Spicy and spicy ramen is popular with a “separate stomach”! Satoko Morimoto, a ramen girl who eats 600 bowls of ramen a year, recommends “10 ramen dishes you should eat in 2025”.

2025-01-09

Ms. Morimoto tastes Smith’s ramen. This is by far the best ramen in Sendai.”

Young Women Set New Trends

In 2024, restaurant bankruptcies hit a record pace as soaring food and utility costs and wage hikes to recruit and retain staff put pressure on profits. According to a survey by Tokyo Shoko Research, ramen restaurant closures through September 2024 have already reached an annual high.

Satoko Morimoto, a ramen event producer who eats more than 600 bowls of ramen a year and disseminates information as a “ramen girl,” points out that “the industry has entered a state of saturation.

The ramen trend in 2024 has not changed noticeably. What attracted attention was “neo-kei” ramen, an evolution of the traditional Chinese noodle in a modern style. On the other hand, as the number of women eating ramen increased, spicy ramen became popular as a “separate stomach,” and more and more women voiced their willingness to try spicy ramen in particular. The world of spiciness has become more diverse, with an increasing number of people on social networking services enjoying the different tastes of the different types of chili peppers.

Spicy ramen, which is refreshing and stress-relieving to eat, has become especially popular among young women.

It is not unusual to see young women in line now, and I feel that this indicates that we are setting a new trend in the ramen industry. I think this phenomenon will have a major impact on future trends in the ramen industry.”

We asked her to choose 10 cups of ramen to eat in 2025.

1) Ramen Smith [Sendai, Miyagi

Ramensmith, Sendai’s hottest niboshi ramen restaurant, has a thick soup made from a large amount of niboshi and a deep miso sauce that is very appealing!　In particular, the “Karai Shibire Miso Ramen” is a dish that combines the strongest trio of Sendai miso, sansho (a type of Japanese pepper), and chili pepper.

The gorgeous aroma and stimulation are addictive, and many repeat customers keep coming back. It is worth a visit even from other prefectures, as many artists have visited this popular restaurant. Please come and experience the high potential and charm of Sendai ramen.

Address: 1-3-21 Haramachi, Miyagino-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture Hours: 11:00 – 15:00 18:00 – 22:00 (close when soup is gone) Closed: Wednesdays, December 31 – January 3, and other occasional holidays

Smith’s “Karai Shibiru Miso Ramen”. You can choose the level of spiciness.

(2) Garidebuchu [Sendai, Miyagi

After running a restaurant in Sendai City for about 10 years, “Garidebuchu” entered the ramen industry in 2008. The restaurant has become popular, especially among young people, because of its unique name, which expresses the wish that everyone, whether thin or fat, will be able to fill up.

The signature dish, “Mapo Noodles,” boasts an order rate of over 80%, and is available in a variety of unique spicy variations, such as “Super Hot Mapo Noodles,” which is a must for those who love super spicy food!　There are also a variety of other soupless series that offer a variety of textures and flavors to enjoy. This is a must-visit restaurant for spicy lovers.

Address: 1-5-13 Kawaramachi, Wakabayashi-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Business hours: (Tuesday-Saturday) 11:00-14:30, 17:30-21:00 (Sunday) 11:00-14:30 Closed: Every Monday

Gari Debuchu’s “Hiyamori Kamatama Mapo Noodle”. To be offered in winter as well.

Ito, owner of the restaurant. The bean-curd soup made in a wok is excellent!

Listed in the Michelin Guide

③Yanagiya [Morioka, Iwate

Founded in 1975, Yanagiya is a very popular restaurant in Morioka City. It is called “soul food” by the locals, and its signature dish, “Ganso Kimchi Natto Ramen” is loved not only in Iwate Prefecture, but also in Hanoi, Vietnam. It tastes like kimchi nabe, and even I, who used to hate natto, could conquer it.

