3.5/5 ⭐️ Expect to find a line outside and an approximate wait of 15-20 minutes. The atmosphere is very reminiscent of a ramen bar in Tokyo if you’ve ever been to one - slightly cramped, lots of chatter, wooden everything, and fast service. It’s warm and inviting, just what you need in this icy winter. They used to be notorious for trading 24 hours but since COVID, they have stopped doing so. Nonetheless it still stands as one of the most popular places to get ramen in the city. I tried their ‘Shujinko Ramen’. The noodles were a great consistency, not too soft and not too chewy and the chashu pork could have been more tender and also more seasoned. The broth itself, while tasty, became quite monotonous after a few mouthfuls. It wasn’t bland by any means, but I did feel it needed either a richer broth or some kind of a kick. The bowls themselves are huge but I found myself scrambling for more noodles at the end. Perhaps their noodle portions could be improved? Gyoza is my go-to for ramen as it’s always a solid choice. A crispy, delicate crepe on the outside, and juicy, flavourful meat on the inside. They couldn’t be faulted. Definitely a solid bowl of ramen and not bad at all, but I have had better where I’ve finished it and kept wanting more. I’d probably still revisit but it wouldn’t be my first option for ramen in Melbourne.

Oh my , i don't have much to say about this place. The Ramen is just mind-blowing. limited seating, always busy. Usually have to wait to get a seat especially at night. Good customer service. Thinking of Ramen this is the place to be

SERIOUSLY, BOKCHOY IN RAMEN?!!!!! The soup is full of taste but it's not quite the taste of good broth.. and i felt so THIRSTY after eating a bowl of the black ramen! (usually aftermath of MSG). Egg was just simple boil egg with no taste. Pork belly is kinda specially grilled? But not a hint of authentic Japanese ramen at all. Warning: they do 10% surcharge on WEEKENDS and 25% on PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. Can I suggest giving option for small or large serving? Serving size is pretty big, good for people who eats a big portion. Otherwise pay for 40c for takeaway container and another 40 for plastic bag.. Really felt like I just dined in a Chinese shop. If you are after authentic Japanese ramen, please continue your search..

@shujinko.official 📍 haven’t been here for ages but their Russell street store gets so busy even on a weeknight it was insane! 🤯 good selection of ramen and I loved both the black and spicy broths ($20ish each) Their ramen is chewy and springy in texture and the soup was full of umami. The char shu and egg were perfectly cooked! I was very impressed with the octopus skewers too they were so tasty. Ebi prawns also nicely fried. also loved the japanese sparkling apple drink 🍎 😋 .

Came here for dinner treat 2 days straight in one week. First time I found out this place I tried the signature menu(pork broth) which is very delicious! Second time I ordered miso soup! It was so yummy!!!!!!!! Miso reman is my favorite now!! Their Takoyaki is on point, the staff are friendly!!! Recommended This Place

This spot in the heart of Melbourne CBD is one of the many choices for ramen. We visited during the late afternoon when the crowds were light, and we were promptly seated. The service was good, nothing exceptional though. However, the miso ramen that I ordered wasn't to my liking. While the noodles were well-prepared, the broth fell short of expectations. Additionally, I found the minced pork in the dish to be out of place and didn't complement the overall flavor profile, leading me to leave the bowl unfinished. Despite the clean and inviting atmosphere, the specific dish I chose failed to impress me.

The food was amazing. They had options without pork for my Muslim friends (miso broth - you can remove the pork mice and vegetarian ramen) The Tsukemen was nice, but keep in mind the meat in the soup is super charred. The best thing was the Karaage, definitely get the karaage chicken on the side Good portion. Odd thing to add but I love the high bowls design, it asthetically pleasing.

The soup was great! Gyoza is superb! Noodle was so so. It has only 1 dollar sign, I wouldn't rate it cheap. But overall, a nice ramen bar to check out.

Very busy and popular ramen shop. Great selection of ramen with different soup bases. Soups are very flavourful and noodles cooked just right.

Had better memories of the ramen here last visit in 2019 but didn’t live up to it on the broth. Maybe I’ve had too many better options in between

It doesn't matter how many times I come to this place (which has been many, many times) the food is always as good as the first time I tried it. I had my usual of Karakuchi ramen with extra egg and pork, alongside a plate of karaage chicken. It was phenomenal. Easily the best spot in Melbourne for ramen. The food came out in under 7 minutes, the atmosphere is amazing and the decor is also a nice unique touch to really make the store stand out.

The miso ramen broth vegetarian option was really good and flavourful. I loved the toppings quite generous and the broth was sweet and salty, glad it came with veggie option and really happy that I ordered this one instead of the normal veggie one as I think this tastes better and more flavour. Good to try however won’t be in a rush to come back!

