The 7 best ramen shops in Charlotte

Charlotte’s ramen scene has grown from one or two shops to a real choice, and the best of it is spread across the city instead of clustered in one neighborhood. This list covers the dedicated ramen shops first, because broth is the whole point, and adds two restaurants where ramen sits on a wider menu. Every place here holds a public rating of 4.6 or better. Several close between lunch and dinner, so check before a mid afternoon visit.

1. Roppongi Ramen Bar

The Monroe Road hole in the wall that regulars name as the best in the city, with several saying they stopped going anywhere else. The spicy miso is the order, the shio comes with gluten free noodles, and the Korean fried chicken brings people back with friends. Lo-fi game music plays. Closed Monday and dinner only Tuesday.

Hours: Tuesday 4:30 to 9 p.m.; Wednesday to Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m.; Friday until 9:30 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday noon to 9 p.m.; closed Monday

Address: 9626 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270

Why it made the list

• The regulars’ pick.
• Gluten free noodles.
• The fried chicken.
• Small, steady menu.

Directory listing: Roppongi Ramen Bar

2. Menya Daruma

The Elizabeth noodle counter on East Seventh, where the noodles are made in house and a visiting Japanese chef and restaurant owner called the shop the real deal. Chefs around Charlotte eat here on their nights off. The room is tight and ordering runs through a QR code, which not everyone likes. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Hours: Wednesday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday

Address: 1941 E 7th St, Suite 3, Charlotte, NC 28204

Why it made the list

• House made noodles.
• Vouched for by a Japanese chef.
• Parking out front.
• QR ordering, tight room.

Directory listing: Menya Daruma

3. Sheng Ramen Ballantyne

The Ballantyne shop with more than 900 reviews and a menu short enough that people who are not ramen fans find it easy. Tonkotsu, spicy miso, curry and seafood broths, with the seafood the one people single out. Spice comes on the side. The chicken katsu appetizer is generous and counter seating shortens a wait.

Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

Address: 15201 John J Delaney Dr, Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28277

Why it made the list

• The seafood broth.
• Spice on the side.
• Easy for newcomers.
• Counter seats.

Directory listing: Sheng Ramen Ballantyne

4. Ramen Bar Kazoku

The Rea Road strip mall shop where the menu reaches past standard bowls. Spicy Kazoku Black, a black garlic tonkotsu, is the signature, with a wagyu truffle mushroom ramen and a gyudon rice bowl alongside. Gyoza come close to perfect. Chashu runs thin for some and the broth could be more generous. Closed Sunday.

Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m.; Friday until 9:30 p.m.; Saturday noon to 9:30 p.m.; closed Sunday

Address: 7828 Rea Rd, Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28277

Why it made the list

• The black garlic bowl.
• Gyoza worth the trip.
• Wider menu than most.
• Closed Sunday.

Directory listing: Ramen Bar Kazoku

5. JINYA Ramen Bar, Ally Charlotte Center

Nearly 7,000 reviews at Ally Charlotte Center, more than any ramen shop in the city. The tonkotsu is the standard order, birria ramen and tantanmen have followings, and vegan gyoza and vegan ramen are on the menu. Lunch combos come with takoyaki. Servers get named constantly; the host stand less so.

Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Address: 601 S Tryon St, Unit 132, Charlotte, NC 28202

Why it made the list

• The most reviewed ramen in Charlotte.
• Vegan options.
• Lunch combos.
• Open seven days.

Directory listing: JINYA Ramen Bar, Ally Charlotte Center

6. JINYA Ramen Bar, SouthPark

The second JINYA at Barclay Downs, with 3,000 reviews of its own and a happy hour that discounts the salmon poke tacos. The spicy creamy ramen with birria substituted for tofu is a server recommendation, and the spicy vegetarian ramen gets called the best a customer has had. Staff surprised one child with a birthday plate unasked.

Hours: Daily 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Address: 4401 Barclay Downs Dr, Suite 134, Charlotte, NC 28209

Why it made the list

• Happy hour.
• The vegetarian ramen.
• Family friendly.
• Same menu as Uptown.

Directory listing: JINYA Ramen Bar, SouthPark

7. Hawkers Asian Street Food

The South End room with more than 8,000 reviews where ramen sits among small plates that arrive as they are ready. The roti with curry dipping sauce is what every regular orders first, alongside dumplings, five spice tofu and a pad thai people rank highly. A bar, a dining room and a patio. Open until midnight at the weekend.

Hours: Monday to Wednesday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday until 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday until midnight; Sunday until 10 p.m.

Address: 1930 Camden Rd, Suite 260, Charlotte, NC 28203

Why it made the list

• The roti.
• Order to share.
• Late kitchen.
• On the rail trail.

Directory listing: Hawkers Asian Street Food

How we chose

We ranked the dedicated ramen shops on broth and noodles and on how often regulars said they had stopped going elsewhere, then added two restaurants where ramen sits on a wider menu because people ask about them. We read the reviews instead of counting them. If your ramen shop is missing, tell us.