Ramen Shops

A specialty shop for fish ara-daki shio ramen, located on the 2nd floor of a multi-tenant building, just a 30-second walk from Shinjuku Station's Southeast Exit. The soup, simmered from daily changing fish heads and bones (such as sea bream, splendid alfonsino, yellowtail, and conger eel – the most umami-rich parts around the head and bones), is a clear golden color, yet boasts a profound flavor with layers of seafood richness. Instead of chashu, the ramen is topped with red and white chicken meatballs (tsukune) and shrimp dumplings. Garnishes like julienned ginger and perilla leaves provide a delightful flavor change (ajhen) accent in the latter half of the meal. For first-time visitors, the 'Ara-daki Shio Ramen with Heshiko Grilled Onigiri' (¥1,150) comes highly recommended. The grilled onigiri, made with Heshiko (mackerel fermented in rice bran, a traditional Fukui specialty), offers a unique two-stage enjoyment typical of Kaijin: first, eat it as is, then in the latter half of your meal, break it into the soup and savor it like a savory rice porridge (zousui). With its subdued lighting and bar-like ambiance, it's one of the few ramen shops in the Shinjuku area where solo female travelers can feel comfortable entering. Open from morning lunch until late at night (around 11 PM), it's also perfect for a late-night meal after drinks. Please note: Payment is cash or PayPay only (credit cards and transportation IC cards are not accepted). On weekdays (Monday-Friday), the shop is closed for a break from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The stairs leading to the shop are narrow and steep, making it difficult to bring in large suitcases.

Ramen Jiro Shinjuku Kabukicho branch, a direct affiliate of Ramen Jiro, is located in Kabukicho, just a 1-minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station. Its rich tonkotsu shoyu (pork bone soy sauce) soup, homemade thick noodles, and generous portions of chashu (braised pork belly) deliver that signature Jiro-style satisfaction. Even the "Small Ramen" comes with a substantial 200g of noodles, so first-timers might consider choosing "Sukuname" (less noodles). The ordering process involves unique customs. First, purchase your meal ticket from the vending machine. Since the menu is in Japanese only and lacks photos, it's recommended to familiarize yourself with basic items like "Small Ramen (950 yen)" and "Large Ramen" beforehand. There's a system to indicate noodle firmness by folding your ticket; if you prefer "katame" (firmer noodles), fold your ticket in half and place it on the counter. Just before your bowl is served, you'll be asked for your toppings, known as the "call." When you hear "Ninniku iremasu ka?" (Would you like garlic?), verbally state your preferences for "yasai" (vegetables), "ninniku" (garlic), "abura" (pork fat), and "karame" (stronger seasoning), including their quantity or absence. Occasionally, a foreign staff member might ask "Toppings?" in English. Please note the in-store rules: no phone calls, no entry if intoxicated, and no photography other than your ramen. There's also an unspoken understanding to "not disrupt the lot" – meaning, eat quickly once your ramen is served. Cold water and soup ladles are self-service. Payment is cash only. Open until 2 AM.

A specialist Chuka Soba shop located just a 2-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station, focusing on a niboshi (dried sardine) base. Our signature bowl features a clear soy sauce soup with a robust niboshi aroma, offering a light yet deeply flavorful experience. The hosaki menma (bamboo shoot tips) are renowned for their exceptional bamboo flavor, and the chashu (pork slices) are slow-cooked at a low temperature to ensure a wonderfully moist finish. Limited-time menus such as rich niboshi soba and shrimp miso tsukemen frequently appear, promising a new taste discovery with every visit. Open until 11 PM, we also offer a drink menu, making us a great spot to enjoy a drink with your meal.

Just a 1-minute walk from Shinjuku Nishiguchi Station, this ramen shop specializes in its signature "Gyukai Chintan" (Beef-Shellfish Clear Soup), a unique blend of domestic beef bones, chicken, and shellfish dashi. The clear, pristine soup offers a delightful synergy of rich beef umami and elegant shellfish flavor, creating a profile so captivating you'll want to savor every last drop. They offer two varieties: Shoyu (soy sauce) and Shio (salt), with the Shio ramen served with truffle paste. The thin, straight noodles from Kanno Seimenjo are pleasantly firm with an excellent ability to cling to the soup, but as they tend to soften quickly, it's recommended to enjoy them without delay. Although it's a small establishment with 10 L-shaped counter seats, service is swift, ensuring a smooth and efficient dining experience.

This is a specialty shop in Kabukicho, focusing on salt ramen that highlights the broth of golden sea bream (kinmedai). A single sip of the clear soup fills your mouth with the rich umami of kinmedai, complemented by the savory accent of grilled kinmedai. The specialty "Kinmedai Chazuke" (sea bream over rice in broth), served as a finishing dish, involves adding wasabi and rice to the leftover ramen soup. It's a popular choice, with many customers enjoying it as a set with their ramen. With Kinmedai Ramen priced at 850 yen and Chazuke at 200 yen, its excellent cost-performance for such quality is also a major draw. Open until 11 PM, it's a convenient stop for those exploring Kabukicho.