What is especially surprising is that they grow their own wheat on their farm. The chewy, homemade medium-thick noodles are irresistible!　This is a super-rare genre of ramen that is rarely seen in Japan, so if you see it, it is a must-try.

Address: [Sohonten] 2-1-23 Odori, Morioka-shi, Iwate, Sun Queen Bldg. 1F Business hours: (Mon. – Sat.) 11:00 – 27:00 (Sun.) 11:00 – 24:00 Closed: No holidays

Yanagiya’s most popular “Original Kimchi Natto Ramen”. It is a divine menu item that helped Ms. Morimoto, a natto hater, overcome her dislike of natto!

Yanagiya’s own farm. It is a rare ramen shop in Japan that grows its own wheat from a wheat field!

4) Ramen Hidayoshi (Kaminoyama City, Yamagata)

This is a hot new restaurant in Yamagata Prefecture, which boasts the largest consumption of ramen in Japan. The owner fell in love with “Akayu spicy miso ramen” when he was a student, and opened the restaurant after about 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry.

He carefully prepares dried sardines from Yamagata and Kyoto, and adds his own blend of miso sauce to the double broth made from chicken and pork broths to bring out the deep flavor of the soup. The noodles are hand-kneaded special thin and frizzy noodles jointly developed with Sakai Noodles in Yamagata City. Once you try it, you will never forget it.

Address: 8-28 Tokamachi, Kaminoyama-shi, Yamagata Business hours: 10:50-14:30 Closed: Mondays (Tuesdays if Monday is a national holiday)

After taking a breather at Kaminoyama Onsen, the “Kara Miso Ramen” will soak into your body!

(5) Sousaku Menkobo Naruryu NAKIRYU (Toshima-ku, Tokyo)

Many people may have heard of this restaurant’s “tantanmen” from cup noodles, but when you taste it at the restaurant, you will be surprised at the perfection of the noodles. The owner, Mr. Saito, started his training in Chinese cuisine and worked as a chef in Hong Kong before setting up his own restaurant in Otsuka in 2012. The restaurant has gained worldwide acclaim as a famous restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide. The main attraction of this restaurant’s “Tantanmen” is that the spiciness of the noodles is accompanied by the delicious taste of dashi broth. Not only the “tantanmen” but also all of the ramen noodles are said to be of the highest class, the ultimate taste.

Address: SKY Minami-Otsuka 1F, 2-34-4 Minami-Otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Hours: 11:00 – 15:30 (numbered tickets required) Closed: Tuesdays, December 31 – January 8

I have never had such high quality tantanmen” (Ms. Morimoto)

(6) Yakuzen Ramen Shinben (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)

This restaurant specializing in spicy ramen is owned by AFURI. It has also opened a branch in Harajuku and is attracting a lot of attention. The restaurant’s name is “Yakuzen Ramen,” which means “herbal ramen,” so you don’t have to feel guilty.

The spiciness can be selected from 0 to 8 choume and even up to 28 choume, which is extremely spicy. For those who do not like spicy food, there are also yuzu white soy sauce ramen and vegan ramen, making it easy to go along. The chicken soup is made with domestic whole chicken and seafood, and several kinds of chili peppers and hot sauce are added to give it a deep spicy flavor. I usually visit this restaurant only once, but I have already been five times!　Hee Haw ♪

Address: Onden Building 1F, 4-29-9 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Hours: 11:00 – 23:00 Closed: December 31 – January 2 and January 3, 11:00 – 21:00 (L-O 30 minutes before)

AFURI has opened a restaurant specializing in spicy ramen!　Tastes like spicy tom yum kung

“Eating Sauna” is a big hit in the Tokai area. It’s also good that it’s made with eggs!

G-type ramen that is not scary.

7) Kapusaimen (Ichinomiya, Aichi)

A ramen restaurant called “Eating Sauna” is a hot topic of conversation in the Tokai area. This is one of my favorite flavors after having eaten at “Mongolian Ramen Restaurant Nakamoto” and “Spicy Ramen Restaurant Masumoto”.

