Ramen in Minneapolis runs from Dinkytown counters to Northeast izakaya rooms, and the shoyu and tonkotsu bowls below hold their own against any coast. None of these are St. Paul rooms, and none need the Green Line to make the case for a cold-weather bowl.
№ 01
Kajiken Ramen
9 E 66th St, Minneapolis, MN 55423 · +16126829888
Photo via 
Shoyu ramen is the order most regulars settle into, though the tonkotsu draws its own following. The booths come stocked with condiments so diners can adjust their own bowls, and the room handles groups well, with private-style seating and a check-splitting system that keeps larger tables moving. Gyoza rounds out the order. A dependable weeknight fixture more than a special-occasion room.
What to ordershoyu ramen, tonkotsu ramen, gyoza
№ 02
moto-i
$$
2940 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 · +16128216262
Photo via
Bao buns carry the menu here, not ramen broth, and the tuna version consistently outranks the crispy chicken and pork versions among regulars. Moto-i works as an izakaya rather than a noodle shop, with dim lighting that suits date nights and holiday visits alike. Benny buns show up as a seasonal variation. Worth knowing before walking in expecting a classic ramen bowl.
What to orderTuna Bao Buns, Crispy Chicken Bao Buns, Pork Bao Buns
№ 03
Ramen Kazama
$$
3400 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 · +16123536160
Photo via
Tonkatsu ramen is the anchor bowl, built on a broth diners describe as light rather than heavy, with noodles and pork that hold their texture. Miso and shoyu round out the menu. The counter-service room leans into a straightforward Japanese ramen shop format, no frills, and it draws a following that treats it as a genuine cold-weather destination in Minneapolis.
What to orderTonkatsu Ramen, Miso Ramen, Shoyu Ramen
№ 04
Tenka Ramen
$$
1404 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408 · +16128254128
Photo via
Tonkatsu ramen and bubble tea are the combination regulars mention first, with the broth landing on the creamy, comforting side of the spectrum. Ordering happens at tablets near the entrance, and service moves fast even midweek. The room sits inside the Eat Street Crossing corridor on Nicollet, making it a straightforward stop for a quick bowl rather than a lingering meal.
What to ordertonkatsu ramen, shoyu ramen, bubble tea
Frequently asked
What is the best ramen near me in Minneapolis?
It depends on the neighborhood. Kajiken and Ramen Kazama are straightforward noodle shops good for a fast, warming bowl, Tenka Ramen sits along the Eat Street Crossing stretch of Nicollet for a quick weeknight order, and moto-i is really an izakaya best treated as a bao bun and small-plates room rather than a ramen destination. Check the Insider Score on each listing to compare.
Is moto-i actually a ramen restaurant?
Not primarily. Its reputation is built on bao buns, tuna, crispy chicken, and pork versions among them, served in a dim, date-night-friendly room in Minneapolis. Diners looking specifically for a ramen bowl should look to Kajiken, Ramen Kazama, or Tenka Ramen instead.
Which of these ramen spots is best for a group?
Kajiken stands out for groups. It offers private-style seating and an easy check-splitting setup, which makes it more practical for a larger table than the counter-service format at Ramen Kazama or Tenka Ramen.
How are these restaurants ranked?
Each restaurant carries an Insider Score built from the public review record, not paid placement. No restaurant on this list or anywhere on the site pays for inclusion or for a better position; the ranking reflects what diners have actually said about the food and the room.
Kou Thao
Staff Writer · Top of Minneapolis
Kou Thao is the St. Paul & Corridors Editor at Top of Minneapolis. Born in St. Paul and raised in Frogtown, he grew up working the family egg-roll stand at Hmongtown Marketplace. He covers the marketplaces, University Avenue, the East Side and West Side, and every corridor counter worth the trip across the river.
