7 Best Ramen Shops in Asakusa

Published: Jul 28, 2024
Updated: Jan 11, 2025

Asakusa, one of Tokyo's most historic districts, continues to captivate visitors with its rich cultural heritage. I always suggest that my overseas friends spend at least a few days here, as there's an abundance of interesting places to explore.

With its convenient location and excellent transportation links, Asakusa serves as a perfect hub for Tokyo sightseeing. However, the area's deep connection to Japanese culture and traditions can make it difficult for tourists to fully appreciate on their own. Even as someone who grew up in Tokyo, I initially struggled to understand the historical context of the various sites and streetscapes, or know which aspects deserved special attention.

This is why guided tours led by locals have become increasingly popular. Exploring with a guide who has intimate knowledge of the neighborhood allows visitors to experience Tokyo more efficiently and gain deeper insights.

Magical Trip provides various guided tours in the area. In 2024, their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction earned them TripAdvisor's 'Best of the Best' award, ranking them first among all Tokyo tours.

Magical Trip's tour earned Tripadvisor's 'Best of the Best' award

Their "Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour" is particularly popular, offering visitors a chance to explore historic streets while learning from guides with extensive local knowledge.

For those interested in experiencing more of traditional Tokyo, we also recommend the "Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town" and the "All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno." These tours will help ensure you get the most out of your Tokyo experience!


If you are interested in Asakusa, Japanese famous cultural city in Tokyo, you should definitely visit remaining retro towns.

Check out the following articles covering the sights and things to do in Asakusa, Yanaka, and other retro towns in Tokyo, so that even first-time visitors to Tokyo can fully enjoy the city's retro atmosphere.

Top 6 Old Neighborhoods in Tokyo: A Trip to Local and Traditional Life
Tokyo still has shitamachi (old town) areas where so many people once lived, allowing you to experience the city’s culture and history. I will introduce the charms of these areas that retain traditional streetscapes of Tokyo.

Introduction

Asakusa is a neighborhood centered around the famous Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street. The street called Nakamise-dori is lined with shops selling traditional Japanese souvenirs like chopsticks and fans, as well as various food items.

Nakamise-dori is said to be Japan's oldest shopping street, originating in the 17th century. Currently, 89 shops line the 250-meter-long street, bustling with tourists from abroad.

Sensoji Temple features a large gate called Kaminarimon, guarded by the god of thunder. Kaminarimon is also famous for its massive red lantern that beautifully illuminates the night. It's a place where you can strongly feel Japanese culture and tradition. Besides Sensoji Temple, Asakusa has many other shrines and temples. Rickshaw tours and traditional Japanese sweets available in Nakamise Shopping Street are also very popular.

Asakusa, a neighborhood that retains its retro atmosphere, is also home to many delicious ramen shops. In this article, I, a ramen enthusiast, will introduce you to the best ramen shops you can enjoy in Asakusa in 2024.

Experience authentic Tokyo with a local guide in historic Asakusa! Journey through Sensoji Temple and traditional shopping streets, master the art of making matcha in a tea ceremony, and taste monjayaki, Tokyo's beloved savory pancake. Your perfect introduction to Japanese culture!

The Ramen Situation in Japan

Ramen, loved worldwide, was born in Yokohama's Chinatown during the Meiji era. Now known as Japanese cuisine, ramen is said to have its roots in Chinese noodle dishes.

In the late 19th century, Japan opened its doors to the world, and many foreign cultures entered the country. Chinese people gathered in Yokohama, which had a large trading port, creating Chinatown and Chinese restaurants.

From there, Chinese cuisine began to spread throughout Japan. Chinese food quickly became popular in Japan. Particularly popular noodle dishes were repeatedly adapted to Japanese tastes and appearances. By the mid-20th century, something close to modern ramen had been created.

By the latter half of the 20th century, ramen had become so popular that it was said there was no one who disliked it, becoming a national dish. In the 70s, instant ramen was developed and became a huge hit product, spreading throughout Japan and the world.

Types of Ramen

There are various types of ramen. For example, the basic types of soup are soy sauce, salt, tonkotsu (pork bone), miso, chicken Paitan, and Tantanmen - six types in total.

Moreover, ramen is further divided by region. Among the famous regional ramen styles, known as "local ramen," are Yokohama Ie-kei, Sapporo, Hakata tonkotsu, and Kitakata ramen - four main types. Each differs in soup seasoning, noodle firmness, thickness, and overall quantity. For instance, a significant feature of Hakata tonkotsu ramen is that you can choose the firmness of the noodles.

