Ramen first, wine second — somehow works
Downtown Jersey City · Jersey City · Japanese ramen and izakaya · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 23, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Nobody walks into a ramen shop expecting a wine list, so credit to Ani for having one at all. It's short, approachable, and priced like they actually want you to order a bottle. Don't come here hunting for Burgundy — but don't write it off either.
The list runs about 10–20 bottles with a clear New World lean: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Washington Cab, California Pinot Noir, Italian Pinot Grigio. There's no Old World depth, no natural wine flirtation, and no regional storytelling to speak of. What you get instead is a tight, crowd-friendly lineup of recognizable bottles that won't confuse a table of ramen-first, wine-curious diners. Gaps are obvious — nothing sparkling beyond the house pour, nothing to bridge the umami-heavy broth situation — but for a ramen joint, the effort is real.
Seven pours by the glass is a genuinely solid number for this format, and at $9 a pop, the barrier to entry is low. You get the house trio (white, red, sparkling) plus four name-brand options covering the main bases. Rotation appears nonexistent — this is a set-it-and-forget-it program — but the pricing keeps it from feeling like an afterthought.
House Sparkling (by the glass) — $9
Nine bucks for bubbles at a ramen counter is the right call. Cracks open easy, cuts through fatty tonkotsu broth, and nobody's mad about it.
Crossings Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at a ramen bar sounds like a mismatch until it isn't — the grassy, citrus-driven profile actually holds its own against lighter shoyu-based broths. Most people will reach for the red and miss this.
Charles & Charles Cabernet
A big Washington Cab is fighting every flavor on this menu. Tannic and fruit-forward against rich umami broth is a clash, not a conversation. The wine isn't bad — it's just the wrong tool for the job.
Barone Fini Pinot Grigio + Pork Bao Buns
The bao buns are rich and porky but not as heavy as the ramen — Pinot Grigio's light body and clean finish keeps the plate feeling fresh rather than overwhelming.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Ani Ramen isn't a wine destination, but it's a wildcard worth knowing: fair prices, enough variety to find something that works, and the rare ramen spot that actually put some thought into the glass. Send your wine-curious friends here — just make sure they order the tonkotsu too.
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