Ramen Restaurants in Japan(82)
SEAT RESERVATIONChukasoba Uemachi
The mix of pork and seafood broth to create a well-balanced ramen soup is nothing short of perfection in this favored Osaka ramen joint.
SEAT RESERVATIONSuzunoki
There's nothing ordinary about this deceptively humble ramen-ya, just an hour from Tokyo.
SEAT RESERVATION～TRICK～
Don't be tempted by the ready-made menu choices — opt for a customized bowl of your perfect ramen!
SEAT RESERVATIONKagura
Switch out average ramen for a bowl of all-natural, nutritious noodles in Kanazawa.
SEAT RESERVATIONRamen Kintoki
Delicious, golden shio ramen, just a short trip from Ikebukuro.
SEAT RESERVATIONRamen Hayashida
Whether you want meat-based or fish-based soup, this gem of a ramen shop in Shinjuku has it all.
SEAT RESERVATIONShibata
West Tokyo is home to one of the best places for classic ramen varieties, done to perfection.
SEAT RESERVATIONChuka Soba Tomita Ramen
Could this Chiba ramen shop really be the best in Japan? Try it and decide for yourself.
SEAT RESERVATIONSakurai Chuka Soba-ten
Chinese-style noodle soup, which is said by some to be the best in all of Kanagawa.
SEAT RESERVATIONRamenya Iidashouten
Taste the magic in their ramen alchemy, just an hour down the coast from Tokyo.
SEAT RESERVATIONHinode Seimenjo
Go straight to the source for the freshest udon noodles possible, made with water from the Seto Inland Sea.
SEAT RESERVATIONTsukemen Michi
Slurp up dipping ramen with one of the most flavorful broths imaginable, a half-hour away from Tokyo Station.
SEAT RESERVATIONWa Dining Seino
Take a 2-hour trip from Osaka City to a lovely seaside town in Wakayama, and try a shoyu ramen using soy sauce from its place of origin.
SEAT RESERVATIONRamen Kai
With all the flavors of the ocean in a hearty bowl of ramen, this is one of the most unique bowls in Tokyo.
SEAT RESERVATIONSeikoudoku
All good things are worth waiting for, especially a bowl of delicious, exclusive ramen.
SEAT RESERVATIONVegan Ramen Uzu Kyoto
With striking, monochrome interiors designed by Tokyo art collective teamLab, a meal at this Kyoto vegan ramen restaurant is a feast for all the senses. A zero-waste initiative ensures every part of every ingredient is used.
SEAT RESERVATIONRamen Matsui
Opened in May 2023 in Shinjuku, Ramen Matsui has quickly garnered attention for its silky noodles, folded into a choice of sake-infused soy sauce, dried sardine or salt-based broths.
SEAT RESERVATIONShiosoba Jiku
Diners can enjoy a soulful bowl of ramen at Shiosoba Jiku’s intimate 7-seat triangular counter in the residential Suginami district in Tokyo.
SEAT RESERVATIONHakodate Shioramen Goryokaku
Nominated as a Bib Gourmand restaurant in 2025, Hakodate Shioramen Goryokaku offers a taste of northern Japan in a bowl of salt-based ramen in Ogikubo, Tokyo.
SEAT RESERVATIONKing Seimen
Hail to the King. This Michelin Bib Gourmand ramen restaurant, established by one of Tokyo’s most famous ramen chefs, is renowned for its umami-filled sardine broth and satisfyingly juicy wontons.
SEAT RESERVATIONNakiryu
The long queues at Nakiryu shouldn’t deter you from getting your hands on the best Michelin-recognized tantanmen ramen in town.
SEAT RESERVATIONMotenashi Kuroki
You’ll never be able to get enough of the heavily-guarded secret recipe for the best shio ramen ever.
SEAT RESERVATIONTakano
Get in line for the most sought-after bowl of ramen in all of Tokyo!
SEAT RESERVATIONTorikoku Chuka Suzuki
Be one of the lucky few to get a bowl of rich and flavorful chicken ramen at its best.
SEAT RESERVATIONRamen Nijuubunnoichi
Try for yourself the special shio (salt) soba from purportedly the most underrated ramen shop in Japan.
SEAT RESERVATIONKotobuki Seimen Yoshikawa
Kotobuki Seimen Yoshikawa serves not only the best bowls of noodles, but ones that suit the particular time of year.
SEAT RESERVATIONKadoya Shokudou
Relish in a classic, mouth-watering bowl of shoyu ramen — the best in all of Osaka.
SEAT RESERVATIONHaru Noodles
Snag the best bowl of ramen from one of the top ramen shops in town, which assures quality ingredients all-round.
The savior of stressed college students around the world, this Japanese noodle soup is known by most as a quick and convenient snack. In Japan, however, it’s a different story entirely; here you can enjoy huge, hearty bowls of fresh noodles, stacked with enough vegetables and meat to keep you going all day. When you see how seriously these chefs take the flavor of their broths, you’ll understand why some actually hold Michelin stars for their efforts!
There are tens of thousands of ramen restaurants in Japan, and each has put their own twist on the dish, taking the simple noodle soup formula and expanding upon it with a healthy dose of inventiveness. There’s the rich, earthy flavors of miso ramen, and the hearty, spicy curry ramen — both perfect as winter warmers. For a more refreshing summer meal try some hiyashi chuka (which literally translates to “chilled Chinese”), a type of Chinese-style dish made with cold ramen noodles, a light sauce, and crunchy veggie toppings. There’s also tsukemen, a type of dipping ramen, in which the noodles are served cold and dipped into a separate bowl of concentrated soup, one bite at a time.
That’s the great thing about Japanese ramen — the possibilities are endless, and there’s always something new to discover. Forever looking to modernize, some ramen shops have even started serving halal ramen for Muslim diners. Have a look at all the fantastic Japanese ramen restaurants we cover here, and see which takes your fancy.