#RikkyoFinds: My 3 favourite ramen places in Itabashi
Hi everyone! I’m Kai, a Travel Communicator Intern from Rikkyo University. I live in Itabashi (板橋), one of the districts in Tokyo. Itabashi may not be in the radar—even Tokyo natives usually don’t know where Itabashi and what is there to do in the area, but let me introduce my beautiful hometown.
Springtime in one of the local parks between Kanazawa Bridge and Kagabashi Bridge. (Image credit: Twitter / @midori_itabashi)
Itabashi is very accessible from the metropolitan area such as Shibuya and Shinjuku. From JR Shinjuku Station, you just need to take a 10-minute local train (Saikyo Line) ride to JR Itabashi Station. If you’re coming from JR Ikebukuro Station, JR Itabashi Station is just 3 minutes away by the same local train.
“Ramen”. What do you think of when you hear about this food? You might know about the different flavours of ramen, like tonkotsu (pork bone broth flavour), shōyu (soy-sauce-based), shio (salt-based) and miso (soybean paste flavour). Of course, these are the most common flavours of ramen. However, there are many other different and interesting varieties of ramen. As a university student, I'm always on the lookout for ramen shops with reasonable prices but taste good. Since there are many of them, I would like to introduce some of the more popular and interesting ramen joints that you have to visit in my hometown, Itabashi.
1. Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto (蒙古タンメン 中本)
Hokkyoku, the spiciest ramen in Japan! (Image credit: Flickr / nakashi)
Do you like your noodles spicy? If you do, you have to try one of the spiciest ramen in Japan at Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto. To get there, simply take the local Tobu-Tojo Line to Kami-Itabashi Station—the ramen shop is just right in front of the station. Actually, Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto is a famous ramen chain with over 24 stores in Japan—there's one in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and even Shibuya—but its main store is here in Kami-Itabashi. There are some limited menus which you can only enjoy in Kami-Itabashi. In this ramen shop, you can choose your preferred level of spiciness from 0–10. Most of my friends usually order spice level 5 or 6 ramen. The spiciest ramen is called "Hokkyoku" (北極), which means "North Pole" in Japanese because they imagined “spicy = cold regions”. Since the North Pole is the coldest region on Earth, the shop decided to name their spiciest bowl of ramen "Hokkyoku".
This set was only ¥670 for university students. (Image Credit: JR Times / Kai)
The thing I like most about this shop is that there are special discounts for university students. For just ¥670, you get to enjoy this set of:
- Your choice of ramen bowl: Hokkyoku, Mouko, or Miso (spicy level 3) Tanmen.
- Your choice of side dish: Mabo tofu rice bowl, drink, or boiled egg.
It's super reasonable! They also have a reasonable set menu for ladies or those who have a smaller appetite.
This is a part of the shop's menu. Affordable, right? (Image credit: JR Times / Kai)
Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto Kamiitabashi (Main Branch) (蒙古タンメン中本 上板橋本店)
Address: 4-33-3, Tokiwadai, 201 Asakabiru, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 174-0071
Opening hours: 11am–Midnight (daily)
TEL: +81-3-5398-1233
2. Kotobukiseimen Yoshikawa (寿製麺 よしかわ)
(Image credit: Kotobukiseimen Yoshikawa Nishidaiekimae)
Fans of seafood should go to Kotobukiseimen Yoshikawa. From Itabashi Station, walk over to Shin-Itabashi Station and take the local metro on the Mita Line to Nishidai Station—the ramen shop is just a 3-minute walk away from the station. In this ramen shop, the broth served are seafood-based made with ingredients like sea bream and sardines. I strongly recommend trying "Niboshi Ramen" (dried fish based). The broth has a very rich taste and is packed with nutrients. Despite being a ramen shop, Kotobukiseimen Yoshikawa also serves seafood rice bowls as well—in case you have that weird friend who always chooses rice over noodles.
Noukou Madai Soba (濃厚真鯛そば), ¥880. (Image credit: JR Times / Kai)
Aomori Prefecture Dried Fish Soba (青森県産煮干しの中華そば ), ¥850. (Image credit: JR Times / Kai)
Kotobukiseimen Yoshikawa Nishidaiekimae (寿製麺 よしかわ 西台駅前店)
Address: 3-8-14, Hasune, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 174-0046
Opening hours: 11am–10pm (Mon–Fri), 11am–8pm (Sat–Sun)
3. Taishio Soba-Enishi (鯛塩そば 縁)
Lunch set, ¥1,000. (Image credit: Taishio Soba-Enishi)
There is also unique and famous seafood-based ramen shop called Taishio Soba-Enishi in Itabashi. It is really convenient to get to this shop as it is located just 1–minute away on foot from Itabashi Station West Exit. As the name suggests, Taishio Soba-Enishi serves ramen with red snapper and salt-based broth. One of the most unique points of this ramen place is how the menu is presented like French cuisine—because the chef used to work in a French restaurant. The thing I like most about this ramen shop is that you can put rice in your tasty soup after you finish eating your ramen. This is called ochazuke, which means Japanese soup rice, and it is always a very satisfying way to end a meal.
Original Tai-Tanmen, ¥850. (Image credit: Taishio Soba-Enishi)
Taishio Soba-Enishi (鯛塩そば 縁)
Address: 1-19-1, Itabashi, Itabashi Ward, Tokyo, 173-0004
Opening hours: 11am–8pm (daily)
TEL: +81 3-6909-6820
If you ever find yourself in Itabashi, I hope you will not think that it is a boring district! At the very least, please remember that there are affordable and delicious ramen around the area. Furthermore, one of Tokyo's biggest fireworks festivals takes place in Itabashi every summer, so you can also enjoy these events in Itabashi as well.
Header image credit: Kai / JR Times
Writer’s profile: Kai is currently studying at Rikkyo University in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. He counts driving as one of his favourite pastimes—together with his friends, they would often drive around to find the best spots to enjoy the beautiful nightscapes of Tokyo. He has travelled to 21 prefectures in Japan, and as a native who has lived in Tokyo for 19 years, he would be happy to share personal recommendations in Tokyo and beyond.
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