Delicious Miso Ramen In Ikebukuro - "Misoya Seibē"

Ramen, a dish loved by many people in Japan, is gaining popularity all over the world each year. It can even be said that it is one of the dishes representative of Japan. Ramen varieties with pork-based soup and fish-based soup in particular are extremely popular, and you can see many new restaurants serving them. One type of ramen shop that is rather rarely seen is the type that uses one of the traditional Japanese flavors - miso (*1).

We will introduce to you the appeal of Misoya Seibē Ikebukuro, which specializes in miso ramen.

*1… Miso: Traditional Japanese flavoring made from fermented soybeans.

Keep An Eye Out For The Flashy Display!

The Ikebukuro West Exit branch of Misoya Seibē is located a 3-minute walk from Ikebukuro station. There are many restaurants in the surrounding area. With the hinomaru ("the Japanese sun", a stylized image of sun) in the background, the hanging display announcing the nōkō kanjuku miso ramen (濃厚完熟味噌拉麺, "thick miso ramen"), will act as your landmark.

Inside there are nine counter seats, and eighteen table seats.

Multi-lingual Menu

Once you enter the shop, there is a ticket vending machine to your right side. The really popular items have pictures, but the menu items on this ticket vending machine are all in Japanese. However, don't worry. Guests from overseas can take a seat first, and can order from the multi-lingual menu.

This is the menu. The menu features descriptions in English and Chinese as well as Japanese. Also, while they are not permanently stationed, there is also Chinese speaking staff in this restaurant.

From The Display Menu: "Thick Miso Ramen" - 750 yen

Now, we will introduce an item from the earlier display, the Thick Miso Ramen.

The characteristic features of Misoya Seibē ramen are the plentiful toppings and the extra thick miso soup, which makes the most of the miso's taste and sweetness. I personally loved the soup, but the taste may vary from individual to individual, and some might find this flavor a little too concentrated. When you are ordering though, you can tell the staff how thick you want the flavor to be, and they'll adjust the flavor for you. Therefore, if you've eaten Japanese ramen before, and you've felt it was a little too concentrated, don't hesitate to tell the staff "aji usume de" (味薄めで, "less concentrated") when ordering.

When I asked the staff what was their recommendation, they said to mix all the toppings into the soup once before eating the ramen. In doing so, you can get the flavor of the white sesame seeds and the sweetness of the raw vegetables to melt and harmonize with the creamy soup. Eating them together also allows you to enjoy the crunchy texture of the cabbage and beans sprouts.

Because medium thick noodles are used, they interweave well in the soup. The noodles are springy, and have a rich texture.

Even the menma*2 and chāshū*3 are not losing in terms of flavor, as they have their own individual taste. The menma are very well seasoned, with an overall sweetness, and an accent of spice upon biting into them. They're not too hard nor too soft, having just the right texture. The chāshū is soft and, while having been stewed in the soup, it still has a distinctive pork taste. Both of these go really well with the miso soup.

Also, Misoya Seibē offers rice for free to the customers who order ramen. Putting the rice into the leftover soup and eating it with the Chinese spoon is another way of enjoying ramen. The miso-based soup goes really well not just with noodles, but with rice as well. The smell of the miso is really inviting. Rice goes really with this ramen, because the soup is so concentrated. I wasn't able to stop once I started eating.

You can have as many servings of rice as you like, so this is good new for those who enjoy eating tasty food.
*2… Menma: A processed food made from fermented bamboo shoots.
*3… Chāshū: Grilled pork meat stewed in the ramen broth.

In Conclusion

So how does it sound? If you're ever looking to eat delicious traditional ramen in Ikebukuro, an area with so many unique ramen shops, then please stop by Misoya Seibē. Aside from the store in Ikebukuro, there is also a store in Ueno, so you can visit either one according to your travel plans.

Information

Misoya Seibē Ikebukuro

Address: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Nishi Ikebukuro 1-34-4
Hours: 11:00 - next morning 7:00 (Last order at 6:30)
Closed: Open year round
Wi-Fi Available: -
Credit Cards Accepted: -
Multi-lingual Support: They're not always there, but there are Chinese-speaking staff members
Multi-lingual Menu Available: English, Chinese
Nearest Station: Ikebukuro Station 池袋駅 (JR Yamanote Line, JR Saikyo Line, JR Narita Express, JR Shōnan Shinjuku Line, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line, Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, Tōbu Tōjō Line, Seibu Railways Ikebukuro Line)
Access: 3-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station, North Exit
Price Range: -999 yen
Religious Considerations: -
Phone: 03-6907-0095
Official Website: Misoya Seibē Ikebukuro Store (Japanese Only)