Marukoya Otsuka — Restaurant in Tokyo

I don't know if it's the best ramen in Japan, but it's the best ramen I've ever eaten in my life. I entered the premises one night at 10pm while 50s rock was playing. We tossed a thousand yen bill into the machine and ordered the only dish that had a picture of ramen on it. The cook, very friendly in English, asked us how we wanted it (with a lot of flavor) and that since it was happy hour, he would add more noodles. While we waited, it felt like I was home. I could see people drinking and smoking, laughing and reading Manga. Before the food arrived, I knew it was going to be delicious, because I knew it was a local neighborhood, with little decoration and urban people. Then the plate arrived: 4 nori seaweed, 3 slices of ham, 1 cooked egg and a lot of noodles in a thick soup that did not show the bottom and from which a homemade aroma emanated. Every sip of the soup and bite of noodles made you look at the cook and wonder if such a good meal could be made by a human being or by a god. That made me feel at home. After spending the day touring Tokyo, getting there at whatever time you want and having dinner, was the best of the day. I don't know how many reverence my friends and I made to them, but they weren't enough

I don't know when I will return to Japan, but the first thing I will do when I return will be to go there and enjoy that experience...

Fantastic ramen place. The wonderful old-school owner will make English recommendations for non-JP speakers - I went with the spicy soupless noodles (yes, no soup!). Truly unique place, playing exclusively 1950s American doo wop classics. Special hot chili paste (different from the default one on the counter) was memorably great. And their homemade green pickle relish is a delight. Perfect for a blissful post-drinking...

I‘ve been to Japan for four weeks now, have eaten at about a dozen different ramen-places (mostly high rated on Google) and this tonkotsu here was hands down my best bowl of ramen. The flavour is incredibly deep and rich with a hint of smokyness, which sets it atop...