Hienadz Vardanyan 
Ramen is a Japanese noodle dish that has become very popular around the world. There are various types of ramen noodles, each with its unique taste. Some are spicy, some are sweet, and some are even gluten-free.
There are many places where you can get delicious ramen in Tokyo. The problem is finding them without spending too much time or money.
With Japan being the home of Ramen, it’s not like you’ll be struggling to find a good ramen vendor or restaurant!
That’s what this list is for, to show you some of the best places, even just around Tokyo train station, to go if you’re looking for great ramen!
A Little Background On Ramen Street
Underneath Tokyo train station is an incredible network of paths and streets where a hundred shops and restaurants are, pardon the pun, stationed.
One particular corner of this hidden labyrinth is known as “Ramen Street”. This is because of the eight specialist ramen joints infamous for their quality dishes.
This area is a must-see when visiting Tokyo train station. It’s also a great place for lunchtime shopping or people watching. You will see both locals and tourists alike here enjoying themselves.
How To Find Ramen Street In Tokyo
Finding Ramen Street isn’t difficult at all. All you have to do is take the Yaesu exit from Tokyo train station, which will be located at the south exit of the train station.
Once you have gone through the Yaesu Ticket gate, you should then take the stairs to the immediate left of you once you walk through.
Once you have made it down these stairs, finding Ramen street should be easy.
But what sort of Ramen shops will you find here? Well, the following shops should be on your to-do list once you find this little corner of Tokyo:
Ramen Kaminari (ラーメン 雷)
If vegetables are what you want in your ramen, then this place should be high on your list. They serve up fresh vegetable-based ramen with a variety of toppings.
Their specialties are the “Kaminari Soba” and “Soupless Soba”.
Kaminari Soba
This dish is effectively a large char siu, but with a twist that this restaurant is famous for.
With crispy noodles, the extras that are added to this recipe help give this dish a distinct chewiness that is hard to replicate elsewhere.
The toppings include things such as pork chashu, cabbage, bean sprouts, and more. The shoyu soup base used is a thick one that gives off a strong wheat flavor that brings all the flavors together.
Soupless Soba
The Soupless Soba is a bit more complex than the Kaminari Soba. It consists of a bowl of thick noodles topped with fried onions, black pepper, and so many other delicious flavors.
As the name implies, there is no soup or broth involved in this recipe, only the noodles, and toppings. The toppings consist of things such as egg, beef, chicken, and pork.
You can order the soupless soba by itself or add on extra toppings for a charge.
If either of these dishes sounds like an absolute delight for you, and you want to get a sense of what their food looks like, be sure to follow them on Instagram.
Tsujita Miso No Sho (つじ田 味噌の章)
This ramen shop is well known for its iconic miso ramen. Tsujita Miso no sho has been around since 2014, and they have gained quite a reputation for their unique style of ramen.
Their miso ramen uses a tonkotsu broth base instead of a standard soy sauce base. This creates a rich, hearty flavor that is unlike any other ramen out there.
They use a variety of toppings, including things like egg yolks, and dried seaweed, as well as a huge variety of different types of miso, as we already mentioned.
Don’t believe us? Check out their Instagram here!
If you’re looking for a different type of ramen experience, this may be the spot for you!
Hirugao (ひるがお)
If you want to go for something a bit lighter, try going to Hirugao. Here, you’ll find some light ramen recipes that aren’t too heavy on the toppings.
Some of the most popular items at Hirugao are the simple salt ramens that they make, but they also have a wide variety of other noodle dishes that they make, such as wonton noodles, tsukemen, and soy sauce ramen.
Fish and meat dishes are popular here too, as it’s very easy to customize the toppings.
Hirugao is located right next door to the JR Yamanote line station. If you do decide to stop by, don’t forget to check out their Instagram page here!
Nippon Ramen Rin Tokyo (ニッポン ラーメン 凛 トウキョウ)
Run by the popular Japanese Noodle Lab, this place offers a wide range of ramen options. You’ll often see people ordering from their menu when they visit Tokyo.
The main type of ramen that Nippon ramen is famous for is its soy sauce variety of ramen, which comes in both regular and spicy flavors.
They also offer a variety of different styles of ramen, such as their kamaboko ramen, and kimchi ramen.
There are a lot of different toppings available for each of their ramen varieties, making it easy to create your unique ramen.
Some of the toppings include things like eggs, vegetables, fish cakes, and even rice balls.
If any of these sounds delicious to you, then the Twitter page that we have attached should be pretty interesting (and mouth-watering!)
Tokyo Niboshi Ramen Gyoku (東京煮干し らーめん玉 東京駅店)
A popular store across Japan, this place takes its name from Gyoku, the combination of several kinds of Niboshi noodles and ramen.
