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9 Ottawa Ramen Spots So Good, You’ll Never Drop Your Chopsticks
Nothing beats a hearty bowl of ramen during those rainy days here in Ottawa, and fortunately, the capital has a great selection of Japanese restaurants. Sure, you can cosy up in the country’s best cafes, but these ramen spots are THE place to check out if you’re hungry in the cold.
From the creamy and spicy broth to its springy noodles and the abundance of fresh ingredients, the factors that make this dish amazing are hard to achieve. Not every restaurant can pull it off, so that’s where we come in!
We’ve eaten our way through most of Ottawa’s ramen spots, so you’ll know where to head for the best broth, perfect noodles, and the right kind of umami!
Taki Ramen
Media credit: takiramen.ottawa
Address: 170 Lees Ave.
Contact details: +1 613-234-8888
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
Taki Ramen features one of the most elegant interiors in any ramen spot we’ve seen in Ottawa, with its sleek cement walls, dim lights, and wooden furniture. It also incorporates elements like Ema plaques, which are heavily used in Japanese culture to write prayers and wishes on.
Elegant can also be used to describe their ramen bowls, as they always look like they’re ready for an Instagram snap. For instance, each ingredient, from the soft-boiled eggs to the springy noodles and pork slices, is neatly arranged on top of the vibrant broth.
These ramen bowls are more than just lookers as well, as they pack fantastic and authentic flavours! One factor that stood out to us was the broth’s richness, but the texture of the noodles and the tenderness of the pork shoulder were also well-executed.
Pro tip:
If you want to instantly elevate your bowl of ramen, you can add a portion of their Wagyu beef for only CAD8!
Kinton Ramen
Media credit: kintonramen
Address: 216 Elgin St, Suite 2
Contact details: +1 613-565-8138
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
Kinton Ramen offers one of the most varied types of this iconic Japanese dish in Ottawa. For instance, you can enjoy the more well-known version, featuring piping-hot broths or their chilled ramen—they offer various flavours for both variations!
Their chilled ramen series is also a staple in Japan, and locals love to eat it during summer for a refreshing and cooling dining experience. One of our favourites from this selection is Yuzu, which offers a citrusy finish to the overall savoury flavour of the ramen.
The place is a bit small, akin to those staple ramen bars you’ll find in Tokyo. However, we appreciate how they still manage an elegant vibe, thanks to their use of dim lighting and open-kitchen concept.
Pro tip:
Consider coming here in the evening, so you can enjoy a vibrant nightlife experience at Elgin Street after eating your ramen. You’ll find some of Ottawa’s best live music venues on this single street!
Sansotei Ramen
Media credit: sansoteiramen
Address: 153 Bank St.
Contact details: +1 613-695-1718
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 9:45 PM
Cost: $
Website
Menu
Sansotei Ramen is one of the most famous ramen chains in Canada, featuring multiple locations in Toronto, Quebec, and Ottawa. Locals love this place for its affordable bowls of ramen that feature generous toppings and authentic Japanese flavours.
Their menu consists of all the staples, from tonkatsu to spicy tantan and shio. Aside from the bold flavours, what stood out to us was how overloaded each bowl looked, filled with ingredients like bamboo shoots, shitake mushrooms, pork slices, etc.
We also love that they offer an inclusive menu, featuring a vegetarian-friendly version of the classic shio ramen, which substitutes the usual chicken with tofu. Lastly, they also offer mazemen, which is a vegetarian-friendly dry ramen featuring eggplant, corn, and pepperoncini.
Pro tip:
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly meal, we recommend ordering their simple set. This comes with a bowl of their chio ramen along with a rice bowl featuring chopped pork.
Jinsei Ramen Restaurant
Media credit: thevirtualfoodie
Address: 2nd Floor – 300 Laurier Ave.
Contact details: +1 613-563-1111
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Saturday: 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Jinsei Ramen Restaurant is one of our proudest finds because it’s one of those, if you know, you know, hidden gems in Ottawa. Those who happen to wander into this spot on the second floor of an unassuming building will be treated to affordable yet high-quality ramen.
For starters, this spot doesn’t skimp out on ingredients, with their bowls always featuring a hearty stack of toppings. A perfect example is their spicy red tonkotsu, which comes with spicy ground pork, bean sprouts, green onion, eggs, and chilli!
Their broths are show-stealers as well, offering vibrant colours and flavours with just the right amount of oil. Furthermore, you can choose from either chicken, vegetable, or both-based broths.
Pro tip:
End your meal on a sweet note by ordering their bing su! One of the best flavours they offer is the cake pop, which, as you may have guessed, features a cake pop as its main topping—plus, it also has Froot Loops!
