you can see, Zutto is unlike any other restaurant you have been to for ramen. The warm and inviting atmosphere features exposed brick walls, stunning art posters, and all-around upscale furnishings. However, the vibe is unpretentious and designed for a great culinary and socializing evening.

77 Hudson St. (Harrison-Jay), Tribeca & 384 Broome St. (Mulberry-Mott), NoLita

Ichiran

If you asked for one word to describe Ichiran, it would be ‘unique’. Mind you, it isn’t the food that we are talking about but the entire restaurant operation. The food is excellent, but first we have to explain the rules of the road so that you are not caught off-guard upon arrival.

Ichiran’s “Classic Tonkotsu Ramen” is completely customizable. So much for places that don’t allow any substitutions or changes to their menu items. Here the opposite is true. They have a written order system that you complete which tells the kitchen exactly how you would like them to create your ramen. Options include the flavor strength of the broth, noodle firmness, and which accompaniments such as scallions, protein, egg, seaweed, mushrooms, and so on, that you want, and do not want. Other items on the order form include extra noodles, garlic, toppings, rice, or protein.

Just check the boxes on the order form, press the button at the counter to indicate that you are ready to order, and a human will interact with you briefly to complete the process. Talk about a fun and unique experience!

A friend described dining at Ichiran to be much like the vintage Burger King jingle: “Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce, special orders do not upset us. All we ask is that you let us serve it your way.” Order forms are available in English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese.

Ichiran is also home to the one-of-a-kind Ramen Focus Booth at the Times Square location. Within the confines of a private dining area, you are encouraged to focus on the flavorful food without the distractions of a busy restaurant. Come solo or dine with friends and choose how much outside noise you are willing to experience during the meal. The booth’s have movable walls between them, so you can raise the sides and close out the conversations coming from elsewhere. Not exactly sociable, but it is ‘unique’.

Fun for introverts, couples, and families, Ichiran’s food is soothing and delicious, making a return visit during your New York City vacation a real possibility.

132 W. 31st St., Midtown West; 152 W. 49th St. Times Square/Midtown West; Brooklyn - Bushwick, and Downtown

Tonchi

Located on the edge of Koreatown (some may consider this Midtown West), Tonchin’s Manhattan restaurant is the flagship U.S. location, with other stores to be found in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on N. 3rd St., and in the Larchmont neighborhood of Los Angeles. Reservations are accepted via Resy, but evening times can be hard to find if not booked well in advance.

A suggestion: Tonchin is less busy during lunch and mid-afternoon hours, so if you can swing it, come when it is less crowded.

The ramen here is described as Tokyo-style, a tonkotsu broth, and is offered in many creative versions from Classic to Smoked Dashi with fish and clams, Miso Ginger, and Spicy Tan Tan. The menu also features Tonchin’s version of Original Tsukemen with thick, cold, whole wheat noodles. Warm, homemade Ban Ban noodle dishes come made especially for vegan diners, or with chicken.

Before choosing your main dish, check out the Bites Sampler with choice like Kimchi Mushrooms, Edamame, and a fabulous cucumber concoction. And the Japanese rice balls are a fun way to get started.

There is a $27 lunch special until 2:30 p.m. which includes a rice ball or bun, and your choice of a main dish whether that be ramen, Ban Ban noodles, or tsukemen.

Being an extremely popular dining spot, Tonchin does limit your dining time to 90 minutes, does not allow any substitutions or modifications to menu items, and has a minimum $20 per person purchase for customers with reservations. On a positive note, these restrictions have not kept people from coming here repeatedly, as the food is amazing.

13 W. 36th St., Koreatown (5th-6th Ave.)

Totto Ramen

A casual and inviting chain of ramen shops with other locations in Taipei and the Boston area, Totto Ramen is known for their signature Chicken Paitan Ramen, fulfilling the desires of many ramen fans for a chicken-based broth as opposed to the traditional tonkotsu or pork product. The Midtown East location makes it especially popular as a lunch spot. Diners love the thin noodles, free range chicken, potatoes, and onions that come together perfectly in each bowl. To maximize the chicken’s potential flavor, work begins early in the morning so that the ingredients are ready for you 4 or 5 hours later, and beyond.

Since 2010 Totto Ramen has satisfied many thousands of customers with their ramen, which also comes in vegan, miso, spicy, and fried chicken varieties. The menu is not limited to ramen, though it is the top seller. Other offerings include gyoza, tuna don, chicken and pork buns, and a delectable fried chicken main dish.

Lunch is served until 2:45 p.m., with dinner service commencing at 5 p.m.

248 E 52nd St. (2nd-3rd Ave.), Midtown East

Ippudo

Ippudo is not a national chain though there are stores on the West Coast in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Ippudo has a half dozen NYC locations in multiple boroughs. With the two Midtown West locations being especially convenient to visitors staying in the heart of the city. Brooklynites and people staying across the river may find the Dumbo location on Adams St. to be to their liking.

The savory and rich pork broth that many ramen afficionados crave is alive and well at Ippudo. However, the restaurant gives each individual chef the flexibility to choose how much pork, chicken, beef, or fish broth to use with each pot, and this holds true for the seasonings like soy sauce and miso, too. It takes 20 hours from start to finish before each pot of broth for tonkotsu ramen is ready to serve.

Just in case you are wondering, yes, all noodles are made fresh, in-house, and again, each chef decides what the thickness, length, texture, and form will turn out to be. Toppings include chashu (simmered port slices), boiled egg, scallions, ginger, and other items that the chef chooses to include each day.

Clearly, Ippudo is not your run-of-the-mill ramen restaurant, though we don’t think any of the spots that we’re recommending are in that category. Dining at Ippudo is an unrushed, giving you the time to peruse their extensive, colorful, and highly creative menu. With so many starters, appetizers, rice bowls and rolls, shrimp/chicken/pork/veggie buns, and a bevy of desserts, you are assured of not leaving hungry. In fact, you may want to have a healthy walk planned post-ramen.

321 W. 51st St. (8th-9th Ave.) & 24 W. 46th St. (5th-6th Ave.) Midtown West; 65 Fourth Ave. (9th-10th St.), East Village

Ramen in New York City comes in a myriad of distinctive styles, from hole-in-the-wall spots that turn out incredibly delicious versions in nondescript locations, to upscale restaurants with extensive menus and fancier digs. The most important thing is that each of these recommended ramen restaurants will fill you up with incredible dishes that won’t break the bank.

Happy slurping!