You love ramen, but are tired of the places you always go. For you, I would like to introduce five recommended ramen restaurants in Tokyo that are a bit minor but have a good reputation. These 5 are also my favorite restaurants in Tokyo, so I am quite confident of the taste.
Kitakata Ramen Bannai
What is Kitakata Ramen?
Kitakata Ramen is a local Japanese ramen dish that originated in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture. It is characterized by flat, thick, frizzled noodles with a wheat flavor and chewy texture. The soup is mostly soy sauce flavored, with a clear, light broth. It is made with ingredients such as pork bones, chicken bones, and dried sardines to create a gentle flavor. Ingredients generally include chashu pork, green onions, and bamboo shoots, and while simple, they are designed to enhance the flavor of the ingredients.
Kitakata ramen has gained nationwide popularity as part of the “Ramen Aizu” area, a dense concentration of ramen stores, and “morning ramen” has become a custom among locals, who open for business in the morning. Its simple, never-ending flavor is familiar to a wide range of people, making it one of Fukushima Prefecture’s most popular specialties.
Access
Shinjuku Park Tower B1F, 3-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Parking Info (Shinjuku Park Tower)
| Fee | Times |
| 300JPY | 30 min |
| 1,800JPY | max. charge |
In addition to the stores listed above, Kitakata Ramen Bannai has several other locations in Tokyo, including Yotsuya and Ebisu. Please check out Kitakata Ramen Bannai. You will definitely become a repeat customer of the Kitakata Ramen soup, which is light and not cloying.
Ramen KAN2-YA Kamata
What is Ramen Kan2-Ya Kamata?
Ramen Kan2-YA Kamata Branch is a popular restaurant that carries on the tradition of Yokohama Ieke Ramen. It features a particularly rich and creamy pork bone soy sauce soup with a full-bodied flavor. The noodles are chewy and thick, making them a perfect match for the soup. The basic toppings include chashu pork, spinach, and seaweed, which can be customized to your liking.
Located near Kamata Station, the restaurant is loved by local residents and tourists alike. The store mainly offers counter seating and has an appealing at-home atmosphere. The free rice service and the ability to adjust the thickness and hardness of the ramen are also reasons for its popularity. We recommend this restaurant to those who want to enjoy authentic Iekei Ramen.
Access
Kamata Fuji Building, 7-1-10 Nishi-Kamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Parking Info
Yes (charged)
Times Nishi-Kamata No. 17 7-28 Nishi-Kamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo
| 09:00-20:00 | 15 minutes | 330JPY |
| 20:00-09:00 | 15 minutes | 220JPY |
| (09:00-20:00) | Maximum charge | 1320JPY |
In addition to the Kamata branch mentioned above, there are other branches in the same family in Yokohama and Atsugi (Kanagawa Prefecture). There is also an official website, though it is only in Japanese, if you are interested.
Hope Ken
What is HOPE-KEN?
HOPE-KEN is a long-established ramen restaurant that operates mainly in Tokyo and is especially noted for its rich pork bone and soy sauce soup and thick, straight noodles. The soup is made by slowly simmering chicken bones and pork bones, giving it a rich and deep flavor. The unique flavor comes from the thick finish with more lard.
Common toppings include chashu pork, green onions, and bean sprouts, and spicy seasonings and garlic can be added according to taste. Although each restaurant has its own slight variations, the overall dish is well supported as a satisfying one.
Many stores are open especially late at night, and many customers stop by after work or after a night of drinking. Their unique ramen is an essential part of Tokyo ramen culture. It is also very popular and has been talked about on TV as a favorite of Japanese celebrities.
You should definitely try this ramen at least once!
Access
2-33-9 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Parking Info
Parking meter（60 minutes, 300 yen)
Located on Gaien Nishi Street in front of the restaurant. You can park there quite cheaply even though it is in Tokyo, but please note that you can only park there for one hour. Also, immediately after parking, you must issue a parking ticket from the ticketing machine and place it on the windshield. Please note that failure to place the parking ticket will result in a parking violation, which is an infraction.
Te-momi ramen (hand-rolled ramen) 18
What is Te-momi ramen (hand-rolled ramen) 18?
Te-momi Ramen Juhachiban is a long-established ramen restaurant established in 1966 and located in Ogikubo, Tokyo. Open especially at night only, it is a favorite among locals and customers after a night of drinking. The signature dish, “Tokusai Juhachiban,” is a soy sauce ramen topped with garlic-stir-fried pork belly and long green onions, and is characterized by its rich flavor. The noodles are hand-kneaded and wavy, and intertwine well with the soup. The homemade gyoza (dumplings) are also popular, with the sticky skin and sweetness of the vegetables standing out. The restaurant has an at-home atmosphere with only counter seating, and the energetic service of the staff is another attraction. Located only a 3-minute walk from the north exit of Ogikubo Station, this restaurant is recommended for those who want to enjoy ramen late at night.
Access
1-4-10 Kamiogi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Parking Info
- Parking Name: Times Amanuma
- address: 8 2-4 Amanuma, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
| 08:00-00:00 | 15 minutes | 330JPY |
| 00:00-08:00 | 60 minutes | 220JPY |
| Maximum charge | 3000 yen (6 hours after parking) |
Ramen Jiro Mita Main Store
What is Ramen Jiro Mita Main Store?
Ramen Jiro Mita Honten (“Main Store”), located in Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo, is the originator of the “Ramen Jiro” brand and a symbol of the Jiro-style ramen culture that has spread throughout the country. It is characterized by its overwhelming volume and unique flavor. Thick, stodgy noodles are tossed in a rich pork-bone and soy-sauce broth and served with a generous portion of pork (chashu), bean sprouts, cabbage, and other vegetables.
The “call,” which allows customers to customize the amount of toppings, intensity of flavor, and amount of fat free of charge, has formed a unique culture that attracts many fans. The Mita main store is especially special as a “sacred place” because the founder, Takumi Yamada, once stood in the kitchen. Access is within walking distance from JR Tamachi Station and Toei Mita Station, and the famous restaurant often has a long line of customers waiting in line even before it opens.
It is said that you will be given a lot of warning if you leave any food uneaten, so first-time visitors should definitely order a small ramen. When you collect your ticket from the ticket machine, verbally tell them you want a small size. I didn’t know when to tell them and got the regular size (large). Be careful…
Access
Mita 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Parking Info
- Parking Name: Mr. P Mita No.3
- address: 2-14 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo
| 08:00～24:00 | 15 minutes | 400JPY |
| 08:00～24:00 | 12 hour | 4,200JPY |
| 24:00 – 08:00 | 1 hour | 100JPY |
There are also some Jiro ramen stores in Tokyo sucha as Shinjyuku, Meguro, Shinagawa and so on. Search on google map “Jiro Ramen”. There might be some stores available near by you if Mita store is far away.
Summary
This time I have introduced some restaurants that I personally like very much and that most ramen lovers living in Tokyo know. Of course, the famous ramen shops are delicious, but if you want to try a little local ramen, how about this?
We hope you will try it when you come to Japan. If you go there, please comment and let us know!
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