Top 17 Popular Ramen Shops in Sugamo Station

The area around Sugamo Station is famous for the Jizo-dori Shopping Street, known as "Grandma's Harajuku," and often brings to mind long-established Japanese restaurants and sweet shops. However, it is also home to many excellent ramen shops. You can enjoy a wide variety of bowls, from trendy spots where lines are inevitable to hidden gems loved by the locals.

In particular, "Menya Imamura" is a powerhouse recognized as one of the top 100 restaurants on Tabelog, famous for its soup that perfectly balances the sharpness of soy sauce with rich, savory depths. The area also boasts a diverse range of unique styles, including Yokohama Iekei ramen, back-fat soy sauce ramen, as well as ginger-based and duck-broth ramen.

Furthermore, beyond specialized ramen shops, you can find unique bowls exclusive to Sugamo, such as "ramen served by a tonkatsu restaurant" or "famous shops where gyoza take center stage." In this article, we introduce the top 17 popular ramen shops around Sugamo Station in a ranking format, based on Google review ratings and volume. Please use this as a guide for finding your next favorite bowl.

Top 17 Recommended Ramen Shops in Sugamo Station

If you are looking for ramen around Sugamo Station, you should definitely check out the highly-rated, popular shops on Google. From "Menya Imamura," which has been voted the second-best ramen in Tokyo, to establishments serving Iekei ramen, back-fat styles, and classic Chinese soba (chuka-soba), there is a wide range of genres to enjoy. Based on actual Google review ratings and comment counts, we will introduce the most highly recommended ramen shops in Sugamo in a ranking format.

1st Place: Menya Imamura ★★★★☆ 4.4 (1,604 reviews)

When talking about top-tier shops representing Sugamo, "Menya Imamura" is the standout. Boasting a higher reputation than many other ramen shops, this powerhouse has been ranked second in the Netorabo Tokyo Ramen Ranking for three consecutive years.

Their signature menu item is the rich soy sauce ramen. The soup, made by slowly simmering chicken and seafood, is clear yet deep in flavor with no impurities. The homemade noodles paired with it are crafted with a perfect firmness to fully capture the essence of the soup, offering an excellent mouthfeel. Simple yet highly perfected, this is a bowl that truly captures the essence of the classic style.

Toppings such as low-temperature cooked chashu, seasoned eggs, and bamboo shoot tips (hosaki menma) show careful attention to detail in every single component. Although not flashy, it is famously said to be a bowl you could "eat every day without getting tired of it," making it a must-visit for ramen lovers and those new to Sugamo ramen alike.

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2nd Place: Yokohama Iekei Ramen Sugamoya ★★★☆☆ 3.5 (531 reviews)

If you are seeking a "hearty" meal around Sugamo Station, you cannot miss "Yokohama Iekei Ramen Sugamoya." You can enjoy classic Iekei ramen here, featuring medium-thick, firm noodles paired with a rich, concentrated tonkotsu (pork bone) soup. The charm of Iekei style is that you can customize the noodle firmness, soup richness, and oil level to your liking. Furthermore, with free rice included, the standard way to enjoy it is by wrapping rice with nori soaked in the soup. It boasts a loyal following among students and office workers for its filling nature and great cost-performance. Highly recommended if you want to enjoy a hearty bowl of Iekei ramen in Sugamo.

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3rd Place: Ramen Kamo to Negi (Sugamo Branch) ★★★★☆ 4.1 (894 reviews)

As the name implies, "Ramen Kamo to Negi" is a specialty shop that is thoroughly dedicated to "Duck" (Kamo) and "Green Onion" (Negi). The soup, which condenses the savory flavors of domestically raised hybrid duck, is rich yet leaves a clean aftertaste, with the rich aroma of duck spreading through the palate. A unique point is that they use brand-name green onions carefully selected from across the country, allowing you to enjoy different types on a rotating daily basis. The duck chashu is tender and juicy, making it a perfect match for the soup. It is highly rated in reviews as "ramen you can only eat here," and it's easy to see why there are always queues. A must-visit shop for those who want to savor the taste of duck.

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4th Place: Marue Chuka Soba Sugamo ★★★★☆ 4.0 (618 reviews)

"Marue Chuka Soba Sugamo" is a popular shop known for its modern take on traditional Chinese-style noodles. The clear soy sauce soup has an exquisite balance of chicken and seafood, allowing a gentle savory flavor to spread throughout your mouth. The straight, medium-fine noodles have a pleasant, smooth texture, resulting in a simple yet highly refined bowl of ramen. The standard toppings like chashu and bamboo shoots are of high quality, with the tenderness of the chashu being particularly well-regarded. Many reviews praise it as a "gentle flavor I could eat every day" or a "classic ramen I never tire of," making it recommended for those looking for a comforting, relaxing bowl of ramen in Sugamo.

