Overview
A hot bowl of ramen will make you feel warm and comfortable after a long day at work (even if that's working from home). It's cozy, it's microwave friendly and it's bound to leave you satisfied. While we try to get used to a new way of life indoors, it can be hard to keep up with cooking every single meal, and even if we do manage to do it, let's face it — leftovers get old, real quick. So, here's a handy list of what we reckon are the best ramen jaunts around town — which are now serving takeaway or delivery so you can social-distance while enjoying some comfort food.
If you are going out to pick up takeaway, have a look at the latest COVID-19 advice and social-distancing guidelines from the Department of Health.
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Global ramen chain Hakata Gensuke has legions of Melbourne fans thanks to its long-standing Russell Street digs, and things have only grown since it expanded to Carlton, the QV and Hawthorn. These last two locations are now offering takeaway and delivery. Opening in 2015, Hakata Gensuke quickly carving out a reputation for some of the city’s best. Get the black tonkotsu ($15) delivered to your door, we promise you won’t regret it. Chockablock with fried garlic, black sesame paste, black fungus, and spring onions, the beauty is in the balance of the garnishes.
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Shujinko is one of those hallowed places you’ve no doubt discussed with friends vaguely in the past — “Yeah, that ramen place on Russell? The 24-hour one?”. Although it’s no longer open all day, it does offer takeaway from 11am–2pm for lunch and 5–8pm for dinner. Order a big bowl of glorious pork belly-topped ramen of your choice and enjoy it in the comfort of your home — the black ramen ($15.50) is our pick. You’ll be staring lovingly into its oily depths and whispering arigatou, we’re sure of it. Keep in mind, the Russell Street joint is the only open Shujinko location at the moment.
How? Call (03) 9654 0989 to arrange takeaway.
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What happens when a former punk rock singer and his hip hop DJ wife, both originally from Japan, decide to open a cosy venue in Fitzroy? Well, if you’re Fumi and Takako Tamura, the end result looks a lot like jazz-infused, Gertrude Street Japanese joint, Tamura Sake Bar. Heroing an inviting combination of vinyl, izakaya-style plates and sake, it’s a refreshing taste of home for the couple — a little more grown-up than their earlier venue Horse Bazaar, and sure to spark a few memories of your own jaunts to Japan. And it’s currently offering its Japanese fried chicken, katsu curry and vegan and chicken ramens to-go.
How? SMS your order to 0488 218 211. Full takeaway menu here.
Image: Kate Shanasy
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The speciality at this Prahran restaurant is the chicken broth ramen. Cooked over eight hours, it’s rich and creamy and, turns out, could be the magical health remedy you’ve been searching for your whole life. No big deal. It’s then topped with chicken thigh or pork belly — or, if you like it spicy, with a chilli-heavy pork mince. Vegetarians and vegan are well catered for here, too, with the restaurants signature meat-free broth made with 20 different vegetables, mushrooms and herbs. On its new takeaway menu, if you order any three ramen you get a serve of edamame or gyoza on the house. Order four and you’ll score free gyoza and edamame.
How? Call (03) 9521 4746 to arrange takeaway. Delivery coming soon.
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Shyun Ramen Bar — named for the word ‘shyun’ which means ‘season’ in Japanese — follows its own instructions carefully and uses only fresh and seasonal ingredients in its bowls. The broth is simmered for the hours necessary to refine really good soup and the umami score is off the charts — we suggest you try the pork butter ramen or the chicken karaage. Another reason for you to order from here is the incredible affordable price of the ramen — it all ranges between $11 and $14. Plus, it’s now offering delivery.
How? Delivery via UberEats.
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The name translates to ‘cat’ in Japanese, but there’s nothing aloof or fickle about Neko Neko. The Fitzroy ramen joint is dishing up solid doses of goodness that will love you and never leave you (and will let you love it without leaving your home). A mostly vegan affair run by a Japanese vegan, Saori Kawasaki — and her husband Tomoya — Neko Neko has three vegan ramen offerings and one pescatarian. It could well be the most dietarily inclusive ramen joint in town. It also offers up the holy grail (for you coeliacs out there) of gluten-free noodles. Go for the spicy tofu ramen ($20) and you’ll not even be remembering the fact that its vegan — just that it’s ultra tasty, and very pretty to look at, too, with brightly coloured garnishes.
How? Call (03) 9415 6026 to order takeaway, or arrange delivery via Deliveroo.