Sugoi Niboshi Rāmen Nagi Shinjuku Golden Gai

Disappointing from Start to Finish The experience started in a foul-smelling alley where we had to wait before even entering the restaurant—definitely not the welcoming atmosphere you’d hope for. The menu was limited to just three options, and to make matters worse, you had to pay before eating—probably the first red flag we should’ve taken more seriously. Once we were finally allowed upstairs, we found ourselves crammed into a tiny, closet-sized room with maybe six chairs total and a single window. We were elbow-to-elbow with strangers, which made for an uncomfortable dining experience before the food even arrived. When it did, the ramen was incredibly underwhelming. The noodles were thick, eggy, and heavy—not in a satisfying way. The broth was the real disaster: it had the consistency of gravy, the kind you’d expect at Easter dinner, but somehow managed to be even worse. Overpoweringly salty with a strong fishy taste (which I actually don’t mind fishy taste) that ruined any chance of balance or comfort in the bowl. I ordered pork, but I’m fairly certain I was served cold, dry beef instead. The meat was stale and flavorless. The “seasoned egg” was literally just a plain boiled egg, no seasoning to speak of. While they were generous with green onions, every topping—including that—came with an extra charge. And despite asking for my bowl to be spicy, there was absolutely no heat at all. Overall, this place felt more like a trap than a treat. With so many better ramen spots out there, this one is an easy pass don’t get drawn in by the art outside.

Ramen was Q. Egg was nice. Meat was thick and delicious. But the broth was way too salty (with the anchovies) for my liking. The shop is on the 2nd floor, can only accommodate 8 pax max. The queue is on the first floor, turning into the alley.

Ramen Nagi is absolutely amazing. It’s a must-go if you’re in Japan. Let me get straight to the point: this place is worth the hype, and some people just don’t get it—like a certain Sharon Moritz, who clearly doesn’t understand ramen or Japanese culture. If you’re traveling to experience something different, you need to go in with an open mind. Otherwise, what’s the point? Yes, you wait in the alley—and yes, that’s exactly how it should be. It’s not rude, it’s not dirty—it’s efficient, respectful, and part of the charm. Standing in an alley while waiting for a spot in a legendary ramen shop is part of the experience. Would you rather stand in the middle of the street blocking the way? No. The alley is clean, organized, and even fun if you understand the vibe. And about the small size of the place—yes, it’s tiny. That’s the beauty of it. It’s focused on quality, not mass production. A small space allows the chefs to perfect every single bowl. Why would you want a big, soulless restaurant that just pumps out mediocre food? No, thank you. You also pay before you eat, which honestly is brilliant. No awkward waiting for the bill. You enjoy your food, and then you’re free to go. Efficient and simple. Now, let’s talk about the food: This was the best ramen I’ve ever had in my life. So good that I swore I’d never eat ramen again until I’m back in Japan. We were in the area for five days, and we ate at Ramen Nagi most of those days. That’s how incredible it was. The broth? Unforgettable. The noodles? Perfect texture. The flavor? Deep, rich, complex—it hits every note. You’ll taste ramen in a way you didn’t even know was possible. The staff? Polite, respectful, kind. The place has character, culture, and soul. If you travel just to feel like you’re at home, maybe you shouldn’t be traveling. But if you’re someone who appreciates different ways of doing things—this is where you need to be. So no—don’t listen to someone who left just a handful of clueless reviews. Take it from someone who’s been around, knows food, and respects culture. Highly, highly recommend. Don’t miss it. Take pictures, enjoy the atmosphere, and if someone ends up in your shot, just be polite and ask—it’s not hard. Respect the culture, and it’ll reward you with an experience you’ll never forget.

I'm have visit here more than 3 times (I can said that I visit here every time I visit Tokyo). It is always be the best fish ramen in my life. Taste of soup is very complex and delicious. This is should be a must of food destination for everyone who come to tokyo. There are operating 24 hours. There are machine ticket menu within english so it is easy for foreigner to order ramen. Experience local and try this! Love this so muchhhh🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

Exceptional bowl, Strong taste of Niboshi that just wowed me, and the Niboshi Vinegar adds so much to the experience. Definitely one of the top bowls in Tokyo.

Very tiny place in Golden Gai, it only has 10 seats so it fills up quite quickly specially at dinner time. We queued for about 25/30min, the ramen made it all worth it to be honest. Ordered the special one and it did not disappoint. You have to pay in cash in advance while you queue, but it is all to make it more efficient! Would definitely recommend if you are in the area.

