How to Find the Best Ramen in Tokyo with Tokyo Ramen Tours

Many visitors to Japan are there to taste the unique food culture, of which ramen noodles are an integral part.  But while you can randomly walk into many ramen shops across Tokyo, our recommended option to find the best ramen in Tokyo is to book into a dedicated tour with Tokyo Ramen Tours. 

Below we provide our review of the Ultimate Ramen Tasting Tour including details of how to book your tour with our coupon code discount to also have this amazing experience!

Note that our tour was sponsored by Tokyo Ramen Tours, but our opinion is our own.

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Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

About Ramen Tokyo

Ramen noodle dishes are a unique part of Japanese culture!  Ramen in Tokyo is a full meal in a single bowl which is a favourite of the locals, after which you will be well satisfied.

Ramen noodles come in many different varieties, and range from one off small Ramen shops which only the locals know, through to more famous ramen in Tokyo and Japan such as Ichiran Ramen and Ippudo Ramen, both of which are chains which you can find in many locations in Japan as well as overseas.

On our recent trip to Japan we indulged in Ramen on our first night in Asakusa at an Ippudo Ramen store and really enjoyed our meal.  One week later we did the Ultimate Ramen Tasting Tour in Shibuya with Frank Striegl from Tokyo Ramen Tours and quickly realised that there was another level of amazing ramen above what we had already tried!

If you are looking for the best ramen Tokyo then we definitely recommend that you book with Frank on his Ultimate Ramen Tasting Tour!

Below we take you step by step through what happens on the tour.  Note that we will not tell you the specific ramen restaurants we went to, you will have to book onto the tour to get Frank’s help to find them!

About Tokyo Ramen Tours

Frank Striegl is a Tokyo native who is obsessed with Ramen and he now runs Tokyo Ramen Tours to share his passion.  Below is an overview of the available tour options:

  • We did Frank’s unique 3 hour Ultimate Ramen Tasting Tour in Shibuya, which enables you to enjoy six completely different mini bowls of ramen at three award winning ramen shops.  You get to choose your six options from eleven choices.  Frank also helps you to learn more about both the history of ramen as well as the latest trends. 
  • Frank also offers a 90 minute Vegetarian/Vegan version of the Ultimate Ramen Tasting Tour in Shibuya where you get to enjoy four mini bowls of amazing ramen. 
  • Frank is also planning to shortly launch an additional brand new ramen tasting tour similar to the Ultimate Ramen Tasting Tour with three new ramen shops, which will includeMiso Ramen, Tantanmen and Chicken Ramen styles.
  • Alternatively you can choose the shorter one hour Insider Ramen Tour, where Frank provides you with several ramen shop options and you choose a delicious bowl of ramen at a shop of your choice, as well as learning more about ramen.  This tour is offered in Shibuya, Shinjuku and Asakusa.
  • Frank also offers a one hour Ramen Kitchen Experience in Shibuya where you can visit an actual ramen shop kitchen to learn more about how to cook your own ramen using the proper cooking equipment, ingredients and techniques.

You can watch Frank in action when he was featured on the Best Ever Food Review Show on Youtube – you can watch below!

YouTube video

How to Book Your Ramen Tour Tokyo

Frank offers each tour at different times, and he can also arrange a private tour to suit your group.  Click through below to the Tokyo Ramen Tours website to learn more about Frank and to see the different tour offerings. When you click on a tour of interest the site then takes you to the detailed booking page, which includes a link to check out options for private tours.

Click here to check out and book your Tokyo Ramen Tour with Frank.  Use coupon code CNA462YN to get a 5% discount on your tour!

Review: Our Experience on the Ultimate Ramen Tasting Tour

After booking our tour with Frank we received a reminder email the day before which reconfirmed our meeting point at Naka-Meguro Station, which is two stops from Shibuya Station.  He also provided his mobile phone number to enable us to easily contact each other. 

