Tosh’s Ramen needs no introduction. Ramen aficionados in Salt Lake City — of both the authentic Japanese kind and the ten cent package variation — all know about Tosh’s Ramen and have all flocked there once news spread around town that it was available.

The story of Tosh’s Ramen in Salt Lake City starts at Naked Fish, where Chef Tosh served his comforting bowls of savory noodles exclusively during lunch time. As a ramen aficionado turned obsessed, I named Naked Fish as having the best ramen in Salt Lake City in 2014.

Eventually Tosh’s ramen needed a restaurant all its own, where ramen could be served not just at lunchtime, but all the time. The city suffered a few ramen-less months while Chef Tosh transitioned from Naked Fish to his own restaurant, until finally the aptly named Tosh’s Ramen opened.

Tosh’s Ramen in Salt Lake City

The atmosphere of Tosh’s Ramen is quite a contrast from Naked Fish. The subtle shop and minimal decor is more reminiscent of the ramen shops of Japan (or at least those I visited). And the hours-long lines that refuse to shorten even after months of being open are identical to ramen shops I’ve experienced in L.A., New York City, Chicago and Paris.

Another downside?  The addicting bowls of slurpable comfort moved from the heart of downtown to 1465 South State Street.

Ranges of Ramen

Many may consider those aspects to be cons, but the pros outnumber them by far. Several new types of ramen were added to the menu, making a total of 6 ramens available.  And now ramen is available into the evening (until 8) and on weekends (even Sunday!).

The ramen types include traditional (tonkotsu, a classic savory broth with wheat noodles and chashu pork with bean sprouts and a poached egg; $8.95), shoyu (soy sauce flavor with a saltier taste, with chashu pork and bean sprouts; $8.95), spicy pork (karai, tonkotsu broth with spicy miso pork, bamboo shoots and water chestnuts; $9.95), curry (tonkotsu flavored with Japanese curry with a poached egg; $10.50), vegetarian (shiitake and enoki konbu broth with seasonable vegetables; $8.95) and a blend of tonkotsu and shoyu (with chashu pork and bean sprouts; $8.95).

Additional toppings are available to add to your bowl, plus sides like gyoza (pork or vegetarian dumplings, $6.95), sweet and spicy chicken wings ($7.50), edamame (small, $3; large $5) and kushikatsu (breaded pork tenderloin, $6.95).

Thoughts & Details

The flavor of Tosh’s tonkotsu broth is the best in the city, with the perfect velvety texture. I wish the pork had more flavor and I need to remember to add bamboo shoots (an extra $1).  The lack of atmosphere or sake list (Tosh’s Ramen only serves beer) is a downside. But I’d vote Tosh still makes some of the best bowls of ramen in Salt Lake City.

Go to Tosh’s Ramen for :: a big bowl of Japanese ramen with the best-tasting broth in the city.  Notes :: Be prepared to wait for a table. Your entire party must be present to be seated and reservations are not available. Open Wednesday – Saturday, 11:30 am – 3 pm and 5 pm – 8 pm; Sundays 3 pm – 8 pm. Only beer (Sapporo and Kirin, $5) is served.