Top 7 Ramen Spots in Tokyo

Japan is famous for its ramen scene, and if you're a newcomer, you're going to be overwhelmed by the vast majority of choices and styles available to you. From dipping noodles to regional varieties of ramen, ramen without soup, and the classic miso-ramen, there are many prime locations when it comes to getting the best ramen in Tokyo.

So, if you're in search of the best ramen in Tokyo, let's start with the top 7 best ramen shops in Tokyo. Your taste buds will be pleased, and since it's your first time, you're bound to leave with pleasant memories. There's no right or wrong when it comes to the ramen since chefs timelessly experiment on the classics, but one thing's for sure - you cannot end your trip to Japan (or enjoy it fully) without trying out a bowl of ramen (or a few more if you're up for it)

Now that you're in the mood for enjoying the best ramen in Tokyo let's dive into the fun and explore the list.

Chuka Shoba Shibata opened up in 2013 when the master, Shibata-san, completed his apprenticeship at Raku-Raku in Kichijoji. The restaurant is known for serving its two popular dishes - the chuka shoba (shoyu ramen with chicken) and niboshi. It's one of the best ramen shops in Tokyo, and what makes their ramen stand out is the elegance and blend of textures with flavors in each bowl. Although Chuka Shoba can be bought cheap when you eat local, the restaurant transforms this simple meal into a gourmet delicacy. You'll want to try it out for the egg layering on top, and if you're a real foodie, we recommend ordering their 'oomori,' which is a huge bowl of noodles. There is also the tsuke-soba, which you can't go wrong with. It's is traditionally thin Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour, and there are many variations of it available as well. And finally, since you're coming here for the best ramen in Tokyo, don't forget to try out their Niboshi Ramen. You'll be surprised at how powerful the sardine flavors are in the clear broth, and the sprouts give it a unique bitterness with the fishy flavor with the roast pork slices taking in the soup, giving you a variety of flavors in a bowl. For a crunchy twist, they add menma bamboo shoots to the bowl generously.

If it's your first time traveling for the best ramen in Tokyo, you can take the train from the Shinjuku station via Keio Line, which will take you about 10 to 20 minutes to reach the Chuka Shoba Shibata. A simple meal here starts at 150 yen with their classic rice bowl, and you'll find the generous servings of roasted pork, spices, and veggies bursting in your taste buds.

Address: Chome-25-20 Wakabacho, Chofu, Tokyo 182-0003, Japan

Timings: Closed on Mondays

If you're looking for the best ramen in Tokyo near Shinjuku, there is the Fuunji shop, which you must try out. It's located on a first floor in a building, and although it's tiny, you can easily spot it miles away by looking at the crowd lining up.

The menu is made up of three kinds of ramen - tsukemen, ramen, and kamatama-men.

The chilled noodles (soba) with hot dipping sauce are what they're known for, and a meal can cost you up to 800 yen. The best part is that you get three kinds of options for the meal portions - the namimori (small size), chumori (medium size), and omori (large size) - and all of them are the same price. Just remember to reach there 30 minutes early if you want a seat and know that you can get their kamatama-men only during dinner time

You also get options to customize your regular ramen into special ramen with toppings such as seaweed, roast pork, bamboo shoots, and a soft-boiled egg. And their ramen soup, which is made from a masterful blend of flavors is worth trying too.

Address: Japan, 151-0053 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Yoyogi, 2 Chome−14−3

Timings: Closed on Sundays

Ginza Kagari Honten is one of the few easy-to-miss ramen spots in Tokyo. If you're passing by Ginza for the best ramen in Tokyo, be sure to stop by. It's located next to the Kazami Ramen store inside a hidden alley. Be prepared to wait in a long queue and arrive at least 20 minutes early to get a seat.

The menu has expanded since its new launch, and it's signature dish is the Tori Paitan Soba (Kagami refer to ramen as 'Soba), which is a type of Chicken Ramen with egg. There are different versions of their paitan bowl. First, we have the shoyu variant, which is on the dark side with a stronger flavor, and we have another variant that is creamy and comes with a white truffle that they call the deluxe variant.

If you want to go for light clear ramen soups, try out their signature tori-soba, which includes chicken broth. It's perfect for the winters and mild summers. Another key point to note before visiting here for the best ramen in Tokyo is that the shop is entirely cashless. You have to pay before your meal, and you'll have to wait in line for your turn since they don't take any bookings or reservations in advance. But the wait is worth it if you're serious about going for the best ramen in Tokyo.

Address: 6 Chome-4-12 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan

Timings: Closed on Tuesdays

When you first walk into Konjiki Hototogisu, you will be greeted by a man who is handling the queue. The interiors are squeaky clean, and the restaurant has a nice rustic vibe to it on the front, being obscurely located in the back alleys of Shinjuku. According to the 2019 Michelin Guide Tokyo, Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu is one of the few ramen shops in Tokyo to receive a new one-star rating. The toppings used on the dish are white truffle sauce with porcini oil and flakes. 'Soba' and ramen are used interchangeably as terms while the word Chuka-soba refers to Chinese noodles. The restaurant is open from 11:30 am, and it is closed on Mondays. You can use Google maps to find it since it's difficult to locate in the back alleys.

If you're in the mood for more ramen after your first bowl here, try their Shio Soba. It blends a base stock with Mongolian rock salt and Okinawa sea salt, and you have the hamaguri clam with red sea bream soup for the unique sweet flavors. The ramen is then topped with a finish of white truffle oil, a sauce made from porcini mushrooms, and bits of pancetta bacon drizzled with Inca berry sauce.

