Toyo Ramen & Japanese Street Foods

Toyo Ramen in Ankeny is an absolute gem, hands down the best ramen I’ve had in Iowa, and honestly some of the best I’ve had anywhere. We started with the Ebi Fry, perfectly crispy deep-fried shrimp with a light, crunchy coating and a great tartar sauce that didn’t overpower the shrimp at all. Fresh, hot, and addictive (we took the picture halfway through it) For ramen, we had both the Hakata Tonkotsu and the Classic Chicken Ramen, and WOW. The tonkotsu broth was rich, silky, and deeply flavorful without being heavy or greasy; exactly how a slow-simmered pork bone broth should be. The chashu was tender, the ajitama egg was cooked perfectly, and the black garlic oil added a beautiful depth. Every topping felt intentional and high quality. The chicken ramen was just as impressive, clean,

I went with my wife and daughter for the first time here and was impressed. We each got a different kind of ramen and an order of edamame. The ramen was probably in the top three of the ramen we’ve had before for sure. It was definitely delicious and the staff were helpfully and courteous. The restaurant was a little small but with the setup and decor it worked. Photos left to right Classic Chicken Ramen, Toyo Spicy Beef Ramen, and Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen

We love this place. I’m a picky eater. Their chicken fried rice is so full of flavor. Food is fresh every time. My spouse loves Japanese food. He loves their ramen. We have been twice in a week. He drinks every last sip of broth and food in the bowel.

Fun design, built like a lot of other small ramen shops in the states. The Agedashi Tofu is probably my favorite to-date. The chicken karaage was also very nicely breaded and juicy, albeit a very modest amount of both appetizers. The entrées were an appropriate portion, though neither the Hakata Tonkatsu Ramen or the Pork Chasu Fried Rice had much flavor. I don't like an overly-salty dish but both mains lacked any character--much unlike the starters. I added the available togarashi but that didn't do much. I will probably order something else next time.

Randomly found this place while traveling and so glad I did! Cozy Japanese-style vibe, great for photos. The ramen was delicious — rich broth, tender pork, and a perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg. Staff were super friendly too. Would definitely come back!