London's best bowls of ramen, from tonkotsu to new-wave

Bone Daddies self-describe as “rock and roll ramen”, which means they do things a little differently, and have been since opening their first site, in Soho, in 2012. Case in point is their breakfast ramen, inspired by a classic English breakfast, with Cumberland sausage mince, a ‘Bloody Mary’ tomato, spring onions, bean sprouts and tonkotsu sauce. If you’re not feeling that adventurous, you could simply opt for a classic, thick tonkotsu (made by simmering pork bones) or a chicken ramen, but when there are options like a curried bowl with fried chicken, Padrón peppers, pickled red cabbage and ramen noodles, it pays to be a little cavalier. Plant-based options are available too. [Various locations]

Ivan Ramen is the first London outpost from famed New York ramen chef Ivan Orkin, star of Netflix’s Chef’s Table. Ivan Ramen focuses on tonkotsu, lighter chicken shoyu (soy-seasoned) and miso ramens, with a few options and varying spice profiles, plus a couple of vegan options too. If you’re still hungry, there are plenty of snacks on offer, like gyozas and fried chicken, and a yuzu cheesecake, should you wish to round your meal off with something sweet. Despite having only opened in late 2025, Ivan Ramen has already established itself as one of London’s best ramen shops. 

A Japanese import, Kanada-Ya now has six locations in London. Focused on tonkotsu, Kanada-Ya gives diners a little more input on their bowls – not build-your-own, per se, more finesse-your-own. For example, you can choose the firmness of your ramen noodles, from soft to very firm, and pick from a host of extra toppings like pickled mustard greens and extra pork loin slices. The menu is bigger than at many ramen shops too, with an array of small plates, larger plates like curries and soba noodles, and homemade desserts like ice-cream-filled mochi. [Various locations]

Nakimushi is a Japanese restaurant and ramen concept in Notting Hill from the team behind nearby celeb haunt, Dorian. Fitted out in warm woods, the dining area is split across two floors. Food-wise, lunch is strongly ramen-focused, while dinner offers a broader menu that includes skewers, tempura, steamed fish and grilled meats. Given the locale and the Dorian team’s reputation, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the ramen errs on the lux side, making use of the superior ingredients that have made that restaurant such a hit. They might include Scottish lobster, Orkney XL scallops or duck from the Lake District – the duck ramen is served with grilled breast and a leg wonton in a chicken broth. There’s also a very on-trend pistachio matcha ramen.

This unassuming ramen shop in Fitzrovia is all about Sapporo-style ramen, which is served with a chewy, crinkly, yellow-tinged style of ramen noodle and stir-fried ingredients. Sapporo ramen is often miso-based, but Ramen Moto’s short, concise menu branches out to include both shoyu and shio (salt-forward) styles based on chicken and sometimes chicken and pork broths, as well as a vegan bowl based on konbu and mushroom. If you’re a little further west, but still on the hunt for the best ramen in London, check out Ramen Moto’s second location at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge – the perfect mid-shopping trip reset. 

The Shoryu ramen chain, which has more than 10 locations in the UK and a shop in Japan, specialises in Hakata tonkotsu ramen from Fukuoka on Japan’s Kyushu island. That means a traditional thick and creamy tonkotsu broth, made by boiling down pork bones until they release all their flavour and collagen, served with thin, straight ramen noodles. The Shoryu team are unafraid to go off-piste with their creations, so alongside traditional bowls, you’ll also find variations like ‘Piri-Piri’ (with jalapeños and gochujang), ‘Dracula’ (with black garlic oil and garlic chips) and ‘Chicken Katsu Curry’ tonkotsu. The Izakaya Small Plates menu – think chicken karaage and takoyaki (octopus balls) – is the ideal place to start your meal.

Despite the name, this popular chain does more than just pork-based ramen across its numerous London and UK-wide locations. The tonkotsu is as it should be – thick, creamy, addictive – but the chicken-based soups are just as good across shio and shoyu options, while the miso vegan ramen whacks you around the head with its mushroom-based umami power. Rightly proud of their homemade noodles, made fresh every day, they also offer chilled noodle soups dressed in ponzu if you fancy something more refreshing, as well as katsu curries and plenty of toothsome sides.