A decade ago, finding genuinely great ramen in London meant settling for something approximate. Today the city is home to dozens of dedicated ramen shops, and Condé Nast Traveller UK's editors have pulled together a shortlist of 12 they consider the best in town — from the dense cluster of spots in Soho to a standout gem in Stoke Newington.

The piece is worth reading less as a ranking and more as a snapshot of how far London has come. The hallmark of a good shop, the editors note, is patience: broths brewed for hours, noodles made to order, and toppings — spring onion, seaweed, soft egg, sliced meats — balanced carefully rather than piled on. It's that discipline that separates a real ramen shop from a noodle stand with a ramen sign.

Geographically, the story confirms what regulars already know: Soho remains the epicentre, with several of the city's top tables packed within a few streets of each other. But the scene has spread well beyond the West End, with Stoke Newington in the northeast now on the list — evidence that serious ramen is no longer a central-London-only proposition.

Why should a visitor care? Because a steaming bowl of ramen is one of the cheapest, fastest and most satisfying meals you can eat in London, and it's a brilliant fix for a cold evening or a long day of sightseeing. Prices are typically modest compared with the rest of the city's dining scene, queues move quickly, and many shops are small counter-service places where you can be in and out within half an hour. The takeaway for travellers: don't just default to a chain — book or queue for one of the dedicated shops, and consider venturing beyond Soho to neighbourhood spots for a more local experience.

If you're planning an eating-focused trip, this list pairs well with the wider boom in Japanese food across the capital, from izakayas to hand-roll counters. A word of practical advice: the most popular shops run a waitlist or ticketing system at peak times, and weekday lunches are far easier than Saturday evenings. Bring cash as backup, order the signature broth rather than choosing blind, and don't leave the egg behind — it's often the house speciality.

Full list of the editors' 12 picks at Condé Nast Traveller UK.