Had such a great experience here! Large portions, fast service, authentic food and lively atmosphere just to name a few. Will come back for more! The lemon sake is amazing - must try.

Went on a saturday 12 noon cold and rainy day (perfect Ramen weather). No line, seated and served straightaway. Tasty and satisfying lunch for $20 each. Ordered two of the signature ramen and one karaage chicken. Good value for money and good service. No split bills. Prefer this place to Hakata Gesuke to be honest ramen tastes better

One of the better tonkotsu ramen in the CBD. They've expanded to three branches in the past couple of years, but stick with the Russell Street location. Rich tasting broth without being too thick or salty. The tsukemen ramen is thicker and richer in taste. There can be long queues during peak times.

If you are craving for Ramen in the Melb CBD... Look no further. This is the must go Ramen place. The Shujinku Ramen is a must have at this place! The Tonkontsu broth is amazing. The Gyoza and Takoyaki sides are equally good and highly recommended. Definitely coming back next time in Melb.

Very good ramen though am not a big fan of too spicy so I felt that my options where limited based on the menu but their Tonkotsu ramen is definitely worth going for. There was were One Piece figurines for decoration and the place got packed with people really quickly. We got there half an hour after they opened and there was only 3 seats left. Definitely come as soon as they open or during non peak times. Service and food came quickly. A good place to have lunch but best not to dilly dally, there was a line of people waiting by the time we left.

During one of my Japanese ramen adventures in the city, I was told this joint was pretty good. I popped in for lunch on a weekday, and it was quite busy. Surprisingly, it was very warm inside the restaurant despite the mild 20-degree weather outside. The ordering app didn't allow payment for some reason, and I overheard the same issue happening to the guy sitting next to me. I ordered the traditional tonkotsu ramen, an extra bowl of rice, and a can of coke. The soup base was packed with flavor and wasn't too fatty. The pork belly was very tender, although it was a bit odd to see bok choy in ramen. Without the extra rice, I would say this meal wouldn't fill an adult man. At $36, it's a bit pricey, but Japanese ramen tends to be a bit overpriced in general.

Soup was ok, but not as rich as it looked on photos, noodles was too soft for my liking.

I had karakuchi ramen with extra noodles delivered and it was good.Have tried many times before and haven't got disappointed yet. Just they forgot to send the chopsticks so please send me chopsticks next time, thankyou 😊👍🙏

Came just before 6pm and so lucky that we did, because after we were seated, they were queue outside. This is on a weekday, on a cold rainy day. I can imagine it’s very busy on weekends. The place itself is quite tightly packed (not a lot of space between tables) and it was quite dark but it does remind you of Japan. Staff are quick and very attentive. Foods came out quickly. The ramen menu was a bit confusing as it labels different ones as signature, best, and popular. I ended up ordering the spicy ramen that is labeled best, my husband ordered the signature. Broth is rich and very nice. Although I enjoyed the spicy ramen, I think broth wise, the signature was better. Somehow the spiciness masks some of the flavour. I love that they were generous with their pork meat (more than other ramen places) and it was so fragrant with grilled taste. Came with half boiled egg and veggies (bok choy, spring onions and beansprouts) which i think is generous as many other places dont give you much toppings included. Also tried their low alcohol drink, i think it was lychee and it was so yum! Overall happy with experience, one of the best ramen place for taste.

Shujinko Ramen has been a Russell St staple for nearly a decade. With a vibrant atmosphere and a great selection of One Piece figurines they provide patrons with a unique exposure to the Melbourne ramen experience. Aside from Ramen they have a good selection of Donburi dishes and number of Japanese side dishes to complete your meal. Lunchtime at weekends can get busy so expect a 10-20 minute wait. However if you are patient you won't be disappointed.

The signature ramen was delectable. Great flavours with generous portions. Thank you for a great experience.

Food 3/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 4/5 It’s a small place and tables are very close together, so the place is very loud on a weekend. Had a huge craving for ramen so decided to try shujinko after hearing good reviews. Unfortunately it’s not for us. Both our Karakuchi ramen and Karaage don was very average, and my ramen was a little cold when it got to us. Karaage don was definitely not worth the $19.50 😣 Chashu in the ramen was good although a small portion.

Fast service, efficient staff and tasty ramen. There are various choices from the menu. The place is slightly crowded but is expected because it's in the CBD. The background music is not too loud so it's perfect for conversation.

Google reviews are very reliable, especially places over 4.5 stars. This small place has a just enough menu, making it easier and quicker to choose. Our group have tried raw octopus with wasabi, seaweed salad, takoyaki and four bowls of ramen. I love the way they show me how to eat correctly.

