Best of MUSUBI: Top 5 Ramen Spots

Posted on 11/17/2023 Last updated on 03/30/2024

Welcome again to Best of MUSUBI, where we revisit articles from the past and breath new life into them with updated information and photos!

Are you a ramen fan? Have you ever had a ramen craving, but weren’t sure exactly what kind you wanted to eat? Have you thought, “man, I wish there was a place I could go to where I could have the pick of the litter for what kind of ramen I want to eat?” Well, you’re in luck! The following list details some of the best places to go to in Japan to get your ramen fix. You may even call it a “Top 5” of sorts.

Now please keep in mind; this is my opinion on the best places, not the best restaurants. I’m sure that your favorite secret, back-alley ramen stand is awesome, but in this article I’m sharing my top overall ramen hotspots. Think of these as the best places to go to then find your new favorite hole-in-the-wall ramen eatery, because the following places tend to be packed with ‘em! So, let’s begin!

Tokyo Ramen Street (Tokyo)

Tokyo Ramen Street is conveniently located in Tokyo Station. I say “conveniently located” because Tokyo Station is in the very heart of the sprawling Tokyo metropolis, but the station complex itself is a labyrinth. Tokyo Ramen Street is situated in an area called Gransta that connects the Yaesu and Marunouchi sides of the station.

Home to eight unique restaurants, the original ones that were present at the street’s initial 2011 opening were all hand-picked, and many of them still remain today. The level of competition between the joints is very high, so you’re guaranteed an amazing bowl of noodles no matter which one you go with. Some of the restaurants in Ramen Street even specialize in crab and prawn ramen dishes. Be aware though- wait times can be long, as this is a popular spot with commuters, so make sure you don’t have anywhere to be if you decide to eat here during peak hours!

Photo by ちび助

Gansen Ramen Yokucho (Hokkaido)

The historic Gansen Ramen Yokucho, or Original Ramen Alley, is one of Japan’s oldest ramen areas. It’s located in the lively Susukino area of Sapporo, Hokkaido. The birthplace of miso ramen, Gansen Ramen Yokucho began its run in 1951 when seven different ramen restaurants opened for business nearly simultaneously in the same small alley.

As more and more ramen joints began to move in, they started replacing the restaurants that weren’t strictly ramen-focused. The alley soon came to be known as “ramen alley” by locals. Today, Gansen Ramen Yokucho is home to seventeen different ramen joints, all making their own take on the traditional Hokkaido-style ramen. If you’re going to be in Sapporo and want to chow down on a bowl of miso ramen, you just got to do it here!

Dotonbori (Osaka)

The famous food mecca known as Dotonbori located in Osaka is of course home to its fair share of excellent ramen joints. A number of famous ramen restaurants duke it out here for supremacy, serving hundreds of customers a day.

A few more notable joints include Ichiran, one of Japan’s most popular chain brands; Kinryu, a joint with a tonkotsu-base broth and 24-hour service; and Kamukura, whose closely-guarded broth pairs extremely well with kara-age. The next time you plan a Kuidaore excursion in Osaka, make sure to finish it off with a bowl of Ramen here.

Photo by シンガプーラスマイル

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum (Kanagawa)

Founded on March 6th, 1994, the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum bills itself as the “world’s first food-themed amusement park”. The goal of the museum is to introduce customers to different kinds of ramen from across Japan in one place, as well as teach the history of the dish.

They even offer a noodle-making class teaching the traditional Chinese method of making ramen noodles! Located 50 minutes from Tokyo or Shinjuku station, this museum is highly recommended for anyone looking to make a quick day trip for something fun to do, and a must-visit for anyone on vacation in the Yokohama area.

Ramen Gakisenku Tokyo Marunouchi (Tokyo)

Literally meaning “ramen battle zone” the Ramen Gakisenku at Tokyo Marunoichi inside KITTE Marunoichi is a short distance away from Tokyo Station. The Ramen Gakisenku is comprised of five different restaurants that each make a different style of ramen: shoyu (soy sauce), miso, tsukemen (ramen served separately from the broth), tonkotsu (pork bone), and spicy ramen.

This means that you can literally get whichever flavor you are looking for in one place! Aside from the soup bases, each joint also serves up its ramen with their own preferred type of noodles and toppings, so this is also a good place for you to go if you’re trying to figure out what kind of noodles you like, and which toppings you love or could do without.

Ramen is truly one of the most diverse foods that Japan has to offer, so being able to find many different kinds in one place is a great chance explore the different flavor palates available in the dish. Hopefully you are able to visit at least one of these places and enjoy what ramen has to offer!