Daitsukemen Expo presents Ra-1 Grand Prix

This autumn the Daitsukemen Expo at Okubo Park in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, is a competition: the Ra-1 Grand Prix, from 2026/10/10 to 2026/11/15. 64 ramen shops founded within the last 15 years take turns at the stalls, and visitors' votes decide which one wins the ¥5,000,000 prize.

Eight phases, a new line-up each time
The shops change with every phase, eight battle shops at a time, so a second visit means different bowls. The phases run 2026/10/10 to 2026/10/14, 2026/10/16 to 2026/10/18, 2026/10/20 to 2026/10/22, 2026/10/24 to 2026/10/28, 2026/10/30 to 2026/11/01, 2026/11/03 to 2026/11/05, 2026/11/07 to 2026/11/11 and 2026/11/13 to 2026/11/15, with a changeover day in between. The official website lists the shops in each phase.

Voting for the next ramen king
Only shops that have traded under their current name for 15 years or less can compete. You eat, compare and vote for your favourite, and the votes decide the first Ra-1 champion.

Legend shops
Each phase also has two legend stalls: well-known shops that have been open for more than 15 years. They serve alongside the battle shops but are not part of the vote. The final phase brings Chuka Soba Tomita and Yamagishi Kazuo Taishoken.

Bowls from ¥800
Bowls start at ¥800 for a smaller tasting size, a first for the Daitsukemen Expo, so you can try several shops in one visit.