Japanese food in Astoria: ramen, izakaya, and four restaurants with personality
Astoria is often associated with Greek tavernas, but reducing the neighborhood to one culinary tradition ignores how northwestern Queens has changed. The commercial avenues around Ditmars Boulevard, Broadway, 30th Avenue, and 36th Avenue bring together family restaurants, bars, bakeries, and kitchens from many countries. The Japanese selection is not enormous, yet it is varied enough to separate a ramen dinner, a night of shared plates, and a quick meal near the subway.
Geography matters. Ditmars is the northern neighborhood center; Broadway and 30th Avenue sustain a denser nightlife; 36th Avenue approaches Dutch Kills and Long Island City. Instead of ranking four businesses by a number, this guide distinguishes the experience each one actually provides.
Two ways to understand ramen
HinoMaru Ramen is the longer-running Ditmars address. Opened in 2011, it builds the menu around tonkotsu, shoyu, spicy miso, and Fireball ramen. Gyoza, karaage, okonomiyaki, nikuman, and sushi can turn one bowl into a multicourse dinner. It is the easiest choice for a family or group unwilling to limit the meal to noodles.
Tamashii Ramen on Broadway has a more technical identity. The restaurant says its broth cooks for fourteen hours and its miso ferments with a blend of more than twelve ingredients. Shio, shoyu, tantanmen, champon, curry ramen, and tsukemen demonstrate that “ramen” is not one flavor. Order different bowls and taste across the table.
An izakaya night or a focused bowl
Mochiron Izakaya changes the rhythm completely. An izakaya is for drinking, talking, and ordering small rounds—skewers, fried bites, hot plates, rice, or noodles. It is the strongest choice here for a casual date or friends on 30th Avenue because the table can evolve without deciding the whole order at once.
Susuru Ramen occupies a small storefront near 36th Avenue. A concentrated menu of ramen, rice bowls, and buns works for a direct meal before Queens Plaza or the Museum of the Moving Image. It does not try to cover all of Japanese cooking; the strength is doing a few things with a clear identity.
Planning a Japanese food route through Astoria
For a first visit, choose the corridor before a supposed “winner.” Ditmars favors lunch and a neighborhood walk; Broadway pairs Tamashii with nearby cafés and bars; 30th Avenue works best at night; 36th Avenue is practical when continuing toward Long Island City. HinoMaru and Tamashii answer a broth comparison, Mochiron a social occasion, and Susuru the need for a well-focused bowl.
The best choice depends on neighborhood, cooking style, and occasion. Linked profiles collect practical details and sources for each restaurant.
Recommended restaurants
These restaurants were selected because their current menus, locations or specialties match the question. The list is based on verifiable information, not on filling a preset number of places.
A Ditmars Boulevard ramen house established in 2011, with slow-simmered broths, sushi, and Japanese small plates.
Handcrafted ramen, tonkotsu, spicy miso, and Japanese comfort food
A Broadway restaurant opened in 2013 that describes itself as Astoria’s first dedicated ramen house.
Miso ramen, shio, shoyu, tsukemen, and donburi
A 30th Avenue izakaya built around shared yakitori, Japanese starters, rice, noodles, and drinks.
Izakaya fare, yakitori, small plates, sake, and late-night food
A small 36th Avenue ramen shop serving focused noodle bowls, rice bowls, and stuffed buns.
Ramen, chashu, rice bowls, and Japanese buns
Sources & references
These independent references add context or corroborate key facts used in this guide. Restaurant websites are kept on the business profiles rather than repeated here. Current information can change after the access date shown below.
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Official website of HinoMaru Ramen ↗
Primary source
HinoMaru Ramen · Accessed September 17, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Tamashii Ramen ↗
Primary source
Tamashii Ramen · Accessed September 17, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Mochiron Izakaya ↗
Primary source
Mochiron Izakaya · Accessed September 17, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Susuru Ramen ↗
Primary source
Susuru Ramen · Accessed September 17, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Google Maps listing for HinoMaru Ramen ↗
Community source
Google Maps · Accessed September 17, 2026
Direct check of rating, review count, operating status, and address; variable data.
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Google Maps listing for Tamashii Ramen ↗
Community source
Google Maps · Accessed September 17, 2026
Direct check of rating, review count, operating status, and address; variable data.
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Google Maps listing for Mochiron Izakaya ↗
Community source
Google Maps · Accessed September 17, 2026
Direct check of rating, review count, operating status, and address; variable data.
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Google Maps listing for Susuru Ramen ↗
Community source
Google Maps · Accessed September 17, 2026
Direct check of rating, review count, operating status, and address; variable data.