A note on the words: reimen are chilled noodles served in a refreshing cold broth, distinguished by their firm, springy chew. Kujo negi is a tender heirloom scallion from Kyoto, tenkasu are crisp flakes of fried tempura batter, and butadon is a rice bowl topped with savory pork. In this article, Churun’s signature reimen arrives crowned with crushed ice that may well be frozen dashi, and the tartness of ume running through the broth.
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Korean Cold Noodles Churun on Tabelog (English) — opening hours, payment details and the Japanese address are kept up to date there, not here.
Hello, this is Hangover Meshi. This time, I visited “Churun,” a reimen (chilled noodles in cold broth) specialty shop right near Akasaka-mitsuke Station, just next to Excelsior Caffe. From the interior to the vibe, every corner is remarkably stylish! Just looking at it, you wouldn’t even know it’s a reimen shop, ha.
The signboard at the entrance reads, “healthier than ramen, more filling than a cafe.”
Well, true enough, that is where reimen sits, isn’t it? Which brings a strange sense of conviction.
Churun’s own reimen — 750 yen
Reimen with kimchi and Kujo negi — 950 yen
Reimen with grated yam, Japanese style — 950 yen
Tomato reimen — 1,000 yen
There are chilled and hot noodles, plus appetizers and even hot pot sets like Hakata-style motsunabe, ha. Despite looking like a chic cafe, the menu is quite old-school.
Since it’s a cold noodle shop, I wanted to try the cold noodles! So reimen it was.
It’s also great that condiments and toppings like vinegar and tenkasu (crisp bits of tempura batter) are laid out on the table.
Being hungry, I added a mini butadon too!
Before long, a delicious-looking bowl of reimen appeared!
I see, what sits on top is ice. I wonder if it’s frozen dashi. Taking a small bite, it’s tasty ice.
Because it’s crushed ice, it simply melts away with a puff once inside your mouth.
The noodles are firm and springy with a hearty chew. Being slightly thicker and satisfyingly substantial makes them very tasty.
Chewy noodles in gentle dashi broth, with the tartness of the ume (Japanese plum) proving thoroughly refreshing.
Properly chilled, which is fantastic!
I love vinegar, so splashing a generous amount in gave it an extra hit of briskness, which was great!
This must surely be good for you too, ha.
And the mini butadon: the pork sauce is rich and savory, pairing wonderfully with the rice.
Since the reimen is clean and light, having a rich pork bowl alongside adds nicely to the sense of satisfaction.
Refreshing reimen! Though I feel like specialized reimen shops have been popping up little by little lately.
With brisk, easy-eating cold noodles in genuinely stylish surroundings, I think the place fits its concept of “healthier than ramen, more filling than a cafe” to a tee! I imagine it does quite brisk business in the summer.
Korean Cold Noodles Churun (Korean cold noodles / Akasaka-mitsuke Station, Nagatacho Station, Akasaka Station)
Tabelog lunch rating ★★★☆☆ 3.4
I ate here and paid for it myself. Nothing on this site is a comped meal.
One more for the road?
