Introduction
Hello, this is GOK from Daily Shinjuku.
To kick off our Kagurazaka coverage, we visited Ryuho, a long-running town-style Chinese restaurant famous for its fried rice that’s been featured on multiple TV shows. Here’s what to expect—and what to order.
A 1978 Mainstay, 1 Minute from Kagurazaka Station
Ryuho sits on a slope just off lively Waseda-dori, near Exit 2 of Kagurazaka Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line). Open since 1978, it’s a neighborhood institution whose fried rice has appeared on shows like Takeshi’s Nippon no Mikata! and Shuichi.
Inside, around 30 seats (tables for two and four) are tightly arranged. Solo diners—businesspeople and locals of all ages—come and go steadily, keeping turnover brisk.
There are no table menus; you order by reading the wall-mounted menu.
Sample Menu (prices at time of visit)
- Fried Rice ¥770 / Large ¥970
- Mapo Don ¥770
- Ramen (Shoyu) ¥600 / Salt Ramen ¥600
- Miso Ramen ¥770 / Mapo Noodles ¥720
- Tomato & Egg Noodles ¥720 / Negi Ramen ¥770
- Cantonese Noodles ¥770 / Moyashi Soba ¥770
- “Ryuho-men” ¥750 / “Tokyo Ramen” ¥820 / Tororo Ramen ¥820
- Chashu Ramen ¥920 / Tsukemen ¥720
- Yakisoba ¥870 / Crispy Yakisoba ¥870 / Ginger Ramen ¥770
They also serve sides like Twice-Cooked Pork (¥820), Stir-fried Pork & Vegetables (¥820), Menma (¥300), plus beer and sake.
What We Ordered: Fried Rice & Miso Ramen
Fried Rice — ¥770
It arrived remarkably fast—about five minutes after ordering. Each grain is lightly coated in lard, yielding a moist style that delivers a punch of umami from the first bite. Cubes of well-seasoned, thick-cut chashu are scattered generously, making it quite filling. The accompanying soup pairs perfectly.
Miso Ramen — ¥770
Surprisingly loaded with vegetables, this bowl is also substantial. Rather than an assertively miso-forward style, it’s a gentle, balanced bowl where a light stir-fry of veggies and medium-thick egg noodles shine.
Standout here, too, is the house chashu—tender and flavorful, made fresh daily, and just as memorable as in the fried rice.
Final Thoughts
Kagurazaka’s Ryuho is a must if you’re chasing comforting fried rice with quick service and hearty portions. Most guests seemed to order the fried rice; the hiyashi chuka (summer cold noodles) is also popular when in season—worth a return visit.
Shop Information
- Name: Ryuho (龍朋)
- Address: Daiichi-Yarai Bldg. B1F, 123 Yaraichō, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0805
- Access: 1 min from Kagurazaka Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
- Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–23:00 / Sat & Holidays 11:00–22:00
- Closed: Sundays & Monday holidays
- Seats: 30
- Smoking: No
- Wi-Fi / Outlets: No / No
- Payment: Cash only
- Tabelog: 3.74 (at time of article)
Looking for the original article in Japanese?
Read it on Daily Shinjuku:
👉 https://daily-shinjuku.tokyo/2021/01/01/kagurazaka-ryuho/