If you’re walking around golden gai, and you see a long line down the alley this place is it. It’s awesome this place is open 24/7! You’ll have to wait in the alley until you get called in- do not try to walk upstairs unless you are told. Moment we sat down I can see that #2 was everyone’s favorite! The broth is made with rich anchovy and it’s giving a healthy flavor. The texture of the noodles of thinness and thickness truly was my favorite part. If you want big portion, get #2 and smaller portion but must add the egg get #1 they only take cash there, and you’ll pay before sitting down. You will have to take your dishes to the chef to return. Water is self serve!

Very good ramen. Let me emphasize that this is ramen you have never tried before. The ramen does have a strong fish aroma with strong fish taste. My dad and I waited for about twenty minutes (6am) before being seated because there’s only ten seats inside! You pay with a vending machine but it’s really easy to read and order. Overall experience was great just cramped inside (elbow to elbow with the person next to you). I would recommend and go again!!

I'm not a fish person, however fish stock can be delicious and this place's fish stock mixed with pork stock was hands-down the best ramen I had in Tokyo (at least this time around!). They only have two types of ramen: traditional and tsukemen. I noticed that in Tokyo, most places have their regular ramen and special ramen which is just a bigger, more meaty (aka more chashu) option of their normal bowls. I find getting the basic bowl just fine, I only add extra toppings that I specifically want rather than the store give it to me. This shop's tsukemen or dipping ramen has these thin ribbon noodles in a light dashi broth. The dipping broth was a heartier version of their normal ramen broth. Tsukemen was light and perfect for breakfast though I preferred their ramen. I got a lovely egg, unctuous broth, and lots of extra garlic. I add their fish infused vinegar for extra flavour and it helps cut the richness of the broth. The noodles were firm and so slurp-able. It's a tight place, but quick turnover since you eat and go. Make sure to pay at the machine. With ramen machines, you must put in money first and then you click buttons for the tickets or items you want. Each ticket will subtract from the money you initially put in. Also, there was some cool decor! They had a 3D banner with a dragon and a warrior which was interesting touch.

I went here during my recent trip to Japan and I knew I wanted to try this Japanese ramen chain! We went here on a Thursday around 9:30pm and there was about a 1.5 hour wait. It's a tiny ramen shop that holds up to 10 people dining inside at a time, so the wait will be long. At this ramen shop, everyone lines up in a narrow alleyway and then make their way up the narrow and steep steps towards the restaurant. Inside the restaurant is a vending machine to order your ramen (it's a cash only restaurant). Something I noticed about this place is that it doesn't have a large variety, unlike the Ramen Nagi locations I've tried in other countries. Because this location specializes in their anchovy pork broth soup, that meant they serve ALL their ramen in that soup. Anyways, we ordered the Niboshi Ramen and also the Special Niboshi Ramen. The food was good and I liked how thick and chewy the noodles were, but it tasted very fishy which was something I didn't enjoy that much. I'm just someone who prefers a pork broth on its own, so I wasn't a fan of the broth. I'd recommend this place ONLY IF you love fishy broths. I wasn't a fan of the broth here, but I loved everything else about my ramen bowl, such as the amount of pork slices. I also think it's cool how they make their own fish vinegar here which you can add more of to your ramen to make it more fishy!

I have visited this little gem twice! Very limited and tight seating. You wait outside in the alleyway - for westerners there are guidelines posted to enlighten on the cultural way(s) to order / enjoy the ramen!!! You order, you eat. When you are finished - you leave so other waiting customers can be served!

This is truly a hole in the wall, and shove 10 people into the restaurant/kitchen within a space that's 1/2 of a typical American bedroom. It is super crammed so beware. I literally saw some Caucasians were turned off and left. Look, if you lack the adventurous heart and don't care about real delicious ramen, skip. The food is picked by the end of the staircase, you will insert cash into a ticket vending machine of what you wanted. The host takes your ticket and assign a seat to you. The seating area is super tight l, if you are assigned in the corner, other people would have to move for you. And if you are a bigger than average size person, uhh, you will just have to wait?! The ramen came in a timely manner with hot broth. The broth yield a fish stock taste which it was exquisite! I really downed with the broth and finished the entire bowl with full of joy. At the end, you wouldn't even give a pooooo about the crammed spaces. The service, there is non, you grab the bowl and you eat it. Be sure you put the empty bowl on the counter after you are done eating. I've heard this place usually has a line of people waiting, I came while it was raining and I got my spot immediately upon arrival. I would definitely come again. But probably not for an hour of wait. It's a 4.5 out of 5.

