Cheap Ramen Restaurants in Durham, North Carolina — 33 Spots
Every spot we track for cheap ramen in Durham, ranked by rating and review volume. Search by name, or switch to the map.
33 restaurants on this page
33 restaurants
Szechuan Mansion Hotpot_Durham
746 9th St, Durham, NC 27705Open today: 11:30AM–9:30PM
Szechuan Mansion Hotpot_Durham, out in Durham, is our top pick — rated 4.9 out of 5 from 1,151 reviews.
Namu Korean Eats, Beer Hall & Coffee Bar
5420 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707Open today: 9AM–9PM
Creative Korean fare & craft coffee is served in this relaxed haunt with an expansive garden.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →M Kokko
311 Holland St Suite B, Durham, NC 27701Closed — Closed today
Rustic-chic spot serving chicken-centric Korean eats, including wings, noodle & rice dishes & gyoza.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Akashi Sushi
2223 NC-54 Suite R, Durham, NC 27713Closed — Closed today
Sushi, hibachi & noodles are featured on the broad Japanese menu at this relaxed strip-mall option.
Twisted Noodles
4201 University Dr STE 112, Durham, NC 27707Closed — Closed today
Casual restaurant serving homestyle Thai dishes, including curries, noodles & vegan options.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Sister Liu's Kitchen
5504 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd #103, Durham, NC 27707Open today: 11AM–8:45PM
Sister Liu's Kitchen, in Durham, is next up, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 443 reviews.
Kiichi Ramen
730 9th St, Durham, NC 27705Open today: 11AM–9PM
Kiichi Ramen, in Durham, is next up, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 325 reviews.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →M Tempura
111 W Orange St, Durham, NC 27701Closed — Closed today
M Tempura, in Durham, is next up, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 301 reviews.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →China Star
4639 Hillsborough Rd, Durham, NC 27705Open today: 11AM–9PM
China Star, in Durham, is next up, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 42 reviews.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Lulu Bang Bang
5418 Page Rd, Durham, NC 27703Closed — Closed today
Lulu Bang Bang, in Durham, is next up, rated 4.4 out of 5 from 945 reviews.
Noodle 501
5319 New Hope Commons Dr #104, Durham, NC 27707Open today: 11:30AM–3PM, 5–9PM
Noodle 501, in Durham, is next up, rated 4.4 out of 5 from 343 reviews.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Urban Noodle
4104 Surles Ct UNIT 4, Durham, NC 27703Open today: Hours unavailable
Urban Noodle, in Durham, is next up, rated 4.4 out of 5 from 324 reviews.
Bulkogi @ The Boxyard
900 Park Offices Dr Suite 240, Durham, NC 27709Open today: 11AM–3PM
Bulkogi @ The Boxyard, in Durham, is next up, rated 4.4 out of 5 from 263 reviews.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Kurama Japanese Seafood
3644 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707Open today: 11:30AM–2PM, 5–9:30PM
Hibachi-style steaks served at teppanyaki tables & specialties from a sushi bar in a casual setting.
Asian Kitchen
1125 NC-54, Durham, NC 27707Open today: 11AM–9:30PM
Low-key joint serving familiar Thai & Chinese fare along with a kids' menu & health-conscious eats.
Shanghai Restaurant | Chinese
3433 Hillsborough Rd, Durham, NC 27705Closed — Closed today
Chinese dining, including some less-standard dishes, in a subdued space with traditional sculptures.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Rose's Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets
121 N Gregson St, Durham, NC 27701Closed — Closed today
A changing menu of East Asian–inspired fare & desserts is informed by what’s in season.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Bowl of Phở
2806 S Miami Blvd, Durham, NC 27703Open today: 10:30AM–3PM, 5–8:30PM
Low-key restaurant serving pho & other Vietnamese classic dishes, including vegetarian options.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Sake Bomb
4215 University Dr, Durham, NC 27707Open today: 11AM–9:30PM
Stylish eatery serving elevated Asian dishes & inventive sushi rolls, plus a large sake selection.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Shiki Sushi
207 W North Carolina 54, Durham, NC 27713Open today: 11AM–9PM
Sushi & Pan-Asian dishes served in a sleek, contemporary setting in the Homestead Shopping Center.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Dashi Ramen and Izakaya Cocktail Bar
415 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701Open today: 11:30AM–10PM
Ramen shop with a second-floor izakaya featuring Japanese small plates plus beer, wine & cocktails.
Sushi Love
2812 Erwin Rd #204, Durham, NC 27705Open today: 11AM–10PM
Sushi bar offerings & signature rolls, plus a menu of Pan-Asian options, in a casual setting.
