Ramen, a popular Japanese noodle dish, is usually served in a soup with various toppings. Some of the best ramen restaurants in the nation can be found in Melbourne, so if you're in the mood for a filling and satisfying dinner, plan to stop by one of these establishments. Everyone can find their ideal version of this classic dish at one of the many restaurants serving it. Without further ado, then, here are Melbourne's top ramen joints.
Many of the world's finest eateries may be found in Melbourne. Everyone can find a restaurant that suits their tastes, from authentic Italian to authentic Asian. Well, what about ramen? If you're looking for some of the best ramen in Australia, Melbourne is a great place to visit. Listed below are 4 of the most notable.
The ramen in Melbourne is some of the best you'll find anywhere, and you won't have to go far to find it. These restaurants provide a wide variety of ramen, from traditional Tokyo style to creative new takes on the dish. In conclusion, if you find yourself in Melbourne with an appetite, you must visit one of the city's many fantastic ramen restaurants.
Melbourne's Best Ramen
Broth, tare (seasoning), noodles, and toppings all come together to make a satisfying bowl of ramen.
Most people in Melbourne are familiar with the rich tonkotsu (pork bone) stock as well as the light chicken version, both of which are typically simmered for at least half a day with kelp and/or shiitake flakes to add a strong umami taste.
The traditional ingredients of shoyu (miso), shio (salt), and miso (fermented soybeans) give the soup an extra depth of flavour. A ramen chef's taré recipes are frequently his or her most closely guarded secret.
Noodles, like their Italian counterpart, can come in hundreds of varieties. Only one constant? Since they will continue to cook in the dish, they are best served firm and just underdone. In Japan, there is no custom of waiting about for a friend's ramen to be served. To avoid the noodles becoming mushy, it is considered more polite to dive in as soon as the bowl is placed on the table and do so with a lot of grateful slurping.
Pork from the grill, an egg cooked to your liking, green beans, black fungi, nori (seaweed), naruto fritters, scallions, corn, and even butter can all make appearances as toppings.
Shyun Ramen Bar
The best ramen in Melbourne is not always available in the central business district. All the way down to a open kitchen that welcomes ramen lovers from the long, thin dining room, Shyun Ramen Bar brings a little bit of Japan to the suburbs.
Focusing on steaming bowls of a few of Melbourne's greatest ramen, soba, and udon, the minimalist industrial decor consists of wood-paneled and open brick walls, and giant light bulbs. Karaage ramen is a hybrid of Japas and ramen; it features bite-sized chunks of deep-fried chicken atop a mound of soft noodles in a shoyu or soy sauce broth with a sprinkling of corn kernels & spring onions for crunch.
Little Ramen Bar
According to the crew at Little Ramen Bar, Slurping noises aside, a platter of gyoza is the standard complement to a bowl of ramen. The juicy pork dumplings pair equally well with a cold Sapporo like they do with the arguably Melbourne's greatest ramen in the central business district. Choose between the traditional ramen (served with pork, noodles, and a broth of your choosing) and the spicier tan-tan men. The latter is like a stew more than a noodle soup, and it is great for dipping gyoza into because of the abundance of minced pork in the broth, which is laced with chilli peppers.
Little Ramen Bar, as its name implies, is a cosy ramen bar serving some of the best ramen in Melbourne. You can pick from shoyu (a specific soy base), miso (fermented soybeans), or shio (a fermented rice variety) (light salt base). From there, customise your bowl with your prefered toppings, such as a seasoned egg, sluggish pork broth, roasted sesame nuts, bamboo shoots, or a seafood medley. The level of heat and the inclusion of meat or veggies are both options.
Shujinko
There's always room for further late-night dining alternatives in Melbourne, despite the fact that we have a sneaky midnight kebab. For this purpose, there is Shujinko Ramen. The only ramen bar open 24/7 in the city, you can have a bowl of freshly made ramen, gyoza, or takoyaki whenever you want.
In any condition, you can count on their trademark Tonkotsu Ramen, which is loaded with collagen. The wheat noodles and soft-boiled egg are prepared in a hidden kitchen at the restaurant's back, behind a glass wall. Don't leave the table without trying the crispy cutlets, chicken Karaage, and pan-fried gyoza.
