You can’t travel all the way to Tokyo without checking out the best ramen there is to eat. Ramen is iconic to Japan and it consists of noodles and soup.
Not only is ramen popular in Japan, but people around the globe love this dish just as much. Because of this, upon your arrival in Tokyo you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to eating ramen.
A delicious bowl of hot ramen is sure to be a highlight of your trip to Tokyo.
While the abundance of ramen restaurants might intimidate you, fear not. Below you will find 10 of Tokyo’s best ramen spots to help narrow down your choice.
1. Ushio
After opening in 2012, Ushio became a top spot for ramen in Tokyo due to the amazing flavor and unique dishes. One of these ramen delights is the Nihon-ichi shoyu soba ramen.
The flavor of the soup is enhanced using Hokkaido-based kelp which is used as a topping.
The soy sauce within the dish is also aged to mature its flavor. The overall taste is bursts of umami along with pork, egg, veggies, and thick noodles – as well as smoked slices of duck meat.
Lunchtime here gets very busy, and because you cannot reserve a seat, you may want to visit just after the restaurant opens. It is much quieter then. This is usually 11 a.m. in the morning.
- Address: 2-4-4, Kandaawaji-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0063, Japan
- Closest Station: Tokyo Marunouchi Line Awajicho Station
- Days Closed: Sundays
2. Tsuta
Tsuta is a Michelin starred restaurant that has gained a name for itself both in Japan and worldwide. It used to be based in Saguma, but moved to the Yoyogi Uehara area back in 2019.
This stretched its 9-seater restaurant to its current 23 seats.
It also used to have a ticket system upon entry, but currently that is not in place. However, that does not mean it will not be that way when you visit so always check beforehand.
The ingredients used in this famous ramen restaurant are locally sourced (such as the seafood from Hokkaido and soy sauce from Wakayama).
The whole wheat noodles which are made at the eatery are thin and delicate, and oh-so worth the wait.
- Address: 3-2-4, Yoyogi Uehara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0066, Japan
- Closest Station: Yoyogi Uehara Station
- Days Closed: Mondays
3. Nakiryu
Nakiryu is a ramen restaurant that has received a crazy amount of ‘fame’ since it was awarded a Michelin star. In fact, it is the second time ever a ramen restaurant has been given such an award.
While the waiting times during lunch are often two hours long, once you sit down to eat the ramen dish you will see why.
The exceptional ramen is worth waiting the hours for. Especially the shoyu ramen which is the Nakiryu special dish.
This ramen dish has three kinds of barbecued pork (otherwise known as chashu) on top. Each one is cooked differently from each other.
It also includes a half-boiled egg, a shrimp-based wonton, green onion and delicious bamboo shoots covered in salt (menma).
Unfortunately, you cannot reserve a seat here. A good way of avoiding the queues is by dining here on a weekday afternoon or early evening.
When you do go, remember to try the hanazansho which is the flowering part of the Japanese pepper. It is ready and waiting to be used at your table.
- Address: 2-34-10, Minamiohtsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-0005, Japan
- Closest Station: JR Otsuka Station
- Days Closed: Tuesdays
4. Ramen Daishi
For only 650 yen, you can eat the restaurant’s special ramen dish that consists of a delicious soy sauce-based broth that this place is known for.
The ramen itself is certainly lighter than other places. This means that it is suited to those who don’t want to eat something heavy.
The cooking techniques used in this eatery are taken from the Chinese, which makes this ramen establishment different from some of the others.
- Address: 1-2-1, Bunkyo City, Yushima, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan
- Closest Station: JR Ochanomizu Station
- Days Closed: Closed Sundays
5. Ichiran
Ichiran in Shibuya was the first ever ramen restaurant to receive a Michelin star. You wouldn’t know this by the price of the dishes either, as it is very budget-friendly.
The place itself is very famous due to its rich and delicious Hakata ramen, which is a pork-style broth. This is known as a signature style within Fukuoka.
The reason they still do this is because they began as a place called Futaba Ramen in Hakata in the 1960s.
It was only a few years later in 1966 when the restaurant changed its name to Ichiran.
