Originally from Ginza but now expanded to some other parts of the city, including the underground Ikebukuro backstreet, “Ginza Kagari Honten” is a Michelin-recognized ramen restaurant that first opened for business at the end of 2018.
Remember to order their signature dish “Tori Paitan Soba”, which is a chicken-based ramen – aka their special kind of ramen.
You feel like indulging yourself immediately in that creamy rich goodness of aroma and taste, which should be attributed to the combination of the tenderness of the chicken, the depth of the broth, and the chewy noodles.
For more Tokyo ramen, check out this article: What Is The #1 Ramen In Tokyo? 8 Best Ramen Spots In Tokyo 2023 You’ve Gotta Try
Ginza Kagari 2019 Introduction to Various Branches in Japan
“Ginza Kagari” has branches in Tokyo’s Ginza, Otemachi, Echika Ikebukuro, Lucua Osaka, and Sapporo. In December 2018, it also opened a branch in Taichung Mitsui Outlet Taichung Port Store. There are more and more options to enjoy this Michelin-level cuisine.”
It is important to note that the original “Echika fit Ginza store (ギンザ カガリ)” has closed, and “Kagari Ginza store” has moved to the new Ginza main store in December 2018. The dining experience introduced here by Piaor is also in the new Ginza main store in 2019.
【Detailed Location】Ginza Kagari Ginza Main Store
- Address: 1F, Ginza A Building, 6-4-12 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Business hours: 11:00~15:00, 17:30~22:00 (business hours may end early if soup runs out)
- Notes: No reservations, cash payment only (no credit cards accepted)
This time, Piaor came to the Kagari Ginza Main Store (カガリ) which opened on December 27, 2018. The location is actually a bit difficult to find, located in an alley behind Tokyu Plaza Ginza. It is strongly recommended to use a SIM card with internet access to navigate directly.
Actually, you can definitely find it. Just think about how even in these remote and sparsely populated alleys, there are tourists from all over the world, including Singapore, France, Australia, and Malaysia, all lining up for Michelin-starred ramen. It’s clear that everyone’s food radar is especially strong when it comes to this.
This time, during peak season (cherry blossom season at the end of March), we arrived at 2:00 pm on a weekday and there were already seven groups of customers waiting (almost 20 people in total). The wait time was over 40 minutes, which was a bit tough, but it was all worth it when we finally tasted the ramen.
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Ginza Kau Chinese Menu
The Ginza Kagari main store still uses manual ordering with seating, without a ticket machine. We only received the menu when we reached the front of the line. The menu is available in Chinese, Japanese, and English, as there are many tourists!
👍🏻 Here are a few must-visit recommendations:
- Signature Basic: Chicken White Soup SOBA
- A Must-Try for Truffle Lovers: Chicken White Soup SOBA Truffle
- Refreshing Dip Noodle: Chicken White Soup Seafood Dip Noodle
- Small but Delicious: Chicken Chashu Butter Rice with Truffle Soy Sauce (Chicken Char Siu Butter Rice with Truffle Soy Sauce)
There are also instructions on how to dine after the menu.
After ordering, the utensils will be delivered, and then it’s just a matter of waiting!
Aside from the Michelin recognition, Ginza Kō is also the number one restaurant for “sold out dishes of the day” in the Kanto region of Japan according to the game “Golden Legend”.
【Signature Dish】Chicken White Soup SOBA Truffle (1,280 JPY)
Ginza Kaga has its own unique limited edition dishes in addition to the must-have signature dish “Chicken White Soup SOBA” at each of its branches. This time, I ordered Chicken White Soup SOBA Truffle at the Ginza main store. Yes, in addition to the refreshing and light chicken white soup, there is also a ball of truffle on top. Oh my, this is really a great blessing for truffle lovers~!
The chicken broth is truly as elegant and fragrant as rumored, rich but not greasy, and paired with truffles it’s really delicious. It’s no wonder that this new generation of ramen is so popular among women, as it combines the trendy chicken soup ramen of the past two years with elements of high-end French cuisine. Mature women simply can’t resist this temptation!
In addition to the strong broth, the chicken meat in the chicken broth at Sanhe House is also of high quality, tender and well-seasoned. The noodles at Sanhe House are also very elastic, and when paired with seasonal vegetables, it breaks away from the traditional combination of bamboo shoots and meat slices in ramen. The changing seasonal vegetables are more in line with the new era of health consciousness.
The ramen at Ginza Kagari comes with domestically produced grated ginger and fried dried onions, and there is also organic brown rice vinegar and black seven spice powder on the table to adjust the taste. However, I think the original soup is already amazing! Even if you drink it all, you won’t get tired of it. Honestly, this is the first time I’ve had ramen in Japan and drank all the soup. It’s so delicious!
Chicken Char Siu Butter Rice with Truffle Soy Sauce
The next dish to recommend is this Side Dish “Chicken Char Siu Butter Rice with Truffle Soy Sauce”. Originally, I wanted to order the Echika Fit Ginza store limited menu Chicken White Soup with Black Truffle Stewed Rice, but the Ginza main store does not sell black truffle chicken broth stewed rice, only a small portion of chicken and truffle rice.
However, the deliciousness of this bowl also blew away Piao Er. The chewy and delicious Japanese rice is topped with handmade pure-brewed black truffle soy sauce, and the topping is grilled chicken cooked with black truffle soy sauce. It is tender and has a truffle aroma. Truffle lovers must order it!!!
Ginza Kagari is truly a rare and addictive refreshing style of ramen. While many people recommend Afuri Ramen with its refreshing yuzu flavor for those who prefer lighter ramen, if you find Japanese ramen too salty, oily, and heavy every time you eat it, Afuri Ramen, despite its refreshing yuzu flavor, still cannot avoid being too salty and oily. However, Ginza Kagari’s chicken white soup is really similar to Taiwan’s refreshing chicken soup, but with the rich and satisfying flavor of Japanese simmered ramen broth, plus the perfect addition of truffle. If you can only choose one ramen shop in Tokyo, give up Ichiran Ramen and join the team at Ginza Kagari!
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