When we arrived Frank was waiting for us with his tour sign in hand, and we were quickly ready to get started!  Frank started the tour by providing us with a quick overview of what to expect on the tour to come. 

Meeting with Frank Striegl from Tokyo Ramen Tours at Naka-Meguru Station near Shibuya
Meeting with Frank Striegl from Tokyo Ramen Tours at Naka-Meguro Station near Shibuya
Frank from Tokyo Ramen Tours giving our family an overview of the tour and what to expect
Frank from Tokyo Ramen Tours giving our family an overview of the tour and what to expect

First Ramen Shop Experience!

After a short walk we arrived at our first stop, a ramen shop which specialises in dried fish based ramen.  After descending into the basement ramen shop, were pleasantly surprised to see how cosy the shop was – we were very much up close and personal with the chef! Frank also provided us with a detailed overview of the history of ramen noodles, as well as how it is prepared and current trends.

Our first stop on the Tokyo Ramen Tour - Welcome to the basement!
Our first stop on the Tokyo Ramen Tour – Welcome to the basement!
Inside our first stop on the Ramen Tour. Inside the Ramen Restaurant was a lot nicer than the outside!
Inside our first stop on the Ramen Tour. Inside the Ramen Restaurant was a lot nicer than the outside!
Chatting about ramen at our first stop on the tour
Chatting about ramen at our first stop on the tour

Frank provided each of with a laminated sheet showing the different ramen options available and explained the different options and helped us choose ones to best suit our tastes. 

It became very obvious that Frank is an expert on ramen and is very passionate about his own explorations across Tokyo to try the vast different ramen options which he features on his 5amramen.com food and travel blog!

We were quickly served our mini bowls of ramen, and as a family were were able to taste all of the different flavours!  We really enjoyed trying each distinctive flavour – the two signature dried fish ramen (Niboshi) were surprisingly delicious with different broths to try, and we also enjoyed the spicy ramen which featured ground pork.

Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 1 - Niboshi - Shoyu - Dried Fish Ramen in a tangy soy sauce broth
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 1 – Niboshi – Shoyu – Dried Fish Ramen in a tangy soy sauce broth
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 1 - Niboshi - Shio - Dried Fish Ramen in a lighter sea salt broth
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 1 – Niboshi – Shio – Dried Fish Ramen in a lighter sea salt broth
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 1 - Katsu-ura Tantamen - A spicy dish of ground pork with a layer of raiyu chilli oil
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 1 – Katsu-ura Tantamen – A spicy dish of ground pork with a layer of raiyu chilli oil

After a relaxing and enjoyable start to the tour we definitely felt like this was a great option to experience the best ramen in Tokyo!

Second Ramen Shop Experience!

We then walked to our second ramen shop which was again in a basement ?.  After entering we were impressed to see the number of options available on the ramen ordering machine, and thankful that Frank would be able to help us choose!

Our second stop on the Tokyo Ramen Tour. Welcome to another basement!
Our second stop on the Tokyo Ramen Tour. Welcome to another basement!
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 2 - Ramen Ordering Machine
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 2 – Ramen Ordering Machine
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 2 - Ramen Ordering Machine - English Translation
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 2 – Ramen Ordering Machine – English Translation

The second ramen shop specialised in very different ramen options, including their signature curry ramen and spicy miso curry ramen! In addition they had a black sesame and ground pork option which was delicious!

Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 2 - Inside the Ramen Restaurant
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 2 – Inside the Ramen Restaurant

Again as a family we were able to try each different flavour.  My favourite was the Signature Curry Ramen!

Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 2 - Black Sesame Tantamen, ground pork with black sesame tantan
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 2 – Black Sesame Tantamen, ground pork with black sesame tantan
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 2 - Signature Curry Ramen with Pork. Yum!
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 2 – Signature Curry Ramen with Pork. Yum!
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 2 - Spicy Miso Curry Ramen, with pork and spicy miso broth
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 2 – Spicy Miso Curry Ramen, with pork and spicy miso broth

The great thing about the mini-bowls is that they enable you to try so many different types of ramen without feeling overly full.

