INOSHO OGIKUBO

“Extremely Thick” Ramen Loaded with Veggies, Spice, and Everything Nice

Kosaimen Inosho has been around since 2009 in Nerima, but their Ogikubo branch, which opened in 2018, means residents along the Chuo Line don’t have to travel so far for their signature ramen. A thick, fishy soup is matched with equally thick noodles and topped with some colorful veggies. Fans of heat come to sweat out a bowl of the spicy “karakara” version.

If you like heat at all, the karakara kosaimen (800 yen) is the one to try. Although it looks like there is a mountain of chili powder, it’s actually blended with dried fish to add more richness to the soup. Take care, though, vigorous noodle slurping when spicy pepper is involved can be dangerous.

If spice isn’t something you go for, the regular kosaimen (800 yen) is great as well. If you want some more meat, the niku kosaimen (1100 yen) is covered in sliced of sous vide pork chashu. Inosho also offers different limited bowls throughout the year, as well as their own versions of Ogikubo-style Tokyo ramen.

If you aren’t feeling very hungry, or maybe trying to save room for another bowl of ramen at another shop, they offer mini bowls for a few hundred yen less than that standard.

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