The Best Ramen in Tokyo: The Editors' Picks
- Published on : 20/10/2026
- by : Phoebe
- Youtube
Tonkotsu ramen
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In Tokyo, ramen comes in a wide variety of styles! From small neighborhood eateries to renowned restaurants, each spot offers its own take on this Japanese culinary classic. To help you find bowls of ramen that are well worth the trip, the Japan Experience editorial team presents its top picks in the capital.
Ramen Ichifuku (Shibuya)
Featured several times in the Michelin Guide to Tokyo, Ramen Ichifuku is known for its miso ramen, served with a rich broth, generous slices ofchashu pork, and fairly thick egg noodles. Their soft texture allows them to soak up the broth well, resulting in a dish that’s both flavorful and satisfying.
The restaurant also offers curry rice, which many customers order as a side dish with their bowl of ramen. Located in Honmachi, between Hatsudai and Hatagaya, near Shibuya, the restaurant has a counter and just a few tables. Be prepared to wait a bit during lunchtime, when regulars come to enjoy their favorite spot.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 151-0071 Tokyo, Shibuya, Honmachi, 2-17-14 Koizumi Building, 1F
HOURS: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Ichifuku Ramen
@Japan Experience
Ramen Sawada (Kichijoji)
Near the Kichijoji, Ramen Sawada draws in noodle lovers with its fragrant broths and carefully prepared toppings. As soon as you walk in, the aromas wafting from the kitchen set the tone. The restaurant is particularly renowned for its duck ramen, whose tender, flavorful meat adds depth to the broth.
We also recommend the niboshi ramen, made with small dried fish. This dish, with its ocean-inspired flavors, less common in European ramen restaurants, offers a nice change of pace. Very busy on weekends, this spot is easier to enjoy during the week, around lunchtime. A great place to stop after a stroll through the neighborhood’s shopping streets!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 180-0003 Tokyo, Musashino, Kichijoji Minamicho, 1-1-4 Mikawaya Building, 1F
HOURS: Daily from 11 a.m. to midnight; open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Ramen Sawada
@Japan Experience
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Yamada no Unagi Ramen-ya (Iidabashi)
Here’s a spot that’s off the beaten path: Yamada no Unagi combines ramen and grilled eel (unagi kabayaki), two specialties that are very popular in Japan!
Traditionally, eel is grilled over charcoal and then glazed with a sauce made from soy sauce andmirin. Here, it becomes the star ingredient of a unique ramen dish.
The broth is made from simmered eel bones and served with pieces of grilled, smoked, and glazed eel, as well as a marinated egg yolk. The thin noodles are reminiscent of those found in Hakata ramen in southern Japan. To fully enjoy this specialty, be sure to order a small unadon: rice topped with a slice of eel drizzled with sauce. Connoisseurs can round out their meal with à la carte eel liver skewers or eel fillets.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 104-0045 Tokyo, Chuo City, Tsukiji, 6-21-4 Tsukiji Daicho Building, 1F
HOURS: Monday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Yamada no Unagi
@Japan Experience
Menya Nakagawa (Ikebukuro)
Tucked away in the backstreets of Ikebukuro, Menya Nakagawa puts chicken in the spotlight with itstoripaitan. These ramen stand out for their broth, made from chicken bones that are simmered for hours to achieve a creamy texture. It’s an alternative totonkotsu, the famous pork bone broth, offering comparable richness with distinct flavors.
The restaurant offers two versions of this broth: one seasoned with soy sauce (which we recommend), and the other with salt. Each bowl is topped with meat, and you can choose to add pork or chicken. A must-visit spot for fans of hearty ramen, just a short walk from the hustle and bustle of the Ikebukuro neighborhood.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 171-0014 Tokyo, Toshima City, Ikebukuro, 2-38-7 Kato Building, 1st Floor
HOURS: Daily, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Menya Nakagawa
@Japan Experience
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Ramen Menson Rage (Nishi-Ogikubo)
At Ramen Menson Rage, the experience begins with a décor that’s sure to catch your eye. In Nishi-Ogikubo, the interior resemblesa skate shop. But this restaurant’s uniqueness doesn’t stop at its decor, its ramen is also well worth the trip!
The house specialty is shamo ramen, made with a breed of Japanese chicken renowned for its meat. The broth is made from a blend of six soy sauces. To complement these flavors, the restaurant features classic toppings:chashu pork andajitama, a marinated and seasoned egg. A spot that combines creativity with a respect for ramen’s timeless classics.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 3-37-22 Shoan, Suginami City, Tokyo 167-0054, Japan
HOURS: Daily, 8:00 a.m. to 2:50 p.m., then 6:00 p.m. to 8:50 p.m.
Menson Rage
@Japan Experience
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