Ramen in May - Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Airlie Beach

The best ramen in the world, other than Japan of course! From the moment my mother and I walked in, we were greeted with warmth and hospitality that set the tone for the entire evening. We came in for a quick dinner, but we were so taken with the experience that we ended up staying much longer than anticipated. The service here is nothing short of incredible. The staff goes above and beyond to make sure every guest feels welcome and appreciated.

What truly sets this place apart is the personal touch. After finishing our meal, the chefs themselves came up to our table, expressing genuine thanks for dining there—such a thoughtful gesture that made us feel like more than just customers. But the magic didn’t stop there. As we were leaving, I realized I’d forgotten something of mine, and just as we were about to leave, the chef came running after us. He caught up with us outside, handed me my forgotten item with such care, and treated me like royalty, as if I were the king of the land.

It was moments like these that made our visit unforgettable. Not only was the ramen some of the best I've ever tasted—rich, flavorful, with that perfect balance of broth and noodles—but the overall experience made it one of the most enjoyable nights we've ever had at a restaurant. Every bite, every interaction, felt like it had been crafted with thoughtfulness and care. If you’re looking for exceptional food and service that goes above and beyond, this place is a must-visit. Truly an experience that will stay with you long after the...

I can't speak for the meat ramen but the vegetarian ramen was a HUGE disappointment and not worth paying $21. I am Japanese and although it's hard to find vegetarian ramen in Japan, I understand what Japanese flavour is and this definitely was not it. The soup was all wrong, it had an European vegetable stock flavour of celery and herbs that usually wouldn't be used in Japanese ramen. Also the marinated egg had the Chinese marinated egg flavour like Chinese 5 spice or some star anise which we don't use in Japanese cooking. The 手打ち麺 (handmade noodle) on the sign outside is misleading as it seemed more like machine made noodles to me. I would suggest the chefs to change the soup recipe, perhaps experiment with a soy milk, garlic, sesame paste and miso flavour. This replicates the tonkotsu flavour but a vegan version and works really well - I often make this at home and there are some restaurants in Melbourne that do this really really well. Would also be nice to have a vegan protein source in there too like tofu. I know it's not easy to cater for vegetarians (especially picky Japanese food connoisseurs like me!) but hoping this will be good constructive feedback.

I did like the firmness of the noodles however and the renkon...

Decent Ramen, but Limited Space and Slow Service

The Ramen in May is the only option for ramen in Airlie Beach, so if you’re craving a bowl, this is where you’ll have to go. In my opinion, the ramen itself is just okay—the broth has a decent flavor, and the boiled eggs have the right texture. However, I found the egg’s taste slightly off, as they seem to be marinated in Chinese five-spice, which is not typically used in traditional Japanese ramen.

One of the biggest downsides of this place is the small and cramped space. It gets quite hot inside, and if the restaurant is busy, there are no available tables, meaning you’re forced to take your order to go. This can be frustrating if you were hoping for a dine-in experience.

The service is also quite slow, with wait times around 30 minutes. If you need anything, expect to wait, as the restaurant is run by only three staff members—one person managing the counter and serving customers while two others prepare the food.

Overall, while the ramen is passable, the limited seating, long wait times, and warm indoor environment make the experience less enjoyable. That said, if you’re in Airlie Beach and craving ramen, this is your...