Shibuya, one of Japan's representative major cities, is the birthplace of Japanese youth culture and a trendsetter. It's constantly evolving, with construction happening everywhere.
Recently, Shibuya has become popular as an anime setting and is frequently featured on social media, making it a world-famous metropolis. The Hachiko statue in front of the station and the Scramble Crossing are well-known spots both domestically and internationally. The Scramble Crossing boasts the world's highest traffic volume, with over 1,000 people crossing at once and up to 500,000 people using it on busy days.
Due to the high number of visitors, there are many art galleries and live music venues, making it rich in artistic and musical facilities.
As a globally popular area, it's also full of izakayas, bars, and restaurants.
In this article, we'll introduce ramen shops in Shibuya that are popular among both Japanese and foreign visitors. As we look forward to the evolving Shibuya ramen scene in 2024, these establishments continue to be must-visit spots for ramen enthusiasts.
If you are interested in Shibuya' cafe and restaurant, I strongly recommend the article below. I'm comprehensively introducing foods at Shibuya!
Takashi Nakadomari
If you are interested in Restaurant in Shibuya for lunch, check the article below! I summarized Restaurant in Shibuya for lunch I recommend and how I felt each Restaurants.
Eri
The State of Ramen in Japan
Currently, ramen is popular not only in Japan but also overseas. Ramen, which is considered a national dish of Japan, is said to have spread in Japan during the Meiji era in the late 1800s. When ports opened, Chinese noodle dishes spread, centered around Yokohama Chinatown.
The first ramen shop in its current style is said to have opened in 1910 in Asakusa, called "Rairaiken." Since then, ramen has been popular among common people for being "cheap, delicious, and filling." Afterward, ramen continued to evolve in Japan.
Now, there are many varieties, including soy sauce, tonkotsu, miso soup, and Tsukemen. Furthermore, with the spread of instant cup noodles, people can enjoy ramen anytime, anywhere. Ramen continues to be loved as Japan's national dish.
Ichiran
Source: Official Website
Ichiran is a specialty tonkotsu ramen shop with branches nationwide. If you ask, "What's a ramen shop in Japan?" many people would answer "Ichiran!" It's such a famous shop. I personally love Ichiran's ramen too.
Ichiran's most distinctive feature is its individual counter seats. You might be surprised when you first see the seats, but they're designed like semi-private rooms so you can concentrate on eating your ramen with all your soul.
Also, the noodles in tonkotsu ramen are characteristically hard. Called "barikata," they're served within 15 seconds of being cooked to be eaten at their most delicious. The trinity of Ichiran's special red secret sauce, soup, and noodles is exquisite.
It's great that the Shibuya branch is open 24 hours. You can enjoy ramen at any time, from a late-night snack after drinking to breakfast. As we look forward to Shibuya ramen in 2024, Ichiran remains a top choice for many visitors.
<Store Information>
Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: B1F Iwamoto Building, 1-22-7 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 050-1808-2546
URL: https://ichiran.com/ramen/
Ramen Koku
Source: Tabelog
Ramen Koku specializes in soy sauce and salt ramen with characteristic thin, curly noodles. The broth made from dried sardines has a gentle, mellow taste.
My recommendation is the soy sauce wonton Chashu (thin-sliced meat)men. The soft wonton texture soaked in the mellow soy sauce-based soup is perfect! The Chashu (thin-sliced meat)is thick and voluminous, matching well with the curly noodles. Although it's a volume-packed menu item, thanks to its deliciousness, I always end up drinking all the soup.
The curry rice, only served at night, is just 280 yen! It's popular among regular customers and goes perfectly with Koku's light ramen.
It's a 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station, making it easily accessible, but the surrounding area is quiet. It's a recommended shop when you want to enjoy ramen in a calm space away from the hustle and bustle of the city. As we anticipate the Shibuya ramen scene in 2024, Koku continues to be a hidden gem for those seeking a more tranquil ramen experience.
