The broth isn't overly salty yet perfectly balanced — AFURI Ramen, a popular hit in Tokyo

▲ Red Xi Noodles (Spicy) ¥880 — The noodles were thin, springy, and exactly my type.

Photos & Text /MIKA’s Food Adventure Journal

On the second day of our Tokyo trip, our schedule was packed. Exhausted, we returned to Harajuku and spotted a bustling AFURI Ramen just next to our short-term rental apartment. Deciding to grab dinner and a late-night snack there seemed like the easiest option — after all, it was right nearby. Little did we know, it would turn out to be the second-best ramen of our trip, only surpassed by Ippudo (Ichiran)!

It was genuinely delicious, suiting Taiwanese tastes with just the right amount of saltiness and full flavor. The noodles were thin and incredibly soft yet chewy. Only when I looked it up online later did I realize this place was actually quite famous — they also have a branch in Ebisu. But because this location is a bit more off the beaten path, there wasn’t nearly as long a line as at the Ebisu shop, which worked out great for us.

Their business hours are from 10:30 AM to 3:00 AM, staying open very late, which is super convenient for independent travelers like us. We often return quite late after sightseeing, so having a place for dinner or a late-night bite is perfect. Plus, it's just a one- or two-minute walk from our apartment — truly an ideal spot.


The interior has a bit of an izakaya (grill pub) vibe, as you immediately see the staff busy grilling char siu (pork belly). The seating is in a U-shape, with only counter seats available, surrounding the kitchen — so you can watch everything the kitchen staff does. It’s all so up close and personal, I was kind of shy, haha~ XD


Upon entering, the first step is to buy a meal ticket from the vending machine. The ticket machine has pictures and descriptions, so it’s not hard to use — just pick what you want.


My friend chose Tsukemen (Bingershi) — a type of dipping ramen — for ¥930.


Just seeing the word (Spicy) made me decide on the Red Xi Noodles right away — ¥880~


When handing over the ticket to the staff, they’ll specifically ask whether you want the broth thick or light and give you a reference sheet, though it’s a bit hard to understand. In the end, my friend and I just got different ones.


Japanese spicy food often looks super red but isn’t that intense — the only thing that really got me was the Ippudo spicy sauce. But AFURI’s spice level is actually pretty solid too. The Red Xi Noodles had a nice spicy aroma.


Half-boiled egg — a must-have item in Japanese ramen.


The char siu is grilled over charcoal, though it’s not very noticeable since it sits in the soup for a while.


Tsukemen (Bingershi) ¥930 — This is the dipping-style ramen. My friend loves tsukemen because the noodles get extra chewy, and they’re also slightly thicker, which is really tasty.


The meat in tsukemen isn’t char siu — it’s more like braised pork belly. It comes with chilled bamboo shoots, seaweed, green onions, a half-boiled egg, and wider, springier noodles.


Dip it in the special chicken oil — it’s seriously amazing!! As someone who doesn’t usually go for tsukemen, I’m now a convert. Next time I’ll definitely try it too. Rich, spicy, savory, and so flavorful. This AFURI Ramen has officially claimed the second spot in our hearts for best ramen ever!! Hope we can come back again sometime.


【AFURI Ramen (Harajuku Branch)】

Address:1F, Grand Foresta, 3-63-1 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone:03-6438-1910
Business Hours:10:30 – 03:00

Traveling afar helps us return home with deeper understanding

MIKA’s Food Adventure Journal