Celebrated table

Riku Ramen

Name: Riku Ramen
Address: Haarstraat 15, Antwerp, Belgium, Antwerpen, BE
Telephone: +32 486 72 36 58

Chef Rik van Hooydonk brings rigorous Japanese training to a stripped back Antwerp counter, serving MSG free ramen with locally milled noodles and complex broths.

Call restaurant Visit website

The story

Riku Ramen Antwerp: Crafted Japanese Noodles Near the Cathedral

The chef and his training

At Riku Ramen in Antwerp, the Japanese cuisine program operates under a strict philosophy of quality and accessibility. Chef Rik van Hooydonk merged formal French culinary education with extensive study in Tokyo and Kyoto, eventually graduating top of his class at the Cordon Bleu. This dedication to precise broth development secured a listing on the Le Fooding guide for 2026. His current mission focuses on delivering refined Japanese cooking without inflated prices or artificial shortcuts.

Broth foundations and signature bowls

Guests select between a thick miso paste or a lighter shoyu soy base to shape their soup. The Tan Tan ramen combines a creamy sesame and peanut broth with spicy minced pork and house made garlic chili oil. The Ebi selection builds a rich seafood stock from North Sea shrimp, finishing with a grilled prawn and a jammy marinated egg. Every batch avoids added monosodium glutamate, relying instead on long braises for tender meats and locally milled wheat flour from Robuust! for the fresh noodles.

Counter dining near the cathedral

A simple wooden bar sits just steps from Antwerp Cathedral, creating an intimate space where diners watch the kitchen operate. The layout encourages a direct connection between the cook and the guest while keeping overhead costs low enough to maintain reasonable menu prices. Fresh vegetables arrive from regional suppliers alongside imported Asian staples, allowing the team to adjust portions quickly throughout service. This straightforward counter setup reflects a commitment to honest Japanese noodle craft delivered with precision rather than pretension.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026

Le Fooding

Listed

Ambience

A glimpse inside

Details

At a glance

Le Fooding 2026 — Listed

Cuisines Japanese

Services Counter Dining

History

On the record

2026

Le Fooding — Listed

A mere stone’s throw from the cathedral, you’ll find a row of steaming hot noodle bowls on a DIY’ed wooden bar, appearing like a Japanese mirage… Busying about behind said bar is Rik van Hooydonk, who headed off to Japan to learn all things ramen, before perfecting his skills at Antwerp’s finest, Dim Dining and Dojo . The chef makes it a point of honor to not use MSG in his soups, because life doesn’t need to be complicated as long as your ramen is! Come see his creations (while trying your best to ignore the uninspiring decor and fluorescent lighting): delicious Tan Tan ramen with an absolutely umami-esque creamy and spicy soup, with a swirl of thick homemade wheat noodles (made using flour sourced from Robuust!, just down the road) topped with minced pork, bean sprouts and garlic chili oil; or the Ebi version, whose broth base is made using North Sea shrimp, in which you’ll find bobbing about some grilled corn, a jammy egg and a whole shrimp – don’t forget to suck the head, de-lish! Oh, and the chef has a knack for making meat fall off the bone, like the pork ribs simmered for 16 hours, or the tender chicken thigh doused in peanut sauce. It’s Japan in a bowl! · Coco Bianca

—

Established

Location

Find us

Haarstraat 15, Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerpen, Belgium
+32 486 72 36 58
Visit website