Worth a Journey

Read by 254k monthly readers

The World’s 100 Best Ramen Shops

nakamuLab.

Nakagawa, Japan

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST RAMEN SHOPS WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 47 2026
nakamuLab.

A reservation-only ramen shop run by one owner inside a converted private house in a residential part of Nakagawa. Diners remove their shoes and eat at a small counter or on tatami, choosing among frothy chicken paitan, Japanese-style soy sauce and tantanmen.

Highlights

  • Frothy chicken paitan with lemon
  • Seafood-based Japanese-style soy sauce
  • Gyoza and leftover-soup rice

Good to know

  • Reservation required by phone or Instagram
  • Same-day bookings often possible on weekdays
  • Cash, or PayPay with surcharge

Also in Japan

  1. Tori Soba Zagin N° 39 Tori Soba Zagin Osaka Ramen shop
  2. Men-ya Takakura Nijo N° 42 Men-ya Takakura Nijo Kyoto Ramen shop
  3. Chibaya N° 45 Chibaya Chiba Ramen shop
  4. Tori Paitan Soba Kishira N° 46 Tori Paitan Soba Kishira Suita Ramen shop
  5. Men-ya Ren to Rin to Jin N° 53 Men-ya Ren to Rin to Jin Osaka Tantanmen shop
  6. Marubushi Tsukemen N° 54 Marubushi Tsukemen Osaka Tsukemen shop