Finding the best ramen restaurants in Tokyo can be a mission when you're surrounded by an abundance of choices. It's difficult to not stumble across a ramen house in neighbourhood districts around the city of Tokyo.
Ramen is a staple food in Japanese culture, and Tokyo has over 10,000 ramen houses. The dish is enjoyed year-round by locals, and there are many regional types, including fan favourites from Fukuoka and Sapporo.
Since the early 1900s, booming demand for the dish has created successful business chains that have evolved and spread across Japan.
These chains offer a wide selection of ramen at an affordable price with classic sides to satisfy any customer. So it's only natural that when someone wants to try one of Japan's infamous dishes, they start at the very best ramen chains around the city.
Here are seven places around the capital of Japan that are guaranteed to be a perfect source of ramen deliciousness for you!
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Ichiran (一蘭)
Known as the king of all kings, Ichiran is one of the best ramen restaurants in Tokyo. Ichiran is many people's first introduction to tonkotsu ramen, with its two Shibuya branches being the most popular to visit.
Their ordering system and semi-secluded eating booths are what made them famous overseas.
In the 1960s, founder Manabu Yoshitomi would ask his diners how they like their ramen. He then developed the "Order Form System" to allow customers to create ramen that met their preferences. This system is still in place today at Ichiran.
Customers can purchase their ramen option from a vending machine.
After purchasing, an order sheet is available in English, Japanese, and Chinese to fill in. Then, customers get to choose their broth, chashu, level of spice, firmness of their noodles and more!
It's no wonder Ichiran became a success. People come back for more as the order system works, and the result is tailor-made ramen for you!
Ichiran (一蘭)
1 Chome−22−7, Iwamoto Building B1F, Jinnan Shibuya, Tokyo Japan, 〒150-0041
Ramen Hakata (ラーメン博多)
With a slogan like No Ramen, No Life, you can feel passion towards ramen. Ramen Hakata is a chain that gets mistaken for many other ramen restaurants due to its name and inconspicuous location.
Ramen Hakata can be found not far from Oji station and is one of the best ramen restaurants in Tokyo. They specialise in tonkotsu, miso and tsukemen.
Their chashu tsukemen and spicy tonkotsu ramen are excellent choices. Furthermore, the latter option allows you to pick from three spice levels to have in your ramen. And boy, does the kick hit your stomach!
Ramen Hakata (ラーメン博多)
1 Chome-5-3 Oji, Kita City, Tokyo, Japan, 〒114-0002
Do・Miso (ど・みそ)
Do • Miso's interior is the image of what a traditional ramen house would look like. It is a small local restaurant with a quiet ambience and the smell of piquant ingredients in the air.
This ramen house specialises in miso or shio ramen such as the Special Miso Ramen (特別みそラーメン) that are aesthetically pleasing.
One of their specialities that stood out on the menu is the Miso Tantanmen, a delicate balance of spice. Also, the staff are delightful, and the service is outstanding no matter how often you go to Do • Miso!
Do・Miso (ど・みそ)
2 Chome-6-10, Nishiaraisakaecho, Adachi City, Tokyo, Japan,〒123-0843
Hidakaya (日高屋ラーメン)
Affordable and locations vastly growing around Tokyo, Hidakaya is a ramen restaurant that serves gyoza, tantanmen alongside its infamous Chinese style ramen.
Hidakaya was born from Tadashi Kanda's dream to make local people happy with its taste, price and location for customers.
It does so through unique combinations and affordable pricing. Therefore, it is no surprise to see customers keep coming back here quite often.
Popular dishes to have at Hidakaya would be the Oil-Free Ramen (油なしラーメン) and Chinese noodles (中華そば). These will give you an idea of the range of dishes they provide for a bargain price with an excellent taste to it.
You can never have enough of Hidakaya!
Hidakaya (日高屋ラーメン)
3 Chome-15-7 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan, 〒107-0052
Azabu Ramen (麻布ラーメン)
It's hard to miss a ramen restaurant like this with its large yellow sign and being directly opposite the station exit. Azabu Ramen is a ramen restaurant in Tokyo that boosts the taste of more peculiar ramen, particularly shio or abura.
Oily ramen (上油ラーメン) is a stand out for Azabu Ramen due to its satisfying texture and appetising visuals. In addition, we highly recommend having fried rice to enjoy while eating the ramen here and worth going into if you are in the area.
Azabu Ramen (麻布ラーメン)
1 Chome−2−9, Shin Ichino-Hashi Heights 1st Floor, Azabujuban, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan, 〒106-0045
Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai (喜多方ラーメン坂内)
It is known for its ramen speciality which is, of course, ramen that originates from the town of Kitakata. The chain created by Nakahara Akira has been consistently expanding. Both locally and internationally like other ramen restaurants.
However, what stands out about Kitakata Ramen is the texture of noodles, which are relatively thicker and differs from Tokyonites' preferred thin noodles.
Some of its signature dishes are the Kitakata Ramen (喜多方ラーメン) and the Chashu Ramen (チャーシューラーメン). In particular, the latter's main ingredient, Chashu is a staple in Kitakata Ramen.
Kitakata Ramen (喜多方ラーメン)
1 Chome-2-8 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan, 〒135-6090
Ippudo (一風堂)
Widespread globally and immensely popular, Ippudo is undoubtedly one of the best ramen restaurants in Tokyo. The chain enjoys worldwide fame for its delicious noodles.
It first came to Tokyo's food scene back in Ebisu, in 1995. It was founded by Shigemi Kawahara, and has been described as "the most famous ramen shop in the country."
With branches in America, Europe and around Tokyo, of course, they serve their world-famous ramen. Choices include tonkotsu and shoyu, miso and tantanmen that collectively brings the wholesome flavour of ramen tastes.
Ippudo (一風堂)
2 Chome-6-1 Brick Square B1F, Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, 〒100-6990
Tokyo's Best Ramen Restaurants
- Ichiran (一蘭)
- Ramen Hakata (ラーメン博多)
- Do・Miso (ど・みそ)
- Hidakaya (日高屋ラーメン)
- Azabu Ramen (麻布ラーメン)
- Kitakata Ramen (喜多方ラーメン)
- Ippudo (一風堂)
We hope you find your perfect bowl of ramen in one of these restaurants in Tokyo. Let us know if you visited any of these places or if you have a recommendation for us to add!
Next up, learn how to make cheese ramen at home.
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