Top 7 Best Places to Get Ramen in NYC 🍜

After a long day navigating the busy streets of New York City, sometimes there's nothing more satisfying than settling in with a warm, comforting bowl of ramen. For many NYC residents and visitors alike, ramen has become the ultimate comfort food, rich broths simmered for hours, perfectly chewy noodles, and toppings that range from traditional to innovative. Ramen's popularity has exploded across the city, with specialized shops offering various regional styles from Japan and creative fusion interpretations unique to New York.

There is something deeply satisfying about watching steam rise from a freshly served bowl of ramen, chopsticks poised to dive into the complex layers of flavors. New York City, with its reputation as a global culinary capital, hosts some of the most authentic and creative ramen establishments outside of Japan. From tiny hole-in-the-wall spots to sleek, modern eateries, the NYC ramen scene offers something for every taste preference and budget.

If you're ready to slurp your way through some of the most delicious bowls of ramen this side of Tokyo, check out these top seven ramen restaurants in New York City!

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1. Ippudo NY

A legendary ramen establishment that brings authentic Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen to the heart of Manhattan!

📍 65 4th Avenue | East Village | ippudous.com

When it comes to ramen in New York City, Ippudo stands as one of the pioneers that helped ignite the city's ramen obsession. This Japanese import, founded by "Ramen King" Shigemi Kawahara, opened its first NYC location in 2008 and continues to draw lines of eager diners waiting to taste their famous tonkotsu ramen. The restaurant's sleek, modern interior with communal tables creates an energetic atmosphere that mirrors the vibrant streets of Japan.

Ippudo specializes in Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen, characterized by its rich, creamy pork bone broth that simmers for many hours to develop its signature depth of flavor. Their classic Shiromaru Hakata Classic features thin, firm noodles swimming in this velvety broth, topped with tender pork belly chashu, kikurage mushrooms, and scallions. For those seeking more intensity, the Akamaru Modern adds their special umami-rich miso paste and garlic oil. What sets Ippudo apart is their fanatical attention to detail, from the precisely cooked noodles (available in different firmness levels) to the perfectly marinated eggs with custardy centers.

"I think about this ramen often. If I could go everyday I would. No complaints whatsoever, even their take out versions are awesome (which is hard to find when you want take out ramen). Broth is top notch and healing." -Yelp Review

2. Nishida Sho-Ten 

A hidden gem offering authentic Tokyo-style ramen with exceptional depth and balance!

📍 302 E 49th Street | Midtown Esat | nishida-sho-ten.restaurants-world.com

Tucked away in Williamsburg, Nishida Sho-Ten has quickly become a favorite among ramen connoisseurs seeking authentic Tokyo-style ramen in a cozy, unpretentious setting. Chef Takashi Nishida brings decades of experience from Tokyo's competitive ramen scene, focusing on traditional techniques that produce remarkable depth of flavor without overwhelming heaviness. The intimate space, with its wooden counter and minimalist decor, creates an immersive experience that transports diners straight to a backstreet ramen shop in Japan.

Nishida's signature Tokyo Shoyu Ramen features a crystal-clear chicken and dashi broth that belies its complex flavor profile, enhanced with a house-made soy sauce blend that adds richness without dominating. The medium-thick, wavy noodles provide the perfect textural contrast, while toppings include meltingly tender chashu, marinated bamboo shoots, and a perfectly seasoned ajitama egg. Their Spicy Miso Ramen offers a bolder experience with a fragrant blend of miso pastes and chili oil that builds heat gradually across each spoonful. What distinguishes Nishida Sho-Ten is their commitment to balance, every element works in harmony, creating bowls where no single component overshadows the others.

"This has been my go-to ramen spot since before the pandemic! The food is amazing. The service is great. Ambiance is casual and relaxed. Great place for a quick lunch or a casual dinner." -Yelp Review

3. Toribro

A culinary revelation specializing in chicken-based ramen with extraordinary depth and finesse!

