Best ramen in New York

69 people recommend, 9 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/Brooklyn, r/AskNYC

Most people who name Tonchin recommend it, and many call it a favorite or go-to, with its tonkotsu and tsukemen coming up often and several praising the spicy tan tan bowl. Recommended across its New York locations; commenters name the Midtown shop on West 36th Street (this listing) and the Williamsburg shop about equally. One diner calls the Midtown dining room well lit and good for a birthday, and a few say it needs a booking. Opinions are split: some are lukewarm or did not like it, one finds the tsukemen broth muted, and a few rank Tabetomo and Okiboru above it.

Midtown

62 people recommend, 14 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Most people who weigh in recommend Ivan Ramen, and many praise the chicken paitan ramen, with several singling out the shio, one of them saying it is the only bowl worth ordering there. Several say the small plates, such as the eggplant appetizer, nearly outshine or match the ramen. One visitor calls the Lower East Side shop the most consistent. It is divisive: some say it has declined, one calls it overrated, one calls it very poor, and one was disappointed on a dine-in visit after a good takeout.

Lower East Side

57 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Most people who name Okiboru recommend it, and many single out the tsukemen (dipping noodles); many call it among the best in the city, and one says it is the only place there matching good shops in Japan. Several describe a rich, seafood-forward broth, and a few mention the tontori ramen. This listing is the Lower East Side shop. It is often compared with Tabetomo: some prefer Okiboru and others prefer Tabetomo. Caveats: a couple find it pricey, one found it decent but unremarkable, and one says it did not replace a ramen shop they miss.

Lower East Side

56 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Most people who name Ramen Ishida recommend it, and many call it a favorite or top pick, often for the shoyu ramen. A few single out the truffle chicken shoyu, and one praises the mushroom pork bowl as unlike others in the city. Recommended across both its shops; this listing is Chelsea, which a few name, while several others mean the Ludlow Street shop on the Lower East Side. One longtime regular likes the karaage and classic shio, and one mentions longer waits as it has grown popular. Caveats: one finds it very delicious but would not choose it over their favorite tonkotsu bowls, another finds it decent but not memorable, and one found the truffle aroma overwhelming.

Chelsea

53 people recommend, 8 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/Brooklyn, r/AskNYC, X

Most people who name Ichiran recommend it, several for the tonkotsu ramen and the solo booths. Recommended across its New York locations; most who name one mean Times Square on West 49th Street, and a couple point to the Brooklyn shop. Some mention waits, though one says going early before showtime keeps the line manageable, and some find it pricey. Caveats: some think other shops do it better, several find it middling or only fine, and a couple find takeout servings smaller than dine-in.

Times Square

46 people recommend, 15 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Many commenters recommend Ippudo, and many call it a favorite, and a couple say other places failed to beat it, and the 2025 and 2026 comments are positive. Recommended across its New York locations; this listing is the Hell's Kitchen (Westside) shop, which several name, while a couple mean the East Village one. A couple praise the broth, one liking a Jiro-style bowl that now seems limited to the Westside shop. Many comments from 2024 say it has declined, with one reporting thinner pork loin in place of belly and a couple reporting other dropped ingredients, some find it pricey, and one argues it was never especially good.

Hell's Kitchen

44 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC, r/Brooklyn

Most people who name Ramen Danbo recommend it, and several prefer it to Ichiran. Recommended across its New York shops; this listing is the West Village one, and a few commenters point to Park Slope. One calls the winter curry ramen the best bowl they have had in the city, one praises the Fukuoka-style bowls, and several call it good value. Caveats: one found the portions smaller than Ichiran's, another found the default noodles thin until learning thicker ones were offered, and one mentions a long wait.

West Village

40 people recommend, 9 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Most commenters who name Tabetomo recommend it, and diners praise the tsukemen, with one ranking it their top bowl in town for a very long-brewed broth and one saying it is on par with the tsukemen they had in Japan. One recommends the yasai ramen, and a couple note a fish-based tonkotsu special. Caveats: one found the broth too acidic on one visit, one found the tsukemen overwhelmingly garlicky and will not return, a couple say the noodles suggest no in-house noodle making, and one loves it but finds it leaves them sweaty. It is often compared with Okiboru, and several prefer Okiboru.

East Village

31 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Most people who weigh in recommend Menkoi Sao, the West Village shop that reopened after a short closure and is written about under its former name, Menkoi Sato. Several call it a top ramen spot and some name it their favorite in the city. Several praise the curry ramen, a few the tantanmen or the vegetarian bowls, and one the spicy miso. One commenter found the curry ramen too salty to finish and will not return.

