Five to try: Here are Adelaide’s top five ramen hotspots that are worth the slurp

Is there anything more comforting than a giant bowl of springy noodles in a rich, umami broth? Here’s where to get some of the best ramen around Adelaide.

Tuno Izakaya North Adelaide

Chef Bin Shen at this North Adelaide restaurant takes his craft seriously, regularly travelling to Osaka, Japan, to learn from culinary masters – and it shows in deep, flavourful broths made with bones simmered to reveal every drop of goodness. Hand-pulled, aged noodles are firm and bouncy and complemented by delicious sides and starters that taste as though pulled fresh from Japan’s best izakayas. The drinks list showcases Japanese specialities including junmai sake, umeshu and shochu, alongside local wines and beers.

145 O’Connell St, North Adelaide

Shoyu ramen with pork and marinated egg at Tuno Izakaya. Picture: Simon Wilkinson

Black Dog Gallery Tusmore

You wouldn’t expect one of Adelaide’s most authentic ramen offerings to be hidden behind a tiny shopfront in the leafy east, but Black Dog Gallery’s bowls of salty, slurpy goodness rival Japan’s best. This eclectic Japanese eatery is a dream for ramen lovers, offering four soup bases and DIY toppings. Try the soy-based Tokyo Syo-yu, cooked for nine hours and topped with char-sui pork and a half-salted egg
(aji-tama). Chef Jun Abe calls it “grandma food” – hearty, traditional and absolutely oishi.

4/455 Greenhill Rd, Tusmore

Contemporary Japanese Deli Adelaide

Looking for an affordable – and comforting – lunch stop for the dreary days? Look to this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it haunt tucked neatly away in the CBD’s Da Costa Arcade. Run by father-and-son team Aki and Sid Owa, this deli serves up Japanese curry, bento and of course ramen at wallet-friendly prices. A cozy-but-spacious interior feels like a Japanese
home – the perfect place to slurp down a bowl of creamy pork tonkotsu for less than a trip to the shops.

Shop 22/68 Grenfell St, Adelaide

The Hiyashi Ramen at Contemporary Japanese Deli. Picture: Instagram/Contemporary Japanese Deli

Ajisen Ramen Adelaide

Ajisen Ramen has been serving slurp-worthy ramen in Adelaide for nearly two decades. This established chain specialises in rich tonkotsu ramen, featuring pork bone broth loaded with collagen and their secret Senmiyu sauce. True to its name, meaning “a thousand tastes,” Ajisen offers dozens of ramen varieties with custom toppings. Adelaide’s first ramen shop to serve vegetarian options, Ajisen offers mushroom ramen, beef tataki and salmon dishes with wheat noodles cooked al dente.

2/23 Leigh St, Adelaide; 55 Gouger St, Adelaide;
L1 Rundle Place, 77-91 Rundle Mall

Ajisen Ramen Picture: Instagram

Ryumon Ramen Izakaya Adelaide

For authentic Japanese ramen, look no further than Ryumon Ramen Izakaya. This dual-concept venue combines traditional ramen making with izakaya pub culture, serving house-made noodles swimming in broth that’s been simmering for more than eight hours. With various tonkotsu ramen styles on offer, Ryumon adds Hakata ramen – a pork bone broth recipe made famous in the Hakata-ku district of Fukuoka. Pair your bowl with ice-cold beer and street food favourites such as gyoza, yakitori and edamame.

16 Hindley St, Adelaide

Ryumon Ramen Izakaya Picture: Instagram