Restaurants
- Abram Plaut added a new meal Ramen at Seino (和 dining 清乃) at Wa Dining Seino Hon Ten (和 dining 清乃)
Recommended bowl: Wakayama legend
Wa Dining Seino is about as good as it gets. Located in Arida, Wakayama, the shop is often ranked amongst the top ramen shops in all of Japan (as high as No. 3 at one point). Open from just 11am to 3pm, weekends get especially hectic as ramen heads from far and wide make the pilgrimage to this deep part of Wakayama... More
Recommended bowl: Wakayama legend
Wa Dining Seino is about as good as it gets. Located in Arida, Wakayama, the shop is often ranked amongst the top ramen shops in all of Japan (as high as No. 3 at one point). Open from just 11am to 3pm, weekends get especially hectic as ramen heads from far and wide make the pilgrimage to this deep part of Wakayama for a chance to sample the bowls served by master Harada-san. The noodles are housemade, and the tare includes a local Kadochō brand shoyu from Arida. The soup is made from chicken, pork and niboshi (with the niboshi heads removed). Multiple varieties of bowls are on the menu, but most go with the Wakayama ramen or the shoyu ramen. Marvelous balance and overall execution. For those who can’t make the trek, Seino now has a second outpost located in a department store near Wakayama station. But of course, nothing beats the original. Less
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- Abram Plaut added a new meal Ramen at Sansanto (燦燦斗) at Sansanto (燦燦斗)
Recommended bowl: Open just 2.5 hrs/day!
Sansanto is open for just 2 ½ hours each day (6pm-8:30pm). The master, Gotou-san, has told us that his methods are too work intensive for him to produce enough product to stay open longer. He prepares the noodles, toppings and soup from scratch every day – and he does it all himself. Beast.
Sansanto's... More
Recommended bowl: Open just 2.5 hrs/day!
Sansanto is open for just 2 ½ hours each day (6pm-8:30pm). The master, Gotou-san, has told us that his methods are too work intensive for him to produce enough product to stay open longer. He prepares the noodles, toppings and soup from scratch every day – and he does it all himself. Beast.
Sansanto's soup is a classic tonkotsu-gyokai. It's light and salty but the gyokai is masterfully integrated, giving the soup a hint of sweetness. There's no fishy taste whatsoever. An unforgettable soup. Can't go wrong with the handmade noodles. Other choice ingredients include a hardboiled egg with a runny yolk and pink slices of chashu that has been roasted at a low temperature. Ramen and tsukemen are both available. Both are lights-out. This shop is somewhat similar to Kissou in Kiba.
This shop is closest to Higashi-Jujo station, but it's also a short walk from Jujo station, which is just 20 minutes by train from Shinjuku. It's an interesting but seldom visited neighborhood of Tokyo, filled with lots of old school izakayas, snack bars, and nomiya. If you know someone who can take us on a tour of the area's best drinking spots, do reach out.
Sansanto offers counter seating only and space is limited. The shop has a nostalgic atmosphere of old Japan. It's a hidden gem, in a hidden corner of Tokyo. Less
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- Abram Plaut added a new meal Ramen at Saikoro (肉煮干し中華そば さいころ 中野本店) at Saikoro (肉煮干し中華そば さいころ 中野本店)
Recommended bowl: Jiraigen niboshi
Reputable shop near Nakano station with niboshi soup, homemade noodles (made upstairs), thin slices of pork chashu, and long operating hours. Both ramen, tsukemen, and limited menu items. Big boss Koitani-san is a Tokyo ramen veteran, having run multiple shops, a ramen school, and launched ramen shops overseas.
