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.

Luxurious Ginza Tsukemen: Hakuei

For Ginza tsukemen (dipping ramen), it doesn’t get fancier than Ginza Hakuei (銀座魄瑛本店). Wagyu beef, mousse, truffles – their tsukemen screams luxury! Ginza Tsukemen – a VIP Experience This luxurious approach is understandable. They’re simply matching the glitzy surroundings of where they are – Ginza. Ginza is one of Tokyo’s most upscale districts. As such, they decided to create a VIP ramen experience. This starts as soon as you’re seated. You’re served a special bottle of w

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,

Menya Itto – Tokyo’s No. 1 Tsukemen (Dipping Ramen)

Menya Itto (麺屋一燈) is at the very top of the Tokyo tsukemen heap. For good reason – their chicken rich tsukemen (dipping ramen) tastes like it was sent from heaven. Menya Itto – What to Order Menya Itto is a mere 5 min. walk from Shin-Koiwa station. Shin-Koiwa is part of Tokyo’s Katsushika City (the East side). You first should know that Itto uses a ticket system. That is, you arrive before they open and they assign you a time to show up later to eat. For example, if you show

Tsukemen Michi – Tokyo’s Finest Dipping Ramen?

Tsukemen Michi (つけ麺道) is HEAVENLY. Some might even say it’s Tokyo’s best ramen restaurant – not just for tsukemen (dipping ramen). Tsukemen Michi – What’s the Deal? The house special, tsukemen, is real a treat. For just ¥1,250 (all toppings), you’ll feel like a king or queen enjoying a fancy, multiple course meal. The in-house made noodles are extra thick and extra chewy. The equally thick, soy-sauce seasoned dipping soup provides a wonderful array of flavors. It regularly t

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

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

Afuri Ramen – Worth the Hype?

Afuri Ramen has built a modest ramen empire on the back of its popular shio ramen with yuzu citrus.

Perfect Sakura Shinmachi Ramen: Sato

For Sakura Shinmachi ramen, my top pick is Menyokoro Sato. Their ramen is beautifully balanced.

Lip-Smacking Tsukemen in Ikebukuro – Mamiana

For tsukemen in Ikebukuro, Mamiana is most famous. Their chewy noodles are 100% Hokkaido wheat flour.

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

Top Tsukemen in Ginza: Oborozuki

For tsukemen in Ginza, the only place you need to visit is Ginza Oborozuki. This 7-seater hole-in-the-wall also serves top-notch ramen.

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

Top Akasaka Ramen - TOMO

When it comes to Akasaka ramen shops, Akasaka Mendokoro TOMO (赤坂麺処友) takes top prize!

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

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