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If you’re a foodie visiting Tokyo, there’s one dish you simply can’t miss: ramen. Ramen – chewy wheat noodles doused in a warm and salty broth, topped with crispy seaweed and a soft-boiled egg. With so many choices such as cool and refreshing tsukemen, spicy tantan noodles, and regional specialties, there will forever be an additional ramen shop on our list to try.
And where better to indulge in this iconic Japanese staple than in Shibuya, one of the city’s busiest and most vibrant neighborhoods? From classic tonkatsu to innovative fusion creations, Shibuya is home to some of the best ramen spots in the world. But with so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s where we come in. As seasoned ramen lovers and Tokyo locals, we’ve scoured Shibuya’s streets to bring you the ultimate guide to the best ramen spots in the area. So grab your chopsticks and let’s dive into the delicious world of Shibuya’s ramen scene.
💡 Besides fun and entertainment, Shibuya is also a great place to study Japanese! Coto Academy is going to open our fourth school in Shibuya this summer of 2023. If you want to learn Japanese while enjoying your trip to Tokyo, contact us for fun, flexible Japanese lessons!
Jump to:
- How to Order Ramen in Japan?
- How Do You Eat Ramen in Japan?
- Best Ramen in Shibuya
- Ramen Shops in Shibuya with Vegan Options
How to Order Ramen in Japan?
Ramen is considered a fast food and as such, many ramen joints have vending machines outside. Just slot in your money, select your choice of ramen, and receive your ticket – simple and quick! Depending on the store you then might need to hand your ticket in or wait for your order to be called. Most of the time you can receive and eat your ramen and hardly interact with anyone at all, an experience very unique to Japan.
Sometimes, ramen shops in Shibuya or other places in Japan will allow you to customize your ramen. You can choose the firmness of your noodles or the richness of your broth, and even ask for extra toppings or a second helping of noodles.
Learn more about how to order ramen in Japan in this guide!
How Do You Eat Ramen in Japan?
Is it really polite to slurp your noodles? Yes, we can confirm that it really is. In fact, it’s even considered a compliment to the chef and a good eating etiquette in Japan, so please, slurp away!
Depending on the ramen shop you’ll find an array of extra toppings on your table that you can add freely. These can include chili oil, diced onions, vinegar, and more. The condiments can vary from store to store so it really depends on the ramen shop. We recommend trying your ramen first and changing the flavor with these toppings halfway through to add a whole new depth of flavor.
Have you ever made the mistake of turning up to a ramen joint in a white shirt? Don’t panic, just ask for a bib or apron by saying “apuron o onegaishimasu (アプロンをお願いします).” If they have them, they will provide you with one. These aprons are often disposable so you can throw them away afterwards.
エプロンお願いします.
Apuron onegaishimasu.
Can I have an apron please.
Best Ramen in Shibuya
1. Hayashi: Most Popular
People travel from wide and far to try the exquisite ramen served at Hayashi, a local ramen joint in Shibuya. You can bet that there will always be a queue out front. It is arguably the most famous ramen joint in Shibuya which has led to some peculiar shop rules. For example, you cannot take too long to finish your ramen, and you cannot take pictures of the interior, you can however, take pictures of the ramen. Although Hayashi isn’t the first port of call to catch up with a friend, it is the perfect call for ramen lovers. The shop prides itself in its all-natural seasoning and its rich “W soup” broth, which uses a combination of pork and fish and is topped with bamboo shoots, negi (spring onion), and nori (dried seaweed). At Hayashi, there is only one item on the menu, and you can choose between two variations, to get either chashu (pork) or a soft-boiled egg topping.
Price: ¥1,000 – 2,000
Location: 150-0043, Tokyo, Shibuya City, Dogenzaka, 1-14-9 ソシアル道玄坂
You might be interested in Best Cafes in Shibuya for Studying and Remote Work
2. Ichiran: Viral Ramen Shop in Shibuya and All Over Japan
Ichiran ramen has branches all across Japan and is famous for its specialty, tonkatsu (pork) ramen. claiming that there are over 40 specialists involved in every single bowl. This ramen joint is particularly popular and often wait times can be an hour or more. You’ve probably seen this ramen shop trending on Instagram and Tiktok as it quite unique with its “ramen-focus booths.”
In these booths you sit at a counter with dividers on either side of you, in front is a hanging bamboo blind, through which, the server will deliver your bowl. In these cozy little booths, you can fully immerse yourself in the experience of eating ramen.
Like most ramen stores you’ll need to purchase a ticket from the vending machine out front and there’s also a machine to choose an available seat. If you get stuck, don’t worry, there’s a button to call for assistance. You’re bound to love this ramen and despite the queue, it’s worth visiting at least once. You can also request extra noodles if you so desire.