The “Chili Tamago Toshi Ramen” is characterized by the combination of chili peppers, garlic, and minced meat in a deliciously spicy soy sauce broth, softly covered with an egg, and can be customized with any spiciness and toppings. In addition, as the company that operates “Gifu Tamen”, Gifu Tamen lovers are sure to be addicted to it!

Address: [Main store] 7-1-7 Denboji, Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture [Nagoya Moriyama store] 2-710 Hakusan, Moriyama-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture [Gifu store] 13-2 Mae-Ishiki Nishimachi, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture Business hours / 11:00 – 1:00 a.m. Closed / Open year-round *Fastpass is available for a limited time from December 28 to January 5.

8) Szechuan Cuisine Rakuda [Kyoto, Kyoto City, Japan

A popular authentic Szechuan cuisine restaurant with a photogenic green exterior located near Kyoto University of Art. Characterized by its deep, rich and spicy taste made with plenty of sansho (Chinese pepper), chili peppers and homemade seasonings, reservations are recommended as lines are inevitable during lunch time.

Especially recommended is the “Tantanmen” which is a perfect match of the spiciness of sansho, sweetness of chi-ma-jang, meat miso, and thin noodles. The refreshing spiciness spreads in your mouth, and you will surely be overwhelmed by its deliciousness from the first bite! It is a great place for a girls’ night out or a date night!

Address: 27-4 Senouchi-cho, Kita-Shirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto Business hours: 11:30-13:45, 17:30-20:45 Closed: Every Monday, 1st and 3rd Tuesday, December 30 – January 4

Celebrities are also addicted to tantanmen. I will definitely revisit when I visit Kyoto! (Ms. Morimoto)

9) Kusukusu Ramen (Hiroshima City, Hiroshima)

This stylish restaurant with table seating is popular among women and is attracting attention as a “G-kei (Jiro-inspired) ramen restaurant that is not scary. The secretly popular “Buchiro Ramen” is an impressive bowl of ramen with “Buchi” meaning “very” in the Hiroshima dialect.

It is a fusion of Osaka’s “Takaida-kei Ramen” and “Sta-Man Jiro,” featuring extra-thick noodles and a thick soy sauce broth, and is attractively topped with a variety of luxurious toppings such as hormone, egg yolk, and Hiroshima bean sprouts. You can enjoy this ramen to your own taste with free back fat and garlic “Mashi” (extra spice) and a choice of spiciness.

Address: [Yokogawa Branch] 2-12-9 Yokogawa-cho, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture Business hours: 11:00 – 14:00, 17:30 – 21:00 (L-O 20:30) Closed: No regular holidays

⑩Sekime Danchou【Osaka-City, Osaka

You may see the word “man” everywhere, but of course, it is safe for women to enter. The restaurant has a very athletic atmosphere that will get you fired up before you even start eating. You can choose from a menu that ranges from deliciously spicy to extremely spicy, but the extremely spicy menu requires a written pledge to eat!　The restaurant is a major player in the hot and spicy food scene.

I ordered the umami spicy miso, which is not as spicy as the redness of the soup, but spicy and safe. The soup is a combination of special spicy miso and Tottori’s re-finished soy sauce, and you can choose between thick or thin noodles. Add some vinegar to the soup for a refreshing taste!

Address／5-23-2-101 Seiku, Joto-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Business hours／11:30 – 15:00, 18:00 – 23:00 Closed on Thursdays (open on national holidays)

The spiciness is easy for ramen beginners to try!

How was it?

We hope you will find it useful as a reference for “starting to eat ramen” in 2025!

Interview and text by Yoshimi Mizuno

After working for an editing production and publishing company, I became a freelance writer. She enjoys touring Japan’s deepest spots, working in the public gambling industry, and writing interviews with celebrities.

Photo by Satoko Morimoto