Tokyo's youth and design centre, where 24-hour ramen shops, chef-led modern Japanese rooms and standing izakaya cluster around the scramble crossing.
Tsuta in Tokyo's Yoyogi-Uehara was the first ramen shop with a Michelin star (2016 guide), held it four years, still pours shoyu and shio with stone-milled noodles.
Signature: Shoyu soba with truffle oil, Shio soba with white truffle
Order: Shoyu soba with the signature black truffle oil; tsukemen if you prefer dipping.
Tip: Closed Tuesdays. Lunch only, 11:00 to 15:00, no numbered ticket system. Arrive by 11:00 or after 14:00.
Ichiran in Tokyo's Shibuya runs the solo-booth tonkotsu format 24 hours, with the customisation slip for noodle firmness, broth richness and spicy level.
Signature: Classic tonkotsu ramen, Kaedama refill
Order: The classic ramen with kaedama (noodle refill). Order spicy level 1 on a first visit.
Tip: Vending-machine ticketing only. Queues run after 22:00 and before 02:00 on weekends.