The 7 Best Places to Eat Ramen in Tokyo

Ramen is one of the best things to come out of Japan. The dish consists of noodles (usually egg noodles), cooked in a flavourful, hot broth, with fresh vegetables and a protein of your choice – beef, chicken and tofu are usually the most popular types. But with over 10,000 ramen shops in Tokyo alone, how can you be sure where to find the very best ramen in the Japanese capital? That’s where we come in to help you out – and these are the 7 best places to eat ramen in Tokyo.

Slurp-worthy bowls: Dive into the best ramen in Tokyo

1. Ichiran Shibuya

Just a two-minute walk from the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, Ichiran Shibuya is without doubt one of the finest ramen spots in all of Japan, let alone in Tokyo.

There are two factors that make this spot so incredibly good – there’s only one ramen on the menu, and it’s open 24/7 – so if you’re craving ramen at 3 am when you’re in Tokyo (ideal if you’re suffering from jet lag) then you know exactly where to go!

The tonkatsu pork broth ramen, while the only ramen on the menu, can be customised with different vegetables and spice ratings, so while it might initially appear as just one ramen dish, the sheer amount of customisations means that no two ramens will ever be the same.

The flavours are out of this world, and with only 21 booths available in the restaurant, we recommend going super early or really late to avoid the queues.

Address: B1F, 13–7, Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo

Opening Hours: 00:00–00:00 Monday–Sunday

2. Ramen Koike

Another top ramen spot in Tokyo is Ramen Koike. It has previously been mentioned in a Michelin Guide for ramen in Japan, so you know you’re in for a real treat here.

Because it’s slightly off the beaten track (if that’s even possible in Tokyo), it almost goes unnoticed by tourists, but it’s without question a favourite ramen spot for Tokyo locals. This – like most food spots around the world – means that if the locals eat there, you know it’s good and not just a tourist gimmick.

Another bonus at Ramen Koike is that despite its Michelin recommendation, it’s not Michelin-priced: most bowls of ramen cost around the 1,000–2,000 Yen mark (€6 to €13), meaning you can eat well without breaking the bank.

There are four different types of ramen to choose from, from the rich and heavy Noukou ramen, bursting with flavour, to the lighter Niboshi ramen. Add a range of toppings to suit your tastebuds, or simply enjoy it as it comes – but whatever you do, don’t bypass this hidden gem in the bustling streets of Tokyo.

Address: 1F Kamikitazawa Highness Corp., 4–19–18 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo

Opening Hours: 11:00–14:30, 18:00–21:00 Monday–Friday, 11:00–15:00, 18:00–21:00 Saturday–Sunday

3. Shunyatchan

Only open for 25 hours a week (and closed on rainy days!), with just 16 seats in the restaurant, and with no option to make prior reservations, you’ve got to have luck on your side if you want to eat at Shunyatchan – but we can guarantee you won’t regret it.

Steaming pans of their world-renowned ramen broth bubbles away in the background to the tune of fresh vegetables being chopped up by their expert chefs and the sizzle of meats hitting the griddle – it’s enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

But combine these ingredients and you’re faced with one of the best bowls of ramen in Tokyo. A hot, steaming bowl of broth – some of the best Japanese comfort food – awaits you.

The only downside (aside from planning a visit on a rainy day) is that you’ll want to eat it all again as soon as you’ve finished it it’s that good.

Address: 1277–8 Hatsuzawamachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0845

Opening Hours: 18:00–23:00 Tuesday–Saturday

4. Ginza Hachigou

Ramen is a beloved comfort food – and what’s not comfortable about a nutritious bowl of hot broth, garnished with fresh vegetables and thinly sliced meats? It's also a quick meal, an in-and-out situation.

However, that hasn’t put off the team at Ginza Hachigou, who have made their ramen into a fine dining experience. Only open on an afternoon, guests can book a lunchtime sitting in the restaurant and experience ramen as they’ve never experienced it before.

Despite being a Michelin-starred restaurant, once again the prices do not reflect this, making it a fine-dining experience that is affordable for most people, with bowls of top-quality ramen being priced around 1,200 Yen (€8).

Because of its popularity due to its exquisite flavours and the talented chefs that work there, booking slots are limited to 30 minutes per person – so make sure you take a few snaps while you’re in there for memories to last a lifetime.

Address: 3 Chome 14-2, Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061

Opening Hours: 11:00–16:00 Wednesday–Sunday

5. Kyushu Jangara Ramen Harajuku

While most ramen dishes consist of egg noodles and then a range of customisable toppings, Kyushu Jangara Ramen Harajuku stand out from the competition through their unique approach to this classic Japanese dish.

And the ramen that they’re most well-known for has to be their black garlic ramen. Notes of umami and a strong garlic flavour characterise their ramen, making you want to come back time and time again.

They also offer vegan ramen which is a nice change from many traditional Japanese ramen shops, which typically cook their ramen in a pork bone broth.

And if you’re feeling extra peckish, you can order side dishes such as their homemade noodles, soft-boiled eggs or rice to complement your ramen.

Address: 1-13-21 Jingumae 1F, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Opening Hours: 10:00–22:00 Monday–Sunday

6. Hakata Furyu Ueno

Another spot where you can get lunch, dinner or even a late-night ramen fix is Hakata Furyu Ueno, which is open until 2 am six nights a week.

Their main selling point is based on portion sizes and good value for money – two extra portions of noodles are the norm here! So while you get a nice soupy ramen, it’s also packed with extra noodles so that you leave feeling full and satisfied.

They also encourage visitors to use their ideal ramen chart – which even goes so far as detailing how long you would like your noodles cooking for, from seven seconds for birikata (very hard) to 50 seconds for yawa (very soft).

The range of toppings also goes beyond the usual bean sprouts or spring onion, too – think cod roe, seaweed, cloud ear mushroom, tea-stained soft-boiled eggs, bamboo shoots and more.

This is also a real experience eating here – even if it’s just down to the personal attention to detail that goes into every single bowl of ramen that comes out of the kitchen.

Address: 6 Chome 14-9 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0005

Opening Hours: 11:00–02:00 Monday–Saturday, 11:00–20:00 Sunday

7. Ushio

When eateries are described as being black and white, it usually means that there’s no creativity in the food, or limited choices on the menu. Typically, it’s a bad sign if a restaurant is labelled as black and white.

This is the complete opposite at Ushio, which is black and white because you can either get a Shiro (white) or Kuro (black) ramen. 

But they must be doing something right to stand out from the busy crowd of competitors, surely? Well, they certainly are. The white ramen, made from a light chicken broth and with flavour inspiration taken from the Okayama region of Japan, is a favourite for those after a light meal, or for those who may want to save room for dessert.

The black ramen is the heartier option, aimed at those with bigger appetites, and is filled with succulent slices of duck breast and delicately seasoned, juicy slabs of pork belly.

The restaurant doesn’t just stop there, though – their toppings list is practically endless, ranging from creamy garlic butter to bacon-wrapped asparagus and more, this is a true combination of all of the above places in one: simplicity, fine dining, creativity, comfort and most importantly of all, a fantastic, flavourful bowl of ramen in the heart of Tokyo.

Address: 2 Chome 4-4, Kanda Awajicho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0063

Opening Hours: 11:00–21:00 Tuesday–Friday, 11:00–19:00 Saturday–Sunday