Natsuya no Chuukasoba (奈つやの中華そば) in 2024 might just be Tokyo's hottest ramen shop. There were 18 people ahead of me when I arrived 30 min. before they opened. This was on a weekday too. Did they match the hype? Let's find out!
Natsuya no Chuukasoba - A Commitment
Natsuya Chuukasoba is located in residential Ota Ward in Tokyo. The closest station is Shimo Maruko. There's not a whole lot around - but that's part of the charm. This is the Tokyo most visitors don't get to see.
I arrived on a weekday at 10:50 am, ten minutes before they opened at 11 am. There were already over 20 people ahead of me, with 18 waiting in the room pictured above. In total, it took 2 hours from the time I arrived until I left. It was quite the commitment!
I'd like to highlight their exceptional hospitality. The waiting room had small fans available for use (I visited in July), and the husband-and-wife team was very kind. This helped make the long wait more bearable. Now, let's talk about the ramen!
One Ramen to Rule Them All
Naturally, Natsu no Chuukasoba serves a chuukasoba (ramen). But they also have a tsukesoba (dipping ramen) on the menu.
Both are fuelled by shoyu (soy sauce). The soup behind the wall of shoyu is pork bones, chicken bones, and fish. In this trifecta the fish flavors stand out most. They're front and center but are still presented in a gentle way.
The shoyu is clear and light, letting the soup's subtle flavors emerge gracefully.The toppings are exceptional. I recommend ordering the chuukasoba with wonton dumplings. The wrappers are perfectly chewy, and the pork filling is juicy and delicious.
The toppings include two different cuts of pork (one smoky), menma (bamboo shoots), negi (spring onions), seaweed, and an egg.
Lastly, the low hydration noodles are thin and snappy.
The Verdict
Was it ultimately worth the wait? As a ramen enthusiast, I believe it was. Even though this style isn't my personal favorite, there's no denying the high quality of the ramen. Everything was executed flawlessly, and I thoroughly enjoyed the bowl.
Would I go back? Perhaps one day in the future, but I’m not eager to wait in line for 2 hours again. Unless you're a dedicated ramen aficionado or collector, you might want to think twice about Natsuya no Chuukasoba. Personally, I'm happy I crossed them off the list.
Comments