Other
Ramen Chikinto
らーめん チキント
A seven-seat counter on a quiet side street near JR Tachikawa's south exit. It serves a chicken-based ramen without chemical seasonings, and uses chicken toppings instead of pork chashu.
The shop
In his twenties the owner restocked vending machines from a truck. At 30 he went to work in a Chinese restaurant, then at a chicken restaurant, and later trained at a ramen shop in Koenji. In November 2010 he began serving ramen as 'Kure-chan Ramen', using the lunch slot of a bistro in Kichijoji. He opened Ramen Chikinto in Tachikawa on 8 April 2011.
The bowl
The soup is made from chicken carcasses and feet, dried ingredients and seafood, with no chemical seasonings. The shoyu is Kikkogo, made by Kondo Brewery in Tokyo. The ramen uses medium-thin straight noodles from Murakami Asahi Seimen, cooked on the firm side. Toppings are chicken thigh, chicken breast and chicken meatballs (tsukune), not pork.
How to order
Start with the basic 'ramen', described in a 2021 feature as the most popular bowl. For heat, the 'beni' ramen and beni abura soba use the shop's own chili oil and garlic chips. There is also a clear-soy tori chuka soba and abura soba. A shio (salt) version has been offered in limited numbers. Order at the ticket machine.
Before you go
- Closed Mondays. Lunch is 11:30-15:00. Dinner is served on weekdays except Monday, but day and night opening varies, so check the shop's X before you go.
- Cash only.
- 7 counter seats. Children are welcome, but each seat needs one regular noodle order.
- 2-3 minutes from JR Tachikawa's south exit, but the street is narrow and quiet and the shop can be hard to find.
FAQ
Is there pork chashu?
No. The toppings are chicken thigh, chicken breast and chicken meatballs.
Is there something spicy?
Yes. The 'beni' ramen and beni abura soba use house chili oil and garlic chips.
Is it open for dinner?
On some weekdays. Opening changes day by day, so check the shop's X.