Shujinko doesn't leave anything to be desired, what with its flavorful broth and thick, freshly made noodles, as well as its superb service and affordable menu. The only exception would be additional visits after the food has been digested. Also, this Melbourne Central Business District ramen shop is open around the clock, so you can stop by whenever you feel the need to satisfy your ramen desire.
Mr Ramen San
Tucked down on the Little Bourke St side of the bustling Mid-City Arcade is the little but popular Mr Ramen San. This restaurant serves up some of the best ramen around Melbourne, with a 24-h tonkatsu broth and homemade noodles, and it also happens to be one of the earliest ramen shops in the city. In addition to the traditional pig ramen, chicken ramen, and seafood ramen, Mr. Ramen San also serves a vegan option called "Charsu" ramen as well as a relatives hotpot with pork broth.
Mr. Ramen San is a proud purveyor of authentic Japanese ramen from Hakata. They make their noodles fresh every day, and while they serve some of the best Japanese ramen around Melbourne, they never lose sight of what makes their restaurants special: the hearty flavours and welcoming atmosphere they've created for their customers. Indulge in the fresh flavour of their soup-infused, high-quality ingredients and the aroma of flawlessly fried eggs when you stop by.
Tokyo Tina
Given its reputation as one of Chapel Street's hippest (and busiest) eateries, Tokyo Tina better serve authentic Japanese ramen. Yes, many of them do. There's the typical chicken, the spicy chicken, the mushroom and miso, and the ramen egg with smoked brisket and bok cabbage in Tina's Black Peel sauce (dashi, sugar, mirin and soy). If you want it quickly, you should be there early; otherwise, you might be in Chapel for a while.
Shizuku
Shizuku is a newer option for ramen in Melbourne. This hip spot specialises on ramen and craft beer, and its decor has charcoal walls, huge blonde wood light shades, and terrariums. You can get anything from the standard Asahi to a superb rum-infused deliciousness (plum wine) on the extensive beverages menu, and the ramen selection is just as wide-ranging.
If you've never had ramen before, We recommend starting with the traditional shoyu ramen, which consists of wheat noodles, pork, and a little salty soup. But if you're a true ramen connoisseur, you should try the tonkotsu shio kind, which features pork belly plus noodles that are initially springy but soften and absorb more flavour the longer your let them soak inside the pork bone broth.
Shop Ramen
Shop Ramen serves the type of ramen that is popular in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. It's impossible to beat the conventional ramen's soft-boiled egg and succulent pork, but the vegetarian version has become a fan favourite for its ingenuity and deliciousness.
Broccoli and zucchini give crunch with flavour, and the sprinkling of nuts and seeds offer textural complexity to the smooth cashew milk broth, which is just as satisfying as its porky predecessor. Shop Ramen is a strong candidate for the title of best ramen in Melbourne, whether you're in Fitzroy or Preston.
Ippudo
This international chain is known for its hakata-style tonkotsu ramen and its "queue up, slurp up, get out" service, which is typical of the way Japanese salarymen dine. The porkiness of the broth has been reduced while still maintaining the collagen-slickness you get from a genuine tonkotsu after boiling down pork bones for so many hours. In any case, this is good news because it means you may avoid the food coma and return to work as usual.
In 2018, Ippudo exploded into the scene by opening its sixth Australian location, in Sydney, joining the five others in other major cities. There was a lot of excitement, and the lines were even longer. And justifiably so, as their speciality ramen is excellent.
For around $16, you can have this rich tonkotsu soup that has been simmered for at least a day, complete with pork loin, red onion, bean sprouts, and black fungus. Ippudo's calling card is their Hakata-style ramen, which is well worth the wait in line on a chilly night.
Gomi Boys Ramen
The menu at the this Sydney Street ramen shop is probably not going to satisfy your craving for a simple bowl of authentic Japanese ramen. But if you're curious about the kind of ramen that may emerge from using sustainably sourced, locally produced ingredients in Australia, then make a reservation at Gomi Boys. You may have a roasted Otway shiitake ramen with grilled kale, peaches and strawberry ponzu, and chrysanthemum greens, or you could choose a chicken shio ramen with lemon myrtle cooked chicken breast, pickled tropea onion, and chicken thigh rillette.
