Menchirashi
About This Spot
Stepping into Menchirashi is like slipping into a quietly vibrant corner of Tokyo’s culinary tapestry—a place where the rhythm hums just a little faster than the city outside, yet offers a comforting sense of intent and craft. Nestled in the heart of Jingumae, Shibuya, this udon nook unfurls a warm, inviting atmosphere that somehow feels both lively and intimate. The air carries the faint scent of fresh wheat dough, inviting you into a shared moment of simple, thoughtful indulgence.
The space hums with a gentle energy as diners lean forward, eyes fixed on the artfully prepared bowls and the rhythmic mastery of noodle-making uncovered along the bar. Despite the patience required to claim a seat during peak hours, there’s a calm camaraderie among patrons—a mutual understanding that this experience is worth savoring beyond just the food.
Menchirashi’s menu reveals a playful spirit within traditional boundaries, offering dishes that twist familiar udon textures and flavors into something quietly unexpected. The rich, creamy allure of a carbonara udon feels like a gentle surprise—comforting but curious—with toppings that invite personal customization and moments of discovery in each bite. Elsewhere, lighter preparations, like the clear, delicate broths or crisp tempuras, balance the heartier offerings and highlight the craftsmanship behind each element.
What lingers beyond the meal is this subtle dialogue between innovation and tradition, an atmosphere where the enjoyment comes just as much from watching the chefs work their magic as from the satisfying slurp of noodles on your tongue. Time seems to slow here, measured in noodle strands and shared smiles, inviting you into not just a meal, but a quietly rich local ritual.
Though the wait can be long—a testament to its growing local buzz—visitors often find that the neighborhood stroll while queuing becomes part of the day’s unfolding story. It’s in these moments of anticipation, amid the bustling streets of Shibuya, that Menchirashi feels most like a hidden gem: a space where patience and curiosity are rewarded with something unexpectedly warm and genuinely joyful.
What’s Available Here
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On-site services
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Delivery
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Quick bite
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Brunch
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Table service
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Toilet
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Casual
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Trendy
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Tourists
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University students
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Usually a wait
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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PayPay
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM | |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM | |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM | |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM | |
| Friday | 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM | |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM - 09:30 PM |
Sahjin Lee 03 Jan 2026
Went on a weekday at around 5:30 and waited around 40 mins until we were seated. The staff are very accommodating and take your order whilst you are in the queue. Ordered the carbonara udon and added an extra topping of kujo leeks to help cut through the more richer sauce. Udon noodle quality was very good and prices were very reasonable. I would recommend coming earlier for dinner as you can always expect a queue at this place.
Meow Jun Oh 01 Nov 2025
waited for about 2 hrs before we get seated. Good thing is that there’s virtual queue but we didn’t expect such a long wait. Suggest for others who want to visit, to get a queue number first before you take your time to explore the area. We had to cut short our time in the next area because we spent a total of 3 hrs (2hrs wait + 1hr ordering and meal time) on this. Even the queue for the toilet was quite a wait. Ordered the viral carbonara udon. Its really good, really creamy and buttery. Sadly it only had 3 pieces of pork. Loved the setup of the restaurant, you can see the chefs cooking your udon from outside. Was it worth sacrificing 3 hrs for my next area? Not really. But was it worth the try? Definitely Would love to head back again if the wait wasn’t that long.
Grazeradinfinitum 24 Oct 2025
The spicy carbonara was ok (3/5). I enjoyed the texture of the fresh noodles the most. I love the firm, chewy texture of the noodle. The carbonara is sorta a novelty dish. I may be wrong but it’s served in a deconstructed fashion—the components are all separated (parmesan, egg yolk, butter, cream) and the heat doesn’t work in this dish for my palate. I highly suggest ordering a more traditional flavor profile for an authentic experience. I also had their ebi ten and it was delicious. My food rating would’ve been higher had I tried a more traditional offering. The wait was rather ridiculous. You first had to register email via QR code and it’ll inform you in like 45 minutes to come wait at the back of the line for another 45 minutes. If I happen to walk by and the line is short I would definitely try another flavor. Despite the wait, service was very accommodating and friendly. And the price is unbeatable for fresh udon.
Doug Fischer 23 Oct 2025
Food, service, atmosphere all on point. We came at a busy time and had to wait about an hour, but they sat our party of 5 across the bar and food came out shortly after sitting. What a fun experience watching them make the noodles. Good music playing in the background, vibes were excellent. The carbonara tastes similar to kraft macaroni and cheese.. delicious. Also ordered chicken tempura + raw egg on the udon which I liked just as much as the carbonara, if not more so. The prices are so cheap that we thought the portions would be small, but this wasn't the case. We ordered 3 bowls per 2 people (each a hot bowl + a carbonara to split with one other person), which turned out to be a lot to finish. Worth the hour wait, no doubt.
Orlando Heelas 12 Oct 2025
This place truly lives up to the hype. There’s often a wait, but it’s 100% worth it. The carbonara ramen is the standout for good reason — silky, perfectly cooked noodles coated in a rich, creamy sauce that never feels too heavy. Every bite feels well thought out, balanced, and genuinely satisfying - the kind of dish you’re still thinking about long after finishing the bowl. One thing to note: if you’re really hungry, the carbonara portion isn’t massive. I’d recommend ordering two portions.
Ted Delcima 17 Sep 2025
This spot isn’t over-hyped—it earns every bit of its reputation. Yes, there’s usually a wait, and yes, it’s absolutely worth it. The carbonara ramen is the star for a reason: silky, perfectly cooked noodles coated in a rich, creamy sauce that never tips into heavy or cloying. You can go classic or opt for the spicy red sauce, which adds heat without drowning out the umami. Every bite feels intentional, balanced, and deeply satisfying—the kind of dish you think about long after the bowl is empty. PRO TIP: get there at least 30 minutes before opening—the line forms fast. And while the carbonara put them on the map, don’t sleep on the rest of the menu. The beef rice bowl with tempura ginger is shockingly balanced—savory, lightly sweet, crisp, and fresh all at once. PRO-PRO TIP: the carbonara portion isn’t huge, so if you’re built like me (6’3”, 210 lbs), you can comfortably crush two and still walk out smiling.