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5th Place: RAMEN and TSUKEMEN Number.6 ★★★★☆ 4.0 (355 reviews)

"RAMEN and TSUKEMEN Number.6" is a popular establishment highly rated for both its tsukemen (dipping noodles) and ramen. The rich seafood-pork bone tsukemen, in particular, has captivated many fans. The soup is a "double soup" that layers the powerful savoriness of animal-based broths with seafood flavors, providing a rich, viscous consistency that never feels heavy. When paired with their extra-thick, chewy noodles, the punchy flavor fills your mouth. Their ramen is equally well-regarded, showcasing the high quality of their soup and noodle craft. Many reviews state that "it's a must-visit for tsukemen lovers" or "the best place to eat a hearty meal in Sugamo," making it recommended for those seeking volume and satisfaction.

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6th Place: Menroman Back-fat Tonkotsu Soy Sauce Ramen Specialty Store ★★★★☆ 4.1 (173 reviews)

"Menroman Back-fat Tonkotsu Soy Sauce Ramen Specialty Store" features their namesake back-fat pork bone soy sauce ramen as the signature menu item. The rich, full-bodied pork bone soup is enhanced by the sweetness and savory flavor of back-fat, providing a punchy, satisfying bowl. It is perfect for cold days or when you want to eat something hearty, offering a taste that is irresistible to lovers of rich, oily ramen. It pairs well with medium-thick noodles, ensuring they coat the soup thoroughly so you can enjoy every bite without fatigue. Reviews call it "surprisingly not too heavy despite the abundance of back-fat" or "an addictive flavor," making it a popular spot with many returning local fans. An essential ramen shop if you are looking for "hearty, generous servings" in Sugamo.

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7th Place: Ramen Shoga wa Bunka. ★★★★☆ 4.0 (733 reviews)

"Ramen Shoga wa Bunka." (Ramen: Ginger is Culture) is, as the name suggests, a ramen specialty shop that pushes "ginger" to the forefront. The light, clear (chintan) soup features the refreshing aroma and mild spiciness of ginger, making for a bowl that doesn't feel heavy and leaves you feeling refreshed even after eating. It is particularly popular with women and health-conscious customers, with reviews praising it as "warming to the body" and "seemingly good for preventing colds." In addition to the soy sauce-based soup, they also offer salt ramen and limited-time menu items, so there are always new discoveries to be made. The thin noodles are easy to eat, and they match perfectly with the ginger-flavored soup. Recommended for those who want to enjoy healthy and unique ramen in Sugamo.

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8th Place: Men to Sakana no Mise Kaoru ★★★★☆ 4.1 (139 reviews)

"Men to Sakana no Mise Kaoru" is a "hidden-away" spot where you can enjoy not only ramen but also seasonal side dishes and drinks. The appeal lies in the calm atmosphere where you can savor izakaya-style menu items along with their carefully crafted ramen. The ramen is characterized by an elegant chicken and seafood-based soup with a highly fragrant finish. While light, it has a deep savoriness that is often praised as "perfect for a nightcap after drinking." The cuisine overall is highly creative, with many regular patrons commenting that "everything is consistently excellent." Recommended for those who want to focus on ramen, while also enjoying some drinks and snacks at night.

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9th Place: Mensouan Sunada ★★★★☆ 4.0 (550 reviews)

"Mensouan Sunada" is a talented ramen shop that pursues the perfect harmony between refined soup and noodles. Their signature dish is the light soy sauce ramen, featuring an exquisite umami that unfolds from its clear soup. Based on chicken stock, it incorporates the rich flavors of aromatic vegetables and soy sauce to achieve a deep, complex taste. The noodles are thin and straight, pairing perfectly with the soup. The toppings are also carefully prepared, highlighting a high level of perfection despite the simple presentation. With its calm atmosphere, many fans visit specifically to savor a bowl at their own pace, making it a "must-visit ramen shop in Sugamo."

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10th Place: Ramen Mentatsu　★★★★☆ 4.3 (256 reviews)

"Ramen Mentatsu" is a cozy, home-style ramen shop that has been loved locally for a long time. Their signature dish is soy sauce-based Chinese noodles (chuka soba), characterized by a soup that brings out the full umami of chicken bones. While light on the palate, it has a depth of flavor that never tires. Medium-thick curly noodles capture the soup perfectly, allowing you to enjoy a simple yet high-quality bowl. Standard toppings like chashu pork and bamboo shoots are also carefully prepared, offering a sense of nostalgia and consistency. It is truly a hidden gem in the Sugamo area supported primarily by local customers.

