Noodle Nirvana: 5 Best Ramen Spots in Adelaide

Ryo’s Noodles follows traditional recipes of the Hakata region in Japan. This makes for some of the richest and most savory broths among ramen shops in Adelaide. 

Their dedication to authenticity shows with their 20-hour cooking of broth. They can also adjust the broth’s saltiness to match different preferences.

The shop’s standout dish is soy-flavored pork tonkotsu, which has a rich creamy texture that makes the pork belly’s (chashu) flavor stand out. Eating it with chicken karaage (fried chicken) adds a crunch to the silky texture of the ramen.

The shop’s decor also deserves commendation for its blend of a clean, industrial design and traditional Japanese decor (such as panelings, posters, and traditional masks). The shop is usually quiet and mellow, making meals here relaxing.

As for downsides, however, their seating space is limited especially during peak hours. Also, they’ve received complaints for having leaks in their packaging for takeout orders.

Ryumon Ramen Izakaya, as the name suggests, is a blend between an izakaya (Japanese bar) and a ramen restaurant. Here, you can eat traditionally cooked Hakata-region ramen while eating bar chow and downing it with alcohol. 

It was founded by Gavin Huang who noticed that most izakayas didn’t serve ramen because of its intricate cooking process. After years of learning directly from traditional chefs, he now cooks standout dishes like soy pork ramen and chicken (tori) ramen.

The best part about the shop’s ramen is its flour noodles made on-site and with Huang’s traditional cooking knowledge (he was born and raised in China). The noodles are firm yet not too hard, going perfectly with the mildly salty taste of their ramen. 

The restaurant’s modern Japanese design with neon lights and street art goes well with its bar and ramen shop hybrid concept. 

Their staff is also responsive and great at providing ramen recommendations. 

When it comes to the drawbacks of the shop, one is that they take time to serve their food (can take up to 20–25 minutes). Also, they’ve received some complaints about serving the ramen lukewarm.

Minimono Noodle Bar stands out for its minimalist restaurant design made by local graphic designers and interior designers. Its use of solid colors, simple but impactful posters, and clean lines make a picturesque and elegant atmosphere for dining. 

The shop was founded by Tong Guo who has many other restaurants in Adelaide, including a sushi shop. 

His foray into Japanese ramen feels more than a thematic switch but one made with dedication to detail because of the creativity of the restaurant’s menu. 

Aside from excellently cooked staples like tonkotsu ramen, the restaurant also serves earthy and savory truffle ramen and cheesy and spicy ramen mixed with bamboo shoots and black fungus.

The shops’ prices are reasonable considering its CBD location, at $26 for ramen with a side dish. In addition, its staff is courteous and hospitable. 

A drawback, however, is that the shop has long queueing times (can take up to 15–20 minutes). Also, they sometimes serve ramen that is not fresh. 

Ramen & Izakaya Himeji is for those looking for a high-end ramen restaurant that serves premium items like platinum label full-blood Wagyu and over 50 varieties of sake.

It was founded by Shozo Ikeda who wanted to bring Himeji cuisine to Adelaide, which is fitting because the two are sister cities. He uses authentic ingredients for the ramen he serves. 

Their best dish is the Wagyu ramen whose meat is cured with white chocolate to give it a sweet aftertaste. Another standout is the Yokohama ramen, which has a light and savory chicken broth that perfectly compliments the middle-thick straight noodles. 

The ambiance of the restaurant completes the Japanese feel through its use of washi (Japanese handmade paper), black timber, and woodblocks. Moreover, the jazz music that is played here makes the atmosphere calm and relaxed.

A thing to consider before dining here, however, is their pricey rates. Also, they sometimes serve food late by up to 30 minutes.

Sushi Hiro has one of the most affordable ramen in Adelaide (starting at $15). In addition, they are very accessible with branches in North Adelaide, South Gate, Port Adelaide, Mount Barker, and Tea Tree Plaza.

The restaurant was founded by Razmy Gaffar who moved to Japan at 18 years old to learn their traditional cuisine. 

Sushi Hiro was created with a laid-back design, and with reasonable prices, it provides a welcoming atmosphere for regular dining.

Their chashu (pork) ramen has tenderly braised meat that has a good balance of tenderness and chewiness. The broth is rich but not too overwhelming for most palates. 

Further making them accessible is that they regularly offer promotions and discounts. They have a membership app where receiving coupons and updates about new items is easy. 

As for downsides, they’ve received complaints for sometimes serving the dishes lukewarm. Additionally, their servers are not very responsive.