While Yamagata boasts Japan’s most prolific slurpers – the northern prefecture regularly tops per capita ramen consumption rankings – finding proper Yamagata ramen in Tokyo has long been far more difficult than it should be. Since August 2024, relief has been offered by Musashi-Koyama’s Ikkyu, an upstart shop aiming to bring the flavours of Yamagata institution Kin-chan Ramen to the capital.
Their signature Yamagata Chuka Soba (¥850) comprises a chicken-based soup incorporating kombu and a burst of aromatic greens, a punchy shoyu tare, and round, endearingly fluffy house-made noodles. Toppings include meaty wonton, soft-boiled egg, and premium char siu pork barbecued in house – all essentials elevated to a level you rarely get at this price point.
For a change of pace, try the Niboshi Chuka Soba (¥1,080) or tsukemen (¥980) – or queue up really early for a shot at one of the ten daily servings of Kinkaton Chashumen (¥2,500), a bowl topped with Kinkaton (Jinhua pig) char siu from Yamagata’s Hirata Farm, one of only two locations in Japan that raise this premium pig.