Koumi Japanese Restaurant
3550 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27704Open today: 11:30AM–3PM, 4–9PM
Cheery restaurant serving Japanese dishes & sushi rolls, plus Thai & Vietnamese eats.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →New Tokyo
3822 S Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27713Open today: 11AM–10PM
New Tokyo, in Durham, is next up, rated 4.1 out of 5 from 463 reviews.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Tasu Noodle Bar
3307 Watkins Rd, Durham, NC 27707Open today: 11:30AM–3PM, 4–8PM
Casual spot serving popular Japanese dishes including tonkatsu, curry ramen & tom yum broth.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Koi Sushi & Hibachi
607 Broad St, Durham, NC 27705Open today: 11AM–3PM, 4–9:30PM
Koi Sushi & Hibachi, in Durham, is next up, rated 4.1 out of 5 from 311 reviews.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →bul box
3105 Shannon Rd bldg 2 103, Durham, NC 27707Open today: 11AM–8PM
bul box, in Durham, is next up, rated 4.1 out of 5 from 86 reviews.
Ichiban Hibachi Supreme Buffet INC.
2000 Avondale Dr, Durham, NC 27704Open today: 11AM–9:30PM
More than 300 items are offered at this Japanese-American buffet with grilled fare & sushi.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Chicken Bee - Durham
810 9th St STE129, Durham, NC 27705Closed — Closed today
Chicken Bee - Durham, in Durham, is next up, rated 4.0 out of 5 from 412 reviews.
Yaya Tea DURHAM
807 E Main St Ste 2-150, Durham, NC 27701Open today: 11AM–8PM
Yaya Tea DURHAM, in Durham, is next up, rated 4.0 out of 5 from 216 reviews.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Noodles and Company
2608 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27705Open today: 10:30AM–10PM
Counter-serve chain offering international noodle & pasta dishes from mac 'n' cheese to Pad Thai.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Neo Japan
1125 W North Carolina 54, Durham, NC 27707Open today: 11AM–9:30PM
Roomy Japanese joint turning out basic sushi, noodles & teriyaki dishes ordered at the counter.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Japan Express
3409 Hillsborough Rd # K, Durham, NC 27705Open today: 11AM–10PM
Japan Express, in Durham, is next up, rated 3.3 out of 5 from 485 reviews.
Is this your restaurant? Claim it →Cheap Ramen Restaurants in Durham, North Carolina
When I am after cheap ramen in Durham, the list above is where I start. It is already filtered toward cheap ramen, so it is easy to compare ratings, hours, and photos and pick the bowl you actually want — or switch to the map and tap "Use my location" to sort the same list by distance.
What makes great cheap ramen
Cheap ramen is not lesser ramen. A bowl under about $15 in Durham is usually the sign of a shop that keeps its menu tight and its overhead low — one broth done properly, a couple of toppings, no table service to pay for. Some of the most respected shops in North Carolina sit squarely in this price band, because a long-simmered pork or chicken broth costs far less to make than it tastes like. This map filters Durham, NC down to budget-friendly bowls, sorted so you can find the cheapest good ramen closest to you rather than just the cheapest.
How I find the best cheap ramen in Durham
My approach is simple: I favor shops that specialize rather than do a little of everything, and I trust a strong rating that holds up across plenty of reviews over a perfect score from just a few. In Durham, I open a couple of listings, skim the most recent reviews and the photos, and go with the bowl that looks carefully made. The map keeps everything sorted by distance, so you are never trading quality for a long drive.
Tips for ordering cheap ramen
- •Sort by distance once you set your location so the nearest cheap ramen in Durham is on top.
- •Open a few listings and read the most recent reviews — fresh, specific praise is the best signal.
- •Use the Filters button to stack on what matters: open now, price, or dietary needs.
- •Ask the shop for noodle firmness and spice level so the bowl arrives exactly how you like it.
Prefer to widen the search? You can browse all ramen in Durham, NC or jump to cheap ramen near you nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find cheap ramen in Durham?+
The map above filters Durham, NC to restaurants in the budget price range — roughly under $15 a bowl. Enter your ZIP or click "Use my location" to sort by distance and find the closest affordable option.
How much should a bowl of ramen cost?+
Most markets run about $14 to $20 for a standard bowl. Anything under roughly $15 counts as budget, and under $12 is genuinely cheap. Prices climb with premium toppings like extra chashu or a marinated egg, which are usually a few dollars each.
Is cheap ramen lower quality?+
Not usually. Price tracks overhead — rent, service model, decor — more than broth quality. Counter-service shops with a short menu often make excellent ramen precisely because they do one or two bowls extremely well instead of a long menu adequately.
How do I eat cheap at a ramen shop in Durham?+
Order the shop's standard bowl rather than the loaded special, skip extra toppings, and drink water instead of a beverage — that alone often saves $8 to $12. Lunch service is also frequently cheaper than dinner for the same bowl.
What is kaedama and does it save money?+
Kaedama is a refill of noodles added to your remaining broth, usually $1 to $3. At shops that offer it, ordering a standard bowl plus a kaedama is almost always cheaper than ordering a large or a second bowl.
Also browsing: Cheap Ramen Near Me · Ramen in Durham, NC · Ramen in North Carolina
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