Little Ramen Bar — Restaurant in Melbourne

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An Absolute Gem for Ramen Lovers in Melbourne!

I recently visited Little Ramen Bar on Bourke St. and was blown away by the quality of food and the overall experience. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed by the cozy and bustling atmosphere, reminiscent of a hidden ramen joint in Tokyo. The name is highly misleading! There's nothing little about this place!

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I ordered the Shoyu Ramen (Tokyo Style Soy, Contains beansprout, black fungus, bamboo shoots, spring onion, a sheet of nori (seaweed), fish cake slice, a slice of onion, a sheet of nori (seaweed) & a slice of Chashu (pork) or Chicken & sesame seeds, $18.90). I ordered one with chashu and it was an absolute delight. The broth was rich and full of umami, perfectly capturing the essence of a traditional Shoyu ramen. It had a depth of flavor that was both comforting and satisfying, without being overly salty or heavy. The Chashu pork was simply divine—tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection. It practically melted in my mouth, adding a lovely savory note that complemented the delicate noodles. The noodles themselves were cooked al dente, with a wonderful texture that soaked up the broth beautifully. Every bite was a perfect harmony of flavors and textures.

The highlight of my meal, however, was undoubtedly the Housemade Gyoza Dumplings (vegetarian, 5 pieces, $9.90). I have tried gyoza at many places across Melbourne, but these were hands down the best I’ve ever had. The dumplings had a golden, crispy exterior that provided a satisfying crunch, giving way to a soft and flavorful filling. Despite being vegetarian, the filling was packed with taste, a perfect blend of fresh vegetables and herbs that made each bite a burst of flavor. The seasoning was spot on—not too overpowering but enough to keep me wanting more. The dipping sauce added just the right touch of tanginess, enhancing the overall taste. I was genuinely surprised by how good they were, and I couldn’t stop raving about them long after my meal. It’s rare to find vegetarian gyoza that are this delicious, and I can confidently say they are a must-try for anyone visiting Little Ramen Bar. Although it arrived after the ramen had been served, the waiting was absolutely worth it. The staff recommended me to try their pork gyoza next time, and you bet that I will!

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In addition to the amazing food, the overall dining experience at Little Ramen Bar was fantastic. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring that I had everything I needed throughout my meal. The service was prompt, even though the place was quite busy, reflecting the popularity of the restaurant. The ambiance was cozy and inviting, with the perfect mix of a lively atmosphere and intimate seating. It truly felt like a little slice of Japan in the heart of Melbourne. Whether you’re a ramen enthusiast or just looking for a delicious meal, I highly recommend stopping by Little Ramen Bar. With its top-notch ramen, outstanding gyoza, and warm, welcoming service, this place has quickly become one of my favorite spots in the city. I can’t wait to come back and try more items from their menu!

Dishes ordered:

🍜 - Shoyu Ramen (pork, 1 bowl), $18.90 🥟 - Housemade Gyoza Dumplings (5...

3 Stars purely based on their ramen. Service was fine.

My all-rounded comments: A basic ramen should tell you if a place is worth coming back for or not and the verdict is: nope! I ordered their most basic ramen with miso base (they let you choose between miso/soy/shio)

• Ramen: Noodles were fine, but that should be a given. Soup was a let-down. Not enough depth, and if you eat ramen enough, you know it's all in the soup! And everything else is important but secondary.

(If you like Shujinko you'll likely be pleased with this place. Do yourself a favour and remove Shujinko from your list of favourites. Even this is less bad. My bar for ramen has been spoilt good by Hakata Gensuke. I recommend nowhere else - no Bankara, no Menya, no Shujinko and no Ajisen for goodness sake.)

• Pricewise: $11.90 for ONE single milimeter thick slice of chashu, which was fine but damn, could you be just a tad less sparing? $13.90 for if you want an onsen egg and 2 extra pieces of meat, which would be fine IF their soup was up to standard. To be fair, they tried to make up for it with their generous portions of spring onions, bamboo and seaweed (too generous?)

• Service: Can't fault service. They don't charge for tap water. Good quality chopsticks? Can't say much more.

• Ambience: neutral

It wasn't BAD, but I wouldn't come back a second time, especially with Shanghai Street Dumpling literally round the corner. Much more bang for...

Super tasty ramen. Nice and spacious with counter or tables. Good choice of different ramens without too many. I had the tan tan ramen (pictured)with pork mince and such an awesome choice of extra toppings. The pork was flavoursome and melt in your mouth. The broth was earthy delicious and creamy. The noodles were cooked to perfection. Ramen is my go to make me feel awesome meal and im super fussy😋 this was seriously delicious and the guy who served us was friendly could enjoy a joke and so helpful when we couldn’t decide on Godzilla bowls. Godzilla bowls are perfect for hugging while eating tasty ramen so impressive with such a perfect ratio of noodles broth and toppings. A great choice of extra toppings can be chosen as well. Also my tan tan ramen had choice of spicy choices this was great as i love spicy but felt like something a little milder this time. Mild was still just spicy enough that it cut through the broth without overheating my mouth. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would probs choose the next level up from mild when i want spicier. The dumplings were perfectly cooked and with lovely pastry, vegetarian very tasty. Not bland at all and the Edamame was not overcooked and served with simple salt was a good contrast to my tan tan. Recommend this place! Staff friendly and welcoming. Soooooo good. Wholesome natural food ill be back for sure on my fave...