Slurp Your Way Through Sydney: 10 of the Best Ramen Joints That'll Warm Your Soul

It feels like everyone we know is either in Japan right now, or talking about visiting. And it’s no wonder - the Land of the Rising Sun is a pretty amazing place. But if you can’t make it to Tokyo this winter, don’t despair. Sydney's ramen scene is having a serious moment right now - especially with two incredible new openings (more about those later). Whether you're a tonkotsu traditionalist or a spicy miso maverick, Sydney's ramen scene has a slurp-worthy surprise for every noodle lover. Grab your chopsticks, loosen your belt, and prepare to embark on a delicious journey. Here are our top 10 Sydney Ramen spots you gotta visit.

1. Ryo's Noodles (Crows Nest)

• The GoGet Ramen Rec: Spicy Pork Tonkotsu - spicy pork broth, springy noodles, and melt-in-your-mouth chashu. Delicous.

• The Lowdown: A Sydney institution, Ryo's Noodles has been serving up soul-satisfying ramen since 2003. Their dedication to quality shines through in every bowl, from the creamy tonkotsu broth to the perfectly seasoned shoyu ramen. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot for a solo slurp or a group feast though expect queues. Even though this place has been around for over 20 years now, it’s popularity shows no sign of wavering and I’ve never seen it without a queue - whatever the time of day. Luckily service is fast and the queue moves quickly.

2. Sekka Dining (St Leonards)

• The GoGet Ramen Rec: Hojicha Smoked Duck Ramen (pictured)- Aged Chicken Chintan broth and succulent smokey duck breast make this a winner.

• The Lowdown: Sekka Dining is a relative newcomer to the Sydney ramen scene and this sleek and modern izakaya in St Leonards is a welcome addition to the fantastic lower north shore Japanese food scene. Sekka's ramen is a symphony of flavours, balancing rich broths with perfectly cooked noodles and toppings that range from classic chashu pork to more adventurous options like our favourite smoked duck or wagyu beef.

3. Chaco Ramen (Darlinghurst)

• The GoGet Ramen Rec: Yuzu Scallop - Hokkaidō Scallop, John Dory and prawn wontons in a ramen? We’re sold!

• The Lowdown: Chaco Ramen is a Darlinghurst favourite known for its innovative twists on traditional ramen. Their menu changes seasonally, but you can always expect to find creative combinations like yuzu scallops or tomato truffle. The cozy atmosphere and friendly service make it a great spot for a date night or a catch-up with mates.

4. Ramen Auru (Crows Nest)

• The GoGet Ramen Rec: Auru’s Ebi Ramen - A decadent prawn bisque and seafood broth, with a prawn chilli oil that packs a real punch.

• The Lowdown: A much heralded newcomer to the scene, Ramen Auru feels like the closest thing to being in Japan that you’ll get in Australia. It’s also unlike anything else you’ll find in Sydney - from the vending machine you order your meals from to the traditional tatami style seating in the restaurant. There may be just 3 ramens on the menu - but we can confirm they are all incredible. Bear in mind Ramen Auru is only open nights and that word’s out about how good it is, so expect queues. We’ve found the best time to get seated is to go late (10pm).

5. Rising Sun Workshop (Newtown)

• The GoGet Ramen Rec: Breakfast Ramen - Great all day. Rich buttered toast bone broth, topped with crispy bacon and a fried egg.

• The Lowdown: Part ramen joint, part motorcycle workshop, Rising Sun Workshop is a Newtown icon. The industrial-chic setting is as cool as the ramen itself. You’ll find some seriously creative ramens on the menu here that will have you coming back again and again. And don't forget to grab a G&T with your ramen, they make their own tonic in-house which they serve with Poor Toms distilled down the road in Marrickville.

6. Manpuku (Chatswood):

• The GoGet Ramen Rec: Manpuku Red- If you like your pork ramen with a kick, Manpuku's Red is a must-try.

• The Lowdown: Chatswood has a lot of great ramen options, but Manpuku is our favourite. Their menu features a wide variety of ramen styles, from classic tonkotsu to shio and vegetarian options. The portions are generous, the flavors are bold, and the atmosphere is electric.

7. Mensho Tokyo (CBD)

• The GoGet Ramen Rec: Signature Toripaitan - A rich, creamy toripaitan broth infused with different types of cha-shu and house-made Mensho noodles.

• The Lowdown: If you’ve seen round-the-block queues in the CBD recently, it just might be for Mensho Tokyo. The famous - and Michellin recommended - ramen chain has finally opened a Sydney branch after launching in Melbourne CBD last year. Mensho is all about using the freshest and highest quality locally sourced produce for each and every meal and it shows. The open kitchen also means you can watch the masters at work. There are some seriously decadent ramens on the menu too if you fancy splurging, like the Sydney exclusive lobster bisque ramen topped with a whole lobster or the Waygyu ramen.

8. Kuroneko Ramen (Sutherland):

• The GoGet Ramen Rec: Chicken Paitanmen - Creamy, flavourful paitan broth with succulent chicken breasts.

• The Lowdown: This neighborhood gem in Sutherland is a firm favourite among locals in the Shire for its authentic Japanese ramen. Kuroneko's broth is boiled for over 16 hours to achieve its signature taste and the friendly service and cozy atmosphere make it feel like a home away from home.

9. Kosuke (North Strathfield, Newington, Lane Cove)

• The GoGet Ramen Rec: Kosuke Black - A rich pork & paitan chicken based broth, with a hit of charred black garlic oil

• The Lowdown: Kosuke may have expanded to 3 locations across Sydney, yet it retains it’s authentic neighbourhood charm. They serve delicious Tokyo style ramens, with an extensive menu that will keep you coming back for more so that you can sample them all. They claim their specialty Tsukemen must be tried at least once in every lifetime - and we’d agree.

10. Gumshara (Haymarket)

• The GoGet Ramen Rec: Tonkotsu Ramen Their thick, collagen infused broth is unlike anything else in Sydney

• The Lowdown: We couldn’t possibly leave Gumshara off our list. This legendary ramen joint has been a Sydney staple for years - though bear in mind they have recently moved. If you are a fan of rich, thick ramen broths, then Gumshara needs to be on your list. Their signature Tonkotsu Ramen is a powerhouse of flavor, with a thick, pork-bone broth that takes seven days to make. It's not for the faint of heart, but it's definitely worth the slurp. any serious ramen lover in Sydney.

Honourable Munchions

Narrowing this down to just 10 ramen spots was tough and meant some amazing ramen spots didn’t make the list. Neko Neko in Newtown, Ramen Dragon in Mascot, RaRa Ramen in Redfern and Randwick and Ramen Bar Goku all serve up slurptastic ramens and are well worth a visit.

Ramen Ready?

So, there you have it – a slurp-tastic guide to Sydney's top 10 ramen spots. Book a GoGet, Grab your chopsticks and get slurping! And if you’re looking to connect with other local ramen lovers – The Ramen Gang facebook group is a great place to chat about all things ramen and get recs for the best new (and old) spots to try. Warning: this may be harmful to your waistline & wallet! And if you’re in Brisbane, check out our favourite Brisbane Ramen spots.

And if you have any ramen recommendations to add to the list, let us know. We’d love to hear from you. And try out the suggestions too of course!

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