What to know about the Mesa Asian District
Mekong Plaza first opened in 2008 with two-thirds of its available spaces sitting empty. Now the two-mile corridor is home to 100 Asian businesses.
Yelp released its list of 100 best ramen shops in the U.S. for 2025, and three Phoenix-area restaurants made the list: Yutaka Japanese Restaurant in Phoenix and Daruma restaurants in Mesa, a pair of sister restaurants owned and run by local chef Rie Cho.
The list was compiled by ranking restaurants listed in Yelp’s ramen category using factors such as total volume and ratings of reviews.
Yelp’s editors analyzed the reviews and found that the most common trends among the restaurants that made the list were slow-simmered broth and unique flavor combinations that incorporate global influences, such as Daruma’s kimchi ramen.
Here’s what Yelp reviewers had to say about the three best ramen restaurants in Arizona, and how to try them for yourself.
No. 22: Yutaka Japanese Restaurant
Yutaka Japanese Restaurant in Phoenix was No. 22 on Yelp’s list of 100. Reviewers shouted out the spicy miso ramen and tonkotsu ramen. One Yelp reviewer wrote, “I am a ramen junky, and the tonkotsu was up there with the best I’ve experienced in the valley.”
Details: 751 E. Bell Road, Suite 9, Phoenix. 602-843-8882, doordash.com/store/yutaka-japanese-restaurant-phoenix.
No. 28: Daruma Ramen and Bowl
Chef Rie Cho’s restaurant Daruma Ramen and Bowl was No. 28 on Yelp’s list. Yelp users especially loved the maya tonkotsu ramen, the kimchi ramen and the spicy Sapporo miso butter ramen.
Details: 2650 E. University Drive, Suite 107, Mesa. 480-664-0607, darumabyrie.com.
No. 44: Daruma Sushi/Roll/Noodle
Daruma Ramen and Bowl’s sister restaurant, Daruma Sushi/Roll/Noodle, was No. 44 on Yelp’s list. One 5-star review on Yelp read, “I was looking for some good ramen and Daruma delivered! I went with the Kimchi Ramen.”
Details: 1116 S. Dobson Road, Suite 113, Mesa. 480-562-3794, darumabyrie.com.
Reach the reporter at endia.fontanez@usatodayco.com. Follow @ERFontanez on Instagram.
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