Ramen Jiro Shinjuku Kabukicho

"Ramen Jiro Shinjuku Kabukicho Branch", commonly known as "Kabuji", is located on the 1st floor of Nisshin Building, 2-37-5 Kabukicho, a 1-minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station North Exit and a 4-minute walk from Shinjuku Station East Exit. It boasts the fourth-longest history among the directly affiliated (chokkei-ten) Ramen Jiro stores. A major advantage not found in other direct branches is its late-night operating hours, from 11:30 to 02:30 (Mon-Sun, closed Wednesdays), taking full advantage of the Kabukicho location. The Kabukicho, Ikebukuro, and Shinbashi (now closed) branches are part of the "NS-kei" lineage (operated by NS Planning), which resumed operations after recovering from a fire. The most distinctive feature is its tonkotsu shoyu (pork bone soy sauce) soup, which ranges from slightly emulsified to more emulsified. It's not as heavy as a fully emulsified soup, nor does it have the sharp taste of a non-emulsified one, offering a balanced, medium-richness. The rich umami of pork gradually dissolves into the soup, and adding garlic dramatically amplifies its punch. The noodles are homemade, flat, thick, and wavy, with a slightly firm, satisfyingly chewy texture (washi-washi shokkan). The aroma of "Aution" (wheat flour) that spreads as you chew gives it a distinct Jiro character. A "Small Ramen" contains 200g of noodles, and a "Large Ramen" contains 300g. Compared to other Jiro branches, the total volume is slightly less, making the Large Ramen an approachable option even for customers accustomed to Jiro's generous portions. The pork consists of two thick slices of pork shoulder chashu (ude-niku chashu) thoroughly seasoned with sauce. While firm in texture, its umami intensifies with every bite, a truly authentic specification. The "abura" (fat) is solid back fat (seabura), adding sweetness and richness to the soup. The Tsukemen (dipping noodles), priced at 1050 yen, features noodles chilled in cold water served with a tangy dipping broth. It's characterized by its intricate composition, including nori (seaweed) and fish powder served separately, with menma (bamboo shoots) and a small amount of green onions submerged in the broth. Given its prime location in Shinjuku and the 1050 yen price, combined with its late-night hours, this bowl is often enjoyed as a "shime no Jiro" – a perfect late-night meal.