The 10 Best Ramen Spots in Tokyo

It’s hard to beat a bowl of ramen. It’s fast, affordable, and bursting with flavor—and to top it all off, rapid-fire slurping is encouraged. Nearly every region in Japan—the birthplace of ramen—has its own variation, but the essentials remain consistent: noodles, a hot broth, and an array of toppings.

Noodles are often handmade using wheat, egg, and kansui, an alkaline mineral water that gives ramen noodles their unique color, flavor, and buoyant texture. There are five primary types of broth—shio (salt), shoyu (soy sauce), miso, tonkotsu (pork), and tsukemen (dipping style)—with toppings ranging from homemade wontons to slices of pork and sweet corn.

While you can find ramen worldwide, there’s nothing like savoring a steaming bowl of noodles in Tokyo. To help you navigate this culinary adventure, we’ve curated a list of the best ramen spots throughout the city, highlighting each neighborhood for your convenience.

Itadakimasu! (Let’s eat!)

Kikanbo

If you enjoy spicy ramen, look no further. At Kikanbo, you can customize the heat level—ranging from one to five—when placing your order. After purchasing from a vending machine, hand your ticket to the chef, grab some chopsticks, and prepare for an incredible bowl of super-spicy, delicious miso ramen.

Neighborhood: Ikebukuro

Nagi Golden Gai

Nagi’s tiny Golden Gai space boasts only a handful of seats, yet the cozy environment enhances the deliciousness of Nagi Golden Gai. Here, the broth is created using baby sardines, and you can relish inventive sides like chicken skin in ponzu sauce.

Neighborhood: Shinjuku

Ichiran

This renowned ramen chain is scattered across Tokyo, affirming that Ichiran serves an exceptional bowl of ramen. Specializing in pork-based tonkotsu ramen, you’ll enjoy thin noodles enveloped in a milky, sweet broth adorned with sliced pork.

Neighborhood: Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Shinbashi, Roppongi, and more

Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu

Having received a Michelin star in 2019, this ramen shop is one of the most affordable (and delicious) Michelin restaurants in the city. Their signature shoyu ramen combines pork, clams, and fish stock, topped with truffle sauce and porcini oil for a complex flavor profile.

Neighborhood: Shinjuku

Kiraku

For a taste of history with your ramen, visit Kiraku, which has been serving authentic Tokyo-style ramen since 1952. Their traditional bowl of Tokyo shoyu ramen features chewy, flat noodles garnished with fried onions, bean sprouts, slices of pork, and an egg.

Neighborhood: Shibuya

Nakiryu

Nakiryu earned a Michelin star in 2017, creating a buzz that often leads to a waiting line. Known for its tantanmen ramen, this joint features special dandan noodles from China’s Sichuan province, making it a favorite among locals.

Neighborhood: Otsuka

Tsukemen Gonokami Seisakusho

While many envision ramen as a steaming bowl of noodles and broth, the tsukemen style—dipping ramen—offers a delightful alternative. Dip the thick, chewy noodles into the bowl of hot soup for an enjoyable eating experience. The ebi (shrimp) tsukemen comes highly recommended!

Neighborhood: Shinjuku-Sanchome

Do Miso

For a hearty bowl of miso ramen brimming with toppings, try the Toku Miso Kotteri Ramen from Do Miso. This dish features a rich bone broth blended with grated ginger and five varieties of miso, garnished with pork belly, seaweed, bean sprouts, sweet corn, and an egg.

Neighborhood: Kyobashi

Tsuta

Although Nakiryu and Konjiki Hototogisu also boast Michelin stars, the first ramen restaurant in Tokyo to achieve Michelin recognition was Tsuta. Expect a wait at this tiny venue with only nine seats, but the shoyu ramen awaiting you is well worth it.

Neighborhood: Yoyogi

Ramen Sugimoto

If you find yourself in western Tokyo, don’t miss Ramen Sugimoto in Saginomiya. Trained under the esteemed ramen master Minoru Sano, the owner produces fresh noodles daily. Be sure to sample the shio (salt) ramen, topped generously with pork, bamboo shoots, handmade wontons, and a farm-fresh egg.

Neighborhood: Saginomiya