Hakata Gensuke
Hakata Gensuke's yobimimodoshi (master stock) is a flavorful soup only found in the top ramen restaurants in Japan, and you can get it at their Melbourne CBD and Hawthorn locations. They use only the freshest pork bones from trusted Australian suppliers, cook the broth for three days to fully infuse it with flavour, and each member of the kitchen staff consumes an entire bowl every day to ensure it meets their exacting standards (and, let's be honest, nobody can resist it once they've had a taste). When you add in the chanting wait staff and authentic Japanese cuisine, you can feel like you've been transported to the country of a rising sun for the night.
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen
This quality Japanese ramen downtown Melbourne is served at the only two Ikkoryu Kyushu Ramen restaurants in all of Australia. You won't find better ramen anyplace else, and they specialise on chikuho noodles & tonkotsu soup. Spreading the culture of traditional Japanese ramen-making to Melbourne gives you a taste of a dish that has been fine-tuned and polished over the course of four decades, making it some of the best ramen in the world.
Neko Neko
Neko Neko is a well-known ramen restaurant near Melbourne, and its name is a play on the phrase "so nice they called it twice." The raw ingredients at Neko Neko, which specialise in vegetarian, vegan, and seafood ramen, will surprise you and your taste buds. The photographs are enough to make anyone's mouth water, so do yourself favour and try some of this wonderful vegan fare.
Mensousai Mugen
Mensousai Mugen has two stories to accommodate large groups. For a quick bowl of tsukeman and ramen in Melbourne's central business district, head to the basement. If, on the other hand, you'd want to linger a little longer over the exquisite flavours and sample their one-of-a-kind Japas (Japanese tapas), the basement is the place to go. The dipping ramen features handmade noodles that are thick and chewy, and they come in a variety of flavorful broths that the chefs create in-house.
Ramen Ya
Ramen Ya, famous for its charshu tonkotsu ramen, is known for using only the highest quality pig belly in their secret masters broth. Try their veggie gyoza ramen and kimchi ramen if it doesn't do the trick. They provide one of the most extensive selections of Japanese ramen in Melbourne, with options like karaage ramen, curry ramen, vegetarian ramen, and many more.
Ajisen Ramen
Ajisen Ramen was started in Kumamoto in 1968 by one Mr. Takahuaru Shigemitsu. Since going global in 1996, Ajisen Ramen has amassed a total of 750 locations across the globe. If you still need more convincing that their ramen is the best, consider the fact fact their signature ramen (pork bone) soup is beneficial to your cardiovascular system, your bones, and your ability to stay young. The freshest, most fulfilling ramen in Melbourne is made with this unique rich brown sauce named senmiyu, which complements the noodles perfectly.
Shop Ramen Fitzroy
The ramen @ Shop Ramen Fitzroy could make your tongue melt if that were even possible. As an alternative, you get the delicious slurp of flavour as well as the tender, soft noodles with a juicy bite. It's the best possible beginning to the ideal ramen equation whether you go with pork or vegetarian ramen. What goes best with Melbourne's finest ramen? Served with a matcha and mustard ice cream pie and premium sake.
Yoku Ono Ramen + Sake
Everything about eating at Yoku Ono, from the chairs to the way this same sashimi is prepared, will make you feel like you've been transported to a back alley in Tokyo. They have an in-house Ramanmasuta who makes all of the ramen in the traditional style (ramen master). Both the chicken and veggie broths are slow-cooked for over eight hours and feature over 20 different vegetables, mushrooms, and herbs. This means there is no such thing as making a bad decision or having food envy at the this Melbourne ramen joint, but it also means you may have to visit multiple times.
This warmer weather calls for a visit to a ramen as well as sake restaurant. Why? Both types of liquid dinners are easily accessible. A bowl of steaming ramen and a cool glass of sake go like a warm bowl of noodles and a glass of warm sake. The house chicken broth ramen here in Prahran is worth the extra $25, and you can choose from among five different sake varieties.
The eight-hour slow-cooking process results in a rich, creamy base that, it turns out, might be the miracle cure you've been looking for all along. Just a minor inconvenience. You can choose the sesame ramen with the spicy pork mince if you like things spicy, or the chicken leg or pork belly ramen if you prefer something milder. The restaurant's signature meat-free broth is crafted from 20 different vegetables, mushrooms, and herbs, so vegetarians and vegans are also well-catered-to.
