If you’re living in Melbourne and looking for the best ramen in the city, you have come to the right place. There are many great options for you to choose from and this article will help you find the best ones.
Shop Ramen
Ramen in Melbourne has taken off in the last few years. You can find it at a variety of different restaurants. It is an easy meal to order and is filled with vegetables and meat.
You can order the usual noodles and toppings or try one of the more unusual ramen dishes. For example, you can get a shoyu pig belly ramen or a creamy tan tan ramen.
One of the best ramen shops in Melbourne is the Shop Ramen. This ramen joint is located in Fitzroy, and is a favourite with locals. The restaurant serves hearty ramen and buns. There is also a range of vegetarian options and desserts.
The menu at Shop Ramen offers seven different types of ramen. Besides the standard pork and vegetarian ramen, you can also order the shoyu pig belly ramen, a vegetarian gyoza ramen, or kimchi ramen. They have a range of buns with different fillings.
Another ramen restaurant in Melbourne is Mugen Ramen. This ramen joint is unique, with a basement vibe and a comic book themed menu. All of their ramen is made in house and served in huge bowls.
If you’re looking for a ramen restaurant that serves more traditional Japanese meals, you can check out the outposts of Hakata Gensuke. These restaurants feature a tick-sheet ordering system and customisable noodles.
Another popular ramen restaurant in Melbourne is Mr Ramen San. The restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere and serves authentic ramen from Japan.
Gogyo
Gogyo is one of the most popular ramen restaurants in Melbourne. It’s a sister restaurant to the famed Ippudo chain and offers many different ramen options. From tonkotsu to kogashi, there is a bowl for every ramen lover at this Fitzroy noodle spot.
While its charred soups and izakaya-style snacks are all top-notch, the noodle bowls here are the real standouts. You can choose from a range of unique flavours, including karaage and chashu pork, and even a dark miso vegan ramen. The tonkotsu ramen, which is said to be the ultimate in Japanese noodle broths, involves a long process of cooking that results in a creamy, gelatinous texture.
Another great choice is the burnt miso ramen. This intensely rich bowl is made using a charred miso base, which is then deglazed with chicken broth. A half umami egg and cabbage top off the dish.
The tsukemen (dry noodles) is another menu favourite. These are served in a dipping broth with a sesame seed sauce. In addition to traditional ramen, there are also snacks like the tsukemen yakitori and tsukemen sushi.
For something a little bit more substantial, try the karaage ramen cafe. This ramen features soft noodles in a broth filled with corn kernels and deep-fried chicken.
Gogyo has also opened a store in Sydney’s Surry Hills. Known for its ramen, the restaurant has opened in a former Salaryman space. Though the ramen isn’t quite up to the level of the Kyoto store, it’s still a great option for a noodle fix.
Shizuku
Shizuku is a ramen restaurant with a twist. The restaurant has a nifty little nip and tuck facility whereby guests can have a gyoza meal for lunch or dinner without breaking the bank. You can even organise some of the more traditional Japanese fare for a private party, if you’re looking for a more sophisticated take on a ramen burger.
In addition to its more pedestrian offerings, Shizuku has a full bar where you can order a craft beer to wash down your ramen. They also have a swag of other cool things to eat. A sushi menu is another novelty and they have a decent selection of sakes. Their cocktails are on point. And if you’re looking for a nightcap, they’ll be happy to oblige.
If you’re after the top of the line Japanese ramen, Shizuku is not the place to go. There are many finer establishments in Melbourne’s western suburbs and beyond. Fortunately, they are all in walking distance from one another. To get the best of both worlds, order online. After all, you don’t want to get stuck waiting in a queue to get your ramen. Also, they’ll deliver your order when it suits your schedule. Take the requisite measure and order ahead of time. Or, you can call in your order and they’ll scurry to your door if they’re in a hurry.
While you’re at it, don’t be afraid to use Uber Eats. As of the writing of this article, they have a slew of promos on offer, including a free delivery on orders over $50.