There are also styles called Tsukemen and mazesoba. For example, with Tsukemen, the noodles and soup are served separately, and you dip the noodles in the soup as you eat. There are also styles called mapo men and Chuka soba, with variations in ingredients and eating methods further categorizing the types.

Recommended Ramen Shops in Asakusa

Menya Maruichi

Menya Maruishi
source:Official X

Menya Maruichi is a shop that serves "mazesoba" and "Tsukemen," which are types of ramen without soup. Their trademark is a yellow signboard. It's so popular that it's often featured on Japanese TV and is a notable shop among ramen establishments focusing on mazesoba and Tsukemen.

The recommended menu item at Menya Maruichi is the "Soupless Mapo (Mazesoba)." This is Maruichi's signature dish. Even the medium size is already quite voluminous, but you can add extra noodles if desired.

In Japanese ramen shops, you can usually customize toppings like nori seaweed and Chashu (thin-sliced meat) freely. At Maruichi, for both the soupless mapo and Tsukemen, a garlic-rich topping is recommended. The more you eat, the more you'll want to eat - it's an addictive flavor.

This shop is recommended for those who love strong, stimulating flavors. When you visit Maruichi, be sure to try it with plenty of garlic topping.

<Shop Information>
・Address: 2-22-10 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
・Closed: None
・Phone: 05053046147
・Hours: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM; Saturdays and Sundays 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Official Website

Jikaseimen Uruchi

Uruchi
source:Tabelog

Jikaseimen Uruchi is a shop that aims for "new Tokyo ramen" while adhering to traditional ramen-making methods. The highlight is their proud homemade noodles. Characterized by thin noodles with a slippery texture, it's a popular Tokyo shop that's always crowded.

The recommended menu item at Jikaseimen Uruchi is the Tokyo Shoyu Ramen. While shoyu ramen is generally light in taste, Uruchi's shoyu ramen is characterized by a punchy, strong soy sauce flavor. After eating, you'll feel fully satisfied.

When eating, pay attention to the "naruto" in the ramen. Naruto is a traditional Japanese food made by kneading fish paste. It used to be a staple in ramen, but recently, fewer shops use it. Uruchi continues to use naruto, sticking to the "traditional ramen" style. As it has become a symbol of Japanese-style ramen, please enjoy the visual aspect as you savor the ramen.

Foreign tourists might find shoyu ramen "too light" in taste. If you're one of them, please visit Uruchi. It's recommended for those who want to eat shoyu ramen with a strong flavor.

<Shop Information>
・Address: 2-9-16 Kotobuki, Taito-ku, Tokyo, World Mansion Tawaramachi 101
・Closed: None
・Phone: 0358306556
・Hours: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Official X

Asakusa Jukusei Miso Ramen Noriaki Bibi

Noriaki BiBi
source:Official X

At Asakusa Jukusei Miso Ramen Noriaki Bibi, you can eat richly flavored miso ramen. The highlight is the special miso sauce made by blending four types of miso and aging them thoroughly. Although it just opened last year, it's already a hot topic, having won a gourmet award.

The recommended menu item at Asakusa Jukusei Miso Ramen Noriaki Bibi is the Jukusei Miso Ramen Special. It's a bowl that allows you to fully enjoy Noriaki's special miso. Within the spiciness of the miso, there's also a sweetness unique to well-aged miso.

At Noriaki, you can add one premium raw egg as a free topping. In Japan, raw eggs are sometimes eaten as is. They're safe to eat raw, so don't worry. It's recommended to add it to miso ramen or spicy miso ramen soup, as it makes the taste much milder.

If you absolutely love miso ramen or want to try high-quality miso ramen in Asakusa, please visit this shop. You're sure to be satisfied.

<Shop Information>
・Address: 1-9-9 Komagata, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Kawajiri Mansion 105
・Closed: Mondays
・Phone: 0362317970
・Hours: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Official X

Asakusa Meidai Ramen Yoroiya

Yoroiya
source:Official X

This is a famous long-established ramen shop that has been in business for over 30 years in Asakusa. The highlight is that they serve ramen with a strong Japanese cuisine flavor. The soup is based on chicken and pork bones. Additionally, it's made with abundant traditional Japanese food ingredients such as small sardines called niboshi and bonito flakes.

Recommended menu items at Asakusa Meidai Ramen Yoroiya:
・Ume Shio Ramen: This is a refreshing ramen with the sourness of plum and Japanese dashi. Using high-quality Japanese sea salt, it's rich in minerals and very healthy.