The great thing about this place is that it feels very private due to sitting in your own cubicle after ordering ramen from the machines.
- Address: 1-22-7, Jinnan Iwamoto Building, Shibuya, Tokyo, 150-0041, Japan
- Closest Station: Shibuya Station
- Days Closed: Open everyday
6. Toripaitan Kageyama
If you are a lover of chicken, then this ramen restaurant is right up your street.
The place specializes in making tori paitan, which is a thick and white soup that includes chicken. You can also get a savory version as well.
Alongside this filling soup you get a half-boiled egg, red-leafed lettuce, green onions which are fried, steamed healthy chicken, and chewy noodles.
You can also squeeze some fresh lemon juice (which is provided) to add extra flavor to the dish.
The noodles in this restaurant are provided by Asakusa Kaikaro who are very well-known noodle makers in Japan.
- Address: 1-4-18, Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 169-0075, Japan
- Closest Station: JR Takadanobaba Station
- Days Closed: Irregular days
7. Menya Musashi
Shinshuku boasts a number of ramen restaurants, but this has to be one of the best. Menya Musashi often has long queues, especially at lunchtime and other peak times during the week.
A lot of people enjoy the tsukemen dipping noodles despite them looking ‘basic’. They include wonderful chunks of pork, chewy noodles and a delicious broth.
The soy sauce broth is made using chicken bones for flavor.
- Address: 2-34-10, Minamiohtsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-0005, Japan
- Closest Station: JR Otsuka Station
- Days Closed: Tuesdays
8. Kyushu Jangara Ramen
As a vegetarian, let alone a vegan, it can be difficult to eat on vacation. Fortunately, Kyushu Jangara Ramen based in Shibuya City is vegan and veggie friendly. It is also on the budget-friendly side too!
This ramen restaurant sells tonkotsu style ramen which is easily one of the most popular kinds of ramen in Japan – however, it isn’t vegan.
This eatery serves this type of ramen with thin slivers of chashu pork, alongside thick and juicy pork belly pieces.
You will also find cod roe that has been marinated within the dish too, as well as a boiled egg and bamboo shoots.
- Address: 1-13-1, Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo, 150-0001, Japan
- Closest Station: Shibuya Station
- Days Closed: Open everyday
9. Ramen Jiro Mita Honten
For those who are looking to eat budget ramen at no cost to the flavor, then this restaurant is going to be the top choice for you.
For as little as 600 yen, you can eat a basic ramen dish. To purchase a meal you will need to use the ticket machine to choose the type of ramen you would like.
As the toppings go up, so does the price. 700 yen for ‘buta ramen’, otherwise known as pork ramen. Or you can choose the ‘buta double’ at 800 yen which gives you extra pork.
Generally, the portion sizes at this place are massive for the price, so you will not leave hungry!
- Address: 2-16-4, Mita, Minato City, Tokyo, 108-0073, Japan
- Closest Station: Mita Station
- Days Closed: Sundays
10. Mendokoro Haru
First opened in 2012, Haru is popular for its wonderful ramen dishes. One of those is the ‘special soba’, which has chashu pork and thick soy sauce. Along with that is the usual menma and green onion.
However, you also receive an egg which has been flavored, and dry seaweed for some crunch. You can also pay for a noodle refill too. The ‘ae-dama’ only costs 200 yen and is delicious.
Due to no reservation allowed (you should be used to this by now), the best time to visit Haru is just after it opens and in the evening.
Make the most of the savory ramen here by stopping by for some delicious brunch.
- Address: 1-11-7, Shitaya, Taito-ki, Tokyo, 110-0004, Japan
- Closest Station: Iriya Station (using Hibiya Line)
- Days Closed: Irregular days
Final Thoughts
If you are planning a trip to Tokyo, make sure to add eating ramen as part of your itinerary (along with cherry blossoming viewing and convenience store hopping).
Delicious ramen might be considered a fast food in Japan, but experiencing a bowl of the stuff in Tokyo is something you need to experience.
While you could eat it at home, you will never understand the true beauty of eating ramen in a restaurant in the heart of Japan.
From Michelin-starred restaurants, to cozy small eateries, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to eating ramen in Tokyo.
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
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