The Best Ramen Bars in London

The Best Ramen Bars in London

There’s nothing better than a piping hot soup on a chilly evening, nothing but ramen, that is.

Ramen has taken the western world by storm. This Japanese noodle soup is made by combining broth, noodles, fresh veggies and half of a boiled egg with a meat of your choosing.

Traditional ramen is made with pork, but developments in the cuisine have brought in new renditions featuring chicken, beef and even tofu as protein options.

Ramen – by Michele Blackwell – Unsplash

London has a booming ramen scene with a lot more niche restaurants compared to other European countries. Here are the ones you need on your ramen-radar.

Tonkotsu Soho in London

For the best ramen in London, Soho is your surest bet. There is a competitive gastronomic scene here, one that brings the very best Japanese food to the people of England.

Tonkotsu have developed a fool proof production line that runs in an incredibly timeous manner, even when the restaurant is filled to the brim. You will never wait more than a few minutes for your bowl of ramen which means tables turn quickly here as well.

Tonkotsu Soho in London – by Tonkotsu Soho – Uploaded by them

Because this is traditional ramen, there are only meaty options on the menu. Vegetarians can ask for their bowl meat free if they are okay with consuming pork-based broth.

The spicy bowl is phenomenal but will have you just about breathing fire throughout. Tonkotsu is one of the more affordable ramen spots in Soho.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30am to 10:30pm

ADDRESS: 63 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 4QG, United Kingdom

Metro STATION: Leicester Square

Yamagoya in London

Yamagoya is in the city center, close to the Waterloo Station.

This ramen bar is more friendly to people of all dietary requirements, feating a short menu of allergy conscious meals as well as both meat and tofu as protein options.

Their vegetarian broth is also vegan, which means plant eaters can dine here without picking the menu apart to create something suitable.

Yamagoya in London – by Yamagoya – Uploaded by them

This is a very low-key eatery set up like an informal cafeteria. The ramen is super affordable considering the stores location in the heart of the city.

Yamagoya spice their eggs before adding them to the dish. This isn’t common in Japanese ramen and will be a new experience if you’re well acquainted with this dish.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 11:30am to 10:30pm

ADDRESS: 49 The Cut, South Bank, London SE1 8LF, United Kingdom

Metro STATION: Waterloo East

Shoryu Ramen in London

Shoryu Ramen is taking over London. There are new branches popping up around the city on a regular basis, with their most popular establishments calling Soho, Regent Street and Shoreditch home.

This is where I eat ramen in Shoreditch; a neighborhood where one is spoilt for choice when it comes to international cuisines.

Shoryu Ramen in London – by Shoryu Ramen – Sourced from their Facebook

I like that Shoryu have steamed buns to start with, as well as a tasty cocktail menu. I also like that you can stipulate exactly how you’d like your noodles cooked and how spicy the dish should be.

There is a vegetarian option amongst all the meats. The broth is vegan friendly.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 11:30am to 11:30pm

ADDRESS: Various

Metro STATION: Various

Kaubōi Ramen in London

Vegans and veggies listen up! You won’t have to settle on tofu as your protein option when dining at Kaubōi; they offer a signature mushroom ramen instead… and it’s perfect!

This small ramen chain is slowly growing it’s reach in London, with three branches currently open in different parts of the city. The one in Bermondsey, across from London Bridge, is central and consistently good.

Kaubōi Ramen in London – by Kaubōi Ramen – Uploaded by them

The reason Kaubōi have become such a ramen hotspot is because they combine high flavored Texan-style meats into their traditional Japanese broths. The result being a rich, dense ramen dish that is unlike any others in town.

Kaubōi is a true hidden gem; keep it in mind when exploring the city center.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday — 12pm to 9pm

ADDRESS: 8 Snowsfields, Bermondsey, London SE1 3SU, United Kingdom

Metro STATION: London Bridge

Bone Daddies in London

Back to Soho for another “it spot” for this eastern dish. Bone Daddies is one of the coolest restaurants in the district, and absolutely worth all of the hype.

Here, you’ll eat while and old-school soundtrack spins hits from the 80s in the background.  The staff carry a high energy and keep this spot one of the most vibrant in all of Soho.

To start, you’ll need to try the miso aubergine steamed bun. The ramen dishes themselves are generously portioned, but this starter is a must-try and worth the overindulging.

Bone Daddies in London – by Bone Daddies – Uploaded by them

The menu caters to everyone: meat eaters, plant eaters, spice-free eaters. They have many other sides available to accompany your meal; the spicy cabbage is a best seller.

To end off, Bone Daddies offer their famous mochi ice creams.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 11:30am to 11pm

ADDRESS: 31 Peter St, Soho, London W1F 0AR, United Kingdom

Metro STATION: Piccadilly Circus

Haru Sushi and Ramen House in London

Haru isn’t conveniently located in the center of London. Instead, Haru sits in the far western suburb of Ealing; a thirty to forty minute train journey from the city.

The ramen is so good that people make the journey with a smile on their face from start to finish. It’s a hybrid Japanese kitchen serving up fresh sushi and steaming hot ramen; the two combined make a fantastic starter and main meal.

Haru Sushi and Ramen House in London – by Haru Sushi and Ramen House – Sourced from their Facebook

Haru are sensitive to people with allergens; they will go out of their way to safely prepare meals without nuts or lactose if necessary. There is only one vegan tofu ramen on offer, and the vegetarian sushi is obviously also vegan friendly.

Note that Haru does not open at all on Tuesdays, or for lunch service!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Wednesday to Monday — 5pm to 10:30pm

ADDRESS: Leeland House, 7 Leeland Rd, Ealing, London W13 9HH, United Kingdom

Metro STATION: West Ealing