Best Ramen in Austin (2025)
The shop that ignited Austin’s ramen obsession in 2012 still delivers rich, soulful tonkotsu, punchy flavor bombs, and seasonal specials. Frequently lauded by local critics and national outlets, and still very much a locally owned Austin original.
Chef Christopher Krinsky’s Japanese-Mexican bowls—think carnitas tonkotsu and mole tsukemen—earned a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide and praise from Eater Austin and the Statesman. The stall is operating while a new Kramer Lane space is built out.
Sazan is a ramen shop that should be on the radar of everyone with even a passing interest in noodles, broth, or Japanese whiskey. And if you’re into all three? Well, there are some apartments nearby you might want to consider. The specialty here is paitan ramen—a rich and creamy broth made from boiling bones for a long period of time–but unlike most other spots in town that use exclusively pork bones (tonkotsu), Sazan uses a mix of chicken and pork. The end result is a broth that’s just a little bit lighter (but no less satisfying) than its popular cousin. Go with the original paitan, and you’ll even notice a garnish of fresh arugula that packs a subtle peppery punch into the creamy broth. But as much as we love their original, the spicy and black garlic versions here might be our favorites. They also make a really great vegan bowl of ramen, complete with a massive ball of tempura fried veggies on top. There’s a full bar with Japanese-inspired cocktails—from classic highballs, to a green tea-ni (with Japanese whiskey, green tea syrup, and shochu)—plus a collection of Japanese whiskeys impressive enough to satisfy whiskey nerds and first-timers alike. Between the well-stocked bar and the minimalist, zen-like dining room, it’s easy to forget you’re in a strip mall between a Japanese dollar store and a large Asian supermarket chain. At least until you look outside to see people walking through the parking lot with bottles of ramune and fun snacks they picked up next door. If anything, it just means that it’s that much more convenient to get a great bowl of ramen at any time. Food Rundown Paitan Ramen The signature ramen, made with a blend of pork and chicken broth. It’s creamy, rich, and especially satisfying on a cold day. The toppings could use a bit of work—the chashu is forgettable, and the ajitama could be a little more flavorful—but the fresh arugula is unique and makes us feel like we’re eating something kind of healthy. The broth makes this bowl, and we can almost guarantee you’ll be talking about it for days to come. photo credit: Raphael Brion Spicy Paitan Ramen This bowl starts with the same base as the paitan ramen, then adds some spice, cashews, and roasted tomatoes that add in some punchy acidity in ways we didn’t know we needed. This is our favorite bowl here. photo credit: Raphael Brion Just Like Paitan Vegan options at ramen joints tend to feel like an afterthought, but the Just Like Paitan bowl could hold its own in any type of noodle face-off (a battle we’d very much like to watch). It’s made with kale noodles and a creamy vegan broth, then topped with a giant ball of tempura fried veggies. Indomitable Chicken Wings We’ve come here before and just ordered the chicken wings, if that’s any indication of their quality. They’re about as crispy as wings can get, and tossed with a dry curry rub that we’d eat on just about anything. photo credit: Raphael Brion
If you live in Central Austin, you’ll probably spend the 30 minute drive to Ramen512 grumbling about how far away it is and internally debating if it’s all going to be worth it. And if you live in Cedar Park, well, you finally have something to brag about other than a semi-affordable housing market. Because tucked in a strip mall between a vet and a nail salon is some of the best ramen in Austin. Those who have been around Austin for a while might remember the Ramen512 name from a series of popups around town—most of which sold out very quickly. But a few years of this scrappy DIY setup has done to Ramen512 what that giant pit in The Dark Knight Rises did to Bruce Wayne—helped him make the leap, emerging stronger than ever. photo credit: Holly Dirks There are a lot of styles of ramen offered here, which is something that often makes us wary of a place—but it’s not a cause for concern here. If you’re a purist, you might