Tokyo winter ramen is the ultimate comfort food when the temperatures drop. In a city known for its world-class ramen scene, winter is the perfect season to enjoy steaming bowls of rich, hearty broths that warm you from the inside out.
Whether you’re craving creamy tonkotsu, flavorful miso, or silky chicken paitan, these ramen shops in Tokyo serve up the best bowls to keep you cozy all season. Explore seven exceptional ramen shops below, perfect for staying warm this winter in Tokyo!
Miso Ramen Kakitagawa Hibari: A Winter Warm-Up in Ebisu
Miso Ramen Kakitagawa Hibari (味噌らーめん 柿田川ひばり) in Ebisu offers a polished take on miso ramen, making it a perfect choice for Tokyo’s chilly winters. Their broth is crafted from five types of miso, chicken bones, pork bones, and fish. It strikes a perfect balance between richness and depth.
A generous layer of pork back fat floats atop the soup, with sesame and peanut oil adding nuttiness to offset its heaviness. Trained at the renowned Do Miso, the owner brings a delicate touch to every bowl, pairing thick, wavy noodles with a soup that’s satisfying yet lighter than it appears.
Noodle Voice: Refined Scallop Ramen in Ikebukuro
Noodle Voice (ヌードル ボイス) delivers a scallop ramen unlike any other. Hokkaido scallops take center stage, blending with pork and chicken bones to create a full-bodied broth. The scallops shine, while the pork and chicken provide a creamy base.
Toppings are thoughtfully chosen, including daikon (Japanese radish), white onions, a hint of yellow yuzu citrus, broiled chashu pork, thick menma (bamboo shoots), dried seaweed, and kaiware sprouts. Thick noodles complete the bowl, effortlessly soaking up the scallop-focused broth.
Kita-Otsuka Ramen: Extra Meaty Ramen in Otsuka
A local favorite, Kita-Otsuka Ramen (北大塚ラーメン) serves hearty, salty shoyu ramen that’s both simple and satisfying. Their signature chashumen features a generous blanket of tender, fatty pork chashu. This rests atop a dark, calorie-packed broth.
Medium-thick noodles complement the rich flavors, while a spicy version, enhanced with chili oil, delivers an added kick. Despite its modest exterior, the shop’s bright and welcoming interior—complete with an English menu—makes it a must-visit for budget-friendly ramen in Otsuka.
Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto: Tokyo’s Spicy Ramen Empire
Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto (蒙古タンメン中本) is a staple for spicy food lovers across Tokyo, serving fiery bowls that leave a lasting impression. Their 'Arctic Ramen' features a miso-based broth topped with spicy ankake and tougarashi flakes. This combination delivers intense, sweat-inducing heat. Stir-fried vegetables add a smoky depth, while unique specials at each branch keep fans coming back for more.
With 23 locations, Nakamoto is a go-to spot for a warming bowl during the colder months—or anytime you’re up for a bold, flavorful challenge. For spice seekers, it’s an essential ramen experience.
Men no Bou Toride: Hearty Tonkotsu Ramen in Shibuya
Located a short walk from Shinsen Station and close to Shibuya, Men no Bou Toride (麺の坊 砦) is a must-visit for tonkotsu ramen enthusiasts. Their pork bone broth is simmered for over 20 hours. The result is a mild yet flavorful soup that’s both rich and addictive.
Diners can choose between thick or thin homemade noodles, each complementing the broth beautifully. If you're lucky, the friendly owner might stop by for a quick chat. Toride is an excellent spot to enjoy a warming bowl of tonkotsu ramen, especially during Tokyo’s colder months.
Aun: Customizable Tantanmen Perfection
Aun (四川担担麺 阿吽), with branches in Asakusa and Yushima, is known for serving some of Tokyo’s finest tantanmen. Diners can choose between creamy white sesame or smoky black sesame bases. This is all with or without soup, and diners can customize both spice and numbing pepper levels (1-6). The white sesame tantanmen features a velvety broth enriched with complex chili oil.
The soupless black sesame version pairs thicker noodles with bold, peppery depth. Aun also offers creative seasonal specials, such as miso tantanmen or maze soba topped with unique additions like beef. With its high-quality ingredients and careful preparation, Aun is a must-visit spot for tantanmen.
Ramen THANK: Creamy Chicken Potage Ramen in Hamamatsucho
Located near Daimon and Hamamatsucho Stations, Toripota Ramen THANK (鶏ポタラーメンTHANK) serves a standout chicken-based ramen with its creamy, potage-style broth. Made without additives, the soup combines rich chicken flavors with ten types of vegetables, creating a mild yet delicious experience.
Diners can choose from three consistencies: "Poteri" (thick), "Torori" (medium-thick), and "Sarari" (light), each offering a distinct balance of flavors. Thin, crisp noodles and tender chashu wings round out the bowl, with optional curry spice adding a touch of heat. THANK is a top pick for a hearty, warming meal, especially in Tokyo’s colder months.
Tokyo Winter Ramen - Recap
From creamy miso to fiery tantanmen and hearty tonkotsu, these seven ramen shops showcase the best of Tokyo’s winter ramen. Enjoy the warmth and flavor of these exceptional bowls this season!
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