Greater Cincinnati Restaurants Serving Steamy Bowls of Ramen, Pho and Other Noodly Soups

Pho Lang Thang

1828 Race St., Over-the-Rhine

Cincinnati Vietnamese eatery Pho Lang Thang opened their new location across the street from Findlay Market in the fall of 2019, offering a larger space and a fully-stocked bar. Order from a wide variety of pho options, ranging from brisket and meatballs (nam, bo vien) to vegan mushroom pho or tendon and tripe (gan, sach). Pho Lang Thang serves Lang Thang Vietnamese Coffee hot and iced at their establishment, as well as sells coffee beans on their online shop and Amazon.

Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” data-title=”

Pho Lang Thang

1828 Race St., Over-the-Rhine

Cincinnati Vietnamese eatery Pho Lang Thang opened their new location across the street from Findlay Market in the fall of 2019, offering a larger space and a fully-stocked bar. Order from a wide variety of pho options, ranging from brisket and meatballs (nam, bo vien) to vegan mushroom pho or tendon and tripe (gan, sach). Pho Lang Thang serves Lang Thang Vietnamese Coffee hot and iced at their establishment, as well as sells coffee beans on their online shop and Amazon.

Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” itemprop=”image” />
Hop Ping Hog

29 E. Court St., Downtown

Formerly known as Dope! Asian Street Fair (and a few other variously named eateries owned by the same brand), this downtown eatery takes guests on an “east Asia food journey.” Their generously-sized menu consists of starters, stir-fry, stews, rice dishes and treats. Try their steamy tonkotsu ramen — these folks know their noodles.

Photo via Facebook.com/hoppinghog

” data-title=”

Hop Ping Hog

29 E. Court St., Downtown

Formerly known as Dope! Asian Street Fair (and a few other variously named eateries owned by the same brand), this downtown eatery takes guests on an “east Asia food journey.” Their generously-sized menu consists of starters, stir-fry, stews, rice dishes and treats. Try their steamy tonkotsu ramen — these folks know their noodles.

Photo via Facebook.com/hoppinghog

” itemprop=”image” />Zundo Ramen & Donburi

220 W. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine

Slurp-worthy bowls make Zundo the go-to for ramen in Over-the-Rhine. The restaurant, which opened in fall of 2018, offers traditional 14-hour broth, along with flavor-amping ingredients like pork belly and soft-boiled egg with custardy yolk. Meanwhile, donburi choices range from pork katsu to curry to unagi. The large selection of sake pairs perfectly with anything from the food menu. Order online for pickup at zundootr.com. The restaurant is opening a second location in Mason soon.

Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” data-title=”

Zundo Ramen & Donburi

220 W. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine

Slurp-worthy bowls make Zundo the go-to for ramen in Over-the-Rhine. The restaurant, which opened in fall of 2018, offers traditional 14-hour broth, along with flavor-amping ingredients like pork belly and soft-boiled egg with custardy yolk. Meanwhile, donburi choices range from pork katsu to curry to unagi. The large selection of sake pairs perfectly with anything from the food menu. Order online for pickup at zundootr.com. The restaurant is opening a second location in Mason soon.

Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” itemprop=”image” />Mochiko

Check facebook.com/mochikocincy for DIY ramen kit releases

Japanese pop-up Mochiko crafts inventive weekly pre-order ramen kits and pastries for pick-up or delivery (within 6 miles of downtown). Each ramen kit makes one generous serving and contains fresh, unboiled noodles; soup; a salty sauce called tare; and toppings. The kits change from week to week, but they have been known to offer Cincinnati-style chili ramen.

Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” data-title=”

Mochiko

Check facebook.com/mochikocincy for DIY ramen kit releases

Japanese pop-up Mochiko crafts inventive weekly pre-order ramen kits and pastries for pick-up or delivery (within 6 miles of downtown). Each ramen kit makes one generous serving and contains fresh, unboiled noodles; soup; a salty sauce called tare; and toppings. The kits change from week to week, but they have been known to offer Cincinnati-style chili ramen.

Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” itemprop=”image” />Stone Bowl

3355 Madison Road, Oakley

Oakley Korean and Japanese restaurant Stone Bowl is currently operating as carry-out only, and features traditional Korean dishes, sushi and ramen. Fill up on some noodles (with options for meat and seafood, vegan and spicy karai ramen) or the Noodle Teriyaki: fresh udon wheat noodles stir fried with salty and sweet bulgogi sauce, carrot, onion, zucchini, scallion and your choice of protein. Add a poached egg for just a dollar.

Photo: Google Street View
” data-title=”

Stone Bowl

3355 Madison Road, Oakley

Oakley Korean and Japanese restaurant Stone Bowl is currently operating as carry-out only, and features traditional Korean dishes, sushi and ramen. Fill up on some noodles (with options for meat and seafood, vegan and spicy karai ramen) or the Noodle Teriyaki: fresh udon wheat noodles stir fried with salty and sweet bulgogi sauce, carrot, onion, zucchini, scallion and your choice of protein. Add a poached egg for just a dollar.

Photo: Google Street View
” itemprop=”image” />Osaka Ramen House

8084 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township

Osaka is a popular East Side ramen destination, well-known in the Anderson area for its reasonable prices and timely service. As all menu items cost less than $15, Osaka is a hotspot for affordable and highly sought-after Asian cuisine. Their namesake is their speciality, like the Tan Tan ramen: noodles in a spiced pork broth, ground pork, bamboo, sweet corn, bean sprouts and green onion, complemented by a soft boiled egg — all for $12. If you’re feeling hungry, tacking on extra noodles will only cost you a dollar. Order menu items online for curbside pickup at osakaramenhouse.com.

Photo via facebook.com/osakaramenhouse
” data-title=”

Osaka Ramen House

8084 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township

Osaka is a popular East Side ramen destination, well-known in the Anderson area for its reasonable prices and timely service. As all menu items cost less than $15, Osaka is a hotspot for affordable and highly sought-after Asian cuisine. Their namesake is their speciality, like the Tan Tan ramen: noodles in a spiced pork broth, ground pork, bamboo, sweet corn, bean sprouts and green onion, complemented by a soft boiled egg — all for $12. If you’re feeling hungry, tacking on extra noodles will only cost you a dollar. Order menu items online for curbside pickup at osakaramenhouse.com.

Photo via facebook.com/osakaramenhouse
” itemprop=”image” />Maki Ramen House

209 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights

Formerly a sushi restaurant, Maki Express opened a new chapter serving up ramen and other Japanese dishes a few years back. The restaurant is small and intimate, and the atmosphere is a great mixture of modern and traditional. Sit down and enjoy a steaming bowl of shrimp tempura ramen, or dive into an order of takoyaki.

Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” data-title=”

Maki Ramen House

209 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights

Formerly a sushi restaurant, Maki Express opened a new chapter serving up ramen and other Japanese dishes a few years back. The restaurant is small and intimate, and the atmosphere is a great mixture of modern and traditional. Sit down and enjoy a steaming bowl of shrimp tempura ramen, or dive into an order of takoyaki.

Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” itemprop=”image” />Matsuya Japanese Restaurant

7149 Manderlay Drive, Florence

This hidden gem in Northern Kentucky offers delicious, authentic Japanese cuisine in a comfortable family setting. The sushi is fresh and delicious. Matsuya also offers traditional Kaiseki five-course meals as well as Nabemono, where you can cook your dinner — with your choice of veggies and protein — in a simmering pot of broth at your table. The menu also features ochazuke (cooked rice topped with green tea, dashi, or hot water); ramen (miso and tonkotsu); several varieties of udon; and hot and cold soba.

Photo via Matsuya Facebook
” data-title=”

Matsuya Japanese Restaurant

7149 Manderlay Drive, Florence

This hidden gem in Northern Kentucky offers delicious, authentic Japanese cuisine in a comfortable family setting. The sushi is fresh and delicious. Matsuya also offers traditional Kaiseki five-course meals as well as Nabemono, where you can cook your dinner — with your choice of veggies and protein — in a simmering pot of broth at your table. The menu also features ochazuke (cooked rice topped with green tea, dashi, or hot water); ramen (miso and tonkotsu); several varieties of udon; and hot and cold soba.

