The Michelin guides are a series of guide books published by the French company Michelin for over a century, which provide references to excellent hotels and restaurants. Guides for fine-dining restaurants started in 1926, and in 1955, the guide was expanded to include restaurants offering “exceptional good food at moderate prices,” which is known as the Bib Gourmand feature. Restaurants must offer menu items priced below a maximum determined by local economic standards before they qualify for the Michelin Bib Gourmand feature. In Tokyo’s case, only quality restaurants that offer items priced below 5,000 JPY (44.95 USD) per head can be considered.
In the latest Michelin Tokyo guide 2017, there are a total of 312 restaurants being awarded the Bib Gourmand title. 27 of these Bib Gourmand restaurants specialize in ramen, the king of Japanese cuisine. Read on to find out where 10 of these outstanding ramens are located in west-end Tokyo.
1. Shinohara in Toshima Ward
Shinohara (篠はら) is a new Bib Gourmand ramen shop in the latest edition of the Michelin Tokyo guide. After serving an apprenticeship at the famous Mendokoro Honda ramen restaurant in Kita-ku, the chef decided to open Shinohara in Ikebukuro in October 2015. Using fruit to make the soup, it is richly flavored with a complex umami aftertaste, yet surprisingly light on the palate. Sink your teeth into the roasted pork topping and be amazed by how tenderly cooked it is. The delicious bowl of ramen at Shinohara is bound to keep you returning to the shop for more.
Shinohara (篠はら)
Address: 3-1-4 Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward
Price: 780 to 1,500 JPY (6.90 to 13.30 USD) per person on average
Opening Hours: Lunch - 11.30 am to 2.30 pm; Dinner - 6 pm to 9 pm, or when stock runs out. Closed on Wednesday and year-end holidays
Access: 5-minute walk from Kanamecho Station, or 10-minute walk from JR Ikebukuro Station west exit
Contact: +81 339712944
2. Menson Rage in Suginami Ward
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Opened in February 2015, Menson Rage (麺尊 Rage) may be a relatively new entrant to the Tokyo restaurant scene opened, but it is by no means to be overlooked. Located in Ogikubo the popular ramen town, Menson Rage looks just like any typical Japanese restaurant from the outside. Enter the cosy 13-seater shop and be surprised by the quirky feel through the punkish soundtrack being played. You must try the signature Shamo Rokku ramen when you come here, for a taste of the clear broth made from gamecock, Kinka ham, and a secret recipe sauce made from pure soy sauce. The ramen is so rich in flavour you would understand why Menson Rage has been so highly raved about since its opening.
Menson Rage (麺尊 Rage)
Address: 3-37-22 Shoan, Suginami Ward
Price: 750 to 1,050 JPY (6.65 to 9.30 USD) per person on average
Opening Hours: Monday - 11 am to 3 pm; Wednesday to Saturday - 11 am to 3 pm, 6 pm to 9 pm; Sunday & holidays - 11 am to 4 pm; or when stock runs out. Closed on Tuesday and year-end holidays
Access: 4-minute walk from Nishi Ogikubo Station on JR Chuo Line south exit
3. Yamaguchi in Shinjuku Ward
Located near Nishi-Waseda Station in Shinjuku-ku, Yamaguchi (やまぐち) has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand status consecutively for three years. The affordably priced ramen shop is known for its Kamon Soba, which is ramen with Japanese duck. The ramen broth is made from a premium quality Japanese duck, Aizu Jigamo, which is rich in flavor without the greasy feel. The star in this dish has to be its barbecued duck which is so tender it melts in your mouth easily. Besides, you can also enjoy some juicy cha shu pork together with the chewy noodles. Taste it and you will know why Yamaguchi is awarded the Bib Gourmand status since 2015!
