10 Best Ramen in Shinjuku

Shinjuku is renowned as a mecca for ramen, boasting over 300 ramen restaurants in the area. It is one of the most competitive ramen districts in Japan, where each restaurant takes pride in competing with others through their signature dishes. If you’re searching for the best ramen in Tokyo, Shinjuku is the perfect destination!

In this article, I will introduce the 10 best ramen spots in Shinjuku, as chosen by both locals and tourists. Let’s take a look!

For a comprehensive overview of the Shinjuku area, check out our All-in-One Guide to Shinjuku!

Shinjuku’s Ramen Culture: A Global Noodle Nexus

Shinjuku is undeniably the vibrant heart of Tokyo and a paradise for ramen lovers. With more than 300 ramen shops, this district showcases an impressive array of flavors, from the classic tonkotsu to innovative seafood broths. It’s a culinary destination that demands the attention of both local aficionados and international visitors seeking authentic experiences.

The area’s ramen scene has evolved to embrace a broader audience. Modern ramen shops in Shinjuku feature stylish interiors and unique flavor combinations, appealing to a diverse clientele, including women and younger patrons. This shift reflects a broader trend in Japan’s food culture, where ramen has transcended its humble origins to become a symbol of culinary innovation.

Shinjuku’s ramen scene is an essential introduction to Japanese cuisine for foreign visitors. Numerous restaurants offer multilingual menus and cater to diverse dietary preferences, guaranteeing an inclusive experience for everyone. With its vibrant atmosphere and rich culinary landscape, Shinjuku is undeniably a must-visit destination for anyone eager to delve into the depth and diversity of ramen culture.

Best Ramen in Shinjuku

1. Ichiran

ICHIRAN Ramen (一蘭) is a Japanese ramen restaurant specializing in Tonkotsu ramen. The fame and popularity of Ichiran are not only big in Japan but also abroad, and the shop has over 80 branches across Japan and overseas.

Ichiran’s signature ramen is Tonkotsu ramen served with rich creamy pork broth soup and thin noodles, which is a classic style from Fukuoka prefecture. The bowl of ramen is topped with sliced pork (chashu), chopped green onion, and secret spicy red sauce, which makes a perfect balance in taste.

Ichiran is also known for its unique order system and ramen booth seats. The order tickets are sold at the vending machine, and there are order sheets that you can fill up to customize your ramen by choosing the hardness of noodles, richness of soup, amount of oil or garlic, etc. The seats in Ichiran are divided individually which is specially designed for customers to focus on the flavour of the ramen.

Why should you try this place?

Ichiran offers a personalized dining experience with individual booths, allowing diners to focus solely on their meal. Their tonkotsu ramen is customizable, letting patrons adjust noodle firmness, broth richness, and spice levels to their preference.

There are currently three Ichiran stores in the Shinjuku area.

Ichiran Shinjuku Chuo Higashiguchi Store
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/CjUaixmSx3WXquja6
Access: 3 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station
Hours: 10:00~6:00 next morning

Ichiran Kabukicho Store
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/zic1QfWuZRPwYifN6
Access: 5 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station
Hours: 24 hours

Ichiran Nishi Shinjuku Store
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ZSmTVScEEfM4ZSSS6
Access: 5 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station
Hours: 10:00~22:30

Related article: ICHIRAN: the Best Classic Tonkotsu Ramen in Shinjuku, Tokyo

2. Fuunji

Tsukemen (dipping noodle) is a type of ramen dish in Japan, which consists of noodles and soup served separately and eaten by dipping noodles in the soup. Tsukemen has gained its popularity in Japan, and you can find many restaurants dedicated to Tsukemen nowadays. If you are into ramen, Tsukemen is definitely a must-try dish for a whole new ramen experience.

Fuunji (風雲児) is a highly popular Tsukemen restaurant that attracts gourmands and Tsukemen fans from all over Japan, and there is always a waiting queue outside. There are currently three branches in Tokyo, and its main store is located in the Shinjuku area. Fuunji serves delicious Tsukemen with medium-thick noodles and the rich and aromatic soup made with a perfect blend of selected ingredients, including domestic chicken and dried fish. Besides the Tsukemen, a regular type of ramen is also available on the menu.

Why is this ramen worth your time?

