As a lover for any kind of Asian cuisine, I was super excited to try ramen! Loved the restaurants vibe and atmosphere. I ordered the chicken ramen and really enjoyed my meal! I would prefer more flavor in my broth but they do have condiments on the table which you can add to the broth for more flavor, these were great, especially for extra spice. I would definitely recommend!
I loved it here. It has a very authentic Japanese vibe. We tried the crispy chicken boa which was fluffy and very tasty. We had the Shoyu ramen and I think the flavours were very true to the Japanese cuisine. I feel like if you don't like this place, it is possible that you are just not used to real Japanese flavours. The portions are huge, so I recommend trying the half portion. They have also added an entrance, so one does not have to go through Lefty's anymore. Would definitely recommend.
As a self-professed lover of Asian food - this is possibly the most delicious ramen I've ever eaten in South Africa. The plum saki, the ramen and the Moshi - and even the gin and tonic were all excellent!! The restaurant itself is really warm inside, and the tables aren't the greatest - BUT, the food and drink TOTALLY makes up for it.
Heard about this hidden gem from my sister. Was in the CBD and decided to try it out. The staff was friendly from the moment we entered the place. We started off with some Korean Fried Chicken Boa, Slow Cooked Beef Boa and some Pork Dumplings. We then had the Shoyu 1/2 Bowl Ramen and the Chicken 1/2 Bowl. Everything was really good, including the service. Will definitely be going back to try more food on the menu.
Had a great time here.
The food was really good, especially the chicken bao.
Very chill atmosphere and we had an awesome waiter.
The japanese gin and tonic is a must have.
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This is in my top 5 favourite restaurants. I don't live in the Cape anymore but everytime I come down I have to come back here or else the trip wasn't worth it. Downtown is one of the best places to have a sit with some sake and a few friends, and just shoot the shit while you wait for your bao or ramen, neither of which take particularly long to come.
I'm a fan of their limited menu, definitely makes picking easier and after a visit or two you'll likely know what you do or don't like. Go for the Shoyu ramen if it's your first time, it's one of their most popular bowls for a reason. I personally love the Spicy Miso ramen.
Be aware that their stock tends to fluctuate and they might run low on a bowl; I've been a few times when the miso bowl was out, so you might want to call in to see what they have. As others have pointed out the prices listed on Zomato are outdated, so that might also be a reason to call ahead of time, rather safe than sorry.
Some of the best ramen I have ever eaten albeit on the pricey side, but it's an amazing little hole in the wall and I'll always make time to come back.
This is probably my favourite restaurant in town. Hidden in the heart of Cape Town is this magical wonderland that serves the most delicious bowls of ramen! Do yourself a favour and order a few items off their menu. The staff are always friendly and the food is served timely. The venue has loads of character and a lovely atmosphere.
Still besotted with this location. I rage when I can't make the time to eat at the only Ramen restaurant in the country that fits the bill of Japanese authenticity. Quality is great, atmosphere relaxed and food immensely great warming. Come, eat, smile.
Nice presentation, great taste, could've been just a little bit warmer but all in all great experience. Definitely one of the tastiest ramens we've had
The place was nice, the Ramen was better than other places I've been to and the staff was really good.
The lack of drink selection is easily made up for the bar just down the stairs which is always a nice option to have.
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Had my eye on this place for a while and I finally decided to check it out. It's upstairs from Lefty's so you need to enter Lefty's to get to the place (mind your step. I almost fell off). We were greeted by a really chilled and friendly waiter who was ready to help us with understanding the menu.
The ambiance wasn't that great. Since its above the bar, there's sort of a grungy feel to it. The food arrived really quickly. My boyfriend ordered the Shoyu Ramen which looked delicious and the charshu pork had the right amount of fat. I ordered the Spicy Miso Ramen which actually wasn't spicy, but still really delicious. It came with braised beef which was pleasantly tender and fatty. The noodles were the best (a bit firm, not too sort). Really enjoyed the food. People may complain that the food is fatty but that's really how ramen is traditionally.
