Chuka Soba Kikutani

Kikutani Chuka-soba is a shop specializing in fushi-kei (dried fish flakes) seafood chuka-soba, located on the right side of the Kamata Sun Road arcade shopping street, a 2-3 minute walk from the West Exit of JR Kamata Station. True to its concept of 'New Chuka-soba to Savor Dashi (broth)', its signature is a dark brown soup crafted from multiple layers of various dried fish flakes (fushi), primarily katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), along with sababushi (dried mackerel flakes) and urume-iwashibushi (dried round herring flakes). The ramen is designed to offer both an impactful burst of umami from the fushi with the very first sip, and a deepening harmony of flavors as you continue to eat. While the fat content is modest, the distinct thick richness characteristic of fushi lingers on, creating a masterful coexistence of lightness and satisfying depth. This establishment is part of the seafood fushi-shoyu (dried fish flakes soy sauce) lineage, alongside renowned shops like Ogikubo's Harukiya, Musashi-Koyama's Bonito Bonito, and Ogikubo's 'There is Ramen', a connection proudly displayed by a 'Gift from There is Ramen' neon sign inside the shop. The noodles are homemade, made with 'Mochihime' wheat flour from Iwate Prefecture, and the noodle-making machine visible through the glass-paneled room in the back testifies to the shop's commitment to domestic wheat and fresh, house-made noodles. Aged for a full day and night, these medium-thick straight noodles boast a smooth and chewy texture, with excellent slurpability and elasticity akin to high-hydration tsukemen (dipping noodles). They achieve a remarkable unity with the soup, deepening the impression of a meticulously crafted chuka-soba. The menu features classic offerings such as the signature Chuka-soba for 990 yen, Ajitama (seasoned egg) Chuka-soba for 1010 yen, Wonton Noodles, Wonton Chashu Noodles, Ajitama Wonton Chashu Noodles, Tsukemen, Wonton Tsukemen, and limited-edition sliced roasted pork for 100 yen. The chashu (braised pork belly) is thinly sliced and so tender it melts in your mouth, infused with the fushi soup for an exquisite harmony, while the wontons have a comforting smooth skin and a ginger-infused meat filling. The signature side dish is Maguro Chirashi (marinated tuna rice bowl), which is delicious on its own like a toro-taku (tuna and pickled daikon) zuke-don, but the shop recommends enjoying it ochazuke-style by pouring the ramen soup over it. Set menus combining chuka-soba and maguro chirashi (1220 yen), or wonton chashu noodles and maguro chirashi, allow you to fully enjoy these ramen and donburi combinations. The bright and clean interior features a U-shaped counter with 17 seats, predominantly white. All staff meticulously measure portions for precise work, ensuring speedy service with dishes served in 5-7 minutes. The shop is equipped with a fully cashless ticket vending machine, a rare find in Kamata, accepting cash, QR codes, e-money, and credit cards. Business hours are weekdays from 11:00 to 15:00 and 17:00 to 22:00 (with a midday break), and weekends from 11:00 to 22:00 (continuous operation).