Tokyo is a paradise for spice lovers, offering a variety of dishes that pack a fiery punch. From rich, spicy ramen to bold and flavorful curries, the city has something to satisfy every heat-seeking palate. In this guide, we’ll introduce some of the best spots to enjoy spicy food in Tokyo, guaranteed to ignite your taste buds.
- Take on the ultimate spicy ramen challenge: AFURI kara kurenai Shinjuku Subnade
- Customize your spicy curry level in Akihabara: Karashibi Curry Kikanbo
- Spicy halal-friendly fried chicken ramen: Halal ramen & dining Honolu Ebisu
- Spicy wagyu hamburger steak curry: Steak and Japanese beef Matsuya Seinikuten
- Spicy soba noodles next to Ueno Station: Kinojiya
- Spicy noodles beloved by Keanu Reeves: Souryutougyokudo Roppongi
- Choose your spicy noodle level: Shisen Tantanmen Aun Yushima
- Huge Jiro-style spicy noodles in Shinjuku: 175°DENO Tantanmen TOKYO
Take on the ultimate spicy ramen challenge: AFURI kara kurenai Shinjuku Subnade
AFURI is a name in the ramen world that is well known among lovers of spicy noodles. At the “AFURI kara kurenai Shinjuku Subnade” location, customers can enjoy their popular “Yuzu Kara Kurenai Ramen” (known for a pleasant blend of tangy yuzu citrus and chili pepper heat) at their preferred spice level of 0-8.
However, those looking for a truly spicy noodle challenge can select the level 28 “Chihayaburu Ōikazuchi no Kami (God of Thunder).” This bowl of ramen really lives up to its name! Flavored by Sichuan peppercorns and Japanese sanshō (Japanese pepper), the bowl is so red just looking at it will give you the sweats! As spicy as it is, the refreshing aroma and aftertaste will definitely motivate you to finish the challenge!
At AFURI kara kurenai Shinjuku Subnade, diners can enjoy whatever level of spice they are comfortable with, but it is highly recommended for anyone looking for one of Tokyo’s top spicy ramen bowls!
Customize your spicy curry level in Akihabara: Karashibi Curry Kikanbo
If you’re in mood for some uniquely spicy curry in Tokyo, “Karashibi Curry Kikanbo” is your answer! At this curry house, you can enjoy both a soup-based curry with a liquid-like roux and keema curry with your preference of noodles or rice. You can also choose your preferred level of both “spice” and “numbing spice.”
The soupy curry is made using a special oil blend. To achieve the perfect balance of flavors, the blend includes six types of chili peppers, such as habanero. The combination is carefully crafted to offer a harmonious mix of sweetness, spiciness, sourness, and bitterness, ensuring that the roux and pepper aromas remain distinct and are not overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, the keema curry is crafted using hatchō miso, a type of miso exclusively made from soybeans without rice or wheat. This curry has a more robust flavor, and the Umami bites editorial team recommends enjoying it with noodles. The noodles are tossed in soy sauce and aromatic oil that pairs perfectly with the rich flavor of the keema curry!
You can also add a number of tasty toppings such as cilantro, achaar pickles, and French fries to further customize your curry.
Whether you choose rice or noodles, Karashibi Curry Kikanbo promises a deeply flavorful curry experience!
Spicy halal-friendly fried chicken ramen: Halal ramen & dining Honolu Ebisu
At “Halal ramen & dining Honolu Ebisu,” diners can feast on a halal-friendly menu highlighted by the restaurant’s popular “Spicy Fried Chicken Ramen,” which offers a different type of heat than many spicy ramen bowls in Japan.
This ramen dish boasts a rich flavor profile created by a blend of seasoned meat miso and a chili oil finish. What sets it apart, however, is the addition of Sambal Terasi, an Indonesian condiment known for its unique shrimp flavor. For an extra layer of deliciousness, dipping the soy sauce-marinated karaage (Japanese fried chicken) into the ramen soup creates an exceptional fusion of flavors.
Halal ramen & dining Honolu Ebisu is a surefire hit for those looking for spicy ramen that is both addicting and halal-friendly!
Spicy wagyu hamburger steak curry: Steak and Japanese beef Matsuya Seinikuten
Among hamburger steak restaurants in the Tokyo area, “Steak and Japanese beef Matsuya Seinikuten” stands out not only for their 100% Japanese beef patties, but also their “Indian Curry (Hot).” This dish delivers a succulent hamburger steak topped with spicy curry sauce that builds in heat throughout the whole meal!
