Asama Ramen – Hand-Cut Noodles in Nakameguro
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
Teuchi Asama (手打ち あさま) is a Michelin Bib Gourmand–listed ramen shop in Nakameguro that manages something rare in Tokyo. It delivers Michelin-level technique without Michelin-level stress.
Even with the Bib Gourmand recognition, the line here is noticeably calmer than at many other Michelin-adjacent ramen shops.
That alone makes Asama appealing - especially given its location just off Meguro Ginza Shotengai, a cozy stretch that feels like a real neighborhood rather than a destination zone.
This is the kind of place you can visit without bracing yourself.
A Clear Noodle Line Back to Shichisai
The owner of Asama trained at Tokyo ramen juggernaut Shichisai, and that pedigree shows up clearly in the noodles.
Like at Shichisai, the noodles here are hand-pressed and cut to order. Each bowl is made one at a time, with the dough pressed, folded, sliced, and cooked only after you order.
They don’t exist just to carry soup - they’re a central part of the experience.
Superb Soup and Toppings
At first glance, you might assume Asama is a chicken-forward ramen. But the shoyu seasoning, a blend of four different soy sauces, quietly takes the lead.
The broth stays light and clean, with the soy sauce bringing a gentle yet commanding salinity. Rather than leaning hard into chicken richness, Asama lets the shoyu do the talking.
The toppings follow the same restrained logic. The broiled pork chashu is nicely done, lightly aromatic, and avoids excessive fat.
The thinly cut menma (bamboo shoots) are another quiet win. They're clean, crisp, and well-seasoned without overpowering the soup or noodles.
Asama Nakameguro Ramen - Final Thoughts
Asama succeeds because it knows exactly what it wants to be.
Between the Shichisai-style hand-cut noodles, the four–soy sauce shoyu blend that quietly outshines the chicken base, and a relaxed Nakameguro setting, this is a shop that feels confident without being loud.
