As the temperature drops, our desire for ramen exponentially increases. Nothing quite hits the same as slurping up some noods out of a bowl of steaming hot ramen, packed to the max with delicious toppings, like chashu pork, soft-boiled eggs and nori.
Luckily the Gold Coast has some seriously slurp-worthy ramen spots to fuel your winter cravings; places where chopsticks are your new BFF and cheat day is a whole lot more tasty. Use your noodle and satisfy your next craving with 10 best ramen joints on the Gold Coast in 2024.
ZuroZuro Burleigh
1726 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Since opening in late 2022, ZuroZuro has garnered a hyper-loyal following—for obvious reasons. The unassuming ramen bar boasts a Michelin-awarded ramen recipe, which we believe is a first for the Gold Coast.
It goes without saying you should order their Michelin-awarded ramen, a tantalising combination of tonkotsu and tori soup, topped with deep fried potato and other secret ingredients. Their concise but mighty ramen menu stars a range of tonkotsu ramen, vegan ramen and spicy ramen. They say great things come in little packages, and this couldn't be more true for this pint-sized contender for the Gold Coast's best ramen.
Goukai Ramen
3/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Goukai Ramen | Instagram
Ladelling out authentic tonkotsu-style chicken and pork broths, Goukai thoughtfully offers seven traditional ramen options (without the nine-hour flight). There's two things that make Goukai's ramen stand out from the pack—their Tokyo-inspired traditional broth and their thinly sliced, smoky pork belly cha-shu.
Whether you’re in the mood for a spicy ramen, juicy meat-lover toppings or even a veggie ramen topped with pumpkin, mushrooms and greens, Goukai’s got you covered. As one of the best ramen bars on the Gold Coast for those who never know what they want, we can assure you there’s no dud dishes here.
Muso Ramen And Gyoza Bar
Mermaid Beach, Southport & Robina
Muso Ramen had us at ‘no ramen, no life.’ First noodling their way into the hearts of Mermaid Beach locals, now you’ll find these quaint eating houses right across the Gold Coast.
We can’t go past the black miso from the North Coast (Chirn Park) locale, with a rich pork broth, topped with succulent Kurobuta belly, bamboo, egg, tangy shallots and ma-yu garlic oil. Squeeze in an extra serving of life-changing pork fried rice while you’re at it, all finished with pillowy beef gyoza. With thick and thin noodles made fresh in-store each day, you just can’t beat it.
Ramen Danbo
Southport, Pimpama & Surfers Paradise
Image Credit: Ramen Danbo | Instagram
Spoiler alert: Here’s where to go for 100% traditional ramen on the Gold Coast. Having won top awards in its home town of Fukuoka, Japan, Ramen Danbo’s graciously expanded to dish out creamy bowls of heaven right here on the Gold Coast.
Danbo is a slurp-it-all-up and drink-it-all-down kinda place. You can expect picture-perfect dishes, handcrafted soup, all of the beers and a bloody good spread—it’s no wonder this local fave is bustling all week long. Hands down, some of the best ramen on the Gold Coast.
Hakataya Ramen
3131 Surfers Paradise Blvd Surfers Paradise QLD 4217 &
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach Waters QLD 4218
Most commonly known for its lines that stretch from the main door, around a corner and down the street at their Surfers Paradise store, Hakataya Ramen can be found at Pacific Fair, too. Some dub it the most authentic ramen on the Gold Coast and we’d be inclined to agree.
Plus, a stop at Hakataya is more than welcomed midway through a bustling shopping trip. Don’t let the price tag fool you, this quick and cheap soupy noodle haven gets 10 out of 10 for flavour too.
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Izakaya Midori
Shop 7/50 Woodland Dr, Reedy Creek QLD 4227
It’s no surprise the Gold Coast’s first-ever 100% vegan Japanese restaurant makes its way onto our list of the best ramen on the Gold Coast. On the menu, you’ll find everything from plant-based katsu don to rich ramen and bite-sized nigiri sushi topped with wild mushrooms, sliced apple and carefully carved tomato flesh.
In terms of ramen, they only have a few offerings but they’re damn delicious. The AKA ramen has a spicy miso butter noodle base with corn and smoked plant-based bacon and the Midori ramen will transport you straight to the streets of Tokyo with toppings of umami spicy mince, bok choy and leek.
Ramen Bro Sake And Bar
Shop 5/253 Ferry Rd, Southport QLD 4215
Nestled in Ferry Road Market, Ramen Bro Sake and Bar does, well, what it says. Expect top-notch ramen, gyoza, bao buns, fried rice and a heap of sake, shochu cocktails and plum wine here. In terms of ramen, choose from six broth flavours including tonkotsu, chicken chintan, vegan konbu and shiitake and a DIY flavour.
Our top pick is the miso ramen with chicken chintan broth, roasted chashu pork, spring onion, egg and bean sprouts. Pair that with pan-fried gyoza and some warm sake and you're in for an epic Japanese feast.
JFX Noodle And Tapas Bar
Shop 2A/82 Marine Parade, Southport QLD 4215
This unassuming noodle bar on Marine Parade in Southport slings up authentic ramen in bowls as big as your head, and we’re here for it. Choose from a variety of ramen bases such as black tonkotsu, jiro ramen, yokohama eak ramen, chilli coriander, soy tonkotsu and miso tonkotsu.
JFX Noodle and Tapas Bar also boasts authentic Japanese specials, such as yakisoba, chintan (chicken broth ramen) and abura soba. Plus, the team are as friendly as they come and will readily recommend a ramen for you, if the loaded menu makes it too hard to choose.
Motto Motto
Robina Town Centre, 19 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina QLD 4226 &
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach Waters QLD 4218
Motto Motto brings the quirkiness and fun of casual Japanese dining to Pacific Fair and Robina Town Centre. Not your average food court offering, Motto Motto uses only fresh, local ingredients to deliver traditional yet totally unique Japanese dishes in a decked out, modern space.
We love Motto's tonkotsu ramen soup with pork super-stock broth that’s brewed for 12 hours, paired with build-your-own bento boxes and traditional Japanese brioche buns with Wagyu beef. One of our favourite lowkey yet delicous ramen joints on the Gold Coast.
All warmed up with the best ramen on the Gold Coast? Check out:
Main image credit: RaRa Ramen | Instagram
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