If Japan is the holy land of ramen, this is your pilgrimage guide. From the bustling streets of Tokyo and the ramen alleys of Sapporo, to hidden gems in Fukuoka, I’ve personally tasted and scored hundreds of bowls across Japan—each reviewed using my signature scoring system.

This page ranks the best ramen in Japan, featuring iconic styles like tonkotsu from Kyushu, miso ramen from Hokkaido, classic shoyu, shio, and even tsukemen. Whether you’re a traveler planning your next food adventure or a local ramen fanatic on the hunt for the perfect bowl, this list has you covered.

If you’ve ever searched for “Where to eat the best ramen in Tokyo?” or “Top ramen shops in Japan”, you’re in the right place. Explore this ultimate ranking and discover why Japan continues to set the global standard for ramen.

Ramen Scoreboard

Brand	Ramen	Type	Total Score 100%	Noodle 35%	Soup 35%	Meat 20%	Toppings 10%	Salt level	Brix level (soup concentration)
Ebimaru Ramen (Tokyo, Japan)	Basic Lobster Ramen	Seafood	100	35	35	20	10	1.1	11.7
Ebimaru Ramen (Tokyo, Japan)	Lobster Cream Ramen	Seafood	100	35	35	20	10	0.92	12.2
Ginza Hachigo (Tokyo, Japan )	Ravioli Gourmandise Chuka Soba	Others	100	35	35	20	10	1.36	8.5
Ginza Hachigo (Tokyo, Japan )	Chuka Soba	Others	100	35	35	20	10	1.36	8.5
Hakata Ikkousha Sohonten Headquarter (Fukuoka, Japan)	Ikkousha Red Ramen	Tonkotsu	100	35	35	20	10	1.59	15.4
Hakata Ikkousha Sohonten Headquarter (Fukuoka, Japan)	Ikkousha Ramen	Tonkotsu	100	35	35	20	10	1.17	13.7
Ramen Hiiragi (Nagasaki, Japan)	Tomato Ramen	Tonkotsu	100	35	35	20	10	1.21	14.9
Tsuta Japanese Soba Noodles (Tokyo, Japan)	Shoyu Ramen with Supreme Plate	Shoyu	100	35	35	20	10	1.42	6.7
Tsuta Japanese Soba Noodles (Tokyo, Japan)	Shio Ramen with Supreme Plate	Shio	100	35	35	20	10
Due Italian (Tokyo, Japan)	Ramen Fromage	Shio	95	30	35	20	10	1.58	6
Ginza Kagari 銀座篝 (Tokyo, Japan)	Special Chicken Paitan Ramen	Chicken	95	30	35	20	10
Mensho Sakura 麺匠 佐蔵 (Matsumoto, Japan)	Sazo Miso Ramen	Miso	95	30	35	20	10	0.82	16.3
Ramen Machikado (Tokyo, Japan)	Red Sea Bream and Lobster Ramen	Seafood	95	30	35	20	10	1.52	11
Ramen Misoya (Nagano, Japan)	Miso Chashu Ramen (Millstone)	Miso	95	35	30	20	10	1.34	10
Shin Shin Ramen (Fukuoka, Japan)	Hakata Shin Shin Ramen Noodles	Tonkotsu	95	30	35	20	10	1.24	10
Taishio Ramen Dounoura (Naruto, Japan)	Sea-bream Salt Ramen	Seafood	95	35	35	20	5	1.72	8.4
Tokyo Ebi Tomato (Tokyo, Japan)	Shrimp Tomato Ramen	Seafood	95	35	35	20	5	1.31	10.2
Tsuta Japanese Soba Noodles (Tokyo, Japan)	Shio Ramen	Shio	95	30	35	20	10	1.34	6.0
Heihachi Ramen at Yokosuka Ramen Fleet (Yokosuka, Japan)	Rich Squid Niboshi Soba	Seafood	90	30	35	15	10	1.35	16.5
