9 editor-picked japanese ramen restaurants across 7 cities.
A guide to japanese ramen restaurants worth a trip, by city. We list operators, signature dishes, and the rooms locals book first.
Ramen Tatsu-ya in Austin is Tatsu Aikawa's Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen room on South Lamar, the Austin ramen flagship since 2012 with five locations across town.
Signature: Tonkotsu original, Mi-So-Hot, Spicy ramen
Order: The Tonkotsu Original with the extra-fatty broth setting; that is the chef's-friend order.
Tip: Order at the counter; walk-ins only, queue moves fast at 17:30 and 21:00 windows.
Ramen Tatsu-ya in Austin is Tatsu Aikawa's Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen on South Lamar since 2012, the city's most-followed ramen counter with no-booking lines.
Signature: Tonkotsu Original, Mi-So-Hot, Kara-age
Order: Tonkotsu Original with the extra-fatty setting; the menu calls it Kotteri.
Tip: Walk-in only; the 6pm window moves slowest on Friday. The Research Boulevard location is the shortest queue.
Cocolo Ramen on Berlin's Gipsstrasse has cooked the city's reference tonkotsu ramen since 2008; the broth simmers 18 hours, the noodles are pulled fresh on the bar.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Karaage chicken
Order: The tonkotsu ramen with chashu pork and the soft egg; the karaage chicken as a starter.
Tip: No reservations. Arrive before 19:00 weekdays or expect a 30-minute wait at the bar.
Slurp Ramen on Nansensgade in Copenhagen makes noodles from Bornholm wheat and rye, with a tonkotsu and shoyu menu by Austrian chef Philipp Inreiter.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Shoyu ramen, Daily gyoza
Order: The classic shoyu ramen with a side of gyoza; the noodles are made daily on site.
Tip: Walk-ins only and short queues outside; arrive at opening or after 20:00 for the shortest wait.
Slurp Ramen on Nansensgade in Copenhagen makes noodles from Bornholm wheat and rye, with a tonkotsu and shoyu menu by Austrian chef Philipp Inreiter.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Shoyu ramen, Daily gyoza
Order: The classic shoyu ramen plus a side of gyoza; the noodles are made daily on site.
Tip: Walk-ins only; arrive at opening or after 20:00 for the shortest queue.
Monta Ramen in Las Vegas is the Chinatown Hakata-style tonkotsu shop next door to Raku, a 35-seat counter that codified Vegas's ramen scene from 2009 onward.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Tsukemen, Gyoza
Order: Tonkotsu ramen with chashu and a soft-boiled egg; ask for kotteri broth and extra noodles.
Tip: Counter-only seating and cash preferred; the line builds from 18:00 onward and they sell out by 23:00.
Tsujita LA in Sawtelle, Los Angeles is the LA outpost of Tokyo's Tsujita, simmering tonkotsu broth for 60 hours and serving it as ramen and tsukemen.
Order: Tonkotsu tsukemen at lunch only.
Tip: Tsukemen is served exclusively before 15:00; after 15:00 the menu switches to ramen and stays open until 02:00.
Fujiyama 55 in Lyon's 2e is the city's most-booked ramen counter, with a tonkotsu broth simmered 14 hours and queues that form most weeknights from 19:00.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Gyoza
Order: The tonkotsu ramen with extra chashu; gyoza for the table.
Tip: No reservations; arrive at 18:45 to beat the queue.
Sarah Gavigan's Division Street ramen shop in The Gulch, Nashville opened 2014 and remains the Gulch's reliable bowl. Walk-in friendly, kid-friendly, full bar.
Signature: Tonkotsu Original, Karaage chicken
Order: Tonkotsu Original with the runny egg, karaage to share.
Tip: The private karaoke room books for groups of six; happy hour 16:00 to 19:00 runs $5 small plates.
More cities are in research. Want japanese ramen covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.