West Valley
Ohya
We love this fun fusion spot for its edamame sushi and katsu curry, but it’s also our No. 1 pick when we’re craving classic, no-frills ramen – a bowl of pork broth brimming with tender noodles, marinated pork, a sous vide egg, chives, bamboo shoots, ginger and narutomaki.
4920 W. Thunderbird Rd., 602-298-0110, Glendale, goohya.com
Scottsdale
OBON
Choose between the spicy, chicken-centric OBON, pork belly-laden tonkotsu, plant-based Veggie Black or the pork-forward original ramen at this swanky sushi spot.
Two locations, obonsushi.com
East Valley
Tampopo Ramen
Named after the 1985 Japanese film Tampopo, this cramped Tempe noodle bar feels like it’s in Japan, with chefs crafting Hakata ramen (straight noodles) as you watch. The miso’s our go-to, but the vegetarian soymilk broth is a tasty veg option.
3223 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe, 480-491-2177, tampoporamenaz.com
Phoenix
Nishikawa
This Arcadia noodle house offers myriad ramen styles – tonkotsu, miso, paitan, shoyu, curry – but our favorite is the glossy Nishikawa Black, a pork-based beauty crowned with black garlic oil, fried onions and sesame seeds.
3141 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-368-8774, nishikawa-ramen.com
