01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
When looking to coat hearty, thick noodles in a dense dipping broth, Menya Riki (麺屋 力), set in the residential streets of Nakajujo in Kita Ward, provides a reassuringly solid lineup. The signature tsukemen pairs extra-thick noodles with a rich double broth of pork bone and seafood, with noodle portions selectable between a standard 200 g or a medium 300 g serving. Beyond the standard dipping broth, variations such as curry tsukemen and spicy tsukemen with adjustable heat levels allow diners to tailor a bowl with plenty of punch.
From Chicken Paitan to Abura Soba: Finding the Right Bowl
Sharing popularity with the tsukemen is the tori soba, prepared with a rich, creamy chicken paitan broth. Alongside medium-thick noodles that carry concentrated richness, the shop also provides thin noodles for an easy slurp as well as a Japanese-style soy sauce ramen featuring seafood dashi, offering enough breadth to match any appetite. On days when a soup-free bowl hits the spot, the brothless abura soba—offering both regular and medium noodle portions—makes an enticing choice when paired with special deluxe toppings.
Small Plates and Drinks for an Unhurried Visit
While operating as a ramen restaurant, another distinctive feature is its generous selection of side dishes and alcoholic beverages. Patrons can enjoy a glass of draft beer, green tea highball, or shochu alongside affordable bites like gyoza, motsuni (simmered offal), spicy scallion chashu, and deep-fried tofu topped with natto. Furnished with both counter and table seating, the shop is welcoming for solo diners, making it just as suitable for a hearty midday lunch as it is for lingering over small plates before finishing with a final bowl of noodles.