West Village

25 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Most people who name Toribro recommend it, in Hell's Kitchen, and a couple call its chicken paitan the best in the city. Diners who have gone rate it highly, a couple call it a favorite, and one points to its value. A few describe it as similar in chicken paitan style to the former Totto Ramen. One diner feels it is quite heavy and very rich, another calls it decent but somewhat dated, and one says it now means standing in line.

Hell's Kitchen

25 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Many people recommend Mr Taka on Allen Street, with a couple singling out the tonkotsu and other diners praising the miso, a spicy black tantanmen or a vegan bowl. One says the portions are bigger than at other ramen spots, and another enjoyed the tantanmen even though the place was packed. The main caveat is a diner whose group finished eating long before the ramen arrived and who will not return.

23 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Many people recommend Nishida Shoten, with a few praising the tantan ramen and others the black garlic tonkotsu. Nishida Shoten has more than one Midtown shop; this listing is the 49th and 2nd branch, which several name, and a couple of commenters mention the Bryant Park one. A couple call it small, some note it stays open late, and one says its veggie ramen was decent. Caveats: one nearby regular calls it fine at best, one who used to visit the Bryant Park branch found the ramen good but unremarkable, and another found the broth and katsu at Bryant Park poor.

Midtown East

22 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Most diners who name Nakamura recommend it, and many call it a favorite. Several point to its chicken-based bowls, such as the chicken shoyu ramen, which one calls the top shoyu in town, and several describe the broth as rich or thick. One found the tsukemen flavorful and memorable, and another recommends the torigara. Caveats: one liked the delicate, refined style but doubts it still holds up, and one finds its two vegan miso ramens not especially creamy.

22 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Many commenters rate Susuru Ramen highly, with many naming it their top pick and one calling its chicken ramen the best they have eaten. One praises its seafood-style broth, and one says the trip out to Astoria is worth it. Diners find the shop cute and quaint, one saying its ramen selection felt like Osaka. Caveat: one liked the shop but found the food not very memorable.

Astoria

20 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodNYC

Most diners who name Kin Ramen recommend it, a small Midtown West spot near Carnegie Hall on 56th Street. One ranks the broth the best they have had apart from a favorite in Austin, another praised the chashu, one says the veggie ramen impressed them, and a few point to the curry ramen, with one naming the spicy miso and one the cocktails. Caveats: one said it came close to the style they want but fell short, one thinks stronger ramen is downtown, one finds it average, and one calls it very mediocre.

Midtown

16 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Many people recommend Shuya, the ramen shop on 3rd Avenue in Murray Hill, and several praise its house-made noodles, some calling them the best in the city. Several single out the duck tsukemen, some say its broths lean toward seafood, and another praises the shoyu and the dining room. One says they miss it from when it was nearby.

Murray Hill

14 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Most diners who name Taishoken recommend it, and many praise the tsukemen; a couple say it matches or comes close to a version they had in Japan, a few call it the best tsukemen, and a few praise the portions or the amount of meat. Many compare it with Okiboru: a couple prefer Okiboru, one finds the two nearly on par, and one ranks Taishoken above Okiboru and Tabetomo. Caveats: several found the tsukemen lukewarm or the broth not hot enough, one found it bland or overcooked, and one finds it overpriced.

East Village

13 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Most people who give an opinion recommend Jin Ramen, and a few call it good value. One says they love the spicy tonkotsu, another praises the noodles, and one praises the vegan coconut curry. Jin Ramen has more than one shop in Manhattan, including the Upper West Side one (this listing) and one in Harlem; a few comments name the Upper West Side, and one less impressed visitor went to a different branch. A few were disappointed: one says it declined after opening, one was let down after many recommendations, and one wished they had gone elsewhere.

Upper West Side

12 people recommendvia r/Brooklyn, r/FoodNYC

Karazushi Botan draws many recommendations, with a couple of diners singling out the tsukemen, one calling the hot and cold version a hit and another the best tsukemen, with bold, tangy flavor. One finds the bowls creative and the music lively, one calls it very good, another a standout, and one remembers a lunch there as good. One diner preferred the gyoza to the ramen.

Carroll Gardens

10 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Many commenters recommend Momosan, near Grand Central on Lexington Avenue, and a few simply name it. One calls the tan tan ramen their favorite, rich and creamy, another calls it the best ramen they have had outside Tokyo, and one likes the vegan ramen.

