Ramen Diaries: Exploring Must-Try Japanese Ramen Chains in the US

Without a doubt, ramen has become an absolute hit in the United States. As a ramen fanatic and someone who lived in Japan for several years, looking for authentic and delicious ramen has been an ongoing side quest of mine ever since I returned to the US!  Now, while I admit I am a bit biased toward authentic ramen experiences by Japanese chains, there is still a lot to love when it comes to domestic takes on ramen. That being said, I want to share with you what I consider to be some of the best bowls worth pursuing across the United States.

When it comes to Japanese ramen in the US, there are few chains that have truly infiltrated the market. One such store is Santouka. Hailing from Asahikawa, Hokkaido (where I lived and ate many a bowl of ramen over six years), Santouka offers the opportunity to have a nearly identical bowl of ramen elsewhere in the world. That’s how good they are at recreating the ramen of their honten (本店, main store). Specializing in shio (塩, salt) ramen (a gutsy move coming from Asahikawa, a city famous for shoyu ramen), Santouka delivers a flavorful soup, delicious toppings, and springy noodles. If you have a Santouka near you, do not hesitate. You will not be disappointed!

That is, do not hesitate unless you happen to be in Las Vegas. Ramen veterans may be surprised to find out about this entry on the list, but Ramen Sora is one of the few ramen shops I would be willing to plan an entire trip around visiting. Hailing from the cold city of Sapporo, Hokkaido, Ramen Sora will blow your mind with a flavorful miso broth that will leave you wanting another bowl. My go-to ramen shop in Sapporo, and the number one shop I use to introduce people to ramen in general, Sora epitomizes the miso style of Sapporo with a rich soup, plentiful toppings, and noodles with just the right amount of chew. The only downside is that they have just one location in all of the United States. Thus, if you happen to find yourself in Las Vegas, you must visit.

These next two Japanese chains have staked a claim on the east and west coasts of the United States respectively: Ichiran, with locations in New York City, and  Ippudo, with several locations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. If you happen to follow social media trends, you might recognize Ichiran as the ramen shop that went viral a few years ago for offering isolated stall seating for individuals and written ordering, meaning you can get a fresh bowl of ramen all without having to talk to a server! Ichiran is a Hakata-style ramen, a region in Fukuoka famous for its tonkotsu pork bone broth. But don’t think Ichiran is just a gimmick with their special seating booths - this is seriously delicious ramen!  Another Hakata-style ramen, Ippudo actually opened their New York location all the way back in 2008 and has since expanded to sixteen different countries. Ippudo’s menu is very small, but has won awards around the world for delivering delicious and delectable bowls of ramen to a very high standard.

All of these ramen shops offer the opportunity to try authentic, delicious ramen that is faithful to the originals in Japan. This list is by no means conclusive as there are many more Japanese ramen shops opening up locations in the US including Baikohken (Hawaii), Kitakata Ban Nai (California, Illinois, NYC), and Mensho (San Francisco). No matter which of these restaurants you choose to visit, you'll be supporting bringing authentic ramen experiences to the US.

About the author: 

Michael Bugajski

Michael is originally from Chicago, IL in the United States, but has lived in Japan for seven years in Niigata and Hokkaido. He is an avid home chef, baker, and coffee enthusiast, but his one true love is ramen.  Ever in pursuit of the perfect bowl of noodles, you can always find him by listening for the tell-tale slurp of ramen being enjoyed!