After a night out painting the town red for New Year’s Eve, ramen is the perfect comfort in a bowl you need the following day. Here are a few of the best Norfolk spots to get your ramen fix for those cold, blustery winter days.

Kappo Nara

Hit up this spot for traditional ramen authenticity, from the K-pop boy band posters adorning the walls to the extreme spice levels when you ask for “a little spice,” they have it all. For a traditional chashu pork dish, try the Tonkotsu ramen bowl. Come hungry because they don’t skimp on portions. 

Try the spicy miso ramen for a little more kick, which varies from the traditional pork belly by incorporating spicy ground pork. Check out the full Kappo Nara menu here, and prepare to have your taste buds blown away while also achieving ultimate levels of coziness with this comforting soup.

Alkaline 

This hip foodie spot in Ghent brings the best of both worlds – delicious Japanese ramen bowls fused with Norfolk flair, resulting in an incredible and diverse menu. Dishes range from tater-tot okonomiyaki to a healthy mix of ramen dishes, such as shoyu, kimchi, and spicy red curry ramen. Different broths provide entirely different experiences for each offering.

Alkaline is sure to help you jump into the new year on the right foot with its wide variety of ramens. Check out their full menu here.

Stockpot’s Ramen Wednesdays

While you won’t be able to visit this spot on New Year’s Day to cure your New Year’s Eve hangover, the Stockpot’s ramen is worth the wait until Wednesday! Every Wednesday, the Stockpot serves up ramen all day long from 11 am – 8:30 pm. And the best part? They deliver, so you can have it brought right to your door to enjoy without having to go out in the cold! You can pair their cozy ramen with a hand-crafted winter cocktail, such as the white cranberry martini, spiked hot chocolate, or vanilla chai old-fashioned. Alternatively, wash down your ramen with a specialty coffee drink such as the maple brown sugar iced latte. Find the full Stockpot menu and order online here.

Ichran Japanese Ramen

Another take on authentic Japanese ramen is Ichran, located on Military Highway. Tucked at the end of a shopping mall, this understated restaurant puts all of its energy into its excellent ramen dishes. When viewing from the outside, you might not think much of this spot, but the low-key vibe is part of the appeal. Ichran can draw its loyal customer base not from a bunch of bells and whistles but the authentically delicious cuisine on offer. Ichran features several ramen dishes, from kotomi to curry ramen. Check out the full menu here. 

Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar 

While primarily known for their (arguably) best-in-Norfolk sushi, Kotobuki flexes an expansive menu of noodle dishes ranging from udon, soba, and, you guessed it–ramen. Have it with pork or fish, or opt for the vegan option. Your choices are delightfully vast, as Kotobuki’s alluring menu totals to a whopping eight pages. 

Whether you’re a ramen aficionado or have only had the instant microwave variety that’s a staple in a college freshman’s diet, each of these ramen spots are delicious, unique from the others, and worth giving a try. Happy New Year and happy ramen tasting!

Tiffany Frazier

Ghent, NFK

Tiffany grew up in Chesapeake but has called Norfolk home for the past seven years. She fell in love with the city while working with Festevents during college summer breaks. She graduated from James Madison University (Go Dukes!) with a degree in corporate communication. Tiffany now works as a digital marketing specialist and enjoys strolling and rollerblading her way around Norfolk. She lives in Ghent with her husband Trevor, and their two cats, Tux and Joe.