This was a really tasty and interesting bowl of ramen but I think you can find better options that don't require so long of a wait. The sardine pork broth was really unique compared what's common in the US so I really appreciated that adventure. The salty umami flavor is super strong so if you like really thick, powerful flavor in your ramen this is definitely a great bet. I personally like my broth a tad on the lighter side but I can definitely appreciate the richness and complexity here. The line takes a lot longer than it looks, since the restaurant only sits 8 people. I arrived at 4pm on a Sunday with 5 people in front of me and waited an hour. Doesn't seem like other reviewers experienced that long of a wait, but that was what I experienced. The divey vibe was really cool as long as you're not claustrophobic. You basically walk up a narrow set of stairs into a tiny shop with only eight cramped seats. A really intimate experience where you get up close with your dining partners and the chefs.

Unique ramen restaurant that specializes in using pork and anchovy as their broth base. I actually came here last December when Japan barely opened up their borders to international visitors so waiting in line wasn't that bad, maybe 15-20 minutes for two people. When you do come, just know that you'll have to wait in the small alleyway that runs between the restaurant and the building next to it. There's no standing in front of the restaurant nor is there a paper sign up list for you to put your name down, at least the wasn't a year ago; yes I'm writing this review a year late. When it's your turn to head upstairs, the server will direct you to the ordering machine so have your money ready and be prepared to know what you want. There isn't much space to maneuver once you're upstairs so they'll want to seated as fast as possible. Once you're all set, your food will come out nice and quick. Be prepared for a bowl of decadence and rich aroma because I ended up slurping up every last drop off broth as I could; it was also a cold night that day once I got off the plane and it was my first meal. Overall, it was worth every Yen and I would come back for more.

This incredible spot is slightly hidden, and has the narrowest, steep staircase in to an unobtrusive dining area that seats probably a dozen people tops. Don't expect it to be roomy for anyone whose girth is beyond average. It has good Japanese charm, with friendly staff, who served us promptly. Typical ticket system, and potentially wait lines outside. But it is open 24 hrs, so ideal for off times. We saw many locals coming here in the early morning. Our ramen dishes were all the special niboshi ramen, which had succulent pork, in a seafood broth. You can see there are fish oil for extra toppings. I loved that they provided both regular ramen and thick flat noodles together in the bowl, for a delicious pairing and yummy goodness. Would definitely come again, especially in the wee morning hours, during a jet lag day. We reserved places like this and the fish markets for those early wake ups due to time zone wonkiness. Enjoy!

LOVE LOVE LOVE! Definitely a must try if you are in Tokyo. The ramen here is completely different from what I've ever tasted before. It has a more anchovy flavor broth, very "umami" flavor if you will. We had to go back a second time during our trip in Japan because we felt the first time we were still processing the flavors. The noodles were cooked just right, thick and bouncy! The meat and eggs seasoned and cooked to perfection. The broth is pretty salty but is also very good, but really many ramen broths are pretty salty. I think that's just how it is when broth is cooked for a really long time. The staff is friendly, there are also signs around the restaurant to tell you where to line up and how to order. The staff will also help you out and some can speak English, at least enough for you to understand. This restaurant on golden gai is small, I mean REALLY small, there's only 10 seats at this location. It also seems like most tourist goes to this location, since I believe it is the OG. I'd recommend going at an off peak hour otherwise you will be waiting for a long time. Or check out their other locations nearby, it's walking distance from this one.

I heard that this place has great ramen so I had high expectations. Finding the place was a little confusing and waiting in the small alley next to the building was not ideal. I got to this place around 4 pm so I waited for 40 min, which was on the shorter wait time for Tokyo. This place only takes cash and you buy the ramen ticket as soon as you enter the establishment. There were about 8 seats inside the place which was super cramped, which attributed to the long wait. I got the basic ramen and it was overly fishy. The noodles were good and it was flavorful but just not my cup of tea.

Someone is using social media to pump this place up, there was a line up (only 9 seats, in a cramped upstairs areas) and many of the people were foreigners and attracted by reviews. I won't say this establishment was bad in any way, but it did not live up to the hype. Simply order through their kiosk, you insert the money amount first, in the amount that covers your meal choice. Sit down and wait for your bowl to arrive. Service was casual and friendly by Japanese standards. I would say the parts of the Ramen I enjoyed the most was the well roasted pork, it adds so much flavour and is re-hydrated in the broth, adds a nice dimension you typically don't find with other providers. Additionally their bowl also includes two noodles; traditional (very fresh & great texture) and flat wide, which was a nice surprise. I found the stock base to be a little fishy, not sure it that was based on my choice of Ramen; since they have traditional & special bowls. It came with a little sardine on top (they also have sardine oil to add), perhaps I should have chosen the traditional. Overall my impression a Ramen dish with some good qualities but not over the top special , you need to suffer through a line up, then walk up these steep, tight stairs and sit a one of nine cramped tables. I believe you can find better for a more pleasant experience. if that's your thing then enjoy.

