Come rain or shine (but mostly rain), there's nothing we love more than slurping on a steaming hot bowl of noodles and broth.
For many people, ramen still conjures up images of Pot Noodles and packet food you simply ping in the microwave or stick the kettle on for, but the truth is that the Japanese comfort dish with roots in China, Korea, Indonesia and all over the world is a deeply rich cuisine has decades of culture behind it.
It isn’t just a case of dumping any old carbs in a bowl of soup and sprinkling a few bits and bobs on top: the very best ramen chefs in the world pride themselves on the expert craft of slaving over broths for days, perfecting homemade noods and fine-tuning the dish into something more gourmet and special.
Lucky for us, there are plenty of ramen spots in Leeds where you can go to when that when the craving hits. So, let's get into it...
House of Fu
15-19 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 6PU
Images: The Hoot Leeds
House of Fu is an absolute cult classic. Born in Leeds and now with another location in Manchester, this brightly coloured, trendy restaurant is the place to go for interesting and most definitely delicious bowls of ramen.
If their trademark ‘Spicy Fu’ or incredible kimchi and cheese ramen doesn’t sort you out, nothing will. Their broths are also thicker and creamier than most and that can only be a good thing.
And if you fancy something different to ramen, their spicy cucumber salad and Fu Fried Chicken will absolutely knock your socks off.
Maki and Ramen
32 Bond St, Leeds LS1 5BQ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Next up is a relatively new addition to Leeds: Maki and Ramen. Starting out with one restaurant in Edinburgh before going on several more and then sister sites in Glasgow, and Manchester, we have literally no complaints about their start to life in our city. Even their takeaway containers are ace.
From founder Teddy Lee‘s time studying the art of both ramen and sushi making in the heart of Tokyo to being welcomed through the doors with the banging of a drum as all the staff shout a traditional Japanese greeting, you get that feeling of authenticity right from the off.
The sushi, side plates and other mains are all genuinely delicious too but we all know what you’re here for and while the classic tonkotsu never misses, the steak tataki is lovely and creamy and the salmon miso one is a nice light take on things, we’ve never had anything quite like their black garlic ramen. Wow.
TADA
Otley Road, Headingley LS6 2AD
Images: The Hoot Leeds
In the heart of Headingley you'll find TADA, an elegant and laid back Japanese spot which is the ideal place for date night or mate night. Their ramen comes in beautiful bowls and goes perfectly with a matcha cocktail or three.
Fuji Hiro
45 Wade Ln, Leeds LS2 8NJ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Having just reopened its doors after a little refresh, you can rest assured that Fuji Hiro still serves up some of the best ramen in the city.
Expect classic flavours, perfectly bouncy noodles and rich broth - and make sure to order some katsu and gyoza on the side.
Fern Modern Sushi
Unit 8 Central Arcade, Leeds LS1 6DX
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Tucked away down Central Arcade you will find Fern Modern Sushi, a modern Japanese restaurant run with lovely Fern at the helm.
Here you'll find sushi made with the best quality fish, wonderful hospitality and of course - banging ramen. Fern will welcome you in with open arms and look after you as if you were family, she even offers gluten free noodles so no one in your party has to miss out.
Little Tokyo
24 Central Road, LS1 6DA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This humble, family-run restaurant has been in Leeds for over 20 years and you can tell that they're masters of their craft. The interior is as Japanese as it gets, with cherry blossom trees above and low tables inviting you to sit bare foot on the floor as you tuck in.
Everything on the menu is cooked with bundles of love and if you don't fancy ramen then order the bento boxes that make for the perfect lunchtime treat.
A Leeds pub has been crowned one of the very best in the country by The Good Food Guide.
The trusted guide has just released its 100 Best Pubs in Britain list, and we're very chuffed with the results indeed.
Taking the coveted number three spot is our very own The Highland Laddie, a 100-year-old city centre institution that reopened in April 2025 in the hands of new owners Sam Pullan and Nicole Deighton.
These guys also run the Empire Cafe, so you just know it's going to be good.
Last year they soared straight to the top of the list and were crowned the best pub in the whole of Britain by the guide.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This time, the Queen's Arms over in Eccles came number one followed by The Cow in Notting Hill.
We still think bagging third place is quite the achievement, and if you've visited The Highland Laddie yourself you'll know just how much of a special place it is.
Don't just take our word for it, The Good Food Guide labelled the Laddie as 'a true pub with a genuine community vibe'.
They also said: "Reenergised by the team behind the Empire Cafe in 2025, this is everything that a proper English pub should be – 'oh, and they have a mustard menu!'
"Inside, the Laddie ticks all the boxes, preserving the essentials of a traditional old-school boozer and maintaining a genuine sense of community while letting the good times roll. As for the food, it’s ‘both high-end and accessible’, pulling in ideas from all over, whether you fancy a freshly shucked Lindisfarne oyster, a keema toastie or an elevated ham roll with bread cooked over the coals.
"Dig deeper and you might find a lobster madeleine with Yorkshire chorizo butter, a treacle onion tart or pork schnitzel with two fried eggs. Club steaks are served by the inch, there’s no creative let-up when it comes to sides, and the nostalgia is ramped up with the likes of strawberry and Champagne trifle with ‘sprinkles’.
"But never forget that this is a self-proclaimed ‘drinkers’ pub’ dispensing everything from ‘properly served’ British brews and ’the best Guinness in Leeds’ to a staggering line-up of whisky optics."
Popular egg sandwich shop Egg & Co is opening in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
This much loved breakfast spot do one thing and one thing very well...egg sandwiches.
And it may be a familiar name to some of you lot, as Egg & Co recently opened up on bustling Deansgate in Manchester as well as inside Cambridge Street Collective in Sheffield.
This will be their first site in Leeds, though, and we're very 'eggsited' about it...sorry.
If you've got been introduced to the wonders of Egg & Co yet, then allow us to fill you in on what to expect.
Images: The Manc Group
From here, you’ll be able to grab their unbeatable breakfast sandwiches, where soft scrambled egg is piled into warm brioche buns.
There are a dozen or so breakfast butties on the menu here (yes, they do all feature egg), with other fillings ranging from beef patties to turkey bacon to caramelised onion.
And there’s more – sides here include truffle hash browns, curly fries, and chicken bites.
Of course it wouldn't be a breakfast spot without some caffeinated beverages as well, so we predict as with their Manchester site you'll be able to grab your morning coffee and matcha as well as freshly squeezed orange juice fresh enough to cure any hangover.
We don't know of the exact location yet, but we do know it'll be in Leeds city centre.
Images: The Manc Group
Teasing the news on their Instagram, Egg & Co said: "LEEDS, WE’RE ON OUR WAY. You heard it right. Eggandco is heading to Leeds!
"Same eggs. Same fresh sandwiches. Same Eggandco experience. Just a new city to call home."
Of course, in true Leeds fashion, supporters flocked to the comments to show their excitement and demanding an extra clue on the exact location.
Egg & Co are keeping this under wraps for now, but we'll keep you updated as and when we know more.
Clementine Hall -
17th October 2025 
