Located inside the Mitsuwa market, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is a local legend. This ramen-focused eatery is hugely popular, thanks to its house-made noodles and rich, flavorful broths that combine umami and spice in just the right proportions.

The shio ramen is the house specialty and has a very mild flavor, which makes it a good choice for folks who don’t want anything too spicy. In fact, when this restaurant was first founded in Japan in 1988, shio ramen was the only item on the menu. Since that time, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka has expanded around the globe and has added a dozen other ramen varieties to the menu. Keep in mind that this place is very popular and while there's often a wait to be seated, regulars say the food is well worth the wait (or you can arrive early to avoid the rush).

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr lauren.topor