Dining
The 5 Best Ramen in London
Rich tonkotsu, delicate shio and everything between: where to slurp the best ramen in London.
In short: our top picks are Bone Daddies, Kanada-Ya and Tonkotsu. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Good ramen is a labour of love, all-day broths and precise noodles, and London now has cooks who treat it that way. From rich tonkotsu to delicate shio, these are the bowls worth queuing for, in counters that take the craft as seriously as Tokyo does.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bone Daddies | Soho | ££ |
| Kanada-Ya | Covent Garden | ££ |
| Tonkotsu | Soho | ££ |
| Shoryu | Soho | ££ |
| Nanban | Brixton | ££ |
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Editor’s choice
Bone Daddies
Why we pick itRock-and-roll ramen with a rich tonkotsu; loud, fun and consistently good.
Worth knowingLoud by design and paced to turn tables fast, which reads as exhausting rather than fun if you want to linger over a second bowl.
-
Kanada-Ya
Why we pick itA no-bookings counter doing serious tonkotsu; the queue moves and the bowl is worth it.
-
Tonkotsu
Why we pick itHouse-made noodles and a deeply savoury broth; the dependable London ramen choice.
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Shoryu
Why we pick itHakata-style tonkotsu near Piccadilly; the kotteri is for those who like it rich.
-
Nanban
Why we pick itTim Anderson's Kyushu-inspired ramen and izakaya plates; a flavour-packed Brixton favourite.
Before you book
Many of the best ramen-ya are tiny and do not book, so go early or late to skip the queue. Eat it fast, while the noodles still have their bite, and do not be shy about the slurp. Add the egg; it is always worth it.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Bone Daddies is our editor's choice: Rock-and-roll ramen with a rich tonkotsu; loud, fun and consistently good. Bone Daddies, Kanada-Ya and Tonkotsu lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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