📍 366 W 52nd Street | Hell’s Kitchen | toribroramen.com 

Challenging the dominance of pork-based broths in NYC's ramen landscape, Toribro has emerged as a standout destination for chicken ramen enthusiasts. Founded by Chef Koji Hagihara, who spent years perfecting his recipes in Tokyo before bringing them to New York, this NoMad establishment focuses exclusively on tori paitan (chicken) broths that achieve remarkable richness without the heaviness sometimes associated with tonkotsu. The sleek, minimalist space with blonde wood accents creates a serene backdrop that lets the food take center stage.

The signature Tori Paitan Ramen features a milky-white chicken broth that undergoes a 12-hour simmering process, resulting in a smooth, velvety texture that coats each thin, wavy noodle perfectly. Topped with sous-vide chicken chashu (rather than traditional pork), yuzu-kosho-infused bamboo shoots, and a perfectly seasoned egg, it offers a lighter yet equally satisfying alternative to pork-based ramens. Their Spicy Miso Tori Paitan cranks up the flavor with a house-made chili paste that adds complexity rather than overwhelming heat. What distinguishes Toribro is their reverence for chicken, every part of the bird is utilized to create layers of flavor, from the rich marrow of the bones to the clean taste of the breast meat used in their chashu.

“A hidden gem! If it's delicious ramen you want in a no frills environment then this is the place for you. Some of the best ramen the beau and I have had in a very long time. Sit at the bar or grab one of the few tables. You won't be disappointed.”  -Yelp Review

4. Nakamura

A ramen master's showcase of lighter, clearer broths that highlight subtle complexity!

📍 172 Delancey Street | Lower East Side | nakamuranyc.com

While many NYC ramen shops compete to create the richest, most indulgent broths, Chef Shigetoshi Nakamura takes a different approach at his eponymous Lower East Side restaurant. Nakamura, who earned fame as one of Japan's "Four Ramen Devas" (ramen masters), specializes in torigara shoyu ramen, a clear chicken-based broth seasoned with soy sauce that emphasizes clarity and balance over intensity. The intimate space seats only about 18 diners, creating an experience that feels like dining in Tokyo's ramen alleyways.

The signature Torigara Ramen features a translucent golden broth that belies its depth of flavor, paired with thin, firm noodles and topped with chashu pork, menma, naruto fish cake, and perfectly cooked soft-boiled eggs. The XO Ramen elevates this experience with the addition of Nakamura's house-made XO sauce, lending subtle seafood complexity and gentle heat to the bowl. Chef Nakamura's attention to detail extends to every element of the bowl, from precisely timed noodles to the temperature at which each component is served. This focus on subtlety and technique represents a different approach to ramen artistry in a city often drawn to more bold flavors.

"One of the last hidden gem ramen shops in the city. Very small shop, but generally doesn't get too full. The tonkotsu ramen is incredible. You can tell how much work they put into perfecting the broth. Right amount of richness, flavor, and thickness." -Yelp Review

5. Ivan Ramen

Creative Japanese-American fusion ramen from a unique New York-to-Tokyo success story!

📍 25 Clinton Street | Lower East Side | ivanramen.com

Ivan Orkin's story is legendary in the ramen world, an American who moved to Tokyo, opened a ramen shop, and earned acclaim from notoriously critical Japanese customers before returning to make his mark on his home turf. Ivan Ramen's Lower East Side flagship brings Orkin's unique cross-cultural perspective to NYC's ramen scene, offering bowls that respect tradition while embracing innovation. The restaurant's bright, modern space decorated with Japanese pop culture elements creates a casual atmosphere that matches the playful approach to the cuisine.

