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.

Menya Sign - Michelin Guide Ramen in Gotanda

Gotanda ramen shop Menya Sign (麺屋彩音) has made substantial waves in Tokyo. They're even Michelin recommended.

Jimbocho Kurosu - Michelin Guide Ramen

Jimbocho Kurosu is one of several Tokyo ramen shops in Michelin’s Bib Gourmand Guide. But how is the ramen?

Shirakawa Ramen – 3 Incredible Shops

Shirakawa Ramen is one of Japan’s most famous ramen styles. Here are three tasty places to grab it! All three include thick, handmade noodle

Best Ramen in Haneda – Sato

For ramen in Haneda, Chuukasoba Sato (中華そばさとう) is a must visit. It’s close to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and is one of the top ranked ramen restaurants in all of Tokyo! Finest Ramen in Haneda Since 2011, Chuukasoba Sato has been slinging delicious bowls of ramen right next to Haneda Airport. Their unassuming and old-school facade would suggest that they’ve been around longer. The closest station is Anamori-Inari, which is on the Keikyu Airport Line. Ramen Choices Sato has a simp

TOP Ramen in Niigata – Koshu Hanten

For ramen in Niigata prefecture (Japan), local favorite Koshu Hanten (杭州飯店) is a must visit. This ramen shop’s piping hot bowls feature tremendously thick noodles. Ramen in Niigata – Top of the Heap Pummeled by heavy snow every year, the Niigata region is home to delicious, winter-beating ramen. Located in Tsubame City, Niigata, Koshu Hanten first opened its doors in 1933. It’s now operated by its third generation owner. His grandfather, the original owner, was a Chinese immi

Yamagata Ramen – 5 Tasty Styles

Yamagata Ramen! In Japan, the Yamagata region has more ramen shops per capita than ANYWHERE else.

Shin-Nakano Ramen (Tokyo) – The Greatest Noodles

The area around Shin-Nakano station (Tokyo) has fantastic ramen. But one ramen shop in particular stands out – Daruma! They hand roll and hand cut heavenly noodles for every single order! Ramen Near Shin-Nakano Station Junteuchi Daruma (純手打ちだるま) is relatively easy to get to. They’re close to Shin-Nakano and Nakano-fujimicho stations on the Metro Marunouchi Line in Tokyo. The neighborhood around Daruma is cozy and relaxing. This is extended to inside Daruma as well. They seem

Ramen in Japan – My Favorite Shop [Dateya]

As far as ramen in Japan goes, ramen shop Dateya might just be my favorite. This is coming from someone that has eaten thousands of ramen bowls. In short, Dateya’s overall experience is as magical as their ramen is delicious. Favorite Ramen in Japan – Really? To be fair, I eat so much ramen that my top picks do change from year to year. There’s a lot of ramen to sift through. Regardless, Dateya (伊達屋) is among my top picks in all of Japan, if not my no. 1 pick. I absolutely lo

What is RAMEN? Everything You Need to Know

What is ramen? When and how did it come to be? Learn all about this beloved Japanese dish in all its glory!

Top Oshiage Ramen – Takesue (near Sky Tree)

For top ranked ramen near Oshiage station, visit Takesue Tokyo Premium (竹末東京プレミアム)! Each of their ramen comes with a complete platter of high-grade meat. Top Oshiage Ramen The original Takesue ramen shop is in Tochigi (North of Tokyo). Takesue Tokyo Premium is a wonderful offshoot of the original shop. Top Row, No. 2 for Shoyu, 2nd Row No. 2 for Shio Their ramen soup is light. But it’s loaded with a shining chicken flavor. You can smell the chickens as soon as you walk in the

2 Hr Wait Ramen in Nishi-Shinjuku [SHIMA]

Among ramen shops in Nishi-Shinjuku, Ramenya Shima (らぁ麺や嶋) stands tall. Shima and their delicious ramen have taken the Tokyo ramen world by storm. Top Ramen in Nishi-Shinjuku – a 2 Hr Wait You read that right! Although to be fair, it was about 2 hours total when I went (including eating). Regardless, Shima has created A TON of hype since they opened their doors in 2020. This hype is warranted, as their ramen is something special. Whether it’s worth waiting that long…I’ll wri

Mitaka Ramen- Top 10 Restaurants

Mitaka ramen TOP 10! Home to the Ghibli Museum, this West Tokyo area has incredible ramen shops.

Ramen in Saitama – No. 1 Ranked [Yotsuba]

Among shops serving ramen in Saitama, Chukasoba Yotsuba (中華そば四つ葉) is ranked no. 1! This is in ALL OF Saitama. Their carefully crafted ramen will make you sing. No. 1 Ramen in Saitama – Big Deal? In short, yes. A large area directly North of Tokyo, Saitama is home to a ton of first-rate ramen shops. Many would put Yotsuba at the very top of the Saitama ramen heap. Yotsuba is in Kawajima, North of Kawagoe (a popular sightseeing town). From Kawagoe station, it’s about a 20 min

WASEDA Ramen – TOP 5, Deliciously Different

These are the very best Waseda ramen shops! From unique tuna (maguro) ramen to soupless ramen with super thick noodles, Tokyo’s Waseda neighborhood has it all. With hungry hordes of students at nearby Waseda University, there are plenty of delicious ramen choices in Waseda. 1. Maguro (Tuna) Ramen at Gantetsu Gantetsu (ラーメン巌哲) is one of Waseda and Tokyo’s most unique ramen shops. Their shio (salt-seasoned) ramen uses dried maguro (tuna). The maguro gives the soup a refreshing,

Tokyo CRICKET Ramen – Antcicada

Would you eat cricket ramen in Tokyo? Before you click away, know that bug-focused restaurant Antcicada is not messing around!

Hachioji Ramen Shops – TOP 5

Top 5 Hachioji ramen shops! Hachioji is 40 km from central Tokyo, right next to the ever popular Mount Takao. Hachioji has fantastic ramen shops, as below! If you hike up Mount Takao (Michelin guide recommended), you might as well grab some delicious ramen in nearby Hachioji. Here are my top 5 picks for ramen in the area. 1. Ramen EN (煮干鰮らーめん圓) Ramen EN is one of the highest ranked shops in all of Hachioji. Choose either a dark soy sauce or light soy sauce powered ramen. Bot

Delicious Ramen-Udon Hybrid [Chukasoba Kitsune]

Near Roka-koen station (Tokyo), Chukasoba Kitsune (中華蕎麦きつね) serves a ramen that’s deliciously unique. Complete with giant fried tofu, picture a ramen-udon hybrid. Kitsune - Udon-Ramen Hybrid? What exactly is a udon-ramen hybrid? Just like in “kitsune udon”, the ramen here strikingly features a big piece of fluffy, sweetly flavored fried tofu. It’s called “oage” in Japanese. ⁠ ⁠ Soup-wise, think of it as a punchier udon. Beyond your traditional dashi (soup stock often used in

King Seimen - Dumpling Ramen KING

Among Oji ramen restaurants, King Seimen (キング製麺) truly is king. Their precisely crafted, award-winning dumpling ramen is out of this world!

Best Kamiyacho Ramen [Amber Shoyu] – Tenraiken

For Kamiyacho ramen, Tenraiken is a cut above the rest. Their amber-colored shoyu ramen and rich shrimp ramen hit the spot like no other.

Top Ramen in Ichikawa City – Sai [Hand-made Noodles]

Sai (菜) has been the top spot for ramen in Ichikawa City (Chiba) since 2001.

Ramen Blog

Join our Mailing List!

Instant Ramen

Ramen Tours