Daruma Ramen has impressed carnivores and vegans alike with its Veggie Miso Ramen, which PETA has named one of the Top 10 Vegan Bowls of Ramen in North America.
Located on East 6th, this tiny sister of Komé and Sa-Ten packs a punch. Owner Kayo Asazu brought the first veggie ramen to Austin when she and her husband opened Daruma in 2013. Fittingly, Daruma is named for a traditional Japanese doll of Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. Knowing she would eat it constantly, Asazu wanted her ramen to be on the healthier side – this is what inspired her to forgo the traditional pork broth in favor of lighter, flavorful broths of chicken, seafood, and veggie.
The vegan broth consists of fruit and veggies instead of Daruma’s typical chicken, and the noodles are tapioca-based, making them eggless. The Veggie Miso Ramen comes topped with bean sprouts, fried tofu skin, scallions, chili threads, and chili oil. If you aren’t vegan, give the classic Miso Ramen a shot, with some potato croquettes for an appetizer. Don’t hang around too long, though – Asazu says ramen is best eaten quickly, so the noodles don’t get soggy and others can enjoy the small location’s big flavors too.
Whether you’re vegan or not, it’s worth it to try Daruma. If you eat dairy, though, be sure to stay for dessert – the soft-serve rotates between inventive flavors such as beet, miso butter, honey saké, plum & shiso, and more.
This article appears in January 10 • 2020.