enjoy marveling at the delicate chicken-and-dashi broth from the Signature Shoyu, in what looks like the physical embodiment of a ramen emoji. If you’re a fan of the richer pork tonkotsu base more in line with other ramen joints around town, you’ll be happy to know that all three versions here—classic, spicy, or with black garlic oil—are damn near perfect. Ramen512’s atmosphere is nearly non-existent, with all the charm of a generic strip mall build-your-own poke bowl restaurant. But when the ramen is this special, none of that feels like it matters. Go ahead and start getting some podcasts ready—it’s time to make the drive. Food Rundown Chicken Karaage The chicken is juicy, the breading is light and crispy, and the dipping sauce is creamy enough to balance it all out. If you’ve had karaage, you already know what to expect. If you haven’t, this is a great intro. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Signature Shoyu This is one of the best bowls of shoyu ramen we’ve had. The chicken and dashi broth is light and delicate, managing to pack a ton of subtle flavors into this bowl. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Classic Tonkotsu Tonkotsu is probably the most popular style of ramen in Austin, and Ramen512’s bowl manages to raise the bar. Slow-cooked pork bones make this broth incredibly rich and flavorful. If you want the best direct comparison between Ramen512 and other spots in town, this is the bowl to try. photo credit: Holly Dirks Sunset Shoyu This starts with the same light, delicate broth as the shoyu, but then there’s the addition of homemade chili oil and some spicy chili powder to give it all a bit of extra kick. It’s hot and rich, without feeling too heavy. This is one of our favorites. photo credit: Holly Dirks Tonkotsu Tantanmen The tonkotsu tantanmen is exactly what it sounds like—a hybrid between fiery dan dan noodles and an ultra-rich tonkotsu, all covered in spicy ground pork. It’s one of the less conventional bowls on the menu, but it’s spicy, delicious, and scratches all the parts of our brain that get excited about food. photo credit: Holly Dirks
Austin‑born and independently owned, Michi’s dial‑it‑your‑way bowls—multiple broths, thickness, and toppings—have anchored late‑night slurping for years. Featured on Eater Austin’s ramen maps and The Infatuation’s city guide.
Komé in Ridgetop is a Japanese restaurant perhaps best known for its action-packed sushi rolls and their go-go sauce, a spicy mayo. But they also have a pretty broad menu that spans from homemade gyoza to nigiri to bento boxes (we like the grilled mackerel filet the best). There are also donburi rice bowls with options including Japanese beef curry, yakitori, and katsu. Komé also makes very good ramen, including a phenomenal and well-rounded miso (with an umami mushroom base, chili oil, and chili threads), a vegetarian miso (topped with fried tofu skin), a more subtle tonkotsu that won’t bonk you over the head, and a delicate shoyu. The ramen menu is currently only available for dine-in during lunch, which just means you need to be strategic about how you plan your morning and afternoon meetings if you want to escape for a quick noodle adventure. photo credit: Nitya Jain
Low‑key counter service, high‑care bowls—like a clean chicken shoyu and black‑garlic tonkotsu—by a local husband‑and‑wife team. Noted by The Infatuation and spotlighted by Axios Austin for comfort and value.
Lucky Robot is one of the few places in Austin where you can get Nikkei cuisine, which means that for every piece of maguro nigiri you find on the menu, you’ll also see things like grilled chicken skewers with salsa macha ponzu. It’s equal parts sushi and hot bites, in a space tight dining room decorated with hanging flowers and swings you can dine on. There’s a lot of creativity going on here—and some of it works better than others—but when you’re in the mood for some solid sushi that you don’t have to book a month in advance, this is your spot. There’s also a great Happy Hour, where you can get half priced bottles of sake and select food items. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary RESERVE A TABLE WITH RESERVE A TABLE
A recurring one‑night ramen collab that brings notable chefs to town for inventive bowls. Covered by CultureMap and Visit Austin, it’s a fun way to taste limited, chef‑driven takes beyond standard menus.
