Where to eat the best ramen in Tokyo?

The first entry on this list is one that presents a high-quality ramen in classic style with little frills. Ramen Ichifuku, which has made multiple appearances in the city’s Michelin guide, specializes in a rich and hearty miso ramen with thick-cut pork chashu. The relatively thick egg noodles have a chewy texture that has a great tendency to have the soup cling on to them. The restaurant is also notable for their curry rice, to which many customers will order both for a super satiating meal. 

Ramen Ichifuku is located in Honmachi, between the Hatsudai and Hatagaya neighborhoods on the outskirts of Shinjuku. A relatively small shop with counter seating and just a couple of tables, there may be a bit of a wait during lunch time, but it is a tried-and-true establishment loved by the locals of the relatively quieter part of the city it is in.

Address : 〒151-0071 Tokyo, Shibuya, Honmachi, 2 Chome−17−14 小泉ビル 1F 

The immediate area nearby Kichijoji Station is one of hustle-and-bustle despite being a fair distance from central Tokyo. Keen eyes, however, will spot the large glass doors of Ramen Sawada from the busy streets. However, most will likely get caught up in the smell emanating from the storefront. Ramen Sawada is a popular ramen spot known for its rich broths, largely accentuated with different aromatics like ginger and red onion. Their calling-card topping is the rare duck meat, succulent and savory, but with the fat from the skin rendering into the bowl to provide even further richness. 

The niboshi ramen, made from dried fish, is also a favorite and is a variant that is a bit more difficult to find in western countries, making it a great choice for travelers looking to have something a bit more obscure on their pallets. Ramen Sawada is a bit busy on the weekends but is a reasonable spot during lunch on weekdays and has become a staple of the greater hip and character-filled Kichijoji area. 

Address : 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 1 Chome−12−1 サンサーラ 第三御苑 1F

This is likely the most unique bowl on this list, combining two of Japan’s most beloved dishes: ramen and unagi kabayaki. For those who don’t know, unagi kabayaki is a dish consisting of freshwater eel that has been butterflied, charcoal grilled, and glazed with soy and mirin-based sauce and has been a staple food of Japan since the Edo Period. 

The unique shop of Yamada no Unagi has melded the casual dining of ramen with the indulgence of rich unagi, creating a broth made of simmered eel bones with a few plump slices of smoky, glazed unagi on top, along with a cured egg yolk. The noodles are served on the thinner side, similar to Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen. On the side, a small unadon is a must-order when visiting, consisting of a larger slice of unagi on top of rice with the signature eel sauce poured on top. Other staples of the side menu include the eel liver skewers, with a dense texture that is packed with flavor. A la carte unagi fillets can also be ordered!

Address : 〒104-0045 Tokyo, Chuo City, Tsukiji, 6 Chome−21−4 築地大長ビル 1F 

Toripaitan is a type of ramen many in the west may not be familiar with, but it can essentially be described as tonkotsu, but made with chicken bones rather than pork bones. For many, this makes it a lighter yet just as silky and rich alternative to tonkotsu, and the ramen style has its own dedicated cult following. Ramen Nakagawaya is a popular spot in the backstreets of Ikebukuro that serves up great bowls day and night. 

At Nakagawaya, two primary types of ramen are served, both being toripaitan, but one with a soy sauce base and the other a salt base. The toppings at Nakagawaya are also plentiful, with options to add even more chicken and pork chashu on top of the slices that come standard with each bowl. Those looking for a hefty serving of protein need to look no further, as the sous vide-prepared meats are tender, flavorful, and the perfect amount of succulent to compliment the silky soup and flowy, thin noodles. 

Address : 〒171-0014 Tokyo, Toshima City, Ikebukuro, 2 Chome−38−7 加藤ビル 1階

Ramen Menson Rage is as notable for its quirky, off-the-wall decor as it is for its delicious ramen. The shop has two locations, the original being in Nishi-Ogikubo and the other in the basement of the high-end Azabudai Hills complex. The original shop has an interior reminiscent of a skate shop, and the new location is adorned with quotes from the iconic hard rock-rap tune “Bulls on Parade” by Rage Against the Machine. But aesthetics aside, the ramen is just as much of an allure for noodle-hungry diners. 

The shop’s signature dish is their shamo ramen, consisting of a broth made from a unique breed of fowl that is raised in Tokyo. At the base of all of the ramen offerings is a blend of six different soy sauces that provide an umami-filled complexity to the broth. Aside from the elaborate attention to detail, the shop tries not to deviate too much from classic styling, serving simple toppings of chashu pork and ajitama (seasoned egg). 

Address : 3 Chome-37-22 Shoan, Suginami City, Tokyo 167-0054, Japan