Day 19 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in the DMV, and this one brought me up to Wheaton for a bowl of real-deal Sapporo ramen. Ren’s Ramen is a tiny mom and pop spot that does Sapporo-style ramen, and I mean actually does it, not the watered-down version that’s everywhere now.
Minje and I walked in hungry and left completely sold. Short answer, yes, this one’s worth the trip, and if you only get one thing, make it the Hell Shoyu Ramen (more on that in a sec). The noodles are the real tell here. They’re curly, imported from Nishiyama Seimen up in Hokkaido, and they’re built to grab onto that rich, comforting broth so every slurp carries flavor. It’s the kind of bowl that you just want to sit with and keep eating. If you’re anywhere near Silver Spring and you love ramen, Ren’s needs to be on your list.
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What Makes Ren’s Ramen So Special?
Here’s what sets Ren’s apart. They’ve been doing Sapporo-style ramen since 2011, back before ramen shops were on every corner, and they call themselves the DMV’s first ramen specialty spot. That focus shows. Where a lot of places treat ramen as one line on a giant menu, Ren’s builds everything around the bowl, from those Hokkaido noodles to broths with real depth.
Sapporo ramen leans rich and warming, usually miso-forward, so it’s exactly what you want when it’s cold out. The menu stays tight and ramen-first too, so the kitchen isn’t juggling a hundred random dishes, it’s dialed in on getting the bowls right. The spot itself’s small and no-frills, the kind of place that pours everything into the food instead of the decor. You’re not coming for a scene, you’re coming because the ramen’s that good.
What to Order at Ren’s Ramen
Here’s everything Minje and I got, and how each one landed.
Homemade Gyoza ($7.50)
You get five pieces, and they’re stuffed with a super yummy pork filling. They’re pan fried so the bottoms go lightly crispy while the inside stays nice and juicy. It’s the perfect thing to split while you wait on your ramen, and at $7.50 it’s an easy yes. I’d absolutely get them again!
“The Sapporo” Miso Ramen ($16)
This is the bowl that shows you what the place is about. It’s comforting, with plenty of depth and umami, and the noodles came out perfectly cooked (of course). It’s just a deeply satisfying bowl all around. If you’re new to Sapporo-style and want the classic, start right here.
Hell Shoyu Ramen ($19)
Okay, this was my favorite of the visit. If you like your ramen with a real KICK, this is the one to get. It’s a bold, spicy take on the classic shoyu, and it packs a seriously great punch from start to finish. I honestly loved it, and I’d order it again in a heartbeat! Just know going in that the “Hell” in the name isn’t for show, so order accordingly if spice isn’t your thing.
A few other things worth knowing about the menu:
- They’ve got tsukemen (cold dipping noodles), curry ramen, and a spicy tan-tan men if you want to go past the classics.
- Vegetarians aren’t left out, there’s a Vegetable Miso and a Vegetable Shio ramen ($17 each).
- They had some tempting desserts too, but we were way too full this time, lol. Next visit for sure.
What’s Sapporo-Style Ramen?
If you’re new to it, Sapporo-style ramen comes from Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido up in northern Japan, and it’s the style credited with popularizing miso ramen. It’s known for a rich, hearty broth that holds up against cold weather, and for those springy yellow curly noodles made by Nishiyama Seimen, the Hokkaido noodle maker that basically defined the style. That’s the same noodle Ren’s imports, which is a big part of why their bowls taste the way they do.
The Vibe and Experience
Ren’s is a true neighborhood mom and pop, small and unfussy, with everything pointed at the bowls instead of the setting. It’s the kind of unassuming spot you could drive right past, which makes finding ramen this good feel like a little win. The flow’s fast-casual, you order and settle in while they cook. Because the space is tight and it’s walk-in only, you can’t call ahead and hold a table, so getting there a little before the lunch rush is never a bad idea. Come hungry, maybe come a touch early, and you’re golden.
Good to Know
- 📍 11403 Amherst Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902 (it’s the Wheaton area, so you’ll see it listed both ways)
- Hours: 11:30am to 3pm and 4:30 to 9pm daily, closed Tuesdays
- Walk-in only, no reservations
- Dine-in and takeout, with delivery on Uber Eats and DoorDash
- They take cards and Apple Pay now, plus cash
- Vegetarian picks: the Vegetable Miso and Vegetable Shio ramen ($17 each)
- Parking’s limited street parking, metered on weekdays, so build in a few extra minutes
- No alcohol here, but they pour green tea, Calpico, and a few Japanese sodas
- Phone: (301) 933-3725, and you can check the full menu at rensramen.com
Is Ren’s Ramen Worth A Trip?
Yes!!!!! Ren’s is one of the most legit ramen bowls you’ll find in the DMV, and the fact that they’ve been doing Sapporo-style since 2011 backs that up. Get the Hell Shoyu if you want heat, the Sapporo Miso if you want the classic, and don’t sleep on the gyoza. If you’re building out a ramen list, add Ramen MENRI over in Bethesda to it too, it’s another scratch-made bowl worth the drive. Ren’s more than earned its spot for me.
Have you guys been to Ren’s yet?! If you have, tell me your go-to bowl in the comments, Nomsters, because I’m already planning my next order. And if you’re making a whole Montgomery County food day of it, swing by Morning My Day in Silver Spring after for some of the best Japanese bakery treats around. Save this one for your next ramen craving.