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Recommended bowl: Ramen w/ big tits
Oppai means 'big breasts' in Japanese. Takako Hayakawa, the proprietress of Ramen Bar Snack Izakaya (aka Oppai Ramen), previously worked as a hostess in Ginza and appeared frequently as an idol, or pinup girl, in Japanese adult magazines. As its name suggests, this establishment is a traditional Tokyo snack bar,... More
Recommended bowl: Ramen w/ big tits
Oppai means 'big breasts' in Japanese. Takako Hayakawa, the proprietress of Ramen Bar Snack Izakaya (aka Oppai Ramen), previously worked as a hostess in Ginza and appeared frequently as an idol, or pinup girl, in Japanese adult magazines. As its name suggests, this establishment is a traditional Tokyo snack bar, which also serves ramen. It’s important to know that you can’t just roll up and order ramen, though. You have to hang out and order a few drinks and put some time in first, as per local snack bar culture. Eating and running won't fly in this context. Hayakawa-san will offer to serve you ramen if she enjoys your company (inside tip: call her "leader" and she'll warm up to you quickly).
So, order a few drinks and enjoy the atmosphere. After all, watching Hayakawa-san do her thing is the shop's official selling point.
Inside the shop you'll notice a prominent sign reading 'oppai ramen.' As advertised, Hayakawa-san and her assistant are invariably dressed in low-cut tops. For some reason, they always seems to bend forward a lot while they're preparing drinks or ramen ingredients. You'll also probably notice Hayakawa-san has a rather conspicuous way of bouncing her torso around when she strains the steaming noodles. She’s also funny and a skilled shit-talker. Like all great snack bar proprietresses, she makes a point of chatting up her customers and making sure everyone has a good time (she doesn't speak English, however).
The ramen is a light shio, served with aosa seaweed, yuzukoshou and lime. It's especially refreshing after a few drinks, which seems to be the intention. The lime is a particularly nice touch. The noodles are supplied by Teigaku, a celebrated noodle-maker in Kyoto. The portion size is small-ish. It's packaged more like a drinking snack than an entrée. There are other standard Japanese snack bar items on the menu, but don't come here expecting a full meal.
Hayakawa-san isn't breaking any culinary ground with her ramen technique, but she serves a very satisfying, homey bowl. She's buddies with many ramen masters in the Tokyo scene and knows her stuff.
The shop used to be located in Musashi-Koyama but moved to Gakugei-Daigaku in late 2014.
Be advised that Ramen Bar Snack Izakaya is a small establishment and often they are full. Also, Hayakawa-san closes the shop as she pleases. Some weeks she'll work every day; sometimes she'll take a few days off in a row. If you arrive and find the shop closed, we'd recommend you check out Bigiya, which is an excellent ramen shop just one minute away, open until 9pm every day except Tuesdays. Less
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- Abram Plaut added a new meal Ramen at Sakaeya Milk Hall (栄屋ミルクホール) at Sakaeya Milk Hall (栄屋ミルクホール)
Recommended bowl: Tokyo history
Walking by this sparsely decorated shop, one might not realize the history dates back to 1945. Shoyu ramen, curry rice, and a popular hiyashi-chuka available in the hot summer months. Super simple fare; eating here will feel like a trip back in time. Nothing extra special about the bowls, but the the ambiance and historic... More
Recommended bowl: Tokyo history
Walking by this sparsely decorated shop, one might not realize the history dates back to 1945. Shoyu ramen, curry rice, and a popular hiyashi-chuka available in the hot summer months. Super simple fare; eating here will feel like a trip back in time. Nothing extra special about the bowls, but the the ambiance and historic vibe make for a worthwhile visit. Less
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- Abram Plaut added a new meal Ramen at Ryūsuke (特級鶏蕎麦 龍介) at Tokkyu Torisoba Ryusuke (特級鶏蕎麦 龍介)
Recommended bowl: Nice operation
This highly ranked shop first opened in 2012 before closing and moving to a new location in 2017. The menu is at extensive Ryūsuke, featuring a diversity of ramen dishes, all worth trying. High-class shoyu ramen, creamy tsukemen with thick noodles, and spicy mazemen are some of the choices on tap. Ramen heads from... More