Yamaguchi (やまぐち)
Address: 2-11-13 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku Ward
Price: 780 to 1,500 JPY (6.90 to 13.30 USD) per person on average
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday - 11.30 am to 3 pm, 5.30 pm to 9 pm; Saturday, Sunday or holidays - 11.30 am to 9 pm; or when stock runs out. Closed on Monday
Access: 5-minute walk from Nishi-Waseda Station on Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line exit 2
Contact: +81 332045120
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4. Ichifuku in Shibuya Ward
Helmed by a female chef, Ichifuku (一福) is a new Bib Gourmand ramen shop in the latest edition of the Michelin Guide Tokyo. For over 20 years, tucked in a nostalgic back alley just minutes away from the buzzing Shinjuku, Ichifuku has been serving bowls of unique ramens to miso-loving customers. The magical thing about tucking into the miso ramen here is, the first sip of the subtly flavored broth made from pork and chicken bones tastes just like any other soup. However, the flavor becomes denser as you take more sips, slowly but surely making you drain the bowl before you could realize. Stop by for a satisfying bowl of miso ramen at Ichifuku!
Ichifuku (一福)
Address: 2-17-14 Honmachi, Shibuya Ward
Price: 680 to 1,500 JPY (6.05 to 13.30 USD) per person on average
Opening Hours: 11.30 am to 3 pm. Closed on Monday, or Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday
Access: 12-minute walk from Hatsudai Station on Keio Line
Contact: +81 353889333
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5. Konjiki Hototogisu in Shibuya Ward
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Konjiki Hototogisu (金色不如帰) is a hole-in-the-wall ramen eatery that specializes in assari ramen, which is essentially ramen in clear and light broth. The owner-chef and his helper are so serious in making sure they prepare the best bowl of assari ramen to present to customers, that you won’t see them chattering away. Instead, you would be able to see their well practiced movements of slicing the cha shu, cooking the noodles and ladling the soup. The broth served at Konjiki Hototogisu is not just light and easy on the palate, but also has an aromatic shellfish flavor that lingers in your mouth. Despite being open for over a decade, you can expect to enjoy the same awesome bowl of ramen whenever you visit Konjiki Hototogisu.
Konjiki Hototogisu (金色不如帰)
Address: 2-47-12 Hatagaya, Shibuya Ward
Price: 800 to 1,100 JPY (7.10 to 9.80 USD) per person on average
Opening Hours: Lunch - 11.30 am to 3 pm; Dinner - 6.30 pm to 10 pm; or when stock runs out. Closed on Thursday and Friday
Access: 4-minute walk from Hatagaya Station on Keio Line north exit
Contact: +81 333734508
6. Koike in Setagaya Ward
Koike (小池) is a cosy ramen shop located in the quiet Kami-kitazawa town off the beaten tourist path. Opened in September 2014, Koike started off specialising in the dry noodle and soup combo - tsukemen, but switched to offering an innovative ramen dish that is such a hit with ramen lovers. Niboshi, or small dried anchovies, is mixed with the traditional paitan broth, made by simmering chicken bones for two days. The end result is a cloudy broth with a strong aroma like a freshly opened tin of anchovies, but full of umami richness. Or you can also try the seasoned chicken paitan ramen that is equally awesome, if you are not a fan of the fishy version.
Koike (小池)
Address: 4-19-18 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya Ward
Price: 800 to 1,100 JPY (7.10 to 9.80 USD) per person on average
Opening Hours: Lunch - 11 am to 3 pm; Dinner - 6 pm to 9 pm
Access: 4-minute walk from Kami-kitazawa Station on Keio Line
7. Gottsu in Nerima Ward
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Frequently referred to as one of the top 3 ramen shops in Nerima-ku, Gottsu is a ramen shop with a twist. Helmed by a young chef, Gottsu evokes a fashionable feel with its spacious and modern decor, setting it apart from the traditional ramen shops. Sink your teeth into the simple yet creamy bowl of ramen topped with generous tender slices of cha shu pork. Rejoice if you have a soft spot for desserts. At Gottsu, you can satisfy your dessert cravings right after slurping the delicious bowl of ramen, as they serve homemade cheesecakes as well. No wonder it is such a popular ramen shop highly raved about by locals.