As for the price, Zomato is definitely outdated. The Shoyu Ramen was R120 whilst the Spicy Miso Ramen was R125 (p.s. Baos are R60 each and there are actually 4 choices of ramen and bao). So it is a bit pricey but I feel like it's worth it if you want a taste of real ramen.
Second time at Downtown Ramen, first time i had the chicken coconut tofu without the tofu, and tonight decided to try the Shoyu- braised pork. It was so so tasty! Not salty at all, so full and so happy. Accompanied with a glass of rosé, will definitely be back.
The brinjal and tofu bao was delicious and very filling. I found the vegetarian ramen (Kimiko) to be quite bland and the tofu in it had no flavor at all.
Went to Downtown Ramen last night for my cousin's birthday. Was our second time there and everyone looked forward to the ramen.
The waitered told us about the happy hour downstairs at Lefty's so we had a few drinks at Lefty's before ordering our food.
We ordered 6 portions of the Shoyu Ramen (pork belly) and one portion of the Spicy Miso (beef ramen). The ramen was amazing, no complaints from anyone!
We however expected that the place would have been upgraded a bit since our last visit. It has no ambiance and the section we reserved had no fans! Needless to say we were melting even though it was 8pm. I'm sure Downtown Ramen can afford to buy and install fans seeing as they are quite pricey.
Other than the place being quite stuffy (they also barely have any windows) we had a lovely evening out.
This is the only place to get Ramen in Cape Town. It has been a regular celebration location and spontaneous stop off from the moment we caught wind of the broth. Throw in a great atmosphere, classic decorating and a little bit of cyberpunk back room entrancing and you have yourself one of the best restaurants this town has to offer. Only reason it isn't full is that they don't take bookings and can be very very full which makes it hard to host.
Really loved the Chasu ramen, but did not enjoy miso ramen. The noodles were amazing but not for takeaway as it gets soggy real quick. Would definitely recommend this place!
Initially, I wasn't too chuffed with the place because in order to get to it, you have to go through a bar/pub called Lefty's.
Despite the confusion however, we managed to find the place and the service was pretty good. I ordered the Shroyu Ramen and my food came in no time. It really surpassed my expectations as the flavours were really good and not overwhelming. The portions there are really big so the best advice would be to go on a really empty stomach with a really big appetite.
The vibe/ambiance isn't that great either so I'd suggest going with a big group of friends if you want to have a decent time.
I've been eyeing this place for a while now. I was a bit disappointed as the menu prices are wrong on Zomato 🙁
Nonetheless, we stayed because we were in the mood for some Asian cuisine and we only heard good things about this place!
We went quite early so it was very quiet, the waitress was super friendly and very attentive.
I ordered the tofu ramen and it was amazing! The tofu was cooked to perfection and I loved the sweet broth.
My fiancé had the pork belly ramen and he was also very satisfied with his dish.
Will definitely be back soon for more!
Moreish bao! Simple menu so everything is cooked fresh . Corkage is R55
Rustic authentic ambiance no frills just food. Ramen is the only noodle choice , Ramen is good , and menu is short enough for you to explore the different broths.
Biggest bowl of ramen I had in my life. Super delicious.
Was a bit crowded so some people might find that a bit overwhelming, went there when it was packed (Halloween) so we had a few drinks at the bar & were shortly seated. Waitress was lovely, food was great & not a long wait.
I recommend bringing great company & you're all set for a lovely evening.
My first ramen experience and my boyfriend's best experience so far - and he is a ramen fanatic.
Great to try my first bao too and I loved the hidden location and very relaxed atmosphere 😊
Had my birthday dinner here, wanted a relaxed evening with my peeps, & wanted something I hadnt tried before, which is exactly what they delivered. Friendly and attentive staff, delicious food (everyone had good things to say), portion sizes a bit big, so order ur own if u hungry, otherwise great for date night or to share with friends, but best feeling also to take home whatever u don't finish to enjoy for leftovers the next day.. comfort eating, perfect winter supper spot! Will b back for more!
Small menu, all fantastic. Ramen Bowls are huge so save room for the meat bao. Both the short rib and buttermilk chicken options are fantastic
One of my new favourite spots! The ramen is flavoursome and the portions are generous. There are also gluten-free "noodle" options which can be requested. I would recommend the Shoyu ramen which has pork belly sitting in a delicious dark broth with a hint of chilli.
