16 December 25–30, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | ▼ SWEETWATER SOUP FOR YOU! In a nation obsessed with ramen, where hungry millennials and Gen Z-ers seek bowls of broth on Uber Eats weekly, and the best bowls are expected to come from New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, a tiny Miami restaurant has just earned a jaw-dropping distinction. Out of all the ramen restaurants across the United States, one small, unassuming spot in the Magic City has been ranked No. 9 in the entire country. And this isn’t your usual takeout spot for ramen -- it’s anime comic-book themed. We’re talking about Good Chef Restau- rant, a hidden gem for incredible ramen. Just north of Tamiami Park and alongside its ad- joining Asian market, Good Chef has long been a favorite among Miami ramen obses- sives, anime fans, and anyone willing to wait for a bowl done right. The space is compact and constantly buzzing, decorated with nu- merous anime comic book depictions. Anime murals cover the walls, figurines line the shelves, and playful boba cup decals make the room feel as fun as it is authentic. It’s casual, crowded, and unmistakably quirky, but the ramen is seriously delicious. On Yelp, the restaurant has an impressive 4.7 stars out of nearly 750 reviews. The menu is extensive, but regulars swear by a few standouts. The “Spicy Miso Ramen” ($16.45) is often described as awesome, built on a deep, umami-rich broth with springy noodles, a perfectly runny soft egg, and what reviewers rave about is an abundance of ten- der, delicious pork belly. The “Tonkotsu Ra- men” ($16.45) delivers a creamy, slightly smoky pork broth layered with bamboo shoots, fish cake, nori, and generous portions of pork. Seafood lovers gravitate toward the “Seafood Ramen” ($19.95) loaded with shrimp, scallops, squid, and fish cake for a briny, comforting bowl. Plus, Good Chef’s location is convenient, and its prices are affordable (considering it’s in Miami), making it the area’s classic go-to spot for Asian-Chinese takeout. And the menu doesn’t stop at ramen. Pork gyoza and honey garlic chicken have their own devoted followings, and the adjoining market provides diners with something to browse while they wait, a detail that fans say only adds to the charm. As one Yelp Elite re- viewer puts it, “I go at least twice a month for their delicious ramen, great service, and cool ambiance.” Being ranked No. 9 in the entire country is not just a win for Good Chef; it’s a testament to its exceptional quality. Plus, it’s another signal that Miami is no longer on the side- lines of serious food conversations. This city is mastering global cuisines, one steaming bowl at a time. Good Chef Restaurant. 113 SW 107th Ave., Miami; 786-763-2008; goodchefmiami.com. NI- COLE LOPEZ-ALVAR ▼ DESIGN DISTRICT MEAT UP Miami’s steady transformation into what some locals now jokingly call “Lower-Lower Manhattan” appears poised to take another major step forward. According to Alan Philps of the What’s Good Miami Substack, multiple industry sources have confirmed that 4 Charles Prime Rib, one of New York City’s most famous and revered restaurants, is plan- ning to open in the Miami Design District. If finalized, the famed restaurant would take over the former home of Swan, the once- buzzy David Grutman and Pharrell Williams restaurant that has since closed, with an opening targeted for 2026. For Miami’s dining scene, this would be no ordinary opening. 4 Charles Prime Rib, created by acclaimed restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff, is widely considered one of the hardest reservations to secure in New York. Since debuting in the West Village in 2016, the restaurant has built a cult following around a formula that feels almost defiant in its simplicity: classic steakhouse fare exe- cuted with obsessive precision, served in a dark, intimate dining room where martinis are serious. Sodikoff, best known for Chicago institu- Good Chef Restaurant photo The ramen spot in Miami is known for its other dishes, as well | TASTE TEST | ▼ Café
