Harajuku, known as a birthplace of new culture, is also at the forefront of culinary innovation. Right in the heart of this vibrant district, just a short walk from the bustling Takeshita Street and the tranquil Meiji Shrine, lies “Vegan Bistro Jangara,” a restaurant dedicated to vegan cuisine. “グリルバーガー,” Grilled Burger 1,350 JPY (tax included) Originating from the Kyushu Jangara…

“Kyushu Jangara,” a ramen restaurant with multiple locations centered in Tokyo, has its flagship store in Akihabara. The Kyushu Jangara main branch has been boasting strong popularity as a representative ramen shop of Akihabara for many years, even appearing in Japanese anime and manga. KYUSHU JANGARA AKIHABARA-HONTEN’s exterior One of the main attractions of Kyushu Jangara is their refined and…

Tonkotsu, made from pork bone, is a classic ramen soup known for its milky white color and creamy texture. Tonkotsu soup is commonly used in the Kyūshū region, the southwesternmost of Japan’s main islands. However, it’s enjoyed all throughout Japan and has an enduring popularity. Located right inside Ueno Station, “Tokyo Jangara ecute Ueno” (hereafter referred to as “Tokyo Jangara”),…

Ueno, with its plethora of eateries where you can enjoy alcoholic beverages even during the day, is bustling with people day and night. The scene of strangers sitting shoulder to shoulder on outdoor seats and sharing drinks can be considered a symbolic sight of this neighborhood. For an authentic experience of casually enjoying a meal with alcohol at a Japanese…

Japanese ramen can be categorized into various types based on factors such as the flavor and characteristics of the soup, the region where it’s commonly eaten, and more. One of these many ramen types is known as tanrei-kei ramen. Tanrei-kei ramen is characterized by a refreshing aftertaste and a clear, transparent broth. A particularly notable representative of the tanrei-kei style…

In Japan, casual dining establishments with the purpose of enjoying food while drinking are known as izakaya. When it comes to classic dishes enjoyed at izakaya, yakitori, grilled chicken skewers, take the spotlight. For overseas visitors who want to get a full-on Japanese izakaya experience, one restaurant we would like to recommend is “Ueno Torifuku (referred to hereafter as “Torifuku”).”…

“Rokurinsha” is a well-known name among ramen enthusiasts in Japan. With five locations in Tokyo, the popular restaurant often has customers lining up out the door. Such popularity can be attributed to its rich broths made from ingredients like pork and chicken bones. “特製つけめん,” Special Dip noodles 1,150 JPY (tax included) Rokurinsha’s richly flavored broth captivates the crowd The Ueno…

Located inside the JR Ueno Station ticket gate, “T’s TANTAN ecute Ueno” (hereinafter referred to as “T’s TANTAN”) is a restaurant that offers vegan-friendly ramen. At T’s TANTAN, the signature dish is the “Golden Sesame Tantan” noodles. Tantan is a Japanese dish resembling ramen that is inspired by the Sichuanese dish Dandan noodles. “T’sセット（金胡麻たんたん麺、全部野菜の焼き餃子１２個）,” T’s Set Golden Sesame Tantan +…

Japan, brimming with culinary culture, is essentially a treasure trove of food. Many visitors from overseas specifically make eating their way through Japan a primary goal of their travels. There are many unique and original restaurants throughout the country, and one such place is the ramen shop “Nikujirumen Susumu” in Akihabara. “肉汁麺レベル３,” Nikujirumen Level 3 1,180 JPY (tax included) The…

In Ebisu, there’s a restaurant called “Halal ramen & dining Honolu Ebisu” (referred to hereafter as “Honolu”) that offers something still quite rare in Japan – halal ramen. Honolu provides ramen that is free from pork and alcohol, making it suitable for Muslims. The halal-certified “Special Rich Chicken Ramen” is a gorgeous bowl of noodles The ramen at Honolu features…

In the fiercely competitive ramen scene in the busy Roppongi neighborhood of Tokyo, there are numerous ramen shops lining the streets. “Kamosoba Tajima,” known for its duck ramen, stands out as one of the more popular establishments. Adjacent to the restaurant, there’s a hotel, attracting not just Japanese customers but also many tourists from overseas. “特製鴨そば,” Ramen with special toppings…

In Japan, Western-style dishes known as yōshoku are just as popular as Japanese cuisine. Yoshoku essentially refers to a category of Japanese cuisine that is influenced by Western-cooking and recipes. One of the signature dishes of yoshoku is omelette-topped rice, known as omurice, and it’s started to attract more international visitors to the country with the appeal of a “new…

The Fuuki Seimenjo noodle company in Kumamoto, with a history of over 50 years, has been crafting over 30 varieties of noodles, including ramen and udon. While the company has continued its tradition of noodle-making since its establishment, it entered a new phase in its history when it opened a ramen shop in Kumamoto in 2021. Two years later, the…

Opened in October 2023, “Aidaya,” a restaurant specializing in tsukemen, has quickly become a popular spot in Ueno drawing long lines of customers. Thanks to posts from overseas influencers, the number of visits from international tourists has also increased. Savor two different broths with your tsukemen Tsukemen is a style of ramen where the broth and noodles are served separately….

In June 2023, “ROPPONGI TSUNAGU,” a new ramen shop, opened for business in Tokyo’s bustling entertainment district of Roppongi. Since then, it has been gaining popularity for its ramen dishes, especially the ones with a seafood broth base. “はまぐりと魚介の塩らーめん（Wはまぐり）,” Shellfish and seafood ramen (double shellfish) 1,600 JPY (tax included) Packed with seafood umami! “Shellfish and seafood ramen” The signature dish…