Ramen Ramen by Tanoshi
Searle Lane, Queenstown 9300
Rating: 4.5 ★ (1214 ratings)
Details
Ramen Ramen by Tanoshi provides a warm and inviting atmosphere, nestled in a snug laneway just off Queenstown Mall, between Searle Lane and Church Street. This cosy Japanese eatery offers an intimate setting with limited seating, both indoors and out, creating a relaxed vibe for diners. What truly makes it stand out is the unique ability for guests to design their own ramen, akin to building a custom meal.
Specialising in authentic Japanese ramen, the menu at Ramen Ramen by Tanoshi features rich tonkotsu and spicy miso broths, with perfectly prepared noodles. Notable selections include The Ramen Royale, The Spicy Kiwami, and The Hakata Tonkotsu, alongside a variety of sides such as Edamame, Gobo Chips, and Takoyaki. For those with specific dietary needs, vegan options like veggie tan tan and miso ramen, made with an Osaka vegetable broth, are readily available. Service is known to be quick, ensuring meals arrive promptly.
This establishment is particularly well-suited for a diverse range of visitors, being both kid-friendly and trendy. Whether you are seeking a comforting, hearty meal after exploring the sights of Queenstown or require a quick lunch that doesn't compromise on flavour, this spot works wonderfully. Locals often praise it, suggesting it is a consistently excellent choice for enjoying Japanese cuisine.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM | Tuesday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM | Wednesday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM | Thursday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM | Friday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM | Saturday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM | Sunday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Contact
+64 3 428 7788 | https://www.tanoshi.co.nz/
Comments
Absolutely loved this place. Finding a truly great ramen broth as a vegetarian can sometimes be a gamble, but they completely nail it here. The food was bloody delicious, packed with authentic flavour, and hit the spot perfectly.
They’ve done a fantastic job capturing that classic, cozy Japanese ramen bar atmosphere. There's a mix of bar-type seating and standard tables. Because of the layout, it’s an incredibly easy "in and out" spot that is absolutely perfect for a solo traveller. However, because it has that authentic, intimate feel, if you're coming with a group, you will definitely need to book ahead.
The service was super quick, which is ideal when you're craving a hot bowl of noodles. More importantly, the staff were spot on, incredibly welcoming and friendly from the moment I walked through the door.
10/10. Brilliant atmosphere, top-tier service, and phenomenal veggie options. A must-visit in Queenstown whether you're dining solo or booking a night out with friends.
My partner and I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen and were really looking forward to it, having visited Hakata, Fukuoka twice, the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen, and having travelled to Japan three times in the last three years. We’ve eaten tonkotsu extensively in Fukuoka, including at iconic shops like Taiho Ramen, Ippudo, ShinShin, Ichiran and at many local ramen restaurants across Japan, usually ordering it wherever we go.
The meat in the Tonkotsu was really good, but the rest, especially the soup, was very disappointing. It lacked that signature creamy, silky, slightly sweet, umami rich flavour you expect from a proper Tonkotsu broth. We genuinely could not taste the depth of a broth that had supposedly been boiled for 12 to 24 hours like advertised.
The meat was the only standout part of the dish. Unfortunately, it did not taste like authentic ramen to us and came across more like a typical noodle soup dish.
Also, before responding with comments about the many 5 star reviews you usually receive or the executive chef having cooked ramen his whole life, please reflect on genuine criticism instead of deflecting. Responses like that can make potential customers feel like feedback is dismissed rather than considered for improvement.
Overall, pretty forgettable experience to be honest.
We genuinely wished we liked this place. We will give it another chance when we come back to Queenstown in the future.
There is not much space inside, but we only had to wait a few minutes in the evening.
Highly recommended!