The Best Ramen Joints In Auckland

From the first slurp of noodles, a jammy egg and fragrant char of the glistening piece of chāshū, to a deep and savoury, toasted sesame dotted broth—it’s that time of the year when the cooler weather hits and you really start to crave a bowl of comforting ramen. Luckily there’s no shortage of ramen in this Tāmaki Makaurau.

Here are our picks for the best ramen in Auckland in 2026. 

Takimi Mazesoba

4/40 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna

Image credit: Takimi Mazesoba | Instagram

When we heard Takimi Mazesoba just opened in Takapuna last year, with a solo dining cubicle concept around the counter, we knew it was one for the serious ramen lovers' list. Wood panels along the counter seating allow you to give your steaming bowl of ramen your undivided attention which, of course, is exactly what ramen deserves (afterall, the best way to enjoy this is with a hearty slurp right away while the ramen has the perfect bite). They also have shared seating options, for those who want to bring the crew (or you can still sit at the counter and fold the panels in). Choose from their namesake mazesoba (dry-style ramen) with chewy buckwheat noodles, to a brothy selection of chāshū tonkotsu, spicy tan tan or crispy fried ebi with miso ramen. 

Chop Chop Noodle House

140 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby Central, Ponsonby

Image credit: Chop Chop Noodle House | Instagram

Known as the cheeky sibling to Blue Breeze Inn, Chop Chop Noodle House is an Asian-fusion spot that has everything from cheeseburger bao (topped with a grilled slice yellow American cheese), to koji fried chicken, along with a selection of ramen bowls packed with flavour. With rye noodles, choose from crispy fried jerk chicken ramen with smoked butter, twelve hour beef brisket with all the flavour hits of black garlic and bacon, or their ultimate bowl with crispy fried chicken, pork belly and BBQ pork (a.k.a. Cobra Kai Ramen) to name a few on the list. They even have a kids menu with options for just noodles with broth, or noodles with chicken, beef brisket or pork belly, so the wee ones don’t miss out on the ramen slurps too. 

Show Wa Noodles

39 Bishop Dunn Place, Flat Bush

Image credit: Show Wa Noodles | Vicki Young

Tucked away through a carpark is Show Wa Noodles. Look out for the blue gate and drive through, to this hidden gem out in Flat Bush. Known for their tonkotsu ramen (especially the shoyu tonkotsu), I can confirm this was one of the best ramen bowls I’ve had in Tāmaki Makaurau (and drove an hour round trip just to have this for lunch). Choose the tender and melt-like-butter chāshū to top, and don’t forget to finish with their signature matcha pudding (just as is, is best). 

ラーメン Ramen Station

42 Totara Avenue, New Lynn

Ramen Station was born from a Japanese kaiseki chef who found his passion in perfecting the art of ramen, with over 25 years of experience in Japan and Aotearoa. Choose from a range of shoyu-based or miso soup base ramen, or check out their newer menu additions like their tonkotsu ramen without the shoyu (soy) flavouring which is creamier and served with thinner noodles. For those who love a katsu curry, warm up with their chicken katsu curry ramen which combines the comforting katsu chicken curry with the satisfying slurp of ramen. 

Maruten Ramen

466 Dominion Road, Mount Eden

​It would be remiss not to mention Maruten Ramen, which has been making ramen fans out of Aucklanders since its days at Mercury Plaza (you'll now find it on Dominion Road). The ramen menu here is so big it’s a book. Maruten Ramen is like ramen heaven for those who have tried everything, or for those who want everything (on their ramen, that is). There’s butter corn, the many varieties of tonkotsu (try their spicy Red Dragon number), as well as shoyu and miso broth-ed varieties with homemade thick and thin noodles to choose from (and always, add an extra jammy egg).

Go Ramen

10 Durham Street East, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Go Ramen | Facebook

If you’re craving ramen in the city, Go Ramen is the answer to your ramen cravings. Their signature O.G. ramen is their cheese'n spicy tonkotsu ramen (a fiery noodle dish topped with grated cheese), or go with more traditional offerings like their miso broth (made with chef’s own miso blend), creamy tonkotsu (which also comes in a deluxe seafood flavour), or their light shoyu based ramen. 

Ajisen Ramen Restaurant

Various Locations

Image credit: Ajisen Ramen Takapuna | Facebook 

With 800 branches worldwide, it’s no wonder Ajisen Ramen Restaurant is a popular choice for ramen lovers across the globe. All the Auckland sites offer the Ajisen classic Tonkotsu: a Kumamoto style pork based broth, complete with tamago (egg), chashu (marinated pork), mushroom and ramen. There’s even an exotic menu for those who want to upgrade to a black garlic Tonkotsu, or hit up a comforting Katsu Chicken on ramen. Their next level ramen includes the Grand Zen Nose, with chashu and slow braised ribs, and the Grand Tan Tan (sesame spiced broth with chashu and pork mince, only available at the Takapuna store). Don’t forget the necessary jammy egg addition.

KATSUBAY

405 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden

Image credit: KATSUBAY | Website Gallery

For those who remember Zool Zool Ramen House (and those cool droppers of condiments you could add to your ramen at each table), they’ve been reimagined (and renovated) into KATSUBAY, a katsu and ramen restaurant. Luckily for the ramen fans, they’ve kept the ramen menu from Zool Zool, so you can still get your ramen fix of tonkotsu, chilli-red tantan and creamy paitan to name a few on their solid ramen list. They even have a new ramen flavour on offer—karaage ramen in soy sauce and chicken broth, enough said. 

