I picked out ramen shops in Ikebukuro that serve “soy sauce ramen.” Even if the ramen shop doesn’t say “soy sauce” on the menu, if I judge the ramen to “contain soy sauce” after eating it, I’ll include it here.
1. 【Ikebukuro East】 6 Soy Sauce Ramen Selections
1-1.【Ikebukuro East】Ramen Hayashida/らぁ麺はやし田 池袋店
Ramen Hayashida is located in an alleyway just left on Meiji-dori street from the Ikebukuro East Exit. The restaurant has a white curtain (It’s called NOREN) and a Japanese atmosphere. The restaurant uses whole duck and Oyama chicken, and the water used is carefully selected to create a clear soup. Enjoy the noodles, which are made from a blend of several carefully selected types of wheat.
1-2.【Ikebukuro East】Men-an Ibushi/麺庵 いぶし
From the Ikebukuro East Exit, head down Meiji Dori, turn right at Ikebukuro Mutsumata intersection, and you’ll find Menan Ibushi along Kasuga Dori (National Route 254). The owner, who trained at a famous restaurant for nine years, and his assistant owner, who worked at a soy sauce brewery for many years, aim to serve the “ultimate Chinese noodles.”
The photo shows the limited-edition tsukemen(￣∇+￣*) with a strong soy sauce flavor.
1-3.【Ikebukuro East】R＋/隠れ家すぎるラーメン屋
R＋ is located on the 4th floor of a building (which also houses a pachinko parlor and a game center) across the street from Sunshine and Nitori, and is operating out of a counter space rented from a Korean restaurant. It is not called “soy sauce ramen”, but when I ate it, it was soy sauce. The owner is the only one running the shop, so he is often not at the counter, so if that doesn’t bother you,
1-4.【Ikebukuro East・West】Tokyo Tonkotsu Ramen Ikebukuro Tonchin/東京豚骨ラーメン池袋屯ちん
Tonchin Ikebukuro main store is located near Minami-Ikebukuro Park. This is a tonkotsu ramen created in Tokyo with a focus on freshness. Since it was founded in Ikebukuro, the bowl has “Ikebukuro” written on it! Of course, the noodles are also homemade. In addition to the classic tonkotsu soy sauce ramen, they also have miso ramen made with homemade miso and fish and pork ramen made with special bonito oil! The Ikebukuro West Exit store is open 24 hours a day, so you can always find delicious tonkotsu soy sauce ramen!
1-5.【Ikebukuro East】Japanese Ramen Gokan/Japanese Ramen 五感
Japanese Ramen Gokan appeared like a comet in April 2023 and quickly became a popular restaurant. Aiming to serve purely domestic ramen, they use only domestic and natural ingredients. They have also been selected as a Chef’s Guide Bib Gourmand. As the name suggests, it feels like the best of Japan is condensed into one bowl. Now, they require reservations. Make sure you understand the rules before making a reservation.
1-6.【Ikebukuro East】Sobajyu/そば～じゅ
Soba-ju, located a short distance down Azuma-dori at the east exit of Ikebukuro, is a restaurant that specializes in soup made with black and red Satsuma rice from Kagoshima Prefecture. The clean counter seats make it easy for women to enter alone. The soy sauce used is made from native soybeans using traditional methods in cedar barrels. In addition to the standard soy sauce and salt, the limited-time menu also looked incredibly delicious.
2.【Ikebukuro West】Raman 8shops
Here are some recommended ramen restaurants in Ikebukuro West Exit, Nishi-Ikebukuro, that serve soy sauce ramen!
2-1.【Nishi-Ikebukuro, almost Kanamecho】Chuka Soba Shinagawa (BASSO DRILLMAN)/中華そばしながわ
A ramen shop located on Rikkyo Street just before the intersection with Yamate Street. The menu says “Chuka Soba” but it seems to be soy sauce ramen. The phrase “simple is best” came to mind.
2-2.【Nishi-Ikebukuro, almost Kanamecho】Menpo Jyuroku/麺舗十六
Continue along Azalea Street, turn right just before Shounji Temple, and enter a residential area. Menpo Juroku is located near Kaeru Shokudo, a restaurant known for its curry. Founded in 2001, it is a popular restaurant hidden in the back alleys of Ikebukuro. Once you try it, you’ll understand why the restaurant has continued to exist in this location.
2-3.【Ikebukuro West】ROCK’AN DO/六感堂
ROCK’AN DO is located next to Grill Mozu along Azalea Street. In addition to the standard noodles such as “Chuka Soba” and “Abura Soba”, seasonal limited noodles are also popular. We recommend that you check the official website frequently.
2-4.【Ikebukuro West】Hiro chan Ramen/ひろちゃんラーメン
This shop has a red sign on Romance Street, a crowded drinking area at the west exit of Ikebukuro. I was attracted by the “typical” smell and appearance, and when I stopped in, a loud-voiced staff member welcomed me. It reminded me of the ramen I ate at a local Chinese restaurant that my mother took me to during the Showa era.
2-5.【Ikebukuro West】Jinrui Mina Menrui to Es Sawada/人類みな麺類とエスサワダ
“Jinrui Mina Menrui to Es Sawada” opened on Azalea Street (10 seconds walk from Exit C1) in the early summer of 2024. I had the “Origin” ramen, which is a sweet soy sauce flavored ramen with bonito flavored oil. I was happy with the thick bamboo shoots (*￣ー￣*) Not only the ramen, but also the bowls and interior are elaborate, allowing you to enjoy a unique world view.
It is open until 25:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, so it is recommended for midnight ramen.
Jinrui Mina Menrui to Es Sawada means All human is noodles and Esu Sawada.maybe…