Fuunji is renowned for its tsukemen, where thick noodles are dipped into a rich, creamy broth made from chicken and fish. The balance of flavors and the quality of ingredients have made it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/LZ2WkVVNBdCg6h7x6
Access: 5 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station
Hours: 11:00~15:00/17:00~21:00

3. Menya Musashi

Menya Musashi (麺屋武蔵) is a popular ramen restaurant that opened in the Shinjuku area in 1996 and now has over 10 chains in Tokyo. Menya Musashi is an innovative and progressive ramen restaurant, serving a variety of creative ramen, including seasonal dishes and special dishes. There are some limited-edition ramen that are served only in some branches.

The classic ramen of Menya Musashi is made with a flavourful “double soup” combining animal broth (chicken and pork) and seafood broth and topped with a generous amount of toppings such as chunks of pork belly and a soft-boiled egg. At the Shinjuku store, a wide range of ramen is available on the menu, including tsukemen if you wish to try something different than an ordinary ramen.

What’s the draw here?

Menya Musashi stands out with its bold, double-soup broth combining animal and seafood flavors. The restaurant’s samurai-themed decor and the chefs’ dynamic preparation add to the unique dining atmosphere.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/y8Q3hzALb2L79Dvb7
Access: 4 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station
Hours: 11:00~22:30

4. Ippudo

Ippudo (一風堂) is a Japanese franchised ramen restaurant specializing in a Hakata-style classic Tonkotsu ramen since its establishment in 1985. Like Ichiran, Ippudo has played a big part in delivering Japanese ramen culture to the world over the past decades and has many fans across the world. There are over 150 branches in and outside of Japan.

There are two types of ramen served in Ippudo: Shiromaru (white), the original Tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen with thin noodles topped with pork belly, kikurage mushroom, menma (pickled bamboo shoot), red pickled ginger, and scallions, and Akamaru (red), the classic Tonkotsu ramen topped with Ippudo’s secret miso paste. In some stores, limited ramen dishes are also available.

Why is it on this list?

Originating from Fukuoka, Ippudo brings a modern twist to traditional tonkotsu ramen. Their signature Shiromaru and Akamaru bowls offer a refined flavor profile, appealing to both purists and newcomers.

Currently, there are two Ippudo stores near Shinjuku Station.

Ippudo Shinjuku I-Land Tower Store
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/s5w7uMGZUwprCDwM6
Hours: 11:00~22:00 (~16:00 on Saturday and Sunday)

Ippudo LUMINE EST Shinjuku  Store
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/pft9B8MjnLMD851M8
Hours: 11:00~21:00

5. Niboshi Ramen Nagi

Niboshi Ramen Nagi (煮干ラーメン凪) is a popular ramen restaurant that has a number of branches in central Tokyo as well as overseas. Nagi’s signature is Niboshi ramen made with Niboshi stock (dried sardine), which gives a savory and aromatic flavour.

Over 20 kinds of Niboshi are blended to make a perfect taste of the soup to go with their home-made thick noodle. If you want to taste the unique flavour of ramen rather than tonkotsu (pork broth), which is the mainstream of ramen flavour, Nagi is highly recommended!

There are currently three Nagi stores in the Shinjuku area, and the main store is located in the famous drinking alley, the Golden Gai area.

What makes this spot stand out?

Located in the heart of Golden Gai, Nagi specializes in a robust niboshi (dried sardine) broth, blending over 20 types of dried fish. The intense umami flavor and the unique combination of thick and flat noodles make it a must-visit

Shinjuku Golden Gai Main Store
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/vauemM63zWWVzeLR8
Access: 8 mins walk from Shinjuku Station East Exit
Hours: 24 hours

Nishi Shinjuku 7-chome Store
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Yunjw8kq38oz1GJUA
Access: 7 mins walk from Shinjuku Station West Exit
Hours: 11:00~23:00 (~21:00 on Sunday)

6. Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu

Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu (Sobahouse 金色不如帰)  is an award-winning ramen restaurant that also won a Michelin star in 2018, becoming the third Michelin-starred ramen restaurant in Tokyo. Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu uses over 60 selected ingredients to make a perfect bowl of ramen without using artificial seasoning.

Three types of ramen are available on the menu at the restaurant: Shio Soba (salt-based soup), Soba (soy sauce-based soup), and Tsukesoba (dipping noodle), which can be enjoyed with a choice of toppings.  Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu is extremely popular, and the waiting time could be around 1 hour during the peak time, but it’s totally worth waiting!

What sets it apart?

A Michelin-recognized establishment, Hototogisu offers a sophisticated ramen experience. Their signature shio soba features a delicate broth made from clams and sea bream, enhanced with truffle oil and porcini mushrooms.