Located a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station's West Exit, this is an established ramen shop and the original establishment from which its neighbor 'Horiuchi' branched off. The menu primarily features two types: ramen and Zaru (tsukemen). A striking characteristic is the overwhelming volume, with even a regular serving containing 1.5 to 2 times the normal amount of noodles. The soup is a chicken-based clear soy sauce, offering a gentle, old-fashioned flavor with a robust umami. The chashu pork is thickly sliced (over 1cm), resulting in a tender and juicy finish. Open until 11 PM, it's perfect for those seeking a hearty meal or a satisfying bowl after a night out.

Located just a 3-minute walk from Shinjuku Station's West Exit, this long-established shop is renowned for its Zaru Ramen (Tsukemen). It's so popular that the majority of customers order Zaru. The flat, wavy noodles are delightfully smooth and chewy, and served in a generous portion. The soy sauce-based dipping broth, made with a chicken and pork bone base, boasts a crisp, sharp flavor with no sweetness. The thick-cut chashu is tender and not greasy. Open from 8 AM to 11 PM, it's a versatile spot perfect for an early morning meal or a late-night finish after drinks. This is a beloved, staple eatery in Shinjuku West Exit, cherished for over 30 years.

Nestled in a back alley of Nishi-Shinjuku, this shop is famous for its salt ramen which highlights the exquisite umami of Shamo gamecock. Its clear, golden soup harmonizes the richness of chicken oil with the powerful umami of Shamo, offering a light yet profoundly deep flavor. The chashu features several varieties, including duck and smoked options, while the smooth, delightful texture of their wontons is also highly praised. Though it's a bit of a walk from the station, it often has shorter queues and easier entry, making it a true hidden gem. During lunchtime, you can enjoy a free large serving (omori) of noodles or a complimentary side of rice.

This popular shop, located underground in the Shinjuku Station South Exit area, specializes in rich seafood x chicken paitan tsukemen. The double soup, a blend of chicken paitan and seafood, is rich yet boasts a refreshing aftertaste. Stirring in the fish powder piled in the center instantly elevates the aroma. The medium-thick straight noodles, crafted by a former Italian chef, are delightfully chewy and elastic, offering a substantial presence that perfectly complements the rich soup. Large portions are free, and the final soup-wari (broth dilution) is self-service. Despite being a highly popular spot frequently listed in "Top 100 Shops" and known for its long queues, the high turnover rate means you can often get in surprisingly smoothly. The touch-panel ticket machine features photos and multi-language support, making it easy to order even for first-time visitors. Business hours may change, or the shop might close early if the soup runs out, so we recommend checking their official website (https://www.fu-unji.com/ - multi-language supported) before your visit.

This is a reservation-only ramen shop located in Nishi-Shinjuku 5-chome. Reservations are made via TableCheck, with bookings for the following day opening at 8 AM JST the day before. TableCheck supports 18 languages and does not require a Japanese phone number, making it an easy platform for overseas visitors to book. Slots often fill up immediately after opening, but if you persist for a few minutes and keep refreshing the screen, openings may appear. The shop features a 6-seat L-shaped counter where the owner meticulously prepares each bowl one by one. The core offerings are three types: Shio (salt), Shoyu (soy sauce), and Shiro-Shoyu (white soy sauce). The soup is described as 'Noukou Chintan' (rich clear soup), meaning it is clear yet packed with concentrated umami. Four types of chashu (braised pork belly), including smoked and aburi (seared), are used. The 'Tokujo' (special) option also includes two types of wontons: shrimp and pork. This is a highly-regarded restaurant, receiving top-class evaluations in Tabelog's national ramen rankings. Since you don't have to wait in line once you secure a reservation, it's highly recommended for travelers with limited time.

This is a specialty shop for shrimp tsukemen located in the Shinjuku Station South Exit area. Their signature dish, "Ebi Tsukemen," features a rich, thick shrimp soup reminiscent of bisque, which perfectly coats the thick, chewy whole-wheat noodles. The "Ebi Tomato Tsukemen" offers Western accents of basil and tomato, allowing you to enjoy a flavor akin to Italian pasta. Popular options include a service of one free topping for smaller noodle portions, and the recommended way to finish your meal by enjoying the soup to the last drop with "Grilled Cheese Rice." Despite being a highly-rated establishment frequently listed in "Hyakumeiten" (Top 100 Shops), it boasts a fast turnover, meaning relatively short waiting times.

