Tokyo Gourmet ~ Ramen Kagetsu Arashi: Delicious Genkotsu Ramen, Right Next to Asakusa's Kaminarimon

When you're visiting Asakusa and your stomach starts to rumble so much people wonder if it might be the sound of Kaminarimon (雷門, the "thunder and lightning gate") itself, there's nothing better than a steaming bowl of ramen, and we've got a recommendation! Ramen Kagetsu Arashi is just steps away.

Ramen Kagetsu Arashi
Asakusa, Tokyo

Asakusa's atmosphere is a little different from the urban ambience found in so much of the city, with traditional shopping streets and ancient buildings surrounding the illustrious Sensoji Temple (浅草寺). It is a popular destination for sightseers, though, thanks to all there is to see and do, which is why you're bound to find yourself looking for lunch in the area. But why wander the streets searching on an empty stomach when there's a great option practically next door to the Sensoji Temple's main entrance?

Ramen Kagetsu Arashi is just 30~40m (100ft or so) from Kaminarimon Gate - go from sightseeing to sitting down to some tasty noodles in a matter of seconds!



This Ramen Kagetsu Arashi is actually just one location of a popular Japanese ramen chain that's been around for 27 years, and there are 250 locations accross the country! The name of the restaurant includes the word "Arashi" (嵐) because it means "storm" or even "typhoon" in Japanese, symbolizing the desire that Ramen Kagetsu Arashi has to whip up and spread delicious ramen culture like the spread of winds in a storm.

However, even though it's an identifiable and popular shop (and it's in an incredibly convenient location), the lunch rush is surprisingly spread out, meaning there isn't usually much of a wait. Apparently the main customer base for Ramen Kagetsu Arashi in Asakusa is foreign travelers and, actually, lots of people who work at the restaurants and shops nearby. Since these crowds don't usually have defined lunch hours, you can head right over without worrying too much about the time.


Ramen Kagetsu Arashi (らあめん花月嵐)
Address: 1-3-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 - 26:00
Access: Asakusa Station
Official Website (jp)
English Menu



Clean and comfortable, it's quite a welcoming ramen shop! Sit down in a booth, or right at the counter.



The ticket vending machines have menus in English (and a few other languages), so you don't have to worry about ordering in Japanese.



You can pay in cash, of course, or you can follow the lead of many Tokyoites and pay for the meal with your IC transit card! (They don't accept credit cards, however.)



If you've got any further requests, they've got a pretty international staff team. Practice your Japanese, or ask if there are any English- or Chinese-speaking staff on hand that day.

The Manager's Recommendations

① Ramen Kagetsu Arashi's Most Popular Ramen

The Arashi Genkotsu Ramen (嵐げんこつらあめん) is a unique Tokyo-style tonkotsu (豚骨) broth ramen, which comes in three varieties: shoyu (醤油, soy sauce), shio (塩, salt), or miso (味噌).



Elsewhere, garlic gets added to the finished soup before being served, but Ramen Kagetsu Arashi's genkotsu-style tonkotsu has garlic cooked into the broth itself. Instead of leaving you with garlic breath, this garlic just gives the ramen wonderful umami!



Families traveling with children will love this option: the kids' meal! It includes a bowl of ramen that's the same delicious stuff as adults get, but half the size, so kids won't miss out on the broth's deep flavor. Plus, it comes with a little drink and an "umaibo" (うまい棒), a popular crunchy Japanese snack. (Exact meal contents may vary.)

② Specialty Ramen Dishes

Their Golden Miso Ramen uses Kogane (黄金, literally "golden") miso, a perfect ratio red and white varieties of miso. Between the rich soup, sliced chashu pork topping, and the "futomen" (太麺, thick noodles) that provide a great bite, you won't walk out of Ramen Kagetsu Arashi hungry!



On the other hand, the Barikara (Super Spicy) Ramen adds a good dose of their special spicy-hot spice mix to the genkotsu ramen, and together with the dish's hosomen (細麺, thin noodles), they make it an addictive bowl, which packs a punch of habanero flavor.



If you want to try a unique flavor that's a little rarer in the ramen world, dip into the Buta Soba Tsukemen (quite literally). These tsukemen noodles are dipped into a double-base broth, which uses rich pork accented with a light fish flavor.



Make sure to dip the noodles well, so they soak up a good amount of the soup's unique flavor!

③ Non-Ramen Recommendations

Ramen Kagetsu Arashi isn't just a lunch spot! Stop in for dinner, or just some drinks and snacks. Their highballs are impressively huge, probably twice the size you'd expect, and the perfect refreshment after a long day of sightseeing.



Hungry diners might be intrigued by this excellent side dish option! Fried rice is a ramen shop standard in Japan, but this teppan rice comes to the table in a sizzling skillet, and you get to mix it up to perfection. The one dish is pretty big, so it makes a plentiful side for 2 or 3 people.



Plus, they use butter in the dish, making it extra rich!

Why Ramen Kagetsu Arashi

① The Variety of Cool Condiment Options!

Ramen Kagetsu Arashi offers a pretty wide variety of ways to change up and customize your ramen, and quite a few of those are complimentary as well. Check out these free-to-use condiments!

❶ Black Pepper: A basic seasoning that goes with any kind of ramen!
❷ The Secret Sauce: You can ask for the secret formula, but they're not telling! ✨



❸ Fresh-Crushed Garlic: Crush your own garlic to taste!



❹ Spicy Garlic Chives & Bean Sprouts: You won't find this topping just anywhere! It's a unique ramen option, and it opens up your bowl to a new world of flavor.

② The Noodles Are Chosen with a Purpose

The shop's two different kinds of noodles are chosen judiciously to maximize the flavor of each ramen variety. Thicker noodles make the most of richer broths like the miso ramen, where thin noodles create a different experience that complements dishes like the basic Arashi Genkotsu Ramen. There's a lot of forethought that goes into making you the perfect bowl of noodles!

Find the Perfect Ramen for You!

Are you a specialty Arashi Genkotsu Ramen kind of person?



Or maybe your palate prefers the delectably blended Golden Miso Ramen.



Or maybe you're the kind of gourmet that enjoys the punch of the Barikara (Super-Spicy) Ramen!

Whether one of these ramen varieties calls to you, or you're still thinking about that teppan rice and a good cold drink, there's definitely a delicious meal waiting for everybody at Ramen Kagetsu Arashi.

Unforgettable Flavor!

Ramen Kagetsu Arashi regularly collaborates with famous ramen spots around the country to bring unique flavors and regional varieties to their shops for a limited time, meaning there's always something new to try! Between the intriguing new options and the old standbys with mouth-watering flavor, you're going to want to stop by next time you're in Asakusa. (And then you're going to want to get back again soon!) Find a new favorite ramen at Ramen Kagetsu Arashi.

Ramen Kagetsu Arashi (らあめん花月嵐)

Address: 1-3-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo

Hours: 11:00 - 26:00

Access: Asakusa Station

Official Website (jp)

English Menu