Ramen Shops

A tantanmen specialty shop cherished for many years in Ginza. Their signature "Paikou Tantanmen" (Sparerib Tantanmen) distinguishes itself from the common, rich, sesame-heavy tantanmen, forging its own unique path. It boasts a light flavor profile, featuring a soy-sauce-based clear broth with a subtle touch of sesame paste and a well-balanced spiciness. This combines exquisitely with the crispy fried *paikou* (pork spareribs). The snappy texture of the ultra-fine straight noodles is another distinctive feature. Complimentary rice and takuan (pickled daikon radish) are provided, and many regulars enjoy making *ojiya* (rice porridge) with the remaining soup to conclude their meal. Open until 5 AM on weekdays, it's a convenient spot for a late-night meal after drinks. At 1200 yen for Paikou Tantanmen with rice, it offers excellent value for money, especially considering its prime Ginza location.

A popular shop in Ginza known for its elegant clear soup ramen, which features a prominent shellfish broth made from ingredients like clams and scallops. The signature Hamaguri SOBA boasts a splendid visual with clams served in their shells, and a clear soup rich with concentrated shellfish umami. Their Maze SOBA also has a strong following, and a major appeal is the ability to customize it to your preference using a variety of flavor-changing condiments available at your table, such as shallot oil and grated cheese. The restaurant widely accepts card and QR code payments, and even offers Western-style dishes like lobster bisque, allowing you to savor a bowl that embodies Ginza's characteristic elegance and playfulness. While it often has long queues on weekends, it's generally easier to visit on weekday afternoons.

Jikasei Men Ito Ginza-ten is a serious ramen establishment known for its chemical-free soup, made from dried sardines sourced from Kujukuri, and its distinctively firm, low-hydration homemade thin noodles. The menu boasts a minimalist structure, effectively offering only two choices: Chuka Soba and Niku Soba. Toppings are kept extremely simple, featuring only chashu and green onions. This uncompromising approach, stripping away all unnecessary elements to compete purely on the exquisite taste of its noodles and soup, is what draws a loyal following. Tucked away discreetly in the basement of a building behind Ginza SIX, it offers a hideaway-like atmosphere that might be a bit challenging for first-time visitors to discover. The owner runs the shop alone, providing a tranquil space reminiscent of a Showa-era coffee shop where one can quietly savor their ramen. While the ticket vending machine is only in Japanese, a cashless terminal with photos is available. With continuous operation until 11 PM on weekdays, it's a convenient spot for a late-night bowl. Its surprisingly reasonable prices for Ginza are also a significant appeal. Selected for the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2015 and 2016.

A bowl that overturns ramen conventions, crafted by a French-trained chef without using any kaeshi (soy sauce tare). Its golden, clear soup, extracted from high-quality ingredients like Barbary duck, Nagoya Cochin chicken, scallops, and sun-dried tomatoes, unfolds with a multilayered umami akin to a sophisticated consommé. The custom-made thin straight noodles from Asakusa Kaikarō are supple and blend seamlessly with the soup. The Ravioli Gourmandise Chuka Soba, limited to 30 servings per day, is a luxurious dish featuring ravioli filled with truffles and foie gras. With only 6 counter seats, securing a reservation via TableCheck is a fierce battle, making it an extremely difficult restaurant to book. However, if you overcome this hurdle, you'll find an international space where foreign customers make up the majority, and the process from ordering to payment is remarkably smooth. There are also walk-in slots without reservation (in the morning), but be prepared to queue from early morning. The restaurant has consistently received high acclaim, earning a Michelin One Star (2021-2023) and Bib Gourmand (2020, 2024-2026).

Established in 1956, this venerable establishment in the heart of Ginza continues to preserve the Showa-era chūka-soba. Its clear shoyu broth, rich with chicken and dried sardine dashi, is nevertheless refreshingly easy to drink, epitomizing Tokyo's classic chūka-soba. The medium-thick straight noodles offer a firm bite, while the moist and tender chashu and chunky, meaty wontons are also highly popular. The bamboo shoot soba (featuring a generous amount of menma) also has a large following. An optional addition of back fat is available for those who prefer it. It's cash only, orders are placed verbally with staff, and table sharing may occur during busy periods. Turnover is high, so even with a queue, wait times are relatively short. As there are irregular holidays, please check their official Instagram before visiting.

A miso ramen specialty shop established in Kyobashi since 2006. Their signature bowl combines a blend of five types of miso sauce with a chicken, pork, and seafood broth, characterized by a rich yet not overly heavy balance. The popular "Miso Kotteri" (rich miso) features pork back fat that adds sweetness and depth, pairing perfectly with Asakusa Kaikaro's medium-thick noodles. The spicy miso "Orochon" and tsukemen (dipping ramen) are also highly regarded. Paper aprons are provided, attracting many female customers and couples. The touch-panel ticket vending machine supports multiple languages, making ordering easy. Though a small shop with only 10 counter seats, it's a valuable spot in the Ginza area to savor authentic miso ramen.