Price: ¥1,000 – 2,000 yen
Location: 150-0042, Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 13−7 コヤスワン B1F (multiple locations in Shibuya)
3. Kanran Gyuniku Men (観覧牛肉麺): Best Beef Ramen
From northwestern China comes this mouth-watering Lanzhou-style ramen in Shibuya. The original ramen recipe is said to date back over a hundred years and is still popular to this day. This ramen store, Kanran, uses fresh beef and beef bone to create a light broth. For your noodles, you can choose from four different types depending on thickness. The ramen shop further lets you decide if you want your dish as ramen or with the soup to the side, tsukemen style. At just 590 yen, this ramen is one of the most affordable options.
Price: ¥1 – 1,000
Location: 150-0043, Tokyo, Shibuya City, 2-23-13 Dogenzaka
When exploring Shibuya, you might want to check out other things to do besides stopping by these famous ramen shops. Check out 22 things to do in Shibuya.
4. Oreryu Shio-Ramen: Shio Ramen
Loved by locals and tourists alike, Oreryu Shio-Ramen gives you the freedom to customize your ramen, its name literally meaning “my own style.” There are lots of items on the menu to choose from. First order on the vending machine outside which has English translations. Then select your ramen. This joint’s specialty is shio (salt) ramen which has a rich chicken broth and is topped with green spring onions adding a subtle layer of sweetness.
Price: ¥1 – 1,000 yen
Location: 150-0043, Tokyo, Shibuya-City, 1-22-8 Dogenzaka
5. Ramen Kokuu: Ramen in Shibuya With Wantans
A little further afield, at a seven-minute walk from Shibuya station, tucked into a residential alleyway is a small ramen shop called Ramen Kokuu. It might be easy to miss as it blends into the surrounding neighborhood, but this store, seating just nine people at a time, is very popular. Due to its size and opening hours, it is best to plan in advance if you intend to visit. And it is well worth the visit with noodles bathed in a rich soy sauce broth and the shop’s specialty, wantans on top. The soup at Ramen Kokuu is additive free so you can slurp it with confidence.
Price: ¥1,000 – 2,000
Location: 150-0031, Tokyo, Shibuya City, 29-5 Sakuragaokacho
6. Tanaka Soba: Yamagata-style Ramen in Shibuya
On the seventh floor of the shopping mall, Parco is a hidden ramen store. Its founder was inspired by the ramen in Yamagata, a prefecture in northern Japan, typically characterized by its broth flavored with spicy miso and garlic. They also have kitakata ramen, a type of ramen with a soy sauce base and topped with spring onions, fish cake, char siu, and bamboo shoots. Their broth is made from pork bone and seasoned with shiotare, and they use soba noodles.
Price: ¥1,000 – 2,000
Location: 150-8377, Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 15−1 Shibuya Parco Building, 7F
7. Tsukemen Yasubee: Customize Your Ramen
At Tsukemen Yasubee, you can customize your tsukemen or ramen. First, choose the portion of noodles you would like, whether you want them hot or cold (atsumori or hiyamori). Next, choose your level of spice (the amount of chili oil). Finally, choose as many or as few toppings as you please. Toppings include roast pork and marinated eggs which are made in-house. Once your dish has arrived and you are ready to devour it, you can adjust the taste with the toppings at your table. Add diced onion to add a little sweetness or vinegar for a refreshing lift.
If you are ordering tsukemen, you can tell them you want the soup separately by saying スープ割り (soup wari). This is written on the menu so you can point to it too!.
Price: ¥1,000 – 2,000
Location: 150-0002, Tokyo, Shibuya City, 3-18-7 Shibuya
8. Hakata Tenjin : Open-air
Down the back alleys of Shibuya, an unpretentious open-air ramen shop is a must-stop for those that prefer a lighter broth. Hakata Tenjin serves up creamy hakata ramen, native to Kyushu, an island to the south of mainland Japan.
Price: ¥1 – 1,000
Location: 150-0043, Tokyo, Shibuya City, Dogenzaka, 1-5-4 照力ビル
9. Usagi: Large Menu
Usagi is perfect for those that want ramen but are undecided on what exactly. At Usagi, they have an extensive menu so you’ll have plenty to choose from including tantanmen and tsukemen. At a nine-minute walk from Shibuya station, Usagi is set in a quieter part of Shibuya.
Price: ¥1,000 – 2,000
Location: 150-0045, Tokyo, Shibuya City, 8-13 Shinsencho
10. Menya Nukaji: For a Relaxed Vibe
Menya Nukaji is the place to be if you want to relax and chill out listening to an R&B playlist in the background. You can also eat gorgeous ramen and sit back with a can of craft beer. This ramen joint offers free white rice and raw eggs too, so you can add an egg to your ramen or make rice with raw egg as a side dish. Their toppings also include curry powder and yuzu so you can spice up your ramen halfway and experiment with the flavors.
