This eclectic Japanese eatery is one of the great surprises of the suburbs, with a menu far deeper than you might expect. Ramen is central to this experience, with four different soup bases, a stack of DIY toppings, as well as standard combinations. Miso ramen with chopped char-sui pork, spring onion in chilli oil and buttered corn is highly recommended. 4/455 Greenhill Rd, Tusmore; facebook.com/blackdoggallerycafe.

The black mesh façade of Ryo’s has become a fixture in Adelaide’s most competitive dining strip and with a few mouthfuls of the house specialty tonkotsu ramen you will understand its lasting appeal. Our favourite among the seven variations is the chef special with a touch of soy and chilli heat adding extra verve to the broth’s porky depths. 80 Gouger St, Adelaide; ryosnoodles.com.au.

Not liking pork doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a bowl of ramen. Kazumi specialises in wagyu beef ramen – and judging by the queue outside its timber-fronted shop on The Parade, it’s on to something. The Yakiniku bowl is topped by two slabs of brisket to tear apart and scoop up along with the noodles, bean sprouts, bamboo and black fungus. 150 The Parade, Norwood; facebook.com/kazumiramen150.

The price isn’t the only thing to love about ramen at this Da Costa Arcade eatery. For Sid Owa and father Aki, the noodle soup is part of their family story and culture, which they want to share with their adopted home. You can taste this in a bowl of the soy-based shoyu ramen, with pork, egg and traditional accompaniments. 22/68 Grenfell St, Adelaide; instagram.com/contemporary_japanese_deli.

Nabbing one of the six small tables at this unlikely eatery just off Glenelg’s retail strip requires some perseverance. The reward is an extra-creamy, unctuous pork bone broth (tonkotsu), pile of handmade noodles, slice of pork, egg, nori sheets, meatballs and bamboo – not the biggest bowl, but boy is it filling. Share a plate of gyoza if you’re extra hungry. 134 Jetty Rd, Glenelg; instagram.com/hins_ramen_house.