Photo via Matsuya Facebook
” itemprop=”image” />Fortune Noodle House

349 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights

You know your noodles are made with love when a restaurant makes them by hand before your eyes, but here’s the thing: Everything else at Fortune is delicious, too. Inspired by classic Chinese noodle houses, Fortune serves a La Mian-style of handmade noodles, a practice that dates back to the 1500s. The noodles are hand-pulled and stretched out into strands, then paired with everything from vegetables to squid and shredded pork to tripe.

Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” data-title=”

Fortune Noodle House

349 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights

You know your noodles are made with love when a restaurant makes them by hand before your eyes, but here’s the thing: Everything else at Fortune is delicious, too. Inspired by classic Chinese noodle houses, Fortune serves a La Mian-style of handmade noodles, a practice that dates back to the 1500s. The noodles are hand-pulled and stretched out into strands, then paired with everything from vegetables to squid and shredded pork to tripe.

Photo: Hailey Bollinger
” itemprop=”image” />Pho 96

7844 Kingland Drive, West Chester

Pho 96 is a traditional Vietnamese restaurant known for their authentic Vietnamese noodle dishes. Served in bowls fit for a king, this traditional pho will have you stuffed to the brim — you can even get the “giant” order for a mere $2.50 upcharge. Choose from a variety of beef, chicken, pork, seafood and vegetarian options. Garnish your bowl with a generous drizzle of Sriracha or plum sauce and round out the meal with a boba tea and egg rolls to share.

Photo via Facebook.com/Pho96” data-title=”

Pho 96

7844 Kingland Drive, West Chester

Pho 96 is a traditional Vietnamese restaurant known for their authentic Vietnamese noodle dishes. Served in bowls fit for a king, this traditional pho will have you stuffed to the brim — you can even get the ::giant:: order for a mere $2.50 upcharge. Choose from a variety of beef, chicken, pork, seafood and vegetarian options. Garnish your bowl with a generous drizzle of Sriracha or plum sauce and round out the meal with a boba tea and egg rolls to share.

Photo via Facebook.com/Pho96″ itemprop=”image” />Sake Bomb

3072 Dixie Highway, Erlanger

Tucked away in a strip mall along Dixie Highway and helmed by a former U.S. Army Sergeant and family (look for veteran and service member discounts), Sake Bomb in Erlanger is a staple of sorts among Northern Kentuckians. Serving up Korean and Japanese grub — including sushi, bento boxes, ramen, stone bowls and more — the restaurant also touts items that cater to a variety of dietary needs, from vegetarians to those who need or want to go gluten-free.

Photo via Facebook.com/sakebombcatering
” data-title=”

Sake Bomb

3072 Dixie Highway, Erlanger

Tucked away in a strip mall along Dixie Highway and helmed by a former U.S. Army Sergeant and family (look for veteran and service member discounts), Sake Bomb in Erlanger is a staple of sorts among Northern Kentuckians. Serving up Korean and Japanese grub — including sushi, bento boxes, ramen, stone bowls and more — the restaurant also touts items that cater to a variety of dietary needs, from vegetarians to those who need or want to go gluten-free.

Photo via Facebook.com/sakebombcatering
” itemprop=”image” />Pho Kimmy

11974 Lebanon Road, Sharonville

Sharonville’s Pho Kimmy has you covered when you’re in need of some soul-warming pho — they have 11 different options to choose from on their menu. If you’re craving that Asian zing but could do without noodles and broth, Pho Kimmy also has a unique menu of Asian dishes, like their Asian Grilled Pork sandwich.

Photo via Pho Kimmy’s website
” data-title=”

Pho Kimmy

11974 Lebanon Road, Sharonville

Sharonville’s Pho Kimmy has you covered when you’re in need of some soul-warming pho — they have 11 different options to choose from on their menu. If you’re craving that Asian zing but could do without noodles and broth, Pho Kimmy also has a unique menu of Asian dishes, like their Asian Grilled Pork sandwich.

