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.

Shin-Koiwa Ramen – Mighty Top 5

For Shin-Koiwa ramen, these 3 ramen restaurants are a deliciously safe bet. From dinosaur-sized pork ramen to beautiful duck ramen, they don't disappoint. 1. Beautiful Duck Tsukemen at yoshiki A relatively new shop, yoshiki (鴨出汁中華蕎麦麺屋yoshiki) is all about DUCK. They’re managed by someone that used to work at nearby ramen shop powerhouse Menya Itto. yoshiki’s duck tsukemen (dipping ramen) is their top seller. The rich soup is all about Iwate duck - whole ducks and various duc

Katsumoto: Classic Ramen, Tsukemen – Both Shops

Katsumoto (勝本) has legendary status in the Tokyo ramen world. They have 2 shops in Jimbocho / Kanda – one for tsukemen (dipping noodles), the other for ramen. Katsumoto – Ramen Shop Chukasoba Katsumoto (中華そば勝本) specializes in chukasoba, or old-school, Tokyo style ramen. The ramen is classic without being boring. It’s a simple yet delicious harmony of chicken and niboshi (dried fish) in a light soy sauce seasoning. Little bits of negi also sweeten the tangy broth. Black peppe

Outstanding Chicken Ramen in Sangenjaya: Garyu

For ramen in Sangenjaya, Menya Garyu (麺屋臥龍) is first-rate. Their additive-free chicken ramen is as clean tasting as it is scrumptious. Cozy 8 Seater First-Rate Chicken Ramen in Sangenjaya Garyu specializes in tori paitan (rich and often thick chicken ramen). But their rendition of this style is lighter and more delicate. Chicken Ramen: ¥800 The broth is still packed with wonderful chicken flavor, owing partially to the use of game fowl from Okukuji. They also use Miou area w

Best Chicken Ramen in Nakameguro: Menya Sou

Fact: Menya Sou has the best chicken ramen in Nakameguro. They’ve got incredible variety too – choose shoyu or shio seasoning and light, rich or spicy broth. What to Choose? I think the best choice is rich broth and this by default comes with shio. But the shio’s saltiness fittingly reminds the tori paitan’s richness that it’s not the only thing there. All Toppings Rich (Shio) Ramen: ¥980 Light + shio or shoyu are still tasty options, especially if you’re worried about a heav

Kinkatsu - Modern Tantanmen in Kamiyacho

Kinkatsu serves deliciously modern tantanmen (ramen) in Kamiyacho. Customize your spice levels!

Contemporary Ramen and Tsukemen: Men Labo Hiro

Men Labo Hiro near Gakugei-Daigaku station serves sensational contemporary ramen. This shop has won multiple awards since it opened in 2016. The Ramen In their ramen, or “Tori Soba”, chicken plays a prominent role. The chicken collagen supplies just the right amount of richness to the broth. But the broth also has a hint of fish. You can choose a saltier shoyu or a springier shio as a base. For either, a touch of mitsuba, capers, and yuzu citrus peels round everything out. St

Cold Hiroshima Ramen (Tsukemen) in Akihabara

Perfect for any hot summer, grab a bowl of cold noodles at Ramen Hiro in Akihabara. They serve a Hiroshima ramen (tsukemen) in a cool, spicy broth. Hiroshima Ramen (Tsukemen) Hiroshima has their own homegrown ramen (tonkotsu shoyu) and Ramen Hiro serves it. But Ramen Hiro also serves Hiroshima-style tsukemen. What makes Hiroshima tsukemen unique is its cold, sweet and spicy broth. Hiroshima Tsukemen, All toppings: ¥1,080 (¥860 without toppings) To prepare this broth, Ramen Hi

Superb Miso Ramen, Tsukemen (Sapporo Style) in Ebisu

Ramen shop Sapporo Kamui in Ebisu, Tokyo offers superb miso ramen and miso tsukemen. They’re both prepared in the heavy-hitting Sapporo style that’s both appetizing and somewhat unique. Added Note: Is it with a heavy heart that I announce that Sapporo Kamui will be closing its doors on July 27, 2018. So grab a bite before then! This is due to extensive renovations on the building. During the renovation period, they do not yet know where their new home will be. Like something

Tasty Chicken Ramen – Menya Fujishiro in Meguro

Menya Fujishiro does one type of ramen and they do it extremely well: Chicken Ramen. If you’re looking for a creamy and rich chicken broth, look no further. This cozy 11 seater ramen shop is close to Meguro station. Chicken Ramen Their Chicken Ramen starts at ¥750. The magic broth is composed of chicken from Daisen, Japan, roasted beef ribs, and some fish. The broth is creamy, relatively thick and unbelievably tasty. To top it all off, fried garlic is sprinkled throughout the

Italian Carbonara Tsukemen in Nakameguro, Tokyo

For tsukemen in Nakameguro, Mitsuyado Seimen (三ツ矢堂製麺) serves some CRAZY bowls. For all of their tsukemen (dipping ramen), the noodles are fresh and made in house. Mitsuyado Seimen has several branches throughout Japan, and some overseas. But Nakameguro is their flagship. Besides their gold standard tsukemen dishes, we’re looking at some of their wacky, seasonal tsukemen. Let’s get to it! Right across from Nakameguro Station Carbonara Tsukemen Like it was concocted in some uma

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

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