Exquisite ramen that warms the soul

  • October 21, 2024
  • 2024年10月23日


The ramen that the owner created after extensive research is packed with attention to detail, from the soup, noodles, and ingredients. We will introduce three famous ramen shops where you can enjoy this exquisite bowl of ramen.

[Shops introduced in this article]

Niboshi Chinese Noodles Yamagataya

Yamagataya, which opened in 2019, is run by the owner, Shigemi Ikeda, who is from Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, and his wife, Aki.

The signature dish, "Chuka Soba," is an improved version of Yamagata's traditional soy sauce ramen, and is a respectful adaptation of the famous Sakata City ramen shop "Kenchan Ramen." The soup, made with dried sardine stock, goes well with the curly, hand-kneaded noodles. Another great thing about the restaurant is that you can choose from light, strong, or rich soup depending on your taste and mood. They also offer a limited menu every weekend, with soups made with seafood ingredients such as crab miso and oysters.

"Even after opening, we've been trying out different methods and brushing up our cooking. I'm still enjoying learning," says Ikeda. Not only will you never get bored no matter how many times you visit, but you'll also have the opportunity to try new flavors.

"Niboshi Chinese Noodles" 950 yen. The roasted pork slices, made from low-temperature cooked Oyama chicken breast, are surprisingly tender and juicy!
The bamboo shoots are thin so that they can be easily eaten with the noodles, and are available for takeout. Many people buy them to take home as a snack.
From the counter seats, you can get a glimpse of the husband and wife working together efficiently to prepare the food.

[Exterior / Interior]

  • There are 11 counter seats inside the shop. Be sure to check the calendar posted with the limited menu schedule.
  • The shop is located on Rokuroku Street, which connects Rokucho and Rokugatsu. Look for the red noren curtain.

【Shop information】

■Boiled Chinese soba Yamagataya
電　話：070-6960-0641
Business hours: 11:00-14:30 (Saturdays: 11:00-14:30, 17:00-19:45, Sundays: 11:00-14:30, 17:00-19:30)
Closed: Mondays and every other Tuesday
Seats: 11 seats
Address: 3-5-1 Takenotsuka, Adachi-ku
Reservations: Not possible
Take-out: Available (some menu items only)
Barrier-free support: Negotiable
Wi-Fi: None
Access: 15 minutes on foot from the east exit of Takenotsuka Station on the Tobu Skytree Line
Social Media:https://www.instagram.com/niboshityuukasobayamagataya/

Ramen Kikyo to Sora

"I love to eat," says owner Izu Kazuya. Making use of his experience in management at his previous job and the experience he gained from tasting gourmet food from all over Japan during job transfers, he quit his job and trained at the famous restaurant "Menko Ushio" in Kanda Awajicho, before opening his own restaurant in 2019.

The menu consists of two main dishes: "Light Soy Sauce" and "Rich Niboshi." The "Light Soy Sauce" soup is made by blending four types of soy sauce, and is made by heating and aging for a week, resulting in a flavor that is full of the umami of soy sauce. The firm noodles are made to order from a noodle factory, utilizing the noodle-making experience and techniques acquired during training.

When he first became independent, he was thinking of opening a store in the city center, but "I've been supported by the local residents of Nishiarai and many regular customers, so I want to give back here," says Izu. "We're moving to Kita-Senju because we're being evicted due to redevelopment in front of Nishiarai Station, but that's just our second store. Someday, I'll open my main store in Nishiarai."
*Scheduled to relocate to Kita-Senju in December 2024.

"(Kikyō) Ajitama Tanrei Shoyu Ramen" 1,100 yen. You can also add the spicy condiment "Shoyusuko" or grated garlic to change the flavor.
The "Mini Char Siu Bowl" (400 yen) is a perfect combination of finely chopped char siu and onions.
The owner, Mr. Izu (center of photo), and the staff who help run the shop.

[Exterior / Interior]

  • The shop has eight counter seats. After moving to Kita-Senju, they plan to add table seating.
  • The shop is located in an alley in front of Nishiarai Station. Initially, the menu was only planned to offer "Light Soy Sauce," but since rich ramen was popular in the neighborhood, they also started making "Rich Niboshi."


【Shop information】

■Ramen Kikyo and Sky
電　話：03-5888-6776
Business hours: 11:00-15:00, 18:00-21:00 (11:00-16:00 on Sundays)
Closed: Mondays, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
Seats: 8 seats
Address: 1-12-8 Nishiarai Sakaemachi, Adachi-ku
Reservations: Not possible
Take-out: Impossible
Barrier-free support: Negotiable
Wi-Fi: None
Access: 2 min. walk from Nishiarai Station West Exit of Tobu Skytree Line​ ​
Social Media:https://www.instagram.com/ramen_kikyo_sora/
*Scheduled to relocate to Kita-Senju in December 2024.

Tokyo Yatai Ramen Shouryu

If you head south from the west exit of Kita-Senju Station, you'll find Tokyo Yatai Ramen Shoryu, located in a corner of "Nomiya Yokocho," a street packed with small bars. This restaurant first opened in Miyamasuzaka, Shibuya, in 1997. As the name suggests, it operated as a food stall, and moved to Kita-Senju the following year.

The famous Senju specialty "Shoryu Noodles" is a flavor that was created during the restaurant's days as a food stall, and is the restaurant's signature dish. The soup, made by adding salt sauce and back fat to tonkotsu, is mellow and creamy with the sweetness of the fat. It is not as heavy as it looks, and even has a light impression. It is easy to eat, which explains why there were a lot of female customers during the restaurant's days as a food stall.

"This area has changed a lot. There weren't so many people walking around in the past," says Ryuya Hashida, the owner of the bar, as he looks out over the "bar side." The "Shoryu Noodles" are perfect for lunch or as a finale after a night of drinking, and are a must-try when you visit Kitasenju.

"Shoryu Noodles" 950 yen. The soup made with chicken, pork, and Rausu kelp stock is full of flavor.
Staff preparing food in the kitchen. This popular restaurant has long lines in front of it at lunchtime and late at night.
Inside the shop, there are photos from the days when the shop was a food stall. The person in the center is the owner, Mr. Hashida.

[Exterior / Interior]]

  • The interior of the restaurant is tasteful, with reed mats hanging on the walls and handwritten words by the owner posted on the walls. The photo shows the second floor seats.
  • As dusk fell, the lights came on at Tokyo Yatai Ramen Shoryu.

【Shop information】

■Tokyo Yatai Ramen Shoryu
電　話：03-5813-3258
営業時間：11:00～15:00・17:00～01:00（金曜・土曜夜は～2:40、木曜夜は18:00～翌1:00、日曜夜は18:00～0:00）
Closed: Wednesdays
Seats: 20 seats
Address: 1-39-12 Senju, Adachi-ku
Reservations: 12:00-13:00 only, reservations accepted for 3 or more people
Take-out: Yes
Barrier-free support: Negotiable
Wi-Fi: None
Access: 3-min. walk from JR Joban Line and others Kita-Senju Station West Exit
Social Media:https://www.instagram.com/shoryu_kitasenju/

(This information is current as of September 30, 2024)

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