15/02/2026
I travel to Japan every year for ramen research, and there is exactly one shop I visit every single time: Housenka (鳳仙花) in Shinjuku — with no long wait and located right by the metro station (only a few minutes’ walk). The broth for the ramen here is something truly special. It’s made from kinmedai, known as alfonsino in English, one of the most intense and delicious fish in Japan. It also works incredibly well in the tsukemen version, when the noodles are dipped portion by portion into this light yet unbelievably flavorful broth.
That’s why it’s an absolute recommendation for anyone who loves truly unique yet incredibly delicious ramen. However, my favorite item on the menu is the regular ramen with the ochazuke set — which means you get rice to enjoy with the remaining ramen broth.