Hienadz Vardanyan 
Japan is known for their beautiful cuisine but the one thing that tops all their food is ramen.
Ramen can be found everywhere from restaurants to convenience stores to vending machines, but what is the best type of ramen according to Tokyo locals?
The 3 Best Types of Ramen
Below, we will be listing the 3 best types of ramen in Tokyo as we explore some popular local favorite restaurants.
Gluten Free T’s Kitchen
One well known place is Gluten Free T’s Kitchen based in Tokyo.
This restaurant dedicates their entire menu to being gluten free with the best ramen dishes out there. One dish which is a favorite by locals is their Miso Butter Corn Ramen.
Not only is this ramen highly recommended by both the company itself and locals but it is delicious too.
This dish contains ingredients including beets, ginger, garlic, soy milk and fish extract to produce its wonderful flavor.
Customers may also choose to leave the milk out of their dish if they wish for dietary or other reasons.
Gluten Free T’s Kitchen also has other ramen dishes available on their menu including Chicken Ramen, Yamitsuki Ramen and Vegan Ramen.
Customer Reviews
Just like the Miso Butter Corn Ramen, the reviews for these foods have been nothing but positive, giving the restaurant an average of 4.5 stars.
The ramen here is said to be “rich and addictive” and “delicious”. Customers are always excited to come back for more because of its unique gluten free and vegan friendly menu and is highly recommended in Tokyo.
Tori Paitan Kageyama Takadanobaba(鶏白湯 蔭山 高田馬場店)
Another popular location to find the best ramen is Tori Paitan Kageyama Takadanobaba in Tokyo.
This is a unique restaurant, small in size with only counter seats to eat. With the use of a convenient ticket system, customers here can delve into delicious dishes, including the popular ramen dish Tori Paitan Shio Soba.
This ramen is different from what a person would usually expect; it is topped with baby leaf lettuce and sunny lettuce, a half boiled egg, chicken and thick noodles.
After eating this ramen, you will be amazed by its beautiful quality. To accentuate the taste, you can also try squeezing some lemon into the dish.
By doing so you will immediately change the dish, highlighting all of its flavors even further.
Customer Reviews
This restaurant has been given a score of 4.1 stars for its brilliant service and delicious food.
The food has been said to deliver an “outstanding taste” and the Tori Paitan Shio Soba has received positive reception with comments on the right amount of richness and “high degree of originality”.
All ingredients used are “healthy”, perfect for a wholesome meal.
Niigata Sanpoutei Tokyo Lab Nakameguro(新潟三宝亭 東京ラボ中目黒店)
Finally, we have Niigata Sanpoutei Tokyo Lab Nakameguro. Locals from Tokyo have a heightened love for this food establishment, as do customers in other areas of the world with their stores in Canada, Singapore and New York.
Although originally a Japanese restaurant, this company specifically specializes in Chinese cuisine, working carefully to create authentic dishes from China. A customer favorite is the Mapo Tofu Noodle.
Whilst this dish is usually seen as greasy, this restaurant tears down those stereotypes as they serve up something which is light, filling and delicious.
To eat this dish, it is best eaten with rice to complement the entire bowl. This rice is included for free at lunch.
Another popular dish from this restaurant is Sanratan-men. This dish is much loved by locals in Tokyo particularly for its great taste.
This is a dish that is perfect for warming a person up with the hot and sour soup noodle. Add vinegar and chili oil to enhance its flavor.
Customer Reviews
With an average rating of 4.2 stars, this establishment has an array of positive reviews.
The popular ramen dishes have been highlighted as “spicy, but delicious” Customers have also taken note of the reliable service and convenient dining experience which made the process “refreshing” and the food “easy to eat”.
Based on the reviews from customers, this ramen is something to try if you are a fan of spice.
Where Are Some Additional Places To Find Ramen in Tokyo?
You can find ramen restaurants everywhere in Tokyo! Here are some recommendations:
1. Tsuta
Tsuta is another restaurant located in Tokyo known for selling some of the best ramen out there.
As they specialize in the dish, a lot of time and dedication goes into making the food perfect and delicious. It is affordable too, with a bowl of ramen costing an average of just $10. This has a rating of 4.2 stars.
2. Ramen Daishi
Another favorite is Ramen Daishi. This has an average rating of 4.0 stars and has beautiful dishes to impress. All of their dishes are warm and wholesome and will leave you wanting more.
What makes this establishment unique is how to specialize in ramen with a soy sauce broth. The ramen is light, ideal for a lunch time meal.
3. Menya Musashi
Menya Musashi is a great restaurant to visit with beautifully cooked ramen dishes. The food is prepared quickly and efficiently and the flavors are powerful.
During peak hours you will find a long line of people waiting patiently at this establishment for their meaty food. The pork has been described to melt in your mouth and the smell is mouthwatering.
4. Ichiran Ramen
Next we have Ichiran Raman. This is a ramen company which has grown extensively over the years, now having several chains across Japan.
What makes this restaurant unique is the method of ordering. Instead of the classic face-to-face interaction, this establishment allows customers to order through a machine which then delivers the order to the chef.
This is an ideal ramen place for foreigners visiting the country as they cater for English speakers also.
5. Ginza Kagari
Visit Ginza in Tokyo for the best ramen. This restaurant prides itself on elegance. The food is always brought out, perfectly placed in the bowl to amaze customers.
The quality of the ramen at Ginza Kagari Honten is more than could be asked for too with a rich and creamy taste you cannot get elsewhere. The waiting time for this gourmet ramen restaurant is approximately 1 hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ramen?
Ramen is a Japanese noodle dish made with a broth and meat or vegetables as toppings. It’s typically served in a bowl-shaped container called “ramen cup” which has two handles on top.
The broth usually contains pork, chicken, beef, seafood, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, eggplants, and so on.
What are some popular foods in Tokyo?
There are many types of ramen in Japan, such as tonkotsu, shoyu, miso, and gomadare. In addition, there are various kinds of noodles, including udon, soba, yakisoba, and somen.
There are also many different toppings, including karaage, takoyaki , tempura, oden and furikake.
Where can I enjoy ramen in Tokyo?
You can find ramen restaurants all over Tokyo. You can choose between ramen shops, bars, and restaurants.
Most ramen shops offer only one type of ramen, although some places may offer more than one kind.
If you want to try ramen that isn’t available at your local shop, you can go to a bar where they will make it for you.
Some bars even specialize in making specialty ramen like spicy or vegetarian ramen.
