The past year has brought many new trends to Portland. Like always, the city undergoes continuous changes in every category, especially in food. Possibly the most premium trend to rise out of Portland since artisan donuts and microbrew is the perfect bowl of ramen. There hasn't been just an increase in ramen popularity, but an epidemical upswing of local individually owned ramen shops. To me, this may be the most magnificent trend I may ever witness and just hope it's here to stay.
Below, you'll find a list of all required ramen shops for which every Portlander must get off their handcrafted couches and grab a table.
1. Marukin.
A newly casual ramen shop that opened at the start of 2016. Marukin is a traditional Japenese ramen joint, with Portland being the home to the first TWO Marukins in America. Marukin offers an experience in every bowl made to order, with chefs who've been crafting the glorious art form for over 21 years.
2. Umai.
A local ramen food cart, serving up bowls of brothy goodness off Hawthorne boulevard in southeast Portland. With handmade noodles, this little cart rose to the top of the ramen list in Portland fast!
3. Mirakutei.
Rated best Japanese restaurant in Portland by the Willamette Weekly, Mirakutei serves up pure traditional and authentic ramen, with love sprinkled on every bowl. You must go here, take everyone you know, do it.
4. Boke Bowl.
Started as a monthly pop-up, quickly transformed into a prestigious ramen shop, with two locations in Portland. Serving handmade noodles and options for all, Boke Bowl is a bowl of classic ramen with a Portland twist.
5. Noraneko.
A sparkling gem, hidden in the southeast industrial district is Noraneko. A casual high-speed ramen shop kept open till 2 a.m. for all those late-night workers who need an after-shift bowl, or a crowd of drunk bar-hoppers, Noraneko serves a genuine ramen, leaving you only wanting more.
6. Boxer Ramen.
Boxer is an interesting treat, serving non-authentic ramen, that is still so devilishly good. I can best describe Boxer as Portland's personal attempt at producing its own type of ramen. Successful? Yes. Traditional? Hell no, and don't tell anybody otherwise. Everyone must experience Boxer for the beautiful fusion it is.
7. Hapa.
Yet another ramen food cart! Hapa serves up bowl after bowl of delicious Hawaiian fusion ramen. It is such a necessary stop on your food expedition in Portland, Hapa stays authentic to its fusion name and never disappoints.
8. Shigezo Ramen.
I once watched a friend of mine take down their "large" bowl of ramen. That's right, Shigezo ramen comes in sizes. I could have easily taken a bath in the bowl of soup my friend had ordered and sucked down all by himself. I was both impressed and disgusted, but that gives you a picture of how amazing this ramen is. Noodles are made in-house, and with traditional Japanese seating, you can't go wrong at Shigezo.
9. The House of Ramen.
A speedy ramen shop stuffed with people and lines out the door every day. This shop is a wonderful Japanese street ramen experience and highly recommended for the ramen enthusiast.
10. Yataimura Maru.
Like the rest, this hustling ramen shop is far from a bland bowl of noodles. Yataimura is a land of options, serving various styles of ramen, for meat and non-meat eaters. They cater to all and love what they do.
Fear not, ramen lovers. Portland is no desolate place for Japanese cuisine withdrawals. Here, the trend is expanding and the number of ramen joints is increasing every day like gentrified neighborhoods and high-rise apartments. So come one, come all! Let your taste buds melt away in each and every bowl.
If you aren't a lover of the Japanese delicacy, I pray you wake up one day realizing what you've been doing wrong with your life and start eating ramen. It will answer all your questions about the world, it will put your soul at peace.
