Ramen is a new representative of Japanese food culture. Not long ago, Japanese food was strongly associated with sushi and tempura, but recently, more and more foreigners think of “Japanese food = ramen,” and many people say that when they come to Japan, they want to eat ramen first. So in this article, we’ve carefully selected ramen restaurants that are popular with foreigners. We’ll introduce a wide range of restaurants, from those that serve standard menu items to those that offer unique dishes.
- 1. What is the appeal of Japanese ramen from an overseas perspective?
- 2. [Tokyo Station] 3 recommended ramen shops in Tokyo Ramen Street
- 2.1 Sky Colors NIPPON
- 2.2 Rokurinsha
- 2.3 Ikaruga
- 3. [Tokyo Station] Two recommended shops in Tokyo Ramen Yokocho
- 3.1 Fuunji
- 3.2 Ganso Aburado
- 4. Top 5 ramen restaurants in Tokyo that are popular among foreigners
- 4.1 Ichiran
- 4.2 Creative Noodle Factory NAKIRYU
- 4.3 Ramen Nagi BUTAO
- 4.4 Week
- 4.5 [Halal Certified] Ayamya Okachimachi Store
- 5. Conclusion
What is the appeal of Japanese ramen from an overseas perspective?
Ramen, which can be considered a national dish for Japanese people, is also popular overseas. It is especially popular in America and Europe, where there are more than 300 Japanese ramen shops. Many popular Japanese chain stores have also expanded into the US, and many of them are so good that they have been selected for the Michelin Guide.
One of the reasons ramen is so popular overseas is the wide variety of flavors available. Ramen comes in a variety of flavors, including soy sauce, miso, salt, and tonkotsu, and there are also many toppings available. Food with such a wide variety of flavors is rare overseas, so many people find it fun to have so many to choose from. Many ramen dishes are well seasoned, and people from overseas also seem to find the strong sense of satisfaction when eating them appealing.
[Tokyo Station] 3 recommended ramen shops in Tokyo Ramen Street
Located in the basement of Tokyo Station, Tokyo Station Ichibangai is a mecca for ramen called “Tokyo Ramen Street.” It is directly connected to Tokyo Station and is easy to access, so many people consider it their first choice when eating ramen in Tokyo. Here are three recommended shops in Ramen Street.
Sky Color Nippon
This restaurant is known for its health-conscious ramen. They serve unconventional healthy ramen with whole wheat noodles and soy milk and mushroom soup. Their signature dish, the “Special Veggie Soba” (1,100 yen), is a popular dish that contains more than half of the daily recommended amount of vegetables in one bowl. They also offer gluten-free noodles for vegans and people with wheat allergies, so it is recommended for those who cannot eat regular ramen for health or religious reasons.
Rokurinsha
When you think of tsukemen restaurants that have long lines, Rokurinsha is surely the first place that comes to mind. The thick noodles are coated in a rich soup that really brings out the wheat flavor of the noodles. A mountain of powdered fish flakes is placed on top of the seaweed, which dissolves in the soup to further enhance the flavor. The “Morning Tsukemen” (750 yen), which is only available from 7:30 to 10:00, has a light taste for both the dipping sauce and the noodles, which are perfect for the morning, and are popular among overseas customers for being easy to eat.
*Only morning tsukemen are available from 7:30 to 10:00 (last order 9:30).
Ikaruga
If you want to eat rich ramen, we recommend the rich ramen shop “Ikaruga”. The special soup of “Ramen” (850 yen) is made by blending animal soup and seafood soup, and it is viscous and satisfying. The noodles are a bit hard and chewy, and go well with the rich and thick soup. The pork slices are also very soft and rich, but the small “arare” (rice crackers) that you don’t often see at other restaurants add a nice accent.
[Tokyo Station] 2 recommended shops in Tokyo Ramen Yokocho
Next, we will introduce ramen shops in “Yaechika”, which is directly connected to the Yaesu underground central exit of Tokyo Station. Yaechika is located underground, just like Ramen Street, and is lively and bustling, with a nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere. There are many shops that are easy for women to enter, so be sure to look for one that catches your eye.
Fuunji
This ramen shop can be said to be a pioneer of rich seafood tsukemen. The soup is made with plenty of dried sardines and kelp caught in the Seto Inland Sea of Shikoku, and is finished with a punchy flavor with plenty of fish powder. The “tsukemen” (950 yen) is an irresistible seafood and chicken broth dipping sauce that is highly rated for its firmness when combined with the medium-thick noodles. The high viscosity of the sauce allows the sweet chicken flavor to be tightly concentrated, and it goes perfectly with the diced pork slices.
Ganso Aburado
This shop serves abura soba (750 yen) with luxurious toppings on the table. There are always more than 10 types of toppings available, such as Cajun and curry powder, which are not often seen in ramen shops, so you can enjoy a variety of different flavors. Another reason for its popularity is the availability of additional toppings that are familiar to foreigners, such as parmesan cheese and fried onions. The noodles, made by mixing Chinese noodle flour with pasta flour, are of course delicious as they are, and also go perfectly with the special sauce.
