Top Spots for Slurp-Worthy Ramen in Ottawa That Will Make You Beg For Seconds
It was a rainy Tuesday afternoon, the kind where your socks were perpetually damp and your mood matched the weather.
I looked outside the office window, contemplating my lunch. To anyone passing by, I probably looked like the star of my own music video, but alas, there was no dramatic soundtrack – just the rumble of my stomach demanding a delicious hearty meal.
Desperate for something warm and comforting, I dashed into the nearest restaurant, only to find myself face-to-face with a menu filled with ramen options! One slurp of the savory broth, and I immediately knew what my next food fixation was.
Like a ramen-obsessed Sherlock Holmes, I donned my trench coat, and off I went in search of the best ramen shops in Ottawa. Spoiler alert: I cracked the case wide open with delicious results!
From the rich broths that fill up your soul to the perfectly cooked chashu that melts in your mouth, Ottawa’s ramen scene is a delightful labyrinth worth getting lost in.
1. Sansotei Ramen
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Website: https://www.sansotei.com
Address: 153 Bank St
Contact details: +1 613-695-1718
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – closed
Santosei Ramen is a Canadian chain where tonkotsu ramen is king. And you know what? The hype is true – this creamy and savory bowl is worth every bit of praise.
The broth’s rich depth of flavor, combined with perfectly cooked noodles and melt-in-your-mouth chashu pork, makes each bite an unforgettable experience.
While they have multiple locations across Ottawa, the one along Bank Street stands out as an accessible option, so consider dining here. Otherwise, you can check out their other stores in Kanata, Nepean, and Barrhaven.
2. Kuidaore
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Website: https://www.kuidaore.ca
Address: 420 Preston St
Contact details: +1 613-422-7537
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – closed
- Wednesday to Sunday – 12 PM to 9:30 PM
Kuidaore is a highly-rated gem, offering mouth-watering ramen and fresh sushi.
With an interior heavily inspired by the East Asian country, along with anime motifs, it sets the perfect stage for an immersive dining experience that delights both your taste buds and your inner otaku.
If you like variety, you’ll enjoy taking a look at their menu, brimming with an exciting mix of ramen flavors and toppings.
The shio ramen is a standout choice, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a bowl of pure, savory perfection. It’s topped with exciting inclusions of pork belly, egg, nori, bamboo shoots, and green onion.
3. Ramen Isshin
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Website: https://www.ramenisshin.com
Address: 775 Bank St
Contact details: +1 613-421-6600
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Ramen Isshin is the go-to spot for authentic Japanese ramen in The Glebe. Albeit on a smaller scale, its warm ambiance makes it the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a delicious meal in the neighborhood.
Tsukemen is a tasty adventure you can’t miss. If you don’t know what it is, it’s a delicious concoction where the noodles are served separately from the broth, allowing you to dip them into a rich, concentrated soup base bursting with flavor.
They also have a small selection of vegetarian ramen which promises to satisfy a herbivore’s cravings for bold and comforting flavors.
4. Koichi Ramen
Website: https://koichiramen.com
Address: 832 Somerset St W
Contact details: +1 613-680-8822
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Koichi Ramen offers a cozy dining experience where you can craft your own ramen masterpiece by selecting from a variety of broths, proteins, and spiciness levels.
Choose from rich pork, flavorful chicken, or hearty vegetable broths to jumpstart your adventure. I highly recommend the black garlic tonkotsu under the pork broth options for an ultra-rich flavor.
If you’re cautious about spice, their options range from mild to very spicy. I found the medium spicy to deliver just the right amount of fiery kick for my palate.
However, I’m someone who doesn’t usually dip their toes (or chopsticks) into the world of spicy flavors.
Keep this in mind when customizing your bowl to ensure it’s perfectly suited to your taste buds.
5. Datsun
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Website: https://eatdatsun.com
Address: 380 Elgin St
Contact details: +1 613-421-7411
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday – closed
Considered one of the best restaurants in Elgin Street, Datsun is a must-try if you’re in the area. Its light-filled atmosphere promises a vibrant dining experience, perfect for enjoying its innovative Asian-inspired dishes.
While Datsun only has two ramen flavors, you’ll find them exceptionally well worth the visit!
Choose the Datsun ramen if you want a harmonious blend of savory, creamy, and umami flavors. It feels reminiscent of the classic ramen, so it’s a top choice for those seeking a more authentic taste.
Meanwhile, the mushroom ramen boasts an earthy and robust broth with layers of savory depth from the mushrooms. It’s like a bowl of comfort in every slurp!
6. Paper Tiger Noodle Bar
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Website: https://papertiger.ca
Address: 1091 Bank St
Contact details: +1 613-521-2125
Operating hours:
- Sunday and Monday – closed
- Tuesday and Wednesday – 11 AM to 3 PM, 4 PM to 10 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11 AM to 3 PM, 4 PM to 11 PM
Paper Tiger Noodle Bar is a lesser-known gem but just as worthy of recognition as the hotspots in the city. They boast a delicious menu of Asian fusion creations, so you’re promised a unique dining experience.
Among their four ramen options, the dan dan noodles really shine. The peanut-y richness and spicy kick really elevate the dish to a whole new level of flavor.
The beast ramen comes in a close second with a broth that is deeply intense and robust, as well as layers of rich umami flavor that linger on your palate.
7. Hanabi Japanese Cuisine
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Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TweaRYH4TSTw92eM6
Address: 434 Bank St
Contact details: +1 613-695-8880
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 12:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Hanabi Japanese Cuisine is a hub for popular Japanese dishes, such as sushi, tonkatsu, teriyaki, udon, and of course, ramen.
Folks can choose between tonkotsu ramen or miso ramen, depending on their preference for rich, creamy broth or a hearty, umami-packed soup base.
The chashu tonkotsu ramen is a stunner of a dish, and if I were you, I’d get this one all to myself. It boasts remarkably tender slices of chashu pork atop a creamy tonkotsu broth that’s packed with savory goodness.
8. Kinton Ramen
— Media credit: kintonramen
Website: https://www.kintonramen.com/
Address: 216 Elgin St #2
Contact details: +1 613-565-8138
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM
With multiple locations sprawling across Canada, Kinton Ramen is a popular destination among local ramen enthusiasts.
They have a wide array of ramen choices, which is why it’s the perfect option for those with adventurous taste buds looking for bold and exciting flavor combinations.
The beef spicy garlic is one of the most popular ones out of the bunch for its fiery kick, robust beefy flavor, and aromatic garlic undertones.
While I’m not a fan of spicy dishes myself, I found myself enjoying a bowl. With a glass of water on standby, there’s nothing that can stop me from enjoying a delicious creation!
9. Kimonos Ramen & Poke
— Media credit: kimonosottawa
Website: https://restokimonos.com
Address: 3987 Riverside Dr. Unit 7
Contact details: +1 613-739-5888
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Kimonos Ramen & Poke is a hip and casual joint focusing on creative plates in the form of soul-warming noodle bliss and fresh, customizable poke delights.
Here, it’s all about savoring bold flavors and embracing culinary innovation with every bite.
While they don’t have an insane variety of ramen options, I found myself torn between two favorites. It’s a tie between chashu pork ramen and dan dan ramen, so feel free to choose one depending on your tastes and preferences.
Chashu pork ramen is more for those who crave hearty, savory flavors and enjoy tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork. Meanwhile, dan dan ramen is recommended for spice enthusiasts who relish a kick of heat and bold, complex flavors in every slurp.
Whatever your choice is, you can be assured that it’s going to be delicious!