When a ramen craving hits, there’s really no solution besides making a beeline to the nearest noodle shop and slurp to your heart’s content. Below, we have lovingly compiled a list of savory, sometimes spicy and always awesome ramen joints around New York City.
- Souen East Village
Address: 326 East 6th Street, 10003
Hours: Mon – Sat 12PM – 11PM; Sun 12PM – 10PM
Phone: 212-388-1155
A veritable vegetarian paradise (they have mainly vegan entrees but do serve fish), Souen has been serving steaming bowls of macrobiotic ramen since they opened nearly 50 years ago. While ramen has not been necessarily synonymous with the word “healthy,” Souen makes it easy with their commitment to natural and organic ingredients and traditional cooking methods. Try the tahini shoyu, which comes chock-full of veggies like mushroom, napa cabbage and kale and a choice between five different noodles types. - Ramen Thukpa
Address: 70 7th Ave S New York, NY 10014
Hours: Everyday 11:45am – 10:00pm
Phone: (212) 929-2188While not vegan-exclusive, ramen lovers of all tastes can enjoy the vegetable curry ramen dish that has a creamy miso-based broth, bean sprouts, corns, menma, boiled spinach, fresh tofu and scallion on top. What’s unique about their ramen is the way their tofu is prepared: a thin layer of tempura covers the outside, giving it a texture unlike any other tofu dishes previously encountered. Don’t wait to try it!
- Ramen-ya
Address: 181 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014
Hours: Sun – Thu 12pm – 12am, Fri & Sat 12pm – 3am
Phone: (212) 989-5440
A beloved hole-in-the-wall, this cash-only Asian comfort food spot is open well into the late night hours, a convenient feature for nearby NYU students who are late-night studying (or partying, we won’t tell!). Rich flavors, savory broth and fresh ingredients go into a loving bowl of Ramen-ya’s creation. There are two vegan selections, yasai ramen (switch out with flour noodles) and yasai creamy ramen, both of which are stellar. The vegetable gyoza are also vegan friendly. Try it with spicy topping for added kick! - Ivan Ramen
Address: 25 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002
Hours: Sun – Thurs 12:30-10pm; Fri & Sat 12:30-11pm
Phone: (646) 678-3859Featured in multiple publications and TV shows, Ivan Ramen has become a bit of a celebrity on the topic of ramen in America. A Japanophile who speaks fluent Japanese, Ivan’s continued success might go over better with vegans if he added more veg-friendly dishes to the menu (winkwink!). Nonetheless, the vegetarian ramen selection (which is vegan) will have to do for now!
- Dojo
Address: 14 West 4th Street
Hours: Mon – Sat 11am -11:30pm; Sun 11am – 10:30pm
Phone: (212) 505-8934“The mission is simple: serve good, affordable, comfort food that guests will want to return to week after week.”
This mantra, posted on the Dojo website, embodies their entire aesthetic of classic Japanese food with a healthy twist. The vegan ramen dish is made with a soy sauce base and comes with lightly sauteed vegetables and is topped with chili oil.
- Tonchin Ramen
Address: 13 W 36th Street, New York City, NY 10018
Hours: Mon – Fri Lunch 11:30 – 2:30pm; Dinner 5:30 – 10pm; Sat 12 – 10pm Sun 12 – 9pm
Phone: (646) 692-9912House-made noodles are the way to go for Tonchin, as well as any self-respecting ramen snob. Set in a spicy tomato/veggie soup base, Tonchin’s vegan ramen has plenty of fans all over social media, and it doesn’t disappoint. Note the attention to detail in their Kyoto-inspired interior design as well.
- Samurai Papa
Address: Two locations in Brooklyn
Hours: Lunch: All week 12 – 4:30pm; Dinner: Sun-Thurs 5pm-10:30pm Fri & Sat 5pm-11:30pm
Phone: Check website for location-specific phone numbersWith two convenient Brooklyn locations, Samurai Papa slings some serious slurpable noods. Two of their ramen dishes are vegan, featuring handmade ramen noodles and plenty of vegetables to satisfy a toothsome veggie lover. Interestingly enough, the Varet location serves “sushi shots” that come in a martini glass. How’s that for happy hour?
- Ramen Setagaya
Address: 34 1/2 St Marks Pl Ste A New York, NY 10003
Hours: Sun – Thu: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm; Fri & Sat 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Phone: (212) 387-7959
Creamy broth lovers should flock to any of the two Ramen Setagaya restos (they also have a Brooklyn location), where vegan options reign supreme (yelpers love the tantanmen) and many a belly has been wholly satisfied, down to the last drop of soup. With a whopping FIVE vegan ramen choices, both omnivores and vegans can find something to make #foodporn of. They also have vegan bao buns while you wait for your ramen to boil! - Ramen Ishida
Address: 122 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
Hours: Mon – Sat 12 – 4pm / 5:30 –10:00pm
Phone: (646) 590-3276
Delighting both vegans and nonvegans for years, this much-loved little restaurant serves three amazing ramen bowls, all made by one chef on premises. Rich umami broth flavors and fresh (though not house made) noodles are topped with a variety of vegetables and tofu in a homey setting. Rave reviews claim that their ramen is “the best ramen” in NYC, “better than Momofuku!!!!” Go and see if she’s right! - Kame Ramen
Address: 435 Park Ave S New York, NY 10016
Hours: Mon – Fri 11:30 am – 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Sat & Sun 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Phone: (212) 644-8989View this post on InstagramWith reasonable prices and a simple menu, Kame ramen has won the hearts of many a noodle lover in NYC and beyond. Their shoyu tofu dish is off-menu but well worth a try. Pair with a side of shishito peppers for an extra kick!
Izakaya Juraku in the lower east side has two very good vegan ramens, one is hot and one is cold and can be spiced up with add on and even spiked with jalapeno soju!