Tsukemen Gonokami Seisakujo

“Tsukemen Gonokami Seisakusho,” located in the Shinjuku Station New South Exit area, within walking distance of Shinjuku Sanchome, is a popular shop for ebi tsukemen (shrimp dipping noodles). It has been selected as a Tabelog Top 100 Restaurant (Tabelog Hyakumeiten) for nine consecutive years from 2017 to 2025. Its signature is an intensely rich shrimp soup, so potent that you can smell the shrimp aroma even three meters from the shop. The biggest characteristic is the rich shrimp umami soup, tasting as if shrimp shells were simmered whole, boasting a strong savory and sweet shrimp flavor that pairs exceptionally well with the thick, chewy noodles. In addition to the ebi tsukemen, the menu offers three variations based on the shrimp base: ebi tomato tsukemen (shrimp tomato dipping noodles) with a hint of tomato acidity (Italian style), and ebi miso tsukemen (shrimp miso dipping noodles) with a mellow miso flavor. The ebi tomato tsukemen, in particular, comes with basil sauce and French bread, creating a unique experience that feels like a completely different dish when mixed with the dipping soup. The noodles are thick, brownish, and contain whole wheat flour, offering a chewy texture and wheat aroma that stands up to the rich soup. The chashu (sliced pork belly) is tender, allowing the full flavor of the meat to be appreciated. The special “Tokusei” (1,700 yen) includes hidden mozzarella cheese, which adds a delightful textural change later in the meal. Thick menma (seasoned bamboo shoots) provide a crunchy texture, and nori (seaweed) and boiled cabbage are added as accents. The classic way to finish the meal is to add the “Yaki Cheese Gohan” (grilled cheese rice) for 350 yen into the leftover dipping soup, transforming it into a risotto-like dish. The combination of shrimp, tomato, and cheese is a unique pleasure found only at this restaurant. Noodle portions come in three sizes: Small (160g), Regular (240g), and Large (320g). Choosing the small size offers a free serving of either chashu or menma, while the large size grants one free soup refill. This system, allowing customers to choose how they enjoy their meal, is another reason for its popularity. The ordering method is unique: while waiting in line outside the shop, a staff member will call out for customers to purchase meal tickets. Once called, customers enter to buy their shokken (meal tickets) from the machine and then return to the line. Payment is limited to cash only, but the shop boasts a stylish and clean space with an L-shaped counter and table seats. The attentive and energetic service, along with thoughtful considerations like providing parasols for those waiting in line, makes it a popular spot cherished by a wide range of customers. It is a prime choice for those seeking rich shrimp-based tsukemen in the Shinjuku Station New South Exit area.