The best bowls of noodles are often found in the most unassuming spots. Here are three suburban places making some of the greatest noods in town – including a food-court shop with a 24-hour broth, a Malaysian restaurant on busy Burwood Highway and a Japanese restaurant in the heart of Carlton.

Ramen Ramen

At Ramen Ramen, in The Glen Shopping Centre food court, the rich, creamy Kyushu or tonkotsu broth is made using a combination of chicken and pork that’s simmered for 24 hours. It’s paired with wavy, three-day-aged wheat noodles, plus toppings like chicken katsu. There’s also a vegan-friendly version made with kombu broth; matcha ramen with smoky sous-vide duck fillet; and several mazemen, or dry ramen. The shop also offers yuzu and matcha soft serve (solo or in a swirl), starting at just $4 a cone, and Japanese soft drinks.

Pappa Laksa

Pappa Laksa is an easy-to-miss Malaysian restaurant and neighbourhood favourite on the busy stretch of the Burwood Highway. At the core of the menu is its meticulously crafted laksa broth, which is cooked for four to five hours using both chicken bones and chicken skin. Other standouts include prawn and fish spring rolls, and char kway teow with crisp minced garlic, prawn, pork fat and a smoky wok hei flavour.

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Stories of Nooool

While not technically new, Stories of Nooool in Carlton has recently had a revamp – including a menu overhaul. There’s rich black curry udon (made with activated charcoal), and dry ramen served with seafood and a zesty yuzu-shiso cream sauce. Other standouts include rich tomato ramen, spicy tofu steak and deep-fried edamame taro balls.

Additional reporting by Claire Adey and Quincy Malesovas