Sometimes you want a bowl of warm, soupy, noodle-y goodness, and the packets of Maggi instant ramen sat in the back of your cupboard just won’t cut it.
As any amateur cook will know, ramen is a deceptively difficult recipe. Given this it sometimes just doesn’t feel feasible to cook up your own authentic Japanese dinner when you get a craving.
And let’s be honest – the 13-hour-long broth cooking time, multiple components, and wide variety of toppings can feel intimidating. Understandably, it’s sometimes best to leave it to the professionals.
But then, where do you even go to find delicious Japanese ramen in Sydney? This list will guide you through the options on your doorstep. We’ve explored a wide range of addictively good bowls of ramen cooked by professional chefs. So with our help, you can slurp comforting noodles without having to slave away over a stove.
Here’s our take on the best ramen restaurants in Sydney.
Famous for their thick and tasty Pork Broth, this authentic ramen joint boasts a delicious menu and a wealth of positive reviews.
They are particularly known for their MSG and thickener-free Bone Marrow Broth, which is kept deliciously rich and thick by their 14-hour cooking time.
Recommended Order – The Super Mega Ramen Bowl – steeped in delicious, hearty Tonkotsu Broth, and loaded with three types of Pork, this meaty meal is guaranteed to satisfy even the biggest of appetites.
Gogyo, owned by the same restaurateurs that brought us Japanese dining giant Ippudo, makes a famously tasty and unique Charred Kogashi Ramen. Think chewy noodles floating in a delectably smoky Miso Broth.
Less well-known than their soupy counterparts, but equally mouth-watering, are their appetisers and snacks. Crispy Gyoza and fresh, juicy Edamame are the perfect companion to your blackened ramen bowl and should be enjoyed with a delicious Ashai beer. Or a Cocktail. The ones are this ramen joint are outstanding.
Recommended Order – The Burnt Kogashi Ramen (don’t be put off by the black broth! We promise it’s delicious, really), and a complimentary barrage of snacking plates. Think Pork Belly Steamed Buns and Japanese-style Jerky.
Although this place does amazing, authentic, soupy Ramen, it also does a number of Mazesoba bowls – a dry form of the famous Noodle dish. But basically, whatever you order here will be excellent.
Their pared-back but still undoubtedly delicious menu ranges from bowls of thick and creamy Pork Tonkotsu with homemade black chilli and garlic to spicy Sichuan Sesame Broth and Tori Paitan. The latter is the Chicken filled cousin of Tonkotsu.
Recommended Order – a must to try at this craft ramen bar is their thinner, Hakata Style Noodle, with their silky Tonkotsu Broth.
Also, worth an extra few dollars is the Chicken Karaage – a Japanese take on fried chicken. Served with lemon and mayonnaise, it’s the perfect appetiser to get you in the mood for some modern Japanese cuisine.
Note: The only negative to this hip joint is its popularity. This means you have to book ahead to ensure a table, and be prepared for weekend queues.
This newer entry on our rundown of the best ramen restaurants in Sydney specialises in Hakata-style Tonkotsu Ramen. That means thinner noodles which are cooked al dente – rather like authentic Italian spaghetti.
It worth mentioning that they also do a number of Rice dishes, Dumplings and Karaage Chicken. Their Bao Trio is also popular.
Always busy, don’t go expecting lots of personal service. However, the food is good and arrives quickly.
Recommended Order – The Signature Ramen is a winner and – if you’re not put off by the colour – the Black Tonkotsu, which is rich with fragrant Black Garlic Oil.
Location: Sydney City, Level 2, The Galeries, 500 George St, Sydney, NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 9262 7677 & Bondi Junction, Shop 1, 171-173 Oxford St, Bondi Junction, NSW 2022 Ph: (02) 9369 3980 & Sydney Express, Shop 8 Lower Ground, The Galeries, 500 George St, Sydney, NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 9264 7780
When you’re been open as long as the Sydney City branch of Ichiban Boshi has and you’re still got queues forming outside the door, you’ve got to be doing something right.
Whilst the menu is both authentic and wide-ranging, at the end if the day, it’s all about the ramen. The Tokyo Ramen is really rather special. From the soy-sauce rich soup to the roast pork and veggies, this is a bowl of harmonious flavours.
