A tiny Tokyo noodle shop joined the ranks of the world's top restaurants Tuesday as it scooped up a star from the respected Michelin Guide. The food bible gave a nod to nine-seat Tsuta - a first for a ramen eatery - as Tokyo also kept its title as the world's culinary capital with the most Michelin-starred restaurants. Ramen is one of the most common fast foods in Japan and small shops serving the soup-and-noodle concoction can be found on almost every corner.
In recent years, the dish's popularity has exploded with restaurants popping up in major cities around the world, from Hong Kong to New York. Tsuta - which sells bowls from $7 to $9.75 apiece at its shop in the north Tokyo neighbourhood of Sugamo - features gourmet offerings such as rosemary-flavoured barbecued pork and soy sauce ramen with a hint of porcini mushroom.