Best Ramen in Tokyo
22 spots I vetted myself across the city, the ones I'd actually send you to.
Tokyo is the best ramen city on earth, and not because of one style but because of the range. Clean soy-sauce shoyu and salt-based shio, rich tonkotsu, the thick dipping noodles of tsukemen, creamy chicken broth, and the garlicky Jiro style with its own cult following. Most of the great shops are tiny counters where you buy a ticket from a vending machine at the door, sit, slurp, and are out inside twenty minutes.
Where to find ramen in Tokyo
My ramen picks cluster in Roppongi & Toranomon (7), Shinjuku (3), Shimbashi & Shiodome (3), Nakameguro (2), Kanda & Jimbocho (2) and Ueno & Yanaka. Tap a neighborhood for the full rundown.
The list
The full guide names all 22 ramen spots, each with the nearest station and exit, what to order and the reservation reality. The names and exact directions open in the full guide.
Ramen in Tokyo: frequently asked questions
What kind of ramen is Tokyo known for?
Classic Tokyo-style ramen is a clear soy-sauce (shoyu) broth with springy noodles, but the city serves every style: tonkotsu, shio, miso, tsukemen dipping noodles, creamy chicken broth and the famous Jiro style. The variety is the point.
How do I order ramen at a Tokyo shop?
Most counters use a ticket vending machine by the door: put in cash, press the button for your bowl (the top-left button is usually the house special), hand the ticket to the staff and sit. No conversation needed, and slurping is a compliment.
How much does a bowl of ramen cost in Tokyo?
Usually 900 to 1,300 yen for a standard bowl, a little more for premium broths or extra toppings. Many of the best small shops are cash-only, so carry some coins.