Kawasaki thrives as an industrial, commercial, and cultural hub, situated adjacent to Tokyo across the Tama River. Known for being the home base of the J-League soccer team Kawasaki Frontale, the city has witnessed the development of industrial zones and commercial areas. With scattered historical temples and parks, Kawasaki boasts diverse attractions. Temples like Kawasaki Daishi, renowned for drawing numerous worshippers, add to the city’s cultural richness. This article introduces the top 10 recommended ramen shops in Kawasaki, including renowned establishments that contribute to the city’s culinary appeal.
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10. Kaminariya 横浜家系らーめん 雷家
Located a 7-minute walk from the central exit of Keikyu Main Line’s Hatcho-nawate Station is “Raika.” Known for its rich and flavorful chicken oil-infused pork bone soy sauce broth, this ramen spot creates a depth of taste so profound that a layer of fat forms on the surface.
Give it a good stir, and you’re sure to be captivated instantly. The generously sized chashu, with a rich layer of fat, exudes the savory essence of the meat. The medium-thick, gently wavy noodles intertwine seamlessly with the broth, creating a perfect harmony, especially with the fatty chashu.
The thick, fragrant seaweed adds a delightful accent to the overall experience.
Kaminariya Details
9. Yū ラーメン勇
Located approximately a 6-minute walk from the central exit of Keikyu Main Line’s Hatcho-nawate Station, this establishment offers a standout soy sauce ramen as its daily specialty. The unique feature is the transparent soy sauce broth, with a restrained amount of oil and a blend of chicken and seafood flavors.
The refreshing yet richly flavorful soy sauce ramen remains a classic favorite. The firm texture of Maruyama Seimen’s thick, crinkled noodles blends seamlessly with the soup. The carefully seared homemade chashu adds an extra richness to the broth.
Additionally, the salt ramen, exclusively available on Thursdays and Sundays, is also highly popular.
Yū Details
8. Ramen MaruSen ラーメン 丸仙
Located in the popular residential area of Musashi-Kosugi Station, Ramen Marusen is a long-standing, beloved ramen shop in the vicinity. With its establishment dating back half a century, it has become a staple, and on weekends, it’s not uncommon to see a line forming at the storefront even before opening, attesting to its enduring popularity.
As befitting a longstanding establishment, Ramen Marusen’s signature dish is the classic shoyu (soy sauce) ramen. The broth, featuring the main ingredient of premium Nagoya Cochin chicken along with seafood and vegetables, strikes a balance between lightness and satisfying richness. The photo showcases the limited daily offering of Chashu Men, where the visual impact is dominated by the massive chashu covering the surface. With only 10 servings available each day, it adds to the allure of this dish.
Noteworthy is the popularity of gyoza (dumplings) among the side menu items, frequently ordered alongside the ramen by many customers at Ramen Marusen.
Ramen MaruSen Details
7. Magari-Dori まがり鶏
In the Kawasaki Station and Keikyu Kawasaki Station vicinity, where rich and hearty ramen and tsukemen are prevalent, Magari-Dori stands out as a precious gem with its light and clear broth. Operating as a bar and maintaining a stylish interior, Magari-Dori doesn’t immediately resemble a typical ramen shop at first glance.
Magari-Dori’s unique selling point is its soup, which incorporates not only local chicken but also seafood. The flavor is layered and profound, leaning towards richness rather than a light broth. Surprisingly, the ramen defies expectations with a complexity that pleasantly contrasts with its seemingly simple taste. Adding the special toppings results in an abundance of ingredients, including generous servings of chashu, all with a delightful and interesting Western-inspired seasoning.
Perhaps due to being relatively unknown, Magari-Dori is surprisingly easy to enter even during lunch hours. This, combined with its distinctive offerings, makes it feel like a hidden gem among the ramen shops in the Kawasaki Station area.
Magari-Dori Details
6. Ramen Jirō Keikyū Kawasaki ラーメン二郎 川崎
While it’s a bit of a walk, approximately 12 minutes from JR Kawasaki Station, once inside, you’ll experience meticulous and warm service filled with friendly smiles, earning acclaim for creating a reassuring atmosphere even for Jiro beginners. The soy-based soup, carefully crafted and easy to savor, distinguishes itself among Jiro-affiliated establishments with its light, slightly sweet character. The rich soy soup perfectly complements the smooth, high-hydration flat straight noodles. The topping of juicy chashu adds a delightful meaty flavor. The delectable taste allows for a swift and enjoyable consumption, seemingly weightless.
