Aoshima Shokudo (青島食堂); Nagaoka’s Soul Food: Classic Ginger Shoyu Ramen. Akihabara, Tokyo
Back with another Tabelog top 100 and this time with Aoshima Shokudo located near Akihabara station. To be honest, Aoshima Shokudo has been a long time coming and I should have written about them ages ago given their legendary status in the ramen world, but better late than never! Anyways, if you’re not already aware, Aoshima Shokudo is actually a branch, Tokyo location of Aoshima Shokudo in Nagaoka city of Niigata prefecture. The supremely popular shop serves a ginger shoyu ramen and is now essentially known as Nagaoka style ramen. After their success opening a second shop in Nagaoka city, this Tokyo location opened up in 2009. As you can see from the photo, 12 years later and they still have long lines daily. Aoshima Shokudo is closed every Tuesday and is otherwise open from 11:00-17:00 every day. The closest station is technically Iwamotocho on the Shinjuku line, but is also easily accessible from Akihabara station via the JR lines.
A line forms both inside and out so take your place in the back and hang tight. Once you’re in the shop (but still in line) purchase your ticket. They’ll probably come up and take a look at your ticket or if they ask from behind the counter, just flash your ticket and you should be fine. They serve only one style of Ramen, their Aoshima Ramen, but comes in different topping options and noodle amount. From the top is regular ramen, then regular ramen with extra noodles, extra chashu ramen, and extra chashu with extra noodles. The buttons below is extra chashu (100 and 50 yen options), extra noodles (100 and 50 yen options), nori dried seaweed, and beer (which was sold out due to the pandemic, but offered in large and medium). The next row is spinach (100 and 50 yen options), menma (100 and 50 yen options), and then the negi.
So I ended up getting chashu ramen with extra negi. Honestly super reasonable prices here as this came out to a total of 950 yen and I was incredibly full after this meal. Starting with the soup, this is probably the best ginger shoyu I’ve ever had. I mean, granted, I’m not the biggest connoisseur of ginger shoyu and you probably haven’t seen a ton of it reviewed on my site, but even considering it in the category of chuka soba, this was one of my favorites. I loved how aggressive the ginger flavor profile is and the core stock which is steeped from pork is divine. Obviously this is a tanrei, light pork broth so it’s a rather clean palette with no lingering pork aftertaste which makes it pair incredibly with the ginger shoyu. A nice layer of lard is coated on the surface of the soup and it encapsulates the heat below, but also gives it that fatty, oily punch that is seriously addicting. However, it’s not so heavy on the lard that it’s not gonna weigh you down after the meal. Really well balanced soup overall and hangs with the best of them in this style.
Noodles were pretty typical of a chuka soba and it is a tad overcooked, but can’t be helped as they boil about 4-5 portions each time and it does sit there for a bit while the chef uses a hirazaru to scoop and strain each portion. Regardless, I quite like texture and is quite nostalgic so I can’t complain too much. They have a satisfying slurp as they are longer than typical chuka soba joints (at least that’s how it felt for me) and was incredibly filling despite me ordering just a normal serving size. In regards to the toppings, I love the refreshing crispness of the negi as well as the soup soaked spinach which comes with the ramen. I thoroughly enjoyed how the negi gives me a cleanse in between sips of the soup and also provides a texture contrast to the soft noodles. Spinach is just one of those old school toppings that I love seeing and the way it pairs with the ginger shoyu soup…I have no words, it’s just that good. Pork chashu was a shoulder cut (?) and was properly marinated and had a nice chew, but I definitely came away thinking I didn’t need to order extra. Don’t get me wrong, it’s really good, but it was just a bit too much and coupled with the generous noodle portion, I was proper stuffed by the end of it. Crunchy menma finished my bowl and it wasn’t special, but similar to the spinach, it added to the nostalgic feeling to my dining experience.
Not much more to say except… go. Honestly, Aoshima Shokudo is the perfect place to hit for lunch right before shopping in the nearby Electric Town of Akihabara and is one of those old school joints that you don’t see a lot of these days. I guarantee you this is one of two best in the area (other being Motenashi Kuroki) and is definitely worth the walk to. Anyways, if you’re here in Tokyo visiting, be sure to check out my Top 15 Ramen Shop eBook on sale on my site and any ramen related products you may want if you’re trying to replicate some of these dishes at home!
