Shinjuku boasts numerous hotels and hostels, attracting a constant stream of businesspeople and tourists daily. It also serves as a major transportation hub, with multiple railway lines converging, making it a focal point for commuting to Tokyo and its surrounding areas. Given the significant influx of people into Shinjuku, it comes as no surprise that there is an abundance of ramen shops, and the quality is exceptional. This time, we have carefully selected ten recommended ramen shops in Shinjuku that you must try at least once.
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10. Ramen Takahashi Shinjuku Main Store 焼きあご塩らー麺 たかはし 新宿本店
“Agodashi” refers to flying fish, and its broth offers a distinctive and unique flavor profile, with a touch of complexity while remaining exceptionally refined. The combination of this fish-based broth and a creamy tonkotsu (pork bone) soup is a perfect match. The irregularly twisted, handcrafted noodles, sourced from Tochigi, effectively complement the broth. This isn’t your typical light ramen; it boasts a deep and robust flavor in its salt-based ramen. It’s always bustling with many eager patrons who seek this one-of-a-kind bowl. Don’t forget to try the soy sauce ramen with plenty of back fat; it’s a must-try as well. Located near Seibu Shinjuku Station, it’s not too far from the main Shinjuku Station either.
Ramen Takahashi Details
9. Ramen Horiuchi らぁめん ほりうち 新宿本店
It appears that the founder of another famous establishment, Mankai, retired, and at that time, Horiuchi branched out independently. They have a presence not only in Shinjuku but also in Shinbashi.
Horiuchi Shinjuku Honten offers a clear soy-based broth with delightfully chewy noodles and generous slices of char siu (roast pork), making it unmistakably in the same lineage as Mankai. The simplicity of their ramen ensures a consistently delicious experience, much like Mankai, which explains why Horiuchi Shinjuku Honten has been cherished for a long time. The gigantic char siu is also a must-try at Horiuchi Shinjuku Honten, so if you’re looking to indulge, I highly recommend ordering extra char siu. It’s incredibly tender and incredibly delicious.
Ramen Horiuchi Details
8. Mensho San Francisco メンショー サン フランシスコ
MENSHO TOKYO SAN FRANCISCO, affiliated with the Menya Shono group, is headquartered in Ichigaya and has reintroduced ramen originally served in San Francisco, USA, in a reverse import fashion to Japan. Due to its location in Shinjuku Mylord, the customer base here is predominantly female.
Among their unique ramen offerings like White Truffle and Wagyu Roast Beef, the standout recommendation at MENSHO TOKYO SAN FRANCISCO is the Wagyu Tantanmen pictured here. The base Tantanmen has just the right amount of spiciness and numbing sensation, complemented by tender slices of Wagyu beef generously piled on top. I enjoy wrapping the noodles around the beef as I eat. While priced at 2000 yen, which may seem high for ramen, considering the generous amount of Wagyu beef included, I believe it’s entirely reasonable. It doesn’t seem to get excessively crowded, and its convenient location directly connected to Shinjuku Station is another plus point.
Mensho San Francisco Details
7. Ramen Hōsenka 金目鯛らぁ麺 鳳仙花
Next on our list of recommended ramen shops in Shinjuku is “Ramen Hosenka,” located about a 5-minute walk from Seibu Shinjuku Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line. They have extended hours, serving until 23:30, and offer a wide selection of takeout options!
The interior of this establishment exudes a clean and modern Japanese ambiance, featuring a V-shaped counter seating arrangement.
One standout menu item at this establishment is the “Ramen” priced at 800 yen. The soup, made using the flavorful broth from the premium fish, Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper), is truly a treasure trove of umami! The thinly sliced char siu, reminiscent of roast beef, pairs excellently with the noodles dusted with gold dust.
For a satisfying finish, I recommend trying the “Kinmedai Chazuke” priced at 200 yen. Whether you enjoy it as is or pour it over the remaining ramen soup, it’s a delightful treat! The combination of clam broth and Kinmedai’s flavors creates a ramen you’ll become addicted to after just one taste.
If you’re in Shinjuku and seeking an elegantly flavorful ramen experience, this place comes highly recommended!
Ramen Hosenka Details
6.Suzuran 煮干中華そば 鈴蘭 新宿店
Located right near Shinjuku-sanchome Station, this popular ramen shop specializes in rich and flavorful dried fish (niboshi) ramen. While it may not boast any groundbreaking innovations, its combination of intense broth that showcases the umami and bitterness of dried fish, paired with firm noodles, guarantees a consistently delicious experience. The addition of extra green onions is highly recommended, as they complement the dish exceptionally well. Given the bustling nature of Shinjuku, the menu is diverse and caters to a wide range of tastes, including three varieties of tsukemen (dipping ramen) with options like shrimp and mazesoba (mixed noodles).
Although the pictured dried fish ramen is technically limited in quantity, during my previous visit, it was still available even past 9 PM, so you don’t need to worry excessively about it being sold out.