Located in an alley within Shinjuku Golden Gai, this additive-free ramen shop is notable for its impressive skull lighting. The interior, a dimly lit space converted from the first floor of a bar, boasts a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from typical ramen establishments. Their signature dish, "Nira Men" (Garlic Chive Noodles), features a whole bundle of garlic chives, and the performance of drizzling hot sesame oil over it at the end, creating a delightful sizzle, is a highlight. The rich aroma of garlic chives, the fragrant sesame oil, and a light soy sauce soup combine to create a uniquely flavorful bowl. Beyond Nira Men, the menu offers a diverse selection including Shoyu (soy sauce), Shio (salt), Niboshi (dried sardine), and Tantanmen. The soup is a delicate, clear-style broth, free of chemical seasonings, derived from whole chicken, pork, and konbu (kelp). Orders are placed by purchasing meal tickets from a vending machine situated at the back right of the shop. This machine has English descriptions but no photos. Featured menu items include "Nira Men" (1,250 yen), "Ginger-scented Clear Shoyu Ramen" (850 yen), and "Yuzu-scented Clear Shio Ramen" (850 yen). For an additional kick, try green chili or yuzu kosho. Rice is complimentary during lunch hours. Please note, payment is cash only. Given its location in a Golden Gai alley, we recommend confirming the exact spot with a map application before your visit.

A hidden gem known to those in the know, located along Honan Dori, just a 6-minute walk from Nishi-Shinjuku Gochome Station. True to its name, which includes 'Seimen' (noodle making), the quality of the noodles here is exceptional. Enjoy chewy, medium-thin straight noodles with a high water content, offering a delightfully smooth slurp. The menu is diverse, featuring 'Rich Seafood Dashi Ramen,' 'Shina Soba (Light Fish Broth),' 'Chuka Soba (Light Chicken Broth),' and more. Tsukemen (dipping noodles) are available in portions from 200g to 500g. With prices starting from 800 yen, it's also very affordable. The ordering method is unique: although there's a ticket vending machine, it's been out of order for years and cannot be used. Upon entering, your order will be taken verbally, and payment is cash-only, prepaid using a blue cash tray. The menu is posted outside the shop, so it's a good idea to decide what you want before entering to ensure a smooth experience. Please serve yourself water. Payment is strictly cash. The owner is a man of few words, but he offers a proper greeting, so don't feel intimidated—please come on in! On Saturdays and Sundays, the shop operates for lunch hours only (until 3 PM).

Hachiro Shoten Shinjuku Store is a miso ramen specialty shop from the "Nantsu-ttei" group, located just a 4-minute walk from Shinjuku West Exit Station. Our signature feature is the black *ma-yu* (aromatic oil made from burnt garlic) floating atop our rich miso soup, creating a powerful dish where the umami of miso and the fragrant char of ma-yu unite in your mouth. Bean sprouts are stir-fried in lard and added later, providing a crisp, refreshing texture as an accent. Beyond our classic Miso Ramen, we offer a rich variety including Spicy Miso, Tomato Miso, Curry Miso, and Miso Tsukemen, ensuring a delightful experience with every visit. Ordering is easy via our touch-panel ticket machine, complete with photos and English descriptions, so first-timers won't get lost. We fully support card, e-money, and QR payments (including Alipay and WeChat Pay), and a large portion is available free of charge. As the rich soup can splash easily, we recommend using a paper apron. For those looking to add a different twist to their flavor, simply ask our staff for complimentary minced garlic or ginger toppings.

Located a 3-minute walk from Shinjuku Station's Southeast Exit, this 24-hour "chan-kei ramen" shop is tucked away in an alley. Chan-kei ramen is a new style featuring an abundant, almost overflowing soup, chewy flat noodles, and generous portions of chashu (braised pork slices). The clear pork broth *shoyu* (soy sauce) soup offers a gentle yet rich flavor, not overly strong, with a deep pork *umami* that makes it perfect as a satisfying meal after drinks. The *chashu* is freshly sliced and warm, with 6 to 7 pieces served, providing such a generous volume that it feels like a *chashu-men* (ramen with extra chashu) even in its standard serving. Orders are placed via a touch-panel ticket machine, but as there are no English descriptions or photos, it's recommended to check the menu names in advance. The basic menu item is "Chūka Soba" for 950 yen, and "Chashu-men" is 1,350 yen. Card, electronic money, and QR payments are accepted. Free white rice is offered, which you can enjoy with the *kappa* (cucumber pickles) available on the table. You can also customize your ramen with chopped garlic or vinegar for a different flavor. As it's situated in an alley, we recommend using a map app to guide you.

