Ramen is one of my absolute favourite dishes, and whenever I think of comfort and scrumptious food, this is what comes to mind. I got into this obsession after visiting Japan, where I was able to taste a good amount of Ramen in many different restaurants and cities.
A selection of the best ramen I tried in Japan
Ramen in a nutshell
By now, most of you should know what it is but in short, it's a beloved and staple dish in Japan that has gained a global following, particularly in London. Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup dish that typically consists of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a flavourful broth with various toppings. The broth is the heart of it and often made from a combination of meat or fish stock, soy sauce, miso, and other seasonings.
Some of the most popular styles include:
Shoyu ramen: a clear broth made with soy sauce, often topped with sliced pork, bamboo shoots, and green onions.
Tonkotsu ramen: a rich, creamy broth made from pork bones, often topped with sliced pork, black garlic oil, and bean sprouts.
Miso ramen: a broth made with miso paste, often topped with sliced pork, corn, and bean sprouts.
Shio ramen: a clear broth made with salt, often topped with seafood, mushrooms, and green onions.
Pictures: Wagyu ramen, homemade and delivery
Being a ramen aficionado who has visited Japan and routinely orders them, I'm listing my favourite ramen restaurants in East London that I can recommend at this point.
KanadaYa (Angel)
Bone Daddies (Old Street)
SupaYa (Dalston)
Shoryu (Shoreditch)
Ippudo (Central St Giles)
Tip: The best for deliveries is Kanada Ya, they consistently deliver the same quality and richness while others fail on some basics like overcooking the egg or noodles.
If you know of a new or well established ramen restaurant I should try, don’t be greedy and share the love!