Top 9 Ramen Shops Loved by Foreigners in Shinjuku

Ramen in the Shinjuku Area

Shinjuku is one of Japan’s largest and liveliest entertainment districts, a place where the city never seems to sleep. Countless ramen shops line its streets, many offering satisfying bowls for around 1,000 yen—a comforting lunch choice for the office workers who flock here midday. The area also welcomes a large number of international visitors, and many establishments pride themselves on being foreigner-friendly. In this feature, we introduce ten ramen restaurants in Shinjuku that have earned exceptional popularity among overseas guests.

Top 9 Ramen Shops Loved by Foreigners in Shinjuku

1. 駄目な隣人 (Dame na Rinjin)

At Dame na Rinjin, a former bistro chef brings refined culinary sensibility to the humble ramen bowl, serving his signature ginger soy sauce ramen alongside a much-loved Kuroge Wagyu beef seiro rice—a delicately steamed rice dish served in a seiro (traditional wooden bamboo tray).

The soup is a distinctive creation: a vegetable bouillon blended with naturally brewed dark soy sauce and finished with a touch of fragrant ginger oil. The whole-wheat noodles, available in either thin or thick styles, complement the broth’s depth beautifully — and a large serving comes at no extra charge.

Six different condiments are available at the table, allowing guests to tailor each bowl to their liking. The free-flow fresh eggs and grilled nori seaweed are particular favorites, often enjoyed over the Wagyu beef seiro rice for a sukiyaki-style twist, where the silky egg and savory beef echo the comforting richness of traditional broth.

English and vegetarian menus are available, making this restaurant especially welcoming to international diners. Note that reservations are not accepted, so a short wait is often part of the experience.

2. SOBAHOUSE 金色不如帰 (SOBAHOUSE KONJIKI HOTOTOGISU)

A true luminary in Tokyo’s ramen scene, SOBAHOUSE KONJIKI HOTOTOGISU has earned both a Michelin star and multiple Bib Gourmand distinctions, as well as five consecutive appearances among Japan’s Top 100 ramen restaurants. Here, guests can savor exquisite salt and soy sauce ramen crafted from more than seventy different ingredients.

The broth is a masterful orchestration of flavors: each stock—clam, sea bream, dried fish, duck, chicken, and beef—is prepared separately to its ideal temperature and depth before being blended into a perfectly balanced harmony. The noodles are house-made from a blend of six types of premium Japanese wheat, offering a supple texture and a delicate aroma that pairs beautifully with both seafood- and meat-based broths.

An English menu is available, and guests can register their waiting ticket on their smartphone and will be notified when their turn comes. (arrival required within 20 minutes). Do note, however, that the restaurant is compact, and large luggage such as suitcases cannot be brought inside.

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3. ハラルラーメン 新宿 (Halal Ramen Shinjuku)

Halal Ramen Shinjuku is a certified halal restaurant dedicated to serving ramen entirely free of pork and alcohol. Every ingredient, from meats to seasonings, is stored in halal-compliant facilities, and both the kitchen and tableware are fully halal-certified to ensure the highest standards of preparation.

Guests can choose from three types of broth: spicy miso, soy sauce, or salt. The signature spicy miso ramen features a chicken-based broth enriched with chicken oil and sesame oil, creating a beautifully balanced harmony of heat and umami. The secret miso sauce and ingredient ratios are closely guarded, known only to the chef. The chicken chashu, tender and delicately marinated, melts on the tongue, releasing a gentle sweetness of fat and rich savoriness.

An English menu, English-speaking staff, and even vegan options are available, making this an inviting and reassuring choice for international visitors seeking a halal-friendly dining experience in Shinjuku.

4. 麺屋 翔 本店 (Menya Sho Hon Ten)

Repeatedly ranked among Japan’s Top 100 ramen restaurants—an impressive eight times—Menya Sho Honten is celebrated for its refined salt ramen, a bowl that distills the pure essence of chicken umami into a shimmering golden broth.

The soup is crafted from a proprietary blend of natural sea salts and slowly simmered whole domestic chickens and chicken bones, extracting deep, layered flavor over many hours. The noodles are specially commissioned straight noodles made from a blend of premium wheats, chosen for their fragrance, smooth texture, and pleasing elasticity—an ideal match for the delicate broth.

Alongside the signature salt ramen, the soy sauce ramen, enriched with soy sauce for added depth, and the rich chicken-paitan tsukemen—a dipping-style ramen where noodles are served separately from a concentrated broth—are also local favorites.

A vending-machine ordering system with photos of each dish makes it easy for non-Japanese speakers to order with confidence. Do note that the restaurant closes once the day’s broth has run out, so early visits are recommended.

