Mutekiya Ramen – Ikebukuro

So back in March 2016, we went to an owl cafe called Ikefukurou (いけふくろう) in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan. While we were standing in line to go into the owl cafe, we noticed another line forming on the sidewalk.

When we got back home, the then girlfriend now wife was curious and figured out that the line was for a ramen place called Mutekiya (無敵家) with people saying that it’s the best ramen in Ikebukuro. It has hundreds of positive reviews in Tripadvisor and #1 Restaurant in Toshima. We decided that we must give it a go the next time we visit Tokyo.

So we went there last week, it was around 9pm on a Saturday night, somewhere around 5 or 6°C with a bit of rain, yet people were already lining up. We joined the line and waited.

As soon as we got to the corner of the street, the waiter shared the menu. For those who are unable to read Japanese, they also have the menu printed in English, Chinese and if I remember correctly, Thai and Korean. The menu is also available from their website although the one on the English website seems to be limited only to the ramen. I remember seeing other items in the menu including gyoza.

So the wife ordered Mutekiya Ramen and me being a spicy food lover, ordered Umakara-men and one portion of Gyoza. We waited in line for another 15 minutes before we finally got seated. Our total waiting time was about 1 hour.

The ramen-ya is small, with a seating of capacity of around 20 people. We got to our seats and in about 5 minutes, we got our orders.

It was delicious!!! They were both savory, and for mine, the spiciness is just right. The chasu is thick. and… and… I’m drooling right now. We didn’t get a picture of the gyoza, but its also delicious. All that for about ¥2500 or US$24.

So if you ever find yourself starving in Ikebukuro, this place should be on top of your list.

Website: http://mutekiya.com/index.html
Address: 1-17-1 Minami Ikebukuro Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-0022 Japan
Hours: Open 10:30 am / Close 4:00 am