Ramen Blog

The 5 AM Ramen blog dives deep into the world of ramen. "Best Ramen Lists" include top picks in Tokyo and elsewhere in Japan. Check out "Not Ramen" for other delicious food.

Fried Chicken Ramen – Takeout from Oreyu

Fried chicken ramen sounds crazy – and it is. At Oreryu, the “Otoko Mori” (manly ramen) includes cripsy fried chicken and big slices of tender pork chashu. Fried Chicken Ramen Oreryu is all about shio (salt ramen). Select a light or heavy broth. I’d recommend the heavier broth with the fried chicken. Massive Karaage Chicken! While the broth is creamy from the chicken bones, it isn’t messy and still has a gentleness to it. When you order takeout, they properly separate the cr

Daikanyama Ramen – Ramen Kojiro 526

Among Daikanyama ramen shops, Ramen Kojiro 526 stands out. They do Jiro-inspired ramen well.

Lava Red Ramen at Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto

Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto serves lava red, super spicy ramen. Order their ironically named, fiery “Arctic”, but be warned!

10 Best Shibuya Ramen Shops: Classic to Modern

These are the very best Shibuya ramen shops – the cream of the ramen crop! Shibuya is a ramen paradise.

Historic Ramen in Shibuya: Kiraku

When asked about ramen in Shibuya, locals will immediately answer “Kiraku“. Kiraku has been confidently serving its nostalgic, big bowls of ramen for 60+ years. They have English menus too. Make sure to visit after 2 pm – otherwise you’ll end up waiting like below. Kiraku - Since 1959 Kiraku (中華麺店喜楽) is one of Tokyo's oldest standing ramen shops. Each bowl of ramen strongly showcases Kiraku's Taiwanese roots. Mountainous Moyashi Ramen At Kiraku, choose ramen with a shoyu or

Creamy Chicken Ramen Specialists: Takeichi

Takeichi specializes in one thing: supremely tasty chicken ramen. On top of their 11 branches in greater Tokyo, they have 10 overseas. Along with their signature creamy chicken ramen (paitan), they’ve got lighter broth ramen, spicy miso ramen, and even tsukemen. All ramen are of course chicken based! Thanksgiving Gravy Ramen? If it’s your first bowl at Takeichi, creamy chicken (tori paitan) is the necessary choice. But do be forewarned – it’s really rich and creamy. Shoyu wit

Bright Blue Ramen at Kipposhi

Ramen shop Kipposhi serves a bright blue ramen. The ramen broth is literally the color of the ocean. Without using any food coloring, Kipposhi has crafted both a visually stunning and appetizing bowl of blue ramen. Chicken ramen specialists, Kipposhi has been around since 2016 but more recently moved to Shibuya from near Tokyo Sky Tree. Blue Ramen – Clear Chicken Broth What makes their ramen blue is kept a secret. But again, it’s apparently a natural blue, with no chemicals.

My Take on Ichiran Ramen – Does it Lives up to the Hype?

Ichiran Ramen (一蘭) is world-famous. But does the big ramen chain, known for its unique ramen booths, live up to the hype? As a professional ramen eater, here’s my take on Ichiran. Open Late – THE 5 AM Ramen To be transparent, I love Ichiran, albeit for a number of emotional reasons. First of all, they’re open super late. This very website’s name, 5 AM Ramen, takes heavy inspiration from Ichiran and its late operating hours. I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve had

Abura Soba – Soupless Ramen with Less Calories

No soup?? Abura soba might not have the soup, but this ramen still delivers on deliciousness.

Chocolate Ramen? Visit Samurai-Themed Chain “Menya Musashi”

You read that right…Japan ramen chain Menya Musashi sometimes offers intriguing limited-time dishes. This past Valentine’s, the menu included chocolate tsukemen. Note: tsukemen is similar to ramen but the broth, used for dipping, is served separately from the noodles. Shinjuku flagship store exterior Like their Valentine’s chocolate tsukemen, Menya Musashi will continue to whip up crazy, limited-time dishes in the future. But even these dishes are the real deal, more than jus

Crazy “Ghostbusters” Themed Burgers in Tokyo

To coincide with the release of the new “Ghostbusters” movie, Tokyo chain J.S. Burger’s Cafe has put together a crazy menu. Burgers in Tokyo will never be the same. This crazy menu is below and on the left. Green Ghost Shake Slimer from Ghostbusters is clearly the inspiration for their bright green, apple & avocado flavored “Green Ghost Shake”. But this shake has a lot more in it…a big kiwi, mini burger-shaped candy, green tea ice cream, and even Dorito chips. It’s topped off

Oreryu Shio Ramen: Many Choices Under 1 Roof

Tokyo ramen chain Oreryu Shio Ramen (俺流塩らーめん) is the perfect introduction to ramen for visitors to Tokyo. They have English menus and there’s a good variety of ramen to choose from, whether classic Shio Ramen or Fried Chicken Ramen! Multiple Shops in Tokyo There are several Oreryu Shio Ramen shops in Tokyo, with the majority of them in Meguro and Shibuya city. Just look for the orange sign. Crazy Hybrid Ramen, Light Shio If you’re up for it, they do have interesting hybrid ra

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