Ramen remains wildly popular in Portland. It could have something to do with the versatility of this seemingly simple Japanese noodle soup, known for its squiggly noodles. You can find traditional bowls filled with meaty broth and topped with succulent slices of pork or lighter vegetarian renditions made from miso and mushroom stock, teeming with seasonal produce. Either way, most can agree that ramen is just delicious — and it doesn’t hurt that it’s a quick, filling and often reasonably priced dish. Here’s where to start your search, whether you’re into Japanese classics or hyper-local spots putting creative spins on noodles.
Recipes Made in Japan
Afuri Izakaya might have kicked off the Tokyo to Portland trend in 2017 when it opened its first U.S. location in Southeast Portland, inspired by nearby Bull Run Watershed’s pristine water that’s perfect for making springy ramen noodles. Those noodles are used in their signature yuzu shio ramen, with citrusy chicken broth, chashu pork (thinly sliced, braised pork belly), shimeji mushrooms and half of a jammy soft-boiled egg. There are now multiple locations around town, and the 2024 addition to the family is downtown’s AFURI kara kurenai, specializing in spicy ramen.
Formerly known as Marukin Ramen, Kinboshi Ramen, another Japanese import with locations in Southeast Portland and Pine Street Market, is now locally owned and includes vegan varieties you wouldn’t find in Japan, using a soy-milk-miso broth and a mushroom-tofu mix. The regular bowls of ramen are made with rich, pork-based broth called tonkotsu — made even better in the spicy tonkotsu red.
You’ll also find mini-chain Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya downtown in the Portland Food Hall, as well as in Northwest Portland and Beaverton. Try a taste of its signature extra-rich garlic tonkotsu, which is surprisingly light. To balance the flavor of your ramen, you can ask for refills of broth, which is a nice extra touch.
Also in Northwest Portland, the Japanese restaurant Takibi — part of the Japan-based outdoor brand Snow Peak — features made-to-order ramen on the patio during lunch. The noodles are made from imported wheat from Niigata, aged in snowy conditions for a touch of sweetness. The vegan twist on tonkotsu broth provides savory warmth with maitake mushrooms, and you can pair ramen with sushi in a set, as well.
Eastside Ramen Crawl
Afuri Izakaya and Kinboshi Ramen aren’t the only choices on Portland’s east side. There are usually plenty of seats at the airy and modern Yokohama Skyline Eatery, near the Burnside Bridge. Try the spicy tantan ramen, served with well-seasoned ground pork, or ignore tradition altogether and opt for the creamy tomato ramen, garnished with a small scoop of pesto and a generous dusting of Parmesan.
Touting “Portland-style ramen,” Boke Bowl has been operating longer than most in the city. In practice, that means bowls of broth made from turmeric and ginger dashi, topped with pulled roasted chicken or vegan renditions, rich with caramelized fennel.
Just a few blocks away, Wu-Rons sits at the base of the Hawthorne Bridge. This quirky counter-service restaurant, using Coleman lamps as decor, specializes in Nagahama-style ramen, with a light tonkotsu base and thin noodles, topped with a smattering of sesame seeds.
Head up Hawthorne Boulevard for two more notable noodle shops: Tomo Ramen is a sliver of a spot where you order at a kiosk and dine on delicacies like spicy seafood ramen, teeming with everything from soft-shell crab and clams to squid and shrimp. Baka Umai, up the street, is known for creatively using locally sourced ingredients and some of the spiciest ramen in town. You’ll find versions featuring habaneros, ghost peppers and Carolina Reapers — not all in one bowl, thankfully.
Oodles of Noodles West of Downtown
While there are plenty of centrally located ramen houses, you’ll be rewarded for looking beyond the most popular neighborhoods in Portland. Head west from the city to find a trove of stellar options like Ramen Ryoma, attached to Japanese grocer Uwajimaya in Beaverton. Opt for classic choices with shio (salt-based), shoyu (soy sauce-based) or miso broths. Order the deluxe if you’re hungry, as it comes with triple the amount of roasted pork and a whole seasoned soft-boiled egg. For dessert try Japanese goodies like Beard Papa’s cream puffs at the supermarket’s bakery afterward.
FuddoYama Ramen, a little farther south in Beaverton, is a sleeper hit thanks to a robot server named Fuddo that brings dishes to the table. Try the black-garlic ramen, which features house-made black-garlic oil called ma-yu.
If you happen to be heading to Jantzen Beach to take in views of the Columbia River in NorthPortland, take the opportunity to stop at Menjiro on Hayden Island, because this tiny restaurant might be the only spot in Portland where you can enjoy ramen topped with a Kobe-beef patty and look out over a marina.
