Hanada

Located right in the middle of Ikebukuro's 'ramen battleground', Hanada has managed to maintain its queue mystique. Although the yellowish storefront and free toppings of garlic and veg bring Jiro and its followers to mind, this one is actually a completely different animal: the creamy miso-based soup can be had with either ramen or tsukemen, while a spicy version is also available. The rich but smooth soup combines nicely with the curly noodles, and the ample fresh veg adds to the experience. We recommend taking advantage of the free garlic, too.