Table of Contents
Introduction
Food is beloved often because it is nostalgic. Americans, like myself, love a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for no other reason than that we grew up eating them—before our palates, a few of them at least, developed to enjoy more subtle fare. The same can be said for other countries and cultures as well. Ramen seems to be very nostalgic for Japanese people. Kids love ramen, mom and dad love it, and it has become one of Japan’s best-known culinary exports.
Ramen was never nostalgic for me. Growing up in New England in the ’80s and ’90s, Japanese instant noodles existed but weren’t common outside Asian communities. Instead, we had Lipton Cup-a-Soup, Chef Boyardee, and Campbell’s Soup (made iconic by Andy Warhol), and the abhorrent SpaghettiOs, which no amount of nostalgia can salvage. I believe the popularity of ramen in America stems from the hard-partying collegians of the late ’90s and early 2000s. With little money rationed for food over cheap beer, the Top Ramen brand, created by Nissin Foods for the U.S. market, provided the best calorie-to-dollar ratio.
When I moved to Japan in 2007, many people still equated any kind of ramen with its instant iteration. But that quickly changed. The ramen served in Japan’s shops was nothing like Top Ramen, and soon, quality bowls appeared in major cities across America, Britain, and Western Europe. While Tokyo dominates the conversation—followed by Hokkaido and Kyushu, known for their signature styles—Osaka has plenty of great ramen spots if you do a little research, ask locals, and trust your instincts.
Without further ado, here are my top six ramen shop picks for visitors to Expo 2025, listed in no particular order.
Kadoya Shokudo Honten 中華そば カドヤ食堂 総本店
Address: 4 Chome-16-13 Shinmachi, Nishi Ward, Osaka, 550-0013. Tel: 06-6535-3633. Open: 10:00-15:00. Closed: Tues.
If I could choose just one Ramen Shop to visit in the city it would be this Nishi Ward institution. In business for over sixty years the shop sells Chuka Soba, light soy sauce ramen with thin noodles, green onions and menma, seasoned bamboo shoots, a classic style suitable for those first trying ramen and long time slurpers pining for the fundamentals.
Not that this is basic ramen. Not at all. The ingredients are all special and of the utmost quality. Green onions from Tottori Prefecture, Wild Kombu, or kelp, from Hokkaido, and natural Kansui, a sodium carbonate solution essential to ramen noodles, from Mongolia just to mention a few. If you are looking for both Ramen excellence and a shop with a deep tradition in Osaka look no further.
Tsukemen at Kadoya Shokudo
In addition to the classic Chuka Soba (¥1400), they also serve a Tsukemen that I recommend highly. On the menu as Tsuke Soba (¥1800) it features green onions, a soft boiled egg, a pigs trotter of Kagoshima Black Pork and a rich broth to dip your top knotch noodles in. Vinegar is available to add to your liking, giving it a distinctly Chinese flavor, a nod to the roots of Chuka Soba. Afterwards you can get a little bowl of rice to mix in the broth and any of the leftover bits of goodness.
The shop is very popular among locals as well as those making a special trek out to the shop so be prepared for a 30 minute wait or more on weekends. They are frequently included in lists of great ramen shops in not only Osaka, Kansai but throughout the country as well. You will not be disappointed with a bowl here.
Kadoya Shokudo has other branches but the lunchtime only Honten, or main branch, is recommended for the full experience. 10am to 3pm and closed on Tuesdays.
Ramen Yashichi らーめん 弥七
Address: 3 Chome-4-8 Toyosaki, Kita Ward, Osaka, 531-0072. Tel: 06-6373-0035. Open: 10:45-16:00. Closed: Sun, Sat.
A very well regarded and well known shop, my next shop to recommend is the homey Ramen Yashichi. Convenient from Nakatsu or Nakazakicho stations or just a fifteen minute walk from Osaka Station the husband and wife team serve a creamy chicken ramen masterpiece.
With space for only twelve diners, instead of lining up to eat you need to visit the shop and retrieve a ticket with a reservation to eat later in the day. I arrived around opening time at 10:45 and I got a seat for later in the afternoon at 2:00pm. If you are spending the morning in the area you can pop in and get your reservation, explore the area and return for the best chicken ramen of your life. This is tori paitan ramen. Like the better known tonkotsu, bones are boiled for hours and hours to extract collagen and produce a luscious stock. In this case chicken bones are used. The broth is extra rich from the chicken cartilage and skin throughout the bowl and the noodles are perfectly cooked with a bouncy bite.
A shop with just a few seats, it feels intimate and warm eating there without feeling rushed with a line of customers waiting for you to finish. I always get the Soy Sauce Ramen with chashu pork (¥1090) but Shio Ramen and Tsukemen are available also. In addition, though not pictured, is the Heta Meishi a small amount of rice with marinated pork with spring onions and sesame seeds for just ¥390.
Menya Fukuhara 麺や 福はら
Address: 5 Chome-1-8 Shinimazato, Ikuno Ward, Osaka, 544-0001. Tel: 06-7508-3649. Open: 11:00-14:00; 18:00-21:00.
Simplicity is the word I would use to describe the bowl of ramen at Menya Fukuhara in Imazato. If you love ramen and have eaten it all over Japan from Sapporo to Hakata, are unimpressed by the gimmicks and the masking subpar quality with strong flavors and toppings this place is for you. The broth is only chicken stock but it is derived from a rare breed called the Yamato Gunkei raised in Nara and praised for sweetness and juiciness. The kelp used for the stock is remarkably good, umami for days. The chicken oil, or chiyu, is rich, aromatic and subtle enough not to overpower the bowl. This place is an unsung masterpiece of Osaka.
