Tabelog Top 100 Abura Soba in Higashi-Koenji, Tokyo: My Honest Review

Trying Abura Soba After Visiting the Ghibli Museum

After visiting the Ghibli Museum (If you want to read my full review of whether the Ghibli Museum is worth visiting, please click here), our plan was to take the Sobu Line from Kichijoji to Koenji for some vintage shopping and dinner.

But we found that the restaurant we originally wanted to try near Koenji was closed that day. So I searched online and found a highly rated abura soba place called だしと麺 遊泳 (Dashi to Men Yuei). It had been selected as one of Tabelog’s Top 100 Ramen Restaurants in Tokyo 2024, so we decided to go.

How to get there: 1-minute walk from Higashi-Koenji Station

Although Higashi-Koenji and Koenji sound like neighbouring areas, they are actually quite a walk apart. Even if you take the train, you still have a fair distance to walk and need to transfer once. We decided it was easier to walk from the start, which took about 20 minutes. If you do come by train, it’s very convenient to get off at Higashi-Koenji Station, as the restaurant is just a 1–2 minute walk from the station.

Dashi to Men Yuei restaurant exterior

The blackboard lists the many fresh ingredients used in Dashi to Men Yuei’s broth

Opening Hours of Dashi to Men Yuei

Although the official website lists their hours, we saw a handwritten sign on the door that seems to show their actual yearly schedule:

• Wednesdays & Thursdays: 17:00–21:00

• Saturdays & Sundays: 11:30–15:30

• Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays

We arrived around 5:30 PM on a Thursday, and there were already six or seven groups waiting outside.

Dashi to Men Yuei Menu and Ordering System Explained

While waiting in line, you’ll notice people passing down the laminated menu.

When it reaches you, take the menu and check what you want. Once it’s your turn, step inside to use the vending machine, where you can pay by credit card. After getting your meal ticket, return to your spot in line and pass the menu to the next person.
During our visit in May 2025, the staff said they could also take cash if we had the exact amount, but I’m not sure if that’s still the case.

The restaurant is small, with only seven counter seats facing the open kitchen. The two main dishes are:

• Abura soba (油そば) – soupless style soba

• Dashi soba (出汁そば) – served in a broth

I usually avoid oily or deep-fried foods, so this was actually my first time trying abura soba. Surprisingly, it wasn’t oily at all.

Order your meal at the kiosk inside the restaurant

Cozy and charming interior of the small restaurant

Review: My First Abura Soba 

The toppings were simple but satisfying:

• Char siu pork

• Menma (bamboo shoots)

• Bok choy

• Naruto (fish cake)

• A seasoned egg

• An egg yolk on top

The real highlight was the sauce. According to the restaurant, it’s made from a mix of ibuki dried sardines, horse mackerel, mackerel, flying fish, lizardfish, bonito, Japanese sake, barracuda, Spanish mackerel, dried pork bones, and pork meat.

With all of these ingredients, the flavour was deep, rich, and incredibly balanced. Mixing everything together with the egg yolk made it even smoother and more satisfying.
The noodles were thick, wide, and chewy — the kind of texture that feels filling even if the portion doesn’t look big.

How to Enjoy the Food

According to the guide on the table:

For Abura Soba:

• Break the egg yolk halfway through.

For the Dashi Broth (served on the side):

• Drink it as is

• Dip the noodles into it (tsukemen-style)

• Or mix it with the noodles

Why You Must Try Higashi-Koenji Abura Soba at Dashi to Men Yuei

The name “abura soba” made me hesitate at first, but it turned out to be nothing like I imagined. It wasn’t oily at all — more like a flavour-packed, soupless noodle dish.

Many people think “soba” only means buckwheat noodles, either cold or hot. But in Japan, the meaning varies. For example, yakisoba or Okinawa soba often don’t use buckwheat. This shop also uses “soba” in its own unique way.

If you’re looking for a hearty, flavourful, and unique noodle experience in Tokyo, Dashi to Men Yuei (だしと麺 遊泳) is absolutely worth visiting — especially if you’re already exploring the Koenji / Higashi-Koenji / Mitaka / Ghibli Museum area.

👉Tip: Check the detailed monthly opening hours on their Instagram account [Here]. Also, when searching on Google, using だしと麺 遊泳 instead of “Dashi to Men Yuei” will give you better results.

*This review is based on my personal experience, and results may vary for others. Please take it as a friendly reference.