SOBAHOUSE Konjiki Hototogisu Shinjuku Gyoen Honten (Ramen DB: Shinjuku #2) Shinjuku Gyoen
Overview
The Four-Year Michelin Legend
This legendary establishment achieved the unprecedented: four consecutive Michelin one-star awards (2015-2018) before maintaining Michelin Bib Gourmand status ever since. Their signature sea bream and clam salt ramen showcases refined Japanese technique at its pinnacle. The innovative tablet reservation system deployed daily at 9:30 AM allows 20-minute response windows for queue-free dining.
Restaurant Details
📋 Essential Information:
- Location: 2-4-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Dai-22 Kyutei Mansion 1F
- Access: 3-minute walk from Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station Exit 1
- Hours: Tue-Sat: 11:00-15:00, 18:30-20:30
- Closed: Mondays, Sundays
- Budget: ¥1,000-¥1,999 (Sea Bream & Clam Salt Soba ¥1,350)
- Reservations: Daily tablet system (9:30 AM lunch, 17:30 dinner)
- Payment: Cards, IC accepted
- Awards: Michelin One Star 2015-2018, Michelin Bib Gourmand current
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Jikaseimen Toshioka (Ramen DB: Shinjuku #3) Takadanobaba
Overview
The Solo Artisan’s Marathon
This one-man operation creates magic through pure dedication, serving rich seafood-tonkotsu soup with thick noodles during a grueling 3-hour daily window. The master’s singular focus produces consistently exceptional bowls, though substantial waits are inevitable. Free upsizing to medium (350g) demonstrates remarkable value.
Restaurant Details
📋 Essential Information:
- Location: 20 Bentenmachi, Shinjuku-ku
- Access: 6-minute walk from Waseda Station Exit 1
- Hours: Mon-Sat: 11:00-14:00
- Closed: Sundays (occasional Thursday medical appointments)
- Budget: ¥1,000-¥1,999 (Ramen ¥800, free medium upgrade)
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Payment: Cash only
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Ramen Yamaguchi (Ramen DB: Shinjuku #8) Takadanobaba
Overview
The Eight-Year Champion
Eight consecutive Tabelog 100 Famous Restaurants selections and 2015 Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition validate this minimalist approach. Their golden chicken broth enhanced with kombu and katsuobushi creates ethereal elegance in every spoonful. The focused two-item menu reflects absolute mastery.
Restaurant Details
📋 Essential Information:
- Location: 3-13-4 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku 1F
- Access: 11-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station, 6-minute from Nishi-Waseda
- Hours: Daily: 11:00-21:30
- Budget: ¥1,000-¥1,999 (Chicken Soba ¥830, Tsuke Soba ¥890)
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Payment: Cards, IC, QR codes accepted
- Awards: Michelin Bib Gourmand 2015, Tabelog 100 Famous Restaurants (8 consecutive years)
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Ramen Hayashida Shinjuku Honten (Ramen DB: Shinjuku #9) Shinjuku Station
Overview
The International Crossroads
Duck and Oyama chicken create luxuriously rich broths that attract queues of international visitors, contributing to the shop’s cosmopolitan atmosphere. Their comprehensive menu spans shoyu, shio, chicken paitan, and tantanmen, with the special shoyu ramen leading in popularity.
Restaurant Details
📋 Essential Information:
- Location: 3-31-5 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku Pegasus Building 1F
- Access: 1-minute walk from Shinjuku-Sanchome Station A5 Exit
- Hours: Daily: 11:00-23:00 (soup while supplies last)
- Budget: Under ¥999 (Special Shoyu Ramen ¥1,000)
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Payment: Cash only
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Sugoi Niboshi Ramen Nagi Shinjuku Golden Gai Honkan (Ramen DB: Shinjuku #11) Shinjuku Station
Overview
The 24-Hour Niboshi Fortress
This Golden Gai institution pushes niboshi boundaries using over 50g of dried sardines per bowl, creating intensely concentrated broths that deliver maximum impact. The unique 24-hour operation serves late-night revelers in Tokyo’s most famous bar district. Note: Golden Gai maintains photography restrictions.
Restaurant Details
📋 Essential Information:
- Location: 1-1-10 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Golden Gai G2 Street 2F
- Access: 6-minute walk from Shinjuku East Exit, 3-minute from Shinjuku-Sanchome E2
- Hours: 24 hours (occasional brief closures)
- Budget: ¥1,000-¥1,999 (Sugoi Niboshi Ramen ¥1,350)
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Payment: IC, QR codes accepted
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Ramen Hosenka (Ramen DB: Shinjuku #12) Shinjuku Station
Overview
The Golden Sea Bream Specialist
Lavish use of golden sea bream bones combined with regular sea bream and chicken paitan creates an extraordinary fusion unavailable elsewhere. Operating until 11 PM with strong international clientele, this shop offers unique flavors during off-peak hours for queue-free access.
Restaurant Details
📋 Essential Information:
- Location: 1-24-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku
- Access: 1-minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station
- Hours: Daily: 11:00-23:00 (soup while supplies last)
- Budget: ¥1,000-¥1,999 (Golden Sea Bream Ramen ¥900)
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Payment: Cash only
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Ramen Ikedaya Takadanobaba (Ramen DB: Shinjuku #13) Takadanobaba
Overview
The Osaka Invasion
This successful Osaka transplant simplifies ordering with a single 300g ramen option (¥1,500), though summer brings hidden tsukemen upgrades (+¥100). Extraordinary thick chashu volume defines this jiro-style experience, supported by rich tonkotsu-gyokai double soup base and thick noodles.
