A note on the words: chuka soba is a classic style of ramen served in a clear, light broth. Sansho, Japanese pepper, is known for its fragrant, citrusy herbal aroma reminiscent of what accompanies grilled eel; here, its fragrance rises gently from the aroma oil rather than a powdered spice. Shiro-shoyu is a pale, mildly sweet white soy sauce that gives the broth its rounded finish alongside niboshi (dried sardines) and kombu. Wontons are delicate dumplings packed with meat or shrimp, served here on a separate plate so you can choose when to dip them into the soup. Kaedama is an extra portion of noodles.
Chuka Soba Nishino on Tabelog (English) — opening hours, payment details and the Japanese address are kept up to date there, not here.
To all ramen lovers, thanks for waiting! It’s time for Hangover Meshi!
This time I headed to “Chuka Soba Nishino” in Hongo-sanchome! It is the second shop of Ramen Koike in Kami-kitazawa, and a famous ramen shop that has been selected multiple times for the Michelin Tokyo Bib Gourmand as well as Tabelog’s Ramen Tokyo Hyakumeiten (Top 100). I had really wanted to visit! Lunch looked like it would be crowded, so I slipped over quietly in the evening.
Sure enough, a ramen shop around 19:00 turns out to be a sweet spot! It was not very crowded.
This shop seems to be famous for chuka soba, sansho soba, and wontons. Should I get the sansho soba or the regular chuka soba? Since it is my first time, maybe the chuka soba? No, I really love sansho, Japanese pepper… And so, after wrestling with the dilemma, I finally settled on the sansho soba!
Now, once you take your seat, this has to come first!
When you think of a ramen shop, what comes to mind? That’s right, beer!
Soooo good!
Ta-da! Oh! The clear, pale amber broth is beautiful.
Even though it is called sansho soba, it is not as if sansho powder is dusted over it; the fragrance seems to rise from the aroma oil instead. The aroma itself has a faint touch of sansho and is wonderfully refreshing!
Taking a sip of the broth, the first thing that arrives is a refreshing streak of green sansho. It does not go in the direction of numbing the tongue; it is a soft, drifting fragrance, closer to the sansho served alongside grilled eel. I think the base is probably the same clear, light broth as the chuka soba, but the roundness characteristic of shiro-shoyu, white soy sauce, comes to the fore first, followed by the solid dried-seafood depth of niboshi, dried sardines, and kombu in a truly delicious broth. And right there, the sansho is firmly present. It smoothly tightens the profile of the broth. Ramen with sansho is delicious, isn’t it? I like it even better than the regular kind because of that sansho aroma!
The noodles are thin straight noodles cooked firm, with a pleasant, snappy bite.
And remarkably, the wontons are served on a separate plate!
The meat ones are packed full of filling in what the shop itself calls its “heretical” spec, dense and substantial. Taking a bite, I felt the ginger was quite pronounced. The shrimp wontons, on the other hand, are plump and springy, with the presence of the shrimp coming through distinctly. They are seasoned lightly, so eating them together with the broth is delicious!
When I sank them into the broth myself, it transformed into a whole different dish, ha! The broth and wontons go together wonderfully, but having them with the house chili paste was delicious too!
Apparently they also have a kaedama, a second helping of noodles, that is not served sitting in the broth… I envy people who can eat so much!
I would love to try it someday.
It was a bowl of ramen with a truly wonderful broth. I used to think of sansho as something that is merely sprinkled on top, but the aroma oil brings it into harmony with the ramen. For a clear, light broth with so much umami, it doesn’t clash with the sansho at all; if anything, the added refreshing note makes it even more delicious. I think the evening is a great time to aim for, so please give it a try!
Here’s hoping you come across something delicious today too!
Chuka Soba Nishino Menu
Chuka soba
A tag on the ticket vending machine reads, “For first-timers to try.”
A bowl meant to showcase the natural qualities of each ingredient rather than the taste of seasonings. They apparently want customers to enjoy how the character shifts between when it is hot and as it cools down.
Even if you order it with wontons, the wontons are brought out on a separate plate. Whether you sink them into the bowl or eat them as they are is up to your preference.
Sansho soba
A tag on the ticket vending machine reads, “Clean and crisp.”
The menu description notes, “A curious sensation: ramen that is clean and crisp.” It is apparently a bowl especially meant for those who enjoyed the chuka soba.
Wontons by the plate
You can also order them on their own. If you want an accompaniment for your beer, this is the way to go.
The meat wontons are packed full of filling in what the shop itself calls its “heretical” spec. The shrimp wontons lean toward light seasoning, so dipping them into the broth before eating is the shop’s recommendation.
Mazesoba (brothless noodles), rice, and dishes to finish the meal
A five-step eating guide is posted on the counter: mix the sauce and oil well and eat it as is, like aburasoba, brothless noodles tossed with sauce and oil; alter the flavor with vinegar or the house chili paste; and once you have thoroughly enjoyed it, plunge it into the broth.
The shop’s own description reads: “Ignoring compatibility with ramen, just making it purely junk-food style.” It is apparently sold only when leftover chashu trimmings are available.
Toppings and others
Tsukemen, noodles with a separate dipping broth (dedicated button)
The bottom-left of the ticket vending machine has the portion upgrade buttons for tsukemen.
*From the ticket vending machine display at the time of visit in August 2026. Prices include tax; items change depending on the season. Please check at the shop for the latest information.
Chuka Soba Nishino (Ramen / Hongo-sanchome Station, Suidobashi Station, Yushima Station)
Tabelog dinner rating ★★★★☆ 4.0
I ate here and paid for it myself. Nothing on this site is a comped meal.
One more for the road?
