If you’re looking for a Japanese restaurant in Nice specialising in “sushi and sashimi”, then you’ve come to the right place. If, on the other hand, you’re on the lookout for a Japanese restaurant offering Japanese dishes other than sushi, then you’ve come to the right place. And no, Japanese cuisine is not just about raw fish on a bed of rice. Japanese cuisine is actually very rich and varied, and Nice gives you the chance to discover another Japanese speciality that’s just as big a hit in Tokyo as sushi: the famous ramen (Japanese noodles soaked in soup). So I’m taking you to Ikko Ramen, located in a small, well-hidden alleyway in Vieux-Nice.
Ikko Ramen’s speciality: ramen soup
Personally, these are the best ramen soups I’ve ever had in my life, and I’d even go so far as to say that they were better than the ramen in Japan. I travelled for almost a month in the land of the rising sun and tried out several ramen restaurants, without success, I found the taste particularly bland (on the other hand, I was captivated by the sushi and sashimi). Well, it’s not my favourite Asian dish in the world – let’s be honest, I’m more into Thai and Vietnamese cuisine from Pink Lotus. But all the same, I’m happy to be able to live in a city where I can find a good ramen place, it makes a change and brings a touch of the exotic.
The soups are full of flavour and rich in ingredients. Ikko Ramen offers a real culinary experience. A real treat!
The Ikko Ramen menu
Several varieties of ramen soup
As its name suggests, Ikko Ramen is a Japanese restaurant in Nice whose speciality is ramen soup. On the menu, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re vegetarian or not, whether you prefer it hot or cold: soups with soy sauce and bacon, miso sauce and roast pork, vegetable soup with miso, seafood soup. I’m particularly fond of the miso ramen soup, made with roast pork, marinated soft-boiled egg, bamboo shoots, nori, spring onion, bean sprouts and fried oinong.
Prices range from €13 to €15.
A rich and varied starter menu
As well as ramen, Ikko ramen offers a rich and varied starter menu. In fact, I sometimes skip ordering a ramen soup in favour of a mix of starters to share. I particularly love the gyozas, Japanese ravioli stuffed either with vegetables or meat (chicken, pork, lamb), which cost between 7 and 10 euros. I also love the Japanese-style fried chicken, karaage, which costs 8 euros.
Looking at the menu, there are other starters that I haven’t tried yet, but which I’m keen to try, um: shoyu gohan (a small bowl of rice with soy sauce, spring onion and ginger) and chashu gohan (a small bowl of rice with roast pork)
A top team
At ikko Ramen, you’ll be warmly welcomed by a really cool and friendly team. You’ll enjoy a culinary experience in a cosy, relaxed setting.
Useful information
Opening times: open Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 2pm and from 7pm to 9.30pm
The restaurant is located in Vieux-Nice at 5 Rue du Moulin, 06300 Nice
To contact them: 09 51 07 61 76 (Please note, they do not take bookings)
Ikko Ramen offers delivery and click & collect
I advise you to come early, even a little before opening time, to get a table quickly. Otherwise, you risk waiting at least 30 minutes in the queue.
