Menya Musashi started as a ramen chain in Tokyo. Nowadays, it has become a global brand with restaurants in many other Asian countries and even in the United States.
If it is a chain store available in other countries, you may ask yourself why you should go out of your way to eat there while you are in Japan? This is a bit peculiar chain that is worth visiting in as many locations as possible because they strive to create innovative, fresh ramen noodles for each store so they all have their own distinctive menu.
This article is about the two Akihabara branches – Menya Musashi Fujin and Menya Musashi Iwatora.
Menya Musashi Fujin
Menya Musashi Fujin opened in 2008 at a location just one minute away from JR Akihabara station.
Next to the entrance is a ticket machine where you can choose an item from the menu and pay in advance. You will get a ticket in return that you then need to hand to the staff before choosing your seat.
The dish advertised on the signboard is Musashi Niku that includes more than 100g of meat. It is by far their most popular dish being included in more than half of the orders every day.
This is the regular ramen which is a safe but delicious option for those who just want to try simple Japanese ramen.
The already deep flavor of the soup is further enriched using dried bonito. It will make you drink up every last drop.
The meat is extremely voluminous!
If you like garlic, you should give Musa Ninniku ramen a try. It is a bowl of noodles seasoned with a bunch of garlic.
This is a soup-wari that you can add to your soup to lighten the taste after you have eaten all the noodles, and just drink it directly from the bowl.
Here is a honey-and-lemon flavored sauce. Since the taste is pretty strong, some prefer to add a bit of sweetness and sourness to soften it.
Address:
Arc Bldg., 1F, 2-18-5, Kanda Sakumacho, Chiyoda-ku, 101-0025
- One minute from JR Akihabara Showa-Dori Gate
- 30 seconds from Metro Hibiya Line exit 1
Business hours:
-
11:00~22:30
※The restaurant closes at 20:00 every third Monday of even-numbered months
Homepage:
http://menya634.co.jp/storelist/akihabara/
Menya Musashi Iwatora
The second Menya Musashi restaurant in Akihabara is Iwatora, which is only a few minutes further away from the station than Fujin.
It is very easy to find as it is facing the largest street in Akihabara.
The specialty of Iwatora is “bacon” made out of sliced pork marinated in soy sauce for a few days before getting smoked. It is uniquely prepared meat that is something in between Char-siu pork and bacon.
Address:
1-3-9, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, 101-0021, Tokyo, Japan
- Three minutes from JR Akihabara Electric Town Gate
Business hours:
- 11:00~22:00
※Menya Musashi Iwatora closes at 20:00 every third Monday of even-numbered months
Homepage:
http://menya634.co.jp/storelist/akihabara2/