HONOLULU Staff Favorites: The 8 Best Noodle Soups on O‘ahu for Rainy Days

This article was originally published in October 2020.

Photo: Katrina Valcourt

Garlic Wagaya Ramen (Kuro)

$13.25 from Wagaya

The very first takeout dish I ordered during the pandemic was one of the most comforting things I could’ve asked for in these bizarre times: ramen. Wagaya’s rich tonkotsu broth gets extra garlicky with the addition of black garlic. Bonus: Garlic breath will ensure people stay at least 6 feet away from you, so it’s a win-win. –Katrina Valcourt, managing editor

2080 S. King St., (808) 949-0670, wagayahawaii.com

Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

$10.50 from Season’s Ice & Eatery

Photo: Marisa Heung

If you’ve never tried Taiwanese beef noodle soup, you owe it to yourself to pay a visit to Seasons Ice & Eatery. A one-man operation, you’ll enjoy the owner/chef/waiter/cashier’s energetic vibe almost as much as the chewy handmade noodles and savory broth. Choose your spice level wisely. –Marisa Heung, special projects editor

Chinese Cultural Plaza, 100 N. Beretania St., (808) 538-1978

SEE ALSO: HONOLULU Staff Favorites: The 12 Best Meaty and Meatless Burgers on O‘ahu

Curry Udon Bowl

Starting from $6.25 at Marukame Udon

It’s comforting, it’s warm, it’s delicious and it’s cheap. How is this Japanese udon chain import so cheap when the staff make their noodles daily (and multiple times a day at that)? I don’t want to jinx our good luck blessed to us from the soupy noodle gods so I try not to ask questions. I do however add one or two pieces of shrimp and sweet potato tempura (tempura sides start at $1.50 per piece) to my order when I’m feeling extra peckish. —Katie Kenny, digital editorial specialist

2310 Kūhiō Ave., (808) 931-6000; 1104 Fort St. Mall, (808) 545-3000, marugameudon.com, @marukameudon

House Ramen

$12.95 from Rai Rai Ramen

Photo: Robbie Dingeman

Expect to find a long line of people waiting outside Kailua’s Rai Rai Ramen to pick up steaming sets of broth and noodles packed to go, especially when it’s raining and when dining in isn’t an option. Lately, I’ve been craving the House Ramen. The shoyu broth brings the umami, and the dish arrives with a crunchy fried oyster and soft-cooked egg, as well as tender pork, bamboo shoots, fishcake and veggies. The variety of textures takes the noodle soup to that next level of comforting. Another bonus at this neighborhood favorite is you can order different types of broth, including a vegetarian one and miso. –Robbie Dingeman, editor at large

124 Oneawa St., Kailua, (808) 230-8208, rairairamenhawaii.com

SEE ALSO: HONOLULU Staff Favorites: The 12 Best Frozen Treats for a Boiling Hot Day on O‘ahu

Beef Flank and Tendon with Mien

$9.50, Lam’s Kitchen

The beef flank and tendon with mien egg noodles from Lam’s Kitchen is the only noodle soup I crave fervently. Jiggly cubes of tendon bob with hunks of barely together braised beef and stems of choi sum in a glistening clear broth full of depth and generations of know-how. Ask to add won ton bursting with shrimp and pork to send you over the edge. –Thomas Obungen, contributing dining editor

1152 Maunakea St., #11, (808) 536-6222

Portuguese Bean Soup with Macaroni

This is the hands down favorite in my house full of pochos. Our favorite place to get it, if not homemade, is at the Punahou Carnival. –Donnie Ford, account executive

SEE ALSO: HONOLULU Staff Favorites: Where Did You Get Your Face Masks in Hawai‘i?

Beef Udon

$15 from TsuruTonTan

TsuruTonTan at the Royal Hawaiian Center boasts some of the chewiest and springiest udon noodles I’ve had outside of Japan. Not surprising as the decades-old Japanese restaurant chain from Osaka specializes in handmade udon noodles. I typically go for the simply perfect udon in dashi broth with shabu shabu-style beef but if I’m ever feeling a little posh (hello, pay day!) I’ll upgrade to the melt-in-your-mouth US Wagyu Shabu beef bowl (also in dashi broth, $21). —KK

Royal Hawaiian Center, 2233 Kalākaua Ave., B310, (808) 888-8559, @tsurutontan_hi

Tan Tan Ramen

$12.95 from Junpuu Ramen

Photo: Robbie Dingeman

Junpuu Ramen’s tan tan ramen manages a good balance of sesame nuttiness in the broth with enough heat to warm you up without overpowering the dish. You can add more heat at the table. Pay the extra couple of dollars for the ajitama egg, because a soft-cooked egg makes life better. The tan tan can also be ordered as vegetarian or cold. Junpuu’s location between the Blaisdell Concert Hall and the Honolulu Museum of Art means that I’m usually eating there with friends and family, heading to a show or coming from a film or exhibit. The food is tasty, the service fast and we’re already parked. Here’s to safely returning more for dine-in as well as to-go. –RD

1010 S. King St., #108, (808) 260-1901, @junpuu_hawaii