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    Bib Gourmand

    Chukasoba Kotetsu

    中華そば こてつ

    Top 1% in Japan
    · 500+ ratings
    Shop Photo

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    Ground Intel & Counter Rules

    Queue Protocol

    Buy Ticket First

    Purchase your food ticket at the vending machine inside the door before joining the queue outside.

    Payment Acceptance
    ¥1,000 Notes Only

    The ticket machine rejects ¥10,000 and ¥5,000 notes. Break large notes at a convenience store before arriving.

    Typical Wait

    20 to 45 minutes at lunch

    Peak rush runs 11:45 to 13:15 on weekdays. Arrive 15 minutes before opening for shorter waits.

    Best for

    Chukasoba Kotetsu sits in the quiet residential alleys of northern Shimokitazawa, four minutes from Shimo-Kitazawa Station. A perennial Michelin Bib Gourmand selection, the compact counter shop specializes in classic Tokyo chintan ramen. Master Kotetsu brews a golden soup blending chicken frames, pork bones, niboshi dried sardines, and bonito flakes. Hand-massaged curly noodles provide a lively, chewy spring that grips the savory broth. Bowls come topped with handmade pork and shrimp wontons, tender braised chashu, and crunchy menma.

    Order This

    Tokusei Chukasoba (特製中華そば) & Wantanmen (ワンタンメン)

    Shoyu
    Shio
    Hand-massaged curly medium-thick noodles
    Ticket machine
    ¥1,000–1,999

    Good to know & entry protocol

    Purchase tickets at the vending machine right inside the door before taking an open seat. The wantanmen sells out early on busy weekend afternoons. Cash only. Eight counter seats total.

    Operational note: Shimokitazawa wonton and niboshi shop; posts daily business hours, soup availability, and irregular holidays.
    Live announcements:𝕏@kote2_shimokita
    Kids welcome
    Counter seating

    Location

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    東京都世田谷区北沢2-39-13 田丸ビル 1F

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    What to expect

    Noodles

    Hand-massaged curly medium-thick noodles

    Broth

    Shoyu
    Shio

    Typical price

    ¥1,000–1,999

    Convert with YenPocket →

    Recommended order

    Tokusei Chukasoba (特製中華そば) & Wantanmen (ワンタンメン)

    食券

    Ticket Machine Button & Price Map

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    Getting there

    東京都世田谷区北沢2-39-13 田丸ビル 1F

    4 min from Shimo-Kitazawa

    Keio Inokashira Line, Odakyu Odawara Line

    Hours

    11:30–15:00, 17:30–21:30. Closed Tuesdays.

    Closed: Tuesday

    Queue & entry protocol

    Purchase tickets at the vending machine right inside the door before taking an open seat. The wantanmen sells out early on busy weekend afternoons. Cash only. Eight counter seats total.

    Ticketing & operational notice: Shimokitazawa wonton and niboshi shop; posts daily business hours, soup availability, and irregular holidays.

    Check official accounts before heading over for unscheduled closures or early soup cutoffs:

    How to Order
    Native Japanese audio

    This shop likely uses a ticket machine (食券機 / kenbaiki). Buy your ticket before sitting down.

    Order your bowl

    醤油ラーメンをください

    Shoyu ramen o kudasai

    Customise your noodles
    麺かためでMen katame de (firm noodles)
    麺やわらかめでMen yawarakame de (soft noodles)
    替え玉くださいKaedama kudasai (extra noodles)
    Useful phrases
    おいしい!Oishii! — Delicious!
    お会計お願いしますOkaikei onegai shimasu — Check, please
    ごちそうさまでしたGochisousama deshita — Thank you for the meal (said when leaving)
    大盛りでOomori de — Large portion, please
    少なめでSukuname de — Smaller portion, please

    Allergy card

    Select your restrictions. Show the generated card to restaurant staff.

    Need spoken Japanese audio and offline dietary cards?Japan Food Allergy & Celiac App →

    Questions about Chukasoba Kotetsu

    What is the nearest station to Chukasoba Kotetsu?
    Shimo-Kitazawa, about a 4-minute walk away. Shimo-Kitazawa is served by Keio Inokashira Line and Odakyu Odawara Line.
    What should I order at Chukasoba Kotetsu?
    Tokusei Chukasoba (特製中華そば) & Wantanmen (ワンタンメン). The kitchen works in Shoyu and Shio. Noodles: hand-massaged curly medium-thick noodles.
    How much does ramen cost at Chukasoba Kotetsu?
    A bowl runs ¥1,000–1,999. Bring cash: the shop does not take cards. Order from the ticket machine by the door before sitting down.
    When is Chukasoba Kotetsu open?
    11:30–15:00, 17:30–21:30. Closed Tuesdays. Closed Tuesday.
    What should I know before visiting Chukasoba Kotetsu?
    Expect a queue at peak hours, seating is at the counter and children are welcome.
    Do I line up first or buy a ticket first at Chukasoba Kotetsu?
    At Chukasoba Kotetsu, purchase your food ticket at the vending machine inside by the entrance, then take your place in the line outside. Staff collect tickets before seating.
    What payment methods does Chukasoba Kotetsu accept?
    Cash only. The ticket machine takes ¥1,000 banknotes and coins. Break ¥10,000 bills before arriving.