Ramen

麺恋処いそじ

The Luxurious Chilled Ramen Everyone’s Raving About in Yoyogi

Ramen, one of Japan’s most beloved evolving food cultures, has become a national culinary icon. Walk the streets of Tokyo, and you’ll find quietly tucked-away ramen shops cherished by locals for years. Just one station from Shinjuku, nestled in a peaceful alley in Yoyogi, “Menkoidokoro Isoji” is a well-known ramen gem among those in the know. Menkoidokoro Isoji has 10…

秋葉原つけ麺 油そば 楽

Secret Sauce & Perfect Noodles—This Akihabara Spot Takes Abura Soba to the Next Level

Abura soba, or “oil noodles,” is a brothless ramen that represents a bold evolution of traditional Japanese noodles. Instead of soup, abura soba uses a savory sauce that coats the noodles and toppings. Diners mix everything together before eating, creating a flavorful and customizable experience. At “Akihabara Tsukemen Aburasoba Gaku,” the owner believes that “good oil brings out the best…

東京油組総本店

Tokyo’s Best Abura Soba? This Shibuya Favorite Uses a Secret Sauce and Historic Noodles

Abura soba is a type of ramen served without soup. Unlike typical ramen, it features a rich, flavorful sauce that coats the noodles, allowing you to savor the true taste of the noodles themselves. Among the many shops offering abura soba, “Tokyo Aburagumi Souhonten” stands out as one of the top chains, with locations all across Japan—and even overseas. It’s…

The Ultimate Ramen Bucket List: 4 Styles You NEED to Try in Tokyo

When planning a trip to Japan, one dish you absolutely can’t miss is ramen. Ramen is a beloved part of Japanese cuisine that has evolved uniquely in each region of the country. Originally imported from China, this noodle dish has taken on a life of its own in Japan—growing into a cultural staple served everywhere from casual diners to Michelin-starred…

Best Shimbashi Restaurant Guide: Top 5 Places to Eat and Drink Like a Tokyo Local

When you think of what makes Tokyo unique, which area comes to mind? Some might picture Ginza, a shopping district lined with world-famous luxury brands, while others think of Shibuya, a hotspot for the latest trends. Everyone has their own image of Tokyo. But when it comes to food, no conversation about Tokyo’s culinary scene is complete without mentioning Shimbashi….

みやら製麺

This Tokyo Shop Keeps Classic Okinawa Soba Alive with Handmade Noodles

Okinawa soba is a beloved noodle dish that represents Okinawan cuisine, commonly eaten throughout the prefecture. With a unique flavor all its own, it’s distinct from both Japanese soba and ramen. “Miyara Seimen” is a rare Okinawa soba specialty shop in Tokyo, offering not only traditional Okinawa soba but also the hard-to-find Yaeyama soba, a regional variant seldom seen outside…

郭 政良 味仙 東京ニュー新橋ビル店

Craving Spicy Ramen? Taste Nagoya’s Famous Taiwan Ramen at Misen in Shimbashi

Shimbashi, one of Tokyo’s major business districts, offers excellent access to places like Ginza, Shibuya, Shinagawa, and Haneda Airport, thanks to the JR Yamanote Line and several other train lines. After World War II, Japan’s largest black market sprang up in front of Shimbashi Station. As Japan entered its period of rapid economic growth, the area evolved with the construction…

カラシビ味噌らー麺 鬼金棒 池袋店

Tokyo’s Most Intense Miso Ramen? Try the Karashibi Heat at Kikanbo Ikebukuro

Ramen in Japan continues to evolve—but did you know there’s a genre known as karashibi or shibikara? Now a familiar term among ramen lovers, this spicy and numbing category appears to have been popularized by the trailblazer “Karashibi Miso Ramen Kikanbo.” In the restaurant’s name, the word kara comes from the Japanese word karai, meaning “spicy,” and refers to heat…

油そば

Soupless, Flavor-Packed, and Totally Addictive – Don’t Miss This New-Gen Ramen in Shibuya

Soupless ramen varieties like mazesoba (mixed noodles), abura soba (oil noodles), and kamatama soba (hot noodles with egg) are among the popular genres in Japan’s evolving ramen culture. “Shibuya Mazesoba Chops” is a specialty restaurant where you can thoroughly enjoy soupless ramen in Tokyo’s trendsetting district of Shibuya. It’s also conveniently located near Shibuya Station. There are no strict definitions…

味噌ラーメン

Must-Try Miso Ramen in Shinjuku’s Ramen Battleground

Otakibashi Street, located near Shinjuku Station’s West Exit, is one of Tokyo’s most competitive ramen districts. In this area, “Misoya Hachiroshoten” (pronounced “hachirō shōten”) stands out with its distinctly original miso ramen that boasts enduring popularity. The restaurant is operated by “Nantsuttei,” a well-known ramen chain based in Kanagawa Prefecture. This chain is said to have popularized kuro māyu (black…

萬馬軒 橙 池袋店 味噌ラーメン

Ikebukuro’s Hidden Gem for Miso Ramen: Manbaken Daidai!

Miso ramen, which originated in Hokkaidō, is now enjoyed throughout Japan as a standard ramen type. Over time, it has evolved in various regions, and these days, it’s not uncommon to find specialty shops offering modern twists such as tsukemen (dipping noodles) and mazesoba (soupless ramen). “味噌ラーメン,” Miso Ramen 990 JPY (tax included) Located in the bustling area around one…

豆乳担々麺

Ramen Lovers, Don’t Miss This Hawaiian-Inspired Spot in Ikebukuro

The Ikebukuro area, one of Tokyo’s major entertainment districts, is a fierce battleground where many ramen shops compete. Among them, “Menya Hulu-lu” has carved out a unique position and maintained top-tier popularity for over a decade. Menya Hulu-lu is located roughly a ten-minute walk from the west exit of Ikebukuro Station, one of Tokyo’s biggest transportation hubs. Removed from Ikebukuro’s…

味噌ラーメン

Craving Ultra-Rich Miso Ramen? Hokkaido’s Asahikawa Style Awaits in Ikebukuro!

Hokkaidō, one of Japan’s coldest regions, has long embraced hearty, warming bowls of ramen. Among its most famous ramen hubs is Asahikawa, a city known for its fierce competition in the ramen scene. One standout shop that traces its roots to Asahikawa is “Asahikawa Miso Ramen Bankara” (referred to hereafter as “Bankara”). For the purposes of this article, we will…

まぜそば

What Sets Mazesoba Apart from Ramen? A Look at the Must-Visit Shibuya Restaurant

Shibuya, a trendy Tokyo area where food culture constantly thrives and evolves, is home to “soba MAREN Shibuyaten” (hereafter referred to as “soba MAREN”) a restaurant offering distinctive mazesoba crafted by a Japanese cuisine restaurant. Mazesoba (often referred to as “soupless ramen” outside of Japan) is a noodle dish mixed with a rich sauce or oil, instead of being served…