Ramen Jirō Keikyū Kawasaki Details
5. Mazero 麻ぜろう
Located near Keikyu Kawasaki Station, Maze-rou is a highly popular ramen shop known for its specialty, the Mabo Mazesoba. It seems to be particularly popular among those working in the vicinity of Keikyu Kawasaki Station, as lunchtime often sees a modest queue forming at Maze-rou’s storefront.
The Mabo Mazesoba at Maze-rou is distinctive for its aromatic spices such as Sichuan pepper and five-spice powder. This characteristic aroma is quite appetizing. When thoroughly mixed and consumed, the spiciness is well-balanced, not overly intense, allowing the deliciousness to be appreciated. It’s understandable why it’s so popular. Since Mabo dishes often pair well with rice, if you have room in your stomach, consider ordering rice as well.
Maze-rou offers a variety of Chinese appetizers, such as drool chicken and dumplings. Especially if you visit in the evening, taking your time to enjoy some drinks and appetizers before concluding with Mabo Mazesoba seems like a great idea.
Mazero Details
4. Mensho YOSUKE TORINITEI 麺匠ようすけ 鶏煮亭
Boasting top-tier popularity not only in the vicinity of Keikyu Kawasaki Station but also from Kawasaki Station, Mensho Yosuke Torinitei is renowned for its specialty, the rich chicken white broth ramen. Amid the increasing popularity of chicken white broth ramen in recent times, Mensho Yosuke Torinitei’s version stands out for its exceptionally rich flavor. The soup clings to the noodles so intensely that lifting the chopsticks feels noticeably weighty. As someone who appreciates rich ramen, this hits the mark for me, and I would undoubtedly become a regular if Mensho Yosuke Torinitei were in my neighborhood.
For flavor variation, they offer lemon as a condiment. It adds a refreshing touch while maintaining the richness, making it a must-try.
Mensho YOSUKE TORINITEI Details
3. Rihachi 自家製麺 麺屋 利八
The sophisticated, rich soup, blending animal and seafood elements, achieves a dense yet non-cloying finish, ensuring a deliciousness that doesn’t wear out until the last bite. The standout feature, undoubtedly, is the thick and firm noodles, providing a satisfying chewiness that allows for a slurp-worthy experience. The pleasantly chewy and thick noodles not only pair well with the soup but also complement the sweet and fragrant char siu.
The toppings, carefully chosen to avoid overwhelming the richness of the soup, add to the charm. Refreshing, lightly seasoned menma and char siu that lets you savor the natural flavor of the meat contribute to the factors that captivate those who indulge in this dish.
It’s the perfect combination where each element shines. Despite the classic blend of animal and seafood elements, it remains an easily enjoyable masterpiece.
Rihachi Details
2. San San Nana つけめん 三三㐂
The second brand of the immensely popular restaurant “Gyoku,” which has been drawing long queues every day, has opened in Kawasaki under the name “San San Nana.” Boasting a rich and flavorful broth, this special soy sauce base is created by simmering a large amount of chicken and dried fish over high heat, then finely crushing and reducing it. Although the broth is rich, it avoids being overly heavy, offering a perfect balance that makes the chopsticks move faster involuntarily.
The chewy noodles, with a distinct aroma of wheat, complement the broth superbly, creating an excellent harmony. The classic chashu topping, juicy and bursting with flavor the moment you bite into it, adds an extra layer of delight to the overall experience.
San San Nana Details
1. Gyoku つけめん 玉本店
A wildly popular eatery, with queues forming daily. The meticulously crafted soup, made by crushing ingredients and simmering them slowly, boasts a rich flavor achieved through the use of over 10 types of vegetables. The thick dipping sauce, along with the delightfully textured flat noodles, enhances the dining experience. The chashu topping, tender and harmoniously paired with all components, adds to the perfection.
A highly recommended item is the “Tokusei(Special) Tukemen,” featuring the basic Tsukemen complemented by chashu, menma, and a seasoned egg. The irresistibly melt-in-your-mouth chashu makes it a dish worth savoring repeatedly. The smooth, thick flat noodles provide a satisfying texture that pairs exceptionally well with the rich dipping sauce.
The exquisite combination of a rich seafood and pork bone broth, with a careful infusion of seafood sweetness, makes the dining experience truly exceptional. This is a must-visit spot for lovers of Tsukemen.
Gyoku Details
Conclusion
While Kawasaki may not be renowned for its tourist attractions, making it less likely for international travelers to visit, its expansive commercial areas and popularity as a residential district, just 20 minutes by train from central Tokyo, have led to a plethora of well-known dining establishments. In addition to the ramen shops mentioned here, there are many other popular ones in Kawasaki. So, if you find yourself in the area, I highly recommend trying out the local ramen offerings and exploring the diverse culinary scene that Kawasaki has to offer.
