From soupy noodles to unique toppings, everyone has a favourite go-to bowl when it comes to ramen. In Sydney, ramen is a favourite, with joints and eateries on practically every corner. For students short on time to working professionals on a quick break from work, ramen makes for the perfect comfort food. Especially in this frosty weather, few dishes compare to a hot bowl of rich, buttery ramen filled with delicious goodness of every kind. Here are some of our favourite ramen places around Sydney.
1. Gumshara
Gumshara is as close to authentic as traditional Ramen gets here in Sydney. The popular spot probably has the most staunch and dedicated following of ramen lovers and for good reason. We highly recommend their iconic broth which is known for being dense (and we mean dense) and super mega ramen bowls. They are also very generous with their servings so make sure you take your appetite along.
Address: Shop 211/25-29 Dixon St, Haymarket NSW 2000
2. Rising Sun Workshop
Rising Sun Workshop is Sydney’s first communal motorcycle workshop and restaurant. The Japanese-inspired café has a unique vibe to it which has made it quite a popular Instagram hotspot. It’s cosy and warm but simultaneously edgy. Needless to say, their ramen is incredible and the experience is only amplified by the ambience of the place. A must-try is their ever-popular brekky ramen comprising a meaty bone broth, bacon, egg, tomato and soupy noodles.
Address: 1C Whateley Street, Newtown NSW 2042
3. Ryo’s Noodles
Any ramen enthusiast will tell you to head straight to Ryo’s Noodles if you are after a slurpy, authentic bowl of ramen. With an equally big following and public love as Gumshara, it takes the cake as one of Sydney’s favourite ramen places with an incredibly loyal customer base. Their Tokyo Soy ramen is unmissable.
Address: 125 Falcon St, Crows Nest NSW 2065
4. Gogyo
The miso ramen at Gogyo is super popular. To give it that dark colour, the lard is made to be boiling hot and when the miso is added it ends up catching fire. The flames are then smothered by chicken broth. The noodles are firm and spongy and the broth, has just the right amount of thickness. It is an innovative twist to the classic ramen and one that has certainly worked for ramen lovers in the city.
Address: 52-54 Albion St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
5. Yasaka
Started by Ben Zhang and Takeshi Sekigawa back in 2009, Yasaka is a staple ramen stop. Rich ramen broth and silky soft noodles, their motto ‘no ramen, no life’ speaks volumes of their love for the dish. They also make their ramen on-site. Yasaka is popular for its tonkatsu ramen which comes in three sub-categories — miso, shoyu and shio. If you can handle a bit of spice, this one is a must-visit.
Address: 126 Liverpool St, Sydney NSW 2000
Shop 8/33 Amelia St, Waterloo NSW 2017
6. Ippudo
Ippudo’s most popular dish is the Shiromaru Motoaji which is a holistic meal of rich, brothy noodles, juicy shallots and woodear fungi, and a generous amount of chashu. The Japanese chain stays true to traditional flavours and condiments and manages to serve up a delicious and satisfying meal every time. No wonder that its held several coveted titles in the food industry including ‘World’s Greatest Ramen King.’
Address: Shop 5021/188 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000
Restaurant 77A, The District Podium Level, Chatswood Interchange, 436 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067
Shop RB07, Lower Ground, 28 Broadway Central Park, Chippendale NSW 2008
Macquarie Centre, 404B Herring Rd &, Waterloo Rd, North Ryde NSW 2113
7. Ichi-Ban Boshi
Ichi-Ban Boshi is an institution in Sydney. When it comes to flavour and ingredients, they don’t pull their punches. When visiting Ichi-Ban Boshi, their signature dish — the Tonkotsu is rich and brothy and comes highly recommended. It’s some of the best Japanese ramen in the city and they stick close to their roots in terms of flavour.
Address: 2 The Galeries, 500 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
1/171-173 Oxford St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
8. Ramen Bar Goku
Ramen Bar Goku is a hidden gem in Sydney. And just like Goku (Dragon Ball Z), who inspired the name, it is pretty fierce. Although relatively newer than the other names on this list, they can make a mean bowl of ramen. Ramen Bar Goku gives you the option of swapping different toppings and offers five different broth bases — salt, miso, soy, seafood or Tonkotsu.
Address: 30 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037
9. Ramen Zundo
Ramen Zundo is popular for its clear chicken broth exuding rich flavour and taste. Their Tonkotsu is light and drinkable but still robust and noodles have a perfect al dente texture. They also offer smaller portions of their dishes if you’re after a quick snack. Ramen Zundo’s location- in the heart of World Square, makes it one of the most accessible places on this list and a big reason for its popularity.
Address: 644 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Chatswood Place, 260 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067
10. Motto Motto
True to its translation — more more, you’ll be left wanting more at this restaurant. With contemporary decor, wholesome and classic condiments, a casual dining experience and great prices, you really can’t go wrong here.
Address: Macquarie Centre, 34444 Herring Road & Waterloo Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113