地獄 (Jigoku in Machida)

地獄ラーメン 天国屋



Ramen from hell... a shop from heaven?



Frequented by some of the most famous K1 fighter champs?



The spice levels are named after pachinko lingo? Renchan!



Is it any good?



Great! I asked what all the fighters order, and of course it's the hell ramen. The medium spice level was good. The aforementioned renchan spice level would probably be just right.

Jigoku uses a tonkotsu base, then layers on the spices. It's very different than tantanmen or spicy miso, which are more common.



Free desert! The creamy pudding takes away the lingering spice when you are ready to go. Nice touch!



If you are brave, go for the max.




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東京都町田市金森1774-1
Tokyo, Machida-shi, Kanamori 1774-1
Nearest station: Machida

Open 11:30-20:30

はやし (Hayashi in Shibuya)

はやし



Hayashi is another one of those so-good-its-only-for-lunch spots. Yeah, some of the best ramen in town is only open for a few hours a day. If you find yourself on some sort of Shibuya adventure come high noon, this should be your first thought.



Another point about this type of shop is the menu. 2 or 3 items.



The only word I can think to describe this soup? Golden. It's smooth, but not too creamy. The shop has no smell, but when the spoon hits your lips, the goodness is almost overpowering.

It's the best bowl in the vicinity of the station, no doubt.

If you have trouble finding it, it's next to the VIP, championship-winning nail salon.




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東京都渋谷区道玄坂1-14-9
Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Dogenzaka 1-14-9
Nearest station: Shibuya

Open 11:30-15:30
Closed Sundays and holidays

のりや食堂 (Noriya in Oimachi)

のりや食堂

Another countryside style in the heart of the big city.

This local ramen comes from Wakayama. Wakayama prefecture is overshadowed by nearby Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto in terms of poularity. Most people never even make it down to this peninsula. Steeped in history, you can find the head of Shingon Buddhism here. You can also find a singing road. As I've exhausted my list of famous Wakayama attractions, let's get to the ramen.

Pork and chicken bones, cooked for hours. The smell was noticeable outside.

Despite the extent of the menu, it's basic fare here. 99% of the time, the upper left is your standard ramen.

I was surprised. It's a good, heavy bowl. The type of soup that only comes from hours, even days, of simmering animal bones.

The staff offered me a fork, which hasn't happened in a while.

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東京都品川区東大井5-19-9
Tokyo, Shinagawa-ku, Higashi Oi 5-19-9
Nearest station: JR Oimachi

Open 11:30-14:30, 17:30-24:00