Guide to the best ramen in London

Bone Daddies is one of the most iconic ramen spots in London, and for good reason. The menu here has been designed to showcase the best of Japanese cuisine but with a western twist. Expect to see dishes like fried chicken bao buns alongside a variety of ramen, including vegan bowls made with plant-based broth.

Every bowl of ramen at Ippudo tells a story, according to founder Shigemi Kawahara, otherwise known as 'Ramen King'. Each bowl is not only influenced by flavour, but by books, movies and music, too. You can choose the Shiromaru Classic bowl, or spice it up a little with the Akamaru Modern, which has been enhanced with Ippudo's special-blended miso paste.

Kinoya is a celebrated Dubai ramen bar that ranked seventh on the Middle East & Africa 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023. Its first UK branch is situated in the dining hall of the iconic Harrods department store and serves signature dishes such as spicy miso ramen or duck ramen. Izakaya-style snacks are available as well at this elegant ramen bar.

It's all about the award-winning ramen at this Japanese spot, which has restaurants located all over the city. The tonkotsu comes with an 18-hour creamy pork bone broth which has an intense depth of flavour, as well as a generous amount of chashu sliced pork belly and wood ear fungus.

If you're looking for a banging bowl of ramen that won't break the bank, then look no further than Koi Ramen Bar, found at a number of locations. These guys specialise in bowls of hot, steamy tonkotsu which you can add extra toppings to. If you've got room for something sweet after, try some of their matcha ice cream.

There aren't many places that can nail a bowl of tonkotsu quite like Shoryu. Their big bowls of hot, creamy soup come with an intensely flavourful 12-hour pork broth which is topped with char sui barbecue pork belly. If you're plant-based then fear not, they also do a delicious mushroom broth bowl.

The ramen at Tonkotsu is like a warm, comforting hug in a bowl. The noodles are cooked for only 32 seconds so that they have the perfect medium bite. There’s also a range of other dishes, like courgette, shiitake & cauliflower katsu and chocolate and miso salted caramel sando.

Exported from Amsterdam, Ramen Impossible's first international location can be found at the Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant & Castle. The Dutch group has made a name for itself with its completely vegan ramen bowls, ingeniously utilizing meat substitutes and vegetables to concoct wholesome bowls of the adored Japanese delicacy.

Blending Japanese and Filipino culinary traditions and flavours, Ramo Ramen offers a unique pan-Asian dining experience in a contemporary setting. Their menu centres around different ramen options, including Filipino oxtail kare kare and a vegan tofu variant, alongside katsu rice bowls and appetisers like gyoza and chicken wings. The restaurant also boasts a distinctive drinks menu, featuring beers, cocktails, and customisable bubble teas.

The sleek Shiro restaurant is famous around the globe for its picture-perfect crystal sushi, but it's no slouch when it comes to ramen either. Based on a secret family recipe passed down to Executive Chef Tatsuya Iawhashi, the broth used in Shiro ramen is simmered for 48 hours to ensure the right textures and flavours. You can choose from a plant-based, meat, or seafood option.

If you're a fan of anime, manga, cosplay, and other such staples of Japanese culture, you'll want to check out this colourful genki café next to the British Museum. The menu features dishes inspired by anime characters and series such as Naruto or Vegeta, and includes an assortment of flavourful ramen made with all the care of more traditional ramen bars.

Check out Saba if you enjoy the type of ramen that comes out of a packet. This place is the UK's first Korean self-service noodle bar. The modern venue has walls filled with more than 50 types of ramen in different flavours. Choose your favourite and any extra toppings you'd like, then let the machines prepare your food in front of you.