This was a lovely hole in the wall ramen shop that is located in the Golden Gai area. I needed Google Maps to find the shop as there are a ton of tiny shops on the street. I arrived at 7:15 AM and was seated immediately. Note that there is a set of super steep stairs to get into the shop. You order via a vending machine - this machine ONLY accepts 1000 bills or coins. Make sure you come prepared with the right bills. The most expensive ramen is only 1900. I got the special ramen and it was very delicious. The noodles were firm and the broth was super flavorful. The chef can speak some English and was rather friendly. They will ask you for the spice level for your noodles upon giving the chef your order. If you are in the area early in the morning or during off times, I would highly recommend.

Might be the best ramen I've ever had. Located in the heart of Shinjuku, in the famous Golden cai area which is super unique and most visit in general. The restaurant has a very cool and small entrance that requires you to go up a set of stairs. The order first and grab a seat like most ramen shops in japan. The ramen itself is just fantastic. Served with a fish base broth. I had the spicy version. The noodles are chewier than the typical ramen and there are a couple big pieces kind of like a pasta on top. The broth was honestly just fantastic and unique. I will definitely be back!!

Hole in the wall ramen spot. I came at 7:30pm on a weekend and waited in line for about 40 min. You have to line up in a small alleyway.. there is a narrow staircase lit with red lights that leads to the restaurant on the 2nd floor. From there, you order your ramen using the machine. There are only about 3 choices so it was pretty simple. You insert cash into the machine (yes pay before eating). The staff are very friendly if you need help. Very reasonable prices. The bowl is quite large. I love the noodles (soft yet chewy) but the broth was a little too fishy for me. It is definitely less heavy than the traditional pork broth.

First ramen place we tried in Japan. Went here because of the amount of reviews and rating. We went in the morning around 9-10am and when we got there there were it was pretty packed but the place is really small they can only site about 10 people at a time. When you go up the narrow stairs there's a machine to right with menu and pictures. You put money in the machine and push buttons to pick your ramen and sides. Then you take the ticket and bring it to the server. We got the special ramen and that was delicious. Pork had a very nice taste to it and the large seaweed they give you is cool. The only downside to this place is the size and maybe it could be a little bit cleaner. Otherwise I would recommend this place if you're looking for some good ramen but done mind how the place looks. Definitely can be called "a hole in the wall"

Came around 7-8pm on a Saturday night and there was a line in the alley next to the shop. We waited about 45 min before we were seated. The shop is on the second floor so you'll have to walk up the stairs. The server will come down to get you when they're ready for you to go up. The shop is quite small and intimate. I think it seats approximately 10 people inside. Once you go upstairs, you'll order your food at the vending-machine before you get seated. You'll have to put the money in first (cash-only), and then you choose your ramen, along with the toppings you want added. It'll print out tickets each time you select something. You then give the chef your tickets before sitting down. The ramen itself had a rich broth. You can smell the anchovies (?) in the broth. The egg was cooked perfectly, golden on the inside. Chashu pork was tender. The ramen noodle was chewy and bouncy. As for portion size, I was able to finish a normal sized niboshi ramen with an egg and 2-3 slices of pork, and I was stuffed afterwards.

Fish based broth. Interesting. Not going to lie, not my jam. This spot is basically busy 24/7 AND it's open 24 hours! The ramen had fresh noodles, roasted pork, and wide noodles as well. Overall, I enjoyed it but now I know that pork based both is the one for me! I think this type of ramen is still worth trying. Logistics wise, once you walk in the ordering station is on the left so you have to enter cash before choosing your food/drinks. Very easy but not intuitive that you have to pay first!

Charming tiny 9 seat restaurant tucked upstairs in one of the little alleys of Shinjuku. Noodles were great. Egg was perfection. BUT the broth was unexpectedly salty and I really struggled to eat it. Anchovies give it an interesting and unexpected flavor (I admit I'm not a big fan of anchovies), and I will accept some blame for not doing my homework as this anchovy broth seems to be a thing here.

Waited in a long line for this ramen - the establishment is very small with a steep staircase going up to the actual seating area. There is only room for a few guests at a time. The ramen was tasty though and the noodles were the perfect level of chewy. The broth was fish-based which I was surprised by as some signs on the wall outside mentioned pork broth? Regardless, it was a delicious and filling meal and they're apparently open 24 hours a day!

