Jikasei Mensho

Wagyu & Vegan Ramen in Shibuya

Operating Hours

11:30 to 21:30, L.O. 21:00 (Daily)

Budget

￥￥

Jikasei Mensho is a ramen (ラーメン, Rāmen) restaurant in the basement of Parco Shibuya (東京, Tōkyō) that offers up classic Shoyu Ramen (醤油ラーメン, Shōyu Rāmen, Soy Sauce Ramen), a modern take on tori paitan ramen (鶏白湯ラーメン) infused with wagyu (和牛, Wagyū, Japanese cattle) and white truffle, and also a vegan ramen option. They offer both classic takes and modern re-interpretations of ramen. If you're looking to try out what ramen in the early days of Tokyo used to taste like, you can go for the shoyu ramen, which is a very bare-bones and old-school version. If you're looking to be a bit more adventurous to try out new flavours, the White Truffled Scented Wagyu Tori Paitan Ramen would be an interesting dish to check out. Lastly, if you're on the hunt for vegan food options in Shibuya, Jikasei Mensho offers up a Vegan Tantanmen (担々麺) in a classic, and dry version.

Jikasei Mensho Review and Thoughts

Recommended

Let us note upfront that this review focuses on the Shoyu Ramen that we had at the shop. We've not had the Wagyu Tori Paitan Ramen, so this review is not indicative of that dish. In terms of the Shoyu Ramen, we found it to be rather bland and unremarkable. While it is understandable that this style of classic old-school ramen has this type of taste profile and ingredient composition, that doesn't make it any easier to recommend to a person who has limited choices when it comes to the number of meals they have on their trip.

If we go back to try the Wagyu Tori Paitan Ramen, we'll revise this review with our inputs from then. But for now, we would advise against getting the Shoyu Ramen at Jikasei Mensho.

For the record, we also wanted to note that we were huge fans of the original Wagyu Shoyu Ramen at Jikasei Mensho when they first opened in 2019. However, due to a low number of customers and the COVID-19 pandemic, Jikasei Mensho revamped that menu, and the delicious dish was lost. We would've given a 5/5 to the Wagyu Shoyu Ramen that we had back then.

That being said, Jikasei Mensho is generally not too crowded a shop, and can be a quick and easy option if you're in the Shibuya area and unwilling to queue.

Jikasei Mensho Menu Recommendations

白トリュフ香る和牛鶏白湯らぁめん

White Truffled Scented Wagyu Tori Paitan Ramen

¥1,000

An interesting take on tori paitan ramen (鶏白湯ラーメン), Jikasei Mensho fuses together the tastes from the chicken broth together with wagyu (和牛, Wagyū, Japanese cattle) and that accents it with just a bit of white truffle. It's an extremely upscale-tasting both of noodles, and not something you often see in Japan.

柚子香る和牛鶏白湯らぁめん

Yuzu Scented Wagyu Tori Paitan Ramen

¥1,050

Yet another interesting take on tori paitan ramen (鶏白湯ラーメン) that also fuses together the tastes from the chicken broth together with wagyu (和牛, Wagyū, Japanese cattle), but adds a citrusy aftertaste with some yuzu (柚子).

醤油らぁめん

Shoyu Ramen

¥890

This interpretation of shoyu ramen (醤油ラーメン, Shōyu Rāmen, Soy Sauce Ramen) resembles ramen in its early days, simple, unassuming clear broth with just soup, noodles, and some slices of chashu (チャシュウ, Chashū, Roasted Pork). Do note that the taste is rather light, and might come across as bland to some.

ヴィーガン担々麺

Vegan Tantanmen

¥1,050

This vegan version of tantanmen (担々麺) uses soy milk, sesame, and peanuts to create a delicious broth. Do be careful if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.