・Gyoza: A popular item that one in two visitors to the shop orders. Unlike regular gyoza, which uses pork, this uses mainly chicken, making it less heavy and healthier. The slightly larger size is also an attractive point.

This shop is recommended for those who want to eat light, Japanese-style ramen. Even those who might feel uncomfortable after eating rich ramen should be able to finish Yoroiya's ramen deliciously.

<Shop Information>
・Address: 1-36-7 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
・Closed: None
・Phone: 0338454618
・Hours: 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Official X

Tokyo Tori Paitan Ramen Yukikage Asakusa Main Store

Tokyo Tori Paitan Ramen Yukikage is a shop where you can eat special chicken Paitan ramen full of chicken umami and collagen. The recommended point is that it's a shop thoroughly committed to chicken umami. All menu items use their special chicken broth.

The recommended menu item at Tokyo Tori Paitan Ramen Yukikage is the Rich Chicken Paitan Ramen. This is the most popular menu item in the shop. Butter from Hokkaido melts into the rich chicken umami soup, resulting in an even creamier taste.

The regular way to eat is to add Asakusa nori, a specialty product of Asakusa, as a topping. When eaten with the large Asakusa nori, the creaminess of the chicken Paitan ramen is exquisitely balanced, making it even easier to eat.

There are also other varieties like chicken broth shoyu ramen and chicken broth shio ramen, offering a wide range of menu options. Personally, I'd like you to try various types and deeply savor the umami of the chicken broth.

<Shop Information>
・Address: 1-2-12 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
・Closed: None
・Phone: 0368752595
・Hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Official Instagram

Asakusa Tantantei

Tantantei
source:Tabelog

At Asakusa Tantantei, you can eat Tantanmen and chuka soba characterized by thin noodles. The recommended point is that while it's like a ramen shop, it has a very rich selection of alcoholic beverages. It can also be used as an izakaya. An izakaya is a Japanese-style pub for the masses.

The relaxed atmosphere of the shop makes it easy for first-timers to enter, which is an attractive point. True to the image of a Japanese izakaya, it's very lively. After enjoying drinks pleasantly, satisfying your stomach with Tantanmen at the end can be very fulfilling.

Recommended menu item at Asakusa Tantantei:
Tantanmen: This is a Tantanmen in a basic style that you can eat with peace of mind. Pay particular attention to the homemade sesame sauce used in the soup. The sesame flavor is on the strong side and fragrant, enhancing the spicy taste of the chili oil.

You can choose the spiciness of the Tantanmen and ramen soup from 5 levels. Spice lovers might want to challenge levels 4-5. This shop is especially recommended for those who want to eat Tantanmen in Asakusa or those who love spicy food.

<Shop Information>
・Address: 1-7-6 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
・Closed: Sundays
・Phone: 0338422778
・Hours: 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM

Men Mitsui

Men Mitsui
source:Tabelog

Men Mitsui is one of Asakusa's finest shops known for its popular shoyu ramen. The highlight is the supreme shoyu soup that shines semi-transparently. People come from all over the country just to taste this exquisite soup. Also, the compact shop with its jazz music and hidden gem atmosphere is an attractive point.

At Men Mitsui, it's recommended to add Chashu as a topping to shoyu ramen or shio ramen. Although all menu items already come with Chashu, adding extra Chashu as an additional topping is recommended. The large Chashu adds satisfaction to the light ramen.

Also, if you're at Men Mitsui, adding a seasoned egg (ajitama) as a topping is recommended. The egg yolk absorbs the flavor of the ramen soup, creating an even deeper taste. It's Mitsui's signature topping.

The system involves purchasing a numbered ticket one hour before opening at 11 AM and entering when your number is called. Due to its popularity, there may be times when it's difficult to enter. However, as the deliciousness is guaranteed to be worth it, I'd like you to taste it even if you have to wait in line!

<Shop Information>
・Address: 2-9-15 Kotobuki, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Sakae Building 1F
・Closed: Sundays, Mondays
・Phone: None
・Hours: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Official Website

Chuka Soba Billiken

Biliken
source:Official X

Chuka Soba Billiken is known for its simple ramen topped with duck meat. The shop is very compact, characterized by its stylish exterior reminiscent of a cafe. The highlights are the light-tasting soup and the springy homemade noodles.

