I was rejected by Fukko and Goryokaku, so I came here instead. It's exactly 11 a.m. on a weekday, and there's no wait. There's a ticket machine outside the restaurant. I ordered the Chinese soba for 850 yen. At 11:03 a.m., the bowl arrived, emanating a scent of bonito flakes. First, I tasted the soup—slurp. It's a soy sauce-based soup with a pronounced bonito flavor, although the dashi is somewhat weak. There's a layer of chicken fat on top, making it a bit oily. Next, the noodles—slurp. They're curly, medium-thick, and have a chewy texture. The thickness varies, but they're delicious. The toppings are chashu and bamboo shoots. The chashu has a satisfying texture. It's been over 5 years since I last had this dish, so I didn't remember it well, but it was different from what I imagined. I feel like it used to have a stronger animal-based broth flavor. Thanks for the meal.

900 yen - The place is well-known and has been around for a long time, a famous spot in Ogikubo. The amount of oil on the surface took me by surprise at first bite. Initially, no matter how many sips of the soup I took, the oil was too prominent to really taste anything else. It wasn't until later that I began to discern the flavor of the soup. It was quite delicious, though there was a slight bitterness. Additionally, the layer of oil on top kept the soup hot throughout, which means it doesn't cool down. The noodles had a firm texture and were unique. They were tasty, but I found myself questioning if they lived up to their reputation. It feels like a traditional ramen, I suppose. Adding wonton costs an extra 400 yen, which seems a bit expensive. The branding as an establishment that has been around since the old days is clever.

On weekdays, I got in without waiting and ordered the wonton noodles for 1300 yen from the ticket machine. As reputed, the soup and noodles had a simple taste, and the wontons were flavorful. Unfortunately, the char siu was extremely unpleasant, to the point where I wish it hadn't been included. It was disappointing.

I went to Harukiya, a top-rated Chinese soba restaurant in the top 5000 list. I arrived around 6:50 PM on a Friday, and there was no line. I easily got seated at the low counter. I ordered the wantan noodles with seasoned egg for ¥1450, which is a bit pricey. The soy sauce-based soup had a delicious flavor resembling a mixture of dried fish and chicken broth, with a layer of oil on top making it hot. The noodles were chewy and thick, and tasted great too. It's no wonder Harukiya is considered the originator of Tokyo ramen; the ingredients and balance are just spot on. I'm glad I came. Thank you for the meal!

I arrived around 12:20 on a weekday and entered without waiting in line. I ordered Chinese ramen with a seasoned boiled egg. The dish arrived in about 5 minutes. First, I tasted the piping hot soup, which was delicious as expected. The noodles were also excellent, perfectly intertwined with the soup. The chashu pork, bamboo shoots, and seaweed toppings were carefully made and well-executed. The soft-boiled texture of the seasoned egg was also splendid. When I left the restaurant, there were 7 or 8 people waiting in line. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Lunch in Ogikubo. How long will this heat last? It's mid-September, but it's hard to believe it's still over 30°C. Today, I felt like having noodles, so I went to Harukiya Ogikubo main store. Before entering, I purchased a Chilled Ramen ticket for 1050 yen from the vending machine outside. I waited outside for about 5 minutes, handed the ticket to the staff, and waited for about 10 more minutes before being seated. I had no idea Harukiya served Chilled Ramen! The noodles weren't ice-cold but firm, with a satisfying texture. The toppings included seasoned ground pork, cucumber, chashu (roast pork), sliced boiled egg, onion, and cherry tomato. The seasoned ground pork had a subtle sweetness that was delicious. The sauce was soy-based with no acidity or sweetness, but rather a slight bitterness, so I adjusted the flavor with vinegar and mustard on the table and finished it all. I chose Chilled Ramen because of the heat today, but I think I'd still prefer the classic Chinese Ramen...Thanks for the meal!

Visited after about 30 years. Arrived at 12:35, and there were three people ahead of me in line. I have a habit of loving wonton noodles too much, and whenever it's my first time or after a long time at a place, I always order the large serving. Yeah, it was delicious. I can't comment on the details, but the soy sauce flavor and the oil were tasty. However, maybe it's the changing times, but a large serving of wonton noodles costs 1,450 yen... quite expensive, haha.

It had been over 10 years since my last visit. Arriving late for lunch on a weekday, we were seated almost immediately, but there was already a small line forming inside. Clearly, it's still a popular spot. I ordered the wonton noodles and waited for about 10 minutes. Just like old times, the piping hot soy sauce ramen arrived, lightly seasoned with oil, a simple concoction of dried fish and chicken broth. The pork slices and bamboo shoots were as average as ever. The wontons were piping hot, and I had to sip water in between, but I've always enjoyed the thrill of burning my mouth a bit, so no problem there. I couldn't resist slurping up every last drop of the soup, as usual. I realized I should come here at least once a year. Thanks for the meal.