The noodles themselves come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they emphasize the taste over anything else.
There are a few different types of toppings that they offer, including things like egg, pork, shrimp, squid, and even more veggies.
Another thing that makes this place stand out is that they offer a version of their Niboshi ramen, the store’s specialty (naturally!).
If you’re interested in trying one of the best gyoku ramens out there, then check out their Instagram here!
Asahikawa Ramen Bangaichi (旭川ラーメン番外地 八重洲北口店)
This particular ramen shop is known for making high-quality dishes of all different kinds of ramen.
Their specialties include their signature Miso Ramen, which has a very rich broth with lots of umami flavors.
They also offer a wide variety of other ramen dishes, including their seafood ramen, and chicken shoyu ramen.
The latter dish is especially good because it uses a tonkotsu base, which gives it an incredibly rich flavor.
You can order everything online or at the shop itself, so if you get hungry while you’re in town, you might just want to check them out!
Mazulu Halal Beef Noodle (馬子禄牛肉面 神保町店)
For this last one, we have technically broken our own rules here, as Mazulu Noodles is not located in Tokyo station, being closer to Jinbocho and Ochanomizu stations instead.
However, given the pedigree that this restaurant has, we couldn’t exactly leave it unmentioned in a discussion of high-quality ramen!
Founded over a hundred years ago, Mazulu is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious noodle restaurants in Japan, and many consider it to be synonymous with the city itself.
It’s not hard to understand why, as the quality of their food is quite outstanding, and they use only the highest-grade ingredients.
That said, they aren’t afraid to experiment with new dishes either, so you never know what kind of ramen you might find on their menu!
If you’re looking for some of the best ramens in the world, Mazulu is worth checking out!
Best Ramen Shops Near Tokyo Station
Rokurinsha (In Manurouchi)
Located near Tokyo station, Rokurinsha specializes in making various types of ramen.
They have several locations around the country, but the shop in Manurouchi serves up a nice selection of classic Japanese dishes.
Their menu includes a wide range of items, such as miso soup, chankonabe ramen, and even curry ramen.
If you’re looking for something simple, though, their udon ramen is probably the perfect choice. It’s made with fresh noodles and served with a tonkotsu sauce, giving it a deep, rich flavor.
If you’re looking to try a bit of everything, you should check them out! You can see their full list of dishes on their website.
T’s Tantan Tokyo Station Keiyo Street (In Marunouchi)
If vegan ramen is what you are looking for, then you need to check out T’s Tantan, an amazing ramen café near Tokyo Station.
The place offers a large selection of different types of ramen, from regular ramen to spicy ones, and especially their vegan options.
There are plenty of toppings available too, so you can customize your bowl to suit your preferences.
Like with many other ramen stores in and around Tokyo, be prepared to wait a while for a seat!
But we can assure you that it will be worth the wait once you get a mouthful of these noodles!
The Best Ramen Shops In Tokyo For Tourists
Of course, good ramen isn’t just limited to Ramen Street in Tokyo Station. Here are a few other stores across Tokyo that are worth a visit for any tourist to the city!
Takahashi (In Shinjuku)
Located right next to Shinjuku station, Takahashi serves up some great ramen. They specialize in Tonkotsu ramen, but they do serve several other varieties too. If you’re into the thicker broths and richer flavors, then you’ll love the ones that they make.
Their Tonkotsu Ramen is made using a tonkotsu stock, which is a type of thick soup that is usually used in the production of Katsu Curry, another famous Japanese dish. It’s got a nice rich flavor, and it goes perfectly well with the soft texture of the noodles.
Ippudo Ginza (In Ginza)
If you’re visiting Ginza from outside of Tokyo, Ippudo is probably the first place you should try when you arrive. Located right near the Imperial Palace, it’s easy to spot thanks to its bright red exterior.
Inside, you’ll find a large dining area where you can sit down and enjoy your meal, along with a small counter where you can order directly from the chef.
There are plenty of options to choose from, including their standard set meals, bentos, and even their popular spicy tonkotsu ramen.
Discover More Delights of Japanese Cuisine
If you’ve enjoyed exploring the best ramen spots in and around Tokyo train station, why not delve into another popular Japanese dining experience? Here’s another culinary adventure for you:
- Best Yakiniku Buffet in Tokyo: Yakiniku, or Japanese BBQ, is a beloved dining style in Japan where diners grill their own meat at the table. If you’re a fan of grilled dishes and interactive dining experiences, you’ll love the variety and quality offered at these top-rated Yakiniku buffets in Tokyo.
