Ramen Shops

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 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.

A duck ramen specialty shop hidden deep in a narrow alley near Yasaka Shrine. The signboard, shop name, and menu are all expressed in emojis, with staff ready to politely explain everything. Crafted by a chef with a French culinary background, the ramen is a sophisticated dish featuring duck consommé soup extracted with a siphon, paired with German rye whole wheat noodles. You can choose between moist duck thigh or breast meat. A unique touch is enjoying a flavor change with 'budo sansho' (grape sansho peppercorns) sprinkled along the rim of the bowl. The duck tsukemen with berry sauce and the 'shime' duck rice with dashi broth are also highly popular. Besides 9 counter seats, there are small tables for couples, allowing you to savor a truly Kyoto-esque bowl in a tranquil, bar-like atmosphere. The majority of patrons are international visitors, and with an all-emoji menu, ordering is seamless without any language barriers.

Founded in 1947, this venerable establishment is synonymous with Kyoto ramen. Its clear tonkotsu-shoyu (pork bone soy sauce) soup is rich yet has a clean, refreshing aftertaste. Another draw is the generous portion, featuring medium-thick straight noodles, plenty of Kujo green onions, and a default topping of five slices of chashu (braised pork). Despite its convenient location, just a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station, be prepared for queues of 30 to 70 people even on weekdays. Open from 6 AM until 1 AM, making early morning or late-night visits recommended.

This is a renowned miso tsukemen restaurant in Kyoto with nearly 20 years of history. Its dipping sauce, based on Haccho miso and layered with the rich umami of pork bone and shrimp, is characterized by its deep yet refined flavor. The homemade medium-thick noodles, made with whole wheat flour, have a delightful chewiness and perfectly entwine with the rich dipping sauce. After finishing your noodles, a classic way to enjoy the experience is to dilute the remaining dipping sauce with the bonito dashi broth provided at your table. The ticket vending machine features English descriptions and photos, making it a popular destination for many international visitors.

Located a 5-minute walk from Ikebukuro West Exit, this popular restaurant is known for its carefully prepared chicken broth ramen and tsukemen. Their signature Chicken Salt Ramen features a clear soup blended with clam broth and Setouchi sea salt. The popular Chicken Seafood Tsukemen offers rich dipping broth made from Kyushu chicken bones and Kujukuri dried sardines, paired with chewy thick noodles made from Hokkaido wheat. You can enjoy a change of flavor mid-meal by adding lemon or black shichimi. The cheese risotto (120 yen) for the tsukemen is also highly recommended as a perfect finish. The restaurant boasts a clean interior, complete with paper aprons and luggage storage. An English menu is displayed next to the ticket machine, making it easy for international visitors to order. The style of ordering is to buy your meal ticket first and then queue. Cash only.

Accepts credit cards, e-money, and QR code payments. This 'Hyakumeiten' (Top 100 Restaurants) ramen shop offers 'Asa-ra' (morning ramen), operating from 8 AM. They boast a wide lineup including Miso, Shio (salt), Shoyu (soy sauce), Tori Paitan (creamy chicken broth), and Tsukemen (dipping noodles), all prepared to a high standard. Orders are placed via a touch-panel ticket machine (with English and photos available). Their signature Shirotori Shoyu Ramen (White Chicken Soy Sauce Ramen) features a refined harmony of rich chicken flavor and soy sauce, while the Seicho Shio Ramen (Clear Salt Ramen) is a beautiful bowl with its crystal-clear broth. The Miso ramen offers a unique flavor with a Paitan (creamy broth) base. Most menu items are under 1000 yen, providing excellent value for money. With 9 counter seats, turnover is quick. It's conveniently located just a 1-minute walk from the station. A frequent recipient of the 'Hyakumeiten' award.

A top 100 restaurant, it has been selected annually for the Michelin Bib Gourmand since 2020. Cash only. A ticket vending machine is available (with English menus and photos). Our signature "Kyo-Gamo Nodoguro Niboshi Soba" is a bowl that is light yet packed with the concentrated umami of our broth. While our Kombu Dashi Ramen is vegan-friendly, other menu items contain animal ingredients. Yuzu vinegar, Kombu Kuro Shichimi (black seven-spice blend with kelp), and Yuzu Ichimi (yuzu-flavored chili pepper) are available to customize your flavor. Another characteristic of our shop is the frequently changing limited-time special menus. Table seating is available. Many international visitors also frequent our shop. Last entry is 9 PM.

Established in 1947, this venerable institution is practically synonymous with Kyoto ramen. Its signature clear tonkotsu-shoyu (pork bone and soy sauce) soup offers a rich depth of flavor with a surprisingly refreshing and crisp aftertaste. The generous portion is another major draw, featuring medium-thick straight noodles, a mountain of local Kujo leeks, and a remarkable five slices of tender chashu (roast pork) served by default. While conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station, be prepared to join a queue of 30 to 70 people, even on weekdays. With operating hours from 6 AM to 1 AM, we highly recommend visiting in the early morning or late at night for a smoother experience.

This renowned miso tsukemen restaurant in Kyoto boasts a history of nearly 20 years. The dipping broth, crafted with a Haccho miso base layered with the umami of pork bone and shrimp, offers a distinctively rich yet refined flavor. Their homemade medium-thick noodles, incorporating whole wheat flour, have a satisfyingly chewy texture and perfectly cling to the rich broth. A classic way to enjoy your meal is to dilute the leftover dipping broth with the katsuobushi dashi provided on your table. The ticket vending machine features English descriptions and photos, making it a popular destination for international visitors.