<Store Information>
Hours: Mon-Fri 12:00-15:00, 18:00-20:00; Sat 12:00-15:00
Closed: Sundays, holidays, 1st and 3rd Saturdays
Address: 29-5 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3770-7709
URL: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13149719/
Hayashi
Source: Tabelog
"Hayashi" is a long-established ramen shop that has been in Shibuya since 2003. It's so popular among locals that when people in Shibuya say "ramen," they often mean "Hayashi." Its popularity extends beyond Shibuya, with ramen lovers from all over Japan making pilgrimages to this shop.
The menu is simple with only four types: ramen, egg ramen, roast pork ramen, and salt ramen. There are no side dishes like rice. Having competed with just standard ramen menu items for many years, the taste is exceptional.
The soy sauce-based soup, which is a golden ratio mix of chicken-pork bone and seafood, matches the ingredients well, and is so delicious that you'll be absorbed in eating until the end.
As it's a popular shop that closes when the soup runs out, if you really want to eat here, it's recommended to arrive at opening time. As we look towards Shibuya ramen in 2024, Hayashi remains a must-visit spot for ramen purists.
<Store Information>
Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 11:30-15:30
Closed: Wednesdays and Sundays
Address: 1-14-9 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3770-9029
URL: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13003367/
Chukamenten Kiraku
Source: Tabelog
"Chukamenten Kiraku" is a long-established ramen shop founded in 1952. It's a popular shop that sells up to 400 bowls of ramen on busy days and has been making ramen in Shibuya long before the current ramen boom started.
Kiraku's ramen features a mild soy sauce soup. The thick noodles with a strong punch are characteristic. As it's a Chinese restaurant, there are many types of ramen. Among Kiraku's ramen, what I'd like to recommend is the wonton men.
The sight of 6 large, thick, and voluminous wontons on top is impressive. You might think, "Can I eat all this?" but with the gentle taste of the soup and the healthy, refreshing combination with bean sprouts, you'll find yourself eating it all up.
As it's always a popular shop with lines, it's recommended to visit with plenty of time to spare. Kiraku continues to be a staple in the Shibuya ramen scene, and we expect it to maintain its popularity well into 2024 and beyond.
<Store Information>
Hours: Thu-Tue 11:30-20:30
Closed: Wednesdays
Address: 2-17-6 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3461-2032
URL: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13001705/
Dougenzaka Manmosu
Source: Tabelog
"Dougenzaka Manmosu" is so famous that when people in Shibuya say "Tsukemen," they often mean this shop. They make their soup by combining a rich and thick fish-pork bone broth with "veggie pota soup" made from multiple vegetables.
"Veggie pota soup" is a coined term combining "vegetable" and "potage." Although it's a rich Tsukemen soup, it's refreshing with a hint of yuzu. The taste of vegetables and ingredients comes through, and it's so delicious that even I, as a woman, drink it all up.
They also put effort into their noodles, offering two types: "extra thick chewy noodles" that are smooth and easy to swallow, and "extra thick germ noodles" with a good wheat flavor and strong firmness. My recommendation is the "extra thick germ noodles." The springy noodles with a slight sweetness are also nutritionally excellent. They match perfectly with the soup. It's a shop where you're sure to be full even if you come with a big appetite. As we look forward to Shibuya ramen in 2024, Manmosu continues to be a top choice for Tsukemen lovers.
<Store Information>
Hours: 11:30-22:00
Address: 2-10-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-5459-3956
URL: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13122700/
Aburi Miso Ramen Mendakumi Shinbusakiya
Source: Tabelog
"Aburi Miso Ramen Mendakumi Shinbusakiya" was founded in 2009 in Hokkaido, the birthplace of miso ramen. You can enjoy the same authentic taste as in Hokkaido here in Shibuya.