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5. Halal Wagyu ramen Shinjuku-tei

At Halal Wagyu Ramen Shinjuku-tei, diners can savor Wagyu beef ramen made from domestically raised, halal-certified Japanese beef, officially approved by JAAM (the Japan Muslim Association). The highlight is a generous slice of Wagyu chashu paired with a rich, full-bodied broth infused with the natural depth of the beef itself.

Guests can choose from four soup bases — miso, spicy red, soy sauce, and chicken paitan (the latter served with tender chicken chashu). The signature Wagyu chashu, crafted from premium Japanese beef, delivers exquisite marbling and a gentle sweetness that melts on the palate. In addition to à la carte ramen, set menus featuring Wagyu beef sushi or karaage fried chicken are also popular choices.

With an English menu, English-speaking staff, and online reservations available, the restaurant offers a smooth and welcoming experience for international guests. Major credit cards are accepted, adding to the convenience.

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6. つけ麺 五ノ神製作所 (Tsukemen Gonokami Seisakujo)

A celebrated specialist in shrimp-based tsukemen, Tsukemen Gonokami Seisakujo has earned a place among Japan’s Top 100 ramen restaurants seven times, and its popularity has even led to collaborations with major food manufacturers.

The restaurant’s signature shrimp broth captures the essence of the crustacean in all its aromatic depth, yet without any of the briny harshness often associated with shellfish. The result is a velvety, bisque-like soup that balances savory richness with a subtle sweetness. The house-made thick straight noodles—firm, fragrant, and wheaty—pair perfectly with the dense, umami-packed broth. Diners can choose from three variations: Shrimp Tsukemen, Shrimp Tomato Tsukemen, and Shrimp Miso Tsukemen. (Tsukemen is a dipping-style ramen in which the noodles are served separately from the concentrated broth.)

The vending machine features an English interface, making it easy for overseas visitors to order. As reservations are not accepted, be prepared for a possible wait during busy hours.

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7. らぁ麺 はやし田 新宿本店 (Ramen Hayashida)

Repeatedly ranked among Japan’s Top 100 ramen restaurants, Ramen Hayashida Shinjuku Honten is best known for its refined soy sauce ramen made with an abundance of duck and Daisen chicken, a prized breed from Tottori Prefecture.

The restaurant’s signature chicken chintan soup—a clear chicken broth that highlights the delicate umami of the poultry—is richly flavored yet elegant, striking a masterful balance between depth and refinement. Whole Daisen chickens and generous portions of duck are simmered slowly to extract their natural sweetness and richness, while the sharp yet rounded soy-based tare provides a perfect counterpoint to the mellow stock.

The noodles are crafted from a custom blend of select wheat varieties, offering ideal firmness, smoothness, and a fragrant finish. Every topping reflects the same care: tender, gently cooked chashu, delicate menma bamboo shoots, and other elements are prepared with precision and restraint.

Reservations are not accepted, and the restaurant may close early once the broth for the day has sold out.

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8. 風雲児 新宿本店 (Fuuunji)

Ranked among Japan’s Top 100 ramen restaurants seven times, Fuunji Shinjuku Honten is celebrated for its rich chicken-paitan and seafood double broth, a sophisticated blend of creamy poultry and umami-packed seafood flavors.

The chicken paitan—a milky, opaque broth made by simmering whole domestic chickens and bones until perfectly white—delivers deep, concentrated richness. This is further enhanced with dried sardines, bonito flakes, and kombu kelp, creating an aromatic, full-bodied soup brimming with layered flavor.

The broth is paired with medium-thick straight noodles made from premium Japanese wheat, whose fragrance and firm texture complement the soup perfectly. The restaurant’s tsukemen (dipping-style ramen, where noodles are served separately from a concentrated broth) is particularly popular, with hearty noodles that can be upsized for free. Generous toppings complete each bowl, offering a thoroughly satisfying experience.

The vending machine menu features photos, making ordering easy for non-Japanese speakers. Reservations are not accepted, and the restaurant closes once the day’s broth is sold out, so early arrival is recommended.

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9. らぁ麺や 嶋 (Raa Menya Shima)

Ramenya Shima is a highly acclaimed ramen restaurant that has received numerous awards on Japan’s leading gourmet review site. The head chef, trained at the prestigious Shinasobaya, brings that lineage to bear in crafting an exceptional soy sauce ramen.

The broth, carrying the heritage of its training, is made from a carefully balanced chicken stock enhanced with select seafood and other premium ingredients. The soy-based tare is an original blend of several varieties, adding depth and richness to the flavor.

The noodles, supplied by Shinasobaya, are straight with a distinctive texture that is firm yet smooth, allowing the natural umami of the wheat to shine through. The charcoal-grilled chashu adds a fragrant, smoky note that perfectly complements the exquisite broth.

The restaurant operates on a strict reservation-only system, with online bookings opening at 8:00 a.m. the day before your visit.