Suzuran Details
5. Ramen Manrai 満来
Ramen Mankai is a long-standing ramen shop in the Shinjuku area with a history spanning approximately 60 years. Its original location appears to have been in Nerima Ward, but over the years, Mankai has relocated and settled near the west exit of Shinjuku Station.
Mankai’s biggest draw is its generous portions of noodles and meat. A highly recommended dish is the “Chashu Zaru” with extra char siu in their tsukemen (dipping ramen). The soup bowl is piled high with meat, to the extent that you’ll need to eat some of it first before dipping the noodles. Despite its size, the char siu is tender and incredibly delicious. The smooth and chewy noodles pair perfectly with the slightly salty soup, and despite the substantial portion, you’ll find yourself finishing it in no time.
If you’re near the west exit of Shinjuku Station and craving a satisfying meal, be sure to consider Mankai as a top choice.
Manrai Details
4. Ramen Kaijin 麺屋 海神 新宿店
Menya Kaijin’s Shinjuku branch is a popular ramen shop known for its unique feature: using fresh fish scraps (ara) to create its soup, which is still relatively rare in the ramen industry. While it’s reasonably close to Shinjuku Station’s south exit and Shinjuku-sanchome, please note that Menya Kaijin’s Shinjuku branch is located on the 2nd floor of a mixed-use building, which might make it a bit challenging to find if you’re visiting for the first time.
The type of fish scraps used varies daily, and that’s why Menya Kaijin’s Shinjuku branch prides itself on offering ramen with subtly changing flavors every day. The fish scraps used on a given day are displayed inside the restaurant, so it can be interesting to take a look. When it comes to toppings, Menya Kaijin Shinjuku branch has its unique personality shining through. Instead of the typical ramen toppings like char siu or menma (bamboo shoots), they offer alternatives like two kinds of tsukune (chicken meatballs) and myoga (Japanese ginger).
As a finishing touch, it’s recommended to try their grilled shirasu (whitebait) onigiri (rice ball) if you have room left in your stomach.
Menya Kaijin Details
3. Ramen Sho 麺屋 翔 本店
Next on our list of recommended ramen shops in Shinjuku is the “Ramen Sho” located about a 9-minute walk from the west exit of Shinjuku Station. The interior of the restaurant features counter seats as well as chairs for those waiting.
The standout menu item at this establishment is the “Shio Soba” priced at 700 yen. The clear and light broth allows you to distinctly taste the saltiness and the richness of chicken. The thin noodles are a perfect match for the soup, and despite its refined appearance, the flavor is robust, making it a recommended choice for both those who prefer lighter and richer ramen experiences!
Ramen Sho Details
2. Tsukemen Gonokami Seisakusho Shinjuku つけ麺 五ノ神製作所
Located not far from Shinjuku Station’s south exit and Shinjuku-sanchome Station, “Tsukemen Gonojin Seisakujo” is my personal favorite among the ramen shops being introduced this time. I’ve been a regular at Gonojin Seisakujo for over a decade, and I never get tired of it.
The standout dish at Gonojin Seisakujo is their one-of-a-kind, ultra-rich Ebi (shrimp) tsukemen (dipping ramen). It’s characterized by an intense shrimp flavor that sets it apart from your average shrimp ramen, making it an absolute must-try for shrimp lovers. The noodles paired with this dish are thick and made with a significant amount of whole wheat flour to ensure they don’t get overshadowed by the shrimp’s flavor. When combined with the soup, these noodles truly shine. The Ebi tsukemen at Gonojin Seisakujo offers both exceptional flavor and unique character, making it a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, I’ve noticed that it’s relatively easy to get a seat outside of peak hours, so now is a great time to give it a try.
Gonokami Seisakusho Details
1. Fūunji 風雲児
Finally, let me introduce you to “Fuuunji.” This ramen shop in Shinjuku is known for its rich seafood-based tsukemen (dipping ramen). The thick, creamy chicken-based broth with added fish powder packs a flavorful punch, coating the chewy thick noodles thoroughly. By the time you finish, there’s usually very little soup left, and you might not even be able to do a “soup-wari” (diluting the soup with hot water) if you order a large portion or above. So, if you plan to order a larger portion, be prepared.
While most customers opt for the tsukemen, if you visit in the evening, I recommend trying the limited edition “Kamatama Men,” limited to 15 servings at night. This is an original dry-style noodle dish created by the shop, inspired by Kamatama Udon.
Fūunji Details
Conclusion
We have introduced the top 10 ramen spots in Shinjuku, but Shinjuku is truly teeming with a diverse array of ramen shops. Not only is it a major transportation hub, but it’s also an appealing destination for tourists and business travelers looking to savor delicious ramen. Beyond this list, there are still many outstanding ramen establishments to discover in Shinjuku, so I encourage you to find your personal favorites and indulge in Shinjuku’s ramen culture. Each of these shops offers its unique characteristics and flavors, making Shinjuku an irresistible area for ramen enthusiasts.