This is the Yonchome branch of Hashigo, a long-established ramen shop in Ginza. Their signature 'Paikoudandanmen' offers a unique style, distinct from typical sesame-rich Tantanmen. It features a light, soy-sauce-based soup with a delicate hint of sesame and spiciness. The crispy *paikou* (pork rib) is curry-flavored and pairs exceptionally well with the complimentary rice. The counter-only interior ensures a fast turnover, making it a popular spot that attracts a continuous stream of customers even on weekdays. While the fundamental flavor remains consistent with the main branch, a unique feature of this store is the ability to customize the amount of yuzu (Japanese citrus) and green onions. Please note: Cash only.

This Fukuoka-born "Clear Tonkotsu" ramen shop is located on the 6th floor of GINZA SIX. Its soup, slowly simmered from pork bones without boiling, looks transparent, yet a single sip reveals a rich spread of tonkotsu umami and depth. Toppings are served on a separate plate, allowing guests to add green onions, nori, chashu, and kabosu in sequence to enjoy evolving flavors. The red myoga (pickled myoga in plum vinegar) available on the table is also popular for further flavor customization. The thin, straight noodles allow for your preferred doneness, and extra noodle refills (kaedama) are available. With a robust selection of side dishes like fried horse mackerel (aji-fry) and meat shumai dumplings, it offers high satisfaction as a meal. The sophisticated space, befitting a commercial facility lined with high-end brands, is popular even among international visitors.

This shoyu ramen shop in Ginza is produced by Nogata Hope. It offers three distinct shoyu ramen types – white shoyu, black shoyu, and burnt shoyu – each with a unique flavor profile. The popular 'Oedo Shiro Shoyu' features a clear, light yet rich soup made with Kikkogo shoyu from Kondo Jozo, Tokyo's only soy sauce brewery. The generous toppings include three kinds of chashu, a seasoned egg, and nori seaweed. Complimentary spicy bean sprouts, refillable and praised as a perfect snack, are available at each table. Lunchtime services include free large portions and free rice. The stylish, cafe-like interior with spacious table seating makes it ideal for groups and couples. Open until 3 AM from Monday to Saturday, it's also a convenient spot for a late-night meal after drinks.

A pork back fat shoyu ramen shop located right near Higashi-Ginza Station. Their signature 'Gan Ramen' features a bowl where pork bone broth, simmered for over 20 hours, is enriched with several types of vegetables, kelp, and shiitake mushrooms, then topped with floating pork back fat. While it looks rich, it's highly reputed for being easy to eat thanks to the well-balanced sweetness of the shoyu tare and the pork back fat. The noodles are medium-thin straight, infused with shoyu, and you can adjust the flavor intensity to your liking with the sauces and sesame oil available at your table. Counter seats have partitions, similar to Ichiran, allowing you to focus on your meal even when dining alone. Please note that the ticket vending machine accepts cash only. This is the Ginza branch of a chain whose main store is in Kuramae, and its reasonable price point, starting from 850 yen, is another appealing factor for the Ginza area.

Located behind GINZA SIX, this specialty restaurant focuses on dashi made from *yakiago* (grilled flying fish). It's the Ginza branch of a chain with nine locations across Kanto. Their signature *Yakiago Shio Ramen* is renowned for its elegant yet rich broth, which pairs perfectly with the flat, wavy noodles – a soup so delicious you'll want to drink every last drop. A welcome touch is the small cup of *yakiago* dashi served upon seating. Another popular option is the "shime" – a finishing dish where you add rice, *arare* crackers, and wasabi to the leftover soup to enjoy it *ochazuke*-style. With a friendly atmosphere that attracts many foreign tourists and open until 4:30 AM, it's also an ideal spot for a post-drink meal in Ginza.

Just 30 seconds from Ginza Station, this hidden gem ramen shop is quietly nestled in the basement of a building. Its signature dish is shoyu ramen made with Aomori's Shamorock chicken as its base. They also offer unique dishes that highlight Aomori's food culture, such as Shijimi ramen and Nebuta-zuke rice. Another appealing aspect is the ability to enjoy a change in flavor with the yuzu kosho and Sichuan pepper oil available at your table. In this small space with only 6 counter seats, you might discover a bowl of ramen that makes you forget the hustle and bustle of Ginza.

This new Ginza establishment is supervised by Mr. Takanori Yamagami of Minowa's renowned 'Ramen-ya Toy Box'. It features a clear-cut menu focused on two main pillars—shoyu and shio—both starring a delicate pork chintan (clear broth). Fine specks of pork back fat float in the amber-clear soup, allowing the rich umami and depth of pork to envelop your palate. The shop is also praised for its three types of chashu, each from a different cut, and its popular pairings with takikomi gohan (seasoned rice). While the ticket machine near the entrance can make entry and exit a bit cramped, the staff provides thoughtful guidance. Tucked away in a Ginza alley, this is a place where you can discover a bowl that is both refined and incredibly satisfying.

