Let’s talk about what you need to be looking for in the kitchen.

If you spot one of these big burly machines in the back, that means they make their noodles in house. Some places leave some flour sitting around too, and the floor gets a bit powdery, which I think is just the most atmospheric choice. These machines aren’t cheap, with many shops outsourcing noodle production for cost and convenience. So when you see an actual machine in the kitchen, you know you’re getting something totally unique.

Menya Mikan is just ten minutes from Shibuya, and is a great spot for fresh noodles. They also do a nice job of rebelling against the stereotype that soy sauce based ramen lacks the body and depth of thicker counterparts. This is a hearty bowl!