13 of the best ramen restaurants in London

Practically the national dish of Japan (sorry, sushi), ramen is universally loved, and as with much of the best food in the world, Londoners have embraced it as their own. If you won’t be satisfied with anything other than the best, this list is for you. We’ve searched high and low for the best ramen in London to bring you some seriously steamy suggestions.

Translating as ‘pulled noodles’, it would seem that ramen has quite the basic description in its native tongue, but simple this dish is not. The mark of a good ramen is the broth in which it’s cooked. This can take on all sorts of guises – from rich 24-hour pork broths that are favoured in regions like Kyushu or the miso flavoured soups that are championed in Hokkaido – but they all require careful simmering of stocks to create a rich depth. Once the broth is perfected, wheat noodles are most commonly added (which are handmade and slightly undercooked if served in a traditional manner) along with all sorts of toppings and layers of additional seasonings. Classic combos include rolled pork belly, soy sauce marinated eggs, beansprouts and spring onions, but the variations are endless.

There was a time when we were all pretty happy with a decent broth and a jammy egg, but ramen is a competitive game and London has become a city of noodle connoisseurs in the last few years - in fact, we'd argue that some of the best Japanese restaurants in London are cosy ramen joints. If restaurants want to survive the London ramen rat race, they'd better come armed with some seriously good ramen. We've pulled together the best ramen spots in the capital, so next time you’re on the hunt for the best ramen restaurants in London, look no further than these restaurants. From quick and cheap speedy spots to more luxurious serves, they offer something for every occasion.

Monohon Ramen, Old Street

Why: Considering their service as a labour of love, Monohon handmake each of the three elements which go into creating their bowls of satisfyingly steamy broths: the noodles, the soup bases and the toppings. If you’re feeling adventurous plump for the Mentaiko cream ramen which infuses pork bone broth with a special sea salt seasoning and spicy marinated code roe. Or, who could turn down the extra large Big Boy Spicy Special with spicy miso pork mince? For added intrigue watch over the open kitchen as the experienced chefs deftly move around delicately creating each bowl which leaves their care.
Where: 102 Old Street, EC1V 9AY
Book now: Monohon Ramen

Shoryu Ramen, Various locations

Why: The menu at Shoryu encourages diners to tweak their ramen to their preference, offering up a range of noodle firmness options. Choose between anything from standard to konaotoshi, where noodles are only submerged briefly to remove flour dust and served crunchy. For those who don’t mind a little lingering flavour, the Dracula has an intense garlic hit from caramalised black garlic and garlic chips, while the piri piri fuses two fantastic cuisines with interesting results – a spicy, sour, salty bowl is the outcome. Elsewhere there are salt and pepper chicken wings and prawn tempura to round out your meal.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Shoryu Ramen Soho, Shoryu Ramel Carnaby, Shoryu Ramen Covent Garden, Shoryu Ramen Kensington, Shoryu Ramen Regent Street, Shoryu Ramen Shoreditch, Shoryu Ramen Westfield Stratford

Yokocho, Leicester Square and Mayfair

Why: Colourful Yokocho is inspired by the alleyways of 1970s Tokyo - it has a retro-futuristic slickness and vintage cool that certainly puts it among the most entertaining ramen spots in London. Thankfully the ramen is great too - the signature Yokocho ramen is a delicious soy-based chicken and pork broth with bamboo shoots, fish cake, nori and nitamago egg, but there are other regional Japanese ramens too, all done well. Vegan diners are catered for too, and there’s a nice range of alternative udon and soba dishes, bao buns and crispy sides, as well as Shochu cocktails, sake and Japanese draft beers.
Where: 35a Panton Street, SW1Y 4EA; 8 Heddon Street, W1B 4BU 
Book now: Panton Yokocho Leicester Square; Heddon Yokocho Mayfair

Tenmaru, Finsbury Park and Oxford Circus

What: The Finsbury Park original of this beloved ramen spot has been such a hit, it has expanded to a more accessible central London site in Oxford Circus. That’s good news for all of us ramen fanatics, as Tenmaru’s menu incorporates lots of Korean inspiration, including excellent tteokbokki and seafood pancake, if you’re extra hungry. The vegan options here are especially good, and the ramen ranges from classic to more unusual (like a basil pesto ramen with tofu and baby corn).
Where: 8 Clifton Terrace, N4 3JP; 50 Margaret Street, W1W 8SF
Book now: Tenmaru Finsbury Park; Tenmaru Oxford Circus

Menya Ramen House, Bloomsbury

What: Menya is a connoisseur's ramen choice - a fairly dinky, no reservations Korean ramen spot right by the British Museum. You might think it looks like a tourist catch-all but it’s anything but - rich broths are cooked for 48 hours before being assembled with bouncy handmade noodles. The interiors are extremely utilitarian, but that’s all part of the charm and you’ll spend most of your time staring into your oil-flecked ramen broth anyway. Beware the hotter menu choices, because Menya doesn’t hold back on the chilli.
Where: 29 Museum Street, WC1A 1LH
Book now: Menya Ramen