Homemade Ramen Muginae 麦苗 (Tokyo, Japan)	Shoyu Ramen	Shoyu	90	30	35	20	5
Menya Ageha (Osaka, Japan)	Mazesoba	Mazesoba	90	30	35	15	10
Menya Iori (Sano, Japan)	Shio Ramen	Shio	90	30	35	20	5	1.37	11.5
Menya Sign 麺屋 彩音 (Tokyo, Japan)	Shio Ramen	Shio	90	35	30	15	5	1.71	7.3
Ramen Machikado (Tokyo, Japan)	Red Sea Bream Rich Ramen	Seafood	90	30	30	20	10	1.44	9.5
Ramen Shibahama (Gunma, Japan)	Shoyu Ramen	Shoyu	90	35	35	15	5
Ramen Shibahama (Gunma, Japan)	Shio Ramen	Shio	90	35	35	15	5
Rokurinsha 六厘舎 (Tokyo, Japan)	Tsukemen	Tsukemen	90	35	30	15	10
Sano Ramen Ittetsu (Sano, Japan)	Shio	Shio	90	30	35	20	5	1.11	5.5
Tsukumo Ramen Ebisu Honten 九十九ラーメン 恵比寿本店 (Tokyo, Japan)	Original Cheese Ramen	Miso	90	35	35	15	5
Wanwanken Ramen (Tokushima, Japan)	Shina Soba	Tonkotsu	90	30	30	20	10	1.12	17.7
塩伝説 なゆた NAYUTA (Kochi, Japan)	Extreme Sea Bream Salt Ramen	Shio	90	30	30	20	10
Aoshima Shokudo 青島食堂 (Nagaoka, Japan)	Aoshima Ramen	Shoyu	85	35	30	15	5	1.34	8.0
Bonten Ramen (Nikko, Japan)	Bonten Miso Ramen	Miso	85	30	30	15	10	1.53	8.2
Due Italian (Tokyo, Japan)	Golden Salt Ramen / Shio Ren	Shio	85	30	25	20	10	1.3	5.2
French Noodle Factory 東京ドームシティ店 (Tokyo, Japan)	Lobster Tomato Cream Ramen	Seafood	85	35	30	10	10	0.94	18.8
Fuku No Ie ふくの家 (Saga, Japan)	Ramugi Ramen	Tonkotsu	85	35	30	10	10	1.21	14.6
Hakata Kawabata Dosanko (Fukuoka, Japan)	Tokusei Ramen (Miso)	Miso	85	30	30	20	5	1.19	7.9
Hakata Tenjin 博多天神 (Tokyo, Japan)	Ramen	Tonkotsu	85	35	30	15	5	1.08	14.7
Ippudo Daimyo Branch Headquarter (Fukuoka, Japan)	Hakata Soy Sauce Ramen	Shoyu	85	30	30	15	10	1.54	6
Kani Ramen Hinata かにラーメン 光夏 (Tokyo, Japan)	Crab Ramen	Seafood	85	30	30	15	10	1.43	9.6
Mensho Sakura 麺匠 佐蔵 (Matsumoto, Japan)	Seafood Miso Ramen	Miso	85	30	25	20	10	0.77	14.8
Menya Always (Nagasaki, Japan)	Lemon Tonkotsu Ramen	Tonkotsu	85	30	30	15	10	1.5	10.1
Menya Iori (Sano, Japan)	Miso Ramen	Miso	85	30	30	20	5	1.35	7.5
Menya Sign 麺屋 彩音 (Tokyo, Japan)	Special Shoyu Ramen	Shoyu	85	35	30	15	5	1.3	9.1
Nakatsu Kirin Ramen Tsukemen (Fukuoka, Japan)	Tsukemen	Tonkotsu	85	25	30	20	10
Noriichi のり一 (Kagoshima, Japan)	Ramen	Tonkotsu	85	30	35	10	10	1.31	3.6
Onomichi Ramen Maruboshi (Onomichi, Hiroshima, Japan)	Niboshi Ramen	Seafood	85	35	30	10	10	1.23	4.9
Papapapapine パパパパパイン (Machida, Japan)	Pineapple Shrimp Salt Ramen	Seafood	85	30	30	15	10	1.94	7.4
Ramen Icchan (Beppu, Japan)	Jigoku Ramen	Tonkotsu	85	30	25	20	10	1.52	11.3
Ramen Zunpachi (Matsumoto, Japan)	IEKEI Ramen (Tonkotsu with Shoyu)	Tonkotsu	85	30	25	20	10	1.78	11.8
Sano Ramen Ittetsu (Sano, Japan)	Shoyu Ramen	Shoyu	85	30	30	20	5	1.57	5.5
