Located a little away from the main Asakusa area, Menya Toritodashi is a hidden ramen shop in the Higashi-Asakusa neighborhood.
To get there, you can take the Taito City Circular Route Bus “Megurin” from Asakusa Station. The ride takes about 10 minutes and brings you to a quieter area away from the busy tourist streets. It’s a nice place to enjoy ramen at a more relaxed pace.
Even if you find a ramen shop that looks delicious, visiting one in Japan can sometimes feel a little intimidating for international travelers.
You might wonder:
“How do I get to the ramen shop?”
“How do I order?”
“What makes this ramen different from others?”
But don’t worry.
This shop provides an English menu, and when I visited, I also saw several international customers enjoying their meals.
And most importantly, once you make the short bus trip, you’ll be rewarded with delicious bowls of tsukemen and wonton ramen.
In this article, I’ll guide you as your “friend in Asakusa,” sharing tips on how to fully enjoy your experience at Menya Toritodashi and easing any concerns you might have!
Goma's Tips for the Perfect Menya Toritodashi Experience
Even if it’s your first visit, keep these three points in mind to make sure your experience goes smoothly.
1. How to Get There
To get to Menya Toritodashi, take the Taito City Circular Route Bus called the “North Megurin.”
This bus circulates around the Asakusa area and runs approximately every 10 to 30 minutes. The fare is very affordable—just 100 yen for both adults and children.
You can board the bus at the stop next to Tobu Asakusa Station. From there, ride the bus and get off at the 10th stop, “Higashi-Asakusa 2chome.” The ride takes about 10 minutes.
Once you get off the bus, you’ll see the ramen shop right across the street, so it’s very easy to find.
2.How to oder
At Menya Toritodashi, you order using a ticket machine located in front of the shop.
First, choose your menu item on the machine and purchase a meal ticket. After entering the restaurant, simply hand the ticket to the staff.
If you’re worried about the language, don’t worry. An English menu is available next to the ticket machine, so you can check the menu before buying your ticket.
Once you hand the ticket to the staff, just take a seat and wait for your ramen to arrive.
3. What Makes Menya Toritodashi Different?
Menya Toritodashi offers ramen that stands out not only for its flavor, but also for its presentation and the way it is served.
First, the key element is the “dashi,” which is even part of the shop’s name.
The soup is made from a rich broth based on chicken and dried sardines (niboshi), creating a thick and deeply savory flavor.
Another thing that stands out is the beautiful presentation. The noodles are neatly lined up, almost like a carefully plated dish.
In addition, the dipping soup for the tsukemen is served in a hot stone bowl, which keeps it warm until the very last bite. Even when you dip the noodles into the soup, it stays hot so you can enjoy the dish without the broth cooling down too quickly.
My Experience
This time, I enjoyed the Special Rich Tsukemen (¥1,200) and the Wonton Ramen (¥1,080) .
The Special Rich Tsukemen is served in a hot stone bowl that keeps it warm.
The thick chicken and niboshi broth coats the chewy noodles perfectly.
The chashu is tender and flavorful.
You can also upgrade the tsukemen to a large portion for free.
To change the flavor of the noodles, the shop also provides several seasonings such as jalapeño vinegar, dashi vinegar, garlic vinegar, and black shichimi pepper.
Adding a small amount along the way lets you enjoy different flavor variations while finishing the bowl.
There are also instructions in English on the wall explaining how to eat tsukemen, so even first-time visitors can feel comfortable.
Another enjoyable part of tsukemen is “wari soup.” After finishing the noodles, you can dilute the remaining dipping broth with dashi and drink it. This is a uniquely Japanese way to enjoy tsukemen.
The rich, thick broth becomes milder and easier to drink, allowing you to savor the flavor until the very last sip.
The wonton ramen is just as satisfying.
Each wonton is packed with juicy meat and has a pleasant bite.
The clear chicken broth is rich in umami yet light on the palate, with a well-balanced saltiness.
From the crisp onions to the hearty bamboo shoots and the perfectly seasoned soft-boiled egg, every detail feels thoughtfully prepared.
Hearing “Itterasshai (Take care)” as you leave leaves you with a warm feeling.
Many customers were saying “It was delicious” on their way out — which says it all.
A comforting bowl worth visiting in Higashi-Asakusa.
Basic information
🏠 Menya Toritodashi（麵や 鶏とだし）
📍 1-2-1 Nihonzutsumi, Taito-ku, Tokyo
🕘 11:30 - 14:30 / 17:30 - 21:30
💤 No regular holidays
🚌 Take the Taito City Circular Route Bus “Kita-Megurin (North)” from Asakusa Station.
Get off at “Higashi-Asakusa 2-chome” — just a 20-second walk.
💴 Cash only.
If you want to see more delicious food in Asakusa, be sure to check out my Instagram too📸✨Just click the icon below!
Comments
Post a Comment