I love everything about this place!! We ordered the Karakuchi Ramen and the Shujinko Don and they’re both amazing! Can definitely satisfy anyone’s cravings!! Staff are so nice too! The other one actually got our order wrong, we were okay to have it but they insisted and didn’t hesitate to change it to give us the right order!

It used to be more expensive. I ordered the pork bone ramen. I felt that the body of the soup was lighter than before and the taste was thinner. However, the speed from entry to delivery is quick and good.

Good atmosphere we came in the morning and got seated quickly! Food arrived quickly and was good for its price. We got the tonkatsy ramen, karaage don which were good proportions and 5 piece gyoza, all very yummy! This is a good place for a quick eat by yourself or with friends. The songs they were playing at the time made me kind of sad too but food made up for it. Also got a free mochi (or drink) if you leave a google review :) The inside of the restaurant was very nice as well with the tables decently spaced apart and the decorations matching the Japanese theme well. We got a 10% discount paying by cash which was also a nice bonus for those who usually carry cash around. Overall food was satisfying and service was good!! 😊

If you are looking for a thick creamy broth in your ramen, this is the place to go. I got the classic, tonkatsu ramen 🍜 and a karaage don 🐔 🍚. Both dishes were great and big. 🍜 Broth for the ramen was flavourful and creamy with a thick slice of char sui that was charred on one side. 🐔 🍚 Karaage don was good. The fried chicken was marinated differently from what I'm used to but still yummy. Rice was flavoured with sweet rice vinegar however there was a bit too much for my liking by the end of the dish. Overall a great place to come if you want some delicious ramen, but come early as it gets packed quick.

Ramen price for value is good, definitely above average but quantity may lacking if you're just having the ramen only on a cold winter night after a long day. Quality for the cha shu and broth are top notch. If you want to sit by yourself, relax and eat, it may be quite loud, good atmosphere but not the place to relax. A place for a quick nice bite and go perhaps.

Affordable, tasty ramen in Melbourne! I love Shinjuku’s comfortable and warm atmosphere, and their delicious ramen. Also highly recommend their Takoyaki!

I found it average but my friends liked it. The service is good and quick. I thought the black ramen would have the same depth of flavour as some ramen with black garlic but it was sadly lacking. I did like the smoky flavour of the meat. The shujinko ramen tasted better than it. The takowasabi tasted strongly of wasabi. It’s not my fave. It’s on Liven which helps save money.

The food is great, enough for 1 person. The service is good. Overall, its a nice ramen restaurant to try out.

The staff were extremely kind and were fantastic, for example, they walked past and noticed my water glass wasn't full, so they refilled it right away without having to ask. The food was delicious and very authentic, very balanced and tasty. I will visit again if presented the opportunity. Edit: forgot to add photos

We were disappointed because the quality of food dropped significantly. I hope it could be just that they were too busy that night but I'm not sure whether I'll go back again.

Great little place to have a nice hot bowl of ramen!! I definitely recommend it to anyone in the city! 😛

There is a line out the door with 30 minute waiting times for a reason! Great venue with One Piece anime figurines and fantastic service. Super quick and delicious ramen.

Excellent ramen and well worth waiting for a seat at this popular ramen spot. Staff are friendly and helpful. If there is a queue, go in first and get your name on the waiting list. Ingredients are fresh, tasty and perfectly cooked. Try the Australian made lychee cider was crisp and not too sweet.

Great noodles, even better broth. Karakuchi had enough kick to it without being overbearing. Portion was quite filling.

Tasty food and great atmosphere. Highly recommend if you are looking for good ramen.

Two of us came to Shujinko Japanese Ramen Restaurant on a Tuesday for lunch. We ordered the Shujinko Ramen and Karaage Don. The food was delicious and the customer service was excellent. Thank you so much to the waiters, chefs and all staff involved!

Edamamae bean texture was tender and the salt ratio was in between a small McDonald's fries and a large KFC chips, the karaage would have make the colonel think twice about his herbs and spice recipe. After we primed our taste buds, out came the ramen, and it came out bold and in a big bowl, and we were struck out by the deep aroma and velvety textured of the garlic broth, big bowl. We delighted our selfs with little treat at the end by ordering two serves of gyozas, just to finish us off, and it did. Needless to say we were all well fed and slept well that night. Thanks for the boys inviting me out. It was a very overenthusiastic evening.

If you like Japanese food, I probably would recommend this place. Definitely worth to try. Will come back for the Takowasabi!

Hope you like pork!!! Great food but, 90-95% had pork in it. The place was packed, the food came out fast and it was quite enjoyable. Most importantly, we’ll be back.

Feeling like eating Ramen. This would be a good place to try. The shop is small and might have to wait in line to try to eat a table. The menu has a good selection and the food service is fast A good experience and would recommend.

