Indulge in the Best Ramen in Tokyo at These Top-10 Spots!
When you're in Tokyo, and those hunger pangs hit, nothing beats a good ol' bowl of ramen.
It's like a food ritual to dig into a warm bowl filled with noodles, tasty meat, seaweed, and a perfectly boiled egg after a long day at work (or a day of exploring for tourists).
Tokyo, the bustling capital of Japan, knows its ramen game like no other.
Whether you're into fancy, Michelin-worthy ramen or love the classic stuff like pork bone (tonkotsu) or soy sauce (shoyu) ramen, this city has it all.
Need help deciding where to get your ramen fix?
Don't worry; we've got your back. Check out our list of the top 10 must-visit ramen joints in Tokyo:
Best Ramen in Shinjuku
1. Ichiran
Slurp on their signature tonkotsu ramen of this global chain, served with rich broth and sliced pork toppings - a classic twist from Fukuoka.
The best part?
The booth seats and a unique ordering system allow you to purchase tokens and fill out customisation sheets to get the perfect bowl.
Three stores within a 3-5 minute walk from Shinjuku Station.
Ichiran Ramen: Multiple outlets in Shinjuku, including Peace Building (map) & Kabukicho (map)
Opening hours: Varies according to outlet
2. Fūunji
Fūunji specialises in tsukemen (the modern ramen variety), where the noodles and the soup are served separately.
Keeping up with the dish's gaining popularity, this vintage outlet has developed its signature noukou tori niboshi (dried sardine), which draws a long queue daily.
Address: 〒151-0053 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Yoyogi, 2 Chome−14−3 Hokuto Daiichi Building 1F (map)
Opening hours: Open daily, 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 9pm
3. Ramen Hayashida
This Michelin star-deserving restaurant makes the best chicken ramen in Tokyo - shoyu and tsukemen style.
But their speciality is nodoguru, a seafood broth made from a white bass-family fish.
Due to high popularity, they only serve a limited number of nodoguru bowls per day.
You can also try their seasonal soupless tantanmen (a Japanese version of the Chinese spicy noodles dan dan mian).
Address: 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 3 Chome−31−5 Shinjuku Pegasus Building (map)
Opening hours: Open daily, 11am to 10pm
Best Ramen in Shibuya
4. Kiraku Ramen
Serving authentic, never-changing recipes for over 70 years, Kiraru is a local favourite and draws ramen connoisseurs around Japan.
The most popular dish here is moyashi wantanmen, a simple but mouthwatering bowl of ramen with beansprouts, boiled egg, and wonton dumplings.
Address: 2 Chome-17-6 Dogenzaka, Shibuya Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043 (map)
Opening hours: Mon to Sun: 11:30am to 8:30pm. Closed on Weds.
5. Usagi
Packing a punch with delectable flavours and a thick, rich soy base, Usagi is hands down one of the best shoyu ramen spots in Tokyo.
The hip-hop music and quaint vibes give you a break from the usual traditional ambience.
Try the gyoza (dumplings typically filled with ground meat and vegetables and pan-fried, then steamed), spicy tantanmen, and sous vide-styled chashu (braised pork) topping.
Address: 8-13 Shinsencho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0045 (map)
Hours: Mon to Fri: 11:30am to 2:30pm. Closed on Sat & Sun
6. Afuri Harajuku
The bustling lanes of the Harajuku district have many excellent ramen shops, but none serves a perfect bowl of light, yuzu-flavoured (tart flavour) dashi (type of stock) and chicken broth like Afuri.
Topped with chashu pork slices, soft-boiled eggs, mizuna greens, and menma bamboo, here you will find the best ramen in Harajuku.
Afuri also boasts several vegan options, which can be hard to find in Tokyo, thus making them one of the best spots for halal ramen in Tokyo.
Address: 〒151-0051 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Sendagaya, 3 Chome−63−1 Grande Foresta Harajuku 1F (map)
Opening hours: Open daily, 11am to 10:30pm
Best Ramen in Ginza
7. Genraku
A hidden gem of a ramen shop in Ginza, Genraku serves delicious bowls with rich back fat meat and pork broth stewed for two hours.