Drinks menu offers a limited number of options but you are able to pop downstairs to the bar at Lefty's and order something else if you prefer.
Nonhlanhla-Noni Lunga
+3.5
A lovely restaurant situated above Lefty's with great ambiance and service. This was our first time trying Ramen and the Shoyu with a light broth and pork belly that will melt in your mouth was fantastic. The Miso which has braised beef with a slightly spicy broth was delicious but lacked salt and was not as spicy as promised. Will I be returning to try something else on the menu? Yes definitely.
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Decided to give this place a second shot after our first trip was cut short and we had to leave with takeaways. The takeaways were a bad idea because the ramen no longer tasted like it did in the restaurant. At our first trip there I got the shoyu and Phila Goduka got the spicy miso ramen - I regretted my decision as soon as I had a taste of his because it was de.li.cious!
For our second trip we got there quite early on a Wednesday evening so it was super quiet and the service was great. We both got the spicy miso as well as a beer and carafe of sake. Unfortunately the ramen really didn't live up to its previous self, I'm not sure if this was as a result of the time of day or not. The beef in my ramen was powder dry and cut into cubes instead of an intact piece of mean which we had previously received. Phila Goduka's meat was not as dry but still disappointed. The noodles were too chewy for my liking and the broth a bit too salty. I did inform our waitress of the dry meat and she said that she would pass the message on to the chef - hopefully he will take that into consideration for future dishes.
Would I write this place off? No, because our first trip there was so good I believe that they can recreate that first experience or even improve on it.
I keep coming back and my rating keeps increasing, this place genuinely keeps defining its craft, I've become obsessed with Ramen and have been to as many ramen places in CT and I must say that I have yet to taste anything better than Downtown Ramen's ramen
I blame my ramen addiction on this place! It is delicious and nourishing. The menu is simple, not too many options but they do cater for everyone. Very much enjoyed the food and the vibe, also the takeaway buckets are cute.
Informal setting .. Noisy environment...BUT MY GOODNESS such delicious shoyu ramen with pork belly and spring onion...this massive bowl arrives at the table, the lid is lifted and this bowl of love is revealed. The service is exceptional to the point where the chef comes to table to explain (when getting a takeaway) how to go about reheating the broth separately from the noodles..such a good tip to take home with you, so that you can enjoy it beyond the table. Genuinely impressed and will be back to try the Bao.
It's tiny but perfect for a midweek dive. However the food doesn't quite match the warm, homely ambiance. Portions are massive but the food itself leaves a lot to be desired. The staff is pretty great though!
The ramen here is so good! Visited Cape Town twice and both time I visited this restaurant. The quality hasn't changed, food comes quick, hot and delicious! The portions are huge as well, value for money.
One of the first things I heard about when I met my boyfriend was how I had to go to Downtown Ramen whenever I went down to Cape Town with him. Thankfully, that day arrived sooner than expected and on Valentines Day, I had my first Downtown Ramen experience. The food was really flavorful and the portions are massive. Although it was a little hot and squishy, I enjoyed the experience.
Definitely worth a try! The smoked aubergine is yummy! I couldn't taste its smokiness, but the pancake it was sitting on was so soft and spongy! The kikimo tofu ramen is worth a try, it could use a lot more flavour! Yet you can really tell that the little noodles are freshly made 🎆🍜
Best ramen EVER.
Very small spot with a limited menu that includes about 3 ramen options and 2 bao options. But you really don't need more than that.
Great flavours and freshly prepared.
Planning another trip for sure!
Downtown Ramen can easily be described, in my opinion, as having the best ramen in South Africa. I come to this conclusion after venturing into many of the ramen hot spots South Africa has to offer. None are able to compare to the flavor punch of Downtown Ramen's authentic Japanese dishes.
Furthermore, the decor, location as well as overall vibe of the restaurant is completely unique and definitely deserves a visit.
Hands down the best Ramen resturant in South African, and most likely outside of Japan. The Ramen recipes are authentic and the noodles are homemade. If you are a fan of Ramen this is the place you should visit.
