3 Tokyo Michelin Star Ramen: Complete Guide to the Famous Trio
- Frank
- Mar 7, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 22
Tokyo was once home to three Michelin-starred ramen restaurants - Tsuta, Nakiryu, and Soba House Konjiki Hototogisu. After Michelin restructured its categories, none of them currently hold stars, but all three remain exceptional and continue to draw ramen fans from around the world. From delicately spicy tantanmen to barrel-aged shoyu ramen, each shop offers a completely different style.
Not sure which one to visit, or what to order?Here’s the complete guide to Tokyo’s three iconic Michelin-star ramen shops.
#1 Japanese Soba Noodles Tsuta (蔦)
First there was Tsuta. In 2015, they were the first ever ramen restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star. Owner and master chef Onishi-san blazed a Michelin trail that many have tried to follow.
Tsuta's Michelin Ramen
While Tsuta offers shoyu (soy sauce), shio (salt), and miso ramen, the house specialty is shoyu - and it’s the one you should order. Their Wakayama shoyu is barrel-aged for two years and beautifully anchors the bowl with deep, complex flavor.
The soup blends chicken, vegetables, asari clam, kelp, niboshi, and bonito flakes. A drizzle of truffle oil adds aroma without overwhelming the broth. Fig compote brings gentle sweetness, while a touch of balsamic vinegar adds brightness. Every element feels dialed in - from the broth to the homemade noodles and toppings. Tsuta remains absolutely worth the hype.
If you want to splurge, there’s a premium shoyu ramen topped with black truffle, egg, and roasted chashu. The truffle sheets are a nice touch, but not essential. Prefer to keep it simple? The standard shoyu bowl still hits all the right notes.
Shop Hours / When to Visit
At the new Yoyogi-Uehara location, Tsuta no longer uses a ticketing system. Instead, you simply line up and wait, or reserve in advance via Omakase or TableCheck.
Again, Tsuta is most certainly worth the wait. Full Review Here.
Shop Hours: 11 am ~ 3 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
#2 Nakiryu (創作麺工房 鳴龍)
Nakiryu was the next ramen shop to earn one Michelin star in Tokyo, receiving the honor in 2017 - just two years after Tsuta.
Nakiryu's Michelin Ramen
Their lineup includes tantanmen, shoyu, shio, and san ramen (a more sour variation of tantanmen). First-timers should absolutely go for the tantanmen. Tantanmen traces its roots to China’s Sichuan province, famous for bold, spicy flavors.
Nakiryu’s Tokyo-style version, however, is much more subtle. A layer of raiyu chili oil and sesame paste on top adds gentle creaminess and heat, while the broth beneath is mild with a touch of sourness from several types of vinegar. These two layers merge into a beautifully balanced bowl. Excellently seasoned minced pork, thinly sliced green and white negi, and ultra-thin homemade noodles complete the experience.
Their standard tantanmen is stellar, but our top pick is the tantanmen tsukemen (dipping ramen). Choose the version with all toppings and you’ll get two types of pork chashu, duck meatloaf, a flavored egg, and shrimp-pork dumplings. It’s a savory bargain.
The menu photo above gives a good overview of what’s available. Once inside, you’ll need to match the items to the ticket machine - insert your money, make your selection, and hand the ticket to the staff.
Shop Hours / When to Visit
Unlike Tsuta, Nakiryu still uses a ticketing system. Beginning at 8 AM on business days, they hand out timed entry tickets for you to return later. If you’re going solo, bring something to keep yourself entertained - there’s usually a wait of several hours before your eating slot.
If you’re going solo, bring something to keep yourself entertained - there’s usually a wait of several hours before your eating slot.
Shop Hours: 11 am ~ 3 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Want to explore beyond the Michelin shops? Our Tokyo Ramen Guidebook covers dozens of standout bowls across the city, complete with ordering tips and neighborhood breakdowns.
#3 Soba House Konjiki Hototogisu (SOBA HOUSE 金色不如帰)
Soba House Konjiki Hototogisu received its Michelin star in 2018, completing the famous Michelin triangle. Before that, it had been featured in the Tokyo Michelin Guide for several years. The shop sits conveniently in Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s busiest and most popular districts.
Soba House's Michelin Ramen
Between their shoyu and shio ramen, shio is the standout. The salt seasoning keeps the broth light and delicate, while the soup itself blends clams, chicken, and pork - a lively, balanced mix that feels like a true meeting of land and sea.
Like Tsuta, Soba House uses homemade truffle oil. But unlike Tsuta, their truffle oil comes as a concentrated dollop resting on top, letting you mix it in at your own pace.
Alongside it is an equally generous spoonful of French porcini mushroom oil. When these two aromatic oils melt into the broth, the result is pure heaven.
Shop Hours / When to Visit
Like Nakiryu, Soba House Konjiki Hototogisu uses a numbered ticket system. Arrive around 9:30 AM for lunch or 5:30 PM for dinner to receive a ticket with your assigned return time.
When you come back, use the ticket machine - just as you would at Nakiryu - to make your ramen selection before handing the ticket to the staff.
Shop Hours (closed on Weekends): 11 am ~ 3 pm / 6:30 pm ~ 10 pm
Tokyo Michelin Star Ramen - Closing Thoughts
If you manage to pull off the Michelin ramen hat trick and visit all three, well done. As for our personal favorite, it’s a close call between Tsuta and Soba House - though Nakiryu is excellent in its own right.
There’s always debate about whether these shops are more “Michelin-worthy” than other ramen restaurants in Tokyo. But putting that aside, all three absolutely deliver. If you have the time while you’re in Tokyo, each one is well worth the pilgrimage.
Video Guide to All Three below:
Planning a food-focused trip to Japan? Our team at Japan Food Travels designs custom itineraries around ramen, regional specialties, and hidden-neighborhood dining.