5 Ramen Shops in Tokyo Popular with Foreigners
So far we have introduced ramen shops directly connected to Tokyo Station, but there are many more in the surrounding area. From here, we will introduce five popular ramen shops in Tokyo. We have collected distinctive shops, including famous shops that have expanded overseas and shops with menus that are considerate of foreigners. Each shop is unique, so you are sure to find a taste that suits your taste.
Ichiran
“Ichiran” is a ramen shop specializing in natural tonkotsu ramen that has gained overwhelming support not only from within Japan but also from overseas. It has expanded overseas to countries such as the United States, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and is a famous shop that is loved in various regions both domestically and internationally. Ichiran’s “Natural Tonkotsu Ramen” (980 yen) has the appeal of not having the typical pork bone smell, yet still being able to fully taste the pork bone flavor.
The “flavor concentration counter” with partitions between each seat and the ordering method of writing down your flavor preferences on an order form have earned them a reputation overseas as revolutionary, and the restaurant is so popular that there are long queues every day at its main store in Fukuoka and other stores around the country.
The “Natural Tonkotsu Ramen (Hacchaku Bowl)” (980 yen), available only at the Asakusa Roku-ku store, is served in an octagonal bowl. Since ancient times, the octagon has been considered an auspicious shape that draws good luck energy from all things, such as “increasing your luck” and “increasing your financial fortune.” The distinctive edge of the bowl is decorated with designs that are said to bring good fortune, such as a “treasure motif” that brings together auspicious treasures, and the “pine, bamboo, and plum,” symbols of auspicious occasions and good fortune. When you drink the soup from the number “8” at the front, the characters for “great luck” will appear.
Business hours: (Asakusa Roku-ku store) 10:00-22:00, depending on the store
Nearest station: Asakusa station
Stores: Shinjuku store, Shibuya store, Harajuku store, and others (17 stores in Tokyo)
Creative Noodle Factory NAKIRYU
This ramen shop received one star in the Michelin Tokyo 2017. It is also highly praised by ramen influencer Brian McDuckston (YouTube channel name: Ramen Adventures), and the video introducing Nakiryu is the most viewed on the channel, making it a very popular shop. The noodles are homemade with a wheat aroma. The particularly popular “Dan Dan Noodles” (1,200 yen) have a rich sesame flavor that is exquisite. There are also plenty of side dishes such as boiled dumplings and whitebait rice, so you will never get tired of the delicious food no matter how many times you visit.
Business hours: 11:00-15:00 (closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest station: Shin-Otsuka Station, Otsuka Station
Ramen Nagi BUTAO
This tonkotsu ramen shop is extremely popular on the “Tokyo ramen tours” ramen-hopping tours, which are popular with foreign tourists. The four different tonkotsu ramen varieties, including “Tono (pork bone),” “Akao (chili oil-based),” “Kuro (chili oil-based),” and “Suio (basil-based),” are known for being very photogenic. Each menu item is characterized by the fact that you can choose the firmness of the noodles and the strength of the flavor, and the unique flavors, such as the Italian-style (Suio) and squid ink (Kuro), are also well-balanced. If you’re looking for something unique but still want something delicious, this is the place to come.
Business hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00-22:30 Sunday and public holidays 10:00-20:00
Nearest station: Shibuya Station
Shuichi
This is a restaurant where you can eat “curry ramen,” a fusion of ramen and curry. It was introduced in “Tokyo ramen tours,” and once you try it, you’ll be hooked! The popular “curry ramen” is mild but not too strong, so even people who don’t like spicy food can enjoy it. There is a wide variety of menu items, such as black sesame curry dandan noodles, spicy miso curry ramen, and curry abura soba. It is open until 6am the next morning, so it is also recommended as a ramen to finish off your meal.
Business hours: (Nishiazabu store) Monday to Saturday 20:00 to 6:00 (last order: 29:30) Other times vary by store
Nearest station: Nogizaka Station, Roppongi Station
Stores: Nishiazabu store, Ebisu store, Todoroki store
[Halal Certified] Ayamya Okachimachi Store
This ramen shop is Halal certified and does not use any pork in the toppings or soup. They also use Halal certified seasonings and ingredients to accommodate those who cannot eat pork for religious reasons. As they only serve food from their own central kitchen, you can enjoy your meal with peace of mind. There is also a prayer space inside the shop, making it a ramen shop that is truly suitable for overseas customers. The most popular menu item is the Spicy Shoyu Ramen (950 yen), which is perfect for those who like spicy food.
Business hours: 11:30-15:00, 17:00-22:00
Nearest station: Shin-Okachimachi Station
Conclusion
There are many ramen shops around Tokyo Station, and it is not uncommon for them to be open until late at night. In particular, the shops directly connected to the station are great because you can use them regardless of the weather. If you go to Tokyo Station, you are sure to find the ramen you want to eat. If you want to eat special ramen or want to taste ramen that is popular among foreigners, be sure to visit Tokyo Station.
lastly
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