A duck broth specialty shop located on the ramen street behind GINZA SIX. This is the ninth iteration of the "Keisuke" series, developed by owner Keisuke Takeda, who continuously evolves his concepts. They offer two types of duck soba: a clear shoyu-based duck soba, and a rich, potage-like duck paitan soba. Both allow you to fully savor the delicious umami of duck. Attention to detail is evident in elements like the moist and tender duck loin chashu, and the green onions and white leeks served separately on the side. The touch-panel ticket machine supports photos and English, making ordering easy, and with many international staff members, language barriers are minimal. Free Wi-Fi is available, and with table seating, it's also suitable for groups. Waiting times are often shorter compared to other popular shops in the area, making it recommended for those who want to calmly enjoy a bowl of duck ramen in Ginza.

This long-established Hakodate Shio Ramen shop has been operating in Higashi-Ginza for over 20 years. Its golden clear soup, extracted from kelp, dried scallops, chicken bones, and pork bones, boasts a robust salty flavor without being heavy, allowing you to savor every last drop. In addition to shio soba, the menu is extensive, featuring items like clam soba, shrimp wonton ramen, miso ramen, and seafood tanmen. Handmade gyoza is also a popular side dish. A welcome bonus is the free large portion service during lunchtime. With table seating available, it's easy for groups to dine, attracting many foreign visitors and repeat customers. Payment is smoother with transit IC cards like Suica, as the ticket machine sometimes has issues with cash. Open until 4 AM on weekdays and Saturdays, it's a beloved staple for late-night ramen in Ginza.

Located right by Higashi-Ginza Station, this is the perfect spot in Ginza to savor authentic Hakata/Nagahama-style tonkotsu ramen. The milky white soup boasts a rich pork bone aroma yet is light and easy to drink. You can choose your thin noodles' firmness from six levels: "kona otoshi" (extra-extra firm), "harigane" (extra firm), "barikata" (very firm), "kata" (firm), "futsu" (regular), and "yawa" (soft). During lunchtime, enjoy a complimentary "kaedama" (extra noodles) or rice. Customize your flavor with table condiments like spicy takana, red pickled ginger, and white sesame seeds. English menus are available, and the shop welcomes many international guests. Open until 4 AM, it's also a perfect spot for a late-night meal after drinks.

Located right next to Higashi-Ginza Station, this specialty shop stakes its reputation solely on Tanmen. This bowl, featuring a generous mound of napa cabbage and a small amount of pork in a light, salt-based soup, is simple yet masterfully brings out the full sweetness of the cabbage. You can also customize your bowl with toppings like butter, cilantro, and nori (seaweed), or enjoy changing the flavor with the homemade chili oil and vinegar provided on the table. Payment is cash only, via a ticket vending machine. Please note that the vending machine only accepts 1,000 yen bills, so prepare smaller denominations (coins) in advance. Please note the opening hours: On Fridays, they are open for lunch only. Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays are closed.

A well-known tsukemen shop tucked away in a back alley in Ginza. Their signature rich tsukemen features a thick soup, a blend of seafood and tonkotsu, that perfectly coats the thick noodles, offering a very satisfying meal. Chuka Soba (Chinese-style ramen) and Tantanmen are also on the menu. Often boasting shorter waiting times compared to its popular neighbor Kagari, it's considered a hidden gem in the Ginza area. The compact space offers 8 counter seats, and orders are placed via a ticket vending machine. As closing days are irregular, it's recommended to check their official Instagram (@ginza_oborozuki) for the latest information before your visit.

A popular chicken paitan ramen shop nestled in a back alley of Ginza. Its signature chicken paitan Soba is rich and creamy like a potage, yet has a refreshing aftertaste, with eye-catching toppings of colorful vegetables such as pumpkin and mitsuba. Luxurious menu items featuring truffle are also available. The majority of customers are foreign tourists, and the staff's English communication is smooth. While long lines often form, the turnover is relatively fast due to their system of taking orders while customers wait. Cash is not accepted; cashless payment only. Please check their official X account (@kagarihonten) in advance for business hours and regular holidays.

Haru-chan Ramen Ginza (Shio) is a 'Chan-kei' ramen shop that expanded into Ginza from a popular Shinbashi location. Their Chukasoba, which has also been recognized by Michelin Bib Gourmand, features a clear broth made from niboshi (dried sardines) and animal ingredients, poured generously to the rim of the bowl. It's topped with a plentiful amount of freshly sliced chashu. Despite being salt-based, the soup offers a robust umami that pairs perfectly with the flat, slippery, and chewy noodles. Large portions are free, ensuring a satisfying volume. The cafe-style, clean interior creates a welcoming atmosphere, making it comfortable even for women dining alone. Ordering is easy with a touch-panel ticket machine featuring a photo menu. Please note that an oil film on the soup's surface keeps it extremely hot, so always cool down your first sip before consuming. As temporary closures are possible, it's recommended to check their official X account (@haruchan_ginza) for the latest business information before your visit.