This
deliciously deep bowl of brothy noodles isn’t just a cheap, student meal you
know. It’s an ancient recipe, originally from China but now most commonly
associated with Japan, which promises to warm the cockles of even the
frostiest souls. Packed with flavour, spice, seafood or meat (and an egg, there
should always be an egg!) here are some of our best places to get your soup on
in Dubai.

Noodle
Factory

This
little gem hidden in Wafi Mall is a great, no-frill fast food take on the
slurpingly good Asian dish, and a lot healthier than other burger and chips
joints in its vicinity. Playing with influences from a multitude of countries,
it’s the Noodle Factory’s Korean kimchee with grilled beef and fresh lime ramen
(AED 35) that gets our vote. It’s fresh and zesty yet substantial and warming –
a uniquely winning combination.

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Hako

This
budget friendly Japanese restaurant is a busy JLT spot, although most commonly
visited for its ‘all you can eat’ sushi deals. This is a mistake. For Hako’s
traditional chicken ramen soup, served with a cooked egg on top (AED 37) is
where it’s at. Filling and delightfully simple, the noodles are cooked to
perfection and the broth is both tangy and earthy at the same time – which
sounds weird but you’ll know what we mean when you try it. Pure comfort food.

(Want pocket-friendly meals? These are 7 Awesome Places To Try When Dining On A Budget In Sharjah)

Bentoya

A
sign of a good restaurant specialising in a certain cuisine, is one that is
packed with expats from that place. And in the (very) low key Bentoya Kitchen
on Sheikh Zayed Road (although they have another brand in Garhoud) you can’t
move for hungry Japanese folk wolfing down their delicious ramen. With 10 varieties
on offer – ranging in price from AED 43-AED 58 – you’re bound to find something
to suit your palette. We were blown away by the ‘seafood tantan men’ which
featured spicy broth, mixed seafood, minced beef, veg and that all important
egg. Beyond excellent.

Atisuto

The beef
ramen (AED 52) at Atisuko is comprised of perfectly spicy minced beef and
yakisoba noodles in a jigoku ramen soup, complete with a boiled egg. What is
jigoku, you say? Quite simply, it’s a strongly flavoured ‘base’ ingredient, or
type of seasoning if you will, which makes the broth extra delish. The reason
we mention this version and no others? Well, there are no others. This is the
only ramen Atisuto do, and that’s just fine because it’s great. Find them
situated in the stylish – and pleasantly empty – Galleria Mall on Al Wasl Road.

Umami

Umami,
situated in Mall of the Emirates, is a bargain belly filler for hungry
shoppers. Not only do they have a huge variety of hearty noodle soups on offer
– from beef to chicken, shrimp and super spicy – but the prices start at just
AED 21 for a very generous bowl. Our favourite has to be the ‘crispy prawn
tempura ramen’ which comes not only with crispy prawns in the bowl, but who
pieces of tempura prawn goodness on the side to dip. Oh so satisfying.

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Miyabi
Sushi

Miyabi Sushi is something of a traditional sushi secret, and tucked away in the Trade
Centre. Visits here often result in an eye-opening exploration of the weird and
wonderful cuisine of Japan, but it’s their ‘fix all ills’ chicken ramen with
the choice of either a miso or soy base, served with boiled and halved egg
(AED 45) that keeps those punters returning. Maybe start with this tried and
tested dish, and then psych yourself up for some octopus sashimi, complete with
suckers (not for the faint hearted).

Now read: Six of the best dumplings in Dubai