The signature Tokyo Shio Ramen features a chicken-dashi broth seasoned with sea salt that's clear yet complex, swimming with Ivan's custom-made rye noodles that add a distinctive nutty quality. Topped with pork chashu, soft egg, and pickled daikon, it represents a perfect marriage of Japanese technique and New York flair. The Spicy Red Chili Ramen cranks up the intensity with a slick of chili oil that transforms the experience without overwhelming the palate. Ivan's Triple Pork Triple Garlic Mazemen, a "dry" ramen with just enough sauce to coat the noodles, has developed a cult following for its intensely savory flavor profile that showcases Orkin's understanding of umami.

"Ivan Ramen is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience ramen like never before!" -Yelp Review

6. Ichiran

The ultimate individualized ramen experience where flavor takes center stage!

📍 132 W 31st Street | Midtown | ichiranusa.com

Ichiran brings its unique dining concept from Japan to New York with a focus on complete immersion in the ramen experience. Known for its individual dining booths that minimize distractions, Ichiran encourages diners to concentrate fully on the sensory experience of their tonkotsu ramen. This approach may seem gimmicky, but the quality of the ramen itself proves it's much more than a novelty. With locations in both Bushwick and Midtown, this international chain has quickly become a must-visit destination for NYC ramen enthusiasts.

Ichiran serves a single style of ramen, Hakata-style tonkotsu with thin, firm noodles, but allows extensive customization. Diners complete an order form specifying their preferred richness, garlic intensity, spice level, noodle firmness, and more. The signature red sauce (a proprietary blend of over 30 spices) can be adjusted to your heat preference, allowing each bowl to be precisely tailored to individual taste. The pork broth achieves remarkable clarity while maintaining depth, and the thin noodles provide the perfect vehicle for the soup. With no toppings beyond scallions and sliced pork, the focus remains squarely on the harmony between broth and noodles.

"Great spot for a quick meal as a solo diner. Probably one of the best ramen I've had." -Yelp Review

7. Tonchin

A stylish Tokyo import offering masterfully crafted Tokyo-style tonkotsu ramen in a chic setting!

📍 13 W 36th Street | Midtown | tonchinus.com

Bringing Tokyo sensibility to Midtown Manhattan, Tonchin elevates the ramen experience with its sophisticated space and meticulously crafted bowls. This Tokyo-based chain, operated by the Sugeno family who have been in the restaurant business for over 70 years, brings authentic Japanese techniques to their New York outpost while embracing local ingredients. The sleek, wood-accented interior with its open kitchen creates an atmosphere that balances casual dining with refined presentation, making it suitable for both quick lunches and leisurely dinner dates.

Tonchin's signature Tokyo Tonkotsu Ramen features a silky, complex pork broth that achieves remarkable balance, rich without being overwhelming, flavorful without being too salty. Their custom-made thin noodles, imported from Japan, provide the perfect bite and vehicle for the broth, while toppings include perfectly charred chashu pork, marinated bamboo shoots, and a seasoned soft-boiled egg. What sets Tonchin apart is their sophisticated approach to flavor development, their special burnt garlic oil (ma-yu) adds depth without bitterness, and their housemade chili paste offers nuanced heat for those who request it. Beyond their classic bowls, Tonchin's Spicy Tan-Tan Ramen, featuring a sesame-forward broth and spicy ground pork, has developed a devoted following for its complex layering of flavors.

"Tonchin is a Michelin-recommended ramen spot you've got to try at least once--it's one of those places that lives up to the hype." -Yelp Review

Choose From One of These Top 7 Ramen Places in New York City

Ramen has evolved from a simple comfort food to an art form in New York City, with talented chefs carefully crafting broths, noodles, and toppings to create memorable dining experiences. Whether you prefer the rich indulgence of tonkotsu, the subtle complexity of shoyu, or innovative fusion creations, these seven standout ramen shops showcase the diversity and quality of NYC's ramen scene. Each offers its own unique approach to this beloved Japanese dish, proving that great ramen is about both honoring tradition and embracing creativity. If you're looking for the perfect gift for ramen lovers in NYC or for a gift idea in general, make sure to check out GiftYa's catalog!