Ramen, constantly evolving, is one of the gourmet dishes that represents modern Japanese food culture.
“Ramen Nagi Shinjuku Niboshi Golden-gai Honkan” (hereafter referred to as “Ramen Nagi”) in Tokyo, has played a key role in shaping the ever-expanding world of ramen flavors. By sparking the nation-wide movement of niboshi (dried sardine) ramen, it firmly established this unique style as a distinct genre.
A soup packed with the rich umami of dried sardines and flavorful noodles
As of November 2024, “Ramen Nagi” has several locations across Japan, specializing in niboshi ramen. Their main location in the Golden Gai area of Tokyo, in particular, attracts fans from all over Japan and the world.
“すごい煮干しラーメン,” Unbelievable NIBOSHI Ramen 1,350 JPY (tax included)
The Shinjuku Golden Gai, where the store’s main branch is located, is a well-known entertainment district.
This deep, narrow area has about 280 bars crammed into a space the size of two tennis courts. The history of Ramen Nagi began with this small store that opened in Golden Gai in 2004.
The signature dish at Ramen Nagi is their aptly named “Unbelievable NIBOSHI Ramen.”
The founder’s visit to Aomori Prefecture, where niboshi ramen is deeply rooted, was the inspiration for offering this dish. After extensive self-study and research, the founder created an original niboshi ramen with an assertive, strong niboshi flavor.
When you take a sip of the soup, the first thing that envelops your palate is the ultra-rich umami of the dried sardines!
The key to the soup base is the use of carefully selected dried sardines from all over Japan. Centered on dried sardines from Nagasaki Prefecture, they choose three to five premium varieties each season, blending them to achieve a perfect balance of sweetness, umami, saltiness, bitterness, and sourness.
Around 70 grams (about 2.5 ounces) of niboshi are lavishly used in each bowl of soup.
An original sauce, primarily made from tamari soy sauce, is added to complete this unique and uncompromising flavor.
The restaurant uses original noodles to complement this rich soup. These medium-thick noodles, inspired by udon—a thick, white Japanese noodle made from wheat flour—are characterized by their soft texture, moderate firmness, and rich wheat flavor. The wavy noodles hold onto the soup well.
In addition, there is another type of noodle – the “Ittan-men,” wide noodles reminiscent of elongated Chinese wonton wrappers, with a soft texture. Eating them together with the soup provides a different flavor experience from the medium-thick noodles.。
You can add up to three extra Ittan-men strips for free, so let the staff know when ordering if you’d like more!
Ittan-men
The attention to detail doesn’t stop at the soup and noodles. The red sauce topping the ramen is also worth noting. It’s made by simmering a sweet soy sauce and mirin mixture with various spices, then mixing in homegrown chili peppers.
The spicy-savory flavor adds a lot of depth to the soup. If you’re not a fan of spice you can ask the staff to hold off on the sauce!
The ramen’s chāshū pork (Japan’s version of char siu) is made from pork shoulder loin.
It’s simmered in a special sauce, and after it’s finished, it’s quickly cooled to bring out the richness of the fat. Each slice is cut fresh upon order, ensuring you can enjoy the full flavor of the meat!
For those who want to change up the flavor, try adding some vinegar from the counter. This is “Niboshi Vinegar,” an original creation made by soaking dried sardines in vinegar. It adds a refreshing tang with sardine flavor.
Be careful not to add too much as it can be quite sour!
For an even more indulgent ramen experience, the “Special Unbelievable NIBOSHI Ramen” is highly recommended.
It has the same soup and noodles as the restaurant’s standard ramen, but with the addition of four slices of chashu, a soft-boiled egg, and a large sheet of nori seaweed.
“特製すごい煮干しラーメン,” Special Unbelievable NIBOSHI Ramen 1,950 JPY (tax included)
The nori is carefully sourced from the Ariake Sea, which borders Saga Prefecture—a region renowned for its high-quality seaweed. This premium nori, often used in upscale sushi restaurants, pairs with the soup to create an even more luxurious bowl of ramen.
With each component—the soup, noodles, and toppings—standing out, this bowl of ramen offers a unique dining experience that you can’t find elsewhere.
Enjoy the silky smooth noodles of the “Unbelievable Niboshi‐Tsukemen”
Those who want to fully enjoy just the wide Ittan-men noodles can try the “Unbelievable Niboshi‐Tsukemen,” a specialty of the restaurant!
“すごいつけもめん,” Unbelievable Niboshi‐Tsukemen 1,850 JPY (tax included)
The Ittan-men noodles are served soaked in a kelp-based broth, to be dipped in the concentrated ramen soup on the side. After finishing the noodles, you can add the kelp broth to the soup to adjust the desired consistency and enjoy drinking it.
It offers a totally different kind of satisfying taste than standard ramen!
The hidden joy of a grand meal in such small space
Ramen Nagi is located on the second floor of a small building. As it’s a popular shop, there is often a line to get in. If you’re lucky enough to find no one waiting, go ahead and climb the stairs to enter.
The ordering system uses pre-paid meal tickets.
Select your desired menu item from the ticket machine, which offers both Japanese and English options, and hand it to the staff before taking a seat.
If there’s a line, wait behind the other customers. When it’s your turn, you’ll be called to go upstairs. The rule is to wait in the alley immediately to the left of the shop’s entrance. Be careful to not line up in front of other establishments!
Line up in the alley with posted signs
The shop is open 24 hours, making it a perfect spot for a post-drinking ramen. With many unique bars nearby, enjoy some drinks and then top off the night with a bowl of ramen. The least crowded times are around 7:00-10:00 AM, making it a great place to start your day with a delicious bowl of noodles!
Enjoy the one-of-a-kind gourmet entertainment at Ramen Nagi!
Information
| Store name | すごい煮干しラーメン凪 新宿ゴールデン街本館 Ramen Nagi Shinjuku Niboshi Golden-gai Honkan |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-1-10 Kabukichō 2F, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, in Shinjuku Golden Gai
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| Access |
Shinjuku-Sanchōme Station 3-minute walk from Exit B1
Shinjuku Station（SJK） 8-minute walk from Shinjuku Station East Exit
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| Phone number | 03-3205-1925 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | 24 hours |
| Closed | No fixed holidays Unscheduled holidays |
| Seating | 11 counter seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://nagispirits.com |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of November 2024.
