Ramen in Japan
 

Any recommendations for yummy ramen in Japan, especially the Tokyo area?

The last memorable ramen I had was in Shinjuku at Fuunji ramen, near the station.
https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13044091/

Recently had Ippudo ramen at Kyoto but it was just ok, nothing really special.
Had a long queue though.
https://tabelog.com/en/kyoto/A2601/A260201/26001131/

Also tried Ramen Muraji in Kyoto which had some different takes on ramen.
https://tabelog.com/en/kyoto/A2601/A260301/26026529/

Give Ichiran a try, especially their branches at the JR Shibuya and Metro Meiji-jingumae stations. For equally good (if not better) tonkotsu and tsukemen, there's Rokurinsha at JR Tokyo station and near Metro Oshiage at Solamachi/Skytree.

This is a point of reference whenever I want see what's good: Ramen Adventures

Recommendation:

• Ramen Ouka - Shinjuku area, unique due to the restaurant having Halal and Vegan options. Halal ramen subs out the chasu for grilled chicken thighs and broth is based on tomato and snapper.

Go to those "ramen stadium" , "ramen republic" , "ramen museum"... type venues. A dozen or so ramen shops at the same spot. Those with the longest line-up supposedly are good.

There's one at Kyoto Station.... "ramen koji".

I really don't get how Ichiran is regarded as special. Also, outside of Japan, the ones in NYC are total ripoffs.

I really liked Tsuta when I visited earlier this year. Good Miso / Tonkotsu ramen's are a dime a dozen but good shoyu ramens (technically soba at Tsuta) aren't easy to find.

Not quite sure it really deserves the star though. The queue system also sort of stinks - what I did was show up early, get queue ticket, then go elsewhere for breakfast & passed time with ocha and desserts at the nearby Rikugien gardens.

Wanted to try Ichiran when I was in Osaka but the queue was really crazy long...
Maybe next time

Way too many list here, but Gradfly's right about Ramen Adventures' website below.

Ramen Adventures is great, but he's like 3rd degree black belt level. Most tourists or foreigners aren't at his level and will easily be blown away at more accessible, English friendly places, in central Tokyo like: Ippudo, Ichiran, Afuri, Jangara, Nagi, Gogyo, Kagari, Kazami, Tetsu, etc.

This is good advice too... I've sent plenty of visitors to Tokyo station or Shinagawa station's "ramen street" and even Yokohama's ramen museum. The places there are branches of well-known and popular ramen joints and because there's a variety of styles, groups of people can all find something they like.

Supleks Ramen Database is my goto source for revies and ratings for ramen.

https://ramendb.supleks.jp/map

I agree on all counts about Tsuta. On the other hand, fellow-star-recipient Nakiryu hits the spot every time and I never regret waiting in the queue.

With some of the best ramen in the world available in Japan it amazes me how people rave about cheap chain trash like Ichiran. It's like going to the States and saying that you had these amazing burgers at a place called Wendy's and everyone should eat there. Yeah the burgers may be consistent and better than the average Japanese burger, but you're wasting a meal eating there when there are so many better options.

The Michelin guide's list of ramen restaurants certainly won't do you wrong: https://gm.gnavi.co.jp/restaurant/li...amen/all_star/

I know you said you didn't like the one in Kyoto, but I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Ippudo Ginza. It's very small, if you want to give it another try.

Michelin Guide for ramen??? Hahahahaahaahaha.

Just walk up to a convenient cart on the way back to the hotel.