Nakiryu

There are only a handful of ramen shops in Tokyo that have ever held a Michelin star, so you know that Nakiryu must be something special. Located near Otsuka Station in north Tokyo, this ultra-popular ramen-ya is famous for their tantanmen — a spicy Sichuan-inspired dish of pork, chili peppers, and chili oil. Their main items on the menu are variations on this dish with different levels of spiciness and sourness, and seasonal variations also pop up throughout the year. Other ramen options are available, but you’d be mad to go for anything besides their signature tantanmen! You might think that a Michelin star and Bib Gourmand award would go to the head of a humble ramen shop, but not at all. Nakiryu is among the most affordable Michelin star eateries on the planet, with a bowl of their signature noodles costing about the same as a normal bowl elsewhere. They open from 11:30am to 3pm for lunch, then again from 6pm to 9pm for dinner. A red sign on the door signifies that the last customer for the day has been accepted, so you won't be able to get in. You’ll want to plan to arrive as early as possible to avoid that grim fate! Michelin Guide: 2017 - 1 Michelin Star 2024 - Bib Gourmand