The Michelin guide is a world-renowned, annually published guide book that awards Michelin stars to a list of excellent hotels and restaurants. Because of its highly esteemed status, the gain or loss of a Michelin star may make or break the success of an establishment. In Asia, only a number of countries have been awarded the Michelin Guide, and the Tokyo guide is the pioneer in Asia.
In the latest 10th edition of the Tokyo guide, there is a total of 312 restaurants being awarded the Bib Gourmand title. Only restaurants offering “exceptional good food at moderate prices” can be considered for the Bib Gourmand. 27 of these Bib Gourmand restaurants specialize in the favourite Japanese food - ramen. Read on to find out where you can find 8 of these outstanding ramens in east-end Tokyo.
1. Ishin in Shinagawa Ward
Located in Shinagawa-ku, Ishin (維新) is Tokyo’s branch of the famous ramen shop in Yokohama, 1 hour south of Tokyo. No longer does Tokyoites or travelers in the country’s vibrant capital have to go all the way to Yokohama just to enjoy a bowl of the heavenly shoyu (soy sauce) broth made from chicken stock. The small 10-counter seat ramen shop has gained a huge following since it opened in 2013, with its signature shoyu ramen. If you want to try something refreshingly different, get the yuzu shio ramen, which is salt-based broth with a strong aromatic yuzu flavor infused in your chewy noodles.
Ishin (維新)
Address: 3-4-1 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa Ward
Price: 750 to 1,000 JPY (6.65 to 8.90 USD) per person
Opening Hours: Lunch - 11.30 am to 3 pm; Dinner - 6 pm to 10 pm, or when stock runs out. Closed on Sunday
Access: 4-minute walk from Meguro Station on JR Yamanote Line east exit
Contact: +81 334448480
2. Bum Bun Blau Cafe in Shinagawa Ward
Bum Bun Blau Cafe (ブンブン ブラウ カフェ) is a chic cafe concept with Bee Hive, that aims to be a holistic shop not only to serve delicious food that is good for the body, but also to provide authentic facial and body massages for women to relax with. Unlike other traditional ramen shops, Bum Bun Blau Cafe is stylishly furnished. The noodles being used in the 4 types of ramen dishes in the cafe are made with 100% high quality local wheat flour. Go healthy by ordering the delicious Super Food ramen, which is packed with amino acids, fiber and lots of nutrients. After slurping a wholesome bowl of ramen, enjoy a tasty bowl of shaved ice topped generously with fresh fruits and other natural ingredients to complete your wonderful meal at Bum Bun Blau Cafe.
Bum Bun Blau Cafe (ブンブン ブラウ カフェ)
Address: 2F, J-Box Bldg, 3-12-3 Hatanodai, Shinagawa Ward
Price: 800 to 3,000 JPY (7.10 to 26.65 USD) per person for a la carte items, 3,500 to 7,000 JPY (31.10 to 62.20 USD) per person for set dinner
Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday to Saturday - 12 pm to 3 pm, 6 pm to 11 pm (last order: 10.30 pm); Sunday & national holidays - 12 pm to 4 pm. Closed on Wednesday
Access: 1-minute walk from Hatanodai Station on Oimachi Line or Tokyu Ikegami Line east exit
Contact: +81 364268848
3. Yamaguchi Ratsushiki in Koto Ward
If you enjoy the Kamon Soba at Yamaguchi located near Nishi-Wasada Station, you will be glad to know that they have opened another branch - Yamaguchi Ratsushiki (やまぐち 辣式) in September 2015. The Toyocho branch wins spicy ramen lovers with its special Mabo Mazesoba, a spicy concoction dusted with locally grown coriander. For those who simply love the numbing sensation fueled by the spices, just ask for more green Sichuan pepper powder to add to your ramen.
If you can’t really handle the spice, fret not, for there is an equally wonderful ramen creation at Yamaguchi Ratsushiki. Try the Ajitama Iri Shio Ramen, in which the sauce is made from a combination of 3 East Asian sea salts, giving you a unique taste that you won’t get in other ramen shops.
Yamaguchi Ratsushiki (やまぐち 辣式)
Address: 4-6-3 Toyo, Koto Ward
Price: 750 to 1,500 JPY (6.65 to 13.30 USD) per person
Opening Hours: Lunch - 11.30 am to 3 pm; Dinner - 5.30 pm to 9 pm. Closed on Monday and year-end holidays
Access: 1-minute walk from Toyocho Station on Tokyo Metro Tozai Line exit 4
Contact: +81 364586200
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4. Kagari in Ginza, Chuo Ward
Who said Ginza, the upmarket commercial district in Tokyo, is all about expensive and high-end fashion and dining? If that’s what you thought, then you probably have not been to Kagari (篝), a tiny ramen shop tucked away in one of Ginza’s narrow alleys. Kagari may not be in the most conspicuous location, but it has certainly wowed customers with its signature tori paitan soba, which is Chinese noodles served in a thick and creamy chicken broth. Topped with lightly cooked slices of tender chicken meat and assorted vegetables, the delicious bowl of ramen would be gone completely before you know it!
