Kaede

This sister shop of Hanamichi in Nogata, Kaede is found along the Ome-kaido, a ten-minute walk north from Ogikubo Station. Very popular ever since its opening in April 2016, it's easy to spot thanks to the red and black awnings. As is the case at Hanamichi, miso features heavily here – go for any of the three signature dishes of Miso Ramen (¥800), the spicier Karamiso Ramen (¥820) or the soupless Aemen (from ¥820) for proof. The broth is firmly animal-based – a mix of pork leg and venison – and is extremely rich, dense and complex but refreshing, making it an easy crowd-pleaser. The Nishiyama noodles are sourced directly from Sapporo and complement the soup nicely with their robust texture. Extra touches include the nira and beanspouts, cooked to crisp perfection in a Chinese earthenware pot, and an original paste made from fresh ginger to top it all off. Although the flavours are strong, Kaede's ramen is still an easy eat for those who like their noodles a bit more on the understated side.