Kyoto’s Acclaimed Ramen Shop 'Menya Inoichi' Opens Its First Tokyo Store in Kagurazaka on August 6

【A New Story of Ramen Begins in Kagurazaka】

In 2013, 'Menya Inoichi' began as a small 7-ping shop with just 12 counter seats in Teramachi, Kyoto.

Since its founding, the shop has remained sincerely dedicated to noodle cuisine, refining its signature bowl in Kyoto. This summer, for the first time, that bowl will step beyond Kyoto.

On Thursday, August 6, 2026, 'Menya Inoichi (Kagurazaka)'—its first Tokyo store—will open.

Exterior Concept

【A New Shop Born in the Town of Kagurazaka】

Kagurazaka was chosen as the site for the first Tokyo outpost—a neighborhood where historic streetscapes blend naturally with new cultures, bustling with people.

The interior features only a 15-seat counter.

We prioritized a sense of closeness where guests can observe the chef’s movements and even smell the aroma of the dashi, aiming to create a space where visitors can truly savor the moment of enjoying a single bowl.

The façade combines glass blocks with wooden latticework.

Inspired by traditional shoji screens, the design softly diffuses natural light during the day, while at night, a gentle glow from within softly spills out, allowing the shop to quietly blend into Kagurazaka’s streetscape.

Dashi Soba (White Soy Sauce)　　　　　　　　　Aburi Char Siu Dashi Soba (White Soy Sauce) Aburi Wagyu Soba (Dark Soy Sauce)

Hiyashi Dashi Soba (Dark Soy Sauce) Aburi Wagyu Hiyashi Bukkake Soba (White Soy Sauce) Homemade Shumai

Umakara Yamaimo Tamarimeshi Aburi Char Siu Don Kujo Negi to Aburi Wagyu Meshi

【A Brand Cannot Be Conveyed by a Single Bowl Alone】

The first Tokyo store is not merely an expansion of outlets for 'Menya Inoichi'.

It raises the question: how can we convey what we’ve nurtured in Kyoto to Tokyo?

The answer led us to an approach that expresses our brand not only through food, but also through tableware and even wearable items.

As a partner in this challenge, we welcomed 'HOUSE INDUSTRIES', a U.S.-based design studio known for working with global brands across genres, including Hermès, Disney, and Porsche.

By sharing brand books and visual references, we created an original graphic that stylizes the letters 'MENYA INOICHI' as noodles.

This design has been applied to five types of tableware, as well as ladles, tenugui (hand towels), and T-shirts.

We see tableware not merely as vessels to serve food, but as canvases that reflect the essence of our cuisine.

The Kagurazaka store is not only our first Tokyo location, but also the starting point for our new form of expression.

【The First Bowl in Tokyo】

Prior to the opening of the Kagurazaka store, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, we hosted a one-night-only pop-up event at 'Meiji Park Market', a community food hall inside Meiji Park in Tokyo.

Despite being held on a weekday, the approximately 80-seat venue remained fully occupied from opening to closing, welcoming around 150 guests. All 150 bowls of ramen prepared over about three hours sold out.

We also sold limited-edition bakery items in collaboration with 'Parklet Bakery', located within the same facility. Many guests enjoyed these special, one-day-only menus born from our shared philosophy of respecting ingredients.

"I’ve always dreamed of trying Inoichi’s ramen, and finally got to taste it in Tokyo."

We received many such comments, and felt that the bowl we’ve refined in Kyoto was genuinely embraced in Tokyo.

We will carry forward the expectations we received that night into the opening of our Kagurazaka store.

【The Story That Began at 7 Ping and 12 Seats】

'Menya Inoichi' was founded in 2013 as a small 7-ping, 12-seat counter shop in Teramachi, Kyoto.

What has remained unchanged since the beginning is our dedication to crafting dashi that carefully draws out the umami of seafood, and our sincere commitment to each ingredient as we continue refining each bowl.

This dedication led to our first listing in the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand in our second year, followed by nine consecutive years of inclusion—nurturing our brand with the support of countless customers.

With our first Tokyo store, we are also challenging new forms of expression through tableware, space, and graphic design.

Yet, some things remain unchanged.

Remaining sincerely dedicated to each bowl and continuing to refine our dashi. The spirit born from a 7-ping, 12-seat shop will continue to be passed on, one bowl at a time, in Kagurazaka.

【Store Overview】

Store Name: Menya Inoichi (Kagurazaka)

Opening Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026

Address: 3-6-46 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0825

Hours: Lunch 11:00–14:30, Dinner 17:30–21:00

Regular Holiday: Irregular

Seats: 15 (Counter only)

Access: ・4-minute walk from JR Iidabashi Station West Exit ・4-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Iidabashi Station Exit B3 ・5-minute walk from Toei Oedo Line Ogonkagurazaka Station Exit A3 ・7-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Tozai Line Kagurazaka Station Exit 1a

【Company Overview】

Company Name: SF P Diners Co., Ltd.

Representative: Yuichi Nakano, President & CEO

Address: 2-11-1 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Brand Website: https://menyainoichi.net/