Ramen Hayashida

Shinjuku is without a doubt a haven for ramen lovers and a competitive market for ramen shops. It's so competitive that it's been said if one can make it in Shinjuku, it can make it anywhere in the world. Among the hundreds of ramen-ya in the vicinity, one stands out from the crowd, and that is Ramen Hayashida. Ramen Hayashida has been producing a duck and chicken broth-based soup since 2017 and recently started selling a seafood broth-based one using Nodoguro, which is a variety of sea bass that's high in fat content. This fish is more commonly enjoyed as sashimi or braised, but Hayashida cracked the code to transform it into a delicious seafood broth — limited to only 60 bowls per day! The fat and oil in this fish-based soup is more delicate than the meat-based one, as most meat broth-based ramen have strong, savory, and thick flavors. The subtle taste of the Nodoguro one is quite refreshing — light yet powerful. You'll be spoiled for ramen choices at Ramen Hayashida as every bowl is made to perfection. The waiting time is not necessarily long, but if you're looking to get the fish-based ramen, it's best to get there early to secure one of the limited number of bowls offered for the day.