Tokoton Ramen, Elephant & Castle

What: This lovable Elephant & Castle spot is run by a trio of friends, who serve a handful of classic ramen dishes - just shoyu, miso, and creamy miso ramen, as well as a black ramen broth with roasted garlic oil. The guys are big sake connoisseurs too, so it’s worth visiting Tokoton to explore the excellent sake menu.
Where: 25 Bartholomew Street, SE1 4AL
Book now: Tokoton Ramen

Koi Ramen, Various locations

Why: This unassuming eatery started off life in Pop Brixton before opening permanent sites all over South London. Regularly voted as one of the top places to scoop a bowl of this soothing soup, Koi have a confidently concise menu. There are four choices when it comes to the main event with one creamy white pork serve, a mellow miso number, a soy sauce flavoured one and a naked ramen, which is presented sans-soup. With the most expensive bowl being £10 (or £11 if you're eating in) they manage to hit their mission statement of aiming ‘to serve the highest quality ramen at the lowest prices’.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Koi Ramen Elephant & Castle

Kanada-Ya, Various locations

Why: Signature cool interiors alert you immediately to the fact you’re in a relaxed, Japanese restaurant. There’s a well-rounded ramen menu here, with around eight or nine different combinations on offer depending which location you head for. Our favourite flits between the Tonkotsu X which combines richly savoury chicken and pork broths with chashu pork and mushrooms and the Gekikara which is peppered with spicy minced pork and spring onions. For those with big appetites Kanada-Ya offer portions of additional noodles to bulk out any remaining broth at the end of your meal. 
Where: Various locations
Book now: Kanada-Ya St Giles

Tonkotsu, Various locations

Why: Tonkotsu's signature serve is a comforting bowl of pork broth that is enriched with the powerful flavour and texture of a little lardo. This is all complimented and completed by fine hand-cut noodles and roast pork as well as various toppings – including burnt garlic oil and a savoury soy-seasoned egg. Elsewhere there are chicken, seafood and vegetarian options as well as a moreish menu of sides that includes a fresh cucumber pickled salad to temper the richness of the soups, and crispy fried gyoza. And best of all, Tonkotsu has locations all over London now, so you're never too far from a good ramen. 
Where: Various locations
Book now: Tonkotsu Soho

Ippudo, Various locations

Why: Hailing from Japan, this global chain started out life as a small independent shop back in 1985. Having found its way to our shores, via New York, Ippudo is now a favourite of those in the know. The menu ranges from light chicken combinations to garlicky pork soups, but the signature London dish is not to be missed. Only served at the chain’s Villiers Street branch, the Hakata Niku Ton takes the original stock base and adds noodles plus a completely moreish soft sweet and spicy pork mix that melts into the soup for an unusual flavour that is unlike anything else we’ve tasted. The finale comes in the form of a secret ramen seasoning added to your bowl which gives off rich umami notes.
Where: Various locations
Book now: Ippudo Central Saint Giles

Ramo Ramen, Soho

Why: Japanese ramen with a Filipino edge, Ramo has taken the building blocks that make ramen great - tasty broths, bouncy noodles and toppings - and injected a little Filipino flavour. Creamy chicken ramen comes with chicken adobo and crispy Filipino-style pork scratchings, oxtail ramen sits in a rich beef and peanut broth, or you can go all-in with a half grilled lobster in crab and coconut broth. Ramo started in Kentish Town, but has since moved to a more central Soho location, which also has an exclusive cocktail menu.
Where: 8 Brewer Street, W1F 0SR
Book now: Ramo Ramen Soho

Hakata, Bermondsey

Why: Hakata’s no-bookings policy goes some way to proving its popularity, it simply doesn't need to rely on pre-made plans and the restaurant is always filled to bursting – with punters happy to share the communal tables. Usually an afterthought, Hakata arguably offers the best vegan ramen in London, certainly in terms of choice - pick between vegan tonkotsu broths with fried tofu and soy or miso serves with mushrooms and soy mince. For carnivores there are five options that showcase meltingly sweet belly pork and soft poached chicken. Extra toppings can be added to give your bowl an individual twist and noodle firmness can be dictated too.
Where: 177 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UW
Book now: Hakata

Bone Daddies, Various locations 

Why: With a strict no-booking policy, Bone Daddies has many locations throughout London, and it's no wonder. This ramen restaurant is high-energy and has various addictive flavours on the menu, such as the spicy miso with either Padron peppers or seasoned ground chicken. Guests are quickly served and can get on with the business of slurping away on noodles, whilst enjoying the wide selection of toppings, as you bop away to a banging rock soundtrack blasting on the speakers. Bone Daddies also does regular collaborations with all sorts of different restaurants and pop-ups, so there's always something new and interesting to try. 
Where: 46-48 James Street, W1U 1HA; Unit C, 211 Old Street, EC1V 9NV; 1A Phillimore Gardens, W8 7QB; 31 Peter Street, W1F 0AR; Nova Victoria, 9 Sir Simon Milton Square, SW1E 5DJ
Book now: Bone Daddies Bond Street, Bone Daddies Old Street, Bone Daddies Kensington, Bone Daddies Soho, Bone Daddies Victoria 

Love far eastern food? You might like our round up of the best Japanese restaurants in London. Or if you're just a sucker for anything cheap and delicious, this exhaustive list of London's best cheap eat spots might be more your style.