A Complete Tour of Tokyo’s New Shops: Super-Delicious Ramen That Won Thumbs Up in 2013

Text and photos / Digital edition of “Weekend Premium for Adults – Trial Issue,” published by Huayun Digital

Every year, numerous new ramen shops open. Some challenge diners’ palates with innovative flavors, while others refine familiar tastes to create something new. Amidst the vast array of choices in the ramen market, we conducted on-site investigations to identify truly delicious ramen shops for everyone.

The Real Situation of Delicious Ramen Shops in Tokyo in Recent Years
Tokyo is home to a huge number of ramen shops. Among them are many famous shops that sparked conversations right after opening in recent years. This project aims to find the truly delicious ramen shops from these popular ones. First, we selected over 60 ramen shops based on ramen specials, blogs written by ramen enthusiasts, and reliable word-of-mouth information. Then, we invited passionate ramen writers...Yumi Matsuda (hereinafter referred to as "Matsuda") and editor Kaori Kayama (hereinafter referred to as "Kaori") spent over a month eating from morning till night all around town, conducting on-site research. Here’s a look back at the latest ramen scene in Tokyo.

Matsuda: “Through this investigation, I’ve come to realize even more just how high the standard of ramen shops in the Tokyo area is. Although we had already targeted shops that were originally very popular, what surprised me was that there wasn’t a single shop whose ramen I found hard to eat.”

Kaori: “Are there any common features among the delicious ramen shops in Tokyo recently?”

Matsuda: “I think that since last year, ramen shops focusing on ‘clear soup’ styles like shoyu (soy sauce) and shio (salt) have been popping up like mushrooms after rain.”

Kaori: “You’re right. Moreover, the soy sauce and salt used to season the broth have become increasingly refined—as if they were premium tableware served in Japanese restaurants—seeming to emphasize the upscale feel of the broth more and more.”

Matsuda: “As for soy sauce ramen, the shop that really moved me was ‘Tsuru’ in Sugamo and ‘Shio’ in Kanda Awajicho. ‘Tsuru’s’ ‘Ajitsuke Tamago Shoyu Soba’ (850 yen) has an amber-colored broth so beautiful it looks like art. And the aroma of soy sauce wafting from the bowl alone is incredible. With one sip, the broth simmered with both meat and seafood fills your mouth with just the right richness. That’s what they mean by ‘can’t stop eating.’”

▲ Chicken White Soup Soba (840 yen)
Asparagus rolls, poached egg, and broccoli also offer highly creative toppings. The thick, rich chicken white soup pairs wonderfully with spicy black pepper—highly recommended.

Tokyo Edition
[Kanda Awajicho] Mencho Tsunami – Nearly Perfect Two Types of Broth Win High Praise from Foodies
Two contrasting broths dominate. The milky-white “Chicken White Soup Soba” (840 yen) is made by simmering premium Ooyama chicken bones, sealing in the essence of deliciousness. Paired with a specially made noodle sauce using ingredients like fresh cream, its thick texture overturns traditional perceptions of soba. The soy sauce-flavored “Japan’s No. 1 Shoyu Soba” (840 yen) boasts a rich, aromatic fish broth infused with soy sauce flavor, earning hearty thumbs-up. The labor-intensive “Japan’s No. 1 Shoyu” uses the highest-grade kelp from Hokkaido, offering a layered taste that’s simply overwhelming.

▲ Japan’s No. 1 Shoyu Soba (840 yen)The broth, simmered with double the usual amount of dried ingredients, takes the crown in deliciousness. The fragrant and rich “Japan’s No. 1 Shoyu” offers a surprisingly delightful taste.

▲ The shop has a relaxed atmosphere where women can comfortably drop by for a meal.

2 Chome-4-4 Awajicho, Chiyoda, Tokyo / Phone: 03-6206-9322 / Hours: 11:00–19:00 (may close earlier if broth runs out) / Closed: Sundays / Seats: 9 counter seats, 1 three-person table, total 12 seats / Entire venue non-smoking / No credit cards / No reservations / No service charge / Access: 3-min walk from Exit A3 of Awajicho Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line

Digital edition of “Weekend Premium for Adults – Trial Issue,” released on 2015/2/10 across major eBook platforms—free download available. Digital edition of “Weekend Premium for Adults No. 001” also now available.