Taipei’s Ultimate Battlefield: A Lazy Guide to 13 Popular Ramen Shops in Zhongshan District

Reported by Huang Shiyuan, Taipei

Birdman Ramen from New York has opened its second branch in Zhongshan District, a true battleground for ramen. From early entrants like Leshan Noodle House’s Sapporo Ramen, Tonkotsu Ramen, Ippudo, and Menya Musashi Kamiyama, to newer spots such as Menya Itten, Lazymo Miso Oni no Kanabou, every single one is insanely popular. ETNEWS has compiled a list of 13 must-try ramen shops in Zhongshan District — ramen lovers, make time to explore them all.

▲ Menya Itten’s champion tsukemen: “Special Extra-Rich Seafood Tsukemen.” (Photo by Huang Kexiang)

Menya Itten
The Japanese Menya Itten only serves extra-rich seafood tsukemen, extra-rich seafood ramen, shio ramen, and soy sauce ramen, but the Taiwan branch offers five types of noodles and five types of noodles.<饭，原来除了特浓鱼介沾面、芳醇干贝鸡汤拉面（日本的盐味拉面）、芳醇姜味鸡汤拉面（日本的酱油拉面加上姜味），其他都是煮干一灯的菜单，包括东京煮干拉面、台湾风担担沾面、香煎鸭肝N<、嫩焙和牛N<、元气鸡饭、炙烧梅花N<及东京鸡饭。

Address: No. 29, Section 1, Nanjing East Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2581-1711

▲ Spicy and numbing miso ramen. (Photo by Badou Yao)

Spicy Miso Ramen Oni no Kanabou (Head Office & Zhongshan Branch)
Directly expanded from a Tokyo ramen shop in Japan, the broth is based on fish and pork bones, and only one spicy miso flavor is served. Spice levels range from none, low, regular, extra, and “Oni” (demon) extra; similarly for numbness. To try the Oni extra, you need to pay an additional NT$30 each for spicy-Oni and numb-Oni. The Zhongshan branch only sells ramen, while the Taipei head office only sells tsukemen.

Zhongshan Branch
Address: No. 35, Lane 2, No. 19, Section 2, Chang’an West Road, Taipei City

Taipei Head Office
Address: 1F, No. 92, Zhongshan North Road, Taipei City

▲ Menya Musashi Kamiyama’s signature ippon ramen, with super-sized chashu. (Photo provided by Xiaohu’s Dream Net)

Menya Musashi Kamiyama
One of the first two branches opened by Menya Musashi in Taiwan, one in Dongcheng’s Huxiao, and the second in the Tiaotong shopping area of Zhongshan District — Kamiyama. Kamiyama is considered the headquarters for Menya Musashi’s noodle production, with the second floor serving as their experimental kitchen where ramen flavors are developed and refined. The most iconic ramen here is the ippon ramen, featuring super-sized slices of chashu.

Address: No. 18, Lane 121, Section 1, Zhongshan North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2542-8222

Zhe Mian Linsen Branch
Zhe Mian was founded in Tokyo in 2006 but has perfected Kyushu-style tonkotsu ramen. Over 11 years since its founding, it has grown to over 30 branches nationwide in Japan. The broth is simmered for over 10 hours using pork and chicken bones, then finished with vegetables and pork back fat, resulting in a rich yet refreshing tonkotsu flavor enhanced with black sesame oil.

Address: No. 151, Linsen North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2531-4009

▲ Ippudo Ramen. (Photo provided by Orange Dog Loves Candy)

Ippudo Zhongshan Main Branch
The Zhongshan branch is Taiwan’s very first “Ippudo.” Designed for a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere, allowing customers to feel at ease any time they visit. The color scheme uses the signature red and white of Ippudo’s two most famous ramens. Established in 1985 and originating from Fukuoka, Ippudo’s signature “Tonkotsu X Tonkotsu” double broth is its most defining feature — using two types of pork bones (skull and large bone) separately simmered for 14 hours, then blended using a unique technique. Ippudo’s main menu includes Shirohan Ramen, Akamaru Ramen, Nikumiso Ramen, and Hakata Tsukemen.

Address: 1F, No. 85, Section 1, Zhongshan North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2562-9222

▲ Menyao Hui’s Tsukemen (Dipping Noodles). (Photo / Orange Dog Loves Candy)

Menyao Hui
Their signature tsukemen features thick noodles that are highly elastic; compared to ramen, you can better taste the wheat aroma of the noodles. After finishing the noodles, don’t forget to ask the shop for the broth to mix into the remaining sauce—the rich soup might just disappear before you know it.

Address: No. 8-1, Yitong St., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2504-1800

▲ Toriniku Ramen’s Thick-Cut Char Siu Ramen... (Photo / Reporter Huang Shiyuan)

Toriniku Ramen Zhongshan Branch
Unlike most ramen in Taiwan, Toriniku Ramen’s broth is simmered for five hours using chicken bones, wings, and skin, resulting in a fragrant and richly mellow soup that is also less greasy than tonkotsu broth.

Address: No. 7, Lane 105, Section 1, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: (02)2568-4780

Eagle Flow Tokyo Soy Sauce Ramen [Ranmaru] Zhongshan Branch
Address: 1F, No. 6-3, Lane 18, Nanjing W. Rd., Datong District, Taipei City

Yokohama-kei Ramen Tokuyoiya
Address: No. 22, Lane 77, Section 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2522-2808

Tonzenn Ramen Zhongshan Branch
Address: No. 141, Section 1, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2562-5066

Makotoya Ramen
Address: No. 78-3, Section 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2521-8159

Rokuzan Ramen from Sapporo
Address: No. 36, Lane 121, Section 1, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2562-2829

Mineno Ramen
Address: No. 22-18, Section 1, Chang’an E. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2567-5418