Ramen For All - Eat Local And Ethical At Noodle Stand Tokyo, Harajuku

Delicious Ramen with Vegan Options in Harajuku

Upper left and right pictures courtesy of Noodle Stand Tokyo
Noodle Stand Tokyo is a ramen shop in Harajuku, just down the street from Takeshita Street. The ramen here is made with local, ethically-sourced ingredients and is known for its unique menu options, including coconut miso ramen, low-carbohydrate noodles, and choices for gluten-free diners and vegetarian and vegan customers.

Stop in for a reasonably-priced meal in between shopping, visiting Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park, or exploring the area.

Noodle Stand Tokyo - Dedication to Quality and Customer Needs

The owner of Noodle Stand Tokyo started the restaurant in 2017 after training at various ramen restaurants throughout Tokyo. Inspired by ethical fashion shops in the Harajuku and Omotesando areas nearby, the shop focuses on making ramen with ethically-sourced high-quality ingredients that are also local.

Along with a traditional ramen menu made with pork and seafood, there are options for diners with allergies and dietary restrictions so they can experience this classic Japanese dish as well.

Ramen Using Local, High-Quality Ingredients

The menu at Noodle Stand Tokyo has something to suit all tastes, from classic Niboshi ramen and brothless noodles to spicy choices. Every ingredient in each of these dishes comes from farmers and suppliers that use ethical production methods and are located close by. 

For example, the ramen noodles come from Asakusa Kaikarou, a famous noodle maker located in Asakusa, Tokyo that has been featured in newspapers and Japanese television for their high-quality, chewy noodles. Noodle Stand receives all its noodles from Kaikarou and also has an exclusive agreement for its low-carbohydrate noodles.

Another notable ingredient is soy sauce, a key component in essential to ramen's savory broth flavor. The shoyu company is from nearby Chiba Prefecture, just east of Tokyo. This shoyu brewery uses a method that is over 100 years old and uses no additives.

Other components, like niboshi (dried sardine) for the soup and pork for the char siu also comes from trusted producers in Chiba. The certified organic coconut oil in the miso coconut ramen choices is from Brown Sugar 1st, a major health-conscious food brand in Japan.

Place Your Order and Watch Your Meal Being Made

To order your ramen, use the ticket vending machine next to the front entrance. This method is common at ramen restaurants in Japan and adds to the casual dining experience.

First, insert your money into the machine (*1). There is English displayed for each option, making it easy to order without Japanese. Also, a menu with contained allergens and English descriptions is available, too. If you don't understand something, the staff will be glad to help.

1*: The machine only takes 1,000 yen bills and coins, but feel free to ask the employees for change if you don't have the correct denomination.

After making your selection, hand the paper ticket to the employee behind the counter. Take a seat at the counter or table and watch the chefs prepare your meal while you wait.

Please note that the restaurant does become crowded on weekends and during holidays. There may be a wait to get into the restaurant, but the line moves quickly.

A Lineup of Classic and Creative Ramen

Noodle Stand Tokyo has a varied menu with many options, making it ideal to come with friends with different tastes or dietary preferences.

1. Special Kuroshio Nisboshi Ramen - A Popular, Delicious Choice

Picture courtesy of Noodle Stand Tokyo
The Special Kuroshio Niboshi Ramen (1,150 yen including tax) is a frequently ordered, hearty choice. Customers can choose from a shoyu or shio (salt) base for the broth. The name "Kuroshio" comes from the Kuroshio Current that flows off Chiba Prefecture's coast, which results in a nutrient-rich ocean leading to better fish and seafood products, including the flavorful niboshi featured in this soup. It also comes with grilled pork slices and noodles.

This special version comes with seasoned egg, extra green onions, extra pork, and seaweed.

2. Gyu-Nikomi Mazesoba - Flavorful Brothless Beef Ramen

Picture courtesy of Noodle Stand Tokyo
Another choice often ordered is the Gyu-Nikomi Mazesoba (950 yen including tax), a brothless noodle dish flavored with shoyu, white wine, and tomato. A generous helping of beef and green onion top the thick noodles. Your choice of soft-boiled egg or tartar sauce ties the flavors together. This is a dish full of flavor and has even been featured by Japanese influencers on YouTube. You can add extra noodles to the meal free of charge if you are feeling extra hungry.

3. Coconut Miso Ramen (Vegan Option Available)

Picture courtesy of Noodle Stand Tokyo
Another creative dish at Noodle Stand is the Coconut Miso Ramen (1,100 yen including tax), which is offered in a vegan and non-vegan version. The soup is blended with creamy coconut and miso, creating a delicious, unforgettable taste. The vegan version, pictured above, is topped with soy meat, greens, and ginger.

Nuts add textural interest and you can squeeze the lime into the soup as you eat to change the flavors. Low-carb noodles are used in this dish.

Special Friday Menu: Dandan Noodles and Brothless Ramen

Diners can enjoy a limited menu on Fridays with tsukemen and Japanese dandan noodles (tantan-men). Pictured above is the dandan noodles (900 yen including tax), which happen to be vegan. The dandan noodles are a Taiwanese-style of ramen with a thick broth, made with sesame paste and chili oil. It comes with soy meat, greens, and peppers on top, creating a delicious blend of spice and rich flavor.

Other mouthwatering menu options on Friday include tsukemen (noodles with dipping sauce), spicy ramen, and ramen with thick broths. These contain meat and fish products.

Options: Pre-Meal Smoothies and Ramen Condiments

Another unique menu item at Noodle Stand Tokyo is their smoothie (pictured left), which is thought to help curb the absorption of sugar from the ramen. The healthy smoothie comes from a high-quality, organic brand and is frequently ordered.

To further customize your ramen experience, make use of the condiments (pictured right) at the counter and table settings. Add in sesame (metal container in the back), garlic paste (left), spice, and vinegar (right) as you eat to adjust and enjoy the different flavors.

How to Get to Noodle Stand Tokyo

Noodle Stand Tokyo is conveniently located within a few minutes of JR Harajuku Station and Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae Station by foot. From both stations, cross the street and make a left, heading towards the Takeshita street entrance. Continue for a couple more minutes and you will see the sign above. Despite its close location to these major stations and sightseeing area, the street it's on is comparatively quiet.

Take the stairs down to the basement level to reach the restaurant.

Unique Ramen Made with Care--For Everyone!

The very first taste of the ramen at Noodle Stand Tokyo will reveal this shop's special dedication to making delicious noodles catering to all customers regardless of their dietary needs. From the local, ethically-sourced ingredients to the careful preparation of each bowl and inexpensive prices, this is a ramen experience in Harajuku you shouldn't overlook.

Noodle Stand Tokyo

1-23 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 COMICHI 2nd floor 26JINGUMAE

Hotels near Noodle Stand Tokyo

Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo ,an IHG Hotel

Tokyo

4.4 /5

Very Good

63 reviews

$618～

MIMARU Tokyo Shinjuku West

Tokyo

4.1 /5

Very Good

40 reviews

$423～

Shinjuku Washington Hotel Annex

Tokyo

4.4 /5

Very Good

318 reviews

$162～

Made in cooperation with Noodle Stand Tokyo