Orlando’s current culinary obsession is ramen, the Japanese dish that mixes thin noodles, strong broths and melt-in-your-mouth chashu for a straight shot to heaven. Central Florida’s ramen shops and restaurants offer a variety of styles, from traditional tonkotsu pork and creamy chicken in a yuzu sesame sauce to vegetarian options. Put down that Maruchan and slurp on these noodz.

Domu East End Market, 3201 Corrine Drive, 407-960-1228 As one of Orlando’s favorite ramen spots, Domu get PACKED. The wait here can be about 45 minutes long, but it is totally worth it – the noodles are made in-house and the broth is mouthwatering perfection. Try the “Richie Rich” tonkotsu bowl with chashu, ajitama brûlée, kikurage, scallion, fried garlic, black garlic oil and domudama for a luxurious experience or change your life by munching down on their crispy kimchi butter wings. Photo via Domu
Domu Chibi 869 N. Alafaya Trail, 407-730-7260 This on-the-go version of Domu is cheaper and faster than the flagship location, but still just as delicious. Slurp the house-made broths in their tonkotsu, shoyu, shio, curry and butter miso ramens or nibble on the boneless version of Domu’s kimchi butter-coated wings. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Seito Sushi & New Japanese 4898 New Broad Street, 407-898-8801; also 8031 Turkey Lake Road, 407-248-8888 Despite specializing in sushi, Seito also has a variety of tasty ramen bowls on hand. Try their fresh, house-made noodles in a vegetarian dish featuring miso dashi broth, fried tofu, roasted cherry tomatoes, bean sprouts, sweet corn, shimeji mushrooms, scallions and garlic oil. Photo via Seito Sushi Baldwin Park/Facebook
Sapporo Ramen 5080 W. Colonial Drive, 407-203-6777 This hole-in-the-wall restaurant in west Orlando is beloved by locals for its savory ramen bowls and good service. When you’re done polishing through the five types of ramen offered (tonkotsu, shio, shoyu, miso and curry), taste the taiyaki, a fish-shaped cake stuffed with sweetened bean paste. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Amura Downtown 54 W. Church Street, 407-316-8500 Conveniently located in downtown Orlando, this Japanese restaurant specializes in sushi, sashimi and traditional rolls, but also offers several types of ramen, including their spicy seafood ramen with shrimp, calamari, mussel, menma, scallions and bean sprouts. Photo via Amura Japanese Restaurant Downtown/Facebook
Jimotti’s Restaurant 2545 S. French Ave., Sanford, 407-952-3329 Jimotti’s Restaurant is a bit of a drive away in Sanford, but it’s a must stop on this ramen tour. Chef Junichi Takazoe’s menu includes a nagasaki ramen with a pork broth, shrimp, squid, fishcake and vegetables, as well as a dan dan ramen with spicy sesame soup, onion, chili oil, minced braised pork, sesame paste and scallions. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Jinya Ramen Bar 8 N. Summerlin Ave., 407-704-1825 This Los Angeles-based chain serves up more than a dozen different ramens in Thornton Park. Try the Jinya Tonkotsu Black thin noodles with pork broth, chashu, kikurage, green onions, dried seaweed, seasoned egg, garlic chips, garlic oil, fried onion and spicy sauce. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Kabooki Sushi 3122 E. Colonial Drive, 407-228-3839 One of Orlando’s most creative sushi chefs, Henry Moso, serves ramen only on Sundays, so make sure to get there for delicious helpings of tonkatsu pork ramen and if you’re lucky, the umami ramen with Japanese mushroom broth and truffle bomb. Photo via Kabooki Sushi/Facebook
Soupa Saiyan 5689 Vineland Road, 407-392-4669 This noodle house/shrine to Dragon Ball Z specializes in Vietnamese pho and Korean fire noodles, but they also offer a create-your-own bowl option with ramen, fried tofu, thinly sliced steak and “soupa sauce.” Photo by Rob Bartlett
Photo via Hanamizuki Japanese Restaurant/Facebook
Jade Sushi & New Asian 2425 Edgewater Drive, 407-422-7968 This popular Edgewater restaurant has at least six different types of ramen, including the new summer chilled ramen with creamy yuzu sesame sauce, chicken, shoyu soft egg, tomatoes, cukes and chili oil. Jade’s tonkotsu ramen and jampong spicy seafood ramen are also staples. Photo via Jade Sushi & New Asian/Facebook
Photo via Naroodle Noodle Shop
Rumaku Sushi 3050 Alafaya Trail, Oviedo, 407-542 5863 UCF-adjacent locals, rejoice! Rumaku Sushi offers multiple ramen noodle bowls to satisfy that noodle craving. Pair at least six different broths (miso, onion, spicy, tonkatsu, curry and kimchee) with chicken, beef, pork, veggies, tofu and even octopus. Photo via Rumaku Sushi & Ramen/Facebook
Photo via Eastside Asian Market
Photo via Sticky Rice Lao Street Food/Facebook
The Ramen 486 N. Orange Ave., 407-233-4801 Chef Suichi Tanida’s new downtown Orlando shop, The Ramen, features a selection of Japanese dishes, including ramen of course. You can never go wrong slurping down a bowl of their beef ramen with pork broth, moyashi, spinach, aji-tamago, menma, ito-togarashi and green onion. Photo via The Ramen/Facebook
SUSURU 8548 Palm Parkway, 407-778-4813 SUSURU, a self-described “retro-themed izakaya,” is new to town, but already packing a punch with its Instagram-worthy eatery and delicious bites. Try the creamy “Tori Paitan” ramen with chicken over an Astro Boy Mule. Photo via SUSURU