Visited on September 10, 2023, at 11:07 AM. There were 12 people waiting outside the store. I purchased meal tickets for Wonton Noodles (1,300 yen) and Meat Rice (200 yen), then joined the queue. At 11:29, I was seated inside the restaurant. At 11:37, the served dish had a well-balanced soup with both meat and seafood flavors, featuring a fragrant soy sauce base. The noodles were medium-thick and had a good chewiness. The wontons had a slight garlic aroma, adding a great accent. However, the char siu was quite tough, which was the only aspect I found lacking. Overall, it was a traditional Chinese-style ramen where each component stood out, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Upon leaving, the queue was still as long as when I arrived.

This was my nth visit, and so far, it's my favorite ramen place in Tokyo. It's been a while since my last visit, but I felt happy experiencing the consistently delicious taste. I'll continue to be a fan. I don't often go to Ogikubo, but I'd like to visit again in a few months.

Visited three long-established ramen shops in Ogikubo. Marufuku was unexpectedly closed, so ended up trying two places, haha. I've known about Harukiya for 30 years, but it was my first time visiting. Got there right before opening on a weekday at 10:40 and was the first in line. Looks like you can easily get in until around 11:15. Oh man, the taste of old-fashioned Chinese soba is so good! It's delicious. Even the aftertaste feels nostalgic, lol. The ingredients are simple, and the noodles are a bit on the lighter side. It's worth a visit at least once.

I went to Harukiya to finally try the ramen in Ogikubo! At lunchtime, it was crowded with businessmen, but when I went around 5:40 PM, I was able to get in easily. It might have been a good time since it was still a bit early for dinner. Now, about today's order. When it comes to Harukiya... it's got to be the Wonton Noodles for 1300 yen! Even though ramen is over 1000 yen now, I couldn't resist the temptation of the wontons. I stored my belongings under the chair and in the cubby on the wall behind me. After waiting excitedly for about 10 minutes, the food arrived! The wontons were just the kind I like, light and fluffy. The noodles were also chewy and delicious. Maybe because I wasn't starving due to the early hour, but it felt like a satisfying portion. Thanks for the meal! Oh, and it's nice that you can use big bills in the ticket machine, isn't it?

Visited for lunch on the go. No parking available nearby, but found a coin parking lot and parked there. It was 1:45 PM on a weekday. Purchased a ticket for the #1 popular wonton noodles at the vending machine and followed the staff's guidance to wait. Waited for only 3 minutes before being seated. Chose a counter seat and waited. There were menus on the wall, but taking photos inside the restaurant was not allowed, except for my own ramen. After 4 minutes of waiting, the noodles arrived. The appearance was a simple soy sauce ramen. Now, let's dig in! Starting with the soup... Whoa, it's hot! Didn't expect the soup to be this hot. But it's delicious! Extremely tasty! The noodles were medium-thick, with a nice chewiness. When it comes to popular places, service can sometimes be lacking, but not here. The staff was friendly and provided excellent service. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal!

The foreign female waitress in a yellow apron was very unfriendly and gave off a terrible vibe. However, once I tried the wonton noodles, their consistently delicious taste made me completely forget about the unpleasant waitress! I doubt there's any other place that can rival the wonton noodles here! The chashu was also delicately flavored!

I revisited Harukiya for a final taste of their summer special "Cold Chinese-style Soba" before the season ends, this time opting for a "Large Serving of Cold Chinese-style Soba". It was a weekend lunchtime, and there was a wait of about 20 people, taking roughly 30 minutes to get in. Thought you might want to know. Once seated at the counter, after a short wait, I saw the boiled noodles in a strainer pass by, heading to the back room to be dressed in the cold Chinese-style. The large serving is spread out on a wide flat plate, unlike the regular serving, which definitely gets you excited! First, I savored the noodles alone, checking their curliness, hydration, and aroma, then mixed them with the sauce, which is skillfully blended with oil to create a unique creaminess. The dish also comes with plenty of ingredients, bringing a smile to my face with its deliciousness! In the latter half, I enjoyed changing up the flavor with mustard and vinegar, finishing it all off with delight! What an impressive meal, completely satisfying! Since the "Cold Chinese-style Soba" will likely be finished by my next visit, I'm looking forward to returning to their wonton noodles and eagerly awaiting next summer!

It's been about a year, I guess?? During that time, I've come to the front of the restaurant about 5 times, only to always find a huge line and end up going back home. Today, I was determined to eat here, so I targeted just after 3 PM to make my move. Oh my, the crispy yet tender, piping hot soup that almost burns you is just so delicious with its depth of flavor! The curly noodles also have the best texture and chewiness. This is one place I would never want to disappear, even if the earth were to be destroyed.