Gogyo
In the same vein as the well-known ramen shop Ippudo, you'll find both delicious food and friendly service at Gogyo. Similarly to Ippudo, Gogyo provides a wide selection of ramen options. However, this same kogashi (burnt miso) ramen is the house speciality.
Making it entails lighting a miso paste on fire in a wok over high heat, then dousing the resulting flames with chicken broth. Afterwards, chashu (braised pork), cabbage, and a flavoured egg are quickly added on top of the soup. A visually stunning and aromatic bowl of noodles is the end result.
In addition to the ramen, we recommend the Wagyu meat sukiyaki (meat or vegetables stewed in a soy sauce, sugar, and mirin mixture), the mayonnaise-drenched spring rolls, and the negitoro nigiri sushi (nori wrapped all around rice ball) with tuna belly and truffle oil.
Those who choose to avoid eating meat also have satisfying alternatives to consider. One of the best things is the tofu food with nashi pears, blue cheese, cabbage, and sesame dressing. Equally complex and delicious is the vegetarian soba.
There is a varied cocktail menu, with many options that lean towards the tangier end of the flavour spectrum. Australian wines make up the bulk of the list, which is rounded out by a selection of Japanese beers as well as sakes.
The front dining table is flooded with natural light from the ceiling to the floor windows. Choose the bar inside the second dining room, behind the indigo woven curtain, for a moodier and much more intimate experience.
Ramen Ya
Ramen Ya is known for its ramen, which consists of wheat noodles drenched in a rich broth and tangled with a variety of toppings. While purists may complain that it's "not like Japan," everyone can agree that the broths here are among the best. There's even a plastic display case that looks like it could be in Japan.
Ramen Ya has two successful stores in the Central Business District, one at the Emporium and the other at the pinnacle of Bourke Street, and is now looking to expand into franchising.
The Central Business District lunch crowd is drawn by $10 bowls of ramen and a limited beer menu (Asahi and Sapporo). Hakata, Japan is known for its tonkotsu charshu (pork broth) ramen.
In any case, pick your broth, add your toppings, and dig into the a paintbox of ramen with egg, seaweed, and seafood pinwheels floating atop the noodles.
Wabi Sabi Salon
Wabi Sabi Salon, despite being one of the first of so many Japanese coffee shops to open on Smith Street, is still something of a cult favourite among the locals thanks to its offbeat, bohemian atmosphere.
The interior may be a little chaotic, but the real Japanese souvenirs and paper lanterns will have you feeling like you're on vacation in Tokyo. For lunch, pick from sets of sushi and miso or a meat, fish, or vegetarian main dish served with rice and a side salad and neatly compartmentalised in bulky black bento boxes. Most meals are served on colourful banana leaf-covered ceramic plates.
The chicken-wing pork gyoza may look strange, but they are stuffed with delicious pork and are a great example of the restaurant's affordable and shareable menu. There is a wide selection of Japanese wines available, including some old favourites and some newer discoveries, such as plum wine, shochu, and several types of sake.
Wabi-Sabi offers several seating options, including bamboo stools at the front, an upstairs mezzanine, a small Japanese garden in the back, and crowded tables inside.
Conclusion
Melbourne is home to some of the top ramen restaurants in the country. There are many of places to eat out where you may get a satisfying version of this classic dish. The ramen served at these eateries ranges from the authentic Tokyo style to innovative twists on the classic. In Melbourne, it's not always possible to get your hands on the city's best ramen in the CBD. When you visit Shyun Ramen Bar, you'll feel like you've stepped into a little slice of Japan, thanks to the restaurant's open kitchen and minimalist industrial furnishings.
You may have a bowl of ramen whenever you like at Shujinko Ramen, the only ramen restaurant in Melbourne that is open around the clock. Mr. Ramen San has some of the best ramen in Melbourne; the restaurant uses a 24-hour tonkatsu broth and homemade noodles. Shujinko is one of Melbourne's first ramen restaurants and is open nonstop. The chicken Karaage, pan-fried gyoza, and crispy cutlets at this little but well-liked restaurant are all must-tries. When it comes to Hakata ramen, Mr. Ramen San is the man to see.
