Many first impressions with Ramen come as that super cheap, easy-to-make food that provides sustenance through those super-broke college years. It’s only later that we discover those crackly packages are mere shadows of the true, and much more delicious-tasting, Ramen out there in the culinary universe.
The true essence of Ramen is a umami broth explosion with a tangle of hearty wheat noodles ready for slurping. The most basic version of the steaming, ultra-savory Japanese soup often comes with slices of pork, a boiled egg, and scallions or leeks scattered on top. Some area chefs have gotten creative with their versions, ladling out iterations that include non-traditional flavor profiles, such as Buffalo chicken.
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Western New York, with its year-round seasonal confusion, is the perfect place to enjoy all kinds of Ramen. From cold weather spurts starting in early fall and lasting until late spring to months and months of frigid temps during winter, Buffalo is a fantastic spot to sit down and enjoy a heart-warming bowl of warm-you-up noodle soup most of the year.
If you want to pay occasional homage to college Ramen, that’s okay, because let’s face it: we’ll always owe that Ramen for getting us through. But if you’re looking for a more distinguishable version, the kind that will satisfy your craving for depth of flavor like nothing else, look no further than what we’ve compiled below. Here are 10 spots where you can sit down to — or take out — a bowl of authentic Ramen:
Did we miss one? Did one of these places close? Send us a note!
1. Dobutsu
500 Seneca St., Suite 119, Buffalo
716-322-6004 / More Info
On the menu: Pork Tonkotsu Ramen, Lobster Ramen, Roasted Veggie Ramen, Spicy Miso Chicken Ramen
2. SATO
739 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
716-939-9146 / More Info
On the menu: Sato Ramen, Spicy Miso Ramen, Shio Butter Ramen, Veggie Ramen
3. SATO Ramen
3268 Main St., Buffalo
716-835-7286 / More Info
On the menu: SATO Ramen, SATO Tonkotsu Ramen, Spicy Miso Ramen, Tori Paitan Ramen, Buffalo Chicken Ramen, Curry Ramen, Veggie Ramen, Shio Butter Ramen, Build-Your-Own Ramen.
4. SATO Brewpub
110 Pearl St., Buffalo
716-248-1436 / More Info
On the menu: Tori Sato Ramen, Tori Paitan Ramen, Tori Miso Ramen, Green Curry Ramen, Yasai Ramen
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5. Gypsy Parlor
376 Grant St., Buffalo
716-551-0001 / More Info
On the menu: Ramen (Pork, shrimp, tofu with miso)
6. Thang’s Family Japanese Ramen
25 Grant St., Buffalo (in the West Side Bazaar)
716-715-5053 / Website / More Info
On the menu: Seafood Ramen, Tom Yum Ramen, Katsu Ramen, Wakame Ramen, Chashu Ramen, Prawn Ramen, Beef Ramen, Spicy Chicken Ramen, Kimuchi Ramen, Sapporo Ramen, Vegetable Ramen, Salmon Ramen, Unagi Ramen, and Tofu Ramen
7. Misuta Chow’s
521 Main St., Buffalo
716-259-8228 / More Info
On the menu: Tofu & Vegetable Miso Ramen, Spicy Tempura Shrimp Ramen, Grilled Shrimp Ramen, Chicken Ramen, Hanzlian Ramen
8. Taisho Bistro Japanese Restaurant
3332 Sheridan Drive, Amherst
716-835-8088 / More Info
On the menu: Taisho Style Ramen, Miso Ramen, Seafood Miso Ramen, Tempura Ramen, Chicken Teriyaki Ramen, Steak Teriyaki, Shrimp Teriyaki, Salmon Teriyaki, Spicy Miso Ramen, Tan-Tan Ramen, and Vegetable Ramen
9. Lime House
424 Evans St., Williamsville
716-276-3522 / More Info
On the menu: Spicy Miso Ramen, Spicy Vegetable Ramen, Shoyu Ramen, Duck Ramen, Shrimp Tempura Ramen
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10. Sakura Sushi Japanese Restaurant
3719 Union Road, Cheektowaga
716-683-7310 / More Info
On the menu: Dumpling Ramen, Kimchi Ramen, Seafood Ramen
Did we miss one? Did one of these places close? Send us a note!
This post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated.
