Tonkotsu ramen: cloudy broth, kaedama and 5 restaurants in Tokyo and Chiba

Based on online information as of September 28, 2026. This site has not conducted any on-site interviews or actual tastings. Edited based on official store information, facility guides, media coverage, etc. The order of publication is not a ranking. Business hours, prices, menus, and payment methods are subject to change. Please check the latest information for each store before visiting. Don't rely on the name of the dish alone to determine whether it meets dietary restrictions or allergies; please check with the restaurant individually.

Thin noodles in white soup. This is probably what some people think of when they hear "Ramen I want to eat in Japan."

When choosing tonkotsu ramen, look beyond its white colour to the pork flavour, mouthfeel and noodle texture. Here are three restaurants in Tokyo and two in Chiba, with a starting point for each.

Tonkotsu means "soup made from pork bones"

Tonkotsu describes a broth ingredient: pork bones. It is a different category from seasonings such as shoyu and miso, so tonkotsu shoyu is also a valid combination. This article focuses on cloudy pork-bone broths, including Hakata and Nagahama styles.^[S01]

During cooking, emulsification disperses fat and other components through the broth, creating a cloudy appearance. White broth alone is not evidence that milk has been added. Pork bones can also be used to make a broth that is not cloudy, as Tanaka Shoten’s sister brand Tanaka Sobaten explains.^[S02][B05]

Another characteristic is that the pork has a strong aroma and the soup is thick. Don't judge based on just the word "rich", let's take a look at what makes the restaurant special.

Three restaurants to try in Tokyo

1. ICHIRAN Asakusa | Write down your preferences when ordering

ICHIRAN has officially explained a manufacturing method that suppresses the odor while preserving the umami of tonkotsu. Another feature is the order form where you can write down your taste preferences. Forms in English, Korean, and Chinese are also available. ^[B01]

On a first visit, choose the basic or regular option for settings you do not understand, rather than selecting the maximum. The red secret sauce is based on chilli peppers; if you dislike heat, choose a small amount or none.^[B01]

First order suggestion: Natural Tonkotsu Ramen, with a level of spice you can comfortably enjoy. This guide refers to the Asakusa branch at 1-1-16 Asakusa, which is separate from the Asakusa Rokku branch. Consider it for a meal while exploring Asakusa.^[B02]

2. IPPUDO Ginza | Compare Shiromaru and Akamaru

IPPUDO's Shiromaru is a simple way to enjoy smooth tonkotsu soup. Akamaru, on the other hand, is a combination of garlic flavored oil and spicy miso. Even if the brand is the same, the impression you get will change depending on the product you order. ^[B04]

For a first introduction to tonkotsu, consider the Shiromaru range. The Ginza branch’s official listing includes dishes such as Goku Shiromaru Motoaji. Choose according to whether you want extra heat or aromatic oil, rather than simply assuming the red option is the famous one.^[B03]

First order suggestion: a bowl from the Shiromaru range. This guide refers to the branch at 4-10-3 Ginza. The official listing mentions foreign-language menus, which is useful information for travellers.^[B03]

3. Hakata Nagahama Ramen Tanaka Shoten | Pork broth and very thin noodles

Tanaka Shoten describes simmering different parts of the pig for a long time and using very thin noodles supplied from Fukuoka. Start with the restaurant’s basic ramen to explore the combination of broth and noodles.^[B05]

Please pay attention to the crispness of the thin noodles here. If it's your first time, it's enough to start with normal firmness and adjust it to your preference next time. It doesn't mean "the harder it is, the better".

First order idea: Ramen. The main store is Hitotsuya, Adachi-ku, on the Rokumachi Station side. "Tanaka Sobaten", which has a similar name, serves a different type of ramen, so be sure to check for "Tanaka Shoten" in your map search. ^{[B05] [B06]}

Two restaurants to try in Chiba

4. Kyushu Ramen Yuri | A locally rooted taste of Kyushu in Kisarazu

Yuri is a shop founded in 1970 in Konandai, Kisarazu City. In the 2026 SUSURU WEB food coverage, ramen with cloudy tonkotsu soup was introduced. This is a good choice for people who want to visit not only national chains but also local stores that have been around for a long time. ^{[B07] [B08]}

They also serve Nagasaki Champon, but if you want a simple taste of tonkotsu soup and noodles, try the basic ramen first. Please distinguish the menu from Champon when ordering.

First order: Basic ramen. The store is not in front of Kisarazu Station but in Konandai. When planning your itinerary, be sure to include transportation to the store. It is not treated as a "stop station on the way from Narita to Tokyo." ^[B07]

5. Hakata Ramen Issou nossi | A different Hakata Issou brand in Minamifunabashi

This is a second brand from Hakata Issou on the third floor of the North Building at LaLaport TOKYO-BAY. This guide introduces nossi’s own tonkotsu ramen, rather than treating it as a branch of Hakata Issou itself. The facility describes a nostalgic flavour that makes you want to return.^[B09]

You can choose your meal at the food court, so it's an easy option to consider even on trips where not everyone in your party wants to try tonkotsu ramen. The store information for the facility also includes English menus and cashless payment information. ^[B10]

First order idea: Ramen. For those who want to try the flavors of famous Hakata restaurants in Chiba. We are positioning this place as a new option, different from the long-established local stores. ^{[B09] [B10]}

Kaedama: an extra serving of noodles

Kaedama means ordering extra noodles to add to the broth left in your bowl. It does not mean a second complete bowl of ramen. If you plan to order it, save some broth and follow the restaurant’s ordering instructions.^[B01]

Don't assume that ``a tonkotsu restaurant always has kaedama''; instead, check the restaurant's menu. Rather than adding a large portion or adding extra noodles from the beginning, I recommend eating one bowl and then thinking about the portion size.

Enjoying tonkotsu ramen is about more than comparing the thickness of white broth. Ease of ordering, pork flavour and the texture of thin noodles offer different starting points. Choose the aspect that interests you.