I'm not always the most adventurous of eaters: I'm a vegetarian and don't care for spicy dishes. It's for this reason that I spent much of my life avoiding ramen. Like many uninformed Westerners, I thought of it as a dish that's made from colorful 99-cent packages picked up at your local grocery store. A staple of impoverished college students, perhaps, but not a classy dish enjoyed by those with more discerning palates. I recently had the oh-so-pleasant experience of realizing just how wrong I was when I tried restaurant ramen for the first time, and it's quickly become one of my favorite dishes that I seek out when traveling. In a state with as many international restaurants as Georgia, I'm sure there are plenty of really incredible ramen dishes all over the Peach State, but I've yet to find any more delicious than Okiboru Ramen & Tsukemen. You'll find four locations throughout the Atlanta area, and while I've been frequenting the newest, in Buford, there are other branches in Sandy Springs, Duluth, and Buckhead. Whichever one you go to, you're sure to find some of the best ramen near Atlanta.
The Buford location, pictured above, is conveniently located just outside the Mall of Georgia, the largest mall in the Peach State. I first visited on a whim after stopping by for a little shopping. There's no shortage of attractions in the area if you're looking to enjoy a day trip. This is one of the busiest of Atlanta's suburbs, and you'll find tons of great shopping opportunities and delicious restaurants...though, I've got to say, Okiboru is definitely the best I've tried thus far!
The restaurant's other locations are in New York City (plus a now-shuttered branch in Los Angeles). In 2019, Okiboru was awarded the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. The Bib Gourmand Award is intended to recognize quality restaurants that serve amazing food at lower price points. The famous Michelin Star scale is typically reserved for fine dining restaurants with much higher food bills.
I highly recommend starting off your meal with an appetizer of garlic nori fries. These crispy fries were an incredible texture. I preferred them without the included garlic mayonnaise-based sauce, as I found that they were delicious enough to not need condiments.
For the main course, I ordered yasai ramen, the restaurant's only vegetarian broth. I had no idea this veggie-and-mushroom broth dish would be so delicious, but it's no exaggeration to say it's one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. I had to refrain from licking the bowl clean each time I've eaten here, because it really is that good! The homemade broth is simmered for hours each day, leading to a rich flavor full of umami and that comforting feeling that comes from eating a warm dish.
There are a lot of great restaurants in this area of the state, but I'm honestly going to have trouble visiting anywhere other than Okiboru when I'm nearby! I am not typically a fan of hot food on a warm day, but this ramen was so delicious that I am sure I'll be enjoying it year-round.
For more information about this amazing ramen restaurant near Atlanta, check out the Okiboru Ramen & Tsukeman website.
I love the Buford area so much - from the Mall of Georgia to the myriad of international grocery stores, there's a lot to do in this Atlanta suburb. Check out the great vacation rentals in Buford, GA available through Vrbo.
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