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Great Ramen spot.
Venue:
I really love the feel of this place. Tucked away above a bar it has wooden seating spaced over two rooms with great ambiance. I would peg this as a laid-back option suitable for a group of friends (though you should probably consider booking). 5/5 for this.
The food:
What follows is an opinion from the point of view of someone that eats copious amounts of far-eastern food with exposure from an ethnic point of view as well.
Selection is limited to 3 types of Ramen (Japanese styled noodles, although point of origin is Chinese (拉面). There are also some options for Bao as a mini-meal or a starter for the hungry. There is a vegetarian option.
The Bao are not recommend as they come across slightly dry and tasteless.
The Ramen is however great, and it's what you should be here for. I heartily enjoy the Shōyu (soy-sauce) Ramen as my favourite and probably eat here at least once a month. The noodles are probably the only weak ingredient of this dish being slightly too robust and can come across as heavy or overly doughy where traditional Ramen should use softer medium thick noodles. But this is made up for with excellent pork and spice mixes along with spring onion to add an element of freshness to the broth.
The Service:
On point. The owner is generally around and is always ready to make a plan and assist. Even when running around like a headless chicken during rush hour you can be sure that they won't forget about you. No complaints.
Would recommend this place any day of the week for a relaxed and casual dining experience. Suitable more for larger groups of 4 or more as it's a great place to chat and have fun, but no problems making it an intimate experience for two.
Delicious food, drinks are a little pricey and options are limited considering they are located above a bar. Make sure you book a table or arrive early as they fill up fast. Well worth a trip.
Have been dying to try this place for ages! So it was the choice for date night this time around, and I really enjoyed it. Excited to see in person everything I had heard, the atmosphere was chilled and the dimly lit rooms very mysterious. We got shown to a table for two by our lightning quick waiter (zippiest man ever) - ordered some beers and read the chalk wall menu which we were right next to. We both had the Shoyu pork belly bowl - delicious! I loved the broth, the floating spring onions and chilli were tasty and the right amount of spice. Pork was soft and semi-easy to pull apart with the chopsticks - I was quite impressed I was able to gather noodles with them, it was fun and slurpy to eat. The fact that the eggs weren't soft yolks is my only criticism, but all round for a first time experience there, I am glad my excitement and expectations were met. Looking forward to going again sometime to try the spicy miso beef, will definitely take my family when they come to visit.
Low lighting. Minimal choice. Excellent broth, good ramen. Sake and dry beers. What more do you want? If this was a Tinder profile, I'd have 'super liked' and then found them on FB and stalked them until I got blocked. Go here if you like food.P.S I like my ramen hot - so I always ask for extra fresh chopped chilli, which they always supply with no complaints.
Mine and my boyfriend's favourite date spot by far! After about 8 times, we've never been disappointed with the quality of food or the service! We love sitting at the bar and watching the chefs do their thing! We plan on becoming regulars and highly recommend that you do too! Lawrence Jaeger
So this place was an interesting find. My boyfriend has wanted to try ramen since he saw it on anime, and I surprised him with a trip. He loved it. This little restaurant only has a few options for the meal, and no desserts. The bao looked great, and in retrospect we should have tried one. I had the tofu ramen and my boyfriend had the pork. He absolutely loved his and finished the whole lot. Mine was a little too hot for me, so seriously if you're not someone who likes chilli then don't go for any of the ones labeled hot. The normal ones are spicy enough.
The restaurant is on top of a bar and it also has a bar feel. It's more of a night out with friends than a date kind of place. Eating ramen is not easy (or attractive). If you're a ramen fan then this is the place to be.
Downtown Ramen is a hard place to find. Given that, that it is only open after 5pm, and that it is still in business, they must be doing something right.
That is the thought we had when we arrived, and we weren't disappointed.
The food had deep rich flavones, that were wonderfully balanced. Also, there was certainly no lack of quantity. All this in a lovely casual atmosphere made for a lovely feast before heading down the hill for a play at the Fugard.
This place is amazing. The atmosphere is so nice and the food was incredible. Just what you need if your really hungry or if it's cold.