Ramen Do

167 Symonds Street, Eden Terrace

We're saying a big fat 'I do' to Ramen Do, which has been dishing up ramen goodness to the people of Auckland from its Symonds Street eatery for several years now. Authentic Japanese ramen is the name of the game here, and that means no shortcuts. Noodles are made fresh on the daily, while broths are brewed for 48 hours to give them an unrivalled depth of flavour. Their Hokkaido miso ramen is a particular fave—try it for yourself, if you know what's good. Do upgrade to a larger size and add extra noodles (you can thank us later).

Ramen Takara

272 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby | 4 Anzac Road, Browns Bay

Image credit: Ramen Takara Ponsonby | Facebook

Ramen Takara is an Auckland ramen institution, with the Browns Bay store open since 2007 and second Ponsonby store now open for over a decade. Owner and executive chef Yuki, grew up watching her father run a small but successful ramen shop at the foot of Mount Fuji, and has brought those memories to Tāmaki Makaurau with modern twists. Here you'll find unique fusion ramen flavors like Jade Ramen (a spicy pork minice and tangy black vinegar combo), Tom Yum Ramen and even Wonton Ramen. Also eyeing up the Ponsonby store’s smoky, burnt garlic miso ramen special at time of writing. 

Sneaky Snacky

184 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD 

Image credit: Sneaky Snacky | Vicki Young

You may know Sneaky Snacky’s hot chicken donut burgers, but did you know they also have a killer ramen offering. Choose from Pork Paitan, Shoyu or Miso—I’m a sucker for a creamy pork-based broth with all the chāshū, woodear mushroom textures, ajitama (egg) and menma (bamboo shoots) trimmings (and with a side of fried chicken of course). 

TANPOPO Ramen

13 Anzac Avenue, Auckland CBD | 6/407 Glenfield Road, Glenfield

Image credit: TANPOPO Ramen | Facebook

TANPOPO Ramen is an absolute stalwart of the ramen scene here in Auckland, serving up bowls of the good stuff since 2005 at their city-based and Glenfield shops. The current owner who took over in 2021 has 30 odd years of experience as a ramen chef and also worked at Tanpopo prior (having moved to Aotearoa in 2011 and trained under the then-owner), maintaining the signature Tanpopo tonkotsu-blend broth with that creamy sesame base that they’re known for. With tonkotsu shoyu as their classic and best-selling broth, a savory miso tonkotsu to shio tonkotsu—or their hidden gem the yuzu shio ramen, a lighter alternative with refreshing yuzu infused into clear chicken and salt-based broth. The Glenfield store also has a couple of Glenfield-only items like their recently added roasted miso ramen, and gyo-kai (seafood) flavours with an additional touch of their specialty chicken oil. Whatever ramen you end up deciding to get, additional toppings are encouraged (at extra cost).

ICHIBAN Japanese Restaurant

17 Albert Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Ichiban Ramen Original | Facebook

For an authentic ramen dining experience, you can't beat Ichiban Ramen. Open late, this is the spot for a late-night ramen fix—and with only around 10 stools, the atmosphere is cosy too. Choose from their “stamina” noodles featuring pork mince in tonkotsu broth, or their popular Ichiban ramen with chāshū as well as pork mince, in a rich miso broth, to name a few on the must-try list. They also have a refreshing shio lemon ramen for vegetarians (with sliced lemon in the broth to give it that fresh flavour).

Genzui Ramen Bar

3 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead

Image credit: Genzui Ramen Bar | Facebook

Auckland ramen fans may remember Genzui Ramen from back in the day when they were based in the city and word on the street is that they’re back—having just reopened in Birkenhead Avenue last year, and back with their delicious ramen offerings. They’ve recently reworked their homemade noodles, with a chewier and smoother texture for that beautiful transparent noodle sheen and bounce while slurping them in their signature chicken and pork bone broth.  

Special mention: Den Ramen Bar 

22A Cross Street, Newton

Image credit: Den Ramen Bar | Supplied

Tokyo street ramen food truck Miso-Ra and the Pici crew have opened their joint venture Den Ramen Bar just off K’Rd (on Cross Street) earlier this month. For those who have been following Miso Ra’s food truck locations across Tāmaki Makaurau for that miso ramen fix, you can now check out this new brick and mortar chapter tucked just off Karangahape Road. Open for walk-ins only—we’ll see you there for comforting bowls of shio, shoyu and miso ramen, as well as an excellent snacks and drinks list. From pork shoulder chāshū in a chicken and snapper broth, chāshū pork shoulder and belly in a soy chicken broth, to a flavoursome vegetarian miso ramen with all the veggie textures, we’re excited to slurp our way through the menu as the seasons change. With Kirin on tap, chilled red, sake, cocktails and ramune on the sip list…I’m eyeing up a yuzu negroni and grilled snapper snack, before digging into a hearty chashu-topped, steaming bowl of ramen already. 

Want more? Yeah you do. Have a peruse of the best Japanese restaurants in Auckland. 

Main Image Credit: Chop Chop Noodle House | Instagram