2015 Guide to Ramen in Austin
For the past few years I’ve written an annual guide to ramen in the city. What started as a small task has since become a more sizable undertaking, as the city’s demand for slurpable noodles grows at light speed. The more noodles we have, the more we want them! This list focuses on the restaurants that make ramen their main focus, but also includes restaurants that serve ramen alongside other items. As always, if I didn’t include your favorite place, leave me a comment and tell me what I missed!
There’s no stopping the ramen trend in Austin! The city can’t get enough of the hearty steaming bowls of rich broth and bouncy alkaline noodles. Those initiated into the ramen scene (and it is very much a scene, baby) are addicted to the umami, the toppings and the slurping. The uninitiated just need to give it a try.
If you need more convincing, check out local filmmaker Christian Remde’s Culinary Equation fantastic video all about ramen.
Ramen Tatsu-ya
Ramen Tatsu-ya North
8557 Research Blvd #126, Austin, TX 78758
Tues-Fri 11-2, 5-10, Sat-Sun 12-3, 5-10
Ramen Tatsu-ya South
1234 South Lamar, Austin, TX 78704
Mon-Sun 11-3, 5-10
Arguably the most famous ramen in Austin, Ramen Tatsu-ya is a must do. Great for first timers, the menu provides a quirky guide on what to order, how to eat, and definitions for all the unfamiliar terms and ingredients. They offer classic toppings and fun flavors bombs, so you can customize every bowl.
With a following this strong, Ramen Tatsu-ya opened a second location this year. Their new South Lamar location serves a couple purposes: 1) It brought some much-needed ramen to South Austin and 2) The line is essentially split in half making it more accessible for all of us. The new location is larger than the first and has a gorgeous chic feel.
Check out their website for the full menu which includes highlights like katsu sliders and sweet and sour Brussel’s sprouts.
*Pro-tip: Get there before 5:00 or after 8:45 to avoid the long line. Or just show up whenever and stand in line chatting with fellow ramen-heads, letting the anticipation build. Also, don’t miss the art in the bathrooms of the north location.
Whole Foods at The Domain
11920 Domain Drive, Austin, TX 78758
8 am-10 pm daily
Of the fabulous amenities this store boasts, the ramen bar is one of the most best. The Texas ramen gives shoppers a taste of Japanese ramen with a twist. Barbecue! Casual and easy, it’s a treat to have this spot for a quick slurp while you do your shopping.
Michi Ramen
6519 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78752
Tues-Sun 11am-midnight
3005 S. Lamar, Austin, TX 78704
The ramen groundbreakers of Austin, Michi Ramen was here before anyone else, slinging noodles out of a truck. Eventually they moved to a brick and mortar and very soon, their second location on South Lamar will open. They offer traditional broth thickness options and lots of toppings so you can build your own bowl. Bonus, takeout is encouraged and you can order online.
*Pro-tip: Leave room for dessert! The mochi, 2 for $3 is shipped frozen from Hawaii and just heavenly.
Drunk Fish
10000 Research Blvd #139, Austin, TX 78759
M-Th 11am-8pm, F 11am-9pm, Sat 12pm-9pm
Offering a variety of broths and toppings, this Arboretum hole in the wall is popular with lunchers in a hurry.
Komé
4917 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
M-Th 11-2, 5-10, F 11-2, 5-11, Sat 11-3, 5-11, Sun 12-3, 5:30-10
Known for their wide array of fresh and delicious sushi, Komé also makes a kickass ramen available at lunch. Their ramen efforts were so popular that they opened a sister restaurant (see below, Daruma Ramen) dedicated to ramen.
Daruma Ramen
612B E. 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
M-F 11:30-2, 5:30-10, Sat 11:30-10, Sun 12-9
Daruma is the only ramen available downtown and people happily line up on East 6th to wait for their steaming bowls of noodles. Most notable is the vegan ramen, whose complex broth is steeped with veggies and fruit. Very interesting, and different than what anyone else is doing.
Soto
11066 Pecan Park Blvd, Ste 402, Cedar Park, TX 78613
M-Th 11-3, 5-10, F 11-3, 5-11, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11-9
The reputable sushi spot has an acceptable ramen offering, too, pleasing customers with a decadent seafood ramen as well as traditional tonkatsu and shoyu.
East Side King at Hole in the Wall
2538 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
M-F 11am-midnight, Sat 2pm-midnight
Paul Qui’s ramen offerings are inventive and fun. Especially delicious is the Chicken Tortilla Ramen, a perfect fusing of Japan and Austin.
More
Musashino Sushi Dokoro
3407 Greystone Drive, Austin, TX 78731
Tues-Fri 11am-2, 5:30-10
Should you stray from the sushi menu, there are a variety of ramen bowls available at lunch.
Xian Sushi and Noodle
1801 E 51st St, Ste C370, Austin, TX 78723
13201 Ranch Rd 620, Ste U208, Austin, TX 78717
M-Sat 11:30-3, 5-10, Sun 12-p
Known for their exceptional hand-pulled noodles, Xian (pronounced SHE-ann) offers one ramen in their roster, shoyu. The Ranch Road location is fairly new, proving that the demand for noodles in Austin cannot be stopped.
Yanagi
4404 W. William Canon Drive, Ste B, Austin, TX 78749
M-Th 11-2:30, 4-9:30, F 11-2:30, 4-10:30, Sat 12-10
The two ramen options—Ramen and Spicy Ramen—have a miso broth and are topped with pork, onion, green onion, zucchini, and boiled egg.
Ryu of Japan
11101 Burnet Rd, Ste B100, Austin, TX 78758
M-Th 11:30-3, 5:30-9:30, F-Sat 11:30-3, 5:30-10:30
Ramen items on the menu include miso, shoyu, and cold ramen, described as having pork, egg, vegetable and special sauce.
Shabu
2700 Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757
11am-9:30pm daily
Most people visit Shabu to get hotpot and plain ramen noodles are one of the many options to enjoy with hotpot along with meats, veggies, and various toppings. Non-hotpot ramen options include BBQ Pork Ramen, Ramen Shrimp and Shitake, and Street Ramen which has Spam, beef, and lots of veggies.
O’Daku
2501 W. Parmer Lane #500, Austin, TX 78727
M-F 11-10, Sat 11:30-10:30
Ramen comes in three sizes in chicken, beef, and seafood, and “regular” as choices.
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