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11th Place: Akaya Sugamo Branch　★★★☆☆ 3.9 (74 reviews)

"Akaya Sugamo Branch" is a Chinese restaurant popular for its Sichuan-style spicy ramen. Their signature "Aka Ramen" features a bright red soup, with the stimulating heat of chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns that makes it addictive. You can adjust the spice level, making it suitable for everyone from extreme spice lovers to those who prefer a milder heat. Beyond ramen, they offer authentic Chinese dishes like mapo tofu and fried rice, making it attractive not only for meals but also for use as an izakaya. It’s a small, calm establishment recommended for those seeking spicy ramen around Sugamo Station.

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12th Place: Chuka Soba Hanzawa　★★★★☆ 4.1 (429 reviews)

"Chuka Soba Hanzawa" is a popular shop serving traditional, classic Chinese noodles. The clear soy sauce soup features an exquisite balance of chicken and seafood stock, providing a gentle mouthfeel with a deep, rich flavor. It pairs perfectly with the medium-thin straight noodles, creating a simple taste that never tires, loved by a wide range of generations. The toppings—chashu, bamboo shoots, naruto fish cake—are classic, offering a sense of nostalgia. Local customers often say it's a "ramen I want to eat every day," making it highly recommended for those who want to enjoy authentic chuka soba in the Sugamo area.

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13th Place: Ramen Ajikko　★★★☆☆ 3.8 (87 reviews)

"Ramen Ajikko" is an old-fashioned ramen shop that has been beloved in Sugamo for many years. The soy sauce-based soup is light and gentle, so drinkable you'll want to finish every drop. It pairs well with the chewy medium-thick noodles, and while it may not be flashy, it is deeply rooted in the community as a "nostalgic bowl." With generous portions at reasonable prices, regular customers praise it as being "just right for daily dining." Highly recommended for those who want to enjoy casual, unpretentious ramen near Sugamo Station.

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14th Place: Ramen Shop Hiromori　★★★★☆ 4.3 (69 reviews)

"Ramen Shop Hiromori" is a place where you can enjoy the "Ramen Shop" chain style flavor that has a dedicated fanbase nationwide. A bowl featuring a pork bone-based soup with plenty of back fat, it is rich, hearty, and addictive. Their Green Onion Ramen and Chashu Ramen are particularly popular, with many regulars returning often. Maintaining the atmosphere of an old-school Ramen Shop, it has firmly built support in the Sugamo area. It is highly recommended for those seeking a hearty, satisfying bowl of ramen.

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15th Place: Tenbin　★★★★☆ 4.3 (182 reviews)

"Tenbin" is an izakaya-style ramen shop where you can enjoy not only ramen but also single dishes and alcohol. The soup has a deep, rich flavor that perfectly balances animal and seafood stocks, achieving a high quality that rivals any specialty ramen shop. The ramen eaten as a "final bowl" after drinking is especially popular, with people noting it goes down easily even after a night out. It is a valued late-night dining spot in Sugamo. With a full menu of set meals and appetizers, the comfortable atmosphere is another reason for its popularity. Highly recommended for those who want to enjoy a bowl of ramen while sharing a drink with friends.

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16th Place: Koike no Iekei　★★★★☆ 4.2 (449 reviews)

"Koike no Iekei" is an Iekei (home-style) ramen specialty shop that boasts persistent popularity in Sugamo. The pork bone-soy sauce soup is rich and punchy, yet smooth and easy to drink. It pairs perfectly with the chewy thick noodles, allowing you to fully enjoy the charm of Iekei style. A nice touch is that you can customize your bowl with seasonings like garlic and doubanjiang available at your table. It goes perfectly with the hearty chashu and rice, making it recommended for those who want a truly satisfying meal.

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17th Place: Ramen BAR Yakisoba-HIT　★★★☆☆ 3.9 (150 reviews)

"Ramen BAR Yakisoba-HIT" is, true to its unique name, a rare establishment where you can enjoy both ramen and yakisoba. The shop has a charming, hideaway-like atmosphere, characterized by its bar-like setup where you can enjoy drinks and finish with a bowl of ramen. The ramen is simple yet deep, with well-balanced noodles, and the yakisoba is also fragrantly prepared. It is the perfect place to stop by casually alone or to use as a venue for a drinking party with friends.

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Summary of Ramen near Sugamo Station

The area around Sugamo Station is a fierce battleground where diverse ramen shops compete, ranging from long-established classics to quirky, up-and-coming talent. The top rankings are led by "Menya Imamura" and span a wide range of genres, including Iekei, back-fat rich styles, and light Chinese-style soba, ensuring that the pleasure of food hopping is endless. By using Google ratings as a guide, you increase your chances of finding a bowl that hits your personal preference. Whether you're stopping by during sightseeing or shopping, or visiting specifically for ramen, this area will certainly satisfy you. When you visit Sugamo, be sure to check out the shops that catch your interest.