No one thinks of Japanese ramen and Zurich in the same train of thought… that is, unless you’re truly obsessed with ramen like I am. After trying a bowl of ramen in Paris that tasted more like hearty chicken soup than the savory bowl of noodles I had in Japan, I got hooked on the idea of trying ramen whenever I traveled to new countries, if only for the curiosity factor. So that’s how I found myself squished on a table of locals eating a bowl of Japanese ramen in Zurich.
After scouring the internet for the “best ramen in Zurich,” I found Ikoo, a dainty ramen shop outside of Zurich’s Old Town. The cash-only spot is truly tiny, so the hostess utilizes the space by sitting parties on the same tables.
For me, a solo diner, that meant being seated on a table for four with three locals. You bet that was awkward! Eventually we started chatting and when I asked what was the least touristy thing I could do in Zurich, they responded it was exactly what we were doing. Then they asked, “why are you eating ramen in Zurich?!” :)
A Bowl of Japanese Ramen in Zurich
Ikoo in Zurich
Ikoo focuses on ramen, serving only small appetizers like edamame, gyoza and onigiri. As for ramen, they serve the usual mix of shio, shoyu, miso, tonkotsu and tantanmen styles.
And the ramen was amazing. Unlike the bowls of ramen I had in Vienna and Paris, it was pretty authentic, with a few fun twists. The savory tonkotsu broth was detailed with a slight pickled flavor. And I loved the addition of sesame seeds, which I’d never had in ramen before. The noodles were cut into easy-to-slurp lengths and the seaweed was also bite-sizingly small. (Both pluses in my book!)
Thoughts & Details
There’s plenty of Swiss food you have to try in Switzerland. But if you’re craving something different (or just ramen-obsessed like me), I highly recommend venturing to Ikoo for a bowl of Japanese ramen in Zurich.
Go to Ikoo for :: a bowl of Japanese ramen in Zurich! Notes :: Cash only. The menu is in Japanese and German, but is easily deciphered for anyone who likes Japanese food.
Related :: Three Days in Zurich, What to Eat in Switzerland, and How to Take a Day Trip to Lucerne
