Tokyo Ramen Tour Review: Station’s Best Noodle Bowls
If you, like me, are a true ramen fanatic and find yourself in Tokyo, then visiting Tokyo Station should really be on your list! It’s not just a transport hub; too, it’s like, almost a ramen wonderland. The station actually houses “Tokyo Ramen Street,” which is really a collection of some well known ramen shops. If you’re thinking about trying to get through this noodle paradise, that, maybe, you want to know what’s up before you go. This review basically goes through my time hitting up different ramen spots on a tasting tour in Tokyo Station, so that, well, you know what you’re in for.
What’s Tokyo Ramen Street?
So, anyway, Tokyo Ramen Street, actually found inside Tokyo Station’s Yaesu South Exit, could be like a dream that comes true, specifically if you are a ramen enthusiast. Is that, well, this area kinda gathers together eight ramen shops, each presenting various styles of this particular Japanese noodle dish. First opening back in 2009, the spot now is, in fact, a popular eating destination, getting both tourists and locals, too. From really heavy tonkotsu ramen from Hakata to more lighter, clear broth styles, it has so much to look at! You may want to consider it like the Olympics, you know, for noodle soup. If you don’t arrive knowing which shop you want, picking where to start, in that case, may be the hardest part!
Planning Your Ramen Tasting Tour
Of course, actually planning is seriously needed to taste ramen at multiple shops. First, consider your tolerance, and, well, maybe don’t try too much too quickly! The ramen bowls, right, might seem like snack sized portions, but too much broth and too many noodles is possibly going to put you down. So, naturally, plan to try, like, maybe two or three places in one visit. Try to arrive at off-peak times, could be like after lunch at 1:30 pm or before supper about 5:00 pm, to, basically, deal with smaller crowds. Almost all ramen shops mostly operate using ticket machines; so, remember to actually have small bills and coins ready. Look over menus with pictures since they sometimes provide an English translation, too it’s almost.
My Top Ramen Spots in Tokyo Station
Rokurinsha: The Dipping Noodle Experience
Alright, so the first stop had to be Rokurinsha; everyone basically talks about the dipping noodles over there! When you get your bowl you get, basically, two parts: very, very thick noodles and a hot bowl of rich, flavorful broth for dipping. If you put noodles in the broth, that will be clinging. That tastes absolutely delicious! Is that they give you an optional little pitcher with extra broth. As I was saying, that is helpful, in case, right, you need to dilute the flavor somewhat. Usually, expect the lines that are seriously very long here, but the taste you get is, actually, more than just worth it. Oh yeah, just go a bit early, okay?
Hirugao: Salt Ramen with a Twist
Unlike some others, Hirugao has to offer, in fact, a different type of ramen experience with its signature salt ramen. This clear broth seems rather different than other bowls you may see at the other shops on this particular block. The light broth truly permits other tastes from what is included with the dish to stand out instead of having to battle, more or less, heavy pork flavors! To my taste, the citrus hint really gives that added zing which just sets the entire flavor into high gear! Don’t feel as though all the action at Ramen Street relies exclusively on heavy broths: too, you should see this spot for some light and yummy flavor!
Kiyomi: Kyushu-Style Tonkotsu Ramen
If I go Kyushu, I basically need some real Tonkotsu ramen! Luckily you could actually find Kiyomi’s location in Tokyo Ramen Street. I went and I received that creamy tonkotsu taste and also a blast from those toppings. Garlic? More or less, check! Pork? Absolutely yes! Some folks seem rather intense when it comes to getting the soft-boiled egg to perfection, yet they’re more or less known because of just getting this achieved always. The real tonkotsu is here. So anyway make the pitstop right over to Kiyomi. But be sure to be prepared for a taste bomb!
Ramen Etiquette and Tips
Slurping is Encouraged
If you didn’t get the notice, when eating ramen you, too it’s almost, really must slurp the ramen to taste the fullness of its taste. Do this because, basically, this moves the fragrant odor directly over to the nose and, similarly to, tasting, really does affect things!
Customize Your Bowl
So, the custom option on your noodle order, more or less, lets you dial the soup, oil and also the noodle softness to all those preferences. When you see an option sheet it is, definitely, alright if you tick boxes on there.
Mind the Broth
People who, honestly, dislike some messy scenarios might avoid just the broth. That, actually, might cause one shop owner to go cry so therefore be certain that every drop vanishes entirely from your bowl.
Beyond the Bowls: Other Station Eats
Of course Tokyo Station is, in fact, beyond only ramen since you got other various cuisine in these platforms of trains. Right over at Gransta, there are bento to actually try together with pastries or also, even yakitori bars, if you’re not feeling some noodles. That being mentioned, if I’ve got to grab a munch quickly, is that the location of the restaurants will be simply amazing whether getting away quickly and, by the way, enjoying delicious snack food prior to train calls at boarding time.
A Few Things to Remember: Navigating Tokyo Station
Having that Compass Ready
And I mean seriously that massive railway station could be just like some sort of puzzle if you’ve, basically, got to actually maneuver yourself toward your next destination and yet in case having maps is important, too you probably ought have such things just ready with you, and well, the stations themselves could provide directions to that Ramen Street; keep checking the pointers that’s there, anyway.
Having that Cash ready to be used, Always
Though cards may, apparently, generally, also be acknowledged through a handful locations when visiting smaller stalls you might would need some coin; remember and bring lots cash particularly whenever considering getting ramen throughout that station to enjoy hassleless order experience.
Final Thoughts: Is the Tokyo Ramen Tour Worth It?
If you are, literally, that serious ramen enthusiast as you move across Tokyo after arriving with one or some kind trains and need only that ramen treat: in that case just hit toward Ramen Street while that’s placed well within Tokyo’s primary railway point for that simple treat before anything other adventures come your way during exploration. With these great eating spots ready in waiting while delivering different options that you get a bowl; no hesitation because surely with your craving done easily after stepping straight right on to ground after transportation on those rails; make the time.
More Great Things to Explore at Tokyo Station
Grab Delicious Ekiben to Take With You
Stations in Japan don’t basically seem much like train centers they do too become sites for delicious treats that actually showcase various regional tastes through some sort meals placed in that lunch box. Well the food in the container often named or even labeled Ekiben will feature local ingredients prepared carefully meant more or less so anyone who jumps inside a railway will simply also have only taste sensations on that transportation or the move: a really amazing way toward getting immersed for only brief seconds across locations on those rides with those meal sensations just for someone always really busy but has an hunger inside when commuting between cities just beyond.
Get Some Great Shopping
Also, if by something like pure magic the desire happens while the opportunity occurs whenever stepping away into transportation areas through this massive hub: actually feel welcomed on stopping throughout every available shop when it will feel correct and suitable; there’s actually a plethora souvenir outlets, also a good boutique shop that, literally, basically provides nearly everything; be sure towards experiencing it.