The best ramen in Japan
Ramen Senmon Kami (拉麺専門 神) in Kochi City quietly marries the finesse of Chinese cooking with the comfort of Japanese ramen. The chef—trained in Beijing-style cuisine before a decade of ramen work in Japan—is behind a bowl where each sip balances a deep, mellow pork broth with meticulously prepared ingredients.
Ramen Senmon Kami 拉麺専門神 | Kochi, Japan | 80/100 Read Post »
The headline here is a clear, golden tai (sea bream) shio ramen—built on local catch (including Sukumo’s “shōga‑madai”) and finished to highlight clean seafood aroma over heavy richness. If you’re mapping out shio ramen in Kochi or curious about regional seafood broths in ramen across Japan, this one belongs on the list
塩伝説 なゆた NAYUTA | Kochi, Japan | 90/100 Read Post »
Just off the Shiomachi Shopping Street in Setoda, Sayo is a small eatery with a red awning and a hyper-local twist on ramen—one that reflects the town’s citrus-loving identity. While the shop keeps a low profile, it’s known among travelers cycling the Shimanami Kaido for its Setouchi lemon ramen, a clear-broth bowl that arrives with fresh lemon slices floating like a garnish from the region’s orchards.
Shokudo Sayo しまの店さよ | Setoda, Japan | 70/100 Read Post »
At its core, the house specialty is an Onomichi-style ramen—a clear, soy-based bowl built with dashi from local Seto Inland Sea niboshi (small dried sardines), topped with flat, springy noodles and scattered pork back fat for texture and depth.
Denyasu 麵屋 でんやす | Onomichi, Japan | 85/100 Read Post »
Look, we get it—Ichiran has the booths, Afuri has the yuzu. But if that’s all you’re eating in Tokyo, you’re barely scratching the surface. The real magic’s hidden in back alleys, down quiet streets, or inside sleepy neighbourhoods where chefs obsess over soup like it’s a religion. This isn’t a list for people chasing Instagram likes. It’s for folks who want to eat what Tokyoites actually crave. No chains, no fluff—just 10 bowls that made me stop mid-slurp and go, “Wah, this one damn shiok.”
10 Must-Try Ramen Shops in Tokyo (That Aren’t Ichiran or Afuri) Read Post »
Just off the edge of Roppongi in Nishiazabu, Kani Ramen Hinata (かにラーメン 光夏) flips the script on late-night eats with a crab-first bowl that lands somewhere between ramen shop and supper club. Opening at 9 PM and closing only when day breaks, it’s built for midnight dinners—the kind of place you stumble into after drinks and walk out from under sunrise.
Kani Ramen Hinata かにラーメン 光夏 | Tokyo, Japan | 85/100 Read Post »
This is the sister restaurant of Ebimaru, and both shops share a clear obsession: bold, seafood-forward broths. At French Noodle Factory, expect lobster bisque to take centre stage—infused into creamy, savoury bowls that riff off ramen tradition without abandoning it.
French Noodle Factory 東京ドームシティ店 | Tokyo, Japan | 85/100 Read Post »
If you’re exploring ramen in Tokyo and keen on dishes that mix seafood flavors with a splash of brightness, this shop is one to note. It’s casual, centered around bold concepts, and worth visiting on foodie instincts alone—especially if you’re curious about where prawn ramen can go when it isn’t just a side character.
Tokyo Ebi Tomato | Tokyo, Japan | 95/100 Read Post »
The blue ramen here, in particular, has gone viral more than once—thanks to its hypnotic hue and photogenic presentation—but there’s more to it than looks. Built on a shio-style base and paired with tender sous-vide chicken, this is a lighter, cleaner bowl that doesn’t lose its character.
Kipposhi | Tokyo, Japan | 75/100 Read Post »
