Intro
Hello, I’m GOK, the editor of Shinjuku local media “Daily Shinjuku.”
This time, I visited Nagichan Ramen, a ramen shop located in Shinjuku Kabukicho. In this article, I’ll introduce the restaurant and share my experience trying their chuka soba and chashu ramen.
24-Hour “Chan-Style” Ramen in Shinjuku Kabukicho
Nagichan Ramen is a shop in Kabukicho that serves chuka soba and mori-chuka. It is part of the “Sugoi Niboshi Ramen Nagi” group and is also known as a “chan-style ramen” shop.
“Chan-style ramen” refers to ramen shops that began increasing around Tokyo from about 2020. These shops typically feature signs reading “chuka soba” or “mori-chuka,” and many are named in the format of “○○-chan Ramen.” Collectively, they are known as “chan-style ramen.”
Because the shop is located in Kabukicho, it operates 24 hours a day. I visited on a weekday at around 10 a.m.
Inside Nagichan Ramen
The interior of Nagichan Ramen has 18 counter seats only. The layout makes it easy for solo diners to enter, and the space feels clean and well maintained.
Orders are placed by purchasing a meal ticket at the ticket machine near the entrance. In addition to cash, the shop accepts credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments.
Menu (Selected Items)
Here are some items from the menu (selected examples):
- Chuka soba: 800 yen
- Chashu ramen: 1,000 yen
- Special soba: 950 yen
- Kabukicho soba: 1,250 yen
- Mori-chuka: 900 yen
As is common with chan-style ramen shops, free white rice is available. When handing over your meal ticket, you give a green tag at the same time, and the rice is served together with your ramen.
Chuka Soba and Chashu Ramen
These are the dishes I ordered at Nagichan Ramen.
Chuka Soba (800 yen)
I ordered the standard chuka soba. The soup was filled to the brim, served piping hot, and clear in appearance, with a generous amount of oil.
The seasoning was fairly salty, with a nostalgic, familiar flavor. The noodles were flat, straight noodles and already on the softer side when served. This softness is characteristic of chan-style ramen, and the noodles soaked up the soup nicely.
Chashu Ramen (1,000 yen)
I also ordered the chashu ramen. The bowl was topped with so much chashu that the noodles underneath were almost hidden.
The chashu is freshly sliced by the staff. Although thinly cut, it was very satisfying to eat. Even on its own, the chashu was well seasoned, and the sliced green onions added a good accent.
At the table, there are various condiments such as vinegar, garlic, and pepper, allowing you to adjust the flavor to your liking and enjoy the ramen until the end without getting bored.
Chan-style ramen pairs especially well with white rice. Topping the rice with chashu, green onions, and pickled cucumber makes it easy to keep eating. Adding mayonnaise for rice creates an even more indulgent flavor.
Final Thoughts
How was it?
This time, I introduced Nagichan Ramen, a chan-style ramen shop in Shinjuku Kabukicho. The interior is clean and well kept, and the fact that white rice is free and refillable is another welcome point.
At a price of 800 yen per bowl, the ramen is very filling and cost-effective. If you are in the area, this is a shop worth stopping by.
Shop Information
Shop Name: Nagichan Ramen
Address: 1-9-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0021 (Sankei 32 Building)
Access:
- 7 minutes on foot from Shinjuku Station
- 4 minutes on foot from Seibu-Shinjuku Station (339 m)
Hours: 24 hours
Closed: None
Power outlets: No
Wi-Fi: No
Smoking: No
Notes: 18 seats, credit cards accepted, electronic money accepted, QR code payments accepted
Tabelog score: 3.61 (as of August 2024)
Looking for the original article in Japanese?
Click here to view the Japanese version on Daily Shinjuku.
https://daily-shinjuku.tokyo/2024/08/24/kabukicho-nagichan-ramen/
