Mr. Selfish and I knew that as soon as arrived in Tokyo, we would start our search for the best ramen there. We went to three new ramen shops, as well as an Ichiran, which we loved in Fukuoka.

Kyushu Jangara

First, we went to Kyushu Jangara, which is located in Harajuku (located at Shanzeru Harajuku II 1-2F, 1-13-21 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo). They serve tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen with a boiled egg, pork chashu, and thick slices of pork belly.

Verdict: The ramen was quite tasty, especially with the two different types of pork. The broth was porky and flavorful but the noodles were just standard.

Score: 8.0.

Menya Musashi

Second, we went to Menya Musashi in Shinjuku (located at K-1 Build. 1F, 7-2-6 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo). The ramen here is served in a light, shoyu (soy sauce) based broth with thick, succulent slices of pork. The broth has hints of tuna and yuzu (Japanese citrus fruit).

Verdict: Although the thick noodles were the tastiest I’ve had and the pork slices were yummy, the broth was too pungent and fishy for my palate.

Score: 7.0.

Rokkakuya

Then, we went to Rokkakuya near the Studio Ghibli Museum (２丁目-２−４ Kichijoji Minamicho Musashino, Tokyo) for Yokohama style ramen. Yokohama style broth is a mixture of pork and soy sauce and is typically served with spinach and nori seaweed. As soon as we walked in the restaurant, I was hit in the face with the strong pork aroma.

Verdict: This ramen was quite tasty with a nice balance of pork and soy in its broth. I also enjoyed the large nori seaweed and spinach as accompaniments.

Score: 8.5.

Ichiran

Finally, we went to Ichiran in Shinjuku for our final bowl of delicious ramen. As I’ve mentioned previously, we visited an Ichiran in Fukuoka and absolutely loved it. Once again, I really enjoyed the ability to customize your bowl of ramen with flavor, richness, garlic, green onions, noodle firmness, etc.

Verdict: I loved Ichiran ramen in Fukuoka, and my opinion didn’t change with the restaurant in Tokyo. The broth was full of porky deliciousness, the noodles are perfectly firm, and the chashu just melts in your mouth.

Score: 9.5.

FINAL TALLY: After trying three new ramen shops in Tokyo, my favorite bowl of ramen is still from Ichiran. You can’t beat the customization or that tonkatsu broth!