Senju Nabeyaki Ramen (Kochi, Japan)	Nabeyaki Ramen	Shoyu	85	30	30	15	10	2.03	9
Denyasu 麵屋 でんやす (Onomichi, Japan)	尾道らーめん / Onomichi Ramen	Shoyu	85	35	30	10	10
Daihachi 中華大八 (Nagasaki, Japan)	Champon	Tonkotsu	80	25	30	15	10	1.2	8.2
French Noodle Factory 東京ドームシティ店 (Tokyo, Japan)	Lobster Spice Curry Ramen	Seafood	80	35	25	10	10	1.09	12
Gion Ramen Miyako | Kyoto, Japan | 80/100	Miyako Ramen	Chicken	80	30	30	10	5	1.52	9.5
Ichiran Headquarter (Fukuoka, Japan)	Ichiran Select 5	Tonkotsu	80	30	30	10	10	1.28	10.6
Ichiran Headquarter (Fukuoka, Japan)	Ichiran Select 3	Tonkotsu	80	30	30	10	10	1.28	10.6
Ichiran (Osaka, Japan)	Tonkotsu Ramen	Tonkotsu	80	30	30	10	10	1.71	10.5
Mensho Mugi no Suke (Fukui, Japan)	Tori Paitan Soup	Chicken	80	20	35	20	5	1.12	12.1
Menya Ageha (Osaka, Japan)	Rich Tonkotsu Bonito Tsukemen	Tsukemen	80	30	30	15	5
Ramen Hiiragi (Nagasaki, Japan)	Tonkotsu Ramen	Tonkotsu	80	30	30	20	0	1.13	1.23
Ramen Kamo to Negi (Tokyo, Japan)	Duck Ramen	Others	80	25	30	15	10
Ramen Tengoku (Yufuin, Japan)	Stamina Ramen	Miso	80	25	30	15	10	1.65	6.7
Rishiki Ramen Miraku at Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum (Yokohama, Japan)	Yaki Shoyu Ramen	Shoyu	80	30	35	10	5	1.87	7.6
Shimadaya (Sano, Japan)	Rich Shoyu Ramen	Shoyu	80	35	25	15	5	2.31	7.4
Tokyo 豚骨 Base made by Ippudo (Tokyo, Japan)	Miso Ramen	Miso	80	30	30	10	10	1.11	11.4
Tontoro Ramen (Kagoshima, Japan)	Tontoro Ramen	Tonkotsu	80	30	25	20	5	1.71	8.6
Denyasu 麵屋 でんやす (Onomichi, Japan)	澄まし潮らーめん / Sumashi Shio Ramen	Shio	80	35	25	10	10
塩伝説 なゆた NAYUTA (Kochi, Japan)	Yuzu Ramen	Shio	80	30	30	10	10
Ramen Senmon Kami 拉麺専門神 (Kochi, Japan)	Pork Bone Ramen with Black Garlic Oil	Tonkotsu	80	30	30	15	5
鶏白湯 最高の一日 Tori Paitan Saikō no Ichinichi (Takamatsu, Japan)	至高 あっさりラーメン (Shikō assari rāmen)	Chicken	80	30	30	15	5	1.31	10.6
Ajisen Headquarter (Kumamoto, Japan)	Ajisen Ramen	Tonkotsu	75	25	35	10	5	1.27	7
Bonten Ramen (Nikko, Japan)	Yuba Ramen	Shoyu	75	25	25	15	10	1.37	4
Chuka Soba Gaba (Hiroshima, Japan)	Chuka Soba (Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen)	Shoyu	75	30	30	10	5	1.49	8.1
Gion Ramen Miyako | Kyoto, Japan | 80/100	Miso Ramen	Miso	75	30	30	10	10	1.16	12.9
Ippudo Daimyo Branch Headquarter (Fukuoka, Japan)	Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen	Tonkotsu	75	30	30	10	5	1.55	9.5
Ippudo (Osaka, Japan)	Karaka-Men	Tonkotsu	75	30	25	15	5	1.64	10.2
Keika Ramen Headquarter (Kumamoto, Japan)	Chashu-men	Tonkotsu	75	25	30	15	5	1.47	8.5
Keika Ramen Headquarter (Kumamoto, Japan)	Taarou-men	Tonkotsu	75	25	30	15	5	1.53	7
Kipposhi (Tokyo, Japan)	Tori Chintan	Shio	75	25	25	20	5	1.79	5.6
