If you have the opportunity to visit Tokyo, Japan to enjoy this famous dish, do not hesitate because the Guardian has provided a list of the 10 most prominent ramen noodle shops to help you "breathe easier" in the selection process.
Let's get started!
1. Konjiki Hototogisu
Starting out as a small shop with only 8 seats, the ramen at Konjiki Hototogisu is considered to have a "perfect balance of premium ingredients", making it unforgettable for diners. The shop's chef, Mr. Yamamoto, is famous for being one of the first ramen chefs to use hamaguri clams to create a ramen soup that is only available at Konjiki Hototogisu. It is this highlight that helped Kojiki Hototogisu become the 3rd ramen shop in Tokyo to win 1 Michelin star last year. This is truly a dining place that you cannot miss when coming to Tokyo.
- Address: 2-4-1 Shinjuku, 22 Kyutei Mansion 1F, Shinjuku
- Phone: +81 3 5315 4733
- Open daily from 11:30am - 3pm, 6:30pm - 10pm
2. Menya Shichisai
What makes Menya Shichisai special is that you always get to taste fresh noodles. After buying a ticket from a vending machine and handing it to the chef, you will see the noodles being made on the spot before enjoying a hot bowl of flavorful ramen. Currently, there are not many ramen shops serving this style. The shop's most famous noodle dish is Kitakata ramen, which originated in Fukushima Prefecture. The dish consists of a clear soup mixed with curly noodles and a little niboshi, or dried sardines.
- Address: 2 Chome-13-2 Hatchobori, Chuo
- Phone: +81 3 5566 9355
- Opening hours: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm (Monday to Friday); 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 9pm (Saturday and Sunday)
3. Mensho Tokyo
Although there are nine locations spread across the city, what makes Mensho Tokyo unique is that each branch has its own unique menu. Some branches serve ramen with bizarre ingredients, like lamb chops with bitter chocolate, inspired by Mexican molé sauce. The most famous dish here is the pork bone soup ramen and dried fish.
- Address: 1 Chome-15-9 Kasuga, Bunkyo City
- Phone: +81 3 3830 0842
- Opening hours: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 11pm (Wednesday to Monday)
- Website: menya-shono.com
4. Motenashi Kurokui
Visit the shop on Fridays to try their signature dish, the soup ramen or tskukemen, a ramen dipped in a duck broth, served with carefully prepared pieces of fresh duck and a slice of kabosu. For the rest of the week, you can enjoy classic ramen seasoned with six different types of salt or try their signature cold noodles.
- Address: 2-15 Kanda Izumicho, Chiyoda
- Phone: +81 3-3863 7117
- Opening hours: 11:30am - 3pm, 6pm - 9pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday); 11:30am - 2:30pm, 6pm - 8:30pm (Friday)
5. Supaisu Ramen Mankiri
As soon as you step into the shop, you will be overwhelmed by the unique spices in the shop. Order a can of cold beer to enjoy with a bowl of hot noodles with red chili and Sichuan pepper soup, which will bring you a stimulating and refreshing taste.
- Address: 3-16-5 Nishi-Kasai, Edogawa-ku
- Phone: +81 3 6848 1346
- Opening hours: 11:30am-9:30pm (Wednesday to Monday)
- Website: manriki.net
6. Menson Rage
Since opening in 2015, the chefs at Menson Rage have taken classic ramen to new heights. The restaurant is decorated with shiny bicycles and skateboards, creating a fusion of tradition and modernity. The most famous noodle dish here is the Shoyu ramen, which uses fighting chickens from Thailand.
- Address: 3 Chome-37-22 Shoan, Suginami
- Opening hours: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 9pm (Monday, Wednesday to Saturday), 11am - 4pm (Sunday)
7. Mugi To Olive
What makes Mugi To Olive special is the unique way of enjoying the noodles here. When you finish half of the bowl, you will have to add a little extra virgin olive oil to the bowl. Those who have not eaten it will feel hesitant while those who have enjoyed it will be impressed by this unique way of enjoying ramen. The taste of olive oil blends perfectly with the taste of the soup made from chicken, dried fish and hamaguri oysters.
- Address: 6-12-12 Ginza, Chuo-ku
- Phone: +81 3-3571-2123
- Opening hours: 11:30am - 10pm (Monday to Friday); 11:30am - 9pm (Saturday)
8. Uchoku
Although it only launched in 2018, Uchoku has quickly become a phenomenon. The signature ramen here is ramen dipped in soup, also known as tsukemen - made with ingredients like tuna, seaweed and chicken. After finishing the noodles, you should add a little dashi (broth made from daikon, bonito flakes, seaweed) to thin the soup a bit and enjoy it to the last drop.
- Address: 3-10-16 Amanuma, Suginami-ku
- Opening hours: 11:30am - 3pm (Monday to Friday); 11:30am - 4pm (Saturday, Sunday)
9. Teppanyaki Kishin
Teppanyaki Kishin was not originally a ramen shop, but a traditional grill shop. However, after a few months of operation, Teppanyaki Kishin started serving special ramen for lunch. And it was a great idea. They even served the famous Kobe beef ramen, targeting customers with more money.
- Address: 17-10 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku
- +81 3 6427 0952
- Opening hours: 11am-11pm (Monday to Friday), 11pm (Saturday, Sunday)
10. Homemade Muginae
Since its opening in 2016, Homemade Muginae has quickly become a crowd-pleaser, famous for its ramen with a soup base made from Yamagata chicken.
- Address: 6 Chome-11-10 Minamioi, Shinagawa City
- +81 3 3298 5158, Sat-Sun 11.30am-3pm
- Opening Hours: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 6pm until sold out (Monday to Wednesday and Friday)