The portions are really generous and made with very good ingredients. Very good service aswell.
You can really taste the love in it!
It's been such a discovery for me.
I really recommend the chicken ramen, my favorite! And the need boa, that meat just melts in your mouth!
Delicious 💛
Without a doubt one of my favourite new discoveries in the city. This hidden away gem is filled with character and the food is so unbelievably flavoursome. The portions are generous so I would suggest a boa each and sharing ramen between two...at least for a start...
We made the impulsive decision to visit Downtown Ramen on a Saturday night, and we're certainly not disappointed. They were able to sit the two of us even though they were close to fully booked, which was great.
The service was quick and attentive, and the food delicious. We each had a Bao and a ramen, which may have been a tad optimistic on our parts, as the latter is a massive portion of food. But the food was fresh, delicious and very filling. In all, a satisfying meal that ticked the ramen-bar boxes, in a cool location with a fun vibe. The bar downstairs also looked like it could offer a decent night out, although we didn't stay there very long. One comment is that the bowls used for the ramen are looking a bit more used than one would expect, and could probably do with a replacement fleet soon. We will however be back as soon as we can!
When the wind gets cold and that winter bite is in the air, nothing will bring the warmth back to your bones like the Shoyu Pork Belly at this inner city hideaway. Every time I go, I promise myself I'll try the bao which looks divine, but I can't not order my standard favourite and I can sadly never seem to finish it. I'll go back and keep trying, though!
Downtown Ramen's setting is cosy, staff is friendly and prices won't break the bank. The food is comforting and flavourful and their shoyu with charsu pork ramen wins every time. ❤❤
You won't get ramen like this anywhere else in Cape Town (unless you know my wife). The venue is quite tiny and has a share-style seating arrangement, which I don't mind d at all. The ramen broth is super tastey and legit, the boa (steam buns) was phenomenal.
I was a little disappointed when I went the second time though. The prices increased by R20 and their ramen portions were smaller and more salty, not cool.
Beware, the venue gets really hot, so grab a seat by the outside door if you can, or dress light.
Kieran Hilmar Cairncross
+4
Exciting Asian fusion in a quaint upstairs setting which I love. Bao buns are delicious! Getting drunk with mates downstairs and popping -in upstairs for a quick bao bun and maybe pacman.
Not traditionally a Japanese style ramen. But I.don't think miso bean soup would appeal to south Africans much.
After hearing friends talk about amazing Ramen in town we had to go and experience what all the fuss was about. It was a food experience for sure!
I did however keep thinking that you would not know that it was there if it wasn't for being told about it as it's upstairs from Lefty's with no signage but being that it's so small it worked in our favour for good service, a table and Ramen that dreams are made of. Our table had the full scope of Ramen on offer and I had the (Hot!!!) Ramen which I was warned was fire in a bowl and it did live up to its reputation and if you are a spicy food lover I would totally suggest trying it out.
I'll definitely be back! Thanks Downtown Ramen 👍👍
With only a few Ramen places is cape town I must say this the only genuine place to enjoy some good Ramen. Fairly priced at R85-R95 for your mains and a starter for R45. Their alcohol is limited but you are welcome to purchase anything you like to drink from Lefty's situated right beneath Downtown Ramen. The waiter ...was not so good. Could be that he was spinning a bit as it seemed he was the only one attending to a fully booked restaurant. He was a bit rude.. nevertheless had a very pleasant time.
Downtown Ramen is one of those places that the mere mention of the name makes me drool with craving. I'm a great fan of the pork belly ramen, which is a meal on it's own, and incredibly and distinctively tasty from first to last slurp. Go and enjoy it in the cosy upstairs room above Lefty's, or order it as a takeaway to gobble and slurp up at home. (I prefer the latter, and have come to crave this hearty dish when I have a cold or am sick).
I have been here a few times, keep coming back for the unbelievable pork belly ramen. There is nowhere else in South Africa to eat ramen other Downtown Ramen. They also have a vegetarian option and bao meals. The food was super quick and the service was great. Will be back m. Highly recommended for a quick, delicious bite.
Awesome dinner experience. Had the pork ramen. Intense and flavourful broth, very well prepared. "Melt in your mouth" cuts of pork meat. Will definitely be back!
