Japan

The best ramen in Japan

The Ultimate Ramen Festival Survival Guide

You’ll find rare regional styles, Michelin-starred legends, and one-off collaborations that exist only for a few days. Think butter-clam shio ramen from Hokkaido next to rich Kumamoto tonkotsu, or a surprising yuzu-shoyu blend created by two rival chefs working side by side. If you’re a ramen nerd, these events are a dream come true. You can eat limited-edition bowls, see famous chefs in action, and even take photos of them guilt-free (everyone else is doing it too). But if you don’t plan properly, you’ll end up queueing more than slurping.

The Ultimate Ramen Festival Survival Guide Read Post »

浅草名代らーめん与ろゐ屋 Yoroiya Ramen | Tokyo, Japan | 90/100

The shop traces its roots back over three decades, led by an Asakusa-born owner who builds the broth on a dual base of chicken and pork with niboshi/katsuobushi aromatics—an approach locals often describe as “nostalgic downtown Tokyo.” You’ll also see touches that signal house character, from Kochi yuzu used as a signature accent to a menu that spans classic shōyu and shio, seasonal bowls, handmade gyoza, and even a clearly labeled vegan ramen.

浅草名代らーめん与ろゐ屋 Yoroiya Ramen | Tokyo, Japan | 90/100 Read Post »

九段井さい Kudanisai at Dai Tsukemen Haku 2025 | Tokyo, Japan | 75/100

九段井さい Kudanisai is a Kudanshita-based niboshi specialist now showing at Dai Tsukemen Haku 2025, the annual “new creations” ramen showcase in Shinjuku’s Okubo Park. The shop is a relatively new Tokyo entrant, opened in April 2024 near Kudanshita and Iidabashi, led by the team behind the Sapporo-born “Isai” brand known for assertive dried-fish profiles.

九段井さい Kudanisai at Dai Tsukemen Haku 2025 | Tokyo, Japan | 75/100 Read Post »

Akita Komenkai at Tokyo Ramen Festa 2025 | Tokyo, Japan | 85/100

At Tokyo Ramen Festa 2025, Akita Komenkai is serving a limited “Lobster and Hinai Jidori Local Chicken Miso Ramen,” a bowl that brings Akita Prefecture’s prized ingredients to Tokyo’s Komazawa Olympic Park. The collaboration highlights Hinai jidori—one of Japan’s top three regional chicken breeds—paired with a deep, regional miso and a touch of lobster richness that nods to northern coastal influences.

Akita Komenkai at Tokyo Ramen Festa 2025 | Tokyo, Japan | 85/100 Read Post »

Kane Kitchen at Tokyo Ramen Festa 2025 | Tokyo, Japan | 95/100

Kane Kitchen Noodles (カネキッチンヌードルズ) returns to the spotlight at Tokyo Ramen Festa 2025 with a Festa-only “Local Chicken Extreme Soy Sauce Ramen,” billed by organizers as the comeback of a Bib Gourmand–recognized shop. It’s a Tokyo name with roots in Higashi-Nagasaki (Toshima), long noted by ramen watchers and guides, and now back on the big festival stage. 

Kane Kitchen at Tokyo Ramen Festa 2025 | Tokyo, Japan | 95/100 Read Post »

伊駄天 ONLY ONE RAMEN | Shizuoka, Japan | 85/100

I actually came here hoping to try their matcha-infused noodles after spotting them on another blog — only to realise later that it was an old, undated post about a limited seasonal item that’s no longer on the menu. So, no green noodles this time. But even without the novelty, Idaten’s measured approach and quiet confidence make it a worthwhile stop for anyone exploring Shizuoka’s modern ramen scene.

伊駄天 ONLY ONE RAMEN | Shizuoka, Japan | 85/100 Read Post »

Ramen Dining WaiWai らーめんダイニング ワイワイ| Shizuoka, Japan | 90/100

Billing itself as Shizuoka’s first dedicated tomato ramen shop, WaiWai leans into a lighter, café-like ramen experience that’s become popular with female diners, with a menu built around tomato-based bowls and a neat “finish with rice” risotto-style add-on that regulars swear by. It’s a compact neighborhood stop with practical access and on-site parking—handy if you’re planning a ramen hop around the city.

Ramen Dining WaiWai らーめんダイニング ワイワイ| Shizuoka, Japan | 90/100 Read Post »

鶏白湯 最高の一日 Tori Paitan Saikō no Ichinichi | Takamatsu, Japan | 80/100

鶏白湯 最高の一日 (Tori Paitan Saikō no Ichinichi) is tucked in a compact corner of Takamatsu’s Furubaba-dōri, just a 6-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station. It’s a night-only ramen spot specializing in rich chicken paitan ramen—available in three levels of broth intensity: kōttori (thick), kossari (balanced), and assari (light).

鶏白湯 最高の一日 Tori Paitan Saikō no Ichinichi | Takamatsu, Japan | 80/100 Read Post »

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