Restaurant Details
📋 Essential Information:
- Location: 1-3-13 Shimoochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Kudo Building 1F
- Access: 4-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station
- Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun: 11:00-14:30, 17:00-21:00
- Closed: Thursdays
- Budget: ¥1,000-¥1,999 (Ramen 300g ¥1,500, Raw Egg +¥100)
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Payment: Cash only
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Shinasoba Sawada (Ramen DB: Shinjuku #14) Shinjuku Gyoen
Overview
The Dual Shoyu Master
This accomplished chef’s refined technique shines through black and white shoyu varieties, with their kelp water tsukemen representing the pinnacle of their craft. The careful balance between tradition and innovation creates distinctly sophisticated flavor profiles.
Restaurant Details
📋 Essential Information:
- Location: 1-12-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
- Access: 3-minute walk from Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station
- Hours: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri: 11:00-15:50, 17:00-20:30; Wed/Sat: 11:00-15:00
- Closed: Sundays
- Budget: ¥1,000-¥1,999 (Kelp Water Tsukemen ¥1,200)
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Payment: Cash only
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Watanabe (Ramen DB: Shinjuku #15) Takadanobaba
Overview
The MSG-Enhanced Pioneer
This modernized classic embraces traditional flavor enhancement through MSG, creating simple yet deeply satisfying broths that pair perfectly with provided pepper seasoning. The tonkotsu-gyokai combination represents early fusion innovation, with signature half-boiled eggs completing the experience.
Restaurant Details
📋 Essential Information:
- Location: 2-1-4 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku
- Access: 10-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station, 4-minute from Nishi-Waseda
- Hours: Daily: 11:00-20:00
- Budget: Under ¥999 (Ramen/Tsukemen ¥830 each)
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Payment: Cash only
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Ramen Matsui (Ramen DB: Shinjuku #6) Shinjuku Gyoen
Overview
The Husband-Wife Harmony
Hokkaido ingredients including kombu, scallops, and wheat showcase regional dedication while pure rice wine enhances aromatic profiles across shoyu, shio, and niboshi varieties. The complete TableCheck reservation system eliminates queues but adds service fees, reflecting premium positioning.
Restaurant Details
📋 Essential Information:
- Location: 4-25-10 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Dia Palace Gyoenmae B-2
- Access: 6-minute walk from Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station
- Hours: Mon/Tue/Fri/Sat/Sun: 11:00-15:00
- Closed: Wednesdays, Thursdays
- Budget: ¥2,000-¥2,999 (Shoyu ¥1,000, Shio ¥1,050, Niboshi ¥1,000)
- Reservations: Complete reservation system only (TableCheck ¥390 fee)
- Payment: Cash only
- Awards: Tabelog 100 Famous Restaurants 2024, Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025
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Mendo Nishiki Shinjuku Kabukicho (Ramen DB: Shinjuku #19) Shinjuku Station
Overview
The Night Owl Innovation
Operating unique 6 PM to 1 AM hours, this creative establishment showcases duck and seafood harmony through innovative toppings and custom thin straight low-hydration noodles. The unconventional schedule serves Kabukicho’s night economy perfectly.
Restaurant Details
📋 Essential Information:
- Location: 1-11-3 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Kyuseki Shin-Kabukicho Building 1F
- Access: 3-minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station
- Hours: Daily: 18:00-01:00
- Budget: ¥1,000-¥1,999 (Special Duck Shoyu Ramen ¥1,450)
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Payment: PayPay accepted
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Ramen Afro Beats (Ramen DB: Shinjuku #20) Shinjuku Gyoen
Overview
The Stylish Corn Revolution
Corn sweetness meets rich chicken paitan in this impeccably designed space featuring sophisticated music and modern aesthetics. Summer’s limited chilled corn ramen with subtle curry notes exemplifies seasonal innovation, while maintaining surprisingly light Japanese-style flavors despite rich appearance.
Restaurant Details
📋 Essential Information:
- Location: 1-16-10 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
- Access: 3-minute walk from Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station
- Hours: Daily: 11:00-14:30, 17:00-21:00
- Budget: ¥1,000-¥1,999 (Jidori Chicken Paitan ¥1,200, Summer Corn Special ¥1,720)
- Reservations: Not accepted
- Payment: Cards, IC, QR codes accepted
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Planning Your Shinjuku Ramen Journey
Budget Considerations:
- Ultra-budget: Watanabe (Under ¥999 for complete meals)
- Great value: Toshioka, Hayashida (¥800-¥1,000 range)
- Premium experiences: Konjiki Hototogisu, Matsui (¥1,350-¥2,999)
Reservation Systems:
- Essential: Matsui (complete reservation via TableCheck)
- Daily tablets: Konjiki Hototogisu (9:30 AM/17:30 deployment)
- Walk-in only: All other establishments
Timing Strategies:
- Early arrival: Critical for Toshioka, Yamaguchi, Ikedaya
- Off-peak advantages: Hosenkwa, Afro Beats (afternoon/evening gaps)
- Night operations: Nagi (24-hour), Nishiki (evening-only)
District Navigation:
- Shinjuku Gyoen: Peaceful area with premium establishments
- Kabukicho: Entertainment district with late-night options
- Takadanobaba: Student area offering exceptional value
These twelve establishments showcase Shinjuku’s remarkable ramen diversity, from Michelin-starred refinement to innovative fusion, all within Tokyo’s most internationally accessible entertainment district.
Note: All prices listed are as of September 2025 and may be slightly higher when you visit. Despite potential price fluctuations, the exceptional value these establishments offer remains consistent.
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