Their special soy-flavoured Gen Ramen with a heavy pork bone soup is one of the best tonkotsu ramen in Tokyo.
The restaurant is also loved for its sides, like chashu-don (pork rice bowl) and wontons (type of dumpling).
Address: 4 Chome-10-12 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061 (map)
Hours: Mon to Thurs: 11am to 11pm, Fri: 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 11pm, Sat: 11am to 7pm. Closed on Sun
8. Rosokuya - Shibire Noodles
If you're looking for a bowl of spicy noodles with a fiery kick of umami (sweet, salty, sour and bitter taste) in every mouthful, this is your go-to spot.
Deriving the hotness of peppercorn and chilli from China's Sichuan cuisine, this place specialises in aromatic, spicy broths, best enjoyed with their signature map tofu (tofu, ground meat and spicy base sauce) ramen.
Address: 3 Chome-5-16 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061 (map)
Hours: Mon: 11am to 3:30pm, Tues to Sat: 11am to 3:30pm, 5:30pm to 9pm. Closed on Sun
Best Ramen in Roppongi
9. Shuichi
Nobody serves curry ramen in Tokyo better than Shuichi.
The thick and chewy noodles go excellently well with the sweet-and-sour curry broth.
Pick from an assortment of house-made recipes, such as spicy miso or black sesame.
They also have curry aburasoba (buckwheat noodles served with oil) and curry tsukemen.
Address: 〒106-0031 Tokyo, Minato City, Nishiazabu, 2 Chome−25−22, Galicia Hills Nishi-Azabu West, WEST 1F (map)
Hours: Mon to Sat: 8pm to 6am. Closed on Sun.
Dig into a Soulful Bowl
At the end of the day, a good bowl of ramen must fill your tummy and your heart.
While we've done our best to present to you the best ramen spots in Tokyo, feel free to trust your gut and order a bowl from any local place that captures your heart.
Bon Appetit!
Alternative Ramen Experiences in Tokyo to Check Out:
Bored of the regular book-a-table and wine-and-dine?
Break out of the mould for a standout ramen experience in Japan's capital.
Tavern and Ramen Tour
Leave behind the crowd and cacophony of overpriced ramen joints in Shibuya and Shinjuku for a laidback, quaint experience in Ueno. On this Tavern and Ramen Tour, you will visit four spots serving good quality, signature ramen at pocket-friendly prices. Try the sashimi (specifically raw and fresh seafood), grilled fish, and skewered meat as well, along with five or more traditional Japanese sake for the full tavern experience.
Workshop in a Ramen Kitchen
Enjoy exclusive access to an award-winning ramen shop kitchen workshop, know the ins and outs of everyday business, and learn how to make the dish like a pro. Step into the shoes of a cook for the day, guided by an expert chef who will show you how to cook ramen from scratch. Knead the dough, make the noodles, strain them, ladle the broth, and add your favourite toppings to finish it off. The fun part? You get to savour your culinary genius yourself!
An Unforgettable Ramen Experience in Tokyo
With a perfect list of the must-try best ramen spots in Tokyo, you can be assured of having a gastronomical delight while visiting this enchanting city.
Commonly Asked Questions
What are the top varieties of ramen to try in Tokyo?
Tonkotsu, miso, shoyu, and shio are the big fours of traditional ramen flavours in Tokyo, but you can also experiment with modern variations like tsukemen.
Can you get vegan or halal ramen in Tokyo?
Even if you order a veg ramen dish, the broth may not be vegan or halal. However, specific shops such as Shinjuku Gyoen Ramen Ouka and Halal Mentei Naritaya Asakusa cater to such requirements.
Do Tokyo ramen spots offer kid-friendly menu options?
Most ramen spots in Tokyo have kid-friendly options, like simpler recipes with milder flavours to suit younger palates. Alternatively, you can request the chef to adjust the spice levels.
Can I customise my ramen order by adjusting spice levels or choosing specific toppings?
You can usually add (occasionally subtract) toppings and seasonings from your ramen bowl. Ichiran is known for its customisation of ramen.
How much does ramen cost in Tokyo on average?
A bowl of ramen costs approximately JPY 700-1200, depending on the brand value of the shop. Adding extra toppings or sides will take the price to JPY 1500-1800.