Tucked away on Ludlow Avenue in Springfield, Ohio, Speakeasy Ramen is the kind of place that makes you wonder how you ever lived without it. With a 4.6-star rating from over 1,200 happy diners, this cozy Japanese eatery has built a loyal following far beyond its small-town zip code.
From soul-warming tonkotsu broth to creative sushi rolls and mouthwatering appetizers, there is something here for every type of food lover. If you have ever doubted that Ohio could serve world-class ramen, Speakeasy Ramen is about to change your mind completely.
The Tonkotsu Ramen That Melts in Your Mouth
Some bowls of ramen are good. This one is unforgettable.
Speakeasy Ramen’s tonkotsu is the dish that keeps customers driving back to Springfield from cities across Ohio, and one taste tells you exactly why.
The broth is slow-cooked to a silky, rich finish that coats every noodle beautifully. Reviewers rave about the two generous pieces of pork, calling them “melt in your mouth” with a smoky char that adds incredible depth.
One guest said it best: “Whoever made this, give yourself a pat on the back.”
The noodles soak up every drop of that golden broth, making each bite more satisfying than the last. If you only order one thing at Speakeasy Ramen, let it be this bowl.
Pair it with a side of shrimp for an extra layer of flavor that truly completes the experience.
Pork Belly With Shrimp Bowl: A Flavor Explosion
Bold, savory, and layered with complexity — the pork belly with shrimp bowl at Speakeasy Ramen is the kind of dish people write home about. One reviewer described the broth as something that “exploded” in their mouth with richness and comfort in every single sip.
The pork belly is cooked until it practically falls apart, while the shrimp brings a fresh, clean contrast that balances the heaviness of the broth perfectly. Together, they create a flavor combination that is hard to find anywhere else in Ohio.
What makes this bowl stand out even more is how the noodles absorb every ounce of that incredible broth, turning each bite into something truly special. Whether you are a ramen regular or a first-timer, this dish is a confident, crowd-pleasing choice that rarely disappoints.
Order it, and you will completely understand the hype surrounding this Springfield gem.
Spicy Cheese Ramen: Bold and Surprisingly Addictive
Not your average ramen flavor — the spicy cheese ramen at Speakeasy Ramen is a wildly creative twist that has earned its own fan club. Creamy, spicy, and rich all at once, this bowl pushes boundaries in the best possible way.
Several regulars mention ordering it with extra noodles and pork, turning an already generous portion into a full-on feast. The broth has a warming heat that builds gradually, making it impossible to stop eating even when you think you are full.
It is comfort food cranked up to an exciting new level.
First-timers sometimes hesitate at the name, but most end up pleasantly surprised by how well the cheesy creaminess works alongside the spice. One guest called the broth “soo good” and praised the generous portions enthusiastically.
If you enjoy bold, unexpected flavor combinations, this ramen absolutely deserves a spot in your order.
Szechuan Ramen: The Spice Lover’s Dream
For guests who crave heat with serious depth, the Szechuan ramen at Speakeasy Ramen is the clear winner. One loyal customer who lived in Japan called the chicken in this bowl “the closest to authentic Japanese” they had tried anywhere in Ohio — high praise from someone who knows their ramen.
The Szechuan-inspired broth carries bold, numbing spice that is complex without being overwhelming. Every element in the bowl works together in harmony, from the perfectly cooked noodles to the tender, flavorful chicken that anchors the whole dish.
Unlike milder options on the menu, this bowl rewards adventurous eaters with layers of flavor that reveal themselves slowly with each bite. It is warming, exciting, and deeply satisfying all at once.
If you are building your Speakeasy Ramen bucket list, the Szechuan ramen should sit comfortably near the very top of it.
House-Made Shrimp Rangoon: A Must-Order Appetizer
Forget every rangoon you have ever had at a generic takeout spot — Speakeasy Ramen’s house-made shrimp rangoon is in a completely different league. Reviewers consistently describe them as “jam packed” and absolutely incredible, with a freshness that store-bought versions simply cannot match.
Each piece is stuffed generously with shrimp filling and fried to a perfect golden crisp on the outside. The inside stays creamy and flavorful, creating that satisfying contrast of textures that makes a great appetizer truly memorable.
One enthusiastic guest said they were “the most incredible house made rangoons” they had ever eaten.
Starting your Speakeasy Ramen meal with an order of these sets the tone beautifully for everything that follows. They are shareable, but be warned — once the table gets a taste, they tend to disappear quickly.
Order two if you want to guarantee your fair share of the plate.
The Famous Ribs: Sweet, Succulent, and Unexpected
Nobody expects ribs to steal the spotlight at a ramen restaurant — but at Speakeasy Ramen, they absolutely do. Coated in a super sweet sauce and cooked to a deep-fried-style finish, these ribs are meaty, succulent, and wildly satisfying in ways that are hard to put into words.
One recent visitor ordered the ribs while their partner had ramen, and even as a self-described non-ramen fan, they walked away raving about the entire experience. The ribs brought something hearty and familiar to the table while still feeling elevated and special.
That balance is what makes them such a beloved menu item.
They pair beautifully with a side of ramen broth or just enjoyed on their own as a main course. If you are dining with a group and someone insists they are not a ramen person, point them straight to the ribs.
Problem solved.
