There’s no doubt that many Malaysians have a preference towards Japanese culture – take a look at the abundance of Family Marts, Japanese franchises, and even an entire mall available in the country! Where eating is an unofficial pastime, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to Japanese cuisine. How can we not be with a great variety of sushi restaurants, yakitori bars, and omakase dining experiences being widely available.
Then there’s Japan’s beloved and most iconic noodle dish – ramen! Served piping hot (there’s even a dry version called mazesoba) in either pork or chicken broth, topped with spring onions, meat, seaweed, and egg, it’s a comfort meal that’s sure to satisfy. Especially during this monsoon season we’re currently experiencing.
If you’re salivating at the thought of slurping up springy ramen noodles, you’ve come to the right place – these nine ramen eateries ranked from reasonable to fancy are worth visiting the next time you’re craving for hot bowl of goodness.
Price Range: $
1. Chiba Ramen, Kuala Lumpur
This quaint ramen shop in Cheras offers wallet-friendly ramen meals that start from only RM11! The no-frills eatery serves six types of broth, from their signature tonkotsu (pork bone) to prawn miso and even dry ramen versions. Portions here are decent for small eaters, and you can add extra noodles for just RM3. If you’re thinking of visiting Chiba Ramen, make your way here earlier as parking can be hard to come by during peak hours.
Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen (RM11), Karamiso Ramen (RM14), Bo Gyoza (RM8.50)
Address: 105 Lorong Durian, Taman Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6011 1182 2281
2. Kagura Tokyo Chicken Ramen, Kuala Lumpur (Muslim-friendly)
Hailing from Tokyo, Kagura Tokyo Chicken Ramen is a ramen restaurant chain offering affordable halal-certified bowls of goodness. Kagura Tokyo serves two types of chicken broth, White and Classic. Personally, we prefer the White broth as it’s more flavourful and has collagen for the extra nutrient boost!
Recommended dishes: Spicy Black Garlic White Ramen (RM16.80), Shoyu White Ramen (RM15.80)
Address: KLCC – Level 2, Signatures Food Court – Suria KLCC, Petronas Twin Tower, 201A-C, Jalan Ampang, 50088 Kuala Lumpur; Lot 10 – J’s Gate Dining, P1-03, Level 4, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2110 2366 (KLCC)
Price Range: $$
3. Ramen Seirock-ya, Klang Valley (Muslim-friendly)
This halal ramen chain from Japan serves three distinct types of ramen: tori paitan (chicken broth ramen), Tokyo-style shoyu (soy sauce) ramen, and Hokkaido-style miso ramen. We highly recommend trying their signature Toripaitan Extreme, a bowl of ramen in milky-white chicken broth with special sauce and a drizzle of lemon.
Recommended dishes: Toripaitan Extreme Egg (RM24.40)
Address: Multiple locations, check here
4. Menya Hanabi, Klang Valley
When it comes to mazesoba (dry ramen), Menya Hanabi does it right! Originating from Nagoya in Japan, mazesoba is derived from Taiwanese cuisine, but since Menya Hanabi’s establishment in 2008, they’ve perfected the recipe by adding a raw egg yolk alongside its various toppings; spicy minced meat, spring onions, chopped seaweed, gyofun (fish powder), and chashu.
Recommended dishes: Nagoya Mazesoba (RM26)
Address: Multiple locations, check here
5. The Tokyo Ramen, Kuala Lumpur (Muslim-friendly)
Headed by a Japanese Muslim chef, The Tokyo Ramen utilises kampung (free-range) chicken to make their broth that’s oh-so-umami! Besides offering three soup options (soy sauce, garlic, and spicy), the establishment also serves truffle ramen aptly named The Roppongi Truffle Sio Ramen. On weekends, their Azabu Sakana Shoyu Ramen with fish broth is a must-try! This eatery is also Muslim-friendly, meaning no pork is served here, although they may offer alcohol on their beverage menu.
Recommended dishes: The Roppongi Truffle Sio Ramen (RM27/RM39), The Azabu Sakana Shoyu Ramen (RM29)
Address: Level 4, Lot 10, Bukit Bintang St, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2119 2623
Price Range: $$$
6. Menya Shi Shi Do, Selangor
Menya Shi Shi Do started as a small shop lot in Jaya One and have now expanded into two beautifully decorated restaurants and a ready-to-cook ramen meal kit business. Ramen connoisseurs will recommend here as THE place to go to for their super flavourful miso broths.
There are five soup flavours (shiro miso, kuro miso, aka miso, chilli tomato, and tomato) to choose from, with the option to double or triple up on the flavour profile. They’ve also recently introduced a new weekday menu item, the 24K Chili Tomato Ramen, just in time for the yuletide season.
Recommended dishes: Shiro Miso Ramen (RM32), Tomato Ramen (RM32)
Address: 2 Jalan 51A/225, Seksyen 51A, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
7. Tokyo Ramen Cafe, Selangor
Situated in IOI Rio in Puchong, this modern Japanese restaurant definitely a must-add to your list of ramen spots in Klang Valley. Expect thick cuts of chashu (braised pork) or yaki buta (barbecued pork) and flavourful broths in four flavours — black garlic, spicy (pork bone soup with Szechuan peppercorns), shiro (pork bone soup), or midori (pork bone soup with euglena from the Okinawan island of Ishigaki). This cosy cafe also serves other accompaniments to nibble on, such as mini crab karaage and beetroot salmon sashimi.
Recommended dishes: Spicy & Midori Ramen with Yaki Buta (RM32), Mini Crab Karaage (RM15)
Address: Lot 11, 2 Rio Office Park, Persiaran Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong, Selangor
Contact: +6014 655 8765
8. Kanbe Ramen, Kuala Lumpur
Be warned that the long queue outside Kanbe Ramen is inevitable, but we promise it’s well worth the wait! Not a lot of places allow for a fully customised meal, and Kanbe Ramen is one of those that do, down to the littlest details, such as the firmness of your Hakata-style ramen noodles and even the amount of oil in your broth.
This eatery also serves up to seven soup flavours, including yuzu and roasted sesame. Make sure you order at least a dollop of their homemade secret sauce, as it adds incredible depth of flavour to your bowl!
Recommended dishes: Shiro Ramen with Pork Chashu (RM34), Kuro Ramen with Kakuni (RM39)
Address: GF-08, 163 Retail Park, 8 Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Price Range: $$$$
9. Maruki Ramen, Kuala Lumpur (Muslim-friendly)
Imagine this: bouncy handmade ramen noodles served in a flavourful yet not-too-salty chicken shoyu broth and topped with succulent wagyu beef slices. Doesn’t that sound like a dream? Well, transport your tastebuds to ramen heaven with Maruki Ramen’s bestselling Wagyu Deluxe Ramen! This eatery was also recently awarded its halal status and serves up slurping-good ramen with chicken broth, so that Muslim customers can enjoy it worry-free!
Recommended dishes: Wagyu Deluxe Ramen (RM78.90)
Address: The LINC KL, Lot 2-23, Level 2, 360 Jalan Tun Razak, Taman U Thant, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6016 626 3389
