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The 5 AM Ramen Blog
Welcome to the 5AM Ramen Blog — where Japan's best ramen isn't just ranked, it's experienced. From tiny Tokyo counters to snow-covered Sapporo shops, exploring the bowls that matter — the classics, the innovators, and the shops locals line up for. Reviews, deep dives, and real ramen culture from someone who lives it.


Eat Thai: Massive and Convenient Thai Food Court in Bangkok
Eat Thai is a massive food court in Bangkok’s Central Embassy building. Meant to embody the spirit of Thailand, Eat Thai has stalls upon stalls of wonderful Thai cuisine. Eat Thai might be a more fancy and manufactured experience than real Bangkok street food, but it’s a lot more convenient. You have a card that electronically keeps tracks of all your purchases, with payment not until the end. You can sample all sorts of delicious Thai food without the big crowds or hassle y
Feb 18, 20181 min read


My Take on Ichiran Ramen
Ichiran Ramen is world-famous. But does the big ramen chain live up to the hype? Here's my take.
Feb 12, 20183 min read


Tasty Chicken Ramen – Menya Fujishiro in Meguro
Menya Fujishiro keeps it simple - just one specialty: rich chicken ramen, done to perfection. This cozy 11 seater ramen shop is close to Meguro station.
Jan 26, 20181 min read


Creamy Mushroom Ramen near Tokyo Station – from Soranoiro
Soranoiro Tonkotsu and Kinoko has some truly unique ramen, including a signature mushroom ramen. Near Tokyo Station, this ramen shop is brought to you by the same creative geniuses behind Soranoiro in Kojimachi (quality vegan ramen) . Mushroom Ramen Their mushroom ramen ( Kinoko Veggie Soba) will have mushroom lovers rejoice. The broth literally tastes like cream of mushroom soup. But the broth is also powered by veggies, soy milk, and wheat. They also pour a layer of mushroo
Jan 14, 20182 min read


Curry Delivered to your seat by a Model Train! Niagara Curry
At Niagara Curry, you’ll feel like you’re in a train museum. You’re surrounded by Japanese train memorabilia. Your curry rice even...
Dec 30, 20172 min read


Best Miso Ramen in Japan? Menya Taiga in Kanazawa
Could this be the best Miso Ramen in Japan? Some would argue yes. I’m likely one of them. Menya Taiga in Kanazawa serves a delicious bowl...
Dec 24, 20172 min read


Best Curry Ramen in Tokyo: Shuichi
Curry ramen – it’s the best of both worlds! Ramen restaurant Shuichi specializes in this beautiful fusion mashup.
Dec 11, 20172 min read


3 Heavenly Hiroshima Ramen Shops
For food, the city of Hiroshima is best known for its noodle-filled savory pancakes, or Okonomiyaki. But if you dig a little bit, your...
Dec 4, 20173 min read


Abura Soba – Soupless Ramen with Less Calories
No soup?? Abura soba might not have the soup, but this ramen still delivers on deliciousness.
Nov 20, 20172 min read


Crazy Tsukemen in Nakameguro, Tokyo
For tsukemen (dipping ramen) in Nakameguro, Mitsuyado Seimen serves some CRAZY bowls.
Nov 14, 20172 min read


Burmese Ramen? Try 999 Shan Noodle House in Yangon
Love a hearty bowl of noodles and plan on traveling to Yangon, Myanmar? If so, you should definitely pay a visit to “999 Shan Noodle...
Oct 27, 20172 min read


Whole Fish in your Ramen? Ayu Ramen in Tokyo
Whole Fish Ramen? Don’t be surprised when you find a whole fish in your ramen bowl at “Ayu Ramen”. Located in Futako Tamagawa, Tokyo, Ayu...
Jun 21, 20171 min read


Lucky Pierrot - Wacky Hakodate Burger Chain
If you find yourself in Hakodate (Hokkaido, Japan), you’d best stop by burger chain Lucky Pierrot. They serve up some wacky, mouth-watering fast food. Burgers are the centerpiece at Lucky Pierrot. Lucky Pierrot - A Hakodate Staple Hakodate based Lucky Pierrot has never felt the need to venture outside of Hakodate. They haven't even expanded to other parts of Hokkaido. There are 17 Lucky Pierrot shops in the city of Hakodate, which is impressive for a city of only 240,000 peo
Mar 25, 20172 min read


Experience Menya Musashi – Tokyo’s Samurai-Themed Ramen Chain
Menya Musashi in Tokyo is a samurai-themed ramen chain known for its inventive limited-time dishes—like chocolate tsukemen! Yes, you read...
Mar 24, 20172 min read


No. 1 Mexican Seoul Restaurant on Trip Advisor – Best Tacos Ever
Most people don’t visit Seoul, South Korea to eat tacos. But Gusto Taco is the No. 1 Mexican Seoul Restaurant on Trip Advisor for a...
Oct 8, 20161 min read


Henry Hotel Manila: Vintage Experience, Delightful Food
Henry Hotel Manila is more than a hotel…it’s a true cultural gem. Many of Manila’s Spanish (16th – 19th century) and American (19th-early...
Sep 18, 20162 min read


Tasty Okonomiyaki in a Garden Sanctuary in Tokyo
While the Kansai and Hiroshima regions are best known for tasty okonomiyaki, Tokyo also has plenty of excellent okonomiyaki restaurants....
Aug 31, 20162 min read


Outstanding Vegan Miso Ramen, Pizza in Kyoto
In Japan’s cultural capital of Kyoto, visitors will be blown away at Vegans Cafe & Restaurant. Their vegan miso ramen is outstanding, a...
Jul 6, 20161 min read


3 Top Taipei Night Markets and What To Eat There
Taipei, Taiwan is a foodie’s paradise. Its cuisine is a tantalizing blend of Chinese and local aboriginal flavors and Taipei night...
Jun 27, 20166 min read


Tonchin Ramen – Ramen with Truck Driver Roots
Tonchin Ramen was started by a ramen-loving truck driver in 1993. His aim was to create tasty tonkotsu.
Jun 20, 20162 min read
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