10 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Many people recommend Kohoku-ku Ramen, on 9th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen. One praises the spicy miso and another the spicy tonkotsu, one describes the broth as thick and almost gravy-like yet very tasty and calls the interior cute, and one calls the vegan ramen quite solid. Several simply name it.

9 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Most diners who name Karakatta recommend it, on Thompson Street, and several list it among their favorites, one saying its spicy ginger bowl could be their favorite in the city. Another rates the soup highly, and one recommends the ginger stamina and tonkatsu bowls, with a vegan option also mentioned. One notes seating is limited and suggests arriving early for a group, and one finds the top spice level quite intense.

9 people recommendvia r/Brooklyn, r/FoodNYC

Many commenters recommend Chuko for ramen, and two of them point to the Prospect Heights location specifically. One diner calls it the best ramen, praising the broth, the noodles and the poached egg. Another ranks it second behind Danbo, and most of the comments are short and say little about the food itself.

Prospect Heights

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodNYC

Most diners who name Afuri recommend it, and a couple single out the yuzu dishes: one calls the yuzu tsukemen tasty and distinctive, and another enjoys the yuzu shio but finds the tori paitan heavy. One visitor says it tastes very close to the Tokyo shops, and one calls the newer Williamsburg shop known for lighter yuzu flavors. One diner is not a fan and ranks another spot far higher.

Williamsburg

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Many diners recommend Kame, and one calls its spicy tonkotsu a personal favorite while another finds its tonkotsu creamier than any other they have tried; one praises the spicy miso salmon ramen. Recommended across its Chelsea and Midtown shops; this listing is Chelsea, named by a couple of commenters, and one points to Midtown. One diner was let down by a flat-tasting broth.

Chelsea

7 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Most commenters who name Gogyo recommend it, in Gramercy, and one says its broths are more unusual than at other local spots. A couple praise the charred miso bowl, one the seafood shio, and a couple the tsukemen. A few call it pricey or upscale, though one found it pretty good and savory.

6 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Most people who name Ramen by Ra recommend it, and two single out its breakfast ramen, one calling it outstanding and another enjoying watching each bowl made. One says its ramen is modern in style and tastes very good, another calls it amazing but advises not expecting traditional ramen, and one liked the broth but found the toppings unmemorable.

6 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC, r/Brooklyn

Six commenters recommend Naruto Ramen. One loves its tan tan ramen, another calls the curry chicken ramen amazing, and one orders it for delivery. Naruto Ramen has more than one shop and the opinions below cover them together: one commenter names a 5th Avenue shop and another a Williamsburg one. A commenter who loves the 5th Avenue shop for its vibe and anime theme says it never makes best-of lists, and one ranks it behind Danbo and Chuko.

Park Slope

6 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC, X

Several diners recommend Zen Ramen, and one says they have loved it since moving to the city, praising the flavorful broth, tender pork and generous portion. Two commenters single out the veggie ramen, with one ordering it regularly at lunch while working nearby, and one had the spicy tonkotsu ramen and was pleased with it. Commenters place it on West 36th Street (the listed address) and, in one case, in Midtown East, so check the address.

6 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Six commenters recommend Misoya, a miso-focused ramen shop; this listing is its West Village shop. One who visited the West Village spot calls it the best ramen they have eaten in the city, and a couple point to its miso dishes, such as the mame miso and the kome miso chashu. One calls the chashu very thick. Commenters mention different locations, so views may not all describe the same shop.

West Village

5 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Most commenters who name Cocoron recommend it, and two name it among their favorites. One calls its vegan mera mera dish very tasty, another recommends it for both curry and ramen, and one says it is very good. One who has not been in a long time says they would still go.

5 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Five people recommend Teppen Ramen. One calls it a favorite in Midtown East, praising its thin noodles and the shoyu-tare tonkotsu. Another has been there many times and strongly recommends it, and a different diner rates the spicy dish very highly. Two simply name it as a pick.

5 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Five commenters recommend NONONO for ramen. One calls it underrated and says all of its food impresses them, another says its chintan is the best they have tasted, one recommends the miso tantan, and one names it among good chicken ramen makers.

5 people recommendvia r/Brooklyn

Five people recommend Momo Ramen, with one calling it a favorite and another a hidden gem. One says the curry ramen has a spicy kick and tastes great, another calls the dan dan ramen excellent, and one says the laksa curry is their regular order. One has not tried the extra spicy options.