The fragrant, rich seared miso soup and chewy curly noodles are a blissful combination. It's delicious as is, but my recommendation is to add corn and butter toppings. The soup with butter becomes mellow and creamy. By adding more butter midway through eating, you can enjoy an even richer and mellower taste.
They also offer gluten-free brown rice noodles and vegan menu options, making it recommended for health-conscious people. As we anticipate the Shibuya ramen scene in 2024, Shinbusakiya stands out for its authentic Hokkaido-style miso ramen and inclusive menu options.
<Store Information>
Hours: Mon 11:00-03:30, Tue/Wed/Thu/Sun 11:00-04:30, Fri/Sat 11:00-06:30
Address: 2-10-3 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-6416-3778
URL: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13109578/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samurai.noodle/
Menya Nukaji
Source: Tabelog
"Menya Nukaji" is popular for its rich and flavorful soup. The soup, which combines animal-based soups like chicken and pork bone with seafood-based soups like dried sardines and shrimp in a golden ratio, is exquisite. The soft Chashu (thin-sliced meat)that melts in your mouth is also popular.
A great point about Menya Nukaji is that you can get eggs over rice for free. Egg over rice is very popular in Japan, a simple dish where you put a raw egg and soy sauce over freshly cooked rice. Menya Nukaji's egg over rice is popular for its simple yet deep flavor.
It's delicious with the table's mackerel soy sauce, but it's also popular to pour the ramen soup over it. Tsukemen soup is especially richer, and regular customers rave that "it's the best when poured over egg rice!"
They also serve craft beer, so you can enjoy ramen with carefully selected craft beers.
As they close when the soup runs out, early arrival is recommended. As we look forward to Shibuya ramen in 2024, Nukaji continues to be a favorite for its unique offerings and generous extras.
<Store Information>
Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00-16:00
Closed: Sundays
Address: 3-12 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 090-3801-8247
URL: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13113668/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menya_nukaji/?hl=ja
X: https://x.com/yns0629
Kugatsudo
Source: Official Website
At Kugatsudo, you can enjoy two types of soy sauce-based soups, light and rich. The soup is made only with the umami of ingredients, without using any chemical seasonings, making it gentle on the body.
While both types of ramen are popular, my recommendation is the "Melty Cheese Tantanmen." It's a Tantanmen with a spicy kick, but the cheese mellows out the spiciness, resulting in a smooth soup with a solid umami flavor.
A characteristic of Kugatsudon is that you can enjoy sweets like parfaits and floats. The bright interior is easy for foreign tourists to enter, and they have a wide variety of drinks and side menus. You can also use it as a cafe. With kids' menus available, it's recommended for groups with children or women. As we anticipate the Shibuya ramen scene in 2024, Kugatsudon stands out for its unique offerings that go beyond traditional ramen.
<Store Information>
Hours: Tue-Sun 11:00-21:00
Closed: Mondays
Address: 1-15-12 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-6327-4056
URL: https://www.kugatsudo.net/
An Izakaya Tour is Also Recommended After Eating Ramen
In this article, we've introduced ramen shops in Shibuya. All of these shops are high-level and recommended.
Shibuya, where many people gather, is a fierce battleground for ramen. Many shops have long lines, and some close when the soup runs out, so for shops with short business hours, early arrival is recommended.
While Tokyo is known as a fierce battleground for ramen, it's also very rich in dining establishments where you can enjoy alcohol, such as bars and izakayas. However, for many tourists, it's difficult to find an izakaya that suits their needs on their own. Magical Trip offers tours that go around Shibuya's bars and izakayas with a local guide. Being able to casually tour popular local shops is unique to tours. You can also share tables and interact with local people.
When visiting Shibuya, don't just eat ramen, but also participate in a tour to enjoy the deep side of Shibuya! As we look forward to the evolving Shibuya ramen scene in 2024, combining a ramen experience with an izakaya tour can provide a well-rounded taste of Shibuya's culinary offerings.