Wednesday Sushi: The Weekly Surprise Worth Planning Around
Here is a little insider tip that regular Speakeasy Ramen visitors already know: Wednesday is sushi day, and it is absolutely worth planning your visit around. The restaurant adds sushi rolls to the menu once a week, and guests who have tried it are already hooked.
The spicy crab roll has earned particular praise, with one customer saying they “couldn’t recommend it enough” after a spontaneous stop. It is the kind of menu addition that transforms a weeknight dinner into something genuinely exciting and special for the whole table.
Speakeasy Ramen already offers Japanese and Vietnamese noodle dishes, seafood, and creative bowls, so adding sushi to the Wednesday lineup feels like a natural and delightful extension of their kitchen’s range. If your schedule allows, make Wednesday your Speakeasy day.
It gives you a reason to visit more often and always discover something new.
The Ramen Flight: A Brilliant Way to Explore the Menu
Can’t decide which broth to order? Speakeasy Ramen has a clever solution for indecisive diners — the ramen flight.
It is a tasting experience that lets you sample multiple broths and noodles before committing to a full bowl, and guests absolutely love it.
One visitor described trying all the broths and loving every single one, then adding sides of shrimp and pork belly to customize the experience further. It is a smart, interactive way to eat that makes the meal feel like an adventure rather than just dinner.
Perfect for first-timers who want to explore the full range of flavors Speakeasy offers.
Keep in mind the flight comes with broth and noodles only — no toppings included — so ordering extra proteins on the side is a great move. Think of it as building your own perfect bowl, one delicious sip at a time.
Sugar Cookie Egg Roll: The Dessert Nobody Sees Coming
Just when you think Speakeasy Ramen has already surprised you enough with its savory menu, out comes the sugar cookie egg roll — a dessert that absolutely nobody sees coming and everyone ends up loving. It is creative, fun, and perfectly sweet after a rich ramen meal.
One guest mentioned ordering it alongside their tonkotsu ramen and shrimp rangoon, calling the whole meal a hit from start to finish. The sugar cookie egg roll adds a playful, unexpected twist to the dining experience that reflects Speakeasy Ramen’s willingness to think outside the traditional Japanese restaurant box.
Crispy on the outside with a warm, sweet filling inside, it is the kind of dessert that makes you smile with the very first bite. Sharing it with your table is encouraged, but honestly, keeping it all to yourself is completely understandable too.
Save room — it is worth it.
Blueberry Mojito and Boba Lemonade: Drinks That Impress
Great food deserves great drinks, and Speakeasy Ramen delivers on both fronts. The blueberry mojito has been called “delicious” by multiple guests, and the blueberry boba lemonade has earned its own loyal following among visitors who stumbled upon it by happy accident.
One early reviewer described the boba lemonade as “AMAZING” in all caps — which says everything you need to know about how it lands with first-time drinkers. Refreshing, fruity, and visually stunning, these drinks make the dining experience feel complete and a little festive, even on a regular Tuesday afternoon.
Speakeasy Ramen also serves sake, which pairs naturally with the Japanese-inspired menu and adds a more traditional touch for guests who prefer it. Whether you go sweet and bubbly or smooth and classic, the drink menu here is genuinely worth exploring.
Skip the water and treat yourself to something memorable.
Friendly Staff Who Make Every Visit Feel Personal
Walk into Speakeasy Ramen and one of the first things you notice — beyond the incredible smells coming from the kitchen — is how genuinely warm the staff are. Reviewer after reviewer mentions the team by name, praising their helpfulness, knowledge, and down-to-earth energy.
One guest highlighted a server named Montana who helped them navigate the menu and made excellent recommendations. Another described their bartender-server as “informative and helpful,” even catching their attention enough to be remembered fondly despite not catching her name.
That kind of lasting impression is rare and speaks volumes about the culture of the place.
The manager has also been praised for being friendly and knowledgeable, stepping in to make guests feel at home. For families traveling through Ohio, solo diners, or groups of friends, the staff at Speakeasy Ramen consistently turn a good meal into a genuinely great memory worth repeating.
A Hidden Gem in a Springfield Neighborhood Setting
Part of what makes Speakeasy Ramen so charming is where it sits — right in a real Springfield neighborhood on Ludlow Avenue, the kind of spot that makes first-time visitors double-check the address before walking in. That surprise quickly turns into delight once they step through the door.
One guest admitted their group “weren’t sure if we were in the right spot” before discovering the restaurant tucked into its neighborhood setting. Inside, local artists display their work on the walls, giving the space a creative, community-rooted feel that you simply do not get at chain restaurants.
It is a real place made by real people for real food lovers.
Street parking is available, and the restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, making it easy to linger over your bowl without feeling rushed.
Discovering it feels like finding a secret — and keeping it to yourself feels almost impossible.
Worth the Drive: Why People Travel to Springfield Just to Eat Here
One article once named Speakeasy Ramen as serving the best ramen in the entire United States — and a group of friends who visited on a whim after reading it described the experience as “truly out of body.” That is not the kind of language people use lightly when talking about lunch.
Families traveling through Ohio have added it to their regular road trip stops. Solo food adventurers have made the drive from Columbus and beyond just to sit down with a bowl.
With a 4.6-star rating from over 1,200 reviews, the numbers back up what the regulars already know.
Open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM, Speakeasy Ramen is accessible, consistent, and worth every mile of the journey. Located at 365 Ludlow Ave, Springfield, OH 45505, you can call ahead at +1 937-324-3722 or visit speakeasyramen.com to plan your visit today.
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