For many, ramen conjures an image of instant noodles good for a cheap meal. But in recent years, Philadelphia has seen a surge in restaurants serving real, hearty ramen that make those days waiting at the microwave seem like a distant memory.
The traditional Japanese noodle soup dish can be found throughout the city, with favorites including Nom Nom Ramen in Rittenhouse Square, Ramen Bar in University City, Hiro Ramen House in Washington Square and Terakawa Ramen in Chinatown. Each brings its own distinctive spin on the dish, offering quick and inexpensive eats to aspiring slurpers.
Read on for our picks for the best ramen in Philadelphia.
Noodles are the main attraction at Cheu Noodle Bar, a restaurant that’s received solid praise since opening in Washington Square West in early 2013. The oodles of noodles on the menu at this no-reservations hot spot include brisket ramen, miso ramen and more. Be sure to visit Cheu Fishtown, the restaurant’s more expansive outpost along the titular neighborhood’s buzzy Frankford Avenue.
Where: CHeU noodle bar, 255 S. 10th Street
VIEW OTHER LOCATIONS (1)
Cheu Fishtown, 1416 Frankford Avenue
This Fishtown mom-and-pop shop serves up ramen, sushi and poke bowls, all made with “fresh ingredients and love” by owners Joseph and Ellie.
Where: Da-wa Sushi and Ramen, 1204 N. Front Street
Noodle lovers can BYOB to Hajimaru Ramen in Fishtown. The restaurant serves several types of ramen, including the top-selling Tan Tan Ramen with spicy ground pork, sesame tonkotsu broth, marinated egg, baby bok choy and bean sprouts.
Where: Hajimaru Ramen, 200 E. Girard Avenue
There are seven types of ramen on the menu at Washington Square’s Hiro Ramen House. These include the super-spicy Gates of Hell ramen, the Hiro’s Inch of Heaven and the chicken soy ramen.
Where: Hiro Ramen House, 1102 Chestnut Street
Morimoto is known for more than its ramen: The Stephen Starr- and Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto-owned restaurant boasts some of the best Japanese cuisine in the city. With three types — yasai ramen for the vegetarians, Morimoto ramen soup (the chef’s take on chicken noodle) and pork belly ramen — the longstanding restaurant is the place to be for those looking for an afternoon or night out and some delicious ramen just a few blocks from Independence Hall.
Where: Morimoto, 723 Chestnut Street
Guests can head to Neighborhood Ramen in Old City for shoyu, shio and iekei ramen. The restaurant also serves Taiwan Mazesoba, a brothless ramen, as well as pork dumplings, sesame salad and oshinko.
Where: Neighborhood Ramen, 617 S. 3rd Street
These are not the noodles from college. At Nom Nom Ramen in Rittenhouse Square, authentic Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen bowls come filled with mushrooms, bamboo, kelp, pickled ginger or soft boiled eggs, among other ingredients. To master its flavorful broth, Nom Nom soaks pork bones for more than 24 hours.
Where: Nom Nom Ramen, 20 S. 18th Street
Ramen Bar has staked its own claim in University City, with an affordable menu featuring 13 types of ramen with extra toppings, plus chahan (Japanese fried rice), sushi and more.
Where: Ramen Bar, 3438 Lancaster Avenue
For a killer bowl of ramen (or bibimbap, soba or udon noodles) with fast service, Tampopo is the place to go. Both locations — Center City and University City — bring diners a range of Japanese and Korean cuisine, including sushi, bento boxes, soups, and noodle and rice dishes, all at reasonable prices.
Where: Tampopo, 104 S. 21st Street
Tampopo, 269 S. 44th Street
Japanese noodle bowls topped with roast pork, boiled egg or soy-flavored chicken make up the main attractions at Terakawa Ramen, a sleek fast-service spot in Chinatown. The noodles soak in broth that the restaurant simmers for two days to ensure maximum flavor. The ramen-averse can sample curry platters, as well as pork buns with slowly braised pork, lettuce, tomato and spicy mayonnaise.
Where: Terakawa Ramen, 204 N. 9th Street
Terakawa Ramen, 125 S. 40th Street
BYOB to Tomo Sushi & Ramen in Old City for a modern take on traditional Japanese cuisine. The restaurant, opened by two tomodachi (friends in Japanese), offers eight types of ramen including three vegan options, as well as a variety of rolls, sashimi and mochi.
Where: Tomo Sushi & Ramen, 228 Arch Street
Looking for chicken ramen in Chinatown? Find a rich version at Yamitsuki Ramen alongside vegetarian and traditional pork bowls, as well as freshly brewed tea and sushi.
Where: Yamitsuki, 1028 Arch Street
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
The most-booked spots in the City of Brotherly Love...