Price: ¥1,000 – 2,000
Location: 150-0042, Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 3−12 s-vort 渋谷神南 1F
11. Samurai: Yokohama Style
Try Yokohama-style ramen without leaving Tokyo. This family-owned ramen joint offers ramen in a soy sauce-based broth at very reasonable prices. Like most ramen stores, seating is limited so be sure to plan in advance.
Price: ¥1,000
Location: 150-0043, Tokyo, Shibuya City, Dogenzaka, 2-6-6 和光ビル 1F
12. Abura Soba: Brothless Ramen in Tokyo
Abura soba is a type of Japanese noodle dish that originated in Tokyo. It is different from traditional ramen as it lacks a soup or broth. Instead, abura soba features noodles topped with various flavorful ingredients and a rich sauce.
There are many places that serve abura soba, but the most popular chain will probably be Abura Soba (油そば) Yamatoten, which usually has a line of people waiting outside the shop. They offer a variety of options such as tender chashu (sliced pork), green onions, bamboo shoots, nori (seaweed), and a seasoned soft-boiled egg. These toppings enhance the overall taste and texture of the dish, adding depth to each bite.
Price: ¥880-1,300
Location: Multiple locations in Shibuya and around Tokyo
Ramen Shops in Shibuya with Vegan Options
13. Shin-bu-saki-ya: Gluten-free and Vegan Ramen
Ramen broth is traditionally made with chicken, beef, or pork to give it its signature umami flavor, but this makes Japanese vegan ramen difficult to come by.
Just a five-minute walk from Shibuya station, Shin-bu-saki-ya is a haven for gluten-free and vegan ramen enthusiasts. This store has made its ramen not only vegan but also affordable and delicious. For those that choose the gluten-free option, expect brown rice noodles. There’s even gluten-free karaage (deep-fried chicken).
Ordering is simple — all you have to do is select your ramen at the vending machine outside the entrance which has an English menu, too. The store sits 28 people across 2 floors and if you are a die-hard ramen fan, give the store a call in advance and you can arrange a ramen party!
Price: ¥1,000 – 2,000
Location: 150-0043, Tokyo, Shibuya City, 2-10-3 Dogenzaka
Want to look at other great vegan restaurant options in Tokkyo? Check out our article on the top 5 vegan restaurants we love!
14. Jikasei Mensho: Vegan Ramen and Tantanmen
Five minutes from Shibuya station, in the basement of the Parco shopping mall, is a store serving both vegan ramen and vegan tantan noodles. The vegan tantan noodles have a rich umami taste with their flavorful, nutty dipping sauce. The portions are also on the generous side so you know you’ll leave feeling satisfied and full. Jikasei Mensho also has meat options so it’s the perfect location if there are both meat eaters and vegans in your party.
The store, Jikasei Mensho, is very health-centered and has a “farm to bowl” approach to their ramen using local and fresh ingredients. In addition, they have quinoa noodles, noodles that have the superfood quinoa kneaded into them. Here, the quinoa suppresses sugar and gluten giving an overall healthier meal.
Price: ¥1,000 – 2,000
Location: 150-0042, Tokyo, Shibuya City, 15-1 Udagawacho, B1F
15. Afuri: Healthy Ramen
While Afuri is still in Shibuya City, it is closer to Harajuku station or a 20-minute walk from Shibuya station. Despite being a little further away, Afuri still made our list for its outstanding reviews and as another vegan-friendly ramen joint. In particular, this ramen is made with all-natural ingredients, they don’t use any preservatives, artificial colorings or artificial seasonings so it is particularly recommended to those that are health conscious or for children. Afuri uses natural ingredients from all over Japan to create deep flavorful bowls of ramen with springy noodles. Their signature dish is the Yuzu Shio Ramen.
Price: ¥1,000 – 2,000
Location: 151-0051, Tokyo, Shibuya City, Sendagaya, 3-63-1 グランデフォレスタ原宿 1F
Want to learn Japanese in Tokyo or Yokohama?
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What ramen is Tokyo known for?
Tokyo is renowned for its diverse ramen scene, offering various styles such as shoyu (soy sauce) ramen, miso ramen, and tonkotsu ramen, making it a must-visit destination for ramen enthusiasts.
Where is ramen most popular in Japan?
Ramen is immensely popular throughout Japan, but cities like Tokyo, Yokohama, and Sapporo are particularly famous for their vibrant ramen cultures.
What is the oldest ramen place in Tokyo?
Although it’s challenging to pinpoint the absolute oldest ramen place in Tokyo, Rairaiken, established in 1910, is one of the historic ramen shops known for its long-standing presence in the city.
What are the 3 greatest ramen styles in Japan?
While it’s difficult to narrow down the greatest ramen styles, some of the most popular ones in Japan include tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen, miso ramen, and shoyu (soy sauce) ramen.
Is Ichiran good?
A reason why Japanese people love Ichiran is because of its convenience. Most of their shops are open until 5-6 am; some are open 24 hours. They stick to the classic rich pork bone broth. You can enjoy your ramen without the need to interact and customize it.
