01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Set along Nakano-dori avenue, Menya Hashimoto (known simply as Hashimoto) crafts straightforward, deeply satisfying bowls centered on a meticulously prepared pork-and-seafood double broth. The richness of chicken and pork provides body, while dried sardines and shaved fish flakes add refined savory depth, yielding a full-bodied soup that finishes remarkably clean. Paired with noodles offering a lively chew and pleasant slurp, each mouthful lifts plenty of broth and spreads savory flavor across the palate.
The chashu topping stands out immediately: thick-cut pork simmered until tender enough to break apart with chopsticks. Submerging the meat into the hot soup gently softens its fat, releasing mellow savor into the broth and making every bite alongside the noodles even richer. Opting for the Tokusei Ramen brings together a full cast of toppings—a soft-boiled seasoned egg, crisp menma bamboo shoots, and fragrant rock nori—delivering a harmonious balance from rim to rim.
Diners looking for an assertive punch should consider the Karami Ramen. A spirited heat cuts through and amplifies the richness of the dense broth, leaving a lingering, robust savory kick. You can brighten the bowl with the yuzu kosho (citrus chili paste) set at the counter, or round out the meal with a hearty side such as steamed white rice, chashu rice, or Okukuji tamago kake gohan featuring premium raw egg over rice.
The interior is arranged primarily around a counter, creating a relaxed setting where solo diners can settle in without hesitation. Orders are placed via a cash-only ticket vending machine, and steaming bowls arrive with practiced efficiency. For those in the Nakano area seeking an unhurried, focused bowl built on solid dashi fundamentals, Hashimoto is a reliable stop.
