Who would have ever thought that a hot bowl of soup would put Austin in such a tizzy?
Ramen, a dish that was once popularly known as a meal for cash-strapped collegiates, has been revamped to a legitimate foodie favorite. Gone are the days of 25-cent plastic wrap and deceptively labeled flavor packets. Instead, today's ramen features delicious broth, fresh noodles, and delightful treats like pork belly, bamboo shoots, soft-boiled eggs, and sautéed Brussels sprouts, to name a few. Read on to find the best places to get Ramen in Austin.
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photo via instagram
609 W 29th St
The next time you're near West Campus and that ramen craving hits, stop by Daiboku, Sazan Ramen's sister restaurant. This newish spot to the Austin ramen scene features a casual counter-service menu, specializing in shoyu and miso-style ramens. They have quickly become a top joint in town for ramen, standing out from others for the option of getting your ramen "Junk Style" which adds Flaming Hot Cheetos, American cheese, and extra fat for an additional $2.50. Daiboku is also able to make all bowls vegan, by subbing pork for seared King Trumpet mushrooms.
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photo via instagram
1700 W Parmer Ln
Ramen Del Barrio, located in Hana World Market, fuses Japanese and Mexican flavors, creating some of the most flavorful and comforting bowls of ramen you've ever tried. Their specialty is their rich, thick tonkotsu broth with tender, slow cooked Carnitas. Some of their other ramens include Menudo Tonkotsu, Mole Tsukemen, and Chilaquiles Tsukemen. Besides all of these inventive ramens, they also have delicious tacos, tostadas, and more. Whatever you decide to order, make sure you add on an order (or three) of chicharrones for the table.
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photo via instagram
1335 E Whitestone Blvd #T110
5222 Burnet Rd Ste. 400A
When you want ramen AND sushi... and maybe even a bento box, make your way to one of EurAsia Ramen's locations. With over 15 ramens to choose from they truly have a bowl for everyone, including vegan and gluten-free options, and even kale noodles. No worries if you're looking for the complete opposite, as some of their specialty ramens include "Curry Moz" and "Killer Beef".
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photo via instagram
1420 Cypress Creek Road
Something about this name really resonates with us. Started after the classic move of ditching the finance world for something more fulfilling, chef Vinh Thai studied under renowned chef Keizo Shimamoto of Ramen Shack USA in New York. Soon after he came back to do pop-ups in Austin that were so popular the only next step was to open a brick n mortar. Now slinging some of the best ramen in the city, Cedar Park is moving up from being a sleepy suburb known more for their chains than game-changing ramen shops.
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5400 Brodie Ln
Don't let the emphasis on Sushi in the name stop you from trying out Bluefin in Sunset Valley. Their ramen is second to none on their menu and clearly is the runaway hit that has cars lining up in the parking lot for a chance to sip this savory broth down.
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1900 Aldrich St.
An outpost of the sensational ramen shop in San Francisco ( some might say, the Austin of Northern California), Marafuku Ramen has brought the broth into Mueller. While not groundbreaking like our more local shops, this cali transplant is alright by us.
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Photo credit: Matthewxstiles
Various Locations
Michi Ramen serves up traditional ramen with a Texas flair. The intricate menu allows customers to build their own ramen bowls by choosing a noodle type, broth, and a wide array of toppings ranging from traditional (bamboo, roasted nori) to eccentric (spicy BBQ sauce, jalapenos, toasted lemongrass). Ramen options include tonkatsu of both shoyu and miso variety, a shiitake veggie option, dipping noodles, and several specialty ramen. They even have Texas-style ramen, featuring tomato tonkatsu paired with smoked BBQ ribs, spicy sauce, jalapenos, and vinegar slaw with Texas toast.
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photo via facebook
6929 Airport Blvd #146
Sazan's straightforward menu includes a variety of ramen from spicy to creamy to vegan. Accompanied with a cocktail, starter, and dessert, you'll leave their Airport Blvd feeling full of all the good stuff. Our recommendation? Add an ajitama egg for maximum enjoyment.
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photo via facebook
Too many to list.
Opening its doors in 2012, Ramen Tatsu-ya is considered one of the best ramen joints in the nation. Their menu features variations of the traditional soup, including the Tonkotsu-style ramen with a sumptuous base that can take up to 60 hours to create. It is presented with thin noodles and delicious toppings including a marinated egg, savory pork fat, bamboo shoots, and roasted seaweed. Other varieties include a soy-based vegetarian version, Mi-So-Not and Mi-So-Hot, and Dipping Noodles, which feature a rich pork bone dipping sauce. Now with a five Austin locations, you can find your favorite ramen all over town.
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12636 Research Blvd Suite C-101
Research Boulevard eatery Kanji Ramen offers chashu bowls, gyoza, tempura shrimp, and a wide variety of other delicious ramen options. It's a slightly off the beaten path restaurant that is nonetheless an essential visit for any Ramen fanatic.
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photo via facebook
3210 Esperanza Crossing Suite 130
High-quality ramen is in higher demand than ever, so it makes sense that Rock Rose would provide it. Jinya Ramen is the real deal and offers the same level of in-bowl customization that people have come to expect from any ramen joint worth its salt.
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Photo Credit: Xian Sushi and Noodle
Various Locations
Xian Sushi and Noodle (at any location, take your pick!) is just an overall excellent spot to get handmade, authentic ramen. Come on Sunday for an even sweeter deal: ALL DAY happy hour menu with discounted drinks and sushi. You'll have a delicious time, no doubt.
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MORE RAMEN SPOTS:
8900 S Congress Ave
2525 W Anderson Ln
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Did we miss any of your favorite places for Ramen in Austin?
Let us know!