This is a long-established local Chinese restaurant founded in 1952, located in Dogenzaka, Shibuya. The shop's signature is "Agé Negi" (fried scallions), made by slowly frying Taiwanese red scallions in lard, which adds sweetness and a powerful depth to its animal-based soup. This one-of-a-kind dish, combining a generous amount of stir-fried bean sprouts and chewy, thick noodles, has been cherished in Shibuya for many years. The wontons are large and juicy, with the Char Siu Wonton Noodles being especially popular. While orders are taken verbally by staff after seating and payment is cash only, the presence of multinational staff means there's a good chance of language communication, making it a welcoming place for international tourists to visit with peace of mind.

Hayashi is a renowned seafood tonkotsu ramen shop located in Dogenzaka, Shibuya. Since its opening in 2003, it has been selected as one of Tokyo's Top 100 Shops for nine consecutive years and boasts a Tabelog rating of 3.78, making it a representative bowl of Shibuya. The menu is simple, featuring only three types: Ramen, Ajitama Ramen, and Chashu Ramen. The self-taught owner creates a double soup of seafood and animal bases that is rich yet light on the palate, characterized by a perfect balance that allows you to finish every last drop. Mikawaya Seimen's medium-thin straight noodles, tender pork shoulder loin chashu, and a refreshing yuzu accent complete each bowl. It operates on a ticket vending machine system and accepts cash only. While long lines are inevitable even on weekdays, the service is quick, ensuring a good turnover.

Soranoiro NIPPON, located near Tokyo Station, is a welcoming spot perfect even for ramen beginners. In addition to classic shoyu ramen, you can also enjoy healthy ramen made without any animal products. The spacious and stylish interior is equipped with power outlets and Wi-Fi. The ticket vending machine has English displays and accepts electronic money like Suica. Wheelchair access is also available, ensuring a comfortable ramen experience for everyone.

Ramen Jun Kamata-ten, located in Kamata, Tokyo, offers rich, backfat-heavy seafood-based ramen in the Niigata Tsubame-Sanjo style. The powerful bowl, where the concentrated umami of the pork broth and the richness of the backfat intertwine, is truly a must-try. Equipped with an English-compatible touch-panel ticket vending machine and accepting e-money and QR code payments, it's a foreigner-friendly establishment highly recommended for ramen beginners.

This is an oyster ramen specialty shop operated by the Tori Soba Zaginy Group. Its signature "Kaki Paitan" (Oyster Paitan) features a triple soup made from oyster paste, pork, and chicken, characterized by a rich yet refined flavor without any harshness. Oyster Chintan (clear soup) and Oyster Tsukemen (dipping noodles) are also available, ensuring you can fully enjoy the umami of oysters no matter which dish you choose. A sansho pepper mill is provided, allowing you to enjoy a change in flavor during your meal. The interior is a bar-like space where projection mapping is displayed, creating an atmosphere suitable for dates. The table seating is arranged in a U-shape, with chopsticks and ramen spoons conveniently stored in drawers under the seats. The touch-panel ticket vending machine features images and supports English, Chinese, and Korean. Since the staff also serve customers in fluent English, the shop attracts many international visitors, making it very accessible for foreign travelers. It is completely cashless (cash not accepted) and supports VISA/Master/JCB/AMEX, transportation IC cards, PayPay, and Rakuten Pay. Tabelog states that visits just before closing are welcome, making it a valuable spot where you can stop by even late at night.

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.

Ramen Mugyu VOL.1 Honten - Shoyu This popular ramen shop is located in a competitive ramen hotspot right near Enmachi Station. Their signature dish is "Onibara," featuring chicken soup made from whole purebred Nagoya Cochin chickens, topped with Kyotamba Kogen Pork belly chashu that covers the entire bowl. They offer three highly acclaimed main types: "White" (light), "Black" (rich and deeply flavored), and "Rich Chicken Soba." The noodles are thin, straight noodles from Kyoto's long-established "Menya Teigaku," which pair excellently with the soup. The shop also offers a variety of satisfying side dishes, such as "Kogemashi" (rice grilled in a stone pot) and "Aemen" (seasoned extra noodles for refilling). The touch-panel ticket vending machine supports English, making it easy for tourists to order. With its bright atmosphere, the shop attracts many international and female customers. Its convenient location also makes it a great stop on the way to or from sightseeing spots like Kinkakuji Temple and Arashiyama.

This is the Asakusa branch of a popular ramen chain with its main store in Shinjuku. Their signature Shoyu Ramen is an elegant dish featuring thin noodles intertwined in a clear chicken broth made from duck bones and Daisen chicken. The chashu includes two types, pork and chicken, both cooked sous-vide to a moist perfection. The menma also comes in two varieties: tender tips and extra-thick cuts. Don't miss the soft-boiled egg made with "Maximum Koitamago," known for its rich, flavorful yolk. The menu offers a wide variety, including Shio (salt), Tori Paitan (creamy chicken broth), Tantanmen, and Tsukemen, allowing you to choose according to your preference. The ordering terminal supports English and Chinese, and card payments are also accepted. Open continuously from 10 AM to 11 PM, it boasts an excellent location right near Kaminarimon.

This is a specialty shop for Kumamoto-style `tonkotsu` (pork bone broth) ramen, located along Asakusa Kokusai-dori (International Street). The ramen is characterized by the aromatic richness of `mayu` (black garlic oil) and cabbage, with a `tonkotsu` soup that is not too heavy, offering a lighter finish. Their homemade medium-thin noodles have a uniquely chewy texture, and the thick, melt-in-your-mouth stewed `chashu` (braised pork belly slices) offers ample satisfaction. `Tsukemen` (dipping ramen) is also available. Ordering is easy via the touch-panel ticket machine, and the staff are attentive and can assist in foreign languages, making it a popular destination for international tourists. The shop operates continuously throughout the day, remaining open until 9:30 PM.