ICHIRAN RAMEN
Our top 3 ramen favorites so far are: Ichiran Ramen (Tokyo), Kinryu Ramen (Osaka) and Ippudo (Tokyo). The best out of the three we’ve had is Kyushu ramen at a chain called Ichiran. Special thanks to our dear friend, Joon Hong who introduced this restaurant to us!
The Ichiran ramen is so good that the entire restaurant sells only ONE type of ramen. The soup is tonkotsu (pork broth based). The process of ordering is an experience in itself!
- Purchase ticket at the machine before entering the seating area
- Check the board for available seating
- Once seated, place the ticket you bought at the top of your table in the “booth”
- Fill in the form (aka order sheet) and place at the top of your table
- Slurp away!
There are multiple Ichiran locations in Tokyo. The one we went to was in Shinjuku.
〒160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿3-34-11
03-3225-5518
If you’re in Tokyo, you must try Ichiran ramen! For those in New York, they have a branch there as well!
The ramen was so delicious, we finished it before we realized we forgot to take pictures of it! Here’s a picture of the ramen from wikiTravel.
KINRYU RAMEN
The second best ramen we’ve had is Kinryu Ramen in Osaka (Namba). This is again a Kyushu ramen. There are only 2 choices of noodles. Ramen and Ramen with extra pork. In addition to the noodles, the “side dishes” included rice, kimchi and garlic. We preferred eating the ramen without adding the side toppings to it because it preserves the original flavor of the soup. The noodles are cooked just right and the soup is rich in flavor. A definite must try if you’re in Osaka!
The main Kinryu branch is at 1-7013 Midosuji Osaka-shi, Chuo-ku, Namba (Namba station, exit 14). Address in Japanese (useful for when you need to show the address to a cab driver): 〒542-0071 大阪府大阪市中央区道頓堀１丁目１−１８
〒542-0071 大阪府大阪市中央区道頓堀１丁目１−１８
The other four locations are at:
- 1-1-18 Dotonbori, Osaka-shi, Chuo-ku, Namba
- 335 Ebisubashi, Osaka-shi, Chuo-ku, Namba
- 1-7-26 Dotonbori, Osaka-shi, Chuo-ku, Namba
- 1120 Nambasennichimae, Osaka-shi, Chuo-ku, Namba
The ramen was so good we finished eating it before we remembered we forgot to take a picture of it! The store is easy to spot. Just look for the dragon!
[two]
[/two] [two_last]
[/two_last]
IPPUDO RAMEN & GYOZA
Ippudo is another famous ramen chain. They have stores all over Japan as well as in New York. Their specialty is their milky, rich, tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen. Ramen was delicious but Ichiran and Kinryu still beats the one in Ippudo in our opinion.
Ippudo gets our “best gyoza” recommendation! We fell in love with their bite-sized gyozas! We first ordered 5 and then ordered another 10! They’re bite-sized, so you go through them really quickly. The yuzu paste on the side completely transforms the taste of the gyoza and makes you want to take in another one just so the flavor remains in your mouth! Yes, it really is that good!
The branch we went to was located near JR Ebisu station in Shibuya.
日本
〒150-0012 東京都渋谷区広尾１丁目３−１２
03-5420-2225
ippudo.com
Bon Apetit!
Related Articles
9 Comments
-
Seriously Kinryu??? this is as commercialized as it can get in terms of tourist Ramen in Namba Osaka. Should try more Ramen… how bout trying Ryushin Ramen (Shio Ramen) near Takashimaya in Namba.
Separately… please don’t eat Sushi Dai… it’s a 2 hour wait cause all the tourist lined up and eat there (try to remember who were in front & behind you on those 2 hour queue)… it’s expensive & not the best quality…. Japanese people don’t eat there. Try the quieter sushi restaurant around it, i guarantee you would at least get the same quality with a cheaper price.
Hope that help you both in finding the best restaurant.
-
Author
Thanks for the insight Ken! We honestly enjoyed Kinryu ramen when we were there many years back. We are absolutely going to go back to Osaka. Ryushin Ramen is on our list thanks to your recommendation! Is there any other ramen that you’d recommend? What about in Tokyo?
Thanks also for the suggestion regarding Sushi. As a visitor to Tokyo, Sushi Dai was miles ahead in terms of quality and taste when compared to all other sushi we’ve had here in the US. We did try some of the quieter sushi restaurants around it but weren’t always impressed. We’ll definitely be trying a few more next time we go back. Do you have a favorite that you’d recommend? We always love going to where the locals go!
Jeremy & Shirlene recently posted..{Hungary} Buda Castle, Parliament and Fisherman’s Bastion – Stunning Sights in Budapest
-
-
There is absolutely NOTHING I’d rather eat than ramen and gyoza every single day. And I imagine there is no better place to experience this than in Japan. Will just have to carry on saving up those pennies. Great photos (make me want to jump into the screen!).
-
Can’t miss ramen spots in Tokyo and Osaka! {Japan} #Ramen (#Tokyo & #osaka) http://t.co/MnlpARH
-
Missing Japan!! {JAPAN} Ramen (Tokyo & Osaka) http://t.co/JqS1aA1
-
If you thought that was good, you’d love the ones listed here 😉
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{India} Paradise on Earth, Taj Mahal -
Tao Chuan recommended ramen didn’t even make it to the list?
-
It did but we didn’t have photos, name or even an address for it!
Jeremy & Shirlene recently posted..{Mexico} Exploring the Underwater World of Cozumel, a Top Scuba Diving Destination
-
