Each shop has its own unique style. Among the Japanese ramen spots, Menya Musashi's signature dish is tsukemen (dipping noodles), known for their bold, meaty flavor.

Text and photos byRight-up’s Japanese Food Adventure Journal at a 45-degree angle

Having never tried Menya Musashi in Taiwan, I decided to check it out in Tokyo after a two-hour sprint visiting the Skytree and Nihonbashi. After exploring those areas, I headed to the Ueno JR Station area to find something to eat. I was debating whether to grab an ekiben (train bento) or eat something quick from a street vendor when—right in the alley across from the Ueno Station entrance—I spotted the one place I’d always wanted to try back in Taiwan but never got around to queuing for: Menya Musashi. Without hesitation, I walked right in. Even better, after eating there, it became my favorite ramen spot ever.

The story behind Menya Musashi is quite interesting. Founded in the 1990s, the owner—who originally worked in fashion—broke away from the traditional single-broth ramen style of the time. He pioneered the fusion of pork bone broth with seafood ingredients, creating a completely new kind of ramen that quickly took Japan by storm. After receiving widespread acclaim, the brand began opening branches. Some are nearly identical to the original, such as Menya Musashi (Kamata) and Menya Musashi (Shibaura), while others have developed their own unique styles and flavors. The branch I visited, Musashi Bukeidenshou, offers a distinct flavor profile—and it just happens to be my personal favorite: tsukemen.

As with most ramen shops, you start by using a vending machine to purchase your meal ticket. There are three types to choose from: tsukemen, ramen, and miso tsukemen. There are also three soup base flavors: white, black, and red. White is the traditional seafood broth, black is made with charcoal-roasted coffee beans mixed with sesame oil for a uniquely aromatic taste, and red is spicy. No matter which portion size you choose, the price is the same—great value for big eaters.

Once seated, you’ll notice signs on the counter listing the names of each branch. A note also reminds customers that the taste varies by location—which immediately gave me the idea of trying them all... if only I could.

The interior decor is quite modern and stylish, not like the typical ramen shop at all. It has more of a pub-like vibe. There aren’t many seats—just about what you see here. We arrived at 9 PM and waited about five minutes for a table.

Our food came out in about three minutes. I ordered a regular portion, and it arrived looking like this—the noodles had a really appealing glossy texture.

The red tsukemen broth is colored by a generous amount of doubanjiang (spicy bean paste).

I have to say, the utensils are pretty fun—the spoon even comes with a little samurai sword attached.

The noodles are thick, just the way I like them. They don’t curl much, which means they don’t hold as much sauce, but they’re incredibly smooth, chewy, and flavorful. Though the dipping sauce uses doubanjiang, it’s not actually very spicy—at least not compared to the level of spiciness in Taiwanese hot pot. The aroma, however, is absolutely perfect.

The chashu (pork slices) are coated in a sweet-and-salty glaze. It’s a lean cut that my dining companion didn’t care for, but I loved it. The slices are cut thick, tender yet juicy, and super filling.

The ajitsuke tamago (marinated egg), on the other hand, didn’t really do much for me—just your average marinated egg.

After finishing your noodles, you can pour the hot broth from the thermos bottle on the table into the dipping sauce to turn it into a warm soup.

How much broth you add is entirely up to you.

The resulting soup is also delicious—the seafood-based broth tones down some of the spice, but it’s still warm and comforting, driving away the chill.

【Menya Musashi Bukeidenshou】
http://www.menya634.co.jp/
6-11-15 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo
TEL: 03-6803-0634
Business hours: 11:30 AM–10:00 PM (no fixed days off)
Transportation: From Ueno Metro Station, take Exit 7 toward Ueno Zoo and walk 1 minute. The shop is located in an alley beneath the elevated train tracks.

Right-up’s Japanese Food Adventure Journal at a 45-degree angle
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