Here in Shibuya, one of the busiest downtown areas in Japan, there are many popular ramen shops frequented by lovers of the dish. However, there are also places deep within Shibuya that might also have you stop and think: "Wait, are there really popular ramen shops here, too?" And so, here are three of the top well-known ramen shops that we’d like to recommend to overseas visitors to Shibuya, Tokyo.

Fashionable clothing shops line the backstreets of Shibuya's Koen-dori. Seitokudo is located in a slightly complicated place, on the second floor of the building. The interior theme is mostly white, giving it a cafe-like atmosphere. You can even make reservations. With English menus also available, you'll find this place is very tourist-friendly.

Of course, the atmosphere isn't the only charm of the shop. The secret of its popularity lies in the deliciousness of the ramen. The base is a soy sauce soup called "W [double] soup," which is made combining animal broths such as pork bone and chicken, as well as seafood broths. Then some flavorful vegetables and black soybeans are added, and the soup is simmered to perfection all day long. Black soybeans are uncommon as a soup ingredient, however they add a gentle sweetness when used in this recipe.

Also with the same ramen you have the option to choose between 'assari' (light) and 'kotteri' (thick). ‘Assari’ is made with fish and has a lighter texture, while 'kotteri' is a strong, highly concentrated animal broth. They are both the same kind of soup, but it is nice to be able to try different flavors. The arare topping, a sweet cracker made from rice, is also a unique addition. It goes together surprisingly well with the texture of the ramen, and you can also taste the flavor of yuzu citron.

Here is one of the biggest factors for the shop's popularity with women: you can enjoy a delicious dessert! The shop owner, a former pastry chef, developed this place with the concept that desserts really do "go with ramen." These sweet desserts are made with authentic Japanese ingredients such as matcha, cherry blossom, yuzu, and sesame. The dessert menu even includes parfaits, floats and teas. It really does look like a cafe!

You can also get a lap blanket to keep your legs warm in the shop, a great service especially loved by women when it gets cold in the winter. Of course, together with the delicious ramen and desserts, it will make you want to stay longer. It is a place in Shibuya that will be adored for a long time to come.

Open: 11:00 AM~10:00 PM (Open until 9:00 Sundays and holidays)
Closed: Mondays (Closed on the following Tuesdays in case of holiday)
Access: 7 minute walk from JR Shibuya Station

One might not immediately think of delicious ramen when speaking about ramen in an oyster bar. However, there are still many unique menu items that can satisfy even the pickiest ramen aficionado. Many of these take advantage of their strengths cultivated in other food businesses other than ramen, and tailor it more as original flavors than conflicting tastes. That ramen can be enjoyed in more than one way is what makes it that much more interesting.

Tonari is the sister store to the neighboring oyster bar Spiral, with the oyster bar being the main business. Shop owner Aoki Kozumi originated with Japanese cuisine, and is rather new to owning a ramen shop. He opened the shop after walking around and trying numerous ramen shops on his own first.

The menu item on the signboard was the 'Shirojoyu Chicken Soba,' (\800, tax included), a chicken based soup which uses 'shirojoyu' (white soy sauce), a soy sauce made from wheat flour. However this time we decided on the Oyster Ramen (¥1000, tax included), complete with whole oysters, as specially recommended by Mr. Aoki himself. It is made from 'kuro-shoyu' (black soy sauce), which has a much stronger soy component than shirojoyu.

Completed with chicken stock, it was truly a bowl of originality. The tender oysters that are simmered in the stock are produced in Ako District, Hyogo Prefecture. Oyster wontons and slices of chicken also top the noodles, and it is garnished with yuzu and mitsuba leaves. Black chili sauce and the flavor of oysters pack a punch in the otherwise simple taste of the chicken stock. It is indeed an original dish that makes full use of the oyster bar.

Shop owner Mr. Aoki also seems to have worked with over 80 other kinds of ramen that are not included in the fish and pork broth menu. According to him, "It will grow more and more as I continue to listen to my customers' requests." In addition to ramen, they also serve dishes produced right here and unique to this shop, such as grilled skewers, potato salad, buttered potatoes, and assorted oyster platters. All delicious items that seems to go well with your drinks.

Open: 12:00 PM~11:00 PM
Closed: Sundays, holidays
Access: 5 minute walk from Keio Inokashira Line, Shinsen Station, 10 minute walk from JR Line Shibuya Station

During Halloween season, Shibuya's Central Shopping Street becomes a mecca for the best costumes. This central area of Shibuya is where many young people gather outside for Halloween, but towards the back of this street is where you will find the Shibuya Main Branch of Kichitora. This is main branch, however the shop has also expanded overseas, mainly in Asia. Currently there are other branches in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore.

At the shop front is a pretty unusual ramen shop called Shokuhin Sample (or "Food Sample"), decorated with resin food models. There is even an explanation of "how to eat delicious ramen" written in both Japanese and English, so that even visitors from abroad can enjoy the ramen just like the Japanese locals!

The signboard menu shows 'Tori-sayu Tsukemen’ (soup with a whitish chicken broth), a noodle soup in which the chicken bone has been boiled for a long time until emulsified. It is a very thick soup with a rich, flavorful taste. Other ingredients used in the soy sauce soup base are chicken bone, "momiji," or chicken feet, and flavorful vegetables. The noodles are homemade and have a medium thickness and good elasticity, and an important part of this delicious, rich soup.

At first glance, you may not be able to see anything but green onions in this Special Tori-sayu Tsukemen, but underneath there are actually two big shoulder roast pork fillets! There is also an egg that has been boiled in the water.

At first glance, you may not be able to see anything but green onions in this Special Tori-sayu Tsukemen, but underneath there are actually two big shoulder roast pork fillets! There is also an egg that has been boiled in the water.

Also, before you finish the noodles, don't forget to ask the shop clerk for jaja-men! They will gladly add thick, miso-seasoned ground meat, free of charge. Add the chopped onion toppings from the counter and there you have your very own jaja-men dish! Jaja-men is a Chinese dish, which combines ground pork, called "jan," with Chinese seasonings and boiled noodles. This is a service unique to Kichitora and not really seen in other shops.

You can choose your serving size of noodles, from small (150g), regular (225g), medium (300g), large (375g), and special (450g). With this, you can order more noodles than usual so you can enjoy both the tsukemen dish, and the jaja-men. As you can see with a single menu item, you can still enjoy the dish in more than one way.

Open: 11:00 AM~ 11:00 PM
Closed: None
Access: 5 minute walk from JR Shibuya Station Hachiko Exit