City Cast Madison logo

The Best Ramen Shops in Madison

Posted on September 11, 2025   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Rob Thomas

Rob Thomas

A bowl of ramen noodles and a plate of dumplings on a table.

The noodles at Umami Ramen & Dumpling Bar are made in-house, with several vegetarian and gluten-free options. (Photo courtesy of Umami Ramen & Dumpling Bar)

Fall is here, and along with the flannel shirts and maple lattes comes an uptick in colds and other seasonal illnesses. Everybody has their favorite home remedies, but sometimes it’s our favorite comfort food and drinks that give us as much emotional support as medical.

On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians about the best things to drink and eat in Madison when you’re under the weather.

City Cast

Sick? These Are the Best Feel-Better Foods in Madison

00:00:00

For me, there’s nothing like a big steaming bowl of ramen to chase away the cold-weather blues. Here are some of Madison’s best ramen spots.

Button:

Check them out on Overlook Maps!

The Madison outpost of this celebrated Chicago ramen chain features ramen from different regions of Japan and China. If you’re looking for a shock to the system, try the ultra-spicy Monster Hell Ramen Challenge, where you get a $50 gift certificate and a T-shirt if you can finish the bowl in 20 minutes.

This popular Middleton spot aims to be inviting to all members of the family, with handmade noodles and vegan and gluten-free ramen for diners with dietary needs.

This east side restaurant on Cottage Grove Road is committed to authentic Japanese ramen, but does through in some fun twists, including a house special that appeals to American’s love of fried food by combining pork broth and fried chicken.

This State Street bar evokes the vibe and the flavors of a late-night izakaya bar in Japan. The ramen offerings on their menu include tonkotsu ramen and spicy sapporo miso ramen.

One of the more affordable options for good ramen in Madison, this Park Street restaurant offers 12 different kinds of ramen dishes, including sesame ramen, seafood ramen, and spicy gyunika ramen.

I’ve always enjoyed sitting outside at this Willy Street spot and enjoying cocktails and apps, but their extensive ramen menu includes several vegetarian and gluten-free options, with all the noodles made in-house.

This trendy restaurant on the Capitol Square casts its net wide with sushi, poke bowls and dumplings, but also has a solid ramen menu available for both lunch and dinner.

This elegant Monroe Street restaurant leans much more heavily on sushi than ramen, but has a few solid ramen options on its menu.

Share article

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Food & Drink

See All
Food & DrinkAugust 13

These Madison Restaurants Are Gone But Not Forgotten

We also asked our readers and listeners to share their favorite defunct Madison restaurants, and dozens of you responded. Here are some o...

A strip mall restaurant with a green-and-white sign.
Food & DrinkJuly 30

The Best New Restaurants in Madison

This month’s list of the area’s best new restaurants includes a new outpost for a wildly popular local pizza chain, a new sushi spot near...

Two people standing at a counter at a pizza restaurant.
Food & DrinkJune 18

The Best Ice Cream in Madison

There are plenty of spots to indulge in a cold scoop (or several) of ice cream in Madison. Here are some of the best local spots in town.

A white building with a glass door with red trim.
Food & DrinkJune 11

Where to Watch the World Cup in Madison

The 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament kicks off today, and Madison soccer fans are ready. Here's where to watch the matches, including bars...

A man in purple cheers surrounded by fans in bleachers.
Food & DrinkMay 14

These Madison Butcher Shops Are a Cut Above

With summer coming up, you might want to stock up for the next cookout. Here are some of Madison's favorite butcher shops, from Meat Peop...

A man in glasses peers at a stack of hamburger patties.
Food & DrinkMay 7

Supper Clubs in Madison You Have To Try

You can savor the Wisconsin supper club tradition without traveling far from Madison, hitting historic spots like Tornado Steak House, Ka...

A photo of a plate of food and a nighttime photo of the exterior of a restaurant.
Food & DrinkApril 16

Madison’s Favorite Neighborhood Bars

Madison has its share of high-end cocktail bars, but there's nothing like a neighborhood bar where it feels like everybody knows your nam...

The exterior of a bar with brick and red wood.
Food & DrinkApril 9

Where To Find the Best Bagels in Madison

Madison has plenty of great bagel options, from Mermaid Kitchen to Gotham Bagels to Bagels Forever.

Metal racks of bagels on a counter.

The latest in Madison

Madison, ExplainedAugust 18

Fitchburg Took Down Flock Cameras, But Will Test Others

Fitchburg ends its Flock Safety license plate reader contract over privacy concerns, testing alternatives from Axon and Motorola despite...

A city street on a winter's day with a Flock camera attached to a pole.
Madison's BestAugust 17

Madison Artist Knocks It Out of the Park With Brewers Mural

Madison artist Emily Balsley unveils her new "Seventh Inning Stretch" mural at Fitchburg’s McKee Farms Park, inspired by her Brewers T-sh...

A woman paints a mural on a wall. The mural has a cornflower blue background and is populated with people and animals in Brewers uniforms and caps..
Madison NewsAugust 10

Listen to Our Interviews with Wisconsin’s Candidates for Governor

There are still seven candidates in the running for Wisconsin governor. Find out where they stand on the issues.

Four voting stations sit empty in front of a windows on a sunny day
Madison, ExplainedAugust 10

Meet the Madison Democrats Running For Assembly District 76

Find information about the candidates running for Wisconsin's Assembly District 76 seat in the upcoming primary election.

Five political candidates sit on a stage with microphones in front of them.
Madison, ExplainedAugust 10

Your Guide to the August Primary Election in Wisconsin

Get ready for the Wisconsin election on August 11. Learn where to vote in Madison, what ID to bring, how to vote early, and mail-in ballo...

A white sign with a United States flag image and the words “VOTE HERE VOTE AQUI” stands upright in front of a Madison municipal building.
Madison's BestAugust 6

The Best Fish Fries in Madison

Friday fish fries are a tradition in Wisconsin, and Madison has lots of options. Here are some of our favorites, including Dexter’s Pub,...

A plate of fried fish and french fries.
Madison NewsAugust 5

Madison Police Clear Ruiz Memorial and Encampment Site

Madison authorities dismantle the Corey Ruiz encampment at Baldwin & Williamson. District 6 Ald. Davy Mayer discusses the fallout on City...

Candles and flowers form a makeshift memorial.
Madison, ExplainedAugust 3

How State Government Is Reducing Its Footprint in Madison

Wisconsin is shrinking its downtown Madison office space. Learn how the long-term Vision 2030 plan will change the state government's phy...

A gray multi-story building in downtown Madison.