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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.


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 that right. Menya Musashi at Shinjuku What I love about Menya Musashi is that each of their branches does different ramen. This isn't normally the case for "chains". At their flagship Shinjuku store they've even served chocolate tsukemen (dipping ramen) during Valentine's. A subtle use of chocolate, reminiscent of how mole sauce is made, e
Mar 24, 20172 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


Epic Ginger Ramen in Futako-tamagawa, Tokyo
For epic ginger ramen in Futako-tamgawa, visit Ayu Ramen (鮎ラーメン).
Apr 21, 20161 min read


Oreryu Shio Ramen: Many Choices Under 1 Roof
Tokyo ramen chain Oreryu Shio Ramen is the perfect introduction to ramen for visitors to Tokyo.
Mar 26, 20161 min read


Soranoiro - Tokyo Vegan Ramen
Tokyo ramen group Soranoiro specializes in vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free ramen.
Mar 5, 20162 min read
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