Kagari (篝)
Address: 4-4-1 Ginza, Chuo Ward
Price: 900 to 1,500 JPY (8 to 13.30 USD) per person
Opening Hours: Lunch - 11 am to 3.30 pm; Dinner - 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm on weekdays, till 9 pm on Saturdays and national holidays. Closed on Sunday
Access: 2-minute walk from Ginza Station on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Hibiya Line or Marunouchi Line exit A10 or B1
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5. Shichisai in Chuo Ward
Most award-winning ramen shops are known for serving tantalizing broths in their ramen dishes, but Shichisai (麺や 七彩), a newcomer to be awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand status this year, wows customers with its noodles. At Shichisai, the noodles would only be made from scratch when you order the ramen, unlike other shops where the staff grabs whatever they need from the pile of noodles made at the start of the day. Witness the entire process of the chef mixing the dough, rolling it out skilfully by hand, and slicing it into long and thin strips to be boiled right before you. Not only do you get to taste freshly made noodles, the ingredients that go into the palatable bowl of ramen are just as amazing. Visit Shichisai for a unique ramen dining experience!
Shichisai (麺や 七彩)
Address: 2-13-2 Hacchobori, Chuo Ward
Price: 820 to 1,500 JPY (7.30 to 13.30 USD) per person
Opening Hours: Weekdays - 11 am to 3.30 pm, 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm; Weekends and national holidays - 11 am to 9 pm. Closed on the third Tuesday of every month
Access: 3-minute walk from Hatchobori Station on JR Keiyo Line or Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line exit A5
Contact: +81 355669355
6. Due Italian in Chiyoda Ward
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Due Italian (黄金の塩らぁ麺 ドゥエイタリアン) is an interesting ramen shop with Italian influence. Owner-chef Ishizuka, a Japanese who was born in Italy, switched to cooking ramen after 30 years of Italian cooking experience. Due Italian is very popular with ladies and anyone who enjoys ramen with a twist.
Get the hot ramen served with melted fromage cheese that is an interesting east-meets-west dish. The melt-in-your-mouth cheese blends so well into the seemingly simple broth, making it an irresistible broth that would be gone in no time. While the fromage cheese ramen looks like the Italian carbonara pasta, it is certainly easier on the palate. Or if you are craving for something cold, try the tomato ramen topped with generous servings of tomatoes and strawberries for a refreshing taste.
Due Italian (黄金の塩らぁ麺 ドゥエイタリアン)
Address: 4-5-11 Kudanminami, Chiyoda Ward
Price: 820 to 1,500 JPY (7.30 to 13.30 USD) per person
Opening Hours: Weekdays - 11 am to 4 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm; Saturday - 11 am to 10 pm; Sunday - 11 am to 9 pm. Last order 30 minutes before closing
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Ichigaya Station
Contact: +81 332216970
7. Soranoiro in Chiyoda Ward
Traditional Japanese ramen is usually served with meat or seafood, and the broth simmered with pork or chicken bones, which vegan customers are unable to enjoy. Travelers with vegan dietary needs would be happy to know that Soranoiro (ソラノイロ) in Chiyoda-ku serves wallet-friendly vegan ramen options. Instead of pork or chicken broth, butter is used to flavor the shio ramen, and carrot puree is added to enhance its rich taste. Besides the generous topping of assorted vegetables, be in for a surprise treat with the bit of mashed potatoes at the edge of the bowl. Despite the absence of animal products, the vegan ramen is so amazingly flavorful, that you may not even realize their absence!
Soranoiro (ソラノイロ)
Address: 1-3-10 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda Ward
Price: 800 to 1,200 JPY (7.10 to 10.65 USD) per person
Opening Hours: 11 am to 10.15 pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday
Access: 4-minute walk from Hanzomon Station on Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line exit 1
Contact: +81 332635460
8. Toy Box in Arakawa Ward
The folks behind Toy Box (トイ・ボックス) used to work for the now-defunct 69 ‘N’ Roll, one of the best ramen shops in Tokyo. The tiny 8-seater Toy Box is off the beaten tourist path in Tokyo, but long queues are commonly seen outside the shop. This is because of its legendary shoyu ramen made with the fragrant chicken oil. The ramen soup is full of depth, served with springy noodles and perfectly cooked toppings. Visit Toy Box and taste it for yourself to understand why the beautifully presented bowl of noodles is not just pretty to look at, but also a dearie to tuck into.
Toy Box (トイ・ボックス)
Address: 1-1-3 Higashinippori, Arakawa Ward
Price: 600 to 1,150 JPY (5.35 to 10.20 USD) per person
Opening Hours: Lunch - 11 am to 3 pm; Dinner - 6 pm to 9 pm. Closed on Monday, or Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday; second Tuesday of the month, and Sunday dinner
Access: 2-minute walk from Minowa Station on Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line exit 3
Contact: +81 364583664
Satisfy your ramen cravings at these Michelin Bib Gourmand ramen shops
Being the king of Japanese cuisine, laying your hands on a bowl of ramen is easy in Japan as it is a common dish served everywhere in Tokyo. But if you want to make sure you get your money’s worth, make a note of the above mentioned Michelin Bib Gourmand ramen shops. At below 3,000 JPY (26.65 USD) per person, you would be able to satisfy your ramen cravings and enjoy a delectable ramen feast. Happy slurping!
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