The Keio Inokashira Line connects the western suburbs of Tokyo from Kichijoji Station to Shibuya Station, a major tourist destination in the city. As this area is dotted with several local universities and high schools, such as Seikei University, Shirayuri University and Meiji University, there are plenty of affordable restaurants you can find here. Ramen, one of the nation’s favourite food, is certainly one of the local cuisines you can easily find in this area as well. For a taste of the most delicious ramen that are also wallet-friendly, follow this guide on a yummy ramen tour westwards along the Keio Inokashira Line from Shibuya Station in Tokyo.
1. Authentic Hakata-style ramen at Shinsen
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by on Thursday, July 6, 2017
Just 1 train stop away from Shibuya Station on the Inokashira Line is Shinsen Station, a residential area where trendy new restaurants and bars call home. The modest 26-seater Men no Bou Toride (麺の坊 砦) Japanese ramen restaurant is just 3 minutes on foot from the station. Opened by Mr Masakatsu, a proud apprentice of the Ippudo ramen chain, Men no Bou Toride has gained quite a following with both the young and old, including famous celebrities. It is famous for its tonkotsu ramen broth, boiled for over 20 hours to eliminate the weird smell of pig bones. Besides the sweet and creamy broth being used, taste the difference of its homemade noodles which are extra fine compared with other ramen restaurants. Slurp a bowl of authentic Hakata-style ramen at Men no Bou Toride without travelling all the way to Fukuoka!
Men no Bou Toride (麺の坊 砦)
Address: 20-23 Shinsencho, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo
Price: average spending 1,000 to 2,000 JPY (8.90 to 17.85 USD) per person.
Opening Hours: 11am - 3am daily. Last order at 2.40am.
Access: 3-minute walk from Shinsen Station.
Contact: +81 3-3780-4450.
2. Special chicken ramen at Shimokitazawa
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
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Posted by on Friday, January 8, 2021
More often than not, pork is used as an ingredient in Japanese ramen. If you are craving for some chicken in your piping hot bowl of ramen, head to Soruto (鶏そば そると), a Japanese ramen restaurant that replaces the usual pork with chicken meat. In March 2013, former comedian Mr. Toru Kataoka, opened Soruto in the small hipster neighbourhood of Shimokita which is characterised by indie quaint shops, cafes and restaurants. The choice of such a location matches perfectly with the novel ramen concept then. In fact, Soruto is now consistently ranked as the top ramen restaurant to go to in Shimokita. Be warned. The tasty bowl of chicken ramen can get quite addictive with its clear chicken broth, tender chicken slices and generous portion of vegetables!
Soruto (鶏そば そると)
Address: 5-36-13 Daizawa, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo
Price: 630 to 1,500 JPY (5.60 to 13.40 USD) per person.
Opening Hours: 11.30am - 1.30am daily.
Access: 4-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station south exit.
Contact: +81 3-5432-9270
3. Traditional ramen at Eifukucho
Next, let’s move on to the quiet streets of Suginami near Eifukucho Station. Right outside from the station is Taishoken (永福町大勝軒), an established local ramen restaurant that has been around since March 1955. Taishoken is probably the most famous landmark in Eifukucho, with long queues forming outside the restaurant, especially on weekends. The signature shoyu (soy sauce) ramen here is served in a huge bowl, with a generous amount of chashu pork, leek and menma (fermented bamboo shoots). It is certainly a bowl of tasty ramen that will evoke nostalgia of the traditional flavour!
Taishoken (永福町大勝軒)
Address: 3-5-3 Izumi, Suginami Ward, Tokyo
Price: 600 to 2,000 JPY (5.35 to 17.85 USD) per person.
Opening Hours: 11am - 11pm. Irregular shop holidays.
Access: 1-minute walk from Eifukucho Station south exit.
Contact: +81 3-3321-5048.
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4. Delicious ramen served with succulent dumplings at Hamadayama
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Tantan Tei (たんたん亭 本店) is a hole-in-the-wall Japanese ramen shop located right next to Hamadayama Station. Hamadayama may not be a familiar name on the tourist map, but Tantan Tei is definitely worth your attention with its mouth-watering ramen served with juicy shrimp-filled dumplings. With only 10 counter seats in this tiny unassuming restaurant, Tantan Tei can be easily missed. Taste the signature fine springy noodles served with large dumplings stuffed with meat or shrimp once, and you will be glad you travelled all the way here for the delectable dish!
Tantan Tei (たんたん亭 本店)
Address: 3-31-4 Hamadayama, Suginami Ward, Tokyo
Price: 770 to 1,700 JPY (6.85 to 15.15 USD) per person.
Opening Hours: 11am - 10.30pm daily. Closed during year-end national holidays.
Access: 30-second walk from Hamadayama Station.
Contact: +81 3-3329-4061.
5. Satisfy your Tsukemen craving at Kugayama
The Japanese are known for innovation, and that is not limited to just modern technologies. If you are looking for a twist to the traditional ramen dish, check out Tsukemen Kai (中華そば つけ麺 甲斐) within a stone’s throw from Kugayama Station. Unlike ramen where everything is served in one big bowl of hot broth, Tsukemen is being served with a cold noodle separated from the sauce. Dip the cold noodles of medium thick texture in the flavourful sauce and enjoy your delightful meal with a twist. For big eaters, you can also order a small chasu (pork) rice bowl to go along with the Tsukemen for a scrumptious meal.
Tsukemen Kai (中華そば つけ麺 甲斐)
Address: 2-27-1 Kugayama, Suginami Ward, Tokyo
Price: 600 to 2,000 JPY (5.35 to 17.85 USD) per person.
Opening Hours: 11.30am - 3pm and 6pm - 12am on weekdays; 11.30am - 3pm and 6pm - 10.30pm on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays. Closed on the 4th Monday and Tuesday of each month.
Access: 1-minute walk from Kugayama Station.
Contact: +81 3-3335-8033.
6. Japanese ramen with an Italian touch at Kichijoji
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
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Posted by on Tuesday, February 16, 2016
The last station in Tokyo’s western suburbs along Inokashira Line is Kichijoji Station, home to Tokyoites’ favourite residential district. At Kichijoji, there are many dining and shopping options that are popular with the locals. If you love Italian tomato based pasta but also crave for Japanese ramen, make your way to Taiyo Tomatomen (太陽のトマト麺 吉祥寺南口支店), a unique Japanese fusion ramen restaurant. Using fresh sun-grown tomatoes for the soup base, the ramen dishes here are not only tasty, but also nutritious! The beauty and health-conscious foodie can tuck into the classic Sun Noodles. Choose from a variety of ingredients such as cheese, eggplant or fresh seafood to go with your tomato based ramen for a rich ramen feast you cannot resist.
Taiyo Tomatomen (太陽のトマト麺 吉祥寺南口支店)
Address: 1-11-1 2F, Kichijoji Minamicho, Musashino City, Tokyo
Price: 600 to 2,000 JPY (5.35 to 17.85 USD) per person.
Opening Hours: 11am - 2am daily. Last order at 1.30am.
Access: 3-minute walk from Kichijoji Station south exit.
Contact: +81 50-5570-3129 (for reservations only); +81 422-79-8895 (for inquiry only).
Affordable ramen adventure
Japan is a gourmet paradise with a wide variety of palatable cuisines to offer. Undoubtedly, ramen is the king of Japanese cuisine and you should definitely try them when visiting the country. The above-mentioned 6 ramen places along Inokashira Line in Tokyo are awesome joints not to miss for an affordable ramen adventure. Get out of Tokyo city centre using the convenient Inokashira Line to embark on your hunt for the best ramen to satiate your taste buds now!
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