Koichi Ramen
Media credit: jess.can.eat
Address: 832 Somerset St W
Contact details: +1 613-680-8822
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
Koichi Ramen should be on your radar if you’re looking for mouthwatering flavours and perfectly cooked noodles in your ramen. Their noodles are consistently slurp-worthy, featuring the perfect firmness that does a great job of soaking the broth’s rich flavours.
One of the best things about this particular spot is that it allows customization, allowing customers to handpick their broth, source of protein, and spice levels. Broth-wise, we recommend their signature Koichi broth, which was inspired by three ramen spots in Japan.
They also offer a wide variety of sides that could complement or contrast with your ramen. You can either get perfectly fried chicken karaage or take the healthier route and opt for the vegetable gyoza.
Pro tip:
If you have a low tolerance for spicy food, we recommend starting with the mildest spice level. You can always add chilli to make it stronger!
Ramen Isshin
Media credit: ramenisshin
Address: 775 Bank St.
Contact details: +1 613-421-6600
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
If you’re looking for an Instaworthy ramen spot, then Ramen Isshin should be right up your alley! It replicates the vibe of an authentic ramen bar in Japan by featuring a sleek and modern interior decorated with oriental paintings, dark wooden furniture, and an open kitchen layout.
Seeing their expert chefs at work behind the bar feels like being in an episode of The Bear, with the sounds of clinking glasses and flames from stoves being consistently heard. Then, there’s the magic of seeing their hard work on your table.
Their ramen is nailed to a tee, from the creaminess and spiciness of their broth to the firmness of the noodles. They also offer a solid lineup of flavours, including cold ramen bowls that are offered every summer.
Pro tip:
Pair your ramen with one of their rice dons to enjoy a heavier meal! You can either opt for their pork belly or deep-fried chicken as your toppings.
Kuidaore
Media credit: _dianabishara
Address: 420 Preston S
Contact details: +1 613-565-5555
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
Kuidaore is a famous Izakaya spot in Ottawa that offers a wide variety of affordable Japanese comfort food. For starters, they offer dishes you’d typically find as street food in Japan, such as deep-fried tentacles, takoyaki, and chicken karaage.
Of course, we wouldn’t include it on this list if it didn’t offer amazing ramen bowls! One of the standouts from their menu is the grilled beef ramen, which perfectly combines smokiness with ingredients like wood ear mushrooms, nori, and green onions.
Their selection is also inclusive, offering vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free variations. Also, you can choose your own broth, from spicy tonkotsu to creamy shoyu, to cater to your taste (and spice tolerance).
Pro tip:
Order their chicken karaage to pair your ramen bowls with something deep-fried! Plus, you can add a kick to these chicken strips by ordering a side of their spicy mayo for only CAD3.
Kuma Takumi
Media credit: kumatakumi_ramen
Address: 484 Hazeldean Rd Unit 6A
Contact details: +1 613-796-6866
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Kuma Takumio isn’t just a ramen spot—it offers Japanese enthusiasts a selection of authentic snacks and rice bowls as well! For starters, they offer classic comfort food from the cuisine, such as panko shrimp, takoyaki, gyoza, and edamame.
Moreover, their rice bowls feature different variations, our favourite of which is the chicken katsu curry. The juiciness of the fried chicken, paired with the savoury and slightly spicy curry sauce, and the warm rice, makes it one of the best assembled dishes out there.
Of course, the ramen selection deserves some love as well because of its variety and authenticity. One of the highlights is their “Hellfire” spicy variation—this isn’t for the faint of heart!
Pro tip:
If you’re ordering their Hellfire ramen, get their brown sugar milk tea as well! This way, you can combat the spiciness with sweetness—plus, the drink itself can serve as your dessert.
Hanabi Japanese Cuisine
Media credit: cray.z.cravings
Address: 434 Bank St.
Contact details: +1 613-695-8880
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Hanabi Japanese Cuisine’s ramen selection may be limited compared to other entries on this list, but it’s still worth highlighting! It’s the perfect example of the saying: “Less is more”, offering perfectly executed variations, like seafood and spareribs tonkotsu.
One of the things we love about their ramen is the perfect balance between the oil and the sauce. At the same time, it doesn’t lose its richness, thanks to ingredients like soft-boiled eggs and cream.
The seafood tonkotsu is our go-to because of its generous serving of salmon, shrimp, scallops, and crab. However, the spareribs are a great alternative if you’re looking for a more meaty flavour.
Pro tip:
You can take the bus and leave at the Bank/Gladstone station for a more affordable and convenient mode of transportation.