I had this the first time many years ago and had to return! So good, if you're into anchovy/seafood based broth! I like that it's different than tonkotsu or shio based broth. The wait however, is terrible. We got there around 9:30pm and waited until about 11pm on weekday night. There is a new location now though, somewhere in shinjuku too -- so I'd recommend checking the other location out! This place used to seat 8-10 people, but half the seats now are used for storage/packing -- so they only seat 5 people at a time, which explains the wait. However, if you've never had niboshi ramen-- I'd recommend you trying it out! There's a larger sheet of noodle at the top, and if it gets too rich there's anchovy vinegar on the side you can add to the bowl to combat the richness

Robust Anchovies flavor broth. Ramen was so delicious. We came around 9:30am on a Friday morning and there was like 4 people. I think it was a 10 seater restaurant. Nothing fancy and looks like a hole in the wall place. I got the special and it was so flavorful. I loved the flat ramen noodles. I added the vinegar to cut the saltiness of the broth. This is a must stop when in Tokyo. So so yummy and not the typical ramen.

Ramen Nagi is my favorite ramen of all times so of course I had to visit the original store in Tokyo! Came here around 8:30AM on a Sunday and it was pretty empty. This is a tiny restaurant with ~10 bar seats and kids are welcomed. Although they serve a different type of ramen than the US stores, it was still super tasty. Definitely one of the best ramen I've ever had. The anchovy broth was very flavorful (it might be too fishy for some people) and it came with 2 types of noodles; the noodles were very chewy. I'm literally drooling as I'm writing this review. Unfortunately, the egg was too salty for my liking. I think the Ramen Nagi in the US has perfected the egg. Highly recommended!

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This tsukemen with fish broth is surely delicious! The noodle is cooked perfectly (al dente) and the broth is deeply flavor with nice balance of saltiness and a hint of sweet and pepper. It's garnished with sliced pork and perfectly boiled egg.

Without a doubt, Ramen Nagi is my favorite bowl of ramen. I could swim in their niboshi broth, brewed from over 20 types of sardine. In hindsight, I'm glad we ordered the tsukemen, or dipping-style ramen, because I could slowly savor each bite without fearing the risk of soggy noodles. Like most ramen shops, you order at a vending machine, which dispenses a receipt that you then give to the cook. Be sure to order an extra bowl of rice to soak up all of the remaining broth. The staff also recommended adding bit of vinegar and black pepper to the noodles!

This ramen is the bomb. We met some local architects while drinking at Bar Albatross and I asked them "where would you go eat at 2am" - they didn't hesitate "Ramen Nagi!" They hooked me up wjth the address and we made a plan to head out around 1am. We had to wait almost an hour, including a shift change and restocking from the local supplier (fresh ramen and veggies being hauled up the stairs from the street). We got inside just before 2am and, as others have noted, it fits 10 people max upstairs. I watched the master make the ramen- it was art. And the broth, infused with anchovies, was divine. We slurped our ramen until it was gone, noting the freshness of the ramen "bite" - al dente and delicious. This place is definitely on my hit list if and when I return to Tokyo. A funny twist, when I got home my buddy who had given me recommendations asked if I went to the ramen shop in golden gai...I said no, but that I found another epic place; but when I described it to him he exclaimed "that's the one I sent you to!" Scrolling back through our many texts prior to my trip I saw the photo he sent of his ramen bowl, and the location: Ramen Nagi. It's no wonder this place is loved by locals and visitors equally. If you're there, don't miss it.

Interesting bowl of ramen with a salty fish stock base. Glad to have tried it but won't again as I prefer tonkatsu broth. Wait was about half an hour in a narrow alleyway along side of building. Meal is purchased with cash at the vending machine right above the stairs. Fast service once you get up!

good place.while dials might feature guilloché patterns or precious stones. The craftsmanship involved, often combining traditional handcrafting techniques with cutting-edge technology, ensures superior quality and exclusivity.

Despite all the rave reviews here, I feel this place is an over hyped tourist trap. The noodle broth is insanely salty and very fishy. There are no vegetarian options as the broth is the same for all noodles and is made with pork and fish. Service is pretty straight forward - you order from a machine that is cash only at the top of stairs. Instructions are in English and Japanese. Worth checking out to see what all the hypes about but not worth waiting in a line for.

Tiny place, 24/7 open... great ramen with high quality pork.... The anchovy touch and soicea makes it super..

In the heart of Golden Gai, a nice remedy to a night of drinking. Beyond that it's a matter of personal preference. It is a bowl of cheap heavily flavored ramen, with pork and hints of anchovy. The noodles are in the thicker side with a good chewy. Worth and experience waiting in an alley, going up some seriously steep stairs and eating elbow to elbow with locals since Japan just opened a few days ago, no touristy crowds yet.

