Your Guide to the Best Ramen In Pittsburgh

If you’re wondering where to find the best ramen in Pittsburgh, you’re not alone.

The hunt for top-quality ramen in the ‘burgh has been going on for years. From Reddit and Quora, Pittsburghers are hungry for a lead on this savory Japanese noodle soup.

Luckily, in the past few years, more and more ramen spots have been poping up around the city. Combined with a few old favorites, we’ve rounded up the ultimate guide to finding the best ramen in Pittsburgh. And, luckily for us, they all are currently offering takeout.

Where is your favorite ramen in Pittsburgh? Leave it in the comments below!

We want to see your ramen! If you head to any of these spots, please tag #goodfoodpgh and @goodfoodpgh in all of your ramen pictures.

Where to Find the Best Ramen in Pittsburgh:

Fujiya Ramen

This new ramen bar, located on Aiken Avenue in Shadyside, has a history that traces back to the bustling streets of Tokyo. The restaurant, which took over the space previously occupied by Tan Izakaya, is owned by father and son duo Minoru and Zen Yoshida. Before moving to American, Minoru worked for 40+ years making ramen in Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures. He began his business in Tokyo in the 1960s, and dreamed of opening a ramen shop in America. The restaurant started with locations in New Jersey and New York, and now has its third outpost in Pittsburgh.

The menu offers a wide variety of Japanese appetizers and seven types of ramen. Some of the popular varieties include: “Tonkotsu Ramen,” with Pork belly, and the “Vegetarian Ramen” with kikurage mushroom and other veggies. Customers also order ramen “add-ons,” such as pork belly, chicken, tempura shrimp, fish cakes, extra noodles, half boiled egg, minced corn, + more.

Fujiya Ramen (815 S Aiken Ave)

Ki Ramen

Now a popular ramen bar on Butler Street in Lawrenceville, Ki Ramen started as ramen popup around the city at places like Market Street Grocery and The Livermore. Pittsburgh, always hungry for authentic ramen, went crazy over these events, and the concept evolved into a brick-and-mortar shop.

Ki Ramen is a collaboration between Umami’s Roger Li, and Domenic Branduzzi from Piccolo Forno and Grapperia.  The spot is famous for making their own ramen noodles in-house, on a Japanese noodle machine. Meat ramens are served with the restaurant’s “double broth, “featuring both Paitan style chicken and pork broths. Popular menu items include the “Ki Signature Ramen,” with shoyu tare, brisket, hashu, pig ears, nitamago, and a butter bomb, and the “Shio Ramen,” with chashu, crispy pig ear, and nitamago. Popular add-ons include: “inferno oil,” 6 minute eggs, and the “butter bombs.”

The expansive restaurant features three levels, including a mezzanine and a basement bar. Don’t miss out on Ki Ramen’s carefully curated beverage program. 

Ki Ramen (4401 Butler St)

Yuzu Kitchen

Tucked away on Wood Street Downtown is Yuzu Kitchen, a popular ramen and robata restaurant. The name of the restaurant, “Yuzu Kitchen,” is a reference to Yuzu, a citrus fruit grown in China, Japan, and Korea. The dishes at Yuzu Kitchen are influenced by the cuisines of these countries.

In addition to xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), stir-frys, and robata (charcoal grilled skewers), Yuzu Kitchen offers a menu of creative and delicious ramen options. Popular ramen options include: the “Wonton Ramen,” with pork wontons, baby bok choy, and bacon chive bomb, as well as the “Shoyu Tare,” with cha shu (pork belly), 30min egg, shittake, and micro brew soy sauce, and the “Classic Shio Paitan,” with cha shu (pork belly), mayu, corn, and a 30 min egg.

Yuzu Kitchen also has wonderful beverage program, featuring a fully stocked bar of Asian Beers, Japanese Whisky, Sake & Sochu flights, and a cocktail menu that changes quarterly.

Yuzu Kitchen (409 Wood St)

Ramen Bar

Ramen Bar in Squirrel Hill is a classic spot for ramen in the Pittsburgh. The restaurant puts carefully crafts every bowl of ramen they serve. As Ramen Bar states on their website, “From Ramen Experts to Ram-enthusiasts, anyone would tell you that real Japanese ramen isn’t about the noodles, its all about the broth.  This is why we put so much effort and soul in our soups, slowly simmered with care for more than 8 hours at a time, using the highest quality and best Japanese ingredients.”

While Ramen bar offers a large menu of appetizers, rice bowls, and noodle dishes, by far the most popular item is the “Tan Tan Men,” which features ramen noodles in spicy sesame soup with spinach and seasoned ground beef. Cool down with homemade mochi, or a Ramune Japanese Soda.

Ramen Bar (5860 Forbes Ave)

Zen’s Noodle House

Another favorite ramen spot in Pittsburgh is Zen’s Noodle House, located on Forbes Avenue in the heart of Oakland. Customers love the restaurant’s flavorful broth, and variety of ramen options. Two favorites include the simple Miso Ramen, and the Chicken Katsu Shoyu Ramen. The menu offers over a dozen ramen varieties, including vegetarian options.

Zen’s Noodle House (3531 Forbes Ave)

Did we forget your favorite ramen spot? Leave it in the comments below!