Short vacation? Business trip? Your dream trip?
Whatever the purpose of your visit to Tokyo is, you gotta have to try some of the best ramen in the world while you’re there.
I was in Tokyo for the New Years and tried to eat as much ramen as possible while I was there. Although there are so many good ramen shops, here’s 5 “stand outs” that I discovered during the last visit that I would love for you to pay a visit and taste it too:
(1) JAPANESE SOBA NOODLES – TSUTA – (蔦)
Legendary Tokyo-style ramen.
How to get there: take JR Yamanote-line (Y) to Sugamo Station and walk for 1-minute.
Tsuta is hidden within the residential area near Sugamo station but you can not miss this place since there is ALWAYS long long line outside the shop that snakes around the corner of residential building. What appears to be just an ordinary small house from the outside is actually one of the highest rated ramen restaurants in the city.
Unfortunately, Tsuta is on the verge of closing its door because of complaints from neighbors for the formation of long line. This being said, it is just a matter of time they announce temporary closure and move to different location that is further and bigger than where it is today. Go there now if you can. Their truffle based broth makes the most flavorful soup in the ramen universe.
(Here’s article on possible closure of this ramen shop – in Japanese)
After Tsuta: Walk back to Sugamo Station and visit Togenuki-jizou and stroll around the area for great Japanese street food/snack as well as shop for nice old school Japanese handicrafts and Buddha statuettes.
(2) NEIRO-YA （ねいろ屋）
Uniquely original ramen and bomb kakigori (shaved ice)
How to get there: take JR Chuo-line (C) to Ogikubo Station and walk for about 5 minutes. You will go through a narrow district with full of cool cafe and izakaya and eventually see a building with a lantern with words “ねいろ屋” written vertically hanging by the door.
When it comes to ramen shops you will probably walk in with least expectation for amazing desserts. In Neiro-ya’s case, their kakigori (shaved ice) is part of their specialty. While their tsukemen and daily special ramen are top-notch mouthgasm, you must not forget to order kakigori.
Shout out to chef Hajime, who plays bass in bands Malegoat and Husking Bee, music played inside the shop also makes this place special.
After Neiro-ya: You should explore the surrounding neighborhood of up and coming Ogikubo. Inazuma Cafe down the street has very interesting collection of manga drawings on the walls and free wifi.
(3) NAKIRYU (鳴龍)
Quite possibly the best tantanmen (spicy ramen) in Tokyo
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How to get there: take JR Yamanote-line (Y) to Otsuka Station (next stop from Ikebukuro Station) and walk for about 8 min. The shop is right across the street from big residential building and has the sign “鳴龍”
Nakiryu is one of those ramen shops that I fantasize about long after the first visit. Their specialty is tantanmen (spicy soy-sauce based ramen topped with minced pork and scallion). If you are new to this ramen sub-genre, it will going to be a great introduction to get your taste bud educated. This savory and delicately spicy ramen is nothing short of culinary explosion. Go there by 11am before the opening at 11:30am. Prepared to be in line for 30 min and prepared to be amazed.
After Nakiryu: Wander back towards Otsuka Station and stop at Book-Off (Used book and media store) and/or head to Ikebukuro Station for some great third wave coffee at COFFEE VALLEY (pictured below).
(4) MENDOKORO HANADA (麺処 花田)
The beautiful art of miso ramen.
How to get there: Go to Ikebukuro Station via train and walk toward Sunshine 60 building for about 5 min using the map above. The shop is kind of tucked inside the restaurant district. There is a Seven Eleven next to the shop and usually there is a big line outside the storefront.
Hanada is all about the art of miso ramen. When you walk into the shop you will immediately see a massive iron woks behind the counter seats. Master Hanada’s craftsman appearance definitely shows he’s not messing around with his creation of art, and you can taste the passion in each sip of soup.
After Hanada: Explore Ikebukuro. Sunshine 60 has many attractions including aquarium and planetarium.
(5) RAMEN JIRO (ラーメン二郎・ひばりヶ丘店)
Man vs. Ramen.
How to get there: there are number of Ramen Jiro throughout Tokyo and peripheral prefectures. The one I recommend is the location near Hibarigaoka Station. To get there, take Seibu-Ikebukuro-line train and reach Hibarigaoka Station and walk for 5 min on the main street as pictured above. You can Google for other Jiro locations that may be more convenient for you to get to.
Are you Jirorian? Ramen Jiro is not just a chain of ramen shops that’s popping everywhere in and out of Tokyo; it’s a lifestyle for avid ramen eaters all around the country. What makes Jiro special? It’s their shameless attitude of pure gluttony that somehow makes it ok since everyone else is eating with you. It’s kind of similar to greasy burger culture in the US that’s so bad for you but it’s soooo good. Jiro is a ramen version of true eat satisfaction.
I hope you are now officially ready for some great, possibly life changing ramen experience. If you are going to visit above ramen shops be sure to get to the storefront at least 30 min prior to opening. In Japan, it is very common to wait in long line to get the bowl of supreme noodle. This wait practice is also perceived as part of eating culture.
Please ask any questions you have, and share this with your friends and family who are traveling to Tokyo!