Menya Always (Nagasaki, Japan)	Tonkotsu Ramen	Tonkotsu	75	30	25	15	5	1.24	11
Menya Kaijin Shinjuku Ten (Tokyo, Japan)	Salt Ramen with Fish Bone Broth	Seafood	75	20	30	15	10	0.43	7.6
Nakatsu Kirin Ramen Tsukemen (Fukuoka, Japan)	Tonkotsu Ramen	Tonkotsu	75	25	25	20	5
Ramen Zunpachi (Matsumoto, Japan)	Shinshu Miso Ramen	Miso	75	20	30	20	5	1.23	12
Salt & Ginger Ramen MANNISH (Tokyo, Japan)	Tokusei (Special) Shio Ginger Ramen	Shio	75	25	30	10	10	1.53	5.5
Sanpou Ramen Oota (Okayama, Japan)	Shio Ramen	Shio	75	25	25	15	10	0.47	4.7
Shimadaya (Sano, Japan)	Shio Ramen	Shio	75	35	20	15	5	1.74	6.7
Tokyo 豚骨 Base made by Ippudo (Tokyo, Japan)	Shoyu Tonkotsu Ramen	Tonkotsu	75	30	25	10	10	1.56	11.4
Ufufu Ramen (Saga, Japan)	Saga Ariake Ramen	Tonkotsu	75	25	25	15	10	1.61	12.6
Yamamura Ramen (Kumamoto, Japan)	Kumamoto Black Ramen	Tonkotsu	75	30	30	10	5	0.91	6.4
Ramen Senmon Kami 拉麺専門神 (Kochi, Japan)	Pork Bone Ramen	Tonkotsu	75	30	25	15	5
鶏白湯 最高の一日 Tori Paitan Saikō no Ichinichi (Takamatsu, Japan)	極濃厚 こってりラーメン (Goku nōkō kotteri rāmen)	Chicken	75	30	25	15	5	1.26	14.4
Ajisen Headquarter (Kumamoto, Japan)	Showa Revival Ramen	Tonkotsu	70	25	30	10	5	1.4	7.2
Daiki Ramen 大喜 (Toyama, Japan)	Chuka Soba (Toyama Black Ramen)	Shoyu	70	35	10	20	5	3.08	9.1
Echigo Ishin Yuzawa Mainstore (Yuzawa, Japan)	Spicy Tsukemen	Tsukemen	70	25	25	15	5	2.96	17.5
Hachiban Ramen (Fukui, Japan)	Vegetable Ramen Noodle (Miso)	Miso	70	25	25	10	10	1.29	5.9
Hitofushi (Arita, Saga, Japan)	Champon	Tonkotsu	70	20	25	15	10	1.25	10
Ichikakuya Ramen (Yokohama, Japan)	Max Ramen	Tonkotsu	70	25	25	15	5	1.58	8.6
Ippudo (Osaka, Japan)	Akamaru Ramen	Tonkotsu	70	30	25	10	5	1.98	10.5
Mankai Ramen (Osaka, Japan)	Shio-Ton Ramen	Tonkotsu	70	35	30	5	0	1.39	10.8
Mankai Ramen (Osaka, Japan)	Tonkotsu Ramen	Tonkotsu	70	35	25	5	5	1.3	9.3
Menba Tadokoroshoten Ionmoruokayamaten (Okayama, Japan)	Kyushu Miso Ramen	Miso	70	20	30	15	5	1.76	8.5
Mensho Mugi no Suke (Fukui, Japan)	Chuka Soba (Shoyu)	Shoyu	70	20	25	20	5	1.29	8.6
Nankoku Hanten Jugomangoku Ramen 南国飯店 十五万石 (Oita, Japan)	Tonkotsu Ramen	Tonkotsu	70	25	25	15	5
Onomichi Ramen Maruboshi (Onomichi, Hiroshima, Japan)	Onomichi Ramen	Seafood	70	25	30	10	5	1.51	6.5
Ramen Icchan (Beppu, Japan)	Icchan Miso Tonkotsu	Tonkotsu	70	30	25	10	5	1.33	10.2
Ramen Kaniryu (Tokyo, Japan)	Kani Tonkotsu Ramen	Seafood	70	30	25	10	5	1.18	7.2
Ramen Tengoku (Yufuin, Japan)	Miso Butter Ramen	Miso	70	25	25	15	5	1.48	6.7
Rokurinsha 六厘舎 (Tokyo, Japan)	Ramen	Tonkotsu	70	25	25	15	5
Hakata Ramen Nidaime Ikkousha (Okayama, Japan)	Shoyu Bonito Ramen	Seafood	70	20	30	15	5	1.69	14.1
Ufufu Ramen (Saga, Japan)	White Tonkotsu Ramen	Tonkotsu	70	25	25	15	5	1.61	12.6
