Ramen Hayashi

Shibuya's Popular Lunch-only Shoyu Tonkotsu Ramen

Operating Hours

11:30 to 15:30 (Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat)

Closed on Wed-Wed, Sun

Budget

￥￥

Ramen Hayashi is one of Shibuya's (渋谷) most popular ramen (ラーメン, Rāmen) hotspots for those in the know. Operating for just 4 hours each day or till it sells out, this gyokai (魚介) tonkotsu shoyu ramen (豚骨醤油ラーメン, Tonkotsu Shōyu Rāmen, Pork Bone Soy Sauce Ramen) shop commands long queues of locals and tourists alike. Using a combination of seafood, shoyu (醤油, Shōyu, Soy Sauce), and tonkotsu (豚骨, Pork bones), the soup is rich with a unique balance of both seafood and meat. The noodles are also thicker, and the ajitama (味玉) is a popular topping here. The shop is also a long-time winner of Tabelog's (食べログ, Taberogu) Hyakumeiten Award (百名店, Top 100 Restaurants).

Ramen Hayashi Review and Thoughts

Recommended

Ramen Hayashi offers a rich broth that is on the thicker and richer side. Personally, the ramen was alright, but didn't resonate with us as much as we had hoped based on the reviews. In general, it's a pretty decent bowl of ramen, but we wouldn't say it has the "wow" factor that made us want to go back a second time. That being said, if you're a tourist who has never had gyokai tonkotsu ramen before, it might be a pretty mind-blowing experience. However, if you've widely eaten all sorts of tonkotsu gyokai ramen, you might not be extremely impressed by the dish. It's by no means a bad ramen, and it's definitely above average, but not a shop that we really feel like revisiting.

Ramen Hayashi's Story

Ramen Hayashi was started by Hayashi Shingō (林真剛) in 2003, with the unique gyokai shoyu tonkotsu ramen that he developed himself. The soup is made using only natural ingredients and no food additives whatsoever. It's also said that there's a special shio ramen (塩ラーメン, Shio Rāmen, Salt Ramen) on the secret menu that you have to ask the chef himself and is not listed on the vending machine.

Ramen Hayashi Menu Recommendations

味玉ラーメン

Ajitama Ramen

¥1,100

The most recommended dish on the menu. This is their classic gyokai (魚介) tonkotsu shoyu ramen (豚骨醤油ラーメン, Tonkotsu Shōyu Rāmen, Pork Bone Soy Sauce Ramen) together with an additional ajitama (味玉) topping. As the soup might be a tad rich, the ajitama helps to add flavour variety to the dish.

ラーメン

Ramen

¥1,000

This is their classic gyokai (魚介) tonkotsu shoyu ramen (豚骨醤油ラーメン, Tonkotsu Shōyu Rāmen, Pork Bone Soy Sauce Ramen). It comes with chashu (チャシュウ, Chashū, Roasted Pork), menma (メンマ, Fermented bamboo shoots), nori (のり, Seaweed), and negi (葱, Spring Onion).

焼豚ラーメン味玉付き

Chashu Ramen with Ajitama

¥1,400

This is the classic gyokai (魚介) tonkotsu shoyu ramen (豚骨醤油ラーメン, Tonkotsu Shōyu Rāmen, Pork Bone Soy Sauce Ramen) with all the fixings, including the ajitama (味玉), and includes an extra amount of chashu (チャシュウ, Chashū, Roasted Pork).