Hienadz Vardanyan 
Ramen is one of the most popular Japanese dishes. It is a Japanese noodle soup that combines a rich and delicious broth with some noodles and a carefully selected range of meat, vegetables, or both. Sounds delicious, right?
Ramen comes in many different forms, and Tokyo is home to many of the best types of ramen in Japan!
Whether you’re a tourist planning on visiting Japan who wants to taste a traditional and delicious bowl of ramen, or you’re a local ramen lover looking for your new favorite dish, checking out the most famous ramen in Tokyo is a great place to start.
To help you out, below I’ve listed the 3 most famous ramen in Tokyo. Whether you like a thick and indulgent broth, or you prefer a lightly seasoned soy sauce base, there is an option for you. Check them out!
Tokyo Ramen (東京ラーメン)
We just had to start with the wonderful Tokyo ramen. This ramen has to be one of the most famous types of ramen in Tokyo.
浅草の肉厚ワンタン麺と手作り焼売 ら麺亭。ワンタン麺。浅草の老舗に！具材が沢山乗ったビジュアルながら、良心的な価格！あっさり油分抑えめの醤油スープは、鶏ガラのスープであっさり醤油が拡がるこれぞ東京ラーメン!浅草で食べるノスラーは趣深い!中太麺も口当たり良く、肉厚ワンタンの旨さたるや pic.twitter.com/ejKrTKH5zv
— 孤独のラーメン season5市川編 (@dandydandydand3) December 16, 2021
It is traditionally made with pork bone and chicken broth and may be flavored with dashi (a type of broth made from dried smoked bonito flakes combined with sea kelp) and soy sauce.
The noodles in this ramen tend to be a medium thickness and curly. They also tend to be quite chewy noodles.
They entangle easily within the soup, which also might include char siu, menma, green onions, and spinach.
In certain stores, you may even receive a soft-boiled egg and seaweed with this super tasty dish.
You have to try Tokyo ramen if you have the chance. It is absolutely delicious and is a perfect example of Japanese-style ramen.
In fact, Japanese-style ramen is distinct from Chinese-style noodles thanks to three things: the addition of soy sauce, curly ramen noodles, and Japanese-style stock – everything that Tokyo ramen has!
This ramen is one of the most popular types of ramen in Tokyo. To learn more about other popular types of ramen, check out this article about the best-selling ramen in Japan (needs link).
If you’re on a budget, don’t worry! Tokyo has some great affordable ramen stores, check out this article on cheap ramen in Tokyo (needs link) for more info!
Store Information
- Address: 7-14-12 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023
- Access: Get off at Shinjuku West Exit Station on the Toei Oedo Line, 2 minutes on foot
- Phone number: 0353302424
- Business hours: 11: 00-15: 00 17: 00-21: 00
- Regular holiday: Sundays, public holidays, second Saturday
Ogikubo Ramen (荻窪ラーメン)
Ogikubo ramen is one of the most famous ramen in Tokyo that is offered at ramen shops around the Ogikubo area – a great ramen scene.
また、ラーメン食べちゃった。
荻窪 ラーメン久保田
中華そば 小もやし 煮卵
ご馳走様でした！ pic.twitter.com/fcttiTdjtb— タリカロ店長 (@tarokarotencho) December 16, 2021
Specifically, it tends to be available from ramen restaurants around the Ogikubo Station and on the JR Chuo Line.
Ogikubo ramen is known as the birthplace of Tokyo ramen, however, Ogikubo ramen tends to differ from Tokyo ramen in a few ways.
First, Ogikubo ramen tends to be cooked with fish broth rather than pork bones. In fact, many shop owners who now sell Ogikubo ramen were originally soba shops.
As such, the soup is often made from chicken bone broth, bonito, and dried sardines. Generally speaking, this type of ramen includes thin or medium-sized noodles.
The Ogikubo area is the perfect place for you to visit if you’re looking for some of the most delicious ramen dishes in Tokyo.
If you’re a tourist and want to try some traditional Japanese-style ramen, you won’t be disappointed with Ogikubo.
Take a look here to learn more about the best ramen shops in Tokyo for tourists (needs link).
Store Information
- Website: http://www.haruki-ya.co.jp/english/
- Address: 1-4-6 Kamiogi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 167-0043
- Phone number: 03-33914868
Hachioji Ramen (八王子ラーメン)
Finally, we just had to include Hachioji ramen in this list.
It isn’t as widely known throughout Japan as the other two ramens on this list, however, Hachioji has a wonderful ramen culture that is so rich (and tasty) that we couldn’t leave it out!
This ramen differs from restaurant to restaurant, however, there are a few distinguishing features.
Generally speaking, the soup base has a light soy sauce flavor that is made by combining chicken broth and soy sauce.
It is based on pig femur and tends to be topped with an oil that produces a thick and rich flavor.
The ingredients are simple – but effective! Usually, this ramen includes char siu, menma, and seaweed.
However, one very distinctive feature of this style of ramen is the addition of chopped raw onions. The oil and the onions work together to provide the perfect accent to this gorgeous dish.
The noodles are a thin-to-medium thickness and are flat in texture. This style of ramen may not be super famous, but it is very popular amongst locals.
If soy sauce ramen like this one sounds like your dream dish, you should also give Shoyu ramen a try.
Shoyu ramen is a Japanese soy sauce that is a very popular seasoning for ramen, particularly within the Kanto region of central Japan.
Shoyu ramen tends to have a delicious tangy flavor. Find the best Shoyu ramen in Japan (needs link) here.
Store Information
- Address: 3-11-1 Myojincho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 192-0046
- Phone number: 0426455011
- Business hours: 11: 00-19: 00
- Regular holiday: Sunday
- Access: 7 minutes walk from Keio Hachioji Station
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Tokyo Ramen?
As mentioned above, Tokyo ramen is a style of ramen made with pork and chicken broth. You may also find Tokyo ramen broths that have been flavored with dashi.
Tokyo ramen is typical Japanese-style ramen and is very different from Chinese noodle dishes.
What Is The Most Popular Ramen In Japan?
This is a difficult question, and different people will likely have different answers. In my opinion, it is a toss-up between Shoyu ramen and Tonkotsu ramen.
Shoyu ramen is flavored with Japanese soy sauce and is very common in Japan. However, Tonkotsu ramen is also very popular in Japan, favored thanks to its creamy and indulgent broth.
Are Ramen And Ramyeon The Same?
Not quite. They are similar dishes, however, they do have some big differences.
Specifically, ramen is usually prepared using fresh ingredients, whereas, Ramyeon is always a dried and instant dish. Ramyeon dishes also tend to be spicier than ramen dishes.