What makes the curry so exceptional is the rich flavor provided by the addition of chutney made from high-sugar vegetables and fruits. You can really savor the deep flavor of the curry and succulence of the beef without being overwhelmed by the spice.
The chance to enjoy high quality Japanese beef hamburger steaks and irresistible curry together makes Steak and Japanese beef Matsuya Seinikuten a must-visit for spice fans!
Spicy soba noodles next to Ueno Station: Kinojiya
Soba is often enjoyed as a traditional Japanese dish, but diners in Tokyo can enjoy an inventive and spicy twist on it at “Kinojiya,” a popular restaurant located near Ueno Station. Their “Jalapeño Hiyakake” soba noodles features a blend of sesame sauce and jalapeño that adds a creamy and spicy layer to the classic noodle dish.
The dish is topped with a generous serving of Kujō green onions. Their pleasant bitterness blends perfectly with the sweetness of the cold bonito dashi to complement the spice level of the sesame sauce. Of course, customers can add some shichimi tōgarashi (seven-spice chili pepper blend) available at the table to increase the heat if so desired!
Kinojiya in Ueno offers a spicy bowl of soba that you won’t find anywhere else!
Spicy noodles beloved by Keanu Reeves: Souryutougyokudo Roppongi
Inspired by Chinese dan dan noodles, tantanmen noodles are a ramen-like dish that has grown quite popular in Japan. The dish is often characterized by the numbing spice of chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. At “Souryutougyokudo Roppongi,” you can try a bowl of tantanmen noodles so addicting, film star Keanu Reeves repeatedly ordered it when he visited Japan.
That impressive dish is the restaurant’s “Black Sesame Tantanmen.” The soup consists of a flavorful chicken paitan broth, black sesame, and an original chili oil. The rich soup clings well to the medium-thick noodles!
Souryutougyokudo Roppongi is a great place to begin your quest for spice in Tokyo with a bowl of tantanmen noodles that packs rich aroma and flavor.
Choose your spicy noodle level: Shisen Tantanmen Aun Yushima
“Shisen Tantanmen Aun Yushima” offers customers the opportunity to customize both the amount of chili oil and the numbing sensation from hua jiao (Chinese pepper) in their tantanmen noodles. For first time visitors, it’s recommended to start out at level 2 for each. However you prefer it, be sure to order their signature dish, “White sesame dandan noodles with Soup!”
This creamy bowl of noodles that combines white sesame, chili oil, and peppers is best enjoyed with a side order of deep-fried pork. This can be enjoyed separately, but it’s recommended to dip it in the soup to soak up its rich flavor and create a great combination of spice and umami.
The restaurant also offers noodle dishes without soup, like the popular “Black Sesame dandan noodles without Soup.” These dry-style noodles are thicker and pleasantly chewy. You can enjoy mixing them up with the ground meat, dried shrimp, mizuna greens, radish sprouts, and rich black sesame sauce..
Whether you prefer your spicy noodles with or without soup, you can’t go wrong at Shisen Tantanmen Aun Yushima to satisfy your hunger for heat.
Huge Jiro-style spicy noodles in Shinjuku: 175°DENO Tantanmen TOKYO
“175°DENO Tantanmen TOKYO” is a popular restaurant that offers up a unique and delicious fusion of tantanmen noodles and “Jiro-style” ramen. Jiro-style refers to a hearty type of ramen in Japan. Here the “Jiro styled sesame ramen” is topped with a mountain of boiled bean sprouts, cabbage, fat, and a large amount of garlic. As you can see, it makes quite the impression!
In addition to being able to customize the “spice” and “numbing spice” levels, customers can also increase the amount of toppings in their bowl. The Umami bites team recommends getting some extra chāshū pork (Japan’s version of char siu). At this restaurant it’s seasoned with a sweet and rich soy sauce-based sauce, and has a melt-in-your-mouth texture!
For the ultimate combination of hearty ramen and spice, head to 175°DENO Tantanmen TOKYO in Shinjuku!
Tokyo’s spicy food scene offers an exciting adventure for heat seekers, with everything from fiery ramen to bold curries. Whether you’re looking for a slight kick or a full-on spice challenge, these spots have something for everyone.
