I'm a typical ramen lover. I go to ramen house every other day and here are my recommendations from my favorite list. Everyone has different taste in ramen so I chose the ones that a lot of my friends like too.

1. Menya Nakaji
2. Menya Musashi Bukotsu Gaiden
3. Dotonbori Kamukura Shibuya

1. Menya Nukaji

TASTE

Nukaji's ramen is a perfection. 

After you taste their elegant soup, you will never forget it. Seafood based soup and medium-thin straight noodles match perfectly. Toppings are great too; long and soft bamboo shoots, perfectly cooked qing-geng-cai and juicy pork belly. I never knew toppings can be all co-stars in a bowl until I ate this.

ADD-ON SPICE

On top of that, they give you free raw eggs and rice to add in a soup or eat just themselves. You don't want to eat just eggs and rice? Don't worry, they have some original seasonings for ya. Personally I like the one on the left which is Brevoort broth based white soy sauce. Yum.

NOTE

One of the reasons I love this place is how they make it female-friendly by its modern clean interior concept and friendly customer service. A lot of good ramen houses have dirty oily floor and friendly but loud customer service. I (still) have to sacrifice for food but I always wish there are cute and clean places with relaxing atmosphere. Nukaji clearly knew what we've been looking for! 

ORDER

There's no English menu so take a screenshot of image below before you go. Staff there will explain to you if you ask. The first ramen picture is 'Spicy Ramen'. Spicy here is not crazy-sweaty type of spicy but just perfect. 

Price is reasonable. Ramen is 780 yen where a lot of places serve 900 yen. 

Monostep2 1F 3-12 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo
+81-3-3476-8148
[Mon～Fri] 11:00～16:00 、18:00～21:00
[Sat, Holiday] 11:00～17:00
[Sunday] off

2. Menya Musashi Bukotsu Gaiden 

TASTE

If you're starving and craving for meaty-meat, Menya Musashi is the right place for you.

When you take the first sip of Seafood and pork bone based soup, you get that aromatic and strong flavor all over your mouth. When you dip those thick straight noodles in al dente into rich tasty soup, you just don't want to swallow it. 

You can't forget about the mouth watering meat (cha-shu) on the top! You get 2 pieces and they are HUGE. I can never finish it but meat-lovers add extra meat. 

ADD-ON SPICE

They offer yuzu vinegar to enjoy the different version of soup flavor. I like the yuzu freshness to bring back my appetite even when I'm full. If you're into spicy, get some shichimi from the brown jar. It's not so spicy but it adds a great texture to your noodle.

ORDER

Their top menu is Gaiden Tsukemen which is dipping style ramen with big pieces of pork. You can choose the volume of noodles - Small, Medium, or Large (for the same price). I'm a light eater girl and usually order medium. (I never be able to finish it but small is too small.) If you're a guy with normal appetite, get large size. 

This place doesn't have English menu but you can choose from pictures on the ticket vending machine.

Price is a bit high but considering of its volume and richness it’s reasonable. 

2-8-5 Dogenzaka Shibuya Tokyo
+81-3-3780-8634
[everyday] 11:30～22:30

3. KAMUKURA SHIBUYA

TASTE

Everyone likes Kamukura because the taste is straight forward. 

Kamukura is one of the popular ramen houses in Osaka and this one is Shibuya branch. It's always full of tourists so I thought no locals go there but when I tried for the first time few month ago, I was very impressed by everything.

I order their top menu 'Oishi (tasty) Ramen'. All you can taste in a clear soup is all kind of umami and you taste the sweetness from Chinese cabbage toppings. It's interesting how this light soup brings up flavor of noodles, I mean, you can actually taste the noodles! Also, being able to eat lots of veggies releases you from ramen guilt. 

ADD-ON SPICE

Their add-on spice, chopped garlic chives give their light soup a great kick. You can also add garlic paste and spicy oil for more spiciness.

TASTE

Thanks to its location, (it's right in the middle of Center-Gai) everything is in English, Chinese and Korean. You will have absolutely no problem ordering. The price are very reasonable and also offers great set menu. 

29-4 Udagawacho Shibuya Tokyo
+81-3-6415-3790
[Mon - Thu,Sun] 9:00～32:00
[Fri, Sat, Before Holisays] 24hrs

I hope you get to try them. I really really do! 

Maiko