No doubt about it: ramen is probably the most popular export from Japan behind sushi, Pokémon, and giant radioactive monsters, and with so many varieties (tonkotsu! shoyu! shio! chicken! matcha!), there's truly a bowl of noodle soup for everyone.
Whether you're a fan of collagen-heavy, rich tonkotsu or a lighter, miso broth, we have assembled our definitive list of Perth’s/Boorloo's tastiest ramen hangouts. Here's where to find Perth's best ramen.
Ageto Ramen
Canning Vale
Image credit: Ageto Ramen | Instagram
Hiding out in the Canning Vale Food Market, Ageto Ramen is home to Perth's first (and only, that we know of) matcha ramen. The frothy shrek-green broth is not going to be everyone's thing, but if you're up for something different, it's well worth a try. Just think: savoury matcha latte, underpinned by an umami-esque flavour profile. Otherwise, the tonkatsu and black garlic ramen are both absolutely banging, so you'll have no problem wiping those bowls clean.
Bariuma
Perth & East Vic Park
Image credit: Bariuma | Instagram
Literally meaning “super tasty” in Japanese, Bariuma has fast become one of our all-time favourite places to go for a hot bowl of ramen. Since opening their Perth store, the line seems to always be out the door and we can kinda see why. Their signature dish has a rich shoyu broth and comes packed with perfectly cooked noodles, a gooey egg and grilled chashu that will have you back for more in no time.
Super Souper Ramen
Karrinyup
Image credit: Super Souper Ramen | Instagram
From the same team behind the popular Super Testsudo sushi train restaurants, Super Souper Ramen serves slurpable bowls of Hakata-style (i.e. pork bone broth) ramen and noodles made from scratch in your choice of hardness. You'll find a good range of broths and new world flavours to choose from—from tonkatsu and black garlic shoyu to the iconic yuzo shio ramen. If you love a bit of heat, though, we'd suggest tucking into a bowl of the chef's spicy ramen, with a special blend of fiery chilli oil and pork miso.
Kamatsu
Fremantle
Image credit: Komatsu | Instagram
Dosukoi had a following like no other at the Fremantle Markets, so when they shut up and opened a new joint in the FOMO precinct, called Kamatsu, we obediently followed them there. This new spot boasts the same affordable menu, with a variety of bowls starting at just $12.50. Pick between toppings like prawn dumplings, Japanese fried chicken, soft sliced pork and fresh leek, alongside your choice of soy, miso or salt base.
Tosaka Ramen
Northbridge
Image credit: Tosaka Ramen | Instagram
If you’re a ramen fan who doesn’t mind a little bit of garlic—actually, make that a lot of garlic—you’re going to want to slurp your way through a bowl or two of Tosaka Ramen's creamy and rich black garlic tori paitan. Tori paitan is the chicken-based cousin of the pork-based tonkotsu ramen broth we’ve all come to know and love, and Tosaka has three delightful varieties of this good stuff packed with chicken chashu, spring onion, boiled eggs and more. For a guaranteed good time, you can also go ahead and upgrade your bowl to the largest size for just $2 extra.
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Ramen Keisuke
Perth
Image credit: Ramen Keisuke | Instagram
Known for helping people all over the world fulfil their ramen cravings, Ramen Keisuke is a globally renowned ramen chain with a noodle bar right here in Perth. Celebrity Chef Keisuke Takeda is the brains behind this chain, and every bowl of his famous ramen is made with 12-hour broiled Tonkotsu broth plus noodles and soup custom-made to suit your needs. Don’t like your ramen too hot or spicy? Do you like your noodles to be cooked a certain way? These guys have got you covered. They’ll even throw in complimentary boiled eggs and bean sprouts if you’re dining in.
Hakata Gensuke
East Victoria Park & Northbridge
Image credit: Hakata Gensuke | Instagram
In case you weren't aware, Hakata in Japan is the home of tonkotsu ramen, so it's not surprising that Hakata Gensuke is dishing out just that at their first Perth outlet in East Victoria Park. Made with their own secret recipe, all we can tell you is that there's uber flavoursome pork broth, pork chashu and extremely slurpable thin noodles involved. If you prefer to go down the creamy chicken path, though, head to their new Northbridge outlet. They're serving up the same flavours like Black Tori and God Fire, but in chicken broth versions.
Nao
Perth
Do not pass go, do not collect $200, if you want good ramen head straight to Nao. They have some of the best noodles known to man in white (original egg noodle), red (chilli infused), green (spinach infused) or black (squid ink infused) varieties, all made fresh every single day, and four hearty broths to choose from (soy, miso, salty or spicy miso). Each bowl comes topped with your classic sliced chashu pork, bamboo shoots, dried seaweed, been shoots and spring onion, but there's a whole list of extra toppings you can throw on top if you wanna make it your own.
IPPUDO
Perth
Image credit: IPPUDO | Instagram
IPPUDO started up in Japan back in 1985 and the team here sure knows a thing or two about good ramen. There are three styles of ramen to choose from, but we think the traditional recipe is the way to go (especially given you can add extras). If you're up for something different, there are two spicier and richer options with additions like garlic oil or spicy minced pork miso.
Ramen Ichiraku
Perth
Image credit: Ramen Ichiraku | Instagram
Loosely translating to ‘ramen is the best pleasure’, we think Ramen Ichiraku is right on the money. Their signature bowl is the Hakata tonkatsu ramen, with a secret recipe that packs a flavoursome punch. They also do a hot red dragon dish, with a spicy 12-hour pork broth ramen that'll leave you sweatin, plus, Perth's finest vegan ramen, so if you're going meat-free this is the spot for you.
Ramen Samurai
East Victoria Park
Image credit: Ramen Samurai | Instagram
Ramen Samurai in East Victoria Park is dishing up some seriously good ramen. The noodles are made fresh and they are good with a capital G. The spicy miso ramen is our pick, served with chashu, egg, corn, menma (you know, those things that look like bamboo shoots), black fungus, seaweed and leek. If that doesn't float your boat, try the black garlic ramen—you won't be disappointed.
Kai
Bull Creek
Kai is a teensy tiny shop but it serves some bangin’ ramen. Choose either a miso or Tonkutso (pork bone) broth and be prepared for a bit of a wait if you get there in peak hour. Kai’s ramen comes with an egg which makes it a winner in our eyes and the broth is some of the best in Perth.
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Image credit: Elle Borgward | Ramen Samurai