Pork belly ramen is very delicious - and big enough portion size for leftovers for lunch the next day. Very small drinks menu/limited options. definitely book a table if you're planning to go!
This was on our bucket list for the holidays and oh boy was this worth it!! Best authentic ramen in town. We'll we back for sure. See you soon. Arigatō
Downtown Ramen is a very cool little restaurant. Service was fantastic and we all had the pork belly ramen, which seemed like a mistake as the braised beef look a lot tastier. None the less it was still great but can't say that we'll be going back soon.
Does not look like much , but boy how looks are deceiving, Ive been wanting to try this place for months, our dinner group is a bit fussy to say the least , it was left to me on Friday to decide where to eat,
The look on the groups faces when we arrived, was Louis.., we where advised on what to order, I was so looking forward to having freshly made noodles?
The group was blown away by the food?
Absolutely amazing dishes,
Will for sure be back.
Typical street style setup.
Above the trendy Lefty's - small, quaint and rather busy establishment.
Small menu but everything on the menu is very well paired in flavours and textures. Juicey and delicious. You will leave feeling very full, as youwill probably want to try everything, but the light and satisfied kind of full. Must must have at least one bao and of course a ramen !
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We opted to have one of each of the bao. My favourite of the three was the amazing smoked aubergine and teriyaki tofu with spicy pickles! The aubergine was packed with flavour with a little warmth and the amazing teriyaki tofu! I love when the best option is the veggie option! Next up in the boa ranking was our tables favourite the charsu pork belly with citrus pickles. The pork belly was tender and moreish!
The beer braised beef short rib and spicy pickles was another winner too – it was a tough ranking to make! But someone has to 😉 ! All the baos have a fantastic soft bun and they’re filled with lots of homemade pickled cucumber slices, sesame seeds and spring onions! Every bao was packed with exciting flavours and I will definitely be back for more!
We tried the Shoyu Ramen which is a light broth with charsu pork belly and sprouts, This was really delicious and I loved it! I would definitely order this again! The pork was tender and pulled apart with the chop sticks, Ramen makes for messy eating but the slurping and mess make it even better! The broth was packed with flavour and the spring onions added extra freshness!
Our second choice was the beef massaman with potatoes, noodles and peanuts. This was really really heavy and had far too much cinnamon. A few mouthfuls in all we could taste was cinnamon! However the ramen was rich and creamy which is completely different to the ramen I know and I would like to try it with a more subtly flavoured dish.
We had a tasty dinner and I definitely need more bao in my life pretty soon! One think to note is that the wine is beyond terrible. Its really cheap but also really terrible. I would HIGHLY recommend bringing along your own bottle of something delicious if you’d like to drink wine with your dinner.
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A hidden gem - you'll only find it if someone sends you there. We had the restaurant to ourselves and we're treated to incredible, attentive service from the waiter (wish I'd asked his name!) We had the beer braised beef short rib bao to start, the spicy veg pickle that accompanied it was heavenly. I had the tofu ramen bowl, and my partner had the pork belly bowl. Food was generous, filling, packed with flavour and completely genuine. The sake was the cherry on top of an incredible, one of a kind dinner experience. Would recommend Downtown Ramen to anyone looking to have an exciting Asian food experience in the heart of Cape Town CBD.
I stumbled upon this hidden gem while looking for some good Korean food. After living and travelling in Asia, this place has the most authentic bowl of Ramen in Cape town. Warm, comforting and oh so delicious. The bao is also really delicious and makes a great starter.
This hidden gem is a must try with your best friend or a bunch of mates.
The service is delightful and the broths are a treat. You don't get this kind of Thai food every day. Your food will be swimming in delicious flavours, presented in steaming hot pot. Do try their starters for a snack with your wine. I shared mine with my friend and we were very satisfied. I am definitely going to go back!
The beef bao and pork belly shayu noodles are so tasty. The place gets really crowded very quickly so I suggest popping by early in the evening, have a few drinks and then proceed onto dinner later. Cool chilled vibe overall.
