King Seimen
Michelin Bib Gourmand niboshi-based ramen in northern Tokyo.
Restaurant Details
For a Tokyo ramen shop to call itself literally “king of noodle-makers” might seem a little bit presumptuous, but a single bite of King Seimen’s noodles is bound to change the minds of even the most skeptical.
However, the truth is also that King Seimen’s nomenclature has nothing to do with the culinary prowess of its founder, musician-turned-ramen restaurateur Mizuhara Hiromitsu. The Oji district in northern Tokyo, where King Seimen was established, means “prince” in English, but a mistranslation gave the restaurant the name it continues to bear today.
Though it certainly deserves the title of ramen royalty. Chef Mizuhara’s five ramen restaurants scattered around the city (the most famous of which is probably the iekei-style Ramen Koike in Sugamo) have almost all variously been featured in the Michelin Guide Tokyo, and King Seimen is no exception, being a former holder of the Michelin Bib Gourmand.
The reason? There are several. The light, niboshi-based broth of dried sardines, clams and kelp is light and yet brimming with umami. The wheat noodles have a firm and satisfying bite. But it’s the wontons that are the real star of the show: substantial hunks of chopped shrimp and pork wrapped sheets of dough, each bite is filled with both crunch and juice.
The title of “best ramen in Tokyo” is one that’s hotly contested, and the truth is that there’s probably no clear winner — ramen is, after all, highly subjective. But if there ever were one to be crowned king, King Seimen is certainly a worthy contender. Any Tokyo ramen lover worth their shio should take the trip north to pay respects.
Michelin Guide accolades:
2021-2024 - Bib Gourmand
King Seimen Access Info
King Seimen is a 7-minute walk from the North Exit of JR Oji Station, or a 7-minute walk from the same station’s Exit 3 on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line.
King Seimen Phone Number
King Seimen Business Days
King Seimen Address
Takasaki Building 1F, 1-14-1 Ojihoncho, Kita-ku, Tokyo, 114-0022
Restaurant location
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Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the ramen base at King Seimen?
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Was King Seimen featured in the Michelin Guide Tokyo?
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