However, the star of the show it the Tonkotsu Ramen. They only serve 30 bowls of this incredible dish a day, so if you are one of the lucky ones, enjoy every slurp!
Recommended Order – The Tonkotsu Ramen – a magical combo of house-made noodles in a pork-based broth that builds in intensity over many hours of cooking.
The creative and innovative chefs at Chaco Ramen have conjured up a set of truly stand out dishes. Traditional flavours are combined in non-traditional ways. Here’s you’ll find intriguing ingredients like Yuzu (a Japanese citrus fruit) and Scallop complimented by chilli and coriander.
We’re confident that the flavourings found in these bowls of soup can’t be found anywhere else in town. It’ also one of the reasons that we feel it’s amongst the best ramen restaurants in Sydney.
Here you will be served one of four signature dishes. Each of these items is created within the confines of a firm ethical ethos – eating nose-to-tail – which means no waste.
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Moreover, Chaco Ramen runs seasonal Specials. With this in mind, it’s best to order them when they’re in stock, as there’s no guarantee that they will be back.
Recommended Order – When the weather is humid and claggy in Sydney, take yourself down to Chaco Ramen, to order their refreshing Cold Ramen. It’s a umami-packed savoury delicacy.
This atmospheric supper club is great if you’re looking for a true dining experience. Relax in the beautiful interior design whilst you are served food that blends traditional Japanese techniques with the flavours of French cuisine.
High-end ingredients such as Caviar and Truffle, more commonly found in traditional French cookbooks, are incorporated skilfully into their luxurious Ramen. Think Duck Meatball Ramen and Yuzu Spiced Broth.
Location: Darling Square, 86 Hay St, Haymarket, NSW 2000 Ph: 0401 305 885 See Website For Further Locations
Ramen with no broth? What kind of madness is this?!
Well, actually, that’s exactly what Mazesoba is. And if you haven’t tried it, you really should. Instead of a rich broth, Mazesoba gets its depth of flavour from a Soy-based Sauce which packs an umami punch. The result is a wonderfully satisfying heap of fresh Noodles and various toppings.
If you wish to push the boat out, the Wagyu Mazesoba ($34) is a real treat, with the Meat meltingly good.
As well as offering in-house dining, we love that Iiko Mazesoba also do a range of Take-Home Packs. If only more places did this. It’s another reason why it’s amongst our favourite Ramen restaurants in Sydney.
Recommended Order – If you’re game, try the Secret Dish ($21). A mash-up of Chicken Karaage Curry, Onsen Egg, Cheese and more, it’s unusual, but it works.
When an outpost (San Fransisco, to be exact) of a Ramen chain has a Michelin Star, you have to take notice.
And so there was much excitement amongst even the most jaded of noodle soup surpers when Chef Tomoharu Shono finally opened one of his award winning ramen restaurants in Sydney.
So is it worth the hype?
Firstly, we love the fact that although Mensho Ramen spots are popping up across the globe, the team choose to tailor dishes to specific locations. Happily, for Sydney-siders, this materialises as a stunning Lobster Bisque Ramen (only served for dinner). Even better, there is actually a whole Lobster used in each bowl. Lush, or what?
But even if the Lobster Ramen seems a bit too much for your palate, never fear. Mensho Tokyo have a Ramen philosophy based strongly on the importance of ‘Farm to Bowl’ cooking. This translates as steaming bowls of noodle soup made from the highest quality local produce – be it Pork or Seaweed.
Yes. You will probably have to join a queue to dine at Mensho Tokyo Ramen. Is the wait worth it? Absolutely. This is undoubtedly one of the finest ramen restaurants in Sydney.
Next on our rundown of the best ramen restaurants in Sydney we have Yasaka Ramen.
This modern, minimalist restaurant was opened in 2014 by two former Gumshara chefs. Although they definitely learnt how to make beautiful ramen from Gumshara, they have taken their own menu in a different direction.
Their big-hitting ramen is the spicy Black Garlic Ramen, rather than tonkotsu. This yummy bowlful is best accompanied by imported beer and larger. Japanese street food staple Takoyaki (balls of octopus in crispy golden batter) is another of their standout menu offerings.