Very salty and the space is very small, not deserve to wait in the line for over 30 minutes.

Obviously there are all kinds of ramen to experience in Tokyo, not to mention the whole of Japan, so 'As good as it gets!' is not quite right. But I will say that we had a great experience at this Ramen Nagi. From lining up in the alley next to the bldg. to figuring out the ordering process to enjoying a huge bowl of oichi (delicious) ramen, it was definitely 'Woohoo!' Having picked this place because it was a reasonable walk from our hotel and that we wanted ramen, we had no idea we were going to have niboshi ramen or that it was in Golden Gai. Once we did see the Nagi sign, we saw people standing in the little alley next to the door. They moved and we stepped to the back of the line. We had learned that lines mean that there is something worth the wait. Every few minutes someone came out to check on the line and numbers for each party. While waiting in line we read the menu and the instructions on ordering. Once inside, we were ready with our cash, orders (a Super Golden ramen and a Special ramen), and regular amount of noodles (one can order extra noodles for no charge. The restaurant only seats up to 10 people cheek to jowl. The wait for the food was not too long. We were entertained by the changing of the patrons and the staff of two working behind a small bar. The place is not much bigger than a one car garage in the states. Need a place to stash your pack or purse? Look under the bar. There are hooks to hang up your stuff. Coat hangers are by the the order machine. We had no idea what niboshi ramen was, so we weren't aware of the broth's intense flavors. That said it wasn't unpleasant just different. The pork was super soft and delicious and generously provided in each bowl. The Super Golden had charchu and pork brisket. It was a lot of food. Even the Special ramen was a big bowl. But we wasted none of it! There's plenty of ice water to counteract the warm room and hot ramen. Need a napkin/tissue to mop your brow, look up, the boxes are just above your head. Space is tight. If you're in the area, definitely give it a try. Afterwards check out Golden Gai.

Came by for ramen the other day and it was a salty experience. The ramen shop is tiny and is open 24 hours. Up a very steep staircase, the restaurant was tiny. At least the A/C was strong in a hot and humid summer day in Tokyo. Ordered the special ramen for 1,600 Yen via their vending machine and it was very salty and fishy. The noodles had a nice chewy texture and the egg was excellent being a touch runny. ...the broth and the pork were all too salty...super heavy in sodium...

Line was not super long after 1:30pm. Was able to seat within 30mins. Noodles were irregular and interesting in shape, chewy and seasoned perfectly. Delicious anchovy seasoned broth.

Holy salt overload, sodium much? That plus the fishiness of the broth was unexpected, in a bad way. Odd because I've had Ramen Nagi in Taiwan and it was delish and not salty/fishy, so I wonder if they're actually different chains. I also unknowingly ordered the version with soba noodles (it says something like "full nutrition" on the vending machine) and didn't like it at all. Although I was able to taste the regular noodles that my wife ordered and it was only slightly better, but couldn't be saved since we didn't like the broth. I was starving so I scarfed down the noodles all while regretting it as I was wasting my morning appetite on something I wasn't enjoying at all. My wife did not finish hers. I am extremely glad we did not have to wait, otherwise would have been quite ticked off. Safe to say I'll be steering clear of Nagi.

I believe this is considered traditional ramen. I mostly believe that because the chef said so. It was good here in the sense that the noodles were delicious and unlike most others that I tried during my trip. The egg was cooked perfectly and it was a good serving. The ramen however was extremely fishy and strong. It wasn't something I was used to. While I almost finished my entire bowl, the group in front of us had very little of theirs because they didn't expect it to be so fishy.

This ramen joint was one of the culinary highlights during my stay in Tokyo. What made the experience even better was that I had no expectations walking in. Without reading any reviews, I randomly stumbled in at 2 am after a night out in the Shinjuku area. The restaurant is tiny and located on the second floor, with seating for maybe 7 people at most. No English menu, but you do but your ramen ticket from a machine before handing it over to the employee behind the counter. Not many choices, but I did opt to get their special ramen which turned out to be a great decision. As other reviewers have mentioned, this place is known for their fishy ramen broth. "Niboshi" means sardines, so that makes sense. Their ramen had one of the most distinctively flavorful broths i've ever tasted. It was dark in color and packed so much flavor without being overtly salty. The noodles had a nice consistency and the accompanying meat was tender. They also put some seemingly hand-pulled broad flat noodles in the ramen, which was a pleasant surprise. It provided some textural diversity and really made the ramen stand out. While the broth was the star of the dish, the hard-boiled egg was a umami bomb and absorbed much of fishy stock. Overall definitely one of the best ramen experiences i've ever had. Just keep in mind that it's a fishy broth!