The interior of Shizuku, a relatively new ramen restaurant in Melbourne, features charcoal walls, enormous light shades made of blonde wood, and terrariums. The ramen at Shop Ramen is typical of what people in Melbourne's northern suburbs eat.
Content Summary
- Ramen is a type of Japanese noodle soup that is commonly served with a variety of toppings.
- Melbourne is home to some of the best ramen restaurants in the country, so if you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, make your way to one of these eateries.
- So, without further ado, I present the best ramen restaurants in Melbourne.
- Melbourne is home to some of the best restaurants in the world.
- Whether one is in the mood for traditional Italian cuisine or authentic Asian cuisine, there is a restaurant out there for them.
- Melbourne is a fantastic destination to come if you're in search of the best ramen in Australia.
- The ramen in Melbourne is excellent, and you won't have to look very hard to find it.
- The ramen served at these eateries ranges from the authentic Tokyo style to innovative twists on the classic.
- Ultimately, if you're hungry and in Melbourne, you just must eat at one of the city's numerous excellent ramen eateries.
- Top-Rated in Melbourne Ramen Each bowl of ramen has a perfect balance of broth, tare (seasoning), noodles, and toppings.
- Waiting around for a friend's ramen to be served isn't a thing in Japan.
- In Melbourne, it's not always possible to get your hands on the city's best ramen in the CBD.
- Shyun Ramen Bar offers a taste of Japan to the suburbs with its authentic ramen and open kitchen that welcomes customers from the narrow dining space.
- Steaming bowls of some of Melbourne's best ramen, soba, and udon are the main attraction at this minimalist industrial spot with exposed brick walls, wooden panelling, and enormous light fixtures.
- The staff at Little Ramen Bar claims that a platter of gyoza is the usual accompaniment to a bowl of ramen, slurping sounds and all.
- With a cold Sapporo, the succulent pork dumplings are as at home in the heart of Melbourne's CBD as they are with the city's best ramen.
- Pick between mild tan-tan men and hotter tan-ramen, both of which come with pork, noodles, and your choice of broth.
- Like its name suggests, Little Ramen Bar is a cosy establishment where you can get some of the best ramen in Melbourne.
- Shujinko Even though we have a secret midnight kebab, there is always room for further late-night food options in Melbourne.
- Shujinko Ramen was specifically made for this such situation.
- Their signature Tonkotsu Ramen, which is made with collagen and is delicious in any weather, is always a safe bet.
- Behind a glass partition in the restaurant's back, chefs create dishes like wheat noodles and soft-boiled eggs.
- Additionally, this ramen cafe in Melbourne's Central Business District is open nonstop, so you may visit anytime you feel the need.
- The little but well-liked Mr. Ramen San may be found tucked away on the Little Bourke St side of the busy Mid-City Arcade.
- It is one of the earliest ramen cafes in Melbourne and delivers some of the greatest ramen in the area with its 24-hour tonkatsu broth and fresh noodles.
- Mr. Ramen San serves a wide variety of ramen, including the more common pork, chicken, and seafood varieties, as well as a vegan option called "Charsu" ramen and a traditional hotpot with pork broth.
- When it comes to Hakata ramen, Mr. Ramen San is the man to see.
- Tina Tokyo You'd expect Tokyo Tina, one of Chapel Street's trendiest (and busiest) restaurants, to serve real Japanese ramen, given its reputation.
- One of Melbourne's newest ramen joints is called Shizuku Shizuku.
- To Purchase Ramen From a Shop The ramen at Ramen is the kind that does well in Melbourne's northern suburbs.
FAQs About Ramen
A ramen shop is a restaurant that specializes in ramen dishes, the wheat-flour Japanese noodles in broth. In Japan, ramen shops are very common and popular, and are sometimes referred to as ramen-ya (ラーメン屋) or ramen-ten (ラーメン店).
After World War II, after returnees from China began selling ramen around the country, it became a favorite down-to-earth dish, rivaling Japanese curry in popularity. At that chaotic time, when food was scarce, ramen was embraced as a cheap and tasty dish sold at street stalls.
When making ramen, it can be broken down into five components: tare (the rich sauce that flavors your soup), broth, noodles, toppings and oil/fat.