I ordered the Shio Ramen (¥1200). Everything about this bowl is unique, interesting and delicious. A lot of times I have been disappointed by bowls of ramen with a lot of elements clashing together and a forgettable final product. This is not the case here. White onions replace the usual green and the chashu is lean but extremely flavorful as it is said to be cooked at a lower temperature than usual for a longer period of time. Open everyday for lunch from 11am to 2pm and for dinner from 6pm to 9pm.
Sora-no-Hoshi そらの星
Address: 1 Chome-7-24 Omiya, Asahi-ku, Osaka, 535-0002. Tel: 06-6954-7730. Open: 11:00-14:30. Closed: Thurs.
Sora-no-Hoshi or Stars of the Sky Ramen is located in Asahi Ward near Morishoji Station on the Keihan Line or Sembayashi-Omiya on the Subway Tanimachi Line. This is Iekei Ramen a style originating in Yokohama that has become very popular as of late. The noodles used in Iekei ramen are much thicker than conventional ramen noodles and combined with the heavy pork laden soup it is a filling bowl. The addition of the soy sauce gives this ramen a complexity and balance. Spinach as a topping is unique to this style of ramen and I would highly recommend it. The taste reminds me greatly of American southern greens like collards or mustard greens cooked for hours and hours with a hamhock or some other big piece of pork. No wonder there is always a line of hungry diners patiently waiting outside.
A pretty bowl to look at in my opinion and just as tasty to eat. The broth is a mixture of soy sauce and pork bone or tonkotsu. Small and large sizes are available and toppings include soft boiled eggs and chashu. Closed on Thursdays Sora-no-Hoshi Ramen is open only from 11am to 2:30pm. The shop has a cult like following and with such short hours expect to wait between 30 minutes to an hour depending on when you arrive and if it is a weekend or weekday. The standard bowl with an egg and chashu is ¥1150.
Ramen Tokiya らーめん 時屋
Address: 〒532-0011 Osaka, Yodogawa Ward, Nishinakajima, 5 Chome−1−4. Tel: 06-6829-7676. Sat/Sun 11:30-21:50. M-F: 11:30-14:50; 18:00-21:50.
If you are only in Osaka a short time, if you are not interested in becoming any kind of Ramen aficionado or waiting a long time for a niche kind of ramen or the latest viral shop, skip overrated chains like Ichiran and head to this spot. Very close to both Shin-Osaka and Nishinakajima-Minamigata on the Midosuji Line it is sure to impress. The shop can even be heard in recorded advertisements as the Midosuji line approaches the station.
Though the only kind of Ramen they serve is Tsukemen they have a lot of options. Including spicy ones, chicken and pork stocks. I ordered the special (¥1280) which was indeed a special bowl. The atmosphere, as the name suggests, is more like a nice restaurant than a ramen shop and since it is quite filling, I’d recommend coming here during dinner hours.
The mitsuba herb included is a nice touch and compliments the porky flavor. The chashu is the standout as you can see from the photo. It is crispy, well seasoned and extra meaty. If you have a big eater in your crew this bowl will satisfy. The shop is particularly to western visitors with easy English menus, a great location, reasonable waiting times and patient and understanding staff.
Mugito Mensuke 麦と麺助
Address: 3 Chome-4-12 Toyosaki, Kita Ward, Osaka, 531-0072. Tel: NA Open: Sat/Sun 11:00-16:00. M-F 11:00-15:30. Closed: Tues.
This place is good because it feels at once casual and upscale. You will impress your date or your guest but you won’t feel uncomfortable dining alone. I’d love to bring my mother here, it has a clean atmosphere and the ramen has the taste to match without any strong flavors like garlic or heavy pork fat.
The shop is included in the Michelin Guide Book with a Bib Gourmand, an award given for high quality food at a reasonable price. The Kiyo-jidori Ramen (¥2000) uses a Guinea Fowl broth and the bowl includes, nori, beef wontons, chashu pork and a crispy piece of chicken skin. An open kitchen compliments the dining experience even more as the chefs deftly prepare and assemble your order.
The fancy elements of this bowl of ramen works well while many others fail because clearly a lot of thought has gone into the ingredients used and how they work together. It is a great experience. The food, service and ambience are akin to a traditional Japanese ryōtei without the hefty bill, small portions or overly unfamiliar ingredients.
My Final Thoughts
I hope this guide is useful for visitors to Osaka as well as residents who are looking for a good bowl of Ramen. Ramen shops can be intimidating for those who are visiting Japan and have limited Japanese. Many are small and the business model is to move the diners in and out as quickly as possible, unlike coffee shops and cafes where we purchase not only a drink or some food but also the time to relax and chat with friends.
Also, despite most of the shops using vending machines for customers to order from, often times the servers will ask how you would like your noodles cooked. Futsu, normal, katamen, chewy and barikata, extra chewy are good words to know if the staff asks you this question. Also sometimes you need to tell the server how you would like your broth. If you want a lighter broth you can say asari, or if you prefer a thicker, richer broth you can say koteri.
Despite the language barrier if you cannot speak Japanese or cannot speak it well, to only dine at chain Ramen shops or shops that overtly pander to overseas tourists is not the move. These shops use cheap ingredients and have boring menus and options. These are my favorite places to have ramen. Others will give you recommendations that are just as good. As with all adventures in Japan, Osaka and beyond go out and have your own unique experience.
