With the weather turning cooler, we’re looking for warm and hearty soups. Here are some of the best places for ramen in Columbus!
Kirin Noodle Bar
Address: 4227 N. High St., Clintonville
Kirin Noodle Bar is tucked into a Clintonville stretch that includes Jeni’s, Northstar, Hot Chicken Takeover. Grab a seat in their long, narrow space to warm up with bowls of shoyu, miso, or signature tan tan men ramen. And don’t miss their sushi, too!
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Tensuke Express
Address: 1155 Old Henderson Rd., Northwest
Tenuke Express and its accompanying market have been long-time favorites in Columbus. Their ramen options include paitan (chicken broth), tonkotsu (pork and chicken broth), miso (pork and chicken with soy), and shoyu (chicken broth with soy). They also feature cold noodles, stir fries, curries, and sides. When you visit, be sure to explore more of the Japan Marketplace!
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Meshikou Ramen
Address: 1506 Bethel Rd., Northwest
Tucked into the center of the Bethel Center, Meshikou Ramen offers a dozen different options for ramen, from rich and savory versions to zesty and spicy ones. They also serve mazeman ramen, which are broth-less options. Meshikou features a full bar with sake and appetizers; we love the chashu buns and karaage. Bonus: get your fried chicken fix next door at Meshikou Chikin!
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Kyushu Ramen Noodle Bar
Address: 1280 W. Fifth Ave., Grandview and 6418 Pullman Dr., Lewis Center
“No Ramen, No Peace!” say the signs in front of Kyushu. The ramen bar is now up to two locations, one in Grandview and one in Lewis Center. Their filling bowls of ramen come in a variety of flavors, with their spicy miso or tonkotsu, classic tonkotsu, or black garlic tonkotsu amongst the more popular choices. Don’t miss their chashu buns, karaage, or gyoza as well.
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Fukuryu Ramen
Address: 1600 W. Lane Ave., Upper Arlington; 4540 Bridge Park Ave., Dublin; 2027 Polaris Pkwy., Polaris
Fukuryu has expanded to three shops across greater Columbus, plus a cloud kitchen offering delivery only. It was founded by Jeff Tsao, whose family once owned The Khahiki in Columbus. (Read my 2019 profile of him in Columbus Monthly.) They offer both traditional preparations like tonkotsu or shio or miso broths, but they also feature modern interpretations like vegetarian and vegan miso, the spicy Red Dragon, or the Junk Ramen with no broth, fried egg, pork belly, and more.
Read more: Fukuryu Ramen
Image courtesy of Rishi
Rishi Sushi Bar & Kitchen
Address: 114 N. Third St., Downtown
Rishi inhabits a long, narrow space on Third Street downtown, and offers a broad menu covering appetizers like egg rolls and crab rangoon, pad Thai and other noodle dishes, Thai tom yung soups, okonomiyaki, sushi, a a full list of chef specials. Their focused ramen menu includes shoyu, miso, curry, and mazemen.
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Image courtesy instagram.com/tigerlilyinspired
Tiger + Lily
Address: 19 E. Gay St., Downtown
Tiger + Lily features a dynamic menu that spans everything from spring rolls to dumplings, teriyaki tofu to chicken katsu, vegetable curry to Korean BBQ chicken. Their ramen menu utilizes different types of noodles, both wavy and straight, and explores a variety of flavors like their signature tiger with spicy turkey, the Tom Yum, Angus beef, curry, and more.
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Image courtesy Jordan Posner / @midwest_foodfest
Satori Ramen Bar
Address: 59 Spruce St., North Market
Chef Seigo Nishimura comes to Columbus after his upbringing in Tokyo and working in high-end restaurants in New York City. So it’s safe to say he knows what he’s doing when it comes to ramen. Pull up at seat at the counter of his North Market stall to experience everything from classic tonkotsu or shoyu or miso ramens, to the spicy Kara Kapow! to the broth-less Abura Soba to even a smaller kids portion.
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Ampersand Asian Supper Club
Address: 940 N. High St., Short North
Ampersand is an extension of the delightful Asterisk Supper Club in Uptown Westerville. This Short North outpost features an inventive menu of Donburi rice bowls, small plates, and salads. Their ramen includes classic flavors, plus fun options like the mushroom-heavy Fungus Among Us or the zesty pozole ramen.
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Image courtesy facebook.com/hiroramentea
Hiro Ramen & Tea
Address: 4800 Sawmill Rd., Dublin
Hiro Ramen & Tea transformed an old Burger King in the Carriage Place shopping center into a fun ramen and tea shop. Their feature nearly a dozen different ramen flavors alongside a menu of appetizers, rice bowls, udon noodle dishes, plus teas, smoothies, and ice cream. But what makes Hiro really stand out? Your food is delivered by robots!
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Slurping Turtle
Address: 4049 Worth Ave., Easton
Slurping Turtle is part of the newer development on Easton’s north end. The hip bar and restaurant originated in Ann Arbor, and features a variety of snacks, stir fries, bao buns, and big bowls of ramen like shrimp shio, hakata tonkotsu, red curry, or duck fat fried chicken.
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Red Rabbit Ramen
Address: 985 W. Sixth Ave., Grandview (outside Echo Spirits)
Red Rabbit Ramen is a cart that pops up every Wednesday through Saturday outside the bar at Echo Spirits. So while you enjoy Echo’s amazing cocktails, you can savor rich bowls of ramen with internationally inspired ingredients, like miso ramen, chicken yakatori ramen, kimshi ramen, and a range of vegan options.
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