Restaurants

Tiny Miami Restaurant Ranked Among Best Ramen Shops in U.S.

A tiny Miami restaurant located in a strip mall is now ranked among the best ramen shops in the U.S. for its delicious soups.
Tiny Miami spot Good Chef Restaurant has been ranked among the best ramen shops in the U.S. for its delicious ramen, soups, and gyoza.

Good Chef Restaurant photo

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In a country obsessed with ramen, where hungry millennials and Gen Z-ers seek bowls of broth on Uber Eats weekly, and the best bowls are expected to come from New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, a tiny Miami restaurant has just earned a jaw-dropping distinction.

Out of all the ramen restaurants across the United States, one small, unassuming spot in the Magic City has been ranked No. 9 in the entire country. And this isn’t your usual takeout spot for ramen — it’s anime comic-book themed.

Good Chef’s location is convenient, and its prices are affordable, making it Tamiami and Sweetwater’s classic go-to spot for Asian-Chinese takeout.

Good Chef Restaurant photo

Good Chef, Good Ramen

We’re talking about Good Chef Restaurant, a hidden gem for incredible ramen. Tucked between Tamiami and Sweetwater, just near Tamiami Park and beside its adjoining Asian market, Good Chef has long been a favorite among Miami ramen obsessives, anime fans, and anyone willing to wait for a bowl done right. The space is compact and constantly buzzing, decorated with numerous anime comic book depictions.

Anime murals cover the walls, figurines line the shelves, and playful boba cup decals make the room feel as fun as it is authentic. It’s casual, crowded, and unmistakably quirky, but the ramen is seriously delicious. On Yelp, the restaurant has an impressive 4.7 stars out of nearly 750 reviews.

The “Tonkotsu Ramen” from Good Chef Restaurant in Tamiami/Sweetwater

Good Chef Restaurant photo

Authentic Ramen at an Affordable Price

The menu is extensive, but regulars swear by a few standouts. The “Spicy Miso Ramen” ($16.45) is often described as awesome, built on a deep, umami-rich broth with springy noodles, a perfectly runny soft egg, and what reviewers rave about is an abundance of tender, delicious pork belly. The “Tonkotsu Ramen” ($16.45) delivers a creamy, slightly smoky pork broth layered with bamboo shoots, fish cake, nori, and generous portions of pork. Seafood lovers gravitate toward the “Seafood Ramen” ($19.95) loaded with shrimp, scallops, squid, and fish cake for a briny, comforting bowl.

Plus, Good Chef’s location is convenient, and its prices are affordable (considering it’s in Miami), making it the area’s classic go-to spot for Asian-Chinese takeout.

The ramen spot in Miami is known for its other dishes, as well

Good Chef Restaurant photo

Beyond Ramen

And the menu doesn’t stop at ramen. Pork gyoza and honey garlic chicken have their own devoted followings, and the adjoining market provides diners with something to browse while they wait, a detail that fans say only adds to the charm. As one Yelp Elite reviewer puts it, “I go at least twice a month for their delicious ramen, great service, and cool ambiance.”

Being ranked No. 9 in the entire country is not just a win for Good Chef; it’s a testament to its exceptional quality. Plus, it’s another signal that Miami is no longer on the sidelines of serious food conversations. This city is mastering global cuisines, one steaming bowl at a time.

Good Chef Restaurant. 113 SW 107th Ave., Miami; 786-763-2008; goodchefmiami.com.

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