Oh wow, I ate a lot of ramen in Japan.
Japan is the birthplace of ramen, and I my day job is the Head of Marketing for a London ramen bar – so naturally I had to try as many as possible during my time in Japan. I think I ate one bowl a day on average (some days, maybe 2).
I loved the culture of ramen bars in Japan. I loved how you could rock up with no booking, take a seat as a solo diner, enjoy your food, soak in the vibes, and then finish – all within 20 minutes of so. I found ramen bars to be the ideal dining choice actually, as a solo traveller in Japan (so if you’re also travelling solo, bear that in mind!).
During my trip – I ate my way across Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Fukuoka to find the most memorable bowls, and these are the ones I’ve listed below.
Each ramen bar had its own unique charm. From tiny spots tucked under train tracks to slick, modern counter bars.
So here’s my list of favourites, complete with Google Maps links (just click their name and open it in a new tab!) so you can add them straight to your itinerary.
Ramen bars in Tokyo
Afuri Shinjuku Lumine
Hidden in the basement food court of one of Shinjuku’s many stations, Afuri serves up fresh, light, and refined bowls of ramen. My bowl had these amazing crunchy crispy herbs that I’m still thinking about (and I’m sure you can’t get in the UK!).
The yuzu shio ramen is their signature, with a citrusy broth that feels almost cleansing. I got lucky and walked right in, but when I left there was already a long queue. The vibe is casual but modern — perfect for a quick stop between trains.
Ramen Jiro
A true Tokyo institution with a cult-like following (seriously, go and have a read about how divisive this bowl of ramen has made people!). Ramen Jiro is loud, busy, and gloriously greasy.
Be prepared for a no-nonsense experience, nothing is in English, and the staff move fast, but it’s worth every second. I waited about 15 minutes, then devoured a HUGE, garlicky, rich bowl of ramen that was one of my most memorable meals in Japan. I can’t recommend it enough. Yes, it’s kind of intimidating, but that’s part of the fun tbh.
Ramen Kamo to Negi Ueno Okachimachi Main Store
This was one of the most beautiful bowls I had in Tokyo — a delicate duck ramen (very unique and not something I stumbled upon again!) served in a charming little bar right under the railroad tracks. I honestly felt like I was in a charming little independent movie.
The staff were so friendly and welcoming, and the broth was so refined it felt almost like eating art. I felt a little guily digging into the noodles and ruining the perfectly constructed bowl.
I only tried one ramen bar in Kyoto!
Musoshin Ramen (Black Ramen)
Kyoto is known for its own special style of ramen, and Musoshin in Gion serves up an unforgettable bowl of black ramen.
The broth was thick and almost paste-like, with a bold, intense flavour that stood out from the lighter and delicate Tokyo bowls. The shop itself is tiny and unassuming — exactly the kind of place you want to stumble into on a Kyoto evening.
I struggled to finish the broth here (a little too rich for my taste) but I know people who would’ve devoured it, so it deserves a mention!
Ramen bars in Osaka
Hanamaruken Hozenji
Right in the middle of Osaka’s buzzing food district, Hanamaruken serves ramen with unapologetically bold broth. I ordered their slow-cooked pork rib ramen (the big speciality on their menu) and it was incredible. It was rich, greasy, fatty and delicious.
The rib was so tender it practically melted in my mouth, and the vibe of the ramen bar was chilled, relaxed and casual. Little warning – if you need to use the toilet whilst there, be prepared to take off your shoes – as this is a requirement.
台湾まぜそば·台湾ラーメン 薫
One of my absolute favourite dishes of the entire trip. But not a traditional ramen! This isn’t a soup-based ramen but a mazemen — brothless ramen with all the toppings and a gorgeous raw egg yolk to mix through the noodles. Kind of like how egg makes the pasta silky in Carbonara (if you need to picture it!).
The bar itself was very basic and no-frills, but that only made it more special. Food came quickly, and it was one of the cheapest bowls I ate during the whole trip.
Ramen bars in Fukuoka
Hakata Ikkousha
Fukuoka is the home of tonkotsu ramen, and Ikkousha is a great place to start if you’re looking for a super traditional creation of this iconic Japanese dish. My head chef (from work) Kanji San recommended this palce to me – and I could see why!
The broth was creamy, slightly foamy, and rich with porky goodness, exactly what you want from a tonkotsu. The staff were incredibly friendly and I loved watching the kitchen crank out bowl after steaming bowl.
Hakata Daruma
Another legendary Fukuoka spot with a loyal following. Their tonkotsu ramen is deeply savoury, with that signature bubbly broth. I arrived at lunchtime and joined a big queue of locals, all waiting for their regular lunch treat. I knew it’d be great when I saw how many had turned up for the lunchtime rush!
I also ordered gyoza here — a perfect crispy side to the rich soup. I loved it. Nice atmosphere, great broth, and another super traditional tonkotsu to add to my list.
Ramen Unari (海鳴)
This tiny Nakasu ramen bar only seats about 12 people and serves one of the most unique bowls I had anywhere in Japan — a creamy tonkotsu broth blended with basil-garlic Genovese pesto. This was another recommendation from Kanji San, and oh boy, it did not disappoint. He had been so excited for me to try this place, and I’m so glad I did.
The flavours of basil, pine nut, garlic, and cheese with the classic thin Hakata noodles was next-level. Totally worth the wait and so so different from any other ramen I had in Japan. It was amazing to try something a bit daring and modern amongst all the traditional tonkotsu bowls I ate in Fukuoka.
Hakata Issou Nakasu Branch
This spot came recommended by a taxi driver who said it was his favourite tonkotsu ramen in all of Japan. How could I not check it out, with such a strong endorasment?!
I’m so glad I went. It’s cosy, reasonably priced, and located in a lively nightlife area, so a perfect late-night stop. I got a seat at the ramen bar with a perfect view of the kitchen – to watch all the lovely kitchen staff hard at work.
Eikoku Shoryu
This sleek, stylish ramen bar felt more elevated and modern than most, with counter seating and a view into the open kitchen.
I had two dishes here — one was a silky, refined ramen, but the standout was their carbonara tsukemen, which was creamy, cheesy, and completely satisfying. Also so unique!
After weeks in Japan, I realised how much I’d missed cheese, and this bowl absolutely hit the spot.
So, did I have a favourite ramen bar?
Each of these ramen bars offered something unique, and honestly I enjoyed eating every single one of them. There were certainly more memorable bowls (like the duck ramen, or Genovese ramen) but in terms of deliciousness – they all ranked so so highly.
So no, I didn’t have a favourite. I loved them all, and I find myself crving different ones at different times!
Whether you’re planning a dedicated ramen pilgrimage or just want to eat well as you explore Japan, these are the bowls I’d happily eat again (and again).
