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    Mendokoro Kinari

    メンドコロ Kinari

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    Ground Intel & Counter Rules

    Queue Protocol

    Line Up First

    Join the line outside. Staff will direct you inside to buy your ticket when seats open up.

    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

    Usually under 15 minutes

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

    Best for

    A five-seat Higashi-Nakano shop run since 2018 by a former French chef, whose layered dark-soy ramen uses French techniques on a stock of niboshi, bonito, tuna flakes, mussels, chicken and shiitake, with no chemical seasonings. It has been listed as a Michelin Bib Gourmand and draws a steady queue, including travellers with suitcases.

    Order This

    Koikuchi Shoyu Ramen (濃口醤油ラーメン)

    Shoyu
    Niboshi
    Gyokai
    Ramen
    ¥1,000–1,999

    Good to know & entry protocol

    1–3 minutes' walk from the east exit of JR Higashi-Nakano Station; look for the mint-green building. Only 5 counter seats, so expect a queue from before the 11:30 opening. Wednesday closed, no Sunday dinner. Add an 'aedama' (dressed extra noodles); shoyu ramen around ¥1,000 per a Retty review snippet.

    Counter seating

    Location

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    東京都中野区東中野1-51-4 大ビル1F

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    What to expect

    Noodles

    Ramen

    Broth

    Shoyu
    Niboshi
    Gyokai

    Typical price

    ¥1,000–1,999

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    Recommended order

    Koikuchi Shoyu Ramen (濃口醤油ラーメン)

    Bib Gourmand year from teriyaki.me (2019 edition for the Higashi-Nakano shop); not checked against the current Michelin guide. Building name 大総ビル (input says 大ビル).

    食券

    Ticket Machine Button & Price Map

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    Getting there

    東京都中野区東中野1-51-4 大ビル1F

    3 min from Higashi-Nakano

    JR Sobu Line, JR Chuo Line, Toei Oedo Line

    Hours

    11:30–14:30, 18:00–20:30 (last orders); Sundays lunch only. Closed Wednesdays.

    Closed: Wednesday

    Queue & entry protocol

    1–3 minutes' walk from the east exit of JR Higashi-Nakano Station; look for the mint-green building. Only 5 counter seats, so expect a queue from before the 11:30 opening. Wednesday closed, no Sunday dinner. Add an 'aedama' (dressed extra noodles); shoyu ramen around ¥1,000 per a Retty review snippet.

    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 Mendokoro Kinari

    What is the nearest station to Mendokoro Kinari?
    Higashi-Nakano, about a 3-minute walk away. Higashi-Nakano is served by JR Sobu Line, JR Chuo Line and Toei Oedo Line.
    What should I order at Mendokoro Kinari?
    Koikuchi Shoyu Ramen (濃口醤油ラーメン). The kitchen works in Niboshi and Gyokai. Noodles: ramen.
    How much does ramen cost at Mendokoro Kinari?
    A bowl runs ¥1,000–1,999.
    When is Mendokoro Kinari open?
    11:30–14:30, 18:00–20:30 (last orders); Sundays lunch only. Closed Wednesdays. Closed Wednesday.
    What should I know before visiting Mendokoro Kinari?
    Seating is at the counter.
    Do I line up first or buy a ticket first at Mendokoro Kinari?
    Join the queue outside. Staff will invite you inside to sit and order at the counter.
    What payment methods does Mendokoro Kinari accept?
    Cash is recommended. Keep ¥1,000 notes ready for the ticket machine.