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【Wase-Meshi】Recommended by Waseda Univ. Graduates! 4 Abura-Soba Restaurants
Waseda University is easily accessible, located near Takadanobaba Station (JR Yamanote Line, Seibu Shinjuku Line, Tokyo Metro Tozai Line), Waseda Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, Toden Arakawa Line), and Nishi-Waseda Station (Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line).
Wase-Meshi are perfect for satisfying the appetites of hungry Waseda students and working adults, with plenty of volume, reasonable prices, and a wide variety of menu items!
In this article, I will introduce 4 famous Abura-Soba (soupless ramen) restaurants recommended by the administrator of this blog, a Waseda graduate!
Musashino Abura Gakkai (武蔵野アブラ學会)
Affordability :★★★★☆
Cost Performance:★★★☆☆
Volume :★★★★☆
Yuden Level :★★★★★
The abura soba specialty restaurant about a 9-minute walk from Waseda Station is known by Waseda students as “Gakkai.”
Aside from its main store in Waseda, there are also branches nearby (1-minute from Waseda Station), in Yoyogi, Meidaimae, Kichijoji, and Kanda.
Out of all the spots mentioned here, this one is the admin’s personal favorite.
With the richest, most intense flavors among the 4 restaurants, it’s especially recommended for young people and men.
The restaurant offers generous portions—you can upsize from regular to large for the same price—and has a wide variety of toppings.
When you come at the right time, you can also enjoy Chinese soup with carrots (refillable) and namul bean sprouts (one bowl per person).
Many customers order the endless rice option (¥50) to enjoy along with their meal.
The restaurant also has three types of loyalty cards, each offering various perks based on the number of visits.
The map for this restaurant is shown below.
Men-Ji Abura (麺爺 あぶら)
Affordability :★★★★☆
Cost Performance:★★★★☆
Volume :★★★☆☆
Yuden Level :★★★★☆
This is an abura soba specialty restaurant just a 1-minute walk from Waseda Station.
What sets this place apart is the variety in both flavor options and table seasonings.
The base flavors come in four types: Black (Soy Sauce), White (Salt), Red (Spicy Miso Soy Sauce), and Crimson (Spicy Miso Salt).
Each base flavor pairs well with different seasonings on the table, allowing you to enjoy variations in taste!
While the standard serving size may feel a bit small, each visit rewards you with a coupon for an extra 100g of noodles free on your next visit.
I once received a coupon for up to 200g extra, making it a pretty good deal!
You can also pay to increase the noodle portion as follows:
Large (+¥100) → Extra Large (+¥200) → Oni-Mori (+¥300) → Kami-Mori (+¥500) → Kami-Dai (+¥600) → …
Back when I was a student, finishing Kami-Mori or higher would earn you a photo posted inside the shop, provided it wasn’t too busy.
I’ve managed to finish the Kami-Tokumori (+¥700) portion!
For anyone with a big appetite and some extra cash, why not give it a try?
The map for this restaurant is shown below.
Tokyo Menchintei Hoｍpo (東京麺珍亭本舗)
Affordability :★★★★☆
Cost Performance:★★★☆☆
Volume :★★★★☆
Yuden Level :★★★★☆
Located about a 5-minute walk from Toden Waseda Station, this is the original abura soba specialty restaurant, commonly known as “Menchin.”
In addition to the flagship store in Waseda, there are branches such as Nishi-Waseda (5 minutes from Waseda Station) and Takadanobaba (1 minute from Nishi-Waseda Station).
As the original store, you can enjoy a simple yet classic abura soba here!
You can upsize to a large portion for the same price as a regular, so you’ll definitely be satisfied with the volume.
Start by adding vinegar and chili oil, and enjoy the dish as is.
Later, enhance the flavor by adding garlic sauce for a richer and more intense taste!
Personally, I recommend adding a soft-boiled egg topping (+100 yen)!
The map for this restaurant is shown below.
Zuboshi (図星)
Affordability :★★★★☆
Cost Performance:★★★☆☆
Volume :★★★☆☆
Yuden Level :★★★☆☆
Located about a 2-minute walk from Waseda Station, this restaurant also has a second location nearby called “Zuboshi Hanare (図星 はなれ).”
This restaurant’s Abura soba features a light taste using bamboo shoots and bonito flakes, making it particularly popular with women.
In 2023, it ranked #1 in the ramen category in “Milestone Express,” a comprehensive information magazine for Waseda university students!
You can add se-abura (pork back fat) for free partway through the meal or have a complimentary serving of rice at the end to mix with the remaining sauce, making the meal especially satisfying!
The map for this restaurant is shown below.
Summary
How was it?
I’ll be honest; I didn’t know what Abura soba was until I started university, so I remember being surprised the first time I tried it.
There are many different types of abura soba, so I think everyone has their own favorite spot.
Besides the places listed above, there are plenty of other restaurants around Waseda university that serve abura soba, so I’d definitely recommend exploring to find your own favorite!
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