Taste journey to discover the best ramen in Japan
- March 7, 2025
- Matthma
- 4 min
Ramen is one of the most iconic dishes in Japanese cuisine and offers a wide variety of flavors and regional styles.
Exploring Japan through its different interpretations of ramen is a unique gastronomic experience, reflecting the country’s cultural richness and culinary traditions.
I have written a short guide to the main places to eat ramen in Japan with the most famous cities and regional specialties.
Tokyo - Shoyu ramen
Tokyo is the perfect place to start your ramen discovery adventure.
The Japanese capital is famous for shoyu ramen, a ramen with a soy sauce-based broth that offers a balance of sweetness and saltiness. Some of the best restaurants include:
- Ichiran ramen: one of Japan’s best-known ramen chains, famous for its tonkotsu ramen, but with versions unique to Tokyo.
- Ramen Street: inside Tokyo Station, this ramen street is home to some of the city’s best restaurants, such as Rokurinsha, known for its tsukemen (dipping ramen).
Sapporo - Miso ramen
In the northern prefecture of Hokkaido, miso ramen reigns supreme.
The thick, rich miso broth, accompanied by butter and corn, is perfect for the region’s harsh winters.
- Sumire: A Sapporo institution, this restaurant serves ramen with a thick, flavorful broth, rich in umami thanks to miso.
- Ramen Alley: located in Susukino, the famous ramen alley hosts a number of restaurants offering different variations of miso ramen, providing a comprehensive overview of this style.
Fukuoka - Tonkotsu ramen
Fukuoka, in the Kyushu region, is the home of tonkotsu ramen, known for its rich, creamy broth made from pork bones. It is one of Japan’s most beloved and hearty variations.
- Hakata Ippudo: Perhaps the most internationally known tonkotsu ramen restaurant, Ippudo offers a light but flavorful version of tonkotsu.
- Shin Shin: Located in the heart of Fukuoka, it is a place beloved by locals for its authentic interpretation of tonkotsu ramen
Kagoshima - Kurobuta tonkotsu
Also in Kyushu, Kagoshima offers a special version of tonkotsu ramen, made with a lighter but equally tasty broth. This ramen often uses kurobuta (black pork) and local ingredients.
- Ramen Komurasaki: one of the city’s historic restaurants, known for its tonkotsu broth enriched with the addition of garlic oil.
Kitakata - Shio ramen
Kitakata, located in the Tohoku region, is famous for shio ramen (salt ramen). This clear, light broth highlights the delicacy of the ingredients, often accompanied by thick slices of pork and wavy noodles.
- Genraiken: considered one of the birthplaces of ramen in Kitakata, this restaurant offers a classic version of salt ramen.
- Shokudo Bannai: Another historical name, famous for its clear ramen and tender, flavorful pork-Japanese tourism.
Hiroshima - Tsukemen
In Hiroshima, ramen is served in a special form called tsukemen, in which the noodles are separated from the broth, which is used as a dipping sauce. This variant is characterized by spicy flavors.
- Bakudanya: An institution in Hiroshima, famous for its spicy tsukemen that attracts locals and tourists alike in search of bold flavors.
Osaka - Negi ramen
Osaka, the “cuisine of Japan,” is renowned for its variety of food, including ramen. One local interpretation is negi ramen, where large amounts of green onions (negi) are used to flavor the dish.
- Hanamaruken Ramen: famous for its “happiness ramen,” it offers a unique version of negi ramen with stewed pork.
Nagoya - Taiwan ramen
Nagoya is known for Taiwan Ramen, which is actually a local invention inspired by the spicy flavors of Taiwan. This spicy ramen has become one of the city’s specialties.
- Misen: the birthplace of Taiwan ramen, Misen serves a spicy broth with ground meat and chili, an intense and satisfying flavor explosion.
Yokohama - Iekei ramen
Yokohama ‘s iekei ramen is a cross between Fukuoka’s tonkotsu and Tokyo’s shoyu, featuring a thick, creamy broth made from pork bones, served with thick noodles.
- Yoshimuraya: One of Yokohama’s most famous ramen restaurants, known for its flavorful broth and large portions.
Okinawa - Okinawa soba
Although technically not ramen, Okinawa soba is a variation that deserves attention. These noodles, made of wheat flour instead of buckwheat, are served in a clear broth and are a traditional dish on the island of Okinawa.
- Shuri Soba: among the best restaurants to enjoy authentic Okinawa soba, famous for its light broth and generous portions of pork.
Japan offers an incredible variety of ramen styles, from north to south, each with its own regional distinctiveness. Whether you’re a lover of rich pork-bone broth or prefer lighter, saltier flavors, each region of Japan has something special to offer.
If you are thinking of wanting to explore Japan, or if you are already in the planning stage of your next trip, and are looking for some off-the-beaten-path experiences contact me and we will plan incredible moments together.