Konjiki Hototogisu is of the top places to get the best ramen in Tokyo. Although you'll have to wait for anywhere between 20 to 60 minutes to get a seat, it's worth it. The only rule is you aren't allowed to take any pictures in the restaurant besides that of your food. A nice meal here can cost you up to 1,000 Yen with no change to spare. You have to get your ticket from the vending machine to pay for your meal there, which will be brought to your table. Other instructions or customs to be followed in the restaurant are written in both English and Japanese for the convenience of visitors.

Their noodles are made in-house from scratch, and what makes their ramen bowls fantastic are the clear soups that aren't too greasy but light with layers of complexity. Now you know why they're at the top 7 for the best ramen in Tokyo.

Address: Japan, Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 2 Chome−4−1

Timings: 11 am to 3 pm and from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm

If you want to experience the true taste of ramen in Japan, try out Muginae. All their bowls are crafted homemade and uses zero chemical additives. The master behind the ramen, Akihiro Fukaya, excels at what he does and even personally makes the seasonings in-house. From the niboshi (dried sardines) to the shoyu and sauces, you will find that every bowl is masterfully crafted with genuine love (even the bowls themselves are handcrafted, which is pretty cool!). The specialty of this shop is the niboshi ramen, which is light on the stomach. You'll also find other variants here, such as the tokusei and shoyu ramen. You also can get ajitama (soft-boiled egg) and shrimp wanton with your ramen for your extra toppings if you want. If you've got the cash, go for their Deluxe ramen bowl for a fulfilling meal.

The only thing to watch out for is that the restaurant has instructions fully in Japanese, and nobody speaks English amongst the staff.

Address: 6-11-10, Tokyo, Shinagawa-Ku, Minami Oi 6-11-10

Timings: Closed on Thursdays

Menya Ittou is a must-visit shop for the best ramen in Tokyo and is located at Shin Koiwa. What makes them stand out is their Special Seafood Chicken Tsukemen, which includes char siu pork, egg, and some chicken with a few sheets of seaweed. You should ask for oomori for a large helping of noodles, and they'll be happy to refill your soup at no extra cost. The regular ramen bowls are good too, but their tsukemen is what makes them famous.

A bowl of their Special Thick Seafood Tsukemen will cost you around 1,080 yen, and there are only 10 seats found inside. The staff is super helpful since they do a quality test on the food for you before serving it. Don't be surprised to see the bowls stay warm when you're served your ramen here. The noodles are also just thick and tight with a smooth texture to them. What's special about their dipping broth is how it's made using 5 kinds of seafood and chicken stock. If you're going for their oomori bowls or larger portion sizes, you can help yourself to extra servings of the dipping broth for free.

When it comes to striking a balance between the broth and the soup, they get it just right - putting them at sixth for the best ramen in Tokyo on our list. For your chashu toppings, you get three kinds - sous vide chicken, pork, and simmered pork. Even the egg is prepared meticulously for the ramen topping, and you'll notice how much of umami it has taken up with the same going for their pork cuts. And the visual palate they lay in front of you is also one of the reasons why they're known for the best ramen in Tokyo.

Every bowl is made to perfection here, and you'll notice it after you dive into their ramen. The noodles are thick enough, while the soups are creamy with good consistency. There are char siu slices that aren't too overpowering, and you get both darker and the pinker versions. The darker ones are marinated for longer while the pink slices are on the tender side. There are yuzu green onion slices included with the soup as well, and if you still have soup left by the time you're done, use their soup wari for diluting the tsukemen broth and finishing up the rest.

The staff is very helpful, and there are English menus available in the restaurant that show you how to operate the vending machines. Be sure to try out their regular ramen bowls since they put a seasonal twist to them from time to time. If you're looking for the best ramen in Tokyo, then the Menya Ittou or King of Tsukemen is your go-to destination. You can reach the restaurant by taking a 3-minute walk from the north exit of the JR Shin Koiwa's station. It won't take you long to get there, but there's always a long queue waiting ahead, so be sure to arrive early to get a seat!

Address: 1-4-17 Higashishinkoiwa, Katsushika-Ku, Tokyo

Timings: Closed on The New Year holiday

'Mugi to Olive' translates to Wheat and Olive Oil. When you are near to finishing your bowl of ramen, you add a generous splash of olive oil to your bowl and change the flavor profile. Isn't that genius?

If it's your first time here, try out their Shoyu soups. There are three kinds available, and we highly recommend their niboshi and the one that is made using hamaguri clams. The chicken one is good, too, and you can also order a triple soba variant for the ramen. The supplier for the noodles is Teigaku from Kyoto, and if you've ever craved a gourmet ramen experience. You won't be disappointed.

They also have a ramen option called the maze-soba, which is ramen without the soup. It is similar to pasta when you blend in the thick noodles with the toppings, spices, and sauces. Again, you should drizzle your bowl with the virgin olive oil when you're halfway done for that exquisite burst of flavors.

Address: 6-12-12 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Timings: Closed on Sundays

When it comes to trying out the best ramen shops in Tokyo, there are boundless options available; however, we believe that for the best ramen in Tokyo, these 7 ramen restaurants make a list when it comes to staying at the top. To the culinary experts, Tokyo Ramen is not merely food, but a philosophy and way of life. Some of these ramen shops in Tokyo are rising stars while some have been around for ages, which means you get the best of both worlds.