Ramen Matsui – Michelin-Recommended Ramen Near Shinjuku Gyoen

Ramen Matsui has quickly become one of the most talked-about ramen shops in Tokyo. Tucked near Shinjuku Gyoen-mae, this husband-and-wife operation earned a spot in the Michelin Bib Gourmand and surged in popularity almost overnight.

Other online rankings - Tabelog, Ramen DB, you name it - have kept the momentum going.

Shoyu vs Shio – My Recommendation

They’re known for their shoyu. But I tried both the shoyu and shio to compare - and I actually preferred the shio.

Yes, there’s a touch of truffle in the shio. But in my opinion, it doesn’t take over. What stands out most is the broth itself: a clean, layered stock built from chicken, seafood, kombu, and scallops. Many ingredients sourced from Hokkaido, where the owner is from.

The salt level hits that sweet spot for me - present but not distracting. With the shoyu, the seasoning edges closer to the foreground. But in the shio, the soup really shines.

And the presentation? Gorgeous. It’s the kind of bowl that's almost too pretty to disturb.

Toppings, Dumplings & Value

If you go for the “all toppings” route, you’ll get a nice variety of chashu - different cuts, different preparations. It’s refined rather than abundant, which is typical for this newer wave of reservation-only, premium Tokyo ramen shops.

They also offer dumplings as an add-on, which are tasty, but again contribute to the already higher price point.

Between the reservation fee and the Michelin shine, Ramen Matsui is on the expensive side. Just something to keep in mind.

So…Is Ramen Matsui Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. It’s a beautiful, carefully crafted bowl from a small husband-and-wife shop that’s earned legitimate acclaim. The execution is clean, the flavors are polished, and the experience feels special.

But if I’m being honest about my personal preferences, there are still bowls in Shinjuku - like Shima - that hit harder for me flavor-wise.

Still, there’s no doubt why Ramen Matsui has become a destination.If you want refined, modern ramen in Shinjuku, this is a top option.

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