Iekei ramen in Chiba: visiting Sugitaya’s Chiba Yuko and Chiba Ekimae branches

What kind of ramen shop is Sugitaya?

Sugitaya is an Iekei ramen shop described as Yoshimuraya’s first direct-lineage shop. Its main shop is in Shin-Sugita, Yokohama, separate from the two Chiba branches.^[S05][S07]

The official website describes a broth made with pork and chicken bones. The local magazine Gurutto Chiba also describes the Chiba Ekimae bowl as Iekei ramen combining pork-bone and chicken-bone broth with soy-sauce seasoning.^[S06][S13]

The key point when choosing this store is “Do you want to experience tonkotsu shoyu's Iekei in Chiba?'' Rather than ranking the taste, think about the style of food you want to eat and whether it fits with your travel plans.

For an early-morning bowl: Chiba Yuko

The official opening time for Chiba Yuko is 5:00 a.m., making it an option for an early Iekei meal. Mondays are listed as the regular closing day.^[S07]

Rather than adding ramen after breakfast, it will be easier to plan the amount of ramen as your morning meal. This is not a recommendation based on different tastes, but a selection method that takes advantage of business hours.

For a meal while exploring the city: Chiba Ekimae

Gurutto Chiba describes Chiba Ekimae as within walking distance of JR Chiba Station, and about two minutes on foot from Yoshikawa-koen Station on the Chiba Urban Monorail.^[S13]

Even though the name is "Chiba Ekimae branch", it is not a store located in front of the ticket gate of JR Chiba Station. In the map app, enter the store name until the end to confirm that it is a store in Chuo-ku, Chuo. It is important not to confuse it with the Yuko store.^[S07][S13]

Chiba Ekimae opens at 11:00 a.m. If you are planning a morning visit, do not confuse its hours with those of the Yuko branch.^[S07]

Purchase your meal ticket first before lining up

Sugitaya’s official website instructs customers to buy a meal ticket inside the shop before joining the line. If there is a queue, check the instructions at the entrance before simply joining its end. If you are unsure, ask a member of staff first.^[S05]

In Japanese, you can check it like this:

“Should I buy a ticket before joining the line?”「先に食券を買ってから並びますか？」

The meaning in English is: Should I buy a ticket before joining the line?.

However, this is an explanation based on the official information for Sugitaya. Don't assume that other ramen restaurants have the same order.

For the first time, start with basic ramen.

At first, we recommend that you choose basic ramen, and when asked about your preferences, say, “I'd like everything to be normal, please.'' Sugitaya also recommends the standard flavor for first-time customers.^[S06]

Decide whether to add toppings or rice based on your hunger level and the store menu. You can enjoy the basic taste of the restaurant without having to “load everything on because you came all the way.''

Prices, payment methods, and whether or not there is an English menu cannot be confirmed in this article, as we could not confirm them based solely on the official page we checked. It's a good idea to check before your visit and have cash on hand to avoid problems at ticket machines.

A bowl in Chiba can be part of the journey

Do you choose the Yuko store to suit your morning schedule, or choose the station store to suit your walk around Chiba? Even with the same Sugitaya, you can choose the store depending on the scene you visit.

First, enjoy a bowl, and on the way home, think back to “How strong was the soy sauce?'' “Did you like the texture of the noodles?'' It may be a time when you can experience the city through food, which is different from adding one more tourist attraction.