Hong Kong ramen guide – 7 must-try restaurants in Central
Craving authentic ramen but can't hop on a plane to Japan?
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Craving authentic ramen but can't hop on a plane to Japan? Central is the place to be – it's home to some of Hong Kong's best ramen restaurants. From satisfying late-night ramen cravings to seafood-infused soup bases and art-inspired interiors, each of these spots brings something unique to the table. So read on for our guide to seven of the best ramen joints in Central.
NOJO
Craving some late-night ramen? Nojo in Central's the spot to hit up. They're open until late from Wednesday to Saturday. Here, you'll find seven tasty ramen choices to choose from, and their famous Nojo Don Sets are available during lunchtime. Whether you're into Spicy Dandan or classic Yuzu Salt Ramen, they've got you covered. Lunch offerings include dishes like Sukiyaki Wagyu Beef Don or Spicy Salmon and Tuna Don. Plus, there's both indoor and outdoor seating, so it's perfect for a post-clubbing hangout or a laid-back lunch with friends to nurse your hangover the next day.
Quick Facts
- Where – Shop 5 & Open Space, G/F, The Steps, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central
- When – Monday to Tuesday, noon - 11 p.m.; Wednesday to Saturday, noon-midnight; Sunday, noon - 1o p.m.
- Price – $$$
- Phone – +852 2415 1333
- Menu
- Website
Ramen Cubism
If you're seeking handcrafted noodles and soulful soup bases, Ramen Cubism on Central’s Wellington Street is a must-visit. Chef Hayashi takes pride in the broth, made with no artificial ingredients or MSG using the prized Danbo chicken sourced from pesticide-free farms. Even the kagome khumbu, a nutritional, edible kelp, is harvested exclusively for him by a local khumbu artisan. Chef Hayashi recommends the menu staple Ramen Cubism in white broth, or you can spice things up with The Sky Bird in a spicy white broth. Pair that with a glass of Sawanotsuru Koube Namasake while soaking in the artistic interior inspired by Picasso's early 20th-century Cubist movement. The chef often introduces special ramen collections, so it's worth asking about what's new on the menu.
Quick Facts
- Where – B/F, Yuen Yick Building, 27-29 Wellington Street, Central
- When – Monday to Sunday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Price – $$ - $$$
- Phone – +852 2399 0811
- Menu
- Website
Maru De Sankaku
Head down to Aberdeen Street in Central and swing by Maru De Sankaku for something a little different. They're bringing madai (sea bream) ramen to the table, infused with a fragrant fish broth frothed up with air bubbles to enhance the flavor. Choose from three types of ramen, like the clear fish broth with crispy fish skin slices, the eight-hour creamy white fish soup ramen or try the tsukemen noodles served over dry ice for a cool fog effect. Everything on the menu is supervised by Japanese ramen masters, so you can't go wrong.
Quick Facts
- Where – G/F, 13 Aberdeen Street, Central
- When – Monday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
- Price – $$$
- Phone – +852 2346 3889
- Menu
Kanetsuru Ramen
Kanetsuru Ramen is a cozy Japanese ramen bar specializing in slow-cooked chicken broth ramen. It's the perfect place to go for Japanese comfort food in an intimate setting. Try their Shio Ramen, imported directly from Hokkaido, or the famous Chicken White Soup Tsukemen Cold Ramen. Don’t miss out on bowls like the Shoyu Ramen or the Spicy Tonkotsu Soup Ramen, which is great for warming up in cold weather. Or, if you're in the mood for rice, you can't go wrong with the Roasted Eel rice, topped with wild-caught, thick-cut eel grilled fresh to order.
Quick Facts
- Where – G/F, 39 Hollywood Road, Soho, Central
- When – Tuesday to Sunday, noon - 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 - 10 p.m.; Closed on Monday
- Price – $$ - $$$
- Phone – +852 2697 9780
- Menu
- Website
Zagin Soba
Zagin Soba is known for their unique ramen. Their specialty is tsukemen, a dish where chilled noodles are dipped into soup, and they've put their own spin on it with a creamy chicken-based broth and deep-fried burdock root for added texture. Be sure to try their flagship bowl, featuring sous-vide pork and chicken chashu, and consider adding some fried chicken from their side dish options to complete your meal.
Quick Facts
- Where – G/F, 7 Gough Street, Central
- When – Monday to Sunday, noon - 10 p.m.
- Price – $$$
- Phone – +852 2447 1398
- Menu
- Website
Kenko Shokuhin
When you're craving Japanese food, head to Kenko Shokuhin on Wellington Street. They've got appetizers like Sashimi, Chicken Tempura and Sesame Tofu plus hearty mains like Kagoshima Roasted Beef Rice or Pork Chop Scrambled Egg with Rice in Sauce. If you love ramen, they have Boshikotsu Ramen, Spicy Miso Ramen or Tonkotsu Ramen. And for a tasty drink, try their Lemon Sour, Oolong Chu-Hi or Suntory Malts Small Beers during happy hour.
Quick Facts
- Where – Shop B, C & D, G/F, Welley Building, 97 Wellington Street, Central
- When – Monday, Wednesday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Saturday, noon - 4 p.m. and 6 - 11 p.m.; Sunday, noon - 9 p.m.
- Price – $$ - $$$
- Phone – +852 2447 1398
- Menu
- Website
Shugetsu
If you're in Central and searching for some Michelin-recommended ramen, head over to Shugetsu on Gough Street. They've got a bunch of delicious options, from the popular Abura Ramen to the savory Grilled Kurobuta Pork Belly Ramen. But the standout dish is their signature Tsukemen Ramen. They serve it with handcrafted noodles dipped into soy sauce soup. As the Michelin guide puts it, "It is the sauce at the base of the slow-cooked soup that really makes the difference: it’s fermented for 18 months in a 100-year-old wooden basket and adds richness and depth."
Quick Facts
- Where – G/F, 5 Gough Street, Central
- When – Monday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
- Price – $$ - $$$
- Phone – +852 2850 6009
- Menu
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