This tiny restaurant behind an old curtain has a huge line up every night for ONE key reason: 'Best in Australia'

Ryo's in Crows Nest has been open for 21 years One all time favourite dish still draws in weekly crowds READ MORE: Why diners are queuing up for two hours 

An old curtain hung over a doorway signals the entrance to one of the 'best ramen restaurants in Australia - and it's been going strong for 21 years.

Ryo's Noodles in Crows Nest, New South Wales, boasts a dedicated line out the front most days and nights for its 'unbeatable' Japanese soup.

This is no easy feat in a city where covid and the cost of living crisis has seen many Sydney food institutions shuttered for good.

Owner of Ryo's Noodles, Ryosuke Horii hails from Kyushu in Japan, an area famous for its tonkatsu.

Ryo's hugely popular and well-priced bowls of ramen noodles come bathed in the traditional pork tonkatsu base or the lighter, but still satisfying chicken.

An old curtain hung over a doorway signals the entrance to one of the 'best ramen restaurants in Australia - and it's been going strong for 21 years

Ryo's hugely popular and well-priced bowls of ramen noodles come bathed in the traditional pork tonkatsu base or the lighter, but still satisfying chicken

There is also a delicious fish-pork combination broth that has its own dedicated-fan following.

All versions can be spun with different flavours, such as Tokyo-style soy sauce, creamy miso or spicy.

You can also enjoy your ramen simply with natural 'salt flavour'.

The tonkatsu pork and soy sauce has always held pride of place with the number one spot on the list of Ryo's most popular dish.

A deep, inviting bowl of this sesame seed spattered, salty-rich broth can be customised with toppings such as butter, garlic, fresh chilli, corn, seaweed, soy-sauce flavoured egg and extra chasu (pork).

Ryo's Noodles hit list has Pork soy sauce flavoured soup consistently at number one

The Owner Ryosuke Horii who is from Kyushu in Japan, the home of tonkotsu

Two decades worth of diners love the soy sauce tonkatsu for its deep richness and perfectly textured noodles that remind them of famed Tokyo ramen houses.

The spicy tonkatsu, an intensely rich and vibrant red broth, is the second most popular dish and a satisfying option for those who like more heat.

'Hands down best Ramen in Sydney. And cheap too. I could eat here every week of my life,' a dedicated regular wrote.

The spicy tonkatsu  is the second most popular dish

Ramen lovers line up for Ryo's Noodles famous soup

Ryo's offer a vegetarian version of their famous soup loaded with fresh corn, seaweed, bamboo shoots, egg, and tofu.

Diners can also enjoy mixed fried rice, a mammoth Japanese beef curry with chicken cutlet, karaage chicken, Ryo's home made pork buns, gyoza, rice balls and steamed vegetables.

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Why dozens of people are lining up on this busy Sydney street

'Always a long queue for dinner! But I understand why - the ramen broth is rich and flavourful, the noodles perfectly cooked, and the toppings fresh and delicious,' one reviewer said.

Another loyal customer loves that 'nothing has changed since coming in my university days 20 years ago'.

Diners gush that Ryo's is always consistently great with others saying you can't go wrong dining there.

Those wanting to take the experience home can also purchase one of Ryo's frozen noodle kits.

A few locals dreamily reminisced about dining at this North Shore icon as young adults and then bringing their own children back, years later.

Ryo's Noodles is closed on Wednesday, operating the rest of the week for lunch from 11.40am and dinner from 5pm.