TLDR: long wait, foreigner friendly, fishy but delicious ramen, and lovely staff. A few friends of mine from the States and I went on a Sunday, and got there at about 9:15pm. Following the Google Map directions takes you to the entrance of the small shop, but the line actually runs through a super narrow alley right next to the building, so in order to get in line you have to go all the way around to the street behind the building. From the backstreet street to the entrance, it took about 40 minutes from when we lined up to when we actually were let in and put out order in the vending machine. We all ordered the same thing; Sugoi Niboshi Ramen with an extra slice of brisket, which cost a total of ¥1350. Please do yourself a favor, and get the extra slice of brisket (¥150). The pork it comes with it nice, but the brisket had SO much more flavor, and it just falls apart *drools*. We were super excited about the fact that the noodles come in both the "thin" and thick slices. The thick noodles resemble a ribbon, and it suits the fishy broth really nicely. Also, it is a sardine-based broth, so it's pretty damn fishy, but pretty damn DELICIOUS. The hostess is able to communicate in English, and when you order she asks you a series of questions of how you like your ramen: Do you want a regular, medium or large portion? (They're all the same price) How do you like your noodles cooked? Soft or al dente (Al dente is standard, so if you say futsu that's what you'll get) There are signs and a menu in English posted on the side of the building where you line up that are very informative about the whole ordering and eating process that made it really easy navigate through the process, but the staff really appreciate it if you attempt to bust out your Japanese

This place has got to be my favorite ramen spot yet! My love and I were out on a mission to look for great ramen and oh boy this was it. After continuously searching on google for famous ramen spots around Tokyo, we stumbled upon this one. It's location is in a very narrow alley way. There's doors that lead you upstairs where it is very small and crowded. The vending machine for tickets will be on your right. Remember this only takes cash. If you have bigger bills like we did, they'll be more than happy to change the bills for you. The broth here is so amazing. I've never had seafood broth for any Japanese ramen before and I thought this was definitely a great first time experience. The broth was just so rich. If you don't like seafood, I don't think you'll enjoy this very much. I believe I ordered their special which was more than enough for me. Their servings were very generous. This is a MUST TRY spot if you're ever in Tokyo.

This was my first stop once I landed in Tokyo and let me just say that it set a pretty high standard for the rest of my visit. Great location. Great ambiance. Great service. Each table was equipped with a basket under each chair. I was a bit puzzled at first but then found out the basket/container is for holding purses or jackets. How thoughtful and considerate. On our table we found an added treat. A buzzer that notified the server whenever we needed anything. Again thoughtful and considerate The menu were in English and Japanese which made ordering so much easier although I had a feeling that they were no wrong choices. The restaurant is known for their Udon so of course I got Udon noodle soup and so did everyone else at the table. Each of us ordered a different type so I was able yo try 3 different variety. Each one was unique and delicious. And just for the heck of it, be sure to use the restroom. I'll just say it's a unique experience especially for me as a foreigner

Located in the iconic Golden Gai in Shinjuku's Kabukicho, this ramen is often used as a hangover cure. The broth is made from rich shoyu and flavors extracted from baby sardines (niboshi). They accomplish what they're supposed to do, but the broth is simply too salty for anyone who's not actually drunk. Roast pork is terrific and among the thickest I've ever had in a bowl of ramen. Good bowl of ramen, probably better than I've made it sound here--but definitely an acquired/specific taste.

Located in Golden Gai area this ramen spot is nearly impossible to find, but the small letters "Nagi" appeared right above it. We came on a nasty, wet, rainy day in Tokyo around 2pm so there wasn't a line/queue like other yelp reviews speak of. We walked up the narrow stairs into the ramen shop that's about the size of a cruise ship bathroom. First thing to do is order ramen from the vending ticket machine at the top of the stairs. Extra noodles, pork, egg, etc can be added to the ramen. Even though ordering the 820yen regular bowl already has everything included except egg. Then hand the ticket to the ramen chef. About two minutes later he'll hand the bowl of ramen over. I thought the ramen was a nice comfort food on a cold rainy day. Unfortunately my wife isn't a big fan of ramen. She much prefers soba and udon. But overall I think Nagi is a good option in Golden Gai for ramen.

Tiny little spot up a narrow row of stairs in a back alley in Shinjuku, Nagi is open 24/7! We went for breakfast at 8:30am since not a lot is open around the city that early of substance, and didn't have to wait. You can choose how many toppings you want and how much noodles you want (no extra charge for the noodles). Their noodles are a bit thicker than the usual with a great bite to it, and also comes with several slivers of what look like dumpling shells. The ramen is on the saltier side with the added taste of sardines, which is quite pungent and noticeable in the broth.