Recommended menu item at Chuka Soba Billiken:

Hand-kneaded Chuka Soba: This is the highly recommended menu item that screams "This is Billiken!" The chewy and moist noodles are made using high-quality wheat from Hokkaido. Another major feature is the duck breast Chashu topping. The soup, full of chicken and duck oil, is just delicious, making you want to finish it in one go.

While the chicken oil is plentiful, overall, the shop serves ramen with a light taste. The duck is seasoned with basil, making it a familiar and easy-to-eat flavor for foreign tourists. Please enjoy Billiken's specialty shining noodles and duck Chashu.

<Shop Information>
・Address: 2-4-1 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo
・Closed: None
・Phone: 0338456577
・Hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Official X

Here's the rewritten article, maintaining the original tour names:

Tokyo's Hidden Gems: Unique Tours by MagicalTrip

Discover the heart of Tokyo through immersive experiences that go beyond typical tourist attractions. MagicalTrip offers carefully crafted tours designed to reveal the city's authentic culture and local secrets.

Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour

Embark on an extraordinary 3-hour journey through Asakusa's rich cultural landscape.

This intimate tour, limited to just 8 participants, is led by a seasoned guide with deep local insights gained from over seven years of living in the area. Priced at $82.63 (roughly ¥12,000), the experience promises a profound exploration of Japanese traditions.

Your adventure begins with a sensory exploration of Nakamise Street, where traditional snacks tell stories of local culinary heritage. At Sensoji Temple, dive into Buddhist cultural nuances, followed by a serene matcha-making session in a tranquil tea room.

The tour takes an exciting turn in Hoppy Street's back alleys, where you'll craft delicious monjayaki or okonomiyaki, with vegetarian options available and a complimentary drink to enhance the experience.

Running from 11 AM to 2 PM, this tour welcomes travelers of all types—families, couples, and solo adventurers. Professional photos capturing your memorable moments will be emailed to you, and you're free to continue exploring Asakusa after the tour concludes.

For a detailed itinerary: Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour

Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town

Step back in time with this 3.5-hour historical expedition through Tokyo's most preserved neighborhood. Priced at $65.47 (approximately ¥9,000), the tour offers an English-speaking guide who will navigate you through the Yanesen area's timeless streetscapes—a district that has miraculously survived wars and natural disasters.

Explore the vibrant vermillion torii gates of Nezu Shrine and gain insights into Shinto culture. A highlight of the tour is painting your own maneki-neko (lucky cat) in a traditional house cafe, adding a personal touch to your cultural experience.

Wander through local markets and the charming Yanaka Ginza shopping street, sampling traditional Japanese snacks along the way. Families will appreciate that children under 6 enter for free.

For more information: Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town

All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno

For those seeking an authentic nightlife experience, this 3.5-hour tour offers an unparalleled journey through Tokyo's izakaya culture. Priced at $95.35 (approximately ¥14,000), the tour includes visits to three distinctive izakayas with an all-inclusive drinking and dining package.

Enjoy 45-minute all-you-can-drink sessions at the first two stops, featuring over 30 beverage options perfectly paired with classic izakaya fare like yakitori and kushikatsu. An English-speaking guide will accompany you, capturing the evening's memorable moments. The tour accommodates dietary restrictions and allergies, ensuring a comfortable experience for all.

The adventure concludes at either a vibrant standing bar or a local ramen shop, providing the quintessential Tokyo bar-hopping experience. Note that free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and the tour is strictly for guests 20 and older.

Explore the details: All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno

MagicalTrip's locally guided tours offer more than just sightseeing—they provide a gateway to understanding Tokyo's soul. These meticulously curated experiences will take you beyond guidebook recommendations, offering genuine insights into Japanese culture and lifestyle.

Are you ready to explore Tokyo like a local?

Summary

We've introduced the best ramen shops in Asakusa for 2024. In Japanese ramen shops, it's common to buy a ticket and order your item when you enter the shop. Although it varies by shop, generally, you should head to the ticket vending machine inside the shop when you enter. Recently, many shops have English descriptions as well.

As mentioned in the article, toppings are also a very important point of ramen. You can add toppings and customize as much as you like according to your preferences. However, some shops have recommended toppings that they consider their specialty, so if suggested, please try choosing those.

Another common system is being able to choose the amount of noodles. If you want to eat a lot, you can either increase the noodles from the start or order additional noodles after eating. Please try this at a shop you like.

Yasuhiro

I'm Yasuhiro, a founder of MagicalTrip. My hometown is Shibuya, Tokyo so I know corner to corner about Shibuya and its close areas: Roppongi, Shinjuku and Ebisu. Hope you get ideas from my articles!