I went around 7:00 p.m. on a weekday, and the restaurant was about 50% full, which is surprising for a popular spot. The staff promptly refilled water whenever it ran low, showing great hospitality. I ordered the wonton noodles for 1,300 yen and added a flavored egg for 150 yen. The soup had plenty of oil, so it stayed piping hot until the end, but the noodle's texture didn't quite match well with it. The wontons, about five pieces, maintained a good balance of flavors throughout. The chashu was traditional but slightly dry. Next time, I might just go for the wontons alone!

The 162nd ramen I had was "Wonton Noodle Soup with Ajitama" at the popular long-standing Tokyo Ogikubo shop "Ogikubo Chuka Soba Harukiya" in 2023, priced at 1,450 yen. The price seems steep, almost like skipping dinner during a trip or going to a famous place. I heard that the management structure has changed, but I wanted to try this historic Chinese ramen that has been around since the early post-war Showa era. It was the third day of my summer vacation, and I was on an expedition to support the Buffaloes at Seibu Dome. Before the game, I visited the shop. The main noodle menu includes: - Chinese Soba: 900 yen - Wonton Noodle Soup: 1,300 yen - Cha Shu Ramen: 1,400 yen - Cha Shu Wonton Noodle Soup: 1,750 yen - Cold Chinese Soba: 1,050 yen They are neatly displayed at the storefront. I bought tickets for "Wonton Noodle Soup" and "Ajitama" from the ticket machine and then quickly entered the shop. I observed the gestures of the staff and found their Asian-style service quite pleasant. Soon after, the noodles were served! According to the shop's explanation, the soup is made by simmering dried sardines, bonito flakes, and various vegetables and chicken bones. They then add a fragrant original blend of soy sauce. The soup has a rich umami flavor with a Japanese-style aroma. Wow, it's delicious! The piping hot soup, topped with plenty of chicken oil, feels like the essence of ramen or something that makes you want to come back for more. The noodles are hand-kneaded, thick, and curly, perfect for soaking up the soup. The texture is superb, and it goes down smoothly. The cha shu pork, mainly lean meat, was delicious, and the wontons were generously filled and enjoyable to eat one by one. Though I failed to split the Ajitama with chopsticks, it tasted excellent! I finished every last drop of the hot soup and was very satisfied with the ramen overall.

Visited "Harukiya (Ogikubo Main Store)," a ramen shop that has been making delicious ramen since the Showa era. The goal of the day was to try their limited-time "Cold Chinese-style Noodles." Since I missed it last year and it's often sold out late in the day, I changed my strategy and aimed for right after opening. Arrived at the shop and checked the ticket machine, and to my relief, the "Cold Chinese-style Noodles" with nothing crossed out! Feeling secure now! Purchased the ticket for the "Cold Chinese-style Noodles" and waited in line behind customers on the sidewalk for the turn to enter. Successfully entered, sat down, and soon enough, came face to face with the eagerly awaited "Cold Chinese-style Noodles." The toppings included finely sliced kenchin tamago, purple sliced onions, meat miso, cucumber, chashu, green onions, and a mini tomato on top, creating a beautiful presentation with delightful textures when eaten. The sauce, a slightly acidic soy-based one, was very smooth and delicious. The noodles, a signature of Harukiya, were hand-kneaded with a firm texture and enjoyable chewiness. Fully satisfied with the refreshing Cold Chinese-style Noodles – definitely want to have it again! ^^

I finally went to the long-awaited Tokyo ramen spot, Harukiya. I learned about this place when I met a friend in Ogikubo, and they mentioned having ramen here. Ever since then, it became a place I really wanted to visit. Arriving for a late lunch, there was a wait for five people, but we got in within 10 minutes. I ordered the Chuka Soba for 900 yen. Back in the day, it was probably cheaper. Soon after, the steaming bowl arrived. The soup was incredibly hot, maybe due to the lard. It stayed piping hot until the last drop, which was delightful. The noodles, pork belly, and toppings, nothing stood out or was lacking. Everything was well-balanced, like they perfected the taste of "the best normal." It's truly one of a kind. Delicious! The soup was too hot to finish entirely, but I really didn't want to leave any behind. I definitely want to bring friends here and come again. Thank you for the meal.

"After visiting Torimoto, I went to Harukiya. I have visited the Kichijoji branch before, but today I went to the main store in Ogikubo. The soup is simply delicious, and after drinking it, the taste permeates through every part of your body. Ogikubo has a plethora of izakayas, making it perfect for a pub crawl, but Harukiya is the only choice for the finishing touch."