Nothing beats a bowl of ramen. It’s quick, affordable, satisfying, and packed with flavor—plus, loud slurping is totally welcome. While nearly every region in Japan (ramen’s birthplace) has its own twist, the core elements stay the same: noodles, steaming broth, and loads of toppings.
The noodles are usually made fresh with wheat, egg, and kansui—an alkaline mineral water that gives ramen its signature color, taste, and springy texture. Broths come in five main styles: shio (salt), shoyu (soy sauce), miso, tonkotsu (pork), and tsukemen (dipping style). Toppings can be anything from handmade wontons to pork slices and sweet corn.
You’ll find ramen everywhere, but devouring a huge, steaming bowl in Tokyo hits different. To help you out, we’ve rounded up the best ramen spots in the city. We’ve even included neighborhoods because, hey, you might stumble upon a Michelin-starred ramen joint (yes, they exist!) just around the corner.
Itadakimasu! (Let’s eat!)
Kikanbo
Spice lovers, this one’s for you. At Kikanbo, you pick your heat level (from 1 to 5) when ordering. Pay at the vending machine, hand your ticket to the chef, grab chopsticks, and get ready for a bowl of fiery, flavor-packed miso ramen.
Neighborhood: Ikebukuro
Nagi Golden Gai
Nagi’s tiny Golden Gai location has only a few seats, but the tight space somehow makes the ramen even tastier. The broth is made with baby sardines for a deep, umami kick, and you can pair your noodles with quirky sides like chicken skin in ponzu sauce.
Neighborhood: Shinjuku
Ichiran
This chain is all over Tokyo—and for good reason. Their specialty? Tonkotsu ramen: thin noodles in a creamy, sweet pork broth topped with tender pork slices.
Neighborhood: Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Shinbashi, Roppongi, and more
A group of customers enjoying traditional ramen noodles in a small ramen shop in Tokyo, Japan.
Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu
In 2019, this spot earned a Michelin star, making it one of Tokyo’s most affordable (but no less incredible) starred restaurants. Their shoyu ramen is a must-try—a rich blend of pork, clams, and fish stock, finished with truffle sauce and porcini oil.
Neighborhood: Shinjuku
Kiraku
For a taste of history, visit Kiraku, a Tokyo-style ramen shop since 1952. Their classic shoyu ramen features chewy flat noodles, fried onions, bean sprouts, pork slices, and a soft-boiled egg.
Neighborhood: Shibuya
Nakiryu
Nakiryu snagged a Michelin star in 2017, so expect a wait—but it’s worth it. While it’s unclear which ramen won the star, fans rave about their tantanmen, made with Sichuan-style dandan noodles.
Neighborhood: Otsuka
Tsukemen Gonokami Seisakusho
Most think of ramen as noodles swimming in broth, but tsukemen (dipping ramen) is just as tasty—and way more fun. Dunk thick, chewy noodles into hot soup and slurp away. Go for the ebi (shrimp) version.
Neighborhood: Shinjuku-Sanchome
Do Miso
Craving a loaded bowl of miso ramen? Order the Toku Miso Kotteri Ramen at Do Miso. It’s a rich bone broth blended with grated ginger and five types of miso, topped with pork belly, seaweed, bean sprouts, corn, and an egg.
Neighborhood: Kyobashi
Tsuta
Before Nakiryu and Konjiki Hototogisu, Tsuta was Tokyo’s first Michelin-recognized ramen spot—and the line proves it. With just nine seats, patience is key, but the shoyu ramen is a game-changer.
Neighborhood: Yoyogi
Ramen Sugimoto
If you’re on Tokyo’s west side, don’t miss this Saginomiya gem. The owner trained under the legendary ramen master Minoru Sano and makes his own noodles in-house. Try the shio ramen, loaded with pork, bamboo shoots, handmade wontons, and a fresh egg.
Neighborhood: Saginomiya