2020 Top 10 Shinjuku Ramen Shops You Must Try

So I realized I hadn’t written a top ramen shop post in a while so I decided to update my top Shinjuku ramen shop list for anyone planning on making a ramen itinerary for their trip to Tokyo, or for anyone who lives here and is confused with the sheer number of ramen restaurants Shinjuku has to offer. I left out a couple spots and those of you who have gone on my ramen tour may spot which ones I omitted as I save those for the tours. If you`re interested, you can find those tours here through the Airbnb experiences page. Sorry for the plug, but without further ado, my list for top Shinjuku ramen shops (minus a couple). Shinjuku is a huge city which encompasses more than just the surrounding areas of the main station, so I included the closest station as well, but they are all located within Shinjuku city. Also, I’ve linked my in depth review on each restaurant in case you wanted to read further about it.

10. Ramen Gantetsu (ラーメン巌哲); Waseda Station

For anyone who has studied at Waseda University, this shop is probably all too familiar and I apologize for possibly blowing it up, but I had to add it on as they serve one of my favorite, unique seafood based ramen in Tokyo. Broth is made with tuna and is something I haven’t seen much of outside of Gantetsu. Shio ramen is the one to get here and make sure you get their char siu over rice bowl as well.

9. Menan Chitose (麺庵ちとせ); Akebonobashi Station

Menan Chitose is my pick for all around ramen restaurant in Shinjuku as they offers a variety of different ramen types in their small little shop. Akebonobashi is becoming a bit of a hub for ramen shops in the Shinjuku area so you’ll find a ton of choices nearby, but if you’re unsure exactly what type of ramen you’re in the mood for, Chitose has you covered with everything from Shoyu to Shio and even Tantanmen, or Dan Dan Noodles.

8. Menya Sho (麺屋翔); Shinjuku Station

Menya Sho has been a staple in the Shinjuku ramen scene for what feels like forever now as they’ve been consistently churning out one of the best chintan, shio ramen in all of Tokyo. I can confidently say that as far as Shio Chicken ramen goes, Menya Sho is by far the best place to go in Shinjuku.

7. Ramen Yamaguchi (らぁ麺 やまぐち); Takadanobaba Station

One of the most well regarded places for shoyu ramen in Shinjuku is definitely Ramen Yamaguchi located out in Takadanobaba, just a short walk from Waseda Univeristy. I first visited Ramen Yamaguchi back when I was just starting out on my ramen adventures and I was blown away with how beautifully presented the shop was; way different from the typical old school ramen shop you typically see in the area. The ramen mirrors the shop aesthetic with elegantly presented bowls and delicious ramen.

6. Housenka (鳳仙花); Shinjuku Station

I’ve been a long time fan of the producers of Housenka who have different ramen shops located all around Japan. However, this bowl of shio ramen made with Kinmedai, or Golden Snapper, stands out above the rest and may be one of the best Shio Ramen in Tokyo. I still can’t fathom how they were able to extract so much flavor from just the Kinmedai fish, but whatever they’re doing, its working because their bowl is definitely in my top five for fish based ramen.

5. Sugoi Niboshi Ramen Nagi (すごい煮干ラーメン凪 新宿ゴールデン街店本館); Shinjuku Station

Might not be a sexy pick for best ramen in Shinjuku since a ton of people are familiar with Nagi because of their locations abroad. I’ve had people say that they would rather go elsewhere and try ramen they can’t try back home, but Nagi’s ramen at their original location in Shinjuku offers their classic Niboshi ramen that you actually can’t get in their locations in the States. The thick niboshi soup has some incredibly rich, aromatic, and umami packed flavors that you’re definitely gonna want to check it out.

4. Gonokami Seisakujyo (五ノ神製作所); Shinjuku Station

So this shop is technically located in the city of Shibuya, but Shibuya and Shinjuku city border each other and the closest station is actually Shinjuku station so I added it to this list. Original location for this shop is in far west Tokyo and due to its popularity, opened up a shop here in central Shinjuku to serve their unique bowls of Tsukemen to the masses. Using a shrimp broth, they’ve found amazing flavors and interesting combinations that have kept customers coming back for more.

3. Tai Shio Soba Touka (鯛塩そば 灯花); Akebonobashi

One of the ramen restaurants featured in the documentary “Ramen Heads”, Touka serves up Tai, or Snapper, based ramen out of their small shop in the outskirts of Shinjuku. I love the up scale Japanese restaurant vibe the interior gives off as well as the unforgettable soup and fantastic ochazuke, or Japanese rice porridge, they serve on the side. Feels like I’m having a ramen themed Kaiseki meal when I’m here and is one of my go to spots in Tokyo.

2. Soba House Konjiki Hototogisu (SOBA HOUSE 金色不如帰); Shinjuku Station

A top Shinjuku ramen list wouldn’t be complete without the addition of Michelin Star winner Konjikihototogisu located a short walk from Shinjuku station. I’ve been a fan of this place for a while now, back when they were located near Hatsudai station. Serving up a clam based broth, they’ve attracted visitors from around the world to try their award winning bowls. Be sure to come early however as the lines can get ridiculously long.

1. Ichijyoryu Ganko Ramen Souhonken (一条流がんこラーメン総本家); Yotsuya Station

My pick for best ramen in Shinjuku goes to Ichijyoryu Ganko Ramen near Yotsuya station. While it might not be well know by Western media, Ganko Ramen is one of the most popular ramen restaurants among Japanese ramen enthusiasts. In fact, this ramen is so popular that some people line up twice in one visit to try two different bowls of their soup. Ganko serves four different types of soups stemming from one broth, adjusting the tare seasoning sauce for the four varieties. One of the most unique bowls of ramen you can have in Japan, their ramen is packed full of flavor from their use of quality pork, vegetables and their famous shoyu tare seasoning. Definitely one of my most recommended shops in all of Tokyo and my personal favorite in Shinjuku.