Local Eats Japan

A masterful chicken ramen built around a rich oyadori broth, chewy noodles, and a calm neighbourhood atmosphere just outside Shibuya.

Ayagawa is a tucked away gem in Ebisu and has even made it into the top 5000 ranking on tabelog (Japan’s biggest food review site).

Ayagawa is also commonly referred to as “chuuka soba” (Chinese noodles) much like other restaurants are, but note that there is no difference between the two words. 

It has an easy to enter atmosphere, with a ticket machine to the right of you when you walk in (make sure to purchase your ticket before you sit down).

The shop also has both counter and table seats making it easy to go either by yourself or as a pair. 

This was the first ramen I ever had in Japan, but it still stands at some of the top ones I’ve eaten (nostalgia aside). 

This shop specializes in “Oyadori” for both their soup and chicken toppings, which roughly translates to parent bird,  which refers to chickens that are no longer able to lay eggs. 

Chicken ramen is few and far between in Japan, with the majority being pork based, so if you happen to go to one, they are generally great. 

But differing from perhaps some of your image of a stereotypical chicken soup, this ramen takes it to another level.
Besides using a ton of chicken bones to simmer down, they also include chicken oil which enhances the flavor to make it just that much more rich. 

On top of this, they also include chicken chashu which while may be a bit more chewy than what you might be familiar with, it is because Ayagawa wants to stay to true to their use of the oyadori.

I actually thought that this chicken was much more flavourful compared to a more tender counter-piece (think brown meat on a turkey at thanksgiving). 

The noodles as well are perhaps even more uncommon, boasting a quite thick almost resembling wonton noodles, but are a bit al dente consisting of almost an udon texture.

One thing I like about these noodles as well as I feel like they almost do a better job of soaking up the soup, as compared to its equivalents. 

I think that this is a must try if you are in the area, as it’s just so unique, and despite having been to over 200 different restaurants, I have yet to only eat at one other place besides here that serves ramen with a chicken broth. 

All in all, this is a great example of a restaurant that has mastered their craft and serves up an amazing bowl of ramen, all while being walking distance to Shibuya, but boasting a way less busy, quiet vibe to it.

Japan never ceases to amaze me with how in such a close proximity two places can seem like completely different worlds. This is a prime example of that.

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