Abura soba is a brothless type of ramen in which the noodles are mixed with a rich, savory sauce instead of soup.
Each restaurant uses its own signature tare (sauce), resulting in a deeply flavorful and satisfying bowl that still delivers all the indulgence of ramen—without the broth.
Thanks to its unique style, abura soba has long been popular among younger generations in Japan as a hearty, quick meal. More recently, it has also gained attention among international travelers.
“Musashino Aburagakkai Yoyogiten” is one of Tokyo’s standout specialty shops for abura soba. This beloved local spot is the perfect place to experience rich, bold flavors in between sightseeing stops.
Exterior of Musashino Aburagakkai Yoyogiten
Located just a one-minute walk from Yoyogi Station’s north exit, “Musashino Aburagakkai Yoyogiten” is easy to access.
It’s also just about a five-minute walk from the Southern Terrace Exit of JR Shinjuku Station, one of Tokyo’s busiest terminal hubs.
Inside, the shop offers more than just counter seating—there are two-person tables as well as larger tables that can seat up to eight.
Whether it’s lunchtime or late at night, the restaurant stays busy, especially with young people looking for a satisfying meal.
Interior of Musashino Aburagakkai Yoyogiten
When you enter the shop, the first step is to purchase a meal ticket from the vending machine.
For any abura soba you choose, there are three portion sizes for the noodles: regular at 180g (6.3 oz), large at 240g (8.5 oz), and double at 360g (12.7 oz). The price remains the same for both regular and large portions.
To upgrade to the double portion, just add 180 JPY (tax included) to the base price of a regular bowl.
“Musashino Aburagakkai Yoyogiten” offers two main flavor profiles for its abura soba.
One is the “Deluxe Tokunou” (extra-rich style), made with a house-rendered pork lard base. This version packs a punch with intense richness that leaves a lasting impression.
The other is the shop’s signature “Standard Abura Soba” style, which uses plant-based aromatic oils. It’s known for a lighter, yet flavorful taste with a lingering umami that keeps you coming back.
A luxurious bowl of noodles blended with egg yolk and sauce
In Japan, eating raw eggs is a widely accepted part of the food culture. What makes this possible is the strict quality control at every stage—from production to distribution—ensuring raw eggs can be safely consumed.
One of the most eye-catching and popular items from the rich Deluxe Tokunou menu is the “Nama Tama Tokunou” abura soba. It features a raw egg yolk placed right in the center, blending with the rich, savory sauce to create a deeply flavorful yet smooth and mellow bowl.
It comes generously topped with bean sprouts, cabbage, menma (fermented bamboo shots), naruto (fish cake), seaweed, daikon radish sprouts, thick-cut chāshū (Japan’s version of char siu) pork, and a hefty serving of garlic—making it a true treasure trove of toppings.
“特濃生玉油そば（大盛）,” Nama Tama Tokunou (large) 880 JPY (tax included)
Abura soba is best enjoyed by mixing everything together right away.
Make sure to scoop from the bottom of the bowl to incorporate the sauce that has settled there—this ensures the noodles are evenly coated with flavor.
True to its billing as an extra-rich style, your first bite hits with intense umami that floods your palate
As you continue eating, the sauce clings more tightly to the noodles and toppings, making each chew even more irresistible. You’ll find your appetite growing with every bite!
At Musashino Aburagakkai Yoyogiten, you’ll find an impressive lineup of 21 paid toppings, including eggs. Beyond the usual favorites like seasoned egg or vegetables, you can also opt for extra chashu or menma, as well as more unique options like cilantro, mentaiko (spicy pollock roe) mayo, grated cheese, and kimchi.
Each table is stocked with house-made condiments such as chili oil, vinegar, and sanshō (Japanese pepper), all available for free. Pairing these with the available toppings lets you customize your bowl to match your personal taste.
One of the unique appeals of Musashino Aburagakkai Yoyogiten is the ability to enjoy changing flavors within a single bowl, customizing your experience bite by bite.
That said, when ordering the Deluxe Tokunou style dishes, the shop recommends starting without any added condiments. Enjoy the rich, original flavor first, then gradually introduce condiments to explore deeper layers of taste.
With its generous portion size and intense flavor profile, the Nama Tama Tokunou abura soba delivers the ultimate in satisfying “junk” comfort food—it’s no surprise that it has many loyal fans.
Light but packed with flavor: the highlights of the “STANDARD ABURA SOBA”
The other signature flavor offered at Musashino Aburagakkai Yoyogiten is the Standard Abura Soba style, best experienced with their flagship dish, the “STANDARD ABURA SOBA (large).”
While still rich in the deep umami that defines abura soba, this style has a cleaner finish compared to the Deluxe Tokunou style, which is made with a generous amount of pork back fat.
For best results, follow a simple technique when eating: drizzle one full circle each of the house-made chili oil and vinegar—both available on the table—then mix thoroughly.
This adds just the right balance of acidity and fragrance to the noodles, making it easy to enjoy every bite to the very end without feeling overwhelmed.
“武蔵野油そば（大盛）,” STANDARD ABURA SOBA (large) 780 JPY (tax included)
At the Yoyogi location, one especially popular item is the limited-edition “Spicy Stir-Fried Vegetable Abura Soba (extra large)”, a bold twist on the Standard Abura Soba style at the restaurant.
This dish features pork and a generous helping of vegetables stir-fried with chili peppers and savory seasonings, then topped with delicate threads of dried red chili.
From the very first bite, you’ll feel a spicy kick that awakens your taste buds, all while savoring the deep umami that makes this variation both exciting and satisfying.
“辛野菜炒め油そば（大盛）,” Spicy Stir-Fried Vegetable Abura Soba (large) 980 JPY (tax included)
Both the styles of abura soba at Musashino Aburagakkai Yoyogiten use specially developed thick noodles made exclusively for the shop.
The noodles were created in collaboration with the renowned noodle maker Mikawaya Seimen, a respected name in the ramen world. The result is a custom noodle with remarkable chew and stretchiness — its springy texture perfectly clings to the rich sauces of both styles.
Whether you’re drawn to the punchy intensity of the Deluxe Tokunou style or the aromatic depth of the Standard Abura Soba style, one bite is all it takes to get hooked.
Enjoy the rich flavors and satisfying textures of Musashino Aburagakkai’s signature abura soba to the fullest!
Information
| Store name | 武蔵野アブラ學会 代々木店 Musashino aburagakkai Yoyogiten |
|---|---|
| Address | Villa Heights 1F, 1-58-7 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Yoyogi Station 2-minute walk from Yoyogi Station North Exit
Shinjuku Station（SJK） 1-minute walk from Shinjuku Station Southern Terrance Exit
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| Phone number | 03-6383-3241 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | Mon-Fri. 11:00-1:00 AM Sat. 11:00-22:00 Nat’l holidays 11:00-18:00 |
| Closed | Sunday |
| Seating | 21 seats 11 counter seats, 10 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non smoking |
| Official website | https://www.aburagaku.com/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of August 2025.