This hidden away gem above Lefty's is worth a visit - fragrant, genuine flavours, friendly staff and generous helpings, you leave feeling satisfied! I'm just sorry they aren't open at lunch time...
To get to Downtown Ramen you have to up the stairs that are inside Lefty's. It's a quaint place with limited seating but the food is delicious and not too expensive. The bao are super yummy and are great as a starter. The ramen is also very tasty and the portions are substantial!
Got there early to grab some supper before a show and Downtown Ramen really lived up to my expectations - great service (friendly and quick) and delicious food. Really enjoyed the pork and vegetarian Shoyu, will be back for sure.
Nice and different. Staff is friendly and service is quick. The pork belly bao is delicious. The ramen presentation is superb and tasty. If you need favour in your meals for a change (especially of the chili variety), I recommend Downtown Ramen.
I've waited a while to try Downtown Ramen, and a cold winters evening seemed like the perfect time. We were not disappointed! We arrived just before 7 and got a table. I had the vegetarian Ramen option and my husband had the pulled pork.
This is real comfort food, like a meal your mom might make if she made ramen. You kind of want to drink it right out of the bowl with a bunch of slurping sounds! Delicious, tummy-warming food with wonderfully infused flavours - this is the right place for a filling, not-too-guilty meal which is also something novel. I'll be back for sure.
Go early. Tables are extremely limited and fill up fast.
Reshmi Muringathuparambil
+4
First time here, managed to get a spot! Very cosy little setup. Couple of long tables and benches, so depending on the size of your party, you'll most likely be sharing with other patrons - kinda enjoyed that! I ordered the Shoyu (pork) ramen dish, and my friend had the Thai Massaman (beef) dish. We both polished our bowls as best we could - quite successfully considering how massive those bowls are! Very tasty broth, and my pork was tender and juicy, too. The Sapparo beer(s) we enjoyed with our meals were great, too! We basically rolled out and down the stairs... Our waiter was really sweet and very friendly, but I think it's high time they get another one as well. One person for all those groups seems like it could become trouble. All in all, worth a visit!
Update: they sometimes run out of ramen, despite reservations, which you would think they might consider being a ramen shop.
So interesting to read the different reviews on Downtown Ramen. I find their ramen incredibly tasty and delicious. So much flavor in their broths. Truly a unique and authentic experience. I've gone back for the Kikimo, a simple vegetarian ramen with a thick sweet broth. Personally I dig this little hidden gem. Agree with Michelle Parkin that one waitress is a bit concerning for a place that gets packed (which it was on a weeknight when we went) but she does somehow manage to do a great job.
I love this place. I don't gave photos cos j ate it all too fast. Come here and eat. Trust me. Shoyu Ramen ftw you will never look back. Sank you.
Popped into this little watery for dinner tonight and enjoyed the vibe - tables constantly turning - and the food was top notch. Two minor gripes though.one waitress serving about 25-30 people isn't s good idea and about three tables looked annoyed at having to wait to pay. Not a buggy but also easily rectified . Maybe get people to pay downstairs on their way out at a central point or upfront when they order?
The other minor issue was that they have a very limited menu , which is not an issue, but then make sure you always have everything in stock. Two out of 8 items were "sold out" leaving a really small selection,
Our waitress was great given how busy she was - really friendly and on the ball! And the food was kick ass so it is totally worth a visit for a quick bite to line the stomach before heading out to party or a mid week dinner 🍴
Cape Town's own little Japanese restaurant serving broth+noodle based ramen and bao with steamed buns is a great place to hang out. Its a small place with a type of modern street style to it. I had the traditional Shoyu ramen which arrived a bit cold but was a good portion with a great broth. The pork belly was fatty with little flavour. All in all a good dish. My friend had the spicy chicken dish which tasted a lot like a thai green curry. The Beef short rib Boa was alright. If you've never had ramen before you might as well visit Downtown Ramen.
The food was delicious and definitely did not dissappoint, our waitress was wonderful, so happy and cheerful! Will definitely be coming back!