Gottsu
Address: 1-29-16 Nerima, Nerima Ward
Price: 730 to 1,400 JPY (6.50 to 12.45 USD) per person on average
Opening Hours: Lunch - 11 am to 3 pm; Dinner - 6 pm to 9 pm. Closed on Monday, and Sunday dinner
Access: 5-minute walk from Nerima Station on Seibu Ikebukuro Line or Toei Oedo Line north exit
Contact: +81 339938808
8. Sugimoto in Nakano Ward
Located in Nakano-ku, Sugimoto (すぎ本) is a ramen shop that has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand status for the first time. The chef at Sugimoto used to be an apprentice under the “god of shoyu (soy sauce) ramen” - Minoru Sano, so there is little doubt to how he attained such superb culinary skills. Visit Sugimoto for a classic bowl of traditional shoyu ramen. While it may not have any special characteristics, the wholesome broth made with chicken and some pork bone will certainly win you over as you tuck into the flavorful ramen.
Sugimoto (すぎ本)
Address: 4-2-3 Saginomiya, Nakano Ward
Price: 750 to 1,500 JPY (6.65 to 13.30 USD) per person on average
Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday - 11 am to 3 pm; Wednesday to Sunday - 6 pm to 9 pm. Closed on Tuesday, or Wednesday if Tuesday is a national holiday
Access: 1-minute walk from Saginomiya Station on Seibu Shinjuku Line
Contact: +81 353566996
9. Hanamichi in Nakano Ward
If you are craving for traditional miso ramen in Nakano-ku, make your way to Hanamichi (花道). The oldish-looking shop front may not look appealing at first sight, but do not judge the quality of the ramen by its shop exterior. Step into this unassuming shop and sink your teeth into a hearty bowl of traditional miso ramen. Made with white miso, garlic and lard, and cooked in a simmered broth of pork, chicken and vegetable, enjoy the umami taste that is loved by customers of all ages.
Hanamichi (花道)
Address: 6-23-12 Nogata, Nakano Ward
Price: 800 to 1,500 JPY (7.10 to 13.30 USD) per person on average
Opening Hours: Lunch - 10.30 am to 3 pm; Dinner - 6 pm to 11 pm; or when stock runs out
Access: 4-minute walk from Nogota Station on Seibu Shinjuku Line north exit
Contact: +81 369022619
10. Mitsufuji in Meguro Ward
Located in Meguro-ku, Mitsufuji (三藤) has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand status since 2015, barely one year after it was opened for business. The small 9-seater ramen shop wins customers with its signature shio ramen, using specially blended salt from Australia’s Murray River and Japan’s Iki-tsushima. The soup looks clear but is full of depth to enjoy. It is nice to see that the seasoned egg is served in a separate plate so it would not alter the original taste of the flavorful soup. A simple bowl of high-quality ramen at Mitsufuji is all you need for a happy day ahead.
Mitsufuji (三藤)
Address: 1-14-1 Midorigaoka, Meguro Ward
Price: 800 to 2,000 JPY (7.10 to 17.80 USD) per person on average
Opening Hours: Lunch - 11.30 am to 2.30 pm; Dinner - 6 pm to 10 pm. Closed on Tuesday, or Wednesday if Tuesday is a national holiday
Access: 5-minute walk from Midorigaoka Station on Tokyu Oimachi Line
Contact: +81 7055630032
A ramen feast without burning a hole in your wallet
For less than 2,000 JPY (17.80 USD), you would be able to enjoy an excellent ramen meal in one of the world’s most expensive cities, Tokyo. Enjoy your ramen feast by hopping to the above mentioned Michelin Bib Gourmand ramen shops in Tokyo now!
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