Best Ramen in Osaka

Tucked away on a side street in the heart of Dotombori, I found the best ramen of my entire trip to Japan—and it came from a place so small, I almost missed it.

Located at 542-0071, Osaka Osaka, Dotombori 1-Chōme, this ramen shop had no flashy signs, no long queues, no Instagram hype. Just the smell of rich broth in the air, a sliding wooden door, and a vibe that told me I was about to eat something unforgettable.

But the journey to that perfect bowl had a twist.

🚪 First Attempt: A Paper Sign & Google Translate

I actually tried to visit the shop once before, at a totally random time. Google Maps said it was open, but when I got there, the lights were off and a piece of paper was taped to the door.

I had no idea what it said—so I pulled out my phone and used Google Translate in photo mode. It translated to something like “Went to ___” (I forgot exactly what), but the message was clear: closed.

Disappointed but determined, I tried again two days later—same street, same door—and this time, the lights were on and the ramen magic was in full swing.

The place was really small—so small, in fact, that I went alone and left my travel group back at the hotel just to check it out. Inside, there were three counter seats directly in front of the chef as he prepared the ramen, plus two tiny tables that could seat one or two people each. Outside, there were three stools and a couple of plastic crates doubling as tables. It was humble, cramped, and completely perfect.

RAMEN 🍜 Tabutchan 屋台担担麺たぶっちゃん

There were two base options: soy sauce and sesame—and I highly recommend going with the sesame. It had a deeper, nuttier flavor that made the whole bowl unforgettable. I also ordered a cold beer, which paired perfectly with the ramen. Exactly what I needed after a day of exploring Osaka.