Yamamura Ramen (Kumamoto, Japan)	Kumamoto Shoyu Ramen	Tonkotsu	70	30	25	10	5	0	7.7
Yoshimuraya Main Store (Yokohama, Japan)	IEKEI Ramen	Tonkotsu	70	30	25	10	5	1.83	11.7
Shokudo Sayo しまの店さよ (Setoda, Japan)	Lemon Ramen	Shoyu	70	25	25	10	10
Darumaya (Niigata, Japan)	Darumaya Ramen	Shoyu	65	25	25	10	5	1.05	7.8
Hachiban Ramen (Fukui, Japan)	Vegetable Ramen Noodle (Shio)	Shio	65	25	20	10	10	1.63	4.5
Hakata Issou Headquarter (Fukuoka, Japan)	Tonkotsu Ramen	Tonkotsu	65	25	25	10	5	1.24	10.2
Hitofushi (Arita, Saga, Japan)	Ramen with raw egg	Tonkotsu	65	25	25	5	10	1.4	9
Menba Tadokoroshoten Ionmoruokayamaten (Okayama, Japan)	Shinshu Miso Ramen	Miso	65	20	20	20	5	1.89	6.9
Mongoi Ramen (Hiroshima, Japan)	Shrimp Ramen	Seafood	65	20	25	10	10	1.84	8.9
Nodoguro Tsukemen Smile at Yokosuka Ramen Fleet (Yokosuka, Japan)	Lobster Ramen	Seafood	65	20	25	15	5	1.4	9.1
Ramen Misoya (Nagano, Japan)	Karamiso Ramen (Millstone)	Miso	65	35	20	0	10	1.52	9.4
Sanpou Ramen Oota (Okayama, Japan)	Shoyu Ramen	Shoyu	65	25	20	15	5	1.31	4.1
Darumaya (Niigata, Japan)	Miso Ramen	Miso	60	20	25	10	5	0.91	10.1
Echigo Ishin Yuzawa Mainstore (Yuzawa, Japan)	Miso Ramen	Miso	60	20	25	10	5	1.55	10.3
Sanmi 333 Original Tomato Ramen (Fukuoka, Japan)	Original Tomato Ramen (Non-Spicy)	Others	60	10	25	15	10	1.58	5.8
Houraiken Ramen (Kofu, Japan)	Shina Soba	Shoyu	55	25	20	5	5	1.57	7
Mongoi Ramen (Hiroshima, Japan)	Seafood Ramen	Seafood	55	20	20	10	5	1.6	8.4
Ryukyu Shinmen Tondou at Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum (Yokohama, Japan)	20th Anniversary Shin Onna-Aji Ramen	Others	55	20	25	5	5	1.37	4.3
Ryukyu Shinmen Tondou at Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum (Yokohama, Japan)	Shio Ramen (Onna-Aji)	Others	55	20	25	5	5	1.15	7
Sanmi 333 Original Tomato Ramen (Fukuoka, Japan)	Original Tomato Ramen (Small Spicy)	Others	55	10	20	15	10	1.51	6.1
Tsukumo Ramen Ebisu Honten 九十九ラーメン 恵比寿本店 (Tokyo, Japan)	Original Standard Tonkotsu Ramen	Tonkotsu	55	20	15	15	5
Gyoza no Ohsho (Japan)	“Unforgettable“ Chuka Soba	Shoyu	50	15	20	10	5	1.44	6.7
Kakuya (Kashima, Saga, Japan)	Champon	Tonkotsu	50	10	20	10	10	0.98	6.8
Yachiyo (Miyoshi, Tokushima, Japan)	Chuka Soba	Shoyu	50	20	20	5	5	1.03	4.2
Kura Sushi (Japan)	Rich Miso Ramen	Miso	45	20	15	10	0	1.62	9.6
Ashikaga Flower Park (Ashikaga, Japan)	Yuba Ramen	Shoyu	40	20	10	5	5
Ramen House Nene (Nagano, Japan)	Motsu Ramen	Others	40	10	20	5	5	1.82	8.2
Sugakiya Ramen (Nagoya, Japan)	Signature ramen	Tonkotsu	40	15	15	5	5	1.53	5.9
Ramen House Nene (Nagano, Japan)	Mapo Ramen	Others	35	10	20	5	0	1.47	6.9

Quick Links By Brands