Not very tasty broths, bad noodles... Preparing ramen is an art and not all restaurants are up to the task. Even so, in Barcelona the fever to raise the level of this Japanese soup seems to be in crescendo. This is demonstrated by the new openings, which coincide in their commitment to local ingredients and artisanal processes. Also because many homes want to experiment with an ancient recipe, achieving excellent results.
From Poblenou to Les Corts, passing through Eixample, we tell you the addresses to which any ramen lover should make a pilgrimage.
Street of Dr. Rizal, 20
Telephone: 932 20 35 60
This new establishment marks the long-awaited return of Japanese chef Keita Tanaka, who in 2021 was forced to close his popular Fan Shoronpo on Seneca Street due to the pandemic. With the help of new partners, their friends and clients Nayef Ghazi Muhtaseb and Pol Canals, they have reopened on Doctor Rizal Street (a few meters from the original premises) a much more modern but equally cozy space with a Japanese bar, large open kitchen and tables around.
Shoronpo, a type of gyoza filled with meat and broth that Tanaka popularized in Barcelona, continues to share the spotlight on the menu with an unbeatable offering of ramen, among which the tantanmen stands out (ramen noodles with broth, sautéed pork, bamboo and egg with sesame sauce).
Carrer de Girona, 164
Telephone: 930 02 84 41
To try what many describe as “the best ramen in Barcelona” it is almost impossible to avoid the long lines that go around the block every night. And, whoever arrives at Ya Hiro knows that they will have to wait – approximately 2 hours – to get a bowl and one of the 20 seats in this small venue that does not accept reservations.
If you are patient enough you can taste the noodles that the Japanese Hiroki Yoshiyuki kneads daily with his team, as well as the broths that accompany them, cooked for about 10 hours. His star ramen is tonkotsu (broth made from pork bones), although seafood ramen is also popular.
This unknown establishment in Les Corts has surprised us for two reasons: their stewed beef ramen (exceptional) and the craftsmanship with which they prepare their dishes, which makes them much less heavy and easy to digest. Their cook, Luo, spends more than 4 hours a day manually making the ramen noodles they serve and it is also noticeable that the broth, softer than in other houses, does not use flavor enhancers.
The small place, with wooden walls and Japanese souvenirs, is usually packed, so we recommend making a reservation.
Carrer d'en Carabassa, 19 and Carrer del Comerç, 29
Telephones: 933 15 64 11 and 932 69 65 36
Almost ten years ago, Ross, Mark and Robert decided to open the Koku Kitchen Ramen restaurant in El Gòtic. It worked so well that these three friends embarked on a new adventure about seven years ago, this time in the Born neighborhood: Koku Kitchen Buns. While it is true that none of the owners are Japanese, but rather Swedish and Irish, the difference is not noticeable in the ramen served in both establishments.
It is prepared with local ingredients – except those that can only be imported from Japan – and the noodle pasta is homemade. Shoyu, soy, miso, vegetarian, spicy vegetarian... There is ramen for all tastes here. It is accompanied by dishes such as kim-chi, sunomono or edamame and desserts as un-Japanese as banoffe, a typical Irish dessert with dulce de leche, cream, banana and cake crumble and nuts that has become a specialty. of the house.
Valencia, 240
Telephone: 621 03 35 88
It is not a place with low prices, since any bowl of ramen exceeds 14 euros, even though many extras that we would not consider extras (such as eggs) must be paid separately. But the quality of the ingredients used at Kanada-ya make this house located in the heart of Eixample worth a visit. They buy vegetables at the Ninot Market, meats from Selectes Penedes in Gelida and free-range eggs from Casa Coll in Salent.
The recipe they use for their ramen is the same one used in Fukuoka by the Japanese master Kanada Kazuhiro, founder of the chain that first conquered London and later Barcelona. We believe that the noodles they use can be improved, although one point in their favor is that they always ask the customer how they like the doneness.
Plaça de la Llana, 9
Telephone: 930 17 84 84
A small Japanese bar with capacity for 15 people. This is Grasshopper, a place behind which is the British Guilles Brown, co-owner of other Asian restaurants such as Mosquito or Red Ant (both also in the Born neighborhood).
The broths they make to prepare their ramen can cook for 18 hours, their noodles are also prepared at home. There are not many types of ramen on the menu - shio (a mixture of meat and fish broth), shoyu, normal and vegetarian miso - but they can be combined with such curious dishes as tofu raclette. The wide variety of craft beers is another of the premises' strong points.
C/ de Pere IV, 152
Noru, which in Japanese means "to go", has become the go-to place to eat ramen in Poblenou. With a very modern decoration, in charge of the kitchen is Daniel Benitorafe, who is not afraid to experiment with his recipes. Green curry ramen with prawn, sweet potato and coconut soup? Well, it's very good. Ramen with homemade kimchi? It is also a good option.
There is also no shortage of more traditional ramen, such as shoyu, on a menu that is completed with korooke (chicken or yellow curry) or harumaki (fried avocado rolls with tonkotsu sauce) among other accompaniments. They do not accept reservations, so be careful.
Via Laietana, 32
Telephone: 931 40 61 34
This place, belonging to Takumi Ramen (a chain originally from Germany that a few years ago decided to arrive in Barcelona), we like because it has some quite different and crazy ramen proposals. Forget about going there if you are a purist of this Japanese dish, since with some creations on the menu you will end up shocked - see, for example, the Ebi Furay that they prepare with fried shrimp or the Kara Age Watan that they accompany with fried chicken.
One of their star offerings is the Black Garlic Miso Ramen, with miso, thin slices of pork, vegetables, scallions, bamboo, nori, black garlic oil and marinated boiled egg.
Sancho of Ávila, 178
Telephone: 935 99 25 56
This is perhaps the most authentic and popular establishment to eat ramen in Poblenou. Decorated in a simple way, although with Japanese details, do not expect to find extravagant or original recipes in it, since its focus is on the most traditional Japanese cuisine. Located between Rambla del Poblenou and Carrer Llacuna, the bowls of ramen they offer are abundant and prepared with local ingredients.
Carrer de Valencia, 290
Telephone: 935 10 78 57
Curry ramen is also one of the star dishes at Tonkotsu, a place with an industrial aesthetic located a few steps from La Pedrera. It is the initiative of three non-Japanese partners but with a lot of passion for things Asian.
In addition to curry - in its carnivorous or vegetarian version - here you can find other proposals that are out of the ordinary such as gluten-free ramen that is prepared with Tonkotsu broth (made with pork bones, miso, spices and aromatic herbs). Nems, crispy rice paper rolls stuffed with prawn, are another of the highlights of this establishment.
