Four Ramen Restaurants You Should Try in Istanbul

By Justin Mays:

Japanese culture has a special charm, which for years has captivated thousands of foreigners from all over the world. It is difficult to explain exactly what are the details that make it special and attractive, but, of course, it is something that goes far beyond the physical. There is a mystical air that surrounds Japanese culture, full of symbology and powerful ancestors. It is a culture full of balances, traditional but at the same time modern, with very classic details but at the same time very open to everything futuristic.

Of all these elements that make Japanese culture unique, the most international, surely, is gastronomy. Who has never tried sushi in their life? We are sure many haven't yet, but we do not doubt that this number will drop dramatically over the next few years. Sushi may have become one of the most popular and in-demand foods of the last five years, which is not surprising.

Another Japanese dish that has become popular recently is ramen, the famous noodle soup dish. Although each region of Japan has its recipe for cooking ramen, the basic one consists of preparing meat or vegetable broth, with miso, soy sauce, and salt. Noodles and all kinds of toppings are added to this broth, such as corn, chives, nori seaweed, shiitake, egg, and other ingredients to taste. It's a real treat!

How could it be otherwise, Istanbul is aware of all the fashions, and, of course, it also has ramen restaurants. Although it is indeed difficult to find establishments that serve authentic Japanese food, and even more so when it comes to ramen, here are four restaurants with exquisite ramen. We hope you like them.

Sini Ethnic Seafood Sushi & Ramen Omakase

The first ramen restaurant we want to introduce you to is Sini Ethnic Seafood Sushi & Ramen Omakase, a place located in Beyoglu. It is a small and cozy restaurant, which stands out for serving the most authentic ramen that you can find in the metropolis. Just by the color and thickness of the broth, you can tell that it is a very traditional recipe. In addition to ramen, they also serve other Japanese dishes, such as gyozas and sushi. Without a doubt, it is a place that any lover of Japanese gastronomy should try.

Miso Ramen

Secondly, we introduce you to Miso Ramen, a restaurant located in the Trump Tower, in the Sisli district. The best thing about this restaurant, without a doubt, is its menu. It is a flexible menu, where the client designs his ramen. You can choose the type of broth, the strength of its flavor, if you want spicy sauce or not, and the toppings you want to add. In addition, it is a restaurant suitable for vegetarians or vegans, since it perfectly indicates the plant-based options they offer.

Tas Ramen

Thirdly, we present you Tas Ramen, a restaurant located in the Nisantasi neighborhood, in the Sisli district. Before continuing, we want to warn you that this place is temporarily closed, but they plan to open soon, once they have completed the renovation of their new place. The reason why we are talking about Tas Ramen even though it is temporarily closed is that this was the first ramen restaurant to open in Istanbul. Also, it is known for serving one of the best ramen in the city. Stay tuned for its next opening, because you can't miss it.

Bento Noodles

Finally, we want to recommend you Bento Noodles, a restaurant located in the Kadikoy district. This place is popular for its handmade noodles, which you can enjoy in any form, either just with protein and vegetables, or also with broth, as is the case with ramen. One of the best things about this restaurant is its terrace, which is a perfect place to eat during the sunnier months. We are sure you'll love it!