Summary
A must-see for ramen lovers.
Here are some of the ramen dishes we enjoyed in the northern part of Tokyo (Ohanajaya, Higashi Jujo, Asakusa)! There are ramen based on chicken white soup that you can enjoy with different tastes, and ramen based on soy sauce that is both rich and light. The fun of ramen is that the characteristics vary so much from restaurant to restaurant!
*Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change.
A Quick Guide to Ramen Styles
If you are new to Tokyo ramen, here is a quick rundown of the main styles you will encounter:
- Shoyu (soy sauce): The classic Tokyo-style ramen. A clear or slightly brown broth seasoned with soy sauce, typically topped with sliced pork, bamboo shoots, nori seaweed, and a soft-boiled egg. This is what most locals grew up eating.
- Shio (salt): A lighter, clear broth that lets the base stock flavor come through. Often made with chicken or seafood.
- Miso: Originally from Hokkaido, this uses fermented soybean paste for a richer, slightly sweet flavor. Hearty and warming.
- Tonkotsu (pork bone): Creamy, opaque white broth made by boiling pork bones for hours. Rich and filling. Popular in Kyushu but widely available across Tokyo.
- Tori paitan (chicken white broth): Similar in concept to tonkotsu but made with chicken. Thick, creamy, and gaining popularity in recent years.
- Tsukemen (dipping noodles): Cold or room-temperature noodles served with a separate bowl of concentrated broth for dipping.
The shops in this article cover tori paitan and shoyu styles, two of the most common categories you will find across the city.
How to Order Ramen in Tokyo
Most ramen shops in Tokyo use a ticket machine (shokkenki) near the entrance. Here is the process:
- Look at the machine -- Many have photos or English labels. If not, check for any display menus on the wall first.
- Insert money -- Most machines accept cash (coins and 1,000 yen bills). Some newer ones take IC cards.
- Press the button for your chosen dish and any extras (like a seasoned egg or extra noodles).
- Take your ticket(s) and change.
- Hand the ticket to the staff and take a seat.
A few tips that will help:
- Slurping is normal and even encouraged. It helps cool the noodles and shows you are enjoying the food.
- Most shops are small, with counter seating only. Keep bags compact.
- Water is usually self-service.
- Eat at a reasonable pace; lingering is not really the norm at ramen shops.
Travel Itinerary
Ohanajaya Station
The first one is to a ramen shop near Ohanajaya station.
Ohanajaya Station is located in Takaracho, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo. There are a variety of facilities in the area, and word of mouth has introduced a ramen restaurant near Ohanajaya Station. This station is a convenient means of transportation for people in the area.
Tori Paitan Soba Himari (Permanently Closed)
Note: This restaurant has permanently closed. We are keeping this section as a record of our visit.
Hours were 11:00am-3:00pm, 5:00pm-10:00pm
Chicken Paitan / 880 yen
A dish of thick soup with sticky, medium-thick noodles and rare, tender chicken chashu. Squeeze a lemon to change the flavor along the way.
It was produced by a Michelin-starred restaurant in Kansai!
No wonder I couldn't stop eating after one bite!
Free takana rice with LINE friend registration
Spicy crispy takana rice that is the best match for ramen noodles!
Exterior
White, sophisticated and stylish exterior.
Many set menus including noodle + rice and fried chicken
Interior
Like the exterior, the interior of the restaurant was simply sophisticated and modern with a luxurious feel.
Tori Paitan Soba Himari was a ramen restaurant located in Ohanajaya, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo. Their tori paitan ramen was characterized by its thick soup, sticky medium-thick noodles, and rare, tender chicken chashu. You could enjoy changing the flavor by squeezing lemon. Produced by a Kobe Michelin award-winning and Tabelog Award-winning restaurant, it had a reputation for being so delicious that you couldn't stop eating. Unfortunately, the shop has since closed.
Asakusa Station
Next, we came to Asakusa Station!
Walk from the station to a ramen shop about 5 minutes away.
Asakusa Station is a Tobu Railway, Tokyo Metro, and Toei Subway station located in Taito-ku, Tokyo, and is the gateway to Asakusa. It is often used as a base for sightseeing in Asakusa, as famous sightseeing spots such as Senso-ji Temple are nearby.
If you are planning to explore Asakusa further, check out our complete station guide:
Ramen Watanabe
11:30-23:00
Black Ramen / 800 yen
A chicken paitan and soy sauce-flavored ramen. Rich and thick soup that is absolutely wonderful! They also offer Red Ramen (spicy) and White Ramen (salt).
Lunch comes with chicken paitan rice (plus fried garlic & garlic lard)
Rice cooked in chicken white broth, topped with garlic and drizzled with soy sauce! The soup is also served over rice.
Exterior
Cool from the sign! A ramen shop with a great atmosphere. Located 2 minutes walk from Asakusa station.
Ticket machine
Please choose your favorite flavor of ramen! This time I chose the black ramen.
Interior
Counter seats surround the kitchen!
Ramen Watanabe is a ramen restaurant located in Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo. It offers a variety of ramen flavors, including black ramen, red ramen, and white ramen. In particular, the chicken paitan and soy sauce-flavored ramen is reputed to have the richest and thickest soup. The restaurant is open from 11:30am to 11:00pm.
Higashi Jujo Station
Finally, head to a ramen shop near Higashi Jujo Station! The restaurant is near the station.
Higashi-Jujo Station is located at 3-18 Higashi-Jujo, Kita-ku, Tokyo. Although the station is on the Tohoku Main Line, only trains on the Keihin-Tohoku Line stop at the station.
Ramen Himawari
11:30-23:00
Ajitama Ramen (seasoned egg ramen) / 800 yen
Despite its rich-looking appearance, this is actually a surprisingly light soy sauce ramen. Large slices of chashu pork, bamboo shoots, a double combo of soft-boiled and hard-boiled eggs, and a bowl brimming with soup! A generous portion that is guaranteed to leave you full. This soy sauce ramen somehow manages to be both rich and light at the same time. Highly recommended.
Exterior
Sunflower-colored retro sign Ramen Himawari.
I love the font and the colors!
A nostalgic noodle shop feel.
A wide variety of ramen noodles!
Interior
The restaurant is austere yet intimate!
The ramen you slurp here really hits the spot.
Ramen Himawari is a ramen restaurant located in Higashi Jujo, Kita-ku, Tokyo. The restaurant's most popular dish is Ajitama Ramen, a soy sauce ramen that, despite its rich appearance, is surprisingly light. The generous portions, including large pieces of chashu pork, menma (pickled bamboo shoots), and both half-boiled and hard-boiled eggs, are known to be very satisfying. An excellent soy sauce ramen that balances richness and lightness.
Want to Explore More Tokyo Food?
If this ramen hopping adventure has you hungry for more, we offer guided food tours in Tokyo where a local guide takes you to hidden spots you would never find on your own:
For a ramen flight experience where you can sample varieties from different regions of Japan in one sitting, check out our Ginza and Shinbashi food tour:
And if you are exploring the Ginza area, here is our full guide to things to do:
