Do not go places that shows big pictures with crappy English outside. They're usually not good. You can check RamenDB, over 85+ is decent or on Tabelog for 3.60+ (Because Ramen shop usually got a bit score boost due to cheaper price). Usually ramen places do not take reservation.
Check the shop's twitter / SNS, they usually announce a sudden off time. Check their official off dates and opening time. Best ones usually off irregularly, only do lunch time, or if they still have broth. I tend to go either 30 minutes before open for a good one or very late like lunch time like 2pm.
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Bring cash
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Everyone must be there for their own lineup
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Only take photos of your own food
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Slurp is awesome, no slurp is ok
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Add spices after ate half bowl of Ramen
It's rude to change their perfectly crafted ramen without trying it first
Lastly, watch this video on the right way to eat Ramen ; )
You go to the shop. Buy tickets for Ramens from vending machines.
券売機
Vending machine
食券
meal ticket
The machine usually only take ¥10/¥100/¥500 coins and ¥1000 bills. If you only have large bill like ¥5000 or ¥10000, you can ask the staff to change for smaller bills:
両替お願いします
I want to change bills please.
Choose your Ramen and Toppings and get your change (お釣り)!
This differs from shop to shop, usually they show you how many grams, normally a 並盛 is 200g.
Q: Staff may ask: 量はどうしますか？
How about the size of your noodle?
大盛でお願いします。
Large please.
Staff may ask:
濃さはどうしますか?
How rich would you want?
自家製麺
Home made noodle
- やわめ
Soft - やわらかめ
Soft - ふつう
Normal - かため
Hard
硬さはどうしますか？
How would you want your noodle cooked?
かためでお願いします。
Hard please.
Usually the machine also sells toppings if you particularly like some of its items.
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替え玉
One more noodle -
焼豚
Grilled pork -
チャーシュー
Pork slice -
ローストチャーシュー
Roasted pork slice -
メンマ
Bamboo -
白ネギ
White onion -
ねぎ
Green onions -
玉ねぎ
Onion -
キャベツ
Cabbage -
高菜
Japanese giant red mustard -
紅しょうが
Red ginger -
玉子
Egg -
月見
A egg on top of noodle like a moon -
味玉 or 味付け玉子
Flavored Egg -
半熟味玉
Flavored half-boiled Egg -
ゆでたまご
Boiled egg -
温泉卵
Hot Spring Egg -
海苔
Seaweed -
コーン
Corn -
バター
Butter -
もやし
Soy beans -
にんにく
Garlic -
若布
Wakame -
ナルト
Naruto -
刻み
Shredded -
刻みチャーシュー
shredded chashu (japanese braised pork belly) -
刻みネギ
shredded spring onions -
刻み柚子
shredded yuzu
_______をトッピングしてください。
だし (soup stock)
豚骨
Pork bone.
魚介
煮干し / いりこ
dry sardines
塩
Salty
醤油
Soy sauce
味噌
Miso
豚白湯
White pork soup
鶏白湯
White chicken soup
Usually 豚骨 / 味噌 is too intense if you're coming from overseas.
Introduce types of Ramen with few typical shops.
Classic. Soup with noodle
Cold / Hot noodle in another bowl + dipping sauce.
You may be able to chose if you want cold / hot noodle.
Cold Noodle: つめもり Hot Noodle: あつもり
Soupless. Noodle with saucey toppings sitting on top of hot oil.
Soupless. Noodle with saucey toppings. Originated from Nagoya. They usually called 台湾まぜそば because of the cooking style of the minced meat.
Black soup.
らぁ麺 飯田商店
https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130302/14038776/
Japanese Soba Noodles 蔦
https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1323/A132301/13136231/
北海道旭川
Soup is usually 豚骨 based with dry fishes.
北海道札幌
Rich miso with garlic flavors.
福島喜多方
Clear soy sauce with
東京
soy sauce.
橫濱家系
Rich 豚骨 + 鶏油 + 豚骨
京都
Rich soy sauce, sticky like glue
博多
豚骨 with garlic
沖繩
豚骨 & 塩
チャッチャ系
背脂
Here is a list of names they are everywhere, and decent shops to try:
- 横浜家系
- AFURI
- 一風堂
- 麵屋武藏
- 天下一品
- 喜多方ラーメン
A lot of these places expanded internationally, so I recommend to try something that is not available where you're from. 一蘭 is also very famous but it's just me that do not really like the seating setup, and their line is way too long for what you get.
You can learn the whole history of Ramen here. They select all kinds of Ramens from Japan to here. Inside decorated well. They serve mini size Ramen, so you can try more options. But the taste of ramen there is fine (3.5-ish).
They're fine but filled with too many tourists. Not worth the wait.
It is super heavy. It literally is a challenge. Do not try it unless you know what you're getting into. Also the line is always super long as there are too many hardcore Jiro fans (Jirorian). Learn more about it on the Jirorian post.
Go if you happen to be around that area.
These are not very hard to visit and very good:
| Name | Station | What to order | Waiting |
|---|---|---|---|
| はやし | 渋谷 | チャーシュー麺 | OKi |
| 瞠 | 恵比寿 | 油そば+チャーシュー | N |
| 麺屋ひょっと | 有楽町 | 和風柚子柳麺 | OK |
| 麺尊 RAGE | 西荻窪 | 特製軍鶏そば | |
| 中華蕎麦 とみ田 | つけ麺 | VL | |
| 麦苗 | VL | ||
| 麺屋一燈 | つけ麺 | VL |
OK: < 30 minutes
OKi: OK if you come before open.
Long: 30+ minutes
VL: 1hr+
N: Usually no need to wait, but avoid rush hour
Reserve: Get Reservation ticket then come back.
中華蕎麦 とみ田, it's far in Chiba. It is the best つけ麺 (by ranking) in Japan. You must go there before 9am. 7am you will probably eat around 11am, 9am you will be close to the last batch (16.30). You go there, pay first and get a time, then come back. Read this article.
More adventures available on Tabelog Top 100 Ramen awards, divided by regions:
山岸一雄: The god of Ramen, the originator of Tsukemen. 田代浩二 is his student, who now is the teacher of all the Ramen masters.
The oni of Ramen, the originator of shop 支那そばや, a person he ever respect in life is 山岸一雄.
Is the one you ate after a karaoke night out with friends.
No Ramen, No Life.
A movie about Ramen: タンポポ。