Niboshi (dried sardine)
Niboshi Iwashi Ramen En Hachioji Honten
煮干鰮らーめん 圓 八王子本店
A seven-seat counter between Keio-Hachioji and JR Hachioji. It specializes in ramen made with iwashi (sardine) niboshi broth, served in dark-soy, light-soy and back-fat versions.
The shop
En opened on 23 May 2009. The founder, Mr. Tanaka, retired on 26 February 2020 because of his age. Since March 2020 the shop has been run by Mr. Machida, owner of Kyoka in Tachikawa, who changed part of the menu and raised prices. It was named to Tabelog's Ramen TOKYO Hyakumeiten (top 100) list every year from 2017 to 2025.
The bowl
Every bowl starts from a broth of dried sardines. You choose a dark soy sauce (koikuchi) or light soy sauce (usukuchi) tare, and the menu also has a version topped with back fat.
How to order
Order the house 'niboshi iwashi ramen' and pick your tare: koikuchi for a stronger soy flavor, usukuchi for a lighter one. Rice dishes have also been on the menu, including chashu rice cooked with the pork and tamago kake gohan (raw egg over rice).
Before you go
- Cash only. Cards, e-money and QR payments are not accepted.
- Weekdays 11:00-16:00 and 17:00-22:00. Weekends and holidays open all day, 11:00-22:00. For the first three days of the New Year it closes at 18:00.
- Only 7 counter seats. Children are welcome on a parent's lap, but strollers cannot come inside.
- About 10 minutes on foot from both Keio-Hachioji and the north exit of JR Hachioji. There is no parking.
FAQ
What should I order?
The niboshi iwashi ramen. Choose dark soy (koikuchi) or light soy (usukuchi); a back-fat version is also listed.
Is it open in the afternoon?
On weekends and holidays it is open all day. On weekdays it closes between 16:00 and 17:00.
Can I pay by card?
No. Bring cash.
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