Third Ramen Shop Experience!

We then caught the train together to Shibuya Station to head to our third and final ramen shop for the evening.  We then walked to the final ramen shop which was surprisingly above ground and with windows!  With many happy looking customers inside.

Third and final stop on the Tokyo Ramen Tour!
Third and final stop on the Tokyo Ramen Tour!

We again observed the ramen ordering machine at the entrance – smaller than the second ramen shop machine but no less daunting!  After being seated Frank explained the options, which again were a distinct range of very different ramen flavours ranging from traditional to very modern fusion food.  Again as a family we were able to try all four options which we enjoyed.

Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 3 - Ramen Ordering Machine
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 3 – Ramen Ordering Machine

My favourite was their signature classic ramen but the kids really enjoyed the Italian style green ramen.  It was really interesting to try black ramen, made with squid ink.  I think it is more of an acquired taste… but was interesting to try.

Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 3 - Signature Classic Ramen Bowl
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 3 – Signature Classic Ramen Bowl
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 3 - Red Ramen Bowl (think extra spicy with yakiniku sauce)
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 3 – Red Ramen Bowl (think extra spicy with yakiniku sauce)
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 3 - Black Ramen Noodles Bowl (think jet black from squid ink and infused with garlic and yoghurt!
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 3 – Black Ramen Noodles Bowl (think jet black from squid ink and infused with garlic and yoghurt!
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 3 - Green Ramen Bowl (think Italian fusion ramen with cheese, bacon and fresh basil!)
Tokyo Ramen Tour Stop 3 – Green Ramen Bowl (think Italian fusion ramen with cheese, bacon and fresh basil!)

My husband loved the red extra spicy ramen, but he always prefers spicier food so I was not surprised. Our youngest son held a ramen eating competition with Frank which was lots of fun, but Frank was definitely the winner!  With lots of slurping to be heard ? .

Wrapping up our Ramen Tour

After an enjoyable final ramen meal we sat and chatted with Frank before he wrapped up the tour and walked us back to Shibuya Station.  We really enjoyed our tour, as it gave us a much greater insight into the world of ramen and this aspect of Japanese culture.  We hadn’t realised just how many different types of ramen are available and why they are a real favourite food option in Japan.  The ramen we tried on the tour was delicious and was definitely a more distinctive flavour than that offer by the more famous ramen chain stores.

We would definitely recommend that you book a ramen tour with Frank when you visit Tokyo, whether you choose a shorter or longer tour option you will definitely have an enjoyable experience!

How to Book Your Ramen Tour Tokyo

Frank offers each tour at different times, and he can also arrange a private tour to suit your group.  Click through below to the Tokyo Ramen Tours website to learn more about Frank and to see the different tour offerings. 

Click here to check out and book your Tokyo Ramen Tour with Frank.  Use coupon code CNA462YN to get a 5% discount on your tour!

Tokyo Ramen Tours - Tour Schedule on Website

As per the screenshots above and below, you can see the sequence of tours on offer over the next month, including specific dates and times. Above the calendar there is also the option to request a private version of each tour option.  After you click through you will see the available timeslots and pricing for the private tour options.

Tokyo Ramen Tours - Booking Tool on Website
Tokyo Ramen Tours – Booking Tool on Website

Once you find the tour that you want to book, click on that tour and it will take you to the booking screen (image below) where you can enter your details and make payment.  Secure payment options include MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Card, JCB and Discover. 

Tokyo Ramen Tours - Payment Page
Tokyo Ramen Tours – Payment Page

Once you complete payment you should quickly receive your confirmation email which includes instructions for where to meet Frank for the start of the tour.  Then you will be all locked in! 

We really enjoyed our ramen tour with Frank and are sure you will too.  Click the below link to check out the options and finalise your booking.

Click here to check out and book your Tokyo Ramen Tour with Frank.  Use coupon code CNA462YN to get a 5% discount on your tour!

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Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.