Find the best of all the classic ramen flavors and vegan options in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward.
The lines in front of Ichiran are discouraging. Plus, they always seem overrun by tourists. So which ramen shops are popular with the locals, and what kind of ramen is even available?
Classic Ramen Flavors
塩 Shio (Salt Base)
A salt-based bowl of ramen is always a good option. Especially in the summer months to help you replenish those electrolytes. Here are some great examples of this classic flavor.
炙り味噌らーめん 麺匠 真武咲弥 渋谷店 (Shinbu Sakiya Ramen)
While this ramen shop is actually more famous for its miso ramen, their salt ramen topped with green onion oil is not to be missed. The shop is located near the landmark Shibuya 109 building and is perfect for a quick lunch while hitting the shops or a hearty snack after clubbing the night away.
Price: 1,000 – 2,000 yen
Hours: 11am – 4:30am, Friday and Sat open until 5:30am
黄金の塩らぁ麺 ドゥエ イタリアン 東急プラザ渋谷店 (Due Italian)
Owned and operated by an Italian Chef, this specialty shio ramen cannot be recommended enough. The “Ramen Prosciutto Fromage” and the “Golden Salt Ramen” are the most popular menu items.
Price: 1,000 – 2,000 yen
Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm -10pm
豚骨 Tonkotsu (Pork Bone Broth)
The rule of thumb when searching for great tonkotsu ramen is you should be able to smell it from the street. If you don’t want to take your chances following your nose, here are some great options that even your favorite influencer hasn’t heard of yet.
麺の坊 砦 (Men no Bou Toride)
This clear bone broth ramen is made in a combination of the Hakata and Kumamoto style. It’s simmered over 20 hours to extract a deep umami flavor. This simmering technique helps to bring the pungent pork smell down to a fragrant and rich aroma that will have your mouth watering as soon as you walk in the door. The owner recommends you order the noodles firm or extra firm.
Price: 1,000 – 2,000 yen
Hours: 11am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm -10pm Closed Wed
らあめん渋英 (Ramen Shibuhide)
This Shibuya staple is just a stones throw away from the famous Shibuya Scramble crossing. It’s known for its bowls piled high with toppings.
Price: 1,000 – 2,000 yen
Hours: 10am – 11pm
唐そば (Tou Soba)
This ramen shop has history. The second generation owners prepare a simple tonkotsu ramen that you’ll want to come back to again and again over the course of your trip. However they are also famous for their tsukemen (a kind of ramen where the broth is more concentrated and served on the side). Their tsukemen dipping sauce contains pickled radish and the noodles are topped with a yuzu salt. The perfect dish for someone looking to be more adventurous.
Price: 1,000 – 2,000 yen
Hours: 11am – 9pm, Sun 11am – 4pm
味噌 Miso (Fermented Soy Bean Paste)
If you aren’t familiar with miso, the description of it may be off-putting, the flavor, however, is far from the sour, pickled nightmare that the word ‘fermented’ might suggest. This rich, umami paste is sure to become one of your most missed flavors upon returning home from your trip. So get your fill of it while you can at the following miso ramen shops.
味源熊祭 おくむら (Okumura)
About a minute walk from the famous Shibuya Crossing, this place offers a classic “Sapporo Miso” ramen with lard fried bean sprouts and thick, chewy noodles. Add a side of crispy gyoza and this is a must-stop-shop.
Price: 1,000 yen
Hours: All day, every day
ももまる 渋谷店 (Momomaru Shibuya)
This ramen restaurant is actually an izakaya. Feel free to linger and drink in this lavishly decorated space and watch the performance of its flamboyant manager who dresses exclusively in pink while enjoying a nice bowl of miso ramen.
Price: 5,000 – 6,000 yen
Hours: 6pm – 12am Closed Sun
醤油 Shouyu (Soy Sauce Base)
A lighter option than a pork broth and more complex in flavor than a salt base, this soy sauce based broth might just become your favorite. Checkout our recommendations below.
中華ソバ 櫻坂 (Chuka Soba SAKURAZAKA)
This welcoming shop with its calming wood interior and jazz playing in the background is probably the most elegant shop on this list. They have a large menu, but the crowd favorite is their fish broth shouyu ramen.
Price: 1,000 – 2,000 yen
Hours: 11am – 10pm, Closed Sun
長岡生姜ラーメンしょうがの湯 (Nagaoka Ginger Ramen Ginger no Yu)
Offering a specialty ramen from Niigata, this small shop has only counter seating. But don’t let that deter you. Both their soy sauce base and salt based ramen dishes are said to be spectacular. True to their name they also have special ginger infused vinegar and soy sauce on the counter. Give them a try.
Price: 1,000 – 2,000 yen
Hours: 11am – 9pm
Vegan Ramen Options
ジカセイ メンショウ (Jikasei MENSHO)
Conveniently located in the basement of a major department store, Shibuya PARCO, this ramen shop is famous for its spicy tantanmen. Luckily for our veggie friends, their menu also includes not one, but four vegan options.
Price: 1,000 – 2,000 yen
Hours: 11am – 11pm
ハラル和牛ラーメン牛門渋谷 (Halal Wagyu&Vegan Ramen GYUMON Shibuya)
It’s pricier than most of the other options on here, but this shop seems to be worth it. With beautiful english menus and options to smother your ramen in gyukatsu or make it vegan, this restaurant is the perfect choice for a group with mixed dietary restrictions. Plus it’s backed by a 4.9 rating on google with over 10,000 reviews. You really can’t go wrong stopping by.
Price: 2,000 – 3,000 yen
Hours: 12pm – 11pm
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