Our city has always had a love affair with ramen. With so many ramen shops around town, we’ve made a list of some of the best ramen joints in Hong Kong for you to get slurpin’!
Hong Kong is truly a paradise for foodies. No matter what you’re in the mood for, whether it’s hot pot or fine dining, there’s a good one just around the corner. While Japanese restaurants and sushi are particularly sought after in Hong Kong, there’s another player in high demand: ramen. Indeed, we’d say that these hearty bowls are perfect for every season and time of day (especially after a night out!). For your convenience, we have rounded up some of the best ramen spots in Hong Kong for you to hit.
Best ramen in Hong Kong to warm your soul
1. Butao Ramen
Offering some of the best ramen in Hong Kong, Butao Ramen serves authentic tonkotsu ramen. The pork soup stock is the base of all the dishes, from traditional tonkotsu ramen to playful fusion flavours. The Black King, for instance, consists of the signature pork soup stock and a special “black sauce”, made with black garlic, squid ink, minced pork, and vegetables. If you want to turn up the heat, go with the Red King which adds in chilli powder and spicy sauce. Feeling adventurous? Opt for the Green King, as it presents an interesting flavour palette. Inspired by both East and West, this ramen is made up of olive oil, fresh basil leaves, and parmesan cheese.
Butao Ramen has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
2. Shugetsu
If you’re in search of fresh ramen in Hong Kong, look no further than Shugetsu. The Michelin-recommended eatery boasts homemade noodles and a 18-month fermented special sauce for the shoyu broth. The tsukemen ramen at Shugetsu is a big crowd pleaser; the noodles are bathed in fermented perfection, and the flavourful shoyu broth will simply knock your socks off. You can also customise your tsukemen with spicy and non-spicy options, as well as extra toppings and side dishes. This is the perfect place for those of you who are still hungry after a meal – because you can just top up your bowl with extra noodles, toppings, and sides!
Shugetsu has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
3. Ramen Cubism
Celebrity chefs Hayashi Takao and Matsumura Takahiro helm one of the best ramen spots in Hong Kong. Tucked away on Wellington Street is the unassuming yet excellent Ramen Cubism. In the duo’s first international ramen restaurant, the noodles are handmade and the broths are diligently created. There are multiple broths for you to choose from such as the Spicy White Broth, Clear Broth, and White Broth. Each broth, whether it’s made from soya sauce, chicken, or seafood, is carefully selected to bring out the natural flavours. We recommend getting a slow-cooked pork belly on the side to help fill you up with ramen goodness.
Ramen Cubism, Basement, Yuen Yick Building, 27-29 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2399 0811
4. Nagahama No. 1
On a quiet street in Central, Nagahama No. 1 serves some of the best tonkotsu ramen in town. Here, you can nosh on world-class ramen without breaking the bank. For newcomers, we recommend you start with the No. 1 Ramen. You can taste the tonkotsu flavours that make the joint famous while customising the dish to your liking. The Spicy Miso Ramen is also a popular choice that adds a kick to the traditional tonkotsu. Nagahama No. 1’s thick pork bone broth will satisfy even the pickiest of ramen eaters and ramen aficionados!
Nagahama No. 1, 14 Kau U Fong, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2323 6115
5. Ichitora Ramen
Another ramen joint with housemade tonkotsu broth, Ichitora Ramen serves reliable, tasty bowls of goodness. The traditional Ichitora Ramen is always a treat, bathed in broth that is boiled daily for 12 hours. For the more adventurous amongst you, the Fresh Lemon Ramen adds a zing to the traditional tonkotsu. Additionally, knowing that traditional ramen doesn’t come easy for vegans and vegetarians, Ichitora Ramen serves vegan options. The vegan tonkotsu broth ramen is perfect for your plant-based buddies or those who want to cut down on their meat consumption.
Ichitora Ramen, 23 Amoy Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2808 0635
6. Zagin Soba
With its chicken broth ramen, Zagin Soba moves up our list of the best ramen restaurants in Hong Kong. You’ll find that the soup is extra frothy, due to the restaurant’s “cappuccino” technique to make the broth creamier. Try the chicken broth ramen choices on your first visit to see what the fuss is all about. Next time you want something different from traditional tonkotsu ramen, hit up Zagin Soba for its underrated dishes.
Zagin Soba has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
7. Kikanbo
Boasting “ramen to delight all five senses,” Kikanbo caters to the spice lovers among us. Carefully selected red peppers and numbing oil are blended into the soup to create a rich, spicy base. Beyond the spice, Kikanbo doesn’t skimp on the flavours of its ramen either. You can find flavours you love as you tweak the spice and numbness levels to enjoy the soup that is stewed for over 10 hours. Even those who can’t handle their spice as well will find a place at Kikanbo to enjoy some good ramen – or get up for a challenge!
Kikanbo has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