I was Yelping Ramen places to try in Japan and this was close to my hotel and had a decent amount of reviews. This Ramen was very different than ones I have had at other locations since this was a fish based broth as opposed to the pork broth, miso broth or chicken broth. There is only one Ramen and it comes with green onion and pork belly, seaweed and egg are optional additions. So you walk up this super, insanely narrow ass staircase, kinda like attic stairs, then you make payment at the vending machine at the top, you then sit at one of the eleven or so bar stools and hand them your receipt. This place is tiny, don't expect to be doing a lot of moving. And it's 24hrs yo The food: Ramen- I ordered the Ramen with the addition of egg. I thought this Ramen had the best texture noodle of any of the Ramen places I ever been to. If I was judging on noodle alone, it would get 5 stars. The wonton sheet, which made no sense to me at all, also had a wonderful texture, they both really had the perfect chew. Then the egg addition was great, it was a nicely seasoned egg with really nice flavor but the yolk was a tad more cooked than I would have liked. The part that took the biggest hit was the broth, I was not crazy about the broth. It was salty and fishy and not my cup of tea. #GiveMeThePork Then to make it worse, the pork was really dry and chewy. Overall, it was an OK bowl of Ramen with a bunch of potential. I would stick with pork based broths instead. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=NDGzKtkHnLNH604sUO8qog&userid=Y_iTTjKvV5hLy-880SZzlA

Anchovy-based broth Ramen - which is more unique than most other ramen places. Near Golden Gai so expect lot's of tourists. It's one of the harder places to find but a lot of celebrities came here so it's quite popular. The restaurant is really small and can only seat around 7 people. The broth can be overly salty and fishy to some people who are not used to it. The noodles were amazing, like most popular ramen joints in Japan. Worth it if you're looking for something other than shio/tonkotsu. English-speaker friendly so if you don't speak Japanese don't panic!

Decided to come here for dinner as my first ramen shop in Tokyo . Tucked away down one of the many narrow streets in Tokyo. Walking is highly recommend as there is no street parking. Taxi / ride share wouldn't be that bad but pedestrians def fill this area. Located through a narrow door and up a small flight of stairs. They have a sign out front but it's not one that will catch your eye. I came on a Saturday around 9pm and there was a small line down the alley just to the right of the door. Wait and someone from upstairs will come down and get you. Once they do, you'll walk upstairs and oder using a machine that had ramen options to choose from. I believe all are the same broth but vary in things added. I had the regular with egg which was 1000 yen. I believe the machine doesn't take anything higher then 1000 yen but they will give you change if you need to break a higher bill. Insert money, select ramen and give the ticket to them. You also choose between small / medium and large portion noodles. Very compact upstairs but has air condition . Only seats 8-10 Counter seating . 3 workers. One doing the ramen, one bringing guest upstairs and one hand washing the dishes. Service was friendly and fast. Cups are located on counter and self pour ice water container . They do have other drinks / beer as well to buy. Ramen was delicious . Very tasty and filling . Everything went well.

Ramen Nagi was the highlight of our most recent trip to Tokyo. Although I had thought myself partial to tonkatsu ramen, I loved the nigoshi (dried sardine) broth. I also had thought myself partial to thin noodles such as those served at Ippudo or Ichiran. (In fact, I wasn't particularly a fan of the thick noodles at EAK Ramen.) But Ramen Nagi perfectly marries the fish-based broth with thick handmade noodles. The original ramen bowl had the usual toppings of chashu and scallions. It also had short flat, wide noodle strips -- pasta on top of pasta. In contrast to the main noodle which are roughly textured, they were extremely smooth. The variety of textures and tastes in that one bowl of ramen were amazing. We went around 11:30 in the morning, so there was no wait. By the time we got out, several people were already waiting in the alley. All the staff members were extremely helpful, and we encouraged them to open in NYC!

This is a really good ramen shop. It's open 24 hours. You order via a little ticket machine right up the narrow steps to your right when you first get there. The shop is tiny with 10 seats. We got there first thing in the morning and there were 1 other person there. We ordered the super and another one, im not sure what. The difference was one came with extra pork as you can see in my pictures. The broth is fish based, bit on the saltier side but still good. I'd highly recommend it.

I only took away one star because I need to go back and try something more elaborate, which I intend to do on this trip. Wonderful service, very friendly, funny and polite. English language friendly, menu and the service. Also I love this whole putting your order in at the machine! Visited at about 8pm in a Saturday and although busy I was able to get a seat for 1 quickly.