Ramen has found a permanent place in Puerto Rico. From Aguadilla to San Juan, the combination of broth, noodles and protein has become a favorite among Asian food lovers seeking ramen's distinctive umami.
We asked the Platea community where to find the best ramen in Puerto Rico. This is the top 12, according to the community.
Those who recommend it say "there's no debate," and some travel from Toa Alta or Río Grande all the way to Aguadilla for the ramen. The Spicy Double Pork is among the most recommended dishes. The menu is short, so each dish functions as a house specialty; in addition to ramen, they serve mazemen, noodles without broth with vegetables. The place fills up quickly, so it's worth calling ahead if you're going with a large group.
Its followers describe it as authentic ramen made with scratch ingredients. Behind it is chef Arturo Carrión, who started in 2015 with a food truck and has operated out of his Santurce location since 2020, where fresh noodles are made every day. The community mentions the Taiwan hot and spicy and the spicy veggie ramen.
People recommend the Naruto Bowl, a tonkotsu with pork belly, for its tender, juicy meat. Beyond ramen, the Guaynabo menu includes udon and okonomiyaki, with vegetarian and vegan options.
Those who name it say "there's no competition" and describe it as delicious. It's a small space on Avenida Miramar in Arecibo, open Thursday through Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., no reservations. The menu has five ramens, including the Tonkotsu with chashu and the Tantamen 2.0, with miso tare, ground pork and spicy oil, plus cocktails and sake.
They call it the best ramen in the mountains. People highlight the quality and the atmosphere, and some feel the place is being "slept on." In Cayey, they work with three ramens: the Boritoksu, with a creamy pork broth; the Togawa, with sous vide chicken; and the Nitainō, a vegan option with miso and marinated mushrooms.
In speakeasy style: intimate atmosphere, neon lights and lively music. Some praise the experience and the dumplings. The menu includes Tantanmen, Tonkotsu and pork belly bao buns, and the bar offers craft cocktails and Japanese whiskies.
One regular already has a go-to order: lettuce wraps, spicy ramen tonkotsu and a Sapporo. On Avenida Ponce de León, the menu lets you choose your broth, tonkotsu, miso or spicy, and your protein, with options like Char Shui, chicken, beef or shrimp.
In the comments, one person sums it up as "having a piece of Japan in PR." It's on Calle Loíza, near Los Pinos Café and Acapulco, and specializes in ramen with handmade noodles and slow-cooked broths. Try the Tonkotsu Ramen, with broth and sliced pork, mushrooms, scallions and mayu oil. They have vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
It's in Plaza Interamericana, next to the Inter Metro. Here you combine ramen or udon with tonkotsu, miso or shoyu broth, and the menu also includes gyozas and bao buns.
People describe it as delicious. One person pointed out that they changed the noodles but maintains that the flavor is still good. The menu extends beyond ramen and blends Asian and Latin flavors, with dishes like nori tacos and pork belly risotto.
People highlight the flavor, the service and the friendliness of the couple who run it. It presents itself as a family-owned Japanese restaurant in San Germán, and its dishes include the Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen and the teriyaki chicken ramen.
It's on Avenida Esmeralda in Guaynabo, and people recommend it for its authenticity. At the helm is chef Keiho Yamagata, with more than 26 years of experience, ten of them in Puerto Rico, dedicated to traditional Japanese cuisine.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
