Shibuya's Top 5 Shoyu Ramen
This is a guest blog by 5AM Ramen, ramen expert and Tokyo ramen tour guide. Thanks to Frank for sharing his best places to eat shoyu ramen in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Inspired by Chinese noodle dishes, the first ever ramen was created and served in 1910.
Given Japan's love of shoyu (soy sauce), it makes sense that this first ramen was shoyu-based.
Today, Japan offers a huge amount of ramen variety, but shoyu ramen is still the most popular and common ramen type.
In the ever popular area of Shibuya, Tokyo there are countless options for shoyu ramen. But after eating at all of them (seriously!), here are my top 5 ramen restaurants for shoyu ramen in Shibuya, Japan.
1. Kiraku Ramenya (喜楽)
Kiraku Ramenya's Moyashi Wontonmen. Source: 5AM Ramen
No list of Shibuya's best ramen is complete without Kiraku!
Established in 1952, Kiraku serves chukasoba or classic shoyu ramen.
The broth uses no vegetables, rather just chicken and pork bones that are boiled for 7-8 hours.
Overall the broth is quite light, with small bits of fried negi (green onion) on top providing some sweetness.
The ramen you have to order is the moyashi wontonmen. It features juicy dumplings and a mountain of crunchy bean sprouts (moyashi).
Just make sure to come hungry!
Shop Hours: 11:30 am ～ 8:30 pm (Every day, closed on Wednesday)
Find Kiraku ramenya on Google Maps
2. Menya Nukaji (麺屋ぬかじ)
Menya Nukaji Ramen. Source: 5AM Ramen
3. Ramen Kokuu (らーめん 穀雨)
Kokuu Ramen Restaurant's Shoyu Ramen with Pork Dumplings. Source: 5AM Ramen
Like Kiraku, Kokuu’s approach is old-school.
Their signature shoyu ramen is even lighter than at Kiraku. This lighter broth allows their ginger and pork dumplings to really shine (these dumpling toppings are a must order!)
Other topping highlights include chopped negi for brightness and Japanese spinach for a touch of bitterness.
In short, Kokuu offers satisfying shoyu ramen.
This Shibuya ramen restaurant is cozily tucked away in a quiet area, away from the busy crowds around Shibuya Station and the famous Shibuya Crossing.
Shop Hours: 12 pm ~ 3 pm / 6 pm ~ 8 pm (only lunch on Saturdays, closed on Sundays)
Find Ramen Kokuu on Google Maps
4. Chukasoba Sakurazaka (中華ソバ 櫻坂)
Chukasoba Sakurazaka's Shoyu Ramen with Miyazaki Chicken. Source: 5AM Ramen
Borrowing from the surrounding neighborhood’s name, Chukasoba Sakurazaka dishes out a punchy shoyu ramen.
They're all about a saltier, thicker shoyu broth with a strong bonito fish accent. But there’s also a pleasant richness via premium Miyazaki chicken. Their chashu pork slices are particularly divine.
Lastly, Chukasoba Sakurazaka is only a 5 minute walk from the previous entry, Ramen Kokuu. And again, this is a nice and quiet part of Shibuya.
Shop Hours: 11 am ~ 11 pm (closed on Sundays)
Find Chukasoba Sakurazaka on Google Maps
5. Usagi Ramen Restaurant (うさぎ)
Usagi Ramen Restaurant's Shoyu Ramen with Chashu Pork. Source: 5AM Ramen
Among Shibuya's ramen restaurants, Usagi is one of the top ranked.
It's also located around the corner from Emoto (our number two ramen restaurant).
Usagi’s shoyu ramen is a delicious blend of chicken and fish. They employ a sweetly flavored shoyu and there's a lovely silky quality from the chicken bones.
All the toppings are superb but their sous-vide paper-thin pork chashu might be the best.
Of the hundreds of Tokyo's ramen restaurants I've visited, Usagi never disappoints me.
Shop Hours: 11:30 am ~ 2:30 pm / 6 pm ~ 10 pm (only lunch on Saturdays, closed on Sundays)
Find Usagi ramenya on Google Maps
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5AM Ramen: Tokyo Ramen Tours
5AM Ramen is your comprehensive guide to ramen in Tokyo and beyond! Frank will show you only the best ramen shops in Tokyo and can even cater to gluten free, vegan or vegetarian requests! Choose from various ramen tour options, like the Ramen Kitchen Experience, The Ultimate Ramen Tasting Tour or Insider Ramen Tour, or speak with Frank to customize your personalized tour!
Frank is truly a ramen expert, so if you can't get to Japan right now to join his tour, check out his YouTube channel, including his recent review of four Japanese regional shoyu ramen:
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