Photo via Pho Kimmy’s website
” itemprop=”image” />Saigon Noodle Bar

9220 Allen Road, West Chester

Opened in August 2019, family-owned and -operated Saigon Noodle Bar serves up a variety of traditional Vietnamese fare. Pho options include flank steak, chicken, pork or fried tofu and vegan ham. Venture into new territory with their Bún Bò Huế — rice noodles and beef in a spicy lemongrass broth — or Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang — rice noodles with pork, shrimp, quail eggs, squid, green onion and cilantro.

Photo via facebook.com/saigonnoodlebarcincinnati
” data-title=”

Saigon Noodle Bar

9220 Allen Road, West Chester

Opened in August 2019, family-owned and -operated Saigon Noodle Bar serves up a variety of traditional Vietnamese fare. Pho options include flank steak, chicken, pork or fried tofu and vegan ham. Venture into new territory with their Bún Bò Huế — rice noodles and beef in a spicy lemongrass broth — or Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang — rice noodles with pork, shrimp, quail eggs, squid, green onion and cilantro.

Photo via facebook.com/saigonnoodlebarcincinnati
” itemprop=”image” />Mei Japanese Restaurant

8608 Market Place Lane, Montgomery

Coming up on its 21st year of business, Mei categorizes itself as a “fine dining establishment specializing in traditional Japanese cuisine.” Culinary veterans, Mei knows how to make a mean noodle bowl. Their pork bone tonkotsu broth is made with 100% Iowa-raised Berkshire pork, considered as prized as Kobe beef. There are over a dozen ramen, soba and udon options sure to satisfy noodle enthusiasts of all dietary persuasions. Enjoy your meal at the bar, in the main seating area or step into a special cultural experience in Mei’s tatami rooms — traditional Japanese dining areas.

Photo via Facebook.com/MeiJapaneseRestaurant
” data-title=”

Mei Japanese Restaurant

8608 Market Place Lane, Montgomery

Coming up on its 21st year of business, Mei categorizes itself as a ::fine dining establishment specializing in traditional Japanese cuisine.:: Culinary veterans, Mei knows how to make a mean noodle bowl. Their pork bone tonkotsu broth is made with 100% Iowa-raised Berkshire pork, considered as prized as Kobe beef. There are over a dozen ramen, soba and udon options sure to satisfy noodle enthusiasts of all dietary persuasions. Enjoy your meal at the bar, in the main seating area or step into a special cultural experience in Mei’s tatami rooms — traditional Japanese dining areas.

Photo via Facebook.com/MeiJapaneseRestaurant
” itemprop=”image” />Song Long

1737 Section Road, Roselawn

Song Long is a mash-up of Chinese and Vietnamese cuisines serving the Roselawn area. Their absolutely packed menu serves a combination of cultural dishes rooted in Chinese and Vietnamese tradition. The eatery serves up noodle soups and specialties for every palate, like the Mi Xao Don Chay, stir fried vegetables with shrimp, chicken and beef over crispy golden noodles; and the Hoanh Thanh Mi, fresh egg noodles paired with stuffed wontons, barbecue pork and chicken topped with a shrimp cracker.

Photo: Google Street View
” data-title=”

Song Long

1737 Section Road, Roselawn

Song Long is a mash-up of Chinese and Vietnamese cuisines serving the Roselawn area. Their absolutely packed menu serves a combination of cultural dishes rooted in Chinese and Vietnamese tradition. The eatery serves up noodle soups and specialties for every palate, like the Mi Xao Don Chay, stir fried vegetables with shrimp, chicken and beef over crispy golden noodles; and the Hoanh Thanh Mi, fresh egg noodles paired with stuffed wontons, barbecue pork and chicken topped with a shrimp cracker.

Photo: Google Street View
” itemprop=”image” />Tea ‘n’ Bowl

211 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights

Tea ‘n’ Bowl is a Bearcat favorite — if you go to the University of Cincinnati, you either know or will know this place by graduation time. The eatery offers both authentic and Americanized Chinese food, including Szechuan spicy shredded pork noodle soup and the roast duck noodle soup. Students and Cliftonites alike go crazy over Tea ‘n’ Bowl’s famous bubble tea. Bubble tea is tea and flavorings poured over tapioca balls or “bubbles” to create a delicious, fun drink.

