Traditionalists may claim that true ramen can only be made with fish, pork, or chicken, but JINYA Ramen Bar is out there proving them all wrong. For an omnivore restaurant that otherwise sticks pretty close to the classics, they have a stunning array of fully vegan options, each one every bit as thoughtfully curated, cooked, and composed. Shattering the notion that plant-based will only be second best, these full-on flavor bombs are honestly the best bowls of ramen I’ve had in years.
First up, the Flying Vegan Harvest. Starting with thick, chewy noodles at the heart of this bowl, my dining partner in crime questioned suspiciously, “Are you sure these aren’t egg noodles?” If not for having “VEGAN” right in the title, I might be more concerned, too. They swim languidly in a savory miso broth crowned by umami Impossible meat and silky tofu cubes. Charred broccolini, bean sprouts, and corn complete the meal with veggies even haters will crave, all tied together with crispy garlic and touch of chili oil. If you, like me, want a little bit of everything, this is the one to get.
In the mood for something both comforting and invigorating? The Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen is your new bowlmate. A hearty vegetable broth mixed with soymilk creates a velvety soup to support tofu, green onions, spinach, crispy onions, and garlic chips. Spiked with chili oil for a gentle a touch of heat, it’s easy to slurp right to the bottom of the bowl.
Here’s the thing though: My favorite part of this dinner wasn’t even the ramen. If you start with the Impossible Gyoza, good luck finding anything else that can compare. Stuffed with juicy, well-seasoned Impossible meat, it mimics the texture and flavor of traditional pork gyoza like nothing I’ve had before. One bite brought me right back to Japan, ducking into a tiny street stall to snag a few dumplings before catching the train. This dish is the best way to use Impossible meat right.
On that note, there are also Impossible Buns; pillow-y steamed buns wrapped around sweet Impossible meat patties, drizzled with vegan mayo and flanked by cucumbers and avocado. While mine was a bit cold, I can see it being wholly satisfying when served hot.
Finally, big shout-out to their Tempura Brussels Sprouts, since conventional tempura is typically off the menu for anyone avoiding eggs. Light and crispy tempura batter encases perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts, seasoned with a touch of truffle oil and salt. It’s simple and simply perfect, ideal for a happy hour pairing or quick snack.
With over 60 locations and still growing, JINYA Ramen is out there holding vegan options to the same high standard as their conventional counterparts, and succeeding with flying colors.
Oh, my. I love all these things and I’m now starving!!!!!
This looks delish Hannah. Thank you for sharing! Now I want Ramen noodles.
All the dishes you listed do look and sound good.
Yum, everything looks amazing and I need to find great vegan ramen here!
The Flying Vegan Harvest ramen bowl sounds like a symphony of flavors and textures, with the savory miso broth, umami-packed Impossible meat, and crispy garlic adding layers of complexity. And the Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen sounds like the perfect balance of comforting and invigorating, with its velvety soup base and touch of heat from the chili oil. But it’s the Impossible Gyoza that steals the show for me, looks really good!