5 slurp-worthy places to enjoy ramen in Delaware

Craving slurpy noodles in a bowl of delicious hot broth? Here’s how you can put an end to your quest. 

As the days cool off and the evenings turn chilly, we have compiled a list of Delaware places that serve ramen dishes which will warm your bodies and satisfy your heart. 

While ramen may have come into existence to feed the starving Japanese after the end of the second World War, over the years it has become one of the most popular menu items here at home, as the sweet, savory and spicy ramen bowls “slurped” their way into people's hearts. 

Here are five of the best spots to get your slurp on in Delaware:

Ramen Kumamoto, Newark

Using recipes that originated in the Kumamoto region of Japan, this restaurant serves traditional bowls of ramen in a variety of taste profiles. 

Their traditional handmade egg noodles are soft and golden yellow, and are served al dente. You can order your noodles the way you like them, specifying your preferred firmness. The noodle broth here is simmered for a period of two days. Due to the extensive cooking time, the broth develops a deep flavor that can “only be described by experiencing it,” owners say.

More:6 places to eat near Newark's Main Street while avoiding big crowds of students

The restaurant is open for dine-in and pick up. 

Some of their most popular ramen bowls are Miso Ramen, Spicy Ramen and Chicken Shoyu Ramen. 

“I had the chicken shoyu ramen. The chicken broth base was so incredibly flavorful, and you could tell it was made from scratch from the oil droplets and the depth of flavors. The chicken slices were heavenly and the seasoned hard boiled egg was amazing,” Morgan Feldman, a customer, stated in his Google review feedback. 

Ramen Kumamoto, 165 E. Main St., Newark, Delaware; ramenkumamoto.com

Miyagi Ramen Bar, Rehoboth

With a fusion of Japanese and Korean dishes, this place aims to bring authentic and fusion ramen noodles to the Delaware beach area, served in a casual dining atmosphere. 

What started as a simple conversation between two friends with a passion for ramen soon proved the inception of Miyagi Ramen Bar. The name Miyagi comes from Miyagi Prefecture in Japan, which is a sister state to Delaware, the bar’s website states. 

Their noodles are made fresh in the house, along with the broth and a variety of sauces. 

More:From cheesesteaks to doughnuts: Where to get vegan munchies in First State

Miyagi Ramen Bar heats things up with its Japanese curry dish made with carrots, potatoes, onions, Asian radish, shiitake mushroom and edamame over rice with shoga.

There are other plant-based options like vegan ramen, vegan croquette, gyoza (Japanese dumplings) and bibimap, a meal with veggies over rice where you can substitute beef for vegan tofu.

Miyagi Ramen Bar, 19266 Coastal Highway Unit 6, Rehoboth Beach; miyagiramenbar.com

Chiwa Bistro, Christiana Mall

Located at Christiana Mall, Chiwa Bistro serves 12 types of ramen dishes, including vegetarian, seafood and beef. 

The bistro has a captivating ambiance with Japanese scrolls hanging on one wall, red lanterns and masks set against another wall also covered in Japanese drawings. The setting offers diners a more authentic Japanese dining experience. 

Some well-known menu items include Tonkotsu Ramen — chopped scallion, corn, mushroom, and seasoned boiled eggs in a pork-bone soup with a meat of your liking, and Miso Ramen — seasoned boiled eggs topped with bamboo shoots, bean sprouts and chopped scallion dipped in a Miso paste and chicken broth.

In addition to ramen, Chiwa Bistro serves a wide variety of dishes such as Agemono (deep-fried food), Onigiri (rice balls), Dim Sum (dumplings), sushi, Donburi (a rice-bowl dish), along with refreshing beverages. 

Chiwa Bistro, 314 Christiana Mall, Christiana; chiwabistro.com

Yukonde Korean BBQ and Sushi BAR, Dover

One of the only Japanese restaurants in Dover, Yukonde not only offers delicious food but also serves it in a pleasant atmosphere that will have you coming back for more. 

More:9 places to get burgers on National Cheeseburger Day in Delaware

The restaurant uses fresh ingredients, with exotic sauces and flavors that mingle on your plate, creating a hot, tangy aroma to give you a memorable eating experience. 

Some of their must-try dishes are Spicy Kimchi Ramen, Spicy Seafood Ramen and Chicken Udon. 

Yukonde is open Monday through Sunday for dining in, as well as take out. 

Yukonde Korean BBQ and Sushi Bar, 865 N. Du Pont Highway, Dover; yukonde.com

Le Shio Asian Fusion, Fairfax

Le Shio is a contemporary restaurant located in Fairfax, offering a unique fusion of Japanese, Chinese and South East Asian cuisine.

The restaurant uses fine sea salts in combination with essential spices in its food preparation. 

You can create your own personalized dishes through what the chef calls  a “Wok Self Creation.”

Popular dishes here include Nabeyaki Udon and Spicy Ebi Curry Udon. Similar to ramen, udon is a thicker wheat-flour noodle.

Le Shio is open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Le Shio Asian Fusion Cuisine, 2303 Concord Pike, Fairfax; leshio.com