This year’s Ramen Rumble — the annual noodle bowl smackdown — is shaping up to be the most anticipated since the contest splattered onto the scene in 2016.
That’s because seven previous champions will vie for the coveted, tonkotsu-stained “Broth Belt” in this rumble in the jungle of Disney Springs taking place Monday, Feb. 2, at Morimoto Asia.
Two seatings — 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. — are being made available for guests to slurp away at the championship-winning creations by Seito Sushi (2016), Kai Asian Street Fare (2017), Sticky Rice (2018), Morimoto Asia (2021), The Osprey (2023), Ramen Takagi (2024) and current title-holders Eliot Hillis and Seth Parker of Red Panda Noodle.
“We are Daniel Day Noodles; they are collectively Paul Dano,” fired Hillis and Parker, who won last year’s heated affair with their spicy chicken katsu ramen.
The event, presented by Good Salt Restaurant Group, will be the final rumble to feature ramen. “Future rumbles will see contestants making everything from burgers and fried chicken to tacos and dumplings,” says Good Salt’s Sue Chin. They’ll also take place at local restaurants rather than Disney Springs as a way to spotlight the community.
Proceeds from Ramen Rumble 8 will go to Give Kids the World Village, a nonprofit resort providing life-changing experiences for children with critical illnesses and their families.
Tickets to the event ($100; $600 VIP Booth) will be released in the coming days but, in the meantime, follow @ramenrumble for updates and morimotoasia.com for the drop.
