Chūkamenten Kiraku

We enjoyed a delicious meal of ramen, fried rice, and gyoza here. We were delighted that our children were warmly welcomed. The food was fantastic and satisfying!

What’s impressive about this place is the toppings no doubt. The wonton was delicious and the bean sprouts were plump and tasty. The little bits of fried onions and tiny shrimp REALLY add umami to this deceptively simple, but not simple bowl of soup and noodles. Great. Soup: simple shoyu Chinese style…but don’t be deceived by its simplicity, it is umami packed. Noodles: not my fav kind - thick doughy type, but it went well with the soup and I could eat slower and it wouldn’t get soggy. Toppings: amazing..

もやし麺が人気 スープが本当に美味しい中華屋 Stepping into Chuka Men Kiraku is like a delightful journey back to Showa-era Japan. Established in 1952, this gem offers a nostalgic ambiance paired with traditional Japanese street-style soy sauce ramen. The soup boasts a deep soy color, complementing the medium-thick straight noodles, while the aroma of fried onions adds a savory touch. The broth, rich with chicken and other animal essences, is enhanced by soy sauce and vegetables, creating a subtly sweet flavor profile. Conveniently located within a 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station, the first floor features counter seating, inviting a cozy dining experience, and the second floor houses table seating for groups. A true people's favorite, Chuka Men Kiraku is a testament to the timeless appeal of classic Japanese comfort food.

Expect a queue of 5 - 6 people as they have only bar seats on the ground floor and shared table seating on the upper floor. I ordered the chashu noodle soup as it came highly recommended as an authentic old style noodle soup. The gyoza came first, crispy on the outside, meatball on the inside is moist and tender with a hint of herbs. The noodle soup is delicious. It has the exact same “light soy sauce with lots of onions” taste as the Beach Road Prawn Mee noodle soup they serve in East Coast Road in Singapore (except prawns and pork ribs of course). Chashu was stiff, and slightly hard to chew which reminds me of toughness of pork ribs. Also they provide a mountain of beansprouts and noodles that are thicker than your average ramen. I couldn’t finish the noodles and beansprouts so I left in a hurry (they were good and fresh just that I’m a small eater 😅)

Perfect local location for Ramen. I don't usually tolerate Japanese Ramen very well, probably due to very high fat concentration. This version is lighter on the fat but has all the good stuff and flavors in it. Loved it!

Found this spot via a Travel and Leisure list of ramen spots in Tokyo. Kiraku is not too far from Shibuya Crossing. It’s really easy to miss as the only sign announcing the restaurant is the tiniest lettering on the awning. We were seated upstairs almost immediately but by the time we left there was a line. I counted about 15 seats in total so this is not really a place to come and dilly dally. Order your food (which is a hefty amount so come with an appetite), then eat and leave. This seems to be reinforced by the menu as the selection is limited (4-5 options). I got the wonton ramen and gyoza. Again, portions are large. Ideal for parties of 2-3 people max—definitely leave the little ones as there is no place to squirm or support a high chair.

Very underwhelming. My understanding is that it is a traditional representation of Chinese style ramen. For me, it primarily serves as a an example for how much better more evolved Japanese style ramens are. The tough pork and over-cooked rubbery egg was particularly disappointing.

Well…! I expected too much seeing people line up for this store! I had wonton ramen and it was pretty salty for me! We had stomachache next day and it was Not even really cheap.