Honestly, there are only two options to get you through a terrible month like February. It’s either, to flee to cold and travel somewhere far far away, into another climate zone or stay here and keep yourself warm from the inside with proper comfort food. Thinking about these two options, we realized that there is one thing that combines both these feelings: Japanese Ramen. That’s why we dedicated this issue of our monthly column at SUPER PAPER magazine to the life-saving delicious Ramen in our hometowns from Berlin and Munich to Hamburg to Vienna.
Berlin
You’ll find the legendary Cocolo Ramen restaurant on multiple locations in the city. The moment you arrive at the tiny location in Mitte, you’ll have to wait for about 30 minutes to get a seat. But we promise the wait is worthwhile. If you’re not into queuing up, then we recommend you check out the bigger location in Kreuzberg. You can even come by here for lunchtime because during the day it’s much more relaxed here. But now to the most important part: make sure to order the TanTan-Ramen. And as a starter, we recommend the Kimchi.
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 39-40 & Gipsstraße 3, Berlin
www.kuchi.de/restaurant/cocolo-ramen
There’s a new kid in town: Hako Ramen in Friedrichshain. Even though there are enough restaurants that serve outstandingly delicious Pho Soups, which is more or less the Vietnamese brother of Ramen, good Japanese Ramen restaurants are hard to find. But the newly opened Hako is one of them. There’s not much on the menu, we don’t think that’s a bad thing, but it’s a real insider tip for our vegetarian and vegan friends because you’ll find your choice of broth here.
Boxhagener Str. 26, 10245 Berlin
www.facebook.com/HakoRamenBerlin
MUNICH
Even though they also got two locations in Berlin, the original venue is located in Munich: Takumi in Maxvorstadt serves the best Ramen in the Bavarian capital. Dark wooden tables, laminated (trashy as we love them) menus and authentic Japanese atmosphere somewhere between a fast food joint and comfortable soup kitchen. Next, to the three different choices of broth (we recommend the special broth because that’s where the chefs go crazy) the Gyoza at Takumi are the best in town.
Address: Heßstraße 71, 80798 Munich
www.takumi-noodle.com
New in Munich is Slurp at Augustenstraße. Besides classic noodle dishes, you’ll find an excellent selection of Tonkotsu-Ramen. That’s a soup, served with pork and cooked hours into a tasteful broth. We really love the Tonkotsu Miso as spicy-version of the dish. Apart from that, they have great lunch offers. Our recommendation for after the soup: Mochi Ice Cream! YUM!
Augustenstraße 94, 80798 München
www.facebook.com/面太郎-Slurp
HAMBURG
In the beginning, there was Ramen Bar Zipang. A tiny inconspicuous sous-terrain restaurant at Eppendorfer Weg. In the meantime, you’re already late if you arrive at the opening hour of 6pm. Sometimes, they even sell out of their home-made Ramen noodles before the restaurant officially closes. But don’t worry, you’ll find the best Gyoza in town here too and their Kimchi is great. Recently they extended their opening hours to serve lunch on Sunday. Now, what’s a better hangover cure than a Corn-Butter-Miso-Ramen?
Eppendorfer Weg 62, 20259 Hamburg
www.ramen-bar.de
Sorry, but you’ll also have to get in line at the newly opened MOMO Ramen in Schanze. Ramen here is much more hearty and fatty. Perfect for the cold winter time. We highly recommend the MOMO Buns with pork belly for starters! All Ramen is well spiced, so if you like Szechuan pepper get the Tantanmen Ramen for the real deal. Read our full review of the restaurant here.
Margaretenstraße 58, 20357 Hamburg
www.momo-ramen.de
VIENNA
Who has tried to get a table at Mochi in the second district without luck? Maybe next time you should try Mochi Ramen Bar. There’s daily fresh produced noodles, and own interpretations of Japanese Ramen, typical for Mochi. Creations like Want Tan, Clam or Spicy Chicken Ramen are eccentric and fancy with great taste. If that’s not enough for you, then there are dozens of toppings to choose from, until your Ramen tastes like that Ramen you were dreaming of!
Vorgartenmarkt Stand 12 + 29, 1020 Wien
www.mochi.at/ramen-bar
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Pictures: Cocolo Ramen, Takumi Munich, Slurp, Mochi Ramen Bar, Momo Ramen, Ramen Bar Zipang
Great selection of prices interiours and offerings, I’m bookmarking this one!