The Tokyo's Top 10 Ramen Restaurants Chosen by Ramen Experts in Japan

1. Menya Hanabi Shinjuku shop (麺屋　はなび　新宿店) [Shinjuku]

Ranked as No.35 in Japan is Hanabi in Shinjuku. It is one branch of ramen restaurant chain based in Nagoya. It offers original menu, Taiwan mazesoba. Though the name is topped with Taiwan, it's based on spicy Taiwan ramen originated in Nagoya area not Taiwan. Mazesoba is not served with typical soup but with tangy sauce, spicy minced meat and other toppings. Thick noodles twine well with thick sauce. Various arranged menu are also popular among regulars.

HP: menya-hanabi.com/free/shinjyuku (Japanese Only)

Address: 2-8-16 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

2. Motenashi Kuroki (饗　くろ㐂) [Kanda]

No.32 is Kuroki. The chef who used to worked at Japanese restaurants is particular about the broth. For shio or salt ramen, he uses soup made of chicken and fish stock seasoned with a variety of salts. For miso ramen, he prepare soup with pork bone and chicken born stock seasoned with sesame and almond. It serves limited menu with seasonal ingredients as well. Refined savor for ramen dishes can be tasted at reasonable price.

Address: 1F 四つ連Building 3gokan, 2-15 Kanda Izumicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

3. Ginza Kagari (銀座　篝) [Ginza]

Kagami, No.32, in Ginza is so popular that it always has people lined up. Newly rated by Michelin as bib gourmand- a restaurant offering good food at moderate prices- in 2016.　The thick, creamy white soup similar to the Chinese baitang is their specialty. The seasonally changing toppings are elegant in terms of selection and decoration. Say, roast-beef is usually not on the topping list at ramen restaurants. Kagari's ramen is best value in all aspects.

Address: 1F Ginza A Building, 4-4-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

4. Konjiki Hototogisu (SOBA HOUSE　金色不如帰) [Shinjuku]

Listed as No.20 by Ramen walker and recognized as bib gourmand by Michelin in 2016 is Konjiki Hototogisu. Its ramen is worth visiting for its very unique recipe. Simple and light soup is mainly based on the clam stock with a hint of fish and pork bones broth. The ramen is free from any chemical ingredients and goes well with fine noodles made of stone-mill-ground flour.

Address: 2-47-12 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

5. Ramen Daishi (ラーメン　大至) [Ochanomizu]

No.15 in Japan is Daishi in Yushima. The chef is aiming at the best of ordinary ramen. To be ordinary, he doesn't use special ingredients. He is particular about cooking methods to take out the full flavor of ingredients. The soup is made in Chinese method, chashu, the sliced pork, is cooked in lard in the similar way as confit is cooked.

HP: ja-jp.facebook.com/ramendaishi/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1F Sato Building, 2-1-2 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

6. Sora-no-iro (ソラノイロ) [Yotsuya]

Ranked as No.13 by Ramen Walker, Sora-no-iro in Kojimachi is also regarded as bib gourmand by Michelin in 2016 continuously. The dishes are made of vegetables. No animal protein is included in noodles, soup, nor toppings. Their healthy dishes are loved by women who are health and calorie conscious. They serve three seasonal noodles with original recipe. You can fill your stomach under 1,000yen.

HP: soranoiro-vege.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1B Blue Building Honkan, 1-3-10 Hiraka-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

7. Hayama (中華そば　葉山) [Shinjuku]

Hayama in Ushigome-yanagicho is ranked as No.9 in Japan. The specialty in this small restaurant is the curly and chewy noodles. The hand-made noodles are actually finished with chef's hands after orders are placed. It offers shoyu ramen only. The fish based soup is made of natural ingredients and heart-warming as well as its hearty owner.

Address: 1 Ichigaya Yakuojimachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

8. Yamaguchi (らぁ麺　やまぐち) [Takadanobaba]

Yamaguchi in Nishi-Waseda is ranked as No.7 by Ramen walker. The chef has strong preferences about ingredients. The noodles are produced in Kyoto under his instruction. He makes the broth of several brands of chickens and takes out the best flavor of ingredients. The gold soup of Yamaguchi has strong but mouthwatering chicken flavor. It tastes simple but you cannot stop finishing up.

HP: ja-jp.facebook.com/RaMenyamaguchi (Japanese Only)

Address: 1F Yamatake Building, 2-11-13 Nishi-waseda, Shinjuk-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

9. Takano (中華そば　多賀野)

Takano, No.4 in Japan by Ramen Walker is also recognized as bib gourmand by Michelin. All ingredients including chewy noodles are domestic products since its establishment in 1996. The soup based on high-quality chickens and fish is perfectly balanced. The owner of this homey restaurant wants to serve dishes that guests can eat at ease. Price ranges from 700yen.

HP: www.geocities.jp/taganoya/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 2-15-10 Nakanobu, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

10. Tsuta (Japanese Soba Noodles　蔦) [Sugamo]

No.1 in Japan chosen by Ramen Walker is also newly awarded as one-star by Michelin in 2016. All of Tsuta's ramen are special. The soups make perfect balance with house-made noodles. Shoyu soba, their specialty, comes with the original soup made of several kinds of soy sauces and truffle oil based on the broth of potherbs, chickens, and clams. The owner chef still wants to make progress. It’s surprising that this luxurious dish costs under 1000yen.

HP: www.facebook.com/jsn.tsuta (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-14-1 Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)