RAMEN is the ultimate comfort food. Inhaling a big bowl of the steamy concoction is the foodie equivalent of a warm hug from a loved one. Ramen is neither a light or heaving meal, making it the perfect lunch for the Japanese working class during the early 1900s. Since then Ramen has grown in popularity around the world, especially in Australia where noodle bars are more common than the promise of a tax cut in the lead up to an election. Here’s my top three Ramen joints in the Fremantle area.

Ramen Boy

MY favourite thing about Ramen Boy is its bold personality.
Every time I visit the eatery, located in a modest shopping centre in Willetton, I get a massive hello from staff who are more than happy to talk me through my order.
I regularly tackle a massive bowl of the black garlic broth, which includes a perfect boiled egg with gooey yolk, dense wood-ear mushrooms and braised bamboo shoots.
The bowl is topped with thin slices of melt-in-the-mouth torched pork.
The broth lingers on the palate for hours and is an intricate tonkotsu made from pork lard, soy sauce and pungent garlic.
Like the broth, Ramen Boy’s noodles are made fresh every day.
Ramen Boy
4/41 Burrendah Blvd,
Willetton
9332 1600

Dosukoi Ramen

IT’S criminal that Dosukoi is only open three days a week.
It’s the busiest ramen joint in Perth and it’s easy to see the why.
This tiny eatery in the bustling Fremantle Markets only seats ten, so I recommend getting there early or risk joining a long, hungry queue where you’ll be bounced about like a pinball.
The ramen here is the heartiest I’ve ever had with strong pork flavours complimented by ash flecks, sliced rehydrated seaweed and chewy noodles.
You’ll want to try the karaage chicken ramen ($9.90), which features chunky thigh nuggets straight from the deep fryer.
I usually order an extra serving of karaage to top up the ramen until I’ve gulped down every last bit.
Dosukoi Ramen
74 South Terrace, Fremantle
0412 855 663

Haru Sushi n Bento

THIS small William Street eatery is famous for its cheap sushi, but don’t underestimate Haru’s ramen–the shoyu broth packs some heat.
In fact it’s so spicy owner Haru shouts out a warning when your order it.
The shoyu broth is traditionally subtle with most of the flavour coming from the naturally salty soy sauce and a whack of chilli powder.
I recommend the chicken katsu ramen, which is topped with crumbed chicken breast slices and garnished with wilted lettuce leaves and grated carrot.
There’s nothing traditional about Haru’s ramen, but it’s the perfect quick fix for those on the go.
Haru Sushi n Bento
5 William Street, Fremantle
0410 547 092