Photo via Facebook.com/TeaNBowl
” data-title=”

Tea ‘n’ Bowl

211 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights

Tea ‘n’ Bowl is a Bearcat favorite — if you go to the University of Cincinnati, you either know or will know this place by graduation time. The eatery offers both authentic and Americanized Chinese food, including Szechuan spicy shredded pork noodle soup and the roast duck noodle soup. Students and Cliftonites alike go crazy over Tea ‘n’ Bowl’s famous bubble tea. Bubble tea is tea and flavorings poured over tapioca balls or ::bubbles:: to create a delicious, fun drink.

Photo via Facebook.com/TeaNBowl
” itemprop=”image” />
Genki Ramen

5005 Deerfield Blvd., Mason

Mason needed a ramen spot and Genki filled that void perfectly. Cooking up eight different takes on the classic ramen dish, the eatery also offers rice bowls like their curry chicken katsu don and gyoza for a starter.

Photo via Facebook.com/Genkiramenmason
” data-title=”

Genki Ramen

5005 Deerfield Blvd., Mason

Mason needed a ramen spot and Genki filled that void perfectly. Cooking up eight different takes on the classic ramen dish, the eatery also offers rice bowls like their curry chicken katsu don and gyoza for a starter.

Photo via Facebook.com/Genkiramenmason
” itemprop=”image” />Bao Bun Bowl

4752 Fields Ertel Road, Loveland

Hand-pulled noodles made, served and devoured in Cincinnati. Need we say more? Bao Bun Bowl has already received plenty of attention since its opening in June, and with good reason. Customers can watch their meals being freshly prepared in the eatery’s open kitchen. Their specialty noodle bowls feature a choice of hand-pulled, knife-shaved or stir-fried noodles with everything from classic beef, braised pork belly and vegetables to lamb and a Beijing-style noodle. The restaurant is temporarily closed.

Photo via Facebook.com/BaoBunBowl4752” data-title=”

Bao Bun Bowl

4752 Fields Ertel Road, Loveland

Hand-pulled noodles made, served and devoured in Cincinnati. Need we say more? Bao Bun Bowl has already received plenty of attention since its opening in June, and with good reason. Customers can watch their meals being freshly prepared in the eatery’s open kitchen. Their specialty noodle bowls feature a choice of hand-pulled, knife-shaved or stir-fried noodles with everything from classic beef, braised pork belly and vegetables to lamb and a Beijing-style noodle. The restaurant is temporarily closed.

Photo via Facebook.com/BaoBunBowl4752″ itemprop=”image” />Noodle and Hot Pot

4750 Fields Ertel Road, Loveland

A gem in a sleepy strip mall in Cincinnati’s northern suburbs, this spot is hopping with fans craving hot pot. Owners Yuke Qiu and Jennifer Niu spare no expense on the soups that make up the menu’s backbone, sourcing them from a chef in Qiu’s hometown in China. The chef creates seven different bases with hard-to-find ingredients, then packages and ships them to the restaurant. The ‘nine boxes spicy’ soup, for example, includes chunks of beef fat, amplifying heat and flavor. Among the 80-odd choices of ingredients to dunk into the hot pot, the “one meter-long lamb” stars, with thinly sliced organic lamb arrayed on a wooden paddle. The restaurant is temporarily closed due to COVID.

Photo: Erin Celesti
” data-title=”

Noodle and Hot Pot

4750 Fields Ertel Road, Loveland

A gem in a sleepy strip mall in Cincinnati’s northern suburbs, this spot is hopping with fans craving hot pot. Owners Yuke Qiu and Jennifer Niu spare no expense on the soups that make up the menu’s backbone, sourcing them from a chef in Qiu’s hometown in China. The chef creates seven different bases with hard-to-find ingredients, then packages and ships them to the restaurant. The ‘nine boxes spicy’ soup, for example, includes chunks of beef fat, amplifying heat and flavor. Among the 80-odd choices of ingredients to dunk into the hot pot, the ::one meter-long lamb:: stars, with thinly sliced organic lamb arrayed on a wooden paddle. The restaurant is temporarily closed due to COVID.

Photo: Erin Celesti
” itemprop=”image” />