Mugen
If you’re looking for the best ramen in Melbourne, there are plenty of options to choose from. However, a lot of them are hidden away. This means you need to know where to look.
Mugen is one of the more popular ramen places in Melbourne. The tsukemen ramen, or “dipped ramen” at Mensousai Mugen, has a special house-blended broth. You’ll enjoy thick, chewy noodles, dried fish, chicken, and pork in the soup. It’s a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
Aside from tsukemen, Mensousai Mugen also serves Japanese tapas-style dishes. There are two levels of the restaurant, with a basement offering drinks and Japas.
Mugen’s tsukemen menu offers three options. Customers can order a regular sized bowl for 17 dollars or a large size for $38.
Mugen is located on Bligh Place, opposite the Robot Bar. The restaurant has a dark and gritty vibe. Despite being a ramen bar, the place is not overly crowded.
Mugen also has a snack menu with fried dumplings, prosciutto on bread, creamy potato salad, and more. These can be ordered as an appetizer, side dish, or main course.
Another popular ramen spot in Melbourne is Neko Neko. It has a vegan and vegetarian menu. Their menu is also a mix of superfood salads. They also offer swordfish burgers and a variety of superfood salads.
Some other great ramen spots in Melbourne are Yoku Ono, Hakata Gensuke, and Shujinko. All of these locations offer tsukemen.
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen is a ramen restaurant that combines speed with quality. This new Japanese ramen concept aims to spread the tradition of ramen throughout the globe. They offer a range of izakaya style dishes and also have a wide selection of Japanese drinks. The restaurant aspires to be the first to bring the wholesome gourmet ramen experience to the Metro Melbourne area.
One of the more interesting features of Ikkoryu Fukuoka is the fact that it provides home delivery to Metro Melbourne. They also boast the largest dining room in the city. Designed by Japanese architect Okada Tomoyuki, the space is filled with artworks from the likes of Yasuko Sensyu.
In addition to the traditional horigotatsu seating, the restaurant has a wide selection of izakaya-style dishes. There are also vegetarian options. Their menu is a well thought out combination of the best of Japan and Australia. For instance, their ice cream was a tasty touch.
They also have a special selection of sake, tsukune and Japanese alcohols. You can enjoy your meal while enjoying a cold beer or whisky.
Unlike most ramen restaurants, they even have the first Asahi black outside of Japan. And they have a free first serve.
Besides the good old fashioned tonkotsu soup, they also have a variety of gyoza and chashu roast pork. These are the best in town. Also on their list is the Yuzu ramen.
Hakata Gensuke
Hakata Gensuke is the ramen that originated in the central district of Fukuoka, Japan. It is a unique Japanese experience. The Hakata Gensuke restaurants in Australia use the same recipes and ramen dishes found in the original Japanese ramen establishments.
Hakata Gensuke has seven outlets in Melbourne. These are located in Northbridge Chinatown, Carnegie, Russell Street, East Victoria Park, Hawthorn, and Lygon Street. They are run by Jaclyn Wong, Jason Lau, and Sean Tan.
Hakata Gensuke offers four flavours of tonkotsu soup. The Gensuke Original Pork has thin homemade noodles and tender pork chashu, while the Shio Tonkotsu uses a thinner broth and bamboo shoots. For a meatier, spicier soup, try the God Fire.
Hakata Gensuke also offers a wide selection of tsukemen. The tsukemen section is located upstairs. Customers can choose from chicken, pork, or char siu.
Gensuke Ramen has been named the Best Bang for Buck at the 2015 Time Out Food Awards. You can order from the restaurant, or have it delivered through Uber Eats.
Hakata Gensuke’s pork bone noodle soup has a rich, tonkotsu broth made from pork bones that simmered for twelve hours. There’s also a secret blend of spices to give the soup a spicy fire.
At Hakata Gensuke, you can even grind your own sesame seeds for toppings. Their chashu is made of pork shoulder and has a chewy texture. This is a more delicate ramen than those you’d find in other ramen chains.