Recommended bowl: Nice operation
This highly ranked shop first opened in 2012 before closing and moving to a new location in 2017. The menu is at extensive Ryūsuke, featuring a diversity of ramen dishes, all worth trying. High-class shoyu ramen, creamy tsukemen with thick noodles, and spicy mazemen are some of the choices on tap. Ramen heads from far and wide know this shop, and a line often forms during peak hours. Less
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- Abram Plaut added a new meal Ramen at Ryūseiken (流星軒) at Ryusei Ken (流星軒)
Recommended bowl: Funky & Original
Super funky and original old school-style shop, with an interesting wood decor and a small kitchen in open view. The master is a quirky but interesting guy. There is a solid shoyu on the menu and a miso which contains various curry spices. The chashu is roasted over an open flame. Not an especially famous shop but... More
Recommended bowl: Funky & Original
Super funky and original old school-style shop, with an interesting wood decor and a small kitchen in open view. The master is a quirky but interesting guy. There is a solid shoyu on the menu and a miso which contains various curry spices. The chashu is roasted over an open flame. Not an especially famous shop but delicious ramen in a cool atmosphere. Less
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- Abram Plaut added a new meal Ramen at Ryū no Ko (龍の子) at Sichuan Ryori Ryunoko (四川料理 龍の子)
Recommended bowl: Szechuan vibes
This restaurant in the heart of Harajuku is difficult to spot if you aren't searching for it. It's located underground without much of a sign — but it's there, and has been operating since 1977. The name means 'baby dragon', and the specialty here is firey Szechuan-style Chinese noodle dishes. Everything on the menu... More
Recommended bowl: Szechuan vibes
This restaurant in the heart of Harajuku is difficult to spot if you aren't searching for it. It's located underground without much of a sign — but it's there, and has been operating since 1977. The name means 'baby dragon', and the specialty here is firey Szechuan-style Chinese noodle dishes. Everything on the menu is pretty legit, from the Szechuan-style tantanmen without soup, to the standard tantanmen, and māpo tofu rice dishes. Given the dearth of high-quality ramen in Harajuku, this is a solid underground spot with tasty and spicy eats. Less
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- Abram Plaut added a new meal Ramen at Ryū ( らーめん工房 龍) at Ryū ( らーめん工房 龍)
Recommended bowl: Elite Hakata tonkotsu
This is one of the highest ranked bowls of tonkotsu ramen in the pork mecca of Kyushu — a true destination shop. The Japanese kanji that make up the shop name mean ‘ramen factory dragon.’ They serve a rich and fatty pork soup with incredible balance. Thin, straight noodles and chashu that is beloved by... More
Recommended bowl: Elite Hakata tonkotsu
This is one of the highest ranked bowls of tonkotsu ramen in the pork mecca of Kyushu — a true destination shop. The Japanese kanji that make up the shop name mean ‘ramen factory dragon.’ They serve a rich and fatty pork soup with incredible balance. Thin, straight noodles and chashu that is beloved by many. Fried rice and rice balls on the side. Counter seating and zashiki style ‘tatami mat’ seating, with an interesting sheet of clear plastic separating the kitchen from the counter. Always a line, with people coming from all around Japan to taste this authentic goodness. Less
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- Abram Plaut added a new meal Ramen at Ru. (流。) at Niboshi Soba Ru. (煮干そば 流。)
Recommended bowl: Niboshi syndicate
Master Tezuka trained at Saikoro in Nakano before opening Ru in 2014. He makes the noodles himself with a noodle machine located in the shop. The soup is niboshi based, but there is also tsukemen, aburasoba, and excellent gentei (limited edition) bowls which are always changing. A shop loved and frequented by... More
Recommended bowl: Niboshi syndicate
Master Tezuka trained at Saikoro in Nakano before opening Ru in 2014. He makes the noodles himself with a noodle machine located in the shop. The soup is niboshi based, but there is also tsukemen, aburasoba, and excellent gentei (limited edition) bowls which are always changing. A shop loved and frequented by hardcore ramen heads. A shop worth multiple visits. Less