Ramen is one of the quintessential Japanese soul foods. In the city of ‘kuidaore’ or ‘eat until you fall over,’ it’s no surprise that Osaka also takes its ramen very seriously. With over 2500 ramen joints in the city, competition is stiff, which means a high concentration of amazing and affordable noodle bowls in the city.
Ramen at Ichiran resturant in Dotonbori
At each shop, you’ll buy your ramen tickets from a vending machine at the door before handing them to the staff. It’s a highly Japanese experience that might be a little daunting at first, but you’ll quickly get used to it. A tip: a bowl of ramen usually costs around JPY800-JPY1100, and the more expensive bowls have more toppings. So if you hit a button with around that amount of yen on it when standing in front of the machine, you’re probably going to get a delicious bowl of ramen for your troubles.
All of Japan’s regional ramen styles are represented in Osaka. Whether you’re craving fatty, hearty, meaty tonkotsu styles or more refined, lighter soups, there’s something for every ramen lover in town. Our list of ramen shops will have you covered for all your noodle needs when you’re visiting Osaka.
- Sekai Ichi Hima Na Ramen-ya (The Most Deserted Ramen Bar in the World)
Looking for ramen to warm you up without the feeling of having downed a ton of bricks? Sekai Ichi Hima Na Ramen-ya, located a hop and a skip from, Umeda serves up soulful, flavourful noodle bowls perfect for a chilly night. - Gunjou (Kita; budget)
Gunjou in the Kita district is a tricky to find, but a little searching reaps great rewards - a bowl of ramen you’ll remember for the rest of your trip. If you don’t like ultra-rich pork bone and fish broths, however, you might want to give this a miss. - Resshi Shoyu Menkobo Sanku (Kita; budget)
Resshi Shoyu Menkobo Sanku in the Fukushima district is a ramen shop with an extreme mouthful of a name. Luckily, the sardine ramen is as impressive as its name is long. - Ryukishin RIZE (Minami; budget)
Everyone needs a tasty ramen option on their radars. Ryukishin RIZE in Namba, with its flavorful shio ramen bowls, is a solid restaurant for when the noodle craving strikes - it’s especially great if you like thick, meaty soups. - Chukasoba Kazura (Central Osaka; budget)
Not all ramen is created equal. Chukasoba Kazura in Awaza serves up a shoyu chicken ramen with a fabulously light and mousse-like soup that’s a cut above the rest. Look for the kanji 葛 on the sign. You may have to queue with the locals, but it’ll be worth it. - Ramen Kasumi (Central Osaka; budget)
Located near the west end of Utsubo-koen Park, this ramen specialist is sure to please serious ramen fans. The name is written in English on the sign. Buy your tickets from the machine when you go in. - Menya Ageha (Osaka Castle Area; budget)
For tasty and meaty ramen within walking distance of Osaka Castle Park, try this popular local eatery. It’s casual and easy to enter. The name is written in English on the brown noren curtains below the signboard. - Ramenuroko (Shin-Osaka Area; budget)
Osaka has a lot of great ramen shops, but Ramen Uroko stands out even among stiff competition. Located one stop south of Shin-Osaka Station, this joint serves up a fabulously flavourful shio (salt) ramen that’s sure to satisfy. - Ramen King (Shin-Osaka Area; budget)
Do you love ramen? Ramen King will be right up your alley. You’ll have to take the train one stop south of Shin-Osaka Station, but it’s entirely worth going a little out of your way to slurp these great noodles.
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Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:- Open the Osaka map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Osaka Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Osaka guide
- Check Osaka accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Osaka
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Kyoto and Osaka to Tokyo
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- View my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare flight prices and timings to find the best Japan flight deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- Get a prepaid Icoca card to make travelling around Osaka easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help