ORDERED: 🍜​🌶️​🌶️​ Karakuchi Ramen: Shujinko ramen with spicy seasoning. Served with bok choy, spring onion, bean sprout, marinated egg and signature pork belly ($18.50) REVIEW: IPPUDO IS BETTER. 😂😂 Shujinko is a place that holds a lot of nostalgia for me. It used to be the place friends and I would go for a bite during uni breaks, due to its filling potions and incredibly affordable price. But since getting a job, I've been able to use that money to explore. Exploring and enjoying places like Ippudo at QV. At Ippudo, I adore how you can customise the hardness of the noodles which. Unfortunately you can't make noodle customisations at Shujinko. Similarly, the broth at Shujinko a bit too watery, and lacking a savoury taste to it. I found myself adding soy sauce / sesame seeds / more japanese toppings to try get ANY hit of flavour. However, I will admit the grilled pork at Shujinko is fatty, flavourful and is better than the meat at Ippudo 😇. Shujinko just doesn't hit the same way as it used to 🤕​.

I've lost count of how many times I've been here because this place is a standout place for Ramen in Melbourne, if not the best of the best. I keep coming here because with each and every bite, slurp and aaaaahhhh I'm transported back to Japan. The service is absolutely fantastic and you know when a restaurant has a line out front that it's serving up something special. Now I don't mind waiting for amazing food because that's how I found some of the best restaurants in Japan, always look for the orderly que. What's great about Shujinko is how quickly you're served and how attentive the staff are and not to mention very friendly. When I go with my partner we also acknowledge that there are other people qued up so we be courteous and not hold up the table after we finish our feast. Everyone should come here to try this ramen because it's simply delicious. Staff ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Food ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cleanliness ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Japan Vibes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pretty good overall. Shujinko base was on the salty side, but the meat was really good. Miso base was one of the best, really fragrant and lots of toppings. Most of the staff are friendly except for the guy at the front who was quite rude in seating us at our table. A very cosy place but overall a good place

One of the best Ramen in Melbourne. Soup is always fully packed with flavour. The staff are friendly and the service is fast. The place during peak hour is always packed with long queues. So always come early and remember there's a weekend surcharge 🍜

Tasty ramen. Be prepared to line up - we had to wait about 15 minutes at 18:00 on a Wednesday. Inflation has hit their menu significantly and the prices were higher than we'd seen online. Nitpicking - it was difficult to hear one of the waitresses (exacerbated by her wearing a mask). Look for deals via Liven.

Nice broth and tasty charred chasiu. Nice open kitchen and Japanese stall setup. Space is a little tight though. So, expect to get bumped into if you're sitting by the "bar"

The noodles they use here are the thicker ones. Honestly not bad. We did have to wait for about 15-20 minutes. Ordered the Black Ramen, Karakuchi Ramen and Shujinko Don. Must get spicy mayo with the Shujinko Don! Black Ramen was ok, I wasn’t sure what was the special taste it was going for as most places I’ve been to would be black garlic. As for the Karakuchi Ramen, on the menu it has 2 chilli next to it so I was expecting spicy, but to be honest I didn’t really taste the spiciness as I was looking forward to that. Overall not bad ramen but just not the best I’ve had.

Once my favourite ramen shop before I moved interstate, but not any more. Their ramen used to be comparable even to some of the best ramen restaurants in Japan imo. First time to be back after the pandemic and it was very disappointing. Flavours of noodles and soup don't blend together, like two strangers trapped in the same room and they don't talk to each other. Broth is greasy and oily but not rich in that meaty flavour you would expect. The serving size of char siu has gone smaller (thinner) and it doesn't carry that distinctive smoky flavour. And hey the price has gone up so I expect you are keeping the portion size the same? Don't think I would go back again 😟 Have lost my favourite restaurant in Melbourne which I always recommended to everyone.

Great Ramen in the city. Some of the best I've had outside of Japan! Definitely recommend. Can get a little busy but they have an area to wait at the front. Also 10% off if you pay cash 😉

Just arrived in Melbourne after not able to visit it for 4 years... found this cute place with surprises in many ways. To start, the wait staff was extremely accommodating and the service was outstanding. The Tofu and Ramen were so delicious I stuffed myself so badly in a good day 😋

Best ramen I’ve had in Melbourne. Great portions too. Staff were super efficient and the service was super fast. I’ll be back again soon

Hi everyone, I just want to share with you my food experience at this restaurant. I ordered the Karakuchi Ramen and Takoyaki. I first ate the ramen, and it was delicieuse, and the spice of it was mild, just as I wanted. For the takoyaki, I was also great. You really tast the felings inside the takoyaki. I can say this restaurant has done a great job on their food, and I will come back and try their other menu.