Mutekiya Ramen @ Ikebukuro, Tokyo

Cuisine: Japanese (Ramen)

Map: Mutekiya Ramen @ Ikebukuro, Tokyo

Price: JPY1,200 per person (what I paid for)
Visited: 21 January 2011

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 3/10

Value for money: 7/10

Service: 3/10

Overall: 5/10

Mutekiya Ramen situates in Ikebukuro area of Tokyo near Seibu Department Store. This ramen shop is rather small and can accommodate not more than 20 customers at a time. Hence, it can be easily spotted with the long queue outside the shop. I would recommend those who wish not to wait for long queue (could be up to 30 minutes) to visit Mutekiya before 11:30am for lunch and before 05:00pm for dinner, otherwise go for late night supper. Mutekiya has claimed to boil its stock for more than 16 hours before it is ready to be served, which would result in thick broth with sweet succulent taste.

The Famous Sign Post of Mutekiya (無敵家)

The Restaurant Symbol of Popular Honmarumen (本丸麺)

Recommended Ramen

Kani Miso Aji Men (カニミみそ味麺) was a ramen with soup based on a combination between kani (crab paste) and miso (bean paste). Without doubt, the first thing I felt was tenderness and juiciness of chachu (pork). The soup base was a little salty and fishy like, of course from kani. Boiled egg was very soft and sauvory, expecially the perfect egg yolk (7/10).

Kani Miso Aji Men (カニミみそ味麺)

Nikutamamen (肉玉麺), this is indeed a must try ramen at Mutekiya. The tonkotsu soup (pork bone broth) was ultimately rich and thick (though rather fatty). Chachu was again tender and thickness. Egg with runny yolk was enjoyable. Additional touch from fried garlic could be intimate (8/10).

Nikutamamen (肉玉麺)

Nikutamamen with Fried Garlic

Yakigyoza (焼餃子), unlike the ramen, was rather normal from my point of view. Even though, it was crisp on the skin but filling was to little. The good point was hint of yuzu which was subtle (5/10).

Yakigyoza (焼餃子)

Mutekiya Ramen is indeed a superior ramen shop. Just for the taste, I would regard this as one of the top ten ramen. Definitely a must try and worth a return journey, even I have to queue.

Mutekiya Ramen @ Ikebukuro, Tokyo

1-17-1 Minami Ikebukuro

Toshima-Ku

Tokyo 169-0051

Japan

麺創房無敵家 @ 池袋, 東京

〒169-0051 

東京都豊島区南池袋1-17-1崎本ビル1F

Open Hours: 10:30am - 04:00am

Tel: +81 (0) 3 3982 7656

Web: http://www.mutekiya.com/