I've been on a search of a ramen place for a while. So I super excited when I heard about this Ramen place because finding ramen, or good ramen in fact is not an easy task! I deem myself a ramen expert
Critique:
Soup base: delishly balanced, generous, and flavourful
Toppings: lovely variety of delicious proteins and leafy veggies. The tofu was absolute yum and the pork char siu was a generous slice
Noodle texture: I heard they make it themselves. And it felt healthy, not sure what it was made of but it gave me the feeling of soba. The texture wasn't the greatest: it could have been cooked a little more I felt, or had a bit of chewiness to it.
Price: extremely affordable especially for what you get
Variety: you could choose from two types of noodles, and laksa if they have ingredients (which sadly they did not when I was there), which is simple and no nonsense - which I appreciate.
Display: well done!
Verdict: satisfied :)
A lovely hidden gem in the heart of Cape Town city. I love that they have Gluten Free noodles, they don’t advertise it but if you ask, it’s on the menu.
The service is great and the venue is nostalgic. If you like ramen, then this is your place. Next time I would definitely get the chicken instead of the pork, didn’t feel there was a lot of the meat in the dish.
If I could give it 6 stars, I would. The most delicious food I’ve had in a while. We had the dumplings, the chicken bao and the chicken ramen and WOW! Absolutely delicious. Also had some soju which was delicious and ended the evening off with the fantastic matcha waffle. Service was amazing and had an amazing evening.
On a quiet Tuesday we decided to head to Town to get some ramen.
When we got there the head count was low and the orders came out quick.
Few laughs about using chopsticks like n00bs, with the black labels not helping at all.
We had a good time.
My first time having Ramen and this place did not disappoint! I had the pork Ramen and the Korean chickeun bao bun. The flavors were fantastic. Chilli oil and fresh Chilli is provided for free if you need that kick. Great drink options and service is great. Overall, great experience.
We visited Downtown Ramen during loadshedding for the first time but what a vibe. We order dumplings to start and some Ramen for the mains. I like the laidback approach similar to restaurants in Asian.
The food did not disappoint. Good value for money. I would definitely visit again.
Must go to if you’re in the neighborhood! Very delicious noodle soup. And the homemade noodles are fenomenaal!
Definitely the most authentic ramen in Cape Town. I can highly recommend the shoyu ramen and katsu chicken ramen.
One of the best places to get Ramen in Cape Town. Their steamed and fried dumplings are also amazing. Food is just delicious
This is like a hole in the wall kind of place. Super cute with great food! Little disappointed they didn't have much in the dessert portions. But the Ramen is always 10/10🔥
Ramen was really good and flavourful. The full portion size is really big. We were told the beef was still being prepared for dinner, so if you want beef maybe call before to see if it's available.
Incredible vegan ramen 🍜 but do ask for it to be vegan then they’ll remove the egg 🍳 from the vegetarian option 👍
Must taste! Broth is off the charts 📊
They also have beer on tap, Diesel ⛽️ & Dust craft beer, had the larger! Delicious 😋
Absolutely loved the place. Was skeptical after reading some of the negative reviews but can definitely say the place is worth going to. Portions were large enough to fill you up and the quality of the food was good. Meat was tender and just fell apart.
Authentic ramen spot. Lots of parking. Homemade broth and noodles. I highly recommend Downtown Ramen. Skip the queues, take a drive and enjoy a great meal. Safe area. Close to District Six museum.
Filthy Casual Gamer Girl
+5
Amazing experience. Been hete like times over the past year and a half. Great service, food and atmosphere.
Excellent food! Excellent service!
We had the pork and the chicken dumplings to start off with which was delicious 😍
I had the Shoyu pork Ramen and my partner had the Miso beef.
Both were generous portions, and absolutely top notch.
The only complaint I have is that I had a big chip out of my glass that I was drinking out of, and if not careful could have cut my lips on it pretty badly.
Will definitely return!! 🤩
Had lunch with my daughter, what a lovely experience enjoying the fabulously prepared food, great company, the waiter was excellent with his service. The food was a taste sensation. Will definitely visit this culinary establishment with it great food and stunning atmosphere.
I usually go here to take myself on a date, but went with my GF for the first time and she loved it. As a connoisseur of Asian cuisine she really enjoyed the attention to detail and authenticity. Also amazing ice tea
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