Iekei
Thee Kichijoji Musashiya
吉祥寺武蔵家
Kichijoji Musashiya has served Yokohama-style iekei ramen since May 1999, open until late every day of the year, with all-you-can-eat Aomori rice for a small extra charge.
The shop
Musashiya opened on May 13, 1999 under the railway tracks near Kichijoji Station and moved to its current spot behind Marui in 2012. It is part of the iekei style that traces back to Yoshimuraya in Yokohama, and is unrelated to the Musashiya based in Shin-Nakano despite the shared name. The shop says it has stayed open through typhoons, snow and New Year.
The bowl
The soup is cooked from more than 150 kg of domestic pork and chicken bones and finished with a house soy tare that has been topped up for over ten years. The fully loaded Kichijoji-mori bowl comes with three thick slices of chashu, a seasoned egg, shredded leek and spinach.
How to order
Order iekei ramen (from ¥950) and tell staff your preferences for flavour strength, amount of fat and noodle firmness. Many regulars ask for 'koime' (stronger flavour). Add rice for ¥150 to make it all-you-can-eat; the shop uses Masshigura rice sent from Aomori.
Before you go
- Open every day, 11:00-01:30 (Sundays until 00:30).
- The official site says cashless payment is accepted.
- About two minutes from Kichijoji Station's south exit.
- The official website has an English page.
FAQ
Can I choose how my ramen is made?
Yes. You can set flavour strength, fat level and noodle firmness.
Is rice free?
Rice costs ¥150 and is then all-you-can-eat.
Is it open late?
Yes, until 01:30 most nights and 00:30 on Sundays, every day of the year.
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