Silky Chukasoba Ramen at Murata in Nakameguro

Murata (中華そば むら田) in Nakameguro puts a delicious and modern spin on classic chukasoba. Their bowls are simple, refined, and some of my favorites in Nakameguro.

Silky Chukasoba in Nakameguro

Murata’s chukasoba looks every bit the classic bowl, but the flavors tell a deeper story. The broth balances sweetness and saltiness from a darker soy sauce base, layered with the silky richness of chicken oil.

Murata’s chashu pork toppings change from time to time, but the cut is always excellent. That same attention to quality extends to all of their toppings.

The noodles are whole-wheat, made by Haneda Seimen with a medium water ratio. Thin and curly, they have a throwback, old-school feel.

Chicken Shio Ramen

They’ve recently added shio ramen to the menu, seasoned with Setouchi sea salt, scallop extract, and a soy sauce that also hails from Setouchi.

That signature chicken oil silkiness comes through even more with the mild shio seasoning. Personally, I wish the shio had a saltier punch to better balance the richness of the chicken.

In this bowl, I enjoyed the toppings more than the broth - steamed chicken breast, juicy chicken thigh with broiled edges, and negi lightly seasoned with truffle oil. It’s a solid ramen, but my heart still leans toward the chukasoba.

All things considered, Murata is one of the top ramen shops in Nakameguro. Both the chukasoba and shio ramen are just a 10-minute walk from Nakameguro Station.