Map: http://bit.ly/2WKax40
Access: 2 mins walk from Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station
Hours: Lunch 11:00～15:00/Dinner 18:30～21:00
Closed: Saturday and Sunday

7. Ramen Tatsunoya

Ramen Tatsunoya (ラーメン 龍の家) serves authentic Tonkotsu ramen from Kurume City, Fukuoka. Kurume City is known as the birthplace of the classic Tonkotsu ramen with creamy pork broth and thin noodles, and one of the most competitive ramen cities in Japan. Their branches are mainly located in the Kyushu region and only two of them are in Tokyo.

Tatsunoya keeps the traditional taste of Kurume style Tonkotsu ramen, serving two types of Tonkotsu ramen: Koku (rich) and Jun (light), both are served with original thin straight noodles, creamy and flavourful 100% pork broth soup, and a few slices of tender pork belly. If you are a fan of classic Fukuoka-style Tonkotsu ramen, such as ICHIRAN and IPPUDO, Tatsunoya’s ramen is definitely a must-try. Only at their Tokyo branches, Tsukemen (dipping noodles) are available on the menu.

What makes it worth the wait?

Tatsunoya brings the flavors of Kurume-style tonkotsu ramen to Shinjuku. Their rich, fatty broth and perfectly charred chashu pork create a hearty and satisfying bowl that resonates with traditionalists.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/XGv57o3mtwxjmeSa6
Access: 7 mins walk from Shinjuku Station
Hours: 11:00～22:00

8. Menya Kaijin

The mainstream of ramen flavour in Japan is rich Tonkotsu taste, but if you prefer a light and delicate taste, Shio ramen is highly recommended. The salt-based soup is usually prepared with fish or chicken broth. Menya Kaiji (麺屋海神) is one of the best ramen restaurants in Tokyo to taste Shio ramen.

Their delightful and aromatic clear soup is made with seafood broth and uses bones of freshly delivered fish.  Different kinds of fish are used depending on the day or season, so you can enjoy the different tastes of the soup every visit. Their bowl of noodles is topped with two meatballs, shrimp and fish seafood balls, and chicken meatballs.

Why is this a local favorite?

For those seeking a lighter option, Menya Kaijin offers a seafood-based shio ramen. The clear broth, made from fresh fish bones, provides a delicate yet flavorful alternative to heavier pork-based soups.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/zaQZXKfnFNpLcrYK7
Access: Short walk from Shinjuku Station
Hours: 11:00~15:00, 16:30~23:30 (Weekday)/11:00~23:30 (Saturday and Holiday)/11:00~23:00 (Sunday)

9. Tokyo Tonkotsu Ramen Bankara

Tokyo Tonkotsu Ramen Bankara (東京豚骨拉麺ばんから) is a popular franchised ramen restaurant that has around 40 branches in Japan and abroad.

Tokyo Tonkotsu Ramen Bankara serves a variety of ramen, including Tonkotsu, Shoyu (soy sauce base), Miso, Tsukemen (dipping noodle), Dandan Noodle, as well as limited-time seasonal dishes. The most popular dish is bold and flavourful Kakuni Bankara (Tonkotsu and Shoyu mix soup), which comes with a big chunk of Kakuni, simmered pork belly.

What’s the secret behind its popularity?

Bankara’s signature dish combines a rich tonkotsu broth with a hint of sweetness, topped with tender kakuni (braised pork belly). The balance of flavors caters to those looking for a hearty yet nuanced bowl.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/h8Nzxpc1xT5wZw8f8
Access: 5 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station
Hours: 11:00~20:00

10. Ebisoba Ichigen

Ebisoba Ichigen (えびそば一幻) is a ramen restaurant originally founded in Sapporo City, Hokkaido. It specializes in shrimp ramen that has a very unique but savory and aromatic taste like no other ramen.

The rich and savory soup is made with the concentrated shrimp stock by simmering numerous sweet shrimp (ama ebi) shells, and the original shrimp oil is added to it in the end. It’s topped with soft-boiled egg and a slice of pork belly as well as shrimp-flavoured tenkasu (tempura bits) and powder to maximise the shrimp taste. Two types of noodles (thin or thick) can be chosen as you like.

Why do ramen enthusiasts keep coming back?

Hailing from Sapporo, Ichigen introduces a unique shrimp-based broth to the ramen scene. The deep, aromatic flavor of their ebi (shrimp) ramen offers a distinctive taste experience not commonly found in Tokyo.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/whvo9wNWLNDU6HWa6
Access: 6 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station
Hours: 11:00~23:00

▽Check out the best ramen restaurants all over Japan!▽

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