Recommended Order – If you’re with a group, make sure you order the Tsukemen. This is a share plate of whole wheat dipping Ramen Noodles, which gives a comprehensive exploration of the ramen world.
Over in Crow’s Nest you’ll find this is a tiny authentic Japanese standing bar. In Japan, places such as this are integral to the eating and drinking culture. During the daytime, there is only one meal offer – their Tonkotsu Ramen.
The thick and creamy broth, chewy noodles and crispy fresh toppings are ideal for a lunch out, and the contemplative atmosphere within the tiny restaurant is calm. Tachinomi patrons are expected to wipe their tables down and return their plates to the counter. Another authentic Japanese touch.
Recommended Order – There is only one ramen dish on the menu, and it’s unavailable during their nighttime opening hours. However, it is a superb one, with a rich and authentic broth.
Location: Shop 4, 4-8 Waters Road, Neutral Bay, NSW 2089
From Crow’s Nest we hop over to Neutral Bay for the next of our best ramen restaurants in Sydney.
Run by the head chef of the much-missed Ramen O-San, Ramen Megumi boasts the same thick collagen-rich broth. Here, the fishy Gyokai Tonkotsu takes centre stage, alongside Chasu Pork Bowls and crispy Katsu Curry.
Recommended Order – The cheap and cheerful Ramen Fish Tonkotsu is great ordered as a takeaway and enjoyed eaten on the sofa after a long day at work (although no one will blame you if you can’t wait to start and eat it in the street).
Part ramen restaurant, part motorbike workshop, but all community spirit, the Rising Sun Workshop has a vibe all of its own. This restaurant really takes its motto (‘you are an honoured guest, welcome to our home’) to heart.
The combination of motorbikes and Japanese food makes the owner’s passions endearingly clear. And if anything, the workshop enhances your experience as a customer. Although it definitely helps that they make a mean bowl of ramen too.
Recommended Order – ‘The Light’ Ramen – a blend of Chicken Broth, gingery Tare Seasoning, flavourful Mushrooms, and crispy Pork Belly, this dish will delight your taste buds with its complex but fruity flavour.
Location: World Square, 644 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 9264 6113
Ramen Zundo painstakingly handcrafts their dishes from scratch, making their own Noodles, folding their own Gyoza and boiling Ramen Broths for 12 hours.
The amount of time and love put into the food is evident. The result is delectably tasty bowls of steaming Ramen served up to hungry customers, topped with jammy Boiled Eggs and sheets of crisp Nori Seaweed.
Their speciality, however, is Tsukeman Ramen – chewy cold Noodles served with hot, spicy Dipping Sauce.
Recommended Order – Tsukeman Ramen and Pan-Fried Gyoza Dumplings. Just make sure you ask for an extra soup to mix with the dipping sauce when you’ve finished your noodles.
Location: Level 3, Macquarie Centre, 34444 Herring Road & Waterloo Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113 Ph: (02) 9805 1386 See Website For Further Locations
Slowly, but surely, Motto Motto is spreading its tasty tentacles across Australia.
This is a modern Japanese restaurant inspired by the traditional fast-casual pace of a Japanese kitchen. Serving up fresh ingredients in innovative ways, the dining experience at Motto Motto is unrivalled.
Not only can you enjoy Ramen, but also Japanese Burgers, Rice Bowls, Poke Bowls, Curry and Udon Noodles.
Recommended Order – the spicy Red Ramen is not only delicious but also great if you’re feeling peaky – the kick to it will clear a blocked nose straight away.
When it comes to great places to eat in Australia, the list really is endless. There are so many different restaurants, cafés, and chains to try that you really are spoiled for choice. From Italian food, to Japanese food, to a good ‘ole rump steak, the food options are endless.
This is why I decided to set up my blog, Eatability, to share the best food and drink spots in Australia with as many people as possible. Hi, my name is Dylan Cole, and I moved to Australia five years ago from England, UK.
Through this blog, I will be sharing and recommending some of my favorite places you need to visit, such as where to find the best pizza in Adelaide, and the best bakery in Brisbane. Whatever food you are fancying, I have got you covered!
