Ebimaru Ramen: A French Twist on Tokyo’s Best Comfort Food
[Non-halal] We had the absolute best ramen of our recent trip to Tokyo at Ebimaru Ramen.
Located in the charming Jimbōchō district, this spot specialises in ramen served in an incredibly rich lobster bisque broth. It was recommended to us by a local friend, and it exceeded our expectations.
The French Technique Behind the Broth
Head chef Masa brings a highly unique approach to his kitchen. Trained extensively in fine French cuisine but holding no formal background in traditional ramen, he masterfully combines classic French techniques with premium Japanese ingredients.
To create his signature bisque, Masa-san sources five tonnes of Canadian lobsters annually.
The broth undergoes a meticulous 15-hour simmering process, where whole lobsters and shells are reduced alongside a French-style mirepoix of vegetables, chicken, brandy, wine, herbs, and spices.
This intensive slow-cooking ensures the broth absorbs maximum gelatin and collagen from the chicken while extracting a deeply concentrated, distinctive umami from the lobster shells.
Umami-Rich Lobster Broth
Ebimaru Ramen features four main offerings on its menu:
- Classic lobster ramen served in a standard bisque broth
- Creamy lobster ramen
- Spicy sesame and chili lobster ramen
- The ultimate indulgence: a bowl topped with a whole roasted lobster!
As first-timers, we opted for the Sparkling Wine Set (around JPY3,280 or USD20), which bundles a standard bowl of lobster ramen with a glass of sparkling wine and a finishing risotto course.
We started the meal with an elegant amuse-bouche (how French!) – a small, refreshing shot of lobster broth sweetened with tomatoes.
Soon after, the star of the show arrived. Simmered to perfection, the broth is thick, intensely creamy, and packed with layers of seafood umami. The noodles are thick and cooked perfectly al dente, which allows them to grip the heavy broth beautifully.
For toppings, the bowl is beautifully garnished with a ripened cherry tomato, diced raw onions, and tender sliced chicken. It also comes with a unique French touch: a slice of crispy baguette smeared with sour cream, which adds an entirely new, tangy dimension to the soup.
For an extra kick, be sure to drizzle a bit of their house-made shrimp chili oil to introduce a subtle, vibrant Szechuan spice lick to the flavor profile.
Finished with a Cheesy Risotto
Whatever you do, don’t finish your broth!
At the end of your meal, your server will bring out a sizzling hot cast-iron pan of risotto rice topped with prawns, shredded cheese, and a raw egg yolk.
Simply ladle a few spoonfuls of your leftover lobster soup directly into the hot pan, mix it all together, and watch the cheese melt into a rich, gooey finish. It is the ultimate way to close out the meal.
Conclusion
For a highly reasonable price point, this was easily one of the most inventive and deeply satisfying meals we experienced in Japan. If you are hunting for a unique food experience in Tokyo, Ebimaru Ramen comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Ebimaru Ramen 海老丸らーめん
Address: 1F Tokachi Building, 2-1-13 Nishikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0065
Hours: 11.30am-3pm, 6pm-10.30pm (Weekdays), 11.30am-8pm (Weekends and public holidays), Closed on irregular Mondays
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