This is a 24-hour specialty restaurant for rich niboshi (dried sardine) ramen, located on the second floor of G2 Street in Shinjuku Golden Gai. Look for the white lantern and climb the narrow stairs to discover a compact interior that exudes the deep, unique atmosphere of Golden Gai. Their rich soup, made from a blend of over 60g of more than 20 types of niboshi per bowl, offers a powerful dried sardine flavor with minimal off-notes and a surprisingly clean aftertaste. In addition to chewy, medium-thick wavy noodles, each bowl includes their famous 'Ittan Momen,' an extra-wide flat noodle, allowing you to enjoy diverse textures. Ordering is done via a ticket vending machine immediately after climbing the stairs, but it lacks English displays or photos. During busy periods, staff may come down the stairs to take your order. The shop attracts many international customers, and the staff are accustomed to serving them. As you eat, dissolve the spicy miso paste on the chashu into the soup, and add the niboshi vinegar available at your table to enjoy a change in flavor. Electronic money and QR payments (PayPay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, etc.) are accepted, but credit cards are not. Please be careful on the steep stairs, as there is no handrail. This iconic Golden Gai spot can be enjoyed any time, whether morning or late at night.

Located a 3-minute walk from Nishi-Shinjuku Station, this is a sister restaurant of the popular "Menya Sho" specializing in miso ramen. The rich yet mellow white miso-based soup is prepared using an authentic method: thoroughly stir-frying miso and ground pork with lard before adding the soup, which highlights its depth and aromatic savoriness. A distinctive feature is the grated ginger topped just before serving; first, enjoy the miso flavor as is, then dissolve the ginger into the soup halfway through for a refreshing change in taste. Bean sprouts are stir-fried separately with lard instead of being simmered in the soup and added later, providing a crisp texture as an accent. For the Spicy Miso Ramen, you can choose your spice level from 1 to 6, catering to those who love spicy food. Orders are placed via a ticket vending machine. While there are photos, there's no English text, so it's advisable to check menu names like "Miso Ramen (1,000 yen)" and "Spicy Miso Ramen" in advance for a smoother ordering process. During lunchtime, you can choose a large serving or rice for free, and in the evening, extra noodles (kaedama) are free – a welcome bonus. Payment is cash only.

A specialty ramen shop for niboshi (dried sardine) ramen, located on the B2F of Keio FRENTE Shinjuku-sanchome, directly connected to Exit C2 of Shinjuku-sanchome Station. A major draw is that it operates from 7 AM on weekdays, offering a special morning ramen for only 500 yen. The signature Niboshi Shoyu Soba features an elegant, clear soup that delivers a rich niboshi flavor without any unpleasant aftertaste, perfectly complemented by thin, straight noodles. They also offer seafood tsukemen (dipping noodles) and mazesoba (mixed noodles), with a free large serving for tsukemen. You can enjoy two types of chashu: low-temperature cooked pork and chicken. Orders are placed via a ticket vending machine, which also supports an English menu. Card, e-money, and QR payments are accepted. As the shop is located on the B2F of the building, please descend the stairs from the entrance facing the main street to reach it. Since it can be difficult to spot from ground level, we recommend checking the building's location on a map app before visiting. This is a place where you can enjoy a unique Shinjuku experience: savoring 500-yen morning ramen in the prime underground location of a building that also houses Louis Vuitton.

A specialty shop for Konbu-sui Tsukemen, part of the Raamen Koike Group, nestled in an alley about a 7-minute walk from Shinjuku Station's South Exit. The thin noodles, submerged in clear konbu dashi water, offer an elegant flavor with the aroma of wheat and the umami of the broth even when eaten plain. The recommended way to enjoy them is to first taste the noodles on their own, then sprinkle them with the moshio (seaweed salt) provided at the table, and finally dip them into the tsukemen sauce. If you order the 'Tokujou Konbu-sui Tsukemen' (Special Konbu-sui Tsukemen), you'll receive a total of four dipping sauces—the main sauce, Tokyo Classic (a sweet and spicy soy sauce base), chilled soy milk tantan, and nameko oroshi (grated daikon with nameko mushrooms)—allowing you to enjoy a variety of flavor changes in a single meal. Ordering is done by purchasing a meal ticket from the vending machine at the entrance, then serving yourself water before taking an empty seat and handing over your ticket. You can choose between 200g and 300g of noodles for the same price. The shop accepts card, e-money, and QR payments, and paper aprons are also available. As the shop's location can be a bit hard to find, we recommend relying on a map app to get there.

A popular ramen shop belonging to the Hayashida Group, located just a 2-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station. Their signature Shoyu Ramen features a clear, chicken-based soup with a distinctive soy sauce aroma, perfectly paired with thin, firm, and delightfully snappy noodles. The menu's breadth is also a draw, with options like the elegant salt-based Nodoguro Soba, which combines clear chicken broth with Nodoguro dashi, and Mazesoba, offering a rich flavor from soy sauce tare mixed with an egg yolk. The ticket vending machine provides photos and English guidance, allowing international travelers to order without confusion. Open until 11 PM, it's a reliable dining choice in Shinjuku.