Roppongi is one of Tokyo’s central hubs for nightlife, known for its abundance of clubs, bars, and restaurants, making it a highly popular destination for those seeking evening entertainment. It’s a bustling neighborhood where many foreign tourists gather, adding to its vibrant atmosphere.
In this article, we will introduce the top 10 recommended ramen shops in Roppongi.
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10. Ippudo – Roppongi 一風堂 六本木店
A massive ramen group with an international presence has also opened a branch in the Roppongi-Azabu-Juban area. What’s truly remarkable is that they consistently maintain a high level of quality across all their locations, not just in terms of ramen taste but also in customer service and various other aspects.
One of the author’s recent favorites at this ramen chain is the “Karakamen,” which takes the basic pork bone soup and adds fragrant oil and spicy miso. It’s an Ippudo original flavor that sets it apart from tantanmen, and it has a strong and enduring popularity. You can choose the level of spiciness from five options, and it’s worth noting that anything above “Toku-Kara” is on a different level of spiciness, so be cautious when ordering.
If you have the time, I encourage you to enjoy more than just the ramen itself; complement your meal with appetizers and drinks for a well-rounded experience.
Ippudo – Roppongi Details
9. Menshou Taketora 麺匠 竹虎 六本木店
If you’re in the Roppongi-Azabu-Juban area and can’t decide what kind of ramen you want, this ramen restaurant is an excellent choice. They offer a comprehensive selection of ramen flavors, including soy sauce, salt, miso, and more, catering to various preferences. Additionally, they have an extensive range of alcoholic beverages and snacks to complement your meal.
The author’s recommendation is the “Urataka Tora Tsukemen,” a bold and flavorful dish with a rich soy sauce and pork bone base, spiced up with plenty of chili oil. The thick noodles made from domestic wheat perfectly intertwine with the rich dipping sauce, creating a delightful combination. There’s an interesting service feature for female customers, offering free collagen balls.
What sets this restaurant apart is its trendy decor, a rarity for ramen establishments, and the fact that it has many private rooms. This means you can enjoy your meal at a leisurely pace, even when dining with a group. The restaurant also boasts long opening hours, symbolizing the never-ending energy of Roppongi, making it a fantastic dining choice in the area.
Menshou Taketora Details
8. Roppongi Menya Musashi Kosho 六本木 麺屋武蔵 虎嘯
In Roppongi, you can also find an establishment from the Menya Musashi group. Each restaurant within the group operates with a unique concept. In this particular location, they have updated their menu using the latest cooking equipment and techniques while retaining the original flavors from their founding days.
One of the staff’s recommended dishes here is the “Tora Uzushio Tsukemen,” named after the restaurant itself. It features a flavorful, fish-based Japanese-style broth with a slightly sweet seasoning. The dipping sauce is smooth, and the flat, curly noodles are excellent at coating themselves with the sauce, creating a harmonious pairing. The substantial chunks of char siu, which provide a satisfying chew, are also outstanding.
What’s especially appealing is that the portion size for the noodles remains the same price regardless of whether you choose a regular or large serving, making it a great value. If you’re in the Roppongi-Azabu-Juban area and craving a hearty ramen or tsukemen meal, this place is definitely worth recommending. The staff’s attentive customer service is also a plus, adding to the overall experience.
Roppongi Menya Musashi Kosho Detail
7. Tori soba Ichikoro 156 鶏そば十番１５６ 麻布十番本店
This stylish and casual adult dining bar is renowned as an exceptional chicken ramen specialty restaurant.
Their rich and creamy soup, made by carefully simmering domestically sourced chicken bones and fresh vegetables, is akin to a potage soup, loaded with collagen and nutrition.
With its main branch in Azabu-Juban, this restaurant chain has expanded primarily within the Kanto region and has even ventured overseas, gaining popularity in Madrid, Spain.
While they specialize in authentic and nutritious chicken ramen, their menu offers a wide variety, including niboshi (dried sardine) ramen, tsukemen (dipping noodles), spicy shrimp tantanmen, and chicken salt cheese mazesoba, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.
Their side dishes like gyoza and takoyaki are equally authentic, and they even serve premium soft-serve ice cream as dessert.
The sheer variety of these tempting menu options is bound to leave you hooked after just one taste.
Tori soba Ichikoro Details
6. Afuri Roppongi Crossing Gate AFURI 六本木交差点
“AFURI” is a ramen restaurant known for its whole-wheat, house-made noodles that offer a delightful nutty flavor. The name of the restaurant is derived from Mount Afuri in Isehara, Kanagawa, whose pristine natural water is used to create the signature “Golden” soup.
From the clear and fragrant broth, one can sense the meticulous preparation. Mount Afuri’s water is famous for its longevity and health benefits, which add a unique touch to the flavor.
The soup comes in two varieties: “Light” and “Rich.” In addition to the default ultra-thin noodles, you can opt for flat and chewy vacuum-kneaded noodles or healthy, fiber-rich konjac noodles, allowing you to discover a delicious way to suit your preferences.
A highly recommended option is the “Yuzu Shio Ramen.” It features a light broth with reduced chicken fat, which allows you to savor the maximum aroma of yuzu. The consistency in taste is maintained since it is prepared at the Central Kitchen located at the foot of Mount Afuri, ensuring a stable and clear soup without flavor fluctuations.
Afuri Roppongi Crossing Gate Details
5. Tenho 天鳳
Established in 1985, “Tenho” is a long-standing Sapporo ramen restaurant. Its original store opened in 1974 in Sapporo’s original Ramen Yokocho (Ramen Alley). At that time, due to the absence of large stockpots, they cooked the soup in a drum can, hence the name “Drum Can Soup,” which is still in use today. You’ll find a weathered drum can placed in front of the restaurant as a nostalgic sign.
Tenho uses the firm and curly noodles produced by Nishiyama Seimen, a company headquartered in Sapporo. The restaurant’s simple yet unforgettable taste has garnered a loyal following over the years.
With a straightforward menu and the relatively fast turnover facilitated by the firm noodles, you’ll also appreciate the short waiting times when dining at Tenho.
Tenho Details
4. Kaotan Rāmen Entotsu-ya Minami-Aoyama かおたんラーメン
“Kaotan Ramen Entotsuya Minamiaoyama Branch” is located approximately a 15-minute walk from Roppongi Station or a short ride on the Toei Bus from Shibuya, getting off at “Nishi-Azabu Bus Stop,” followed by a 3-minute walk.
Their gentle-tasting Wonton Ramen and Salt Ramen are highly recommended, making for a delightful choice even as a late-night meal after a night of drinking in the Roppongi-Aoyama area.
The reviews often praise its subtly delicious qualities. The soup is both mild and sweet, with just the right balance of charred scallions, creating a harmonious blend. While the noodles are thin, they offer a firm bite, perfectly complementing the soup.
They offer a variety of ramen options, including the regular Ramen (750 yen) and Wonton Ramen (1,000 yen), all known for their gentle and pleasing flavors. The restaurant is usually bustling with customers even late into the night.
Kaotan Rāmen Entotsu-ya Minami-Aoyama Details
3. Akanoren 博多麺房赤のれん 西麻布本店
This tonkotsu ramen restaurant in Roppongi and Nishi-Azabu enjoys immense popularity. In the midst of this rapidly changing area, its old-fashioned charm offers a sense of timeless tranquility. Even on weekday evenings, the restaurant is constantly bustling with customers.
Established in 1978, it was the first to introduce authentic Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen to Tokyo. The original flavors from its inception continue to be faithfully maintained, providing a consistent and comforting taste.
The soy-based milky tonkotsu broth is rich and creamy, free from any off-putting flavors or odors. Despite its simplicity, the unpretentious and gentle pork bone broth is easy to savor. The flat, thin noodles have an excellent mouthfeel, easily intertwining with the broth. While the char siu portions may be small, they are exquisite in taste!
Akanoren Details
2. Nishiazabu Gold 楽観西麻布
This hidden gem of a ramen restaurant, discreetly tucked away in the backstreets of Roppongi, has earned high praise on review sites.
Renowned for its meticulous preparation and use of carefully selected domestic ingredients in the soup base, this restaurant is known for serving a ramen that is light yet rich in flavor.
The “Tokusei Kohaku (Shoyu)” priced at 1,100 yen has received comments like “the ultimate bowl” and “ramen that transcends the realm of ramen” on customer reviews.
The menu is refreshingly simple, featuring just “Kohaku (Shoyu)” and “Pearl (Shio)” ramen, each priced at 900 yen. The Tokusei versions of these are available at 1,100 yen each.
You also have the option to add a mini char siu rice bowl.
The restaurant’s ambiance is more akin to a stylish Japanese eatery than a traditional ramen shop, capturing the essence of Roppongi’s unique dining scene.
Nishiazabu Gold Details
1. Iruca Tokyo Roppongi 入鹿TOKYO 六本木
This restaurant has been immensely popular since its opening, drawing long queues of patrons. Its exterior boasts a stylish Japanese design and the interior features only seven counter seats.
The soup base is a blend of chicken, pork, shrimp, and shellfish. Notably, they use premium ingredients like Nagoya Cochin chicken, Kagoshima black pork, Ise ebi shrimp, and mussels, and the broth is completely free from chemical seasonings. The inclusion of high-end ingredients such as porcini and truffles is a distinguishing feature.
The main menu items include “Porcini Shoyu Ramen,” “Yuzu Shio Ramen,” “Shoyu Ramen,” and “Shio Ramen.” You can add a regular topping of one slice of pork chashu, or opt for the special topping (which includes two slices of duck chashu, a seasoned egg, chicken meatballs, and shrimp balls) for an additional 450 yen.
The noodles are characterized by a low hydration, flat-cut, and slightly thicker texture compared to the shio ramen option.
Moreover, there are side dishes available, such as “Yuzu-topped Chicken Dashi Tamago Rice,” “